Chapter 4: Seeking Companionship

1 month later

" Hurry up, the master will be home any minuet now!" Marie clucked

Servants bustled about as they cleaned the house from top to bottom. Every statue and every piece of furniture was polished and cleaned. Anna was with her tutor, preparing to enter a school for higher education, while the bustling servants cleaned.

By the afternoon Anna was dragged to dress in the finest clothing. She was dressed in the Eastern silk dress, Erik had sent from his first trip, the crimsoned red dress flowed with golden butterfly sleeves and a diamond ornament covered her bun hair. Anna's face was made up and her nails done, if she removed her gloved at supper time. Her gold shoes had glass heels and gems sewn on.

" Marie, why am I dressing so nicely?" Anna asked

" The master is bringing home Mademoiselle Murrell," Marie said

" Who is she?" Anna asked

" Only the finest woman in France," Marie said

Anna looked in the mirror as her dressed was tied. Anna sighed and turned around and looked at Marie.

" Marie, do you believe that this woman is the one Papa will marry?" she asked

" He's rather fond of the young woman. It's up to your father Anna," Marie said, " He deserves some happiness."

Anna nodded and walked towards the window as she placed the glass earrings in. She touched the pane and felt the coldness seep through her gloves, she breathed on the glass just as Erik did.

" Alright, I guess I shall bare a grin," Anna said, " after all Papa raised me and didn't see other women because he was concerned about me. If she is the one, then let it be."

Marie smiled and both woman walked down, the servants were dressed nicely as well and Anna placed red roses on the lapels of the men servants. She nodded and Marie placed a white rose in Anna's hair.

" There, now everything is perfect," Anna said

Erik's horses came up to the front and the doors opened and Mademoiselle Murrell's entourage came through with her belongings, then Erik and Mademoiselle Murrell walked in. The servants stood up straight and Anna walked over to them.

" Papa," Anna said kissing his cheek

She curtsied to Mademoiselle Murrell and she returned the curtsy.

" A pleasure Mademoiselle," Anna said

" Erik she's such a promising young woman," Mademoiselle Murrell replied

Anna smiled and wrapped her around Erik's other arm. They went to the dinning room to dine and this time there was chatter among them. Anna looked at Mademoiselle Murrell and then at Erik. She saw he seemed pretty happy, but there was something else in his eyes. He was still wondering about the mysterious girl from the ball. Anna did like that one and in fact mention her once or twice before, within that month.

By the evening Anna played the harp while Erik played the piano. Mademoiselle Murrell listened to them both and smiled. Erik looked at her and then got up and put out his hand to her. The two danced while Marie took over on the piano and Anna played on as well. She watched at Erik danced with this woman, which seemed to please him; but there were no signs of total happiness.

Anna grew tired of the flirting between Mademoiselle Murrell and Erik, so she faded away to her room. She prepared herself for bed and brushed out her blonde locks as she hummed. She looked at the locket which Erik gave her and smiled, but then frowned.

" What does he think he's doing?" she thought, " he's just a silly man trying to find a decent wife, but there was one."

Once Mademoiselle Murrell was off to bed Erik returned to his office life and looked at the endless books he wrote about his travels. He then stopped at a half empty journal to reveal a sketch of a young woman he drew. He picked the picture up and looked closely at her, her features were very like they mysterious young woman. The one he knew as Madame Giry's only daughter, the one woman that true kept his attention for the longest. He decided it was best to leave things unsaid to Madame Giry. Erik returned to lodging about, as he did when he was bored.

" Erik," a soft voice came

Erik turned and looked to his left to see Mademoiselle Murrell standing there. He stood and walked to her in slight confusing.

" Is your room not comfortable?" he asked

" No, its very nice," she replied

She looked at him seeing his slightly opened white shirt. She smiled reached up and touched his face.

" What is it?" he asked

" I want to be close to you," she said

Mademoiselle Murrell wrapped her arms around him and he around her. He leaned his head against hers and let the young woman just be with him at that moment.

" I am not going anywhere Angelica," Erik whispered

" I know," she whispered, " I just like having you hold me."

Erik nodded and kissed her head and looked on the shelf where a box sat. He knew the ring and found someone for the ring.

" Angelica," he said

" Yes, my dearest Erik," she replied

She looked up at him, her green eyes sparkled with hope and her brownish red hair flopped over her shoulders.

" Will you marry me?" Erik asked

" Oh, Erik," she whispered, " Of course I'll marry you."

Erik smiled and kissed her with a gentle kiss and then walked to the shelf. He opened the box and pulled out the ring. Still in its prime it shinned so brightly, even after what it had gone through. Erik slid the ring on her finger and kissed her.

" Erik it is beautiful," she gasped

Erik smiled and lifted her chin and kissed her.

" It shines perfectly on you," Erik replied

" Are we going to tell your daughter?" Angelica asked

" In time," Erik replied