Chapter 5: Plans to Break an Engagement
1 week later
Anna sat in her window and looked into the distance, there was nothing she could do about the love affair that Erik had going on. Anna looked at the locket and opened it to reveal the picture of them together.
" Papa, what have you done," she thought, " it's been many years since there was another woman, so why now?"
Anna didn't much care for Mademoiselle Murrell and would probably keep the same opinion once she and Erik wedded. Their engagement party was in1week and then it would be final. Mademoiselle Murrell had gardeners already making changes to the beautiful gardens that blossomed during the cold winter seasons and replaced with statues. Anna was forbidden to the wine cellar where she often went to be alone and when she was mad at Erik.
" This woman is a monster," Anna said
Anna walked downstairs and saw Mademoiselle handing the servants uniforms to wear.
" What do you think your doing!" Anna exclaimed
" Their servants, they shouldn't mind wearing something the mistress of the house gives them," Mademoiselle Murrell replied
Anna snatched the uniform and tore it and Mademoiselle Murrell looked at her.
" Why you spoiled, selfish girl!" she hissed
Anna looked at Mademoiselle Murrell and said, " These servants are paid to be here by my father."
" Things change princess, they are no longer paid," Mademoiselle Murrell said
Anna looked at the servants and dismissed them, but Mademoiselle Murrell called them back.
" You have no power over these people," Anna said
" I do now," Mademoiselle Murrell replied snobbishly
Anna turned away and ran towards the stables to find Erik. Erik was working with the stable hand when she came.
" Papa!" Anna called
Erik wiped his hands and walked out the stables and saw the distress in Anna's eyes.
" What is it my dear angel?" Erik asked
" She's making slaves out of the servants you pay," Anna cried
Erik walked to her and grabbed her hands.
" She's just making changes to the way we live," Erik said
" But papa, she has made you weak," Anna cried, " we both know that Mademoiselle Murrell is not the one you want."
" Anna," he sternly said
" No, I will speak out," Anna rebelled
Erik turned away and went back to work and Anna took her horse out the stables she road off, bareback away from the estate.
" Anna!" Erik cried out
Anna did not return just as she would in the past. She road off and Erik watched her vanish into the morning mist.
" Anna," he whispered, " why?"
He dismissed the stable hand and walked inside the estate and saw Mademoiselle Murrell ordering her servants to show the others how things should be run.
" Angelica," he called
She turned and smiled at Erik, then walked to him with her hand out. Erik grabbed her hand looked at her.
" What is it Erik?" she asked
" My daughter, what happened?" Erik questioned
" I asked her to be my maid of honor and she spit on me," Angelica whimpered with fake tears
" Monsieur that's not…" a servant said
" Silence," Erik hissed
Mademoiselle Murrell looked at Erik and wrapped her arms around him.
" I thought she liked me Erik, your daughter hates me and treats me with so much disrespect. All I want is to be a mother to her," Angelica cried
Marie sighed and walked off with the other servants. Erik looked at his fiancée and took her hand.
" I do not believe Anna hates you, she is going through changes in her life," Erik replied
They walked around in the gardens and Erik only wondered where Anna had gone. She was going into the direction of Paris, but what was in Paris for her?
Anna entered the busy streets of Paris and looked around. She smiled brightly as she looked around, the busy streets. She couldn't take it all in, this was her first trip away from Erik's hold on her and away from her future stepmother. Anna got off her horse and walked around. She was offered gifts as she passed and then heard the bells of Notre Dame, she stopped to listen. Their beautiful chimes touched her ears and she could almost feel as though she were right there.
" Papa was wrong about Paris," she thought, " It's so lively."
She continued and then stopped and pulled out a piece of paper with an address on it. Anna looked about and found she did not know where to go. Anna went to a dress shop and asked to be pointed in the right direction. She was given the directions and followed them, but still was lost. She came to another shop and asked to clear them up, but they told her to go back the way she came and it was there. Anna became lost and confused and she walked to her horse, there she saw a young man talking to her horse.
" Excuse me," she said
The young man looked at her and removed his hat.
" Is this your horse?" he asked
" Yes, it is my horse," Anna said
" She's very beautiful," he said
" Thank you, but may I ask why you are near her?" Anna asked
The young man looked at her and said, " I love horses that is all, I work in a stable at my master's estate."
" Oh," Anna replied
Anna looked at the young man and petted her horse. She could not help, but feel attracted to the young man.
" First time in Paris?" he asked
" Yes, I'm visiting my friend," Anna said
" Can I help you Mademoiselle?" he asked
" Yes, can you tell me how to get here?" she replied
She showed him the address and he nodded, he offered to take her there. She agreed and he did as he promised. There she got down and bit her lip looking at the small apartment before her.
" This is where Papa sends his letters, but who lives here?" she thought
" Are you going up?" he asked
" Yes, of course I am, but what do you think your doing standing here?" she asked
" I wish to escort you around Mademoiselle, for no price at all," the young man replied
" What is your name?" she asked
" Roland," he replied
" I'm Anna," Anna answer, " Anna Sanxay."
Roland looked at her and asked, " Is your father the Comte Sanxay?"
" Yes, I'm his only daughter," she replied
Roland stared at Anna and Anna returned the stare then broke it to retreat upstairs. Anna knocked on the door of the apartment and there she waited. She could only hope that this woman, Erik wrote to, was someone that could help her find the mysterious woman from the ball. The door opened and a young woman answered the door and it was there that Anna recognized her right away.
" May I help you?" she asked
Anna replied that she was looking for Madame Giry and that she had something to discuss with her.
" My mother is at the market, I am her daughter, Meg Giry," she replied
Anna decided she would tell her, she told her that her father was getting married and that her mother was invited. Meg asked Anna who her father was and Anna said softly that her father was the Comte Sanxay. Meg invited Anna in for some tea and they began to talk a little. As they talked, Anna discovered secrets about Erik that he would never tell her or bring up. She was more aware about the man she called father now, but loved him.
" Mademoiselle," Anna asked, " would you marry my father?"
Meg looked at the young woman and sat her cup down. The young girl before her was not much younger than herself and she was asking her to marry her father. Meg could see that this marriage to a snobby young woman got to Anna. Meg sighed and looked away then stood up.
" Your father, was the man who took care of my mother and myself," Meg said, " In away he is like my father…I will not lie and say I am not attracted to him, but I think he's afraid."
" Of what?" Anna asked
" His past, afraid he might get hurt again and as long as Paris or the Opera Populaire is not in his life than he is well," Meg said
" Please, he's thought about you since that night. Can you a least visit him?" Anna spoke pleadingly, " I don't think he's happy with Mademoiselle Murrell."
Meg shook her head and tossed her long blonde locks behind her shoulder then sat down.
" Please," Anna said
Meg looked at Anna and saw hope in her eyes and distress.
" Very well," Meg said, " But I won't stay long."
" Thank you, tomorrow Mademoiselle Murrell will be off on a week long trip to move some things down to my father's estate, that will be a perfect time," Anna said
" Tomorrow," Meg said
Anna smiled and hugged Meg and then went off leaving the address for Meg. She walked down and saw Roland still there waiting for her.
" I'm sorry I must return to my estate, I've done my business," Anna said
" May I see you?' he asked, " Your estate is not far from my master's…in fact your father and my master do business. I will ride to you."
" My father will not allow me to see you," Anna said
" I promise you won't know its me until I talk to you," he said
Anna smiled and nodded then climbed onto her horse and looked at the young man.
" You speak to well to be a stable hand," she said
She rode off with a pleasant face and returned home late that night. Who awaited her there was not the butler, but Erik. She walked in the house and saw Erik standing there with a disappointed look on his face.
" Anna," he said
" Papa," she replied, " I'm tired."
Anna walked off and climbed the stairs and went to her room. Erik sighed and followed her, then stopped. He turned away and went off to tend to other matters.