Warning: This chapter has some naughty parts – nothing harsh, just a few implications. But the rating applies.
A Place In My Heart
Chapter Five
Nadir watched in intense amusement as Erik paced his study, pausing as if about to speak, stop, shake his head and resume pacing. This went on for a good fifteen minutes before Nadir decided to intervene.
"What happened when I left?"
"She sang." Erik said bluntly.
"Is that all?"
Erik stopped by the window, staring out at the darkness.
"No. I… we kissed."
"Well done, knew you had it in you!" Nadir said cheerfully but Erik glared at him.
"And right after we kissed she made some excuse about doing chores and left."
"Oh… but did she object to the kiss itself?"
"Well… no. I suppose not." Erik admitted. Nadir grinned.
"Well, there you are! I think it'll be alright. You're just a little intimidating."
Erik sat down on the window seat, considering his friend.
"Intimidating?"
"Erik, you wear nothing but black, prowl around the house glaring at people and lock yourself into rooms with no company."
"What's your point?"
"That scares people."
Erik considered him and then growled, heading or the door.
"Where are you going?"
"For a walk." Erik snapped, slamming the door behind him.
Christine sat in her bedroom, looking out at the gardens. Every now and again her fingers would lift to brush her lips and then she would let her hand fall into her lap as she replayed the incident in her mind.
She had kissed him. Kissed him.
She sighed and closed her eyes, resting her head against the wall, sitting on the window seat. What was she doing? This was insane!
But… he hadn't exactly objected. In fact… it was he who had started it all, with the singing. The way he had held her, it was intoxicating, incredible, like nothing she had ever felt before. Certainly not like anything she had felt with Raoul.
She glanced out into the darkness and sat up quickly. Standing by the fountain in the Rose Garden, was Erik Dumas. He was pacing back and forwards intently. Before Christine knew what she was doing she had hurried from her room, down the stairs, to the kitchen and through the back door.
Erik looked up as he heard footsteps and moved out of sight, behind a tree. His eyes widened, as she appeared, ethereal in the moonlight. She was dressed in a simple white gown, probably a nightdress. Her feet were bare and her dark curls tumbled about her face as she moved through the flowers.
She looked around in confusion. Erik stared. She couldn't… couldn't have been looking for him?
Christine sighed and stared around. Nothing. But he had only been here a second ago. She stepped forward again, looking about her. Had she just imagined him? No, he had definitely been here!
She sat down on the edge of the fountain to see if he came back. Erik watched from his hiding place. Christine continued to gaze around. Erik decided to make a move. He stepped out from behind the tree and Christine turned her face to him. A slight smile crossed her lips and she got to her feet. Erik whispered,
"What are you…?"
"I saw you… out here. I'm not sure why I came, I just found myself here." Christine said quietly. Erik stepped towards her and Christine said,
"I wanted to apologise. For what happened earlier, in the music room. It was… it was rather forward of me and I shouldn't have-"
"Christine."
She fell silent and looked at him. He was stood directly in front of her. He put a finger under her chin, lifting her face.
"Do you hate me, Christine?" He whispered. She shook her head, fixing her eyes on his.
"No."
"Are you afraid of me?"
"A… a little." She admitted softly. He frowned slightly, running a finger down one cheek.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because… because you make me feel…"
"Feel what?" he asked. She sighed softly.
"I don't know. Something new… and exciting… and… intoxicating…"
"Is it a bad feeling?"
"No. It's… dark. It's deep and hidden, but… but not bad." She told him. His hand stroked her cheek softly and he whispered,
"When do I make you feel it?"
"All the time." She whispered.
Erik lowered his face and Christine lifted herself up to him. Their lips touched softly and then Erik pulled her to him, kissing her passionately. Christine wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, pushing her face to his desperately.
"Christine…" he whispered, burying his face in the curls of her hair. She pressed her cheek to his shoulder, clinging to him. He kissed her again and again, sweet, breathless kisses until he whispered,
"Is this wrong?"
"I don't know. It doesn't feel wrong. But it should." Christine whispered, looking up at him. He frowned slightly.
"Why should it feel wrong?"
"Because… I barely know you. Because of Raoul. Because of a thousand different things."
"Do they matter?"
"No. They don't matter anymore." She whispered and he kissed her again.
When Christine went down for breakfast the next morning, she was whistling cheerfully. Meg and Marie looked at her in surprise. She wasn't known for having a good temper in the morning.
"Good morning, Christine." Meg said cautiously. Christine smiled brightly.
"Morning! Anything I can do to help?"
"You could set the table." Marie said. Christine picked up the bowls and cutlery and practically skipped up the stairs. Meg and Marie looked at each other.
"Don't ask me, I haven't the faintest idea." Marie said calmly.
Upstairs, Nadir was being equally confused by Erik. He was sat in the study, humming as he jotted something down. Nadir stared at him from the doorway.
"Erik?"
"Yes?"
"Are you… alright?"
"Fine, thank you. Is breakfast ready? I'm ravenous!" Erik said, closing the drawer of the desk and heading for the breakfast room. Nadir followed him but before they went in, Meg and Marie appeared, carrying food. Erik continued into the room and Nadir stopped to talk with them.
"He's in a very good mood. It's rather unnerving."
"Christine's happy as well… do you suppose something happened between them?" Meg whispered.
"Will you get in here, please? I'd like breakfast some time before noon!" Erik called.
They hurried in and found Christine and Erik already sat at the table, pouring drinks. They all helped themselves to food and Meg said casually,
"What are you going to do today, Christine?"
"I don't know. I might take Chima for a walk, or go in the gardens. Unless you have some chores for me to do, Marie?" Christine asked, looking to her. Marie shook her head.
"No, you may do as you please."
"And you, Erik? Any plans for the day?" Nadir asked. Erik swallowed a mouthful of scrambled eggs and said,
"A little music. Maybe a turn in the gardens, or I may take one of the horses out."
Nadir looked at him suspiciously.
"I'm not entirely sure I like you being this cheerful this early in the day, Erik. It's a little unsettling." Christine snorted into her tea, spraying herself with liquid. She hurriedly mopped herself up, giggling.
"I'm so sorry!" Nadir, Meg and Marie all exchanged glances.
"That's it. What is going on?" Marie said sharply. Christine and Erik both looked at her in surprise.
"What do you mean?" Erik asked.
"Monsieur Dumas, I have been your servant for many years. I know when something is going on. Or perhaps Christine would care to enlighten us?" They all turned to Christine who simply smiled.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Is it a crime to be cheerful now?"
"Oh, come on, Christine! I went to your room last night to borrow a book and you weren't there. Where were you?" Meg asked.
Christine stared at her and then lowered her eyes to her plate.
"I was… walking. In the garden."
"At midnight?" Meg said, sceptically. Christine shrugged.
"I like walking at night." She said simply.
"You're not the only one. Didn't you go for a walk last night, after our conversation?" Nadir asked Erik.
Christine glanced at him. He put his glass down and looked at Nadir, Meg and Marie.
"I'm afraid all three of you are suffering from overactive imaginations. I can't speak for Miss Daae, but I am simply in a good mood because I had a good night's sleep. And I can feel that mood fast slipping away."
"And, yes, I was in the gardens last night. I simply took a long walk to enjoy the night air because I couldn't sleep." Christine said, sipping some fruit juice.
"There you have it. Perfectly innocent explanations. May I suggest that you discover all of the facts before leaping forward with ridiculous accusations? And if you'll excuse me, I will be in the music room."
He got to his feet and left. Christine rose also.
"I'll just take Chima out."
The three looked at each other and then shrugged, returning to their breakfasts.
Christine was crossing the entrance hall when Erik hissed her name. She turned and saw him standing in the doorway to the study. She crossed to him and he pulled her inside. She smiled and he kissed her softly.
"Should we tell them?" She asked, between hurried kisses.
"Let them fuss around first." Erik said decisively. Christine kissed him and then pulled back.
"Chima needs walking."
"Damn the dog." Erik growled, pulling her to him again.
But they jumped apart as the door opened and Erik said loudly,
"So I shall expect my tea when I have finished in the music room. And I'd like it hot, not lukewarm as it was yesterday."
"Of course, Monsieur Dumas." Christine replied as Nadir entered. She smiled at him briefly before hurrying out. Erik sat down at his desk and glanced over at Nadir.
"Do you want something?"
"An explanation maybe?"
"For what?"
"Something has happened between you and Christine."
"Don't be ridiculous. And if you've nothing sensible to say, I'm going to the music room." Erik said, walking past. Nadir smiled as he found himself alone. Oh yes. There was definitely something going on.
The next few days consisted of hurried kisses and rushed embraces in dark corners whenever they could find a spare moment. Which wasn't often, because Marie had decided that the best way to find out what was happening was to keep Christine rushed off her feet with chores. Even Nadir found this a little harsh, when he found Christine coming up from the cellar, cobwebs in her hair, her face streaked with dirt. But it seemed to be working because Christine and Erik found themselves becoming closer and closer to being discovered.
The day before Marie was due to go into town, Erik took Christine to one side.
"I'm sending Nadir and Marie to town, to stay for the night. It's a long journey, they will take their time. And I expect we can find some way of keeping Meg busy enough to allow us a little time together."
Christine smiled.
"You're rather ingenious, Erik Dumas."
"I do my best." He smiled, kissing her and turning to go to his study. Christine was about to go to the gardens when Marie called her name. She went down to the kitchens, where Marie said,
"I have left enough food for the three of you to manage with. Meg knows where everything is, I expect that you shall be comfortable enough."
"Of course." Christine said placidly. Marie eyed her.
"You should know the daily routine by now."
"I do, and anything I forget, Meg will remember." Christine said. Marie nodded.
"Very well. I shall also look for your book whilst I am in town."
"Thank you." Christine smiled and turned to go.
Marie smiled slightly as she left.
When Christine woke the next morning, Meg was already in the kitchen, cooking.
"Good morning." She said cheerfully. Christine grunted.
"Too early."
"I got up much earlier than you, don't complain." Meg said, stirring scrambled eggs. "Can you make some tea?"
Christine set about making the tea and within half an hour everything was ready for breakfast.
"I wonder if Monsieur Dumas is eating with us. He usually only joins us when Nadir's here." Meg said.
"I'll go and ask him." Christine yawned, heading towards the stairs. She knocked on the door to the study and then looked in. Erik was stood by the window and smiled when he saw her.
"Good morning."
"Meg wants to know if you're having breakfast with us."
"I don't see why not." Erik commented and beckoned for her to come closer. Christine smiled and closed the door behind her. Before she could say a word, Erik had crossed the room to her and was kissing her rather passionately.
After several minutes she said,
"I should get back downstairs… Meg's waiting…" Erik seemed rather more interested in kissing her neck and she giggled as his lips lightly brushed against the sensitive skin.
"Erik!"
"Yes, Christine?" He murmured. She smiled and stepped back.
"Meg's waiting."
"I suppose she is. It's a good thing that I'm rather hungry, isn't it?"
They left the study just as Meg came up, carrying a tureen of scrambled eggs.
"There you are! Monsieur, will you be joining us?"
"I will indeed, Little Giry." Erik said calmly, taking the eggs from her and carrying them into the dining room. Meg looked surprised and glanced at Christine, who shrugged.
They sat down and Meg said,
"You'll probably think I'm terrible for saying it but I'm rather relieved Mother is gone. I mean, I love her, but it's nice to have a rest from her."
"You're not terrible for saying it. I can understand exactly what you mean." Erik said, pouring coffee. Meg grinned.
"She drives you to insanity as well?"
"Every day. Tea or Coffee?"
"Tea, please." Meg said, holding out her cup.
Christine listened in amusement to their chatter. Meg looked at her.
"What are you going to do today?"
"I haven't thought about it really. What about you?"
"I might go for a horse ride. It's been so long since I last rode." Meg said dreamily. Christine smiled.
"Well, why don't you go straight after breakfast and I'll clean the dishes?"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. I wouldn't have offered otherwise."
So after breakfast, Meg disappeared out to the stables as Christine washed the dishes. A few minutes after the sound of clattering hooves had disappeared, Christine felt arms snake around her waist. She turned and smiled up at Erik.
"Well done on getting rid of Meg." He commented.
"I didn't get rid of her. I simply… aided her departure." Christine replied primly. Erik smirked and kissed her. She pulled back slightly and he frowned.
"My hands are wet." She said, holding them up. Erik raised his eyebrow, pushed her hands away and kissed her again.
Meg returned just after noon. She put the horse back in the stable and slipped quietly upstairs to the ground floor. She couldn't hear anything and decided to check the rooms, convinced of what she would find if she was quiet enough.
When she reached the study she bent and peered through the keyhole. Sure enough, she could see Erik's back. Meg wrapped her fingers around the handle and opened the door very quietly. And then gasped as she saw Christine and Erik locked in a passionate kiss. They looked around in astonishment and fell apart when they saw Meg standing in the doorway. Christine's mouth fell open in horror.
"Meg! It's not… I mean…"
"We were…" Erik began weakly. But Meg was shrieking and jumping up and down.
"Oh my goodness! Oh, pretend I'm not here! I'm going to the kitchen… just… just… just keep on with what you were doing! Ah!" She darted across and hugged Christine and then Erik before dashing out of the room.
Erik looked down at Christine.
"I think she took it quite well."
"Yes… I didn't think she would." Christine said lightly. Erik smirked and pulled her to him again.
Every time after that when Meg saw Christine she would either start giggling or hugging her. Sometimes both. Christine didn't object though. As long as her friend wasn't angry, anything was fine. Eventually however she said,
"Meg, please don't take this the wrong way, but could you please stop making such a fuss?"
"But this is so wonderful!"
"I know." Christine smiled. Meg squealed and Christine laughed. "Stop! Honestly, I don't know who's happier, you or me!"
She turned and began to slice carrots as Meg prepared some meat, still chatting happily. Christine wasn't really listening though. Her thoughts were filled by Erik. Just the way he looked at her, when he thought she wasn't watching. The way he smiled and his eyes glittered. His thick, dark hair, how soft it felt beneath her fingers. The sound of his voice when he was talking to her.
"Have you been listening to a word that I've said?" Meg demanded.
"No. The carrots are done." Christine said, passing them to her. The kitchen door opened and Erik appeared, Chima scampering around his feet. Erik looked rather peeved.
"Little Giry, could you please control this animal? He has been running around the music room, making a mess."
"Sorry Monsieur Dumas. Come on, Chima. Have some food." Meg said, setting down a bowl of scraps. Chima scurried over and began to eat quickly. Christine felt the heat rise to her face as Erik looked at her, a slight smile crossing his lips. Meg grinned happily and Erik said,
"What time will dinner be ready?"
"Twenty minutes. I just need to let this simmer. So… I'll do that and you can go, Christine. Go on." She pushed Christine towards Erik with a wicked grin. Erik smirked and took Christine's arm, leading her to the music room.
"You know, I never realised exactly how much I appreciated Little Giry."
Christine laughed as they arrived in the music room. Erik turned to her and she paused to look at him. He smiled, confused.
"What?"
"I'm just… remembering what you look like. So I won't forget." She said simply. Erik lifted an eyebrow and she burst out laughing.
"Oh, Erik! Now I'm always going to remember you looking cynical!" He smiled and pulled her into a kiss.
"What are we going to tell Marie and Nadir when they get back tomorrow?" Christine asked between kisses. Erik shrugged.
"I'm sure Little Giry will let them know before they've gone more than a few steps."
"Why do you call her that?" Christine asked curiously. Erik smiled as they sat on the window seat.
"When she was born it took Marie some time to think of a name for her. I couldn't simply call her 'child', so I referred to her a Little Giry. And it stuck. Also, I don't think Marguerite particularly suits her."
Christine laughed and Erik reached out to touch her hair.
"I do love your hair." He commented.
"Someone has to, it drives me insane."
"It's quite lovely." He commented, pulling gently on a curl so it sprang back into place. She smiled looking down at his hands. She ran her fingers over his long pale hands.
"I love your hands." She said quietly, running her fingers over them again. Erik sighed.
"They're very pale."
"They suit you. They're musicians hands." Christine said, lifting them. She pressed her lips to each hand and they slid past to cup her cheeks and draw her into a kiss.
After dinner Meg announced that she was retiring for bed early.
"I'm exhausted. I must have ridden for hours this morning."
"Goodnight Meg." Christine smiled. "Sleep tight."
"I will, knowing that I don't have to get up too early since Mother isn't here!" Meg said happily, heading for the stairs.
Christine carried the plates down to the kitchen and began to wash them. Erik picked up a cloth and dried them carefully. How strange, he thought, that even a little thing like cleaning dishes could become so much more enjoyable simply by way of company.
They left the dishes on the side and went out into the garden, pausing eventually by the fountain where they had kissed the other night. Christine sat on the edge of the fountain as Erik looked at the rose bushes. Even at night they were beautiful, although their colour faded slightly. Eventually he looked at her and she smiled slightly.
"Do you know when I first fell in love with you?" He asked quietly.
"No."
"When I heard you singing in that corridor."
"Oh yes. The day you scared the living daylights out of me." Christine teased. Erik smiled and faced her. She stood and said quietly,
"Do you know when I first fell in love with you?"
"No. When?"
"I first started thinking of it when you stayed with me that night after… after. But I think I realised exactly how true it was when you held me in the music room." She said, looking down at her hands. Erik smiled slightly and turned her around, placing his hands as he had that day, pressing his cheek against her hair. He closed his eyes as he breathed in the scent of her hair and skin.
Christine leant back into him.
"I love you, Erik"
"I love you." He whispered back, pulling her closer to him. "Especially when you wore that white nightgown. You looked like an angel."
"Marie would be appalled that you saw me in my nightclothes." Christine said lightly and Erik growled,
"I intend to see you in considerably less than that, my dear." Christine didn't reply. Instead she leant her head back onto his shoulder, closing her eyes.
Tentatively, Erik slipped his hand up from her ribcage. She inhaled sharply and her eyes opened. Erik paused.
"If this is… if you don't want…" She pressed a finger to his lips, making him fall silent. And then she turned, reaching up on tiptoe to kiss him. Erik didn't hesitate but held her as close to him as he possibly could. And then he murmured to her and she nodded. They started towards the house, hurrying up to Erik's bedroom. He locked the door, leaving the key in the hole and turned to look at the beautiful young woman.
This astounded him in itself, that she would willingly come to him. Even after what she had seen… and yet she moved towards him without fear, without reservations. This wasn't his imagination, this wasn't his mind playing cruel tricks only to taunt him later, to say why would any woman willingly want to be with you?
His mind couldn't make him believe that the lips that were so earnestly pressed to his weren't real, that he couldn't feel her silky hair beneath his fingers, the heat of her pressed against him. Emotion and desire overcame him and he deepened the kiss, parting her lips, gently nipping her lower lip with his teeth so she gasped in delight.
Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt as he untied the laces of her dress, kissing his lips to the pale shoulder revealed to him. The heavy day dress slipped from her and she stepped from it's folds to appear to him dressed in a simple slip of white cotton. But before he could pause to admire her she had slipped the shirt from his shoulders, revealing a well-muscled chest and strong arms. Erik pulled her gently to him, kissing every part of her face that he could.
"Erik…Erik…" She moaned and Erik felt the desire building in him again. He released her again and she kissed him, running her hands through his thick hair. Erik bent his head to kiss her neck again, delighting in each gasp and sigh that he could bring from her. And then he felt her fingers enclose around the edge of the mask. He threw her back, but she was holding the mask and it came away. He clamped his hand over his face.
"What are you doing?" He said angrily. Christine stared up at him from where she had fallen to the floor after his harsh push, the mask in her hands.
"Erik, why are you angry?" She asked, getting to her feet. Erik stared at her, his hand still over the deformed side of his face. Christine dropped the mask onto the floor and moved purposefully to him. He drew back and she stopped. After a moment she said quietly,
"Erik, I've seen your face. I knew exactly what it looked like when I came in here with you. If I cared at all about it, I would never have kissed you that night."
"But…"
"No. No buts. I want you, Erik, not the mask."
Christine reached up and pulled his hand away, revealing the full horror of his face. She didn't blink, didn't turn pale, didn't scream. She simply kissed him as she had done before. Erik was frozen to the spot, giving her a chance to run her hands down over his strong chest, her fingers caressing the skin softly. Erik was stunned and he whispered,
"You really… you don't care?"
"No. I don't." She assured him, looking up at him again. Erik felt like he could easily break down in tears than and there. But he didn't. Instead he seized her and kissed her so passionately, so fully that she cried out in amazement. He lifted her from her feet and carried her to the large bed, laying her down reverently.
She gazed up at him lovingly and he brushed back a lock of hair from her face. Her lips were swollen from kisses, her hair flying out in all directions, her cheeks flushed and her eyes were bright. She had never looked more beautiful in his eyes.
No one ever would.
They lay on the bed some time later. Christine felt strangely exhilarated, at ease, tired and yet alert at the same time. Erik was gazing at her with such adoration and love that she had to reach for him and kiss him again, although more softly than before. He pulled her into his arms, pressing his face to her hair.
"I love you, Christine." He whispered and she whispered it back. Erik smiled and wrapped his arms around her again, pulling the blankets up to cover their naked forms as exhaustion engulfed them both.
A/N: It's all very fast. One of the reasons I'm not sure about it. Never mind, it's up and posted and you people just kep reviewing so I'm not complaining! As usual, leave a donation in the little blue box and I'll update tomorrow. Maybe, if you're all really nice I'll put one chapter up tomorrow morning and one tomorrow night, Oh, I spoil you people! LOL
Love
Katie