Chapter Eight

Diana lay on her bed, her fingers tracing the patterns in Phantom's milky coat. Today had been as uneventful and relaxing as any she could have hoped for. She smiled as Phantom stretched under her hand, her paws batting playfully at Diana's fingers. A sound from her door caused her to look up, Phantom seized the opportunity and caught her. "You've just gotten to good at this Phantom! Ouch! Okay! You win! Stop nibbling on me!' Diana remembered the door and looked up. "Coming! I'll be with you in a moment!" Freeing her fingers she ran across her room. However, when she opened the door, there was no one there. Instead a note lay on the floor.

With confusion she returned to her bed, the letter in hand. "How strange, who do you think it's from?" Phantom merely looked at the note and began trying to bat it to death. Diana smiled and shook her head, "Since you're so feisty, why don't you go catch mice and be helpful?" Phantom meowed in response and sank down into her lap. Diana laughed and broke the seal, then removed the letter.

Dear Diana Grey,

I am an admirer of your beautiful voice. I fear that I am yet to see you perform myself, what I have heard of you, (I've gathered from reliable sources) is good. If what they say is true, you sing like an angel in heaven (on stage.) My intentions are to become one of this Opera's principle patrons, and I wish to meet with you. Perhaps we can become acquaintances? I have the privilege to say that I have already met your brother.

If you would like to meet, I have arranged a diner reservation for promptly 6:00 this evening. The location is at the Parie Du Lurex, I hope to see you there. Please wear a red flower in your hair so that I will know you. I will be wearing the same kind of flower on my breast.

I wait expectantly for you,

Count Emorenth, Jonathan

Diana winced, (oh the timing this man has… at that same time Erik and I were going to go for a walk by the river…) It was obvious that she had to go. If this "Jonathan" was planning on becoming a patron, it would be a very poor decision not to attend. Diana sighed, "Oh… shoot! I hope Erik will understand…" Diana looked through her dresser for something that would go well with a red… plant. The dresses all seemed to mock her, not one of them would work. With a sigh she sank back onto her bed. (Some days you wish you were a lady in red…)

The mirror shimmered and opened, Erik entered the room. To Diana's surprise he seemed worried. His motions were predatory, agitated, and his eyes narrowed. "Erik? What's wrong?" He turned toward her, placing his discomfort behind him. "It's not important Diana, Are you almost ready?" Diana shook her head, "Erik I'm sorry… I've just received this note…" Diana handed him the piece of paper. She watched as Erik quickly scanned the page, his eyes met hers. "I see. This is the same man… he is becoming quite the bother… perhaps Madam Giry was right."

Diana moved to his side, confused. But before she could speak Erik had pulled her into his embrace, his mouth on hers. With a happy sigh she wrapped her arms around him, nuzzling into the crook of his shoulder when his lips released hers. "I'll try to be back soon…" Erik laughed softly, his hand running threw her thick curls. "I know that, try to have a good time. I'll be here when you get back. If I'm not, the opera popular is probably on fire." Reluctantly they released their holds. Diana blinked, "…Was that, a half attempted joke? Hmmm… what are you up to?"

With a smile Erik vanished into the shadows. Diana turned back to her wardrobe, a flash of red caught her eye, (of course. It would have to show itself now that I've destroyed any semblance of order in my wardrobe!) And she pulled out the dress. It was one of her older ones, and the inside seams showed wear… However the exterior seemed just fine. Diana pulled it on. (A bit tight at the bust, when did I last wear this thing?) Despite the minor discomfort, it fit. "Well, what do you think Phantom?" Her cat looked at her out of half shut eyes.

It was obvious that the pet had no interest in what she had to say. Diana sighed and removed a carnation from her vase, she trimmed it down and pined it to her dress. It would simply never stay in her hair, few things did. Checking her reflection in the mirror she paused. The sapphire rose on her throat clashed painfully, she bit her bottom lip in agitation. Since she had received it the jewel had not left her throat. It almost seemed to symbolize their love. Diana smiled, (I wish we could spend this evening together Erik...) She was drawn from her thoughts by the sound of another knock on her door. Cautious, she pulled her wrap on, unsure who would be wanting her now. She opened the door.

Peter smiled at her from the other side. "Diana, you will not believe this!" Diana sighed, relieved. Her brother's ecstatic grin threatened to pull a laugh from her throat. "What has gotten you so excited? You're grinning from ear to ear!" Peter entered the room, shutting the door behind him.

"I was minding my own business, waiting for my friends to help me move a large prop, and I met a new patron!" Diana raised an eyebrow, was there a connection here? "Was this patron's name, Count Emorenth, by any chance?" Peter blinked, smiled. "Yes it was! He said that he wanted to meet you… has he met you yet?" Diana shook her head no. "I have not met the Count yet, but I will be dining with him this evening. He sent me that note." Peter followed her pointing finger to her desk, picked up the letter and read the contents. "I think you will have a good time, when we spoke I could hear in his tone his excitement about meeting you."

Peter looked up when he heard his sisters sigh, a line of worry creased his face. "Unless you're not feeling well, are you alright?" Diana smiled and nodded, "I'm fine Peter, it's just that I had other plans tonight." Peter nodded, he had always understood her. "I can tell him that you're preoccupied if you need me to." Diana shook her head no, a smile playing across her face. "Thank you Peter, but that would be a bad idea and you know it." Peter shrugged, "I guess I'm just a bad influence!"

Diana entered the restaurant; I knew it had to be her. She wore the flower I had suggested. It seemed a foolish touch now; I would have recognized her without it. She seemed more to float than to walk in my eyes, was such grace and beauty meant for mortals? How could it be? "Count Emorenth?" Her voice was pure and sweet, even when she was only speaking. "I am Diana Grey, thank you for inviting me to dine with you."

"No, thank you Diana for coming! Please, take a seat." She smiled as she sat down across from me, her emerald eyes sparkling in the candlelight… she was made to be seen by candlelight. "I hope that this abrupt offer didn't disrupt your schedule, but I fear that from the moment I arrived here I have been eager to meet with you." Her eyes are deep… I wonder what she's thinking... "It was really no hassle at all Count, I am always happy to meet with admirers."

I couldn't help but chuckle, the way she said that! There's not a vain bone in this woman's body! She seems confused, unsure of what I find so amusing… It's more than just that little one, I can tell you had had other plans this evening. Something you do not wish to discuss? That's just fine. "May I ask what your pleasure is tonight?" She smiles and looked at the menu. "Well… the roast pheasant looks wonderful, what do you think?" I smile, it's the cheapest bird on the menu, don't want to feel too indebted? Charming, perfectly charming and yet… annoying. Still, something about this woman simply takes ones breath away… "The pheasant looks scrumptious, a wonderful choice!"

I summon a waiter to our side and placed our order, deciding to dine on the pheasant as well. Our Champaign is poured and we are left in peace. "Do you come to places like this often, Count?" she seems stunned by the quality of everything around her. "I only visit such restaurants when the occasion is fitting, and this is certainly such an occasion." She laughs and I could swear that my heart melted from the sound. Such a charming creature, not an unpleasant or homely hair on her head! Would Aphrodite come into mortal flesh, would she be found lacking in comparison? Perhaps. Of course I do hold my judgment of beauty as rather lofty, I am not easily impressed. Our orders arrive shortly, we have a casual dinner conversation as we dine. She seems interested to know about the places I had visited, the people I had seen. In fact, she seems very interested in anything that will keep the topic of our conversation off of her.

The count watches me as I eat. Something about him puts all my senses on alert. He is… charming, gracious, and well mannered. However, I don't know why… but something is amiss. I feel his eyes bore threw me, almost as if I am the bird we were eating… "What is on your mind? If, I may be so bold to ask." His question startles me. "Well, my brother claimed that you two had… an interesting conversation." I do not want to become the center of this discussion, there's just something about him… it sends shivers down my spine, and not pleasant shivers either.

"Ah yes, he was kind enough to tell me about the opera Ghost myth." My throat tightens, "Oh? What did he say?" The count reclines into his chair and swirls the Champaign in his glass. "Well, he told me what he knew. He explained how he had been told the story, but there wasn't much else that he could say about it." Inside I sigh with relief, the thought that the count wants to know about Erik is unnerving. "Did you enjoy speaking with him? I have known Peter to tell a good story from time to time."

The count nods, a smile crosses his lips. "It was truly a pleasure speaking to him. He struck me as an honest and hard working person, and he seems to love what he does." I cannot help but smile. "He does love it, since we were children this has been what he wanted. He would always tell me, "without the stagehands, a show simply couldn't go on." The count laughs, I liked the sound of his laugh. It relieves some of his intimidating presence. "He is quite right! The stagehands are as essential to a company as the stage they perform on."

His smile, warm and inviting washes over me. I laugh silently at myself. So this is what all your worrying was for! This is a wonderfully courteous and pleasant man! What were you so afraid of? He stood and in the ways of a true gentleman, offered me his hand. "With all these people dancing I'm starting to feel left out. Would you..?" I smiled and take his hand, "I would love to."

After that the evening passed by quickly, I learned that Jonathan was a wonderful dancer. We spent almost an eternity on the dance floor, Several other couples murmured their approval as we passed by. "Such a lovely couple!" "How lucky they are to have found each other!" "Obviously these two are meant to be!" I couldn't help but smile sadly, how could these bystanders know? They had no way of knowing that my soul mate, the man I love, would never be able to be seen in public with me… for fear of his very life.

Jonathan must have seen my face because I saw concern sweep over his. "Diana, is everything alright? You seem upset." I shook my head, my heart warming with his concern. "Yes, everything's wonderful Jonathan. I fear my mind was only wandering to other matters…" He smiled gently and nodded. "I understand, the world can be a cruel place Diana, I hope that life has treated you well. If not, I will go and complain to Mr. Life right now!" I couldn't help but laugh, the man was a card. Playing his comic side to cheer me.

"You're very sweet Jonathan," a thought suddenly struck me. "What time is it?" He pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open. "It appears to be… about eleven." He shut it with a snap and returned it to his pocket. "How time flies when one's having fun!" mentally I kicked myself! Was it really so late? I had promised Erik that I would be brief! "Oh Jonathan I'm sorry! I need to be back at the opera by now! I lost track of time!"

He was disappointed, I could tell. However he smiled, and simply nodded. "I can get you back to the opera popular in no time! Forgive me for keeping you so late, I must have lost track of time as well…" We returned to our table and Jonathan paid our bill. The waiter hurried of and returned with our things; Jonathan donned his coat and helped me into mine. His carriage was waiting at the door, we sat, and I faintly heard him tell the driver to take us to the opera. The night was late, and I was tired having danced so long.

The horse's hooves on the cobblestones were the only sound, Jonathan lay his arm over my shoulder, his body was warm so I didn't protest. When we reached my destination, he offered to accompany me to my room. "Are you sure you want to go in alone?" I smiled, "I'll be fine Jonathan, thank you for tonight." He smiled, bowed, and paused. His eyes were looking over my shoulder. I turned and saw Erik's form faintly standing out of the shadows. A warning, he was sending us both a clear warning. "Sleep well Diana, I will leave you in the care of your friend." He nodded to the shadows and smiled. "I hope to see you again, very soon."