A/N: again no significant changes have been made. Hopfully I'll get a new
chapter up soon, schools been driving me nuts hence my taking my time to
create a new account.
~*~
Lazily Christine sat in the large parlor, curled up on a soft cushiony chair situated by the fire. Enthralled within the book she had chosen on that dreary day, she allowed her thoughts slip easily away from reality. It was storming with a vengeance outside, so much so that even though it was not long past midday, already the sky was canopied into darkness only to be relieved by a fierce flash of thundering lightning.
Despite the noise from the storm, the house was unusually quiet. The servants, though about, were making themselves scarce leaving the house seemingly void of life, that is with the exception of Christine.
That morning had done nothing for her nerves. Raoul, of course, had immediately come to see what was the matter after Christine's panicked scream but nothing was to be found and after several minutes of comforting his distraught wife, continued to ready for the day as if nothing had happened. Christine was not convinced, something felt definitely wrong and she hated having to kiss her husband good-bye for the day, knowing she'd be left to that big old house virtually by herself.
The lightening crashed again, illuminated the room and sending shadows spinning around her. Lazily she lifted her eyes to gaze out the large over sized windows, which faced the front street. The gentle clopping of hooves could be heard over the rain in a calming rhythm. You would have to be crazy to go out in this weather she thought dully to herself as she watched the lonely carriage slowly pass.
Tucking her legs up beneath her she continued back at her book. Many minutes passed before once again her attention was diverted from the pages she read. The faintest sound of music seemed to drift into the room drawing up her head. She sat motionless trying to discern what it was she was hearing. It was in the house, she was positive, and it almost sounded like a music box but that didn't make any sense. Puzzled, she slowly set her novel aside and rose to discover the source of the curious sound.
It did not take long before the drifting music brought her to the door to a room that had long fallen into disuse, the Chagny nursery. She stood out side the door listening as fear crept over her, something was definitely not right. Her hands began to tremble as they hesitantly grasped the handle to the room and with her heart pounding at a deafening rate she slowly leaned in.
There was nothing. She looked around the dully-lit room, with its curtains closed and its thin layer of dust, searching for the offending music box. They eventually fell to a small baby porcelain doll which appeared to have fallen from it's shelf, with a sigh of relief she took the doll in her hands and placed it lightly back onto the shelf musing how odd it was that it hadn't broke on impact. She then became startled when it's music abruptly stopped as soon as it was seated back in its supposed place. Shaking her head and telling herself she was being paranoid, she turned her back to the strange doll.
Again she looked around the room, admiring the expensive old-fashioned toys, which lined the walls and the ornate, expertly crafted crib, which sat on the far wall just beside the window. It had been hoped that one day her child would rest in that crib, the heir to the Chagny fortune, but after over three years of marriage her hopes were beginning to fade.
Finding that she had allowed her self to drift to the cribs edge, she lightly ran her hand over the soft fabric lining its interior. Raoul and Christine were indeed among the happiest of married couples, having shared so much together it seemed they would forever be bound to one another, and yet it seemed fate would not let them share that which each of them so desperately wanted though it wasn't from lack of trying. No, they very much enjoyed all the benefits of marriage as any young couple would deeply in love, but some things just didn't seem meant to be.
Christine felt like a failure. That she had failed as a wife and a woman to perform her duty. Not only that but Raouls family fully expected him to carry on the family line and now not only had he married drastically below his station but to a woman who seemed to them to be utterly useless.
Slowly she stepped back towards the door until she stood in its frame, looking over the desolate room once more. With a deep breath she began to shut the door when a quick movement out of the corner of her eye brought her attention back to the doll. She watched in horror as it once again fell from its place and smashed into a million pieces on the hardwood floor. Another crash of lightening flashed through the ill lit room causing what seemed to be the outline of a figure to momentarily appear in the farthest corner. Trembling, she backed away into the hallway as every hair on her body stood on end, unsure of what she thought she had seen. There was nothing there, she knew there was nothing there and yet that terrible image was imprinted in her mind.
In a brief moment of courage she tore herself away from the sight and went racing down the hall calling for Sarah, the household maid. When she did at last find her she had her come to the room to help clean up the broken shards, though in truth she just wanted another person to take a look inside with her.
For the remainder of the day Christine kept to the parlor and wouldn't even venture up the stairs again. The past two days had been enough for her to start doubting her own senses and she waited restlessly for Raouls return. Desperately she wanted to feel his warm embrace again, for him to tell her everything was all right and that she was just being silly while kissing her forehead. But he was off dealing with some property dispute, which meant lawyers, he hated lawyers and would likely return home in a mood much to her displeasure.
It wasn't until well into the evening that he did at last return and Christine hastily welcomed him at the door while he gave his coat and hat to Sarah. Relief over came her as soon as she saw him in the front entrance, soaked from the rain and with a tired look on his face.
"How did it go?" she asked cautiously, not wanting to upset him if he was indeed in a mood. He merely shuddered at her question and kissed her lightly on the forehead before heading for his favorite chair in the other room. She followed him in and sat in a nearby seat, watching him curiously as he stared into the fires glowing flames.
"You know, I think I'm just going to go to bed now. The days just been a little too tens for me." He finally said to her while getting up.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Concerned she rose as well but he made a sign to stay.
"I'll be fine, you enjoy your book." He glanced quickly at the title. "La morte amoureuse, and you wonder why you've been having nightmares." Smiling he kissed her chastely on her lips when she frowned at his statement before casually leaving the room. Still frowning, she watched as he lazily made his way up the stairs, slowly taking his steps one by one when a knowing smile crossed her lips. She knew exactly how to clear his mind.
Raoul had just finished putting some things away when he entered his bedroom and began to undress. His attention was lost completely to his thoughts, going over the day's events. Apparently some documents had the incorrect property lines listed, causing a conflict on one of the many properties the Chagny family owned. He couldn't care less about a couple of feet of land but of course everything had to be settled legally, meaning many hours of going through paper work, signing documents, and dealing with upset tenants. All he wanted was to forget this day ever happened and mused to him self he probably should have grabbed a stiff drink first while he began to unbutton his shirt.
The sound of a light sigh startled him, bringing his attention to the area of the room the noise emanated from. With an expression of surprise, his eyes fell on a rather scantily clad Christine lying leisurely across the top of the massively sized bed. She met his eyes with a triumphant smirk as she saw his look of astonishment and complete loss for words.
She rolled onto her stomach with a yawn while resting her head on her hands and kicking her feet up behind her. Raoul stared at her ardently as the enchanting contrast between her soft pale skin against the dark sheets left his mind grasping for words.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" was the only thing he could think of after fully drinking in her sight.
"Not nearly enough." She playfully replied as he came over to her, his crystal blue eyes never leaving her own. Christine met his lips with delight before pulling him down to the bed in a passionate embrace, holding back none of her desires. This night she would be sure they'd both sleep sound.
~*~
Please R&R ^_^
~*~
Lazily Christine sat in the large parlor, curled up on a soft cushiony chair situated by the fire. Enthralled within the book she had chosen on that dreary day, she allowed her thoughts slip easily away from reality. It was storming with a vengeance outside, so much so that even though it was not long past midday, already the sky was canopied into darkness only to be relieved by a fierce flash of thundering lightning.
Despite the noise from the storm, the house was unusually quiet. The servants, though about, were making themselves scarce leaving the house seemingly void of life, that is with the exception of Christine.
That morning had done nothing for her nerves. Raoul, of course, had immediately come to see what was the matter after Christine's panicked scream but nothing was to be found and after several minutes of comforting his distraught wife, continued to ready for the day as if nothing had happened. Christine was not convinced, something felt definitely wrong and she hated having to kiss her husband good-bye for the day, knowing she'd be left to that big old house virtually by herself.
The lightening crashed again, illuminated the room and sending shadows spinning around her. Lazily she lifted her eyes to gaze out the large over sized windows, which faced the front street. The gentle clopping of hooves could be heard over the rain in a calming rhythm. You would have to be crazy to go out in this weather she thought dully to herself as she watched the lonely carriage slowly pass.
Tucking her legs up beneath her she continued back at her book. Many minutes passed before once again her attention was diverted from the pages she read. The faintest sound of music seemed to drift into the room drawing up her head. She sat motionless trying to discern what it was she was hearing. It was in the house, she was positive, and it almost sounded like a music box but that didn't make any sense. Puzzled, she slowly set her novel aside and rose to discover the source of the curious sound.
It did not take long before the drifting music brought her to the door to a room that had long fallen into disuse, the Chagny nursery. She stood out side the door listening as fear crept over her, something was definitely not right. Her hands began to tremble as they hesitantly grasped the handle to the room and with her heart pounding at a deafening rate she slowly leaned in.
There was nothing. She looked around the dully-lit room, with its curtains closed and its thin layer of dust, searching for the offending music box. They eventually fell to a small baby porcelain doll which appeared to have fallen from it's shelf, with a sigh of relief she took the doll in her hands and placed it lightly back onto the shelf musing how odd it was that it hadn't broke on impact. She then became startled when it's music abruptly stopped as soon as it was seated back in its supposed place. Shaking her head and telling herself she was being paranoid, she turned her back to the strange doll.
Again she looked around the room, admiring the expensive old-fashioned toys, which lined the walls and the ornate, expertly crafted crib, which sat on the far wall just beside the window. It had been hoped that one day her child would rest in that crib, the heir to the Chagny fortune, but after over three years of marriage her hopes were beginning to fade.
Finding that she had allowed her self to drift to the cribs edge, she lightly ran her hand over the soft fabric lining its interior. Raoul and Christine were indeed among the happiest of married couples, having shared so much together it seemed they would forever be bound to one another, and yet it seemed fate would not let them share that which each of them so desperately wanted though it wasn't from lack of trying. No, they very much enjoyed all the benefits of marriage as any young couple would deeply in love, but some things just didn't seem meant to be.
Christine felt like a failure. That she had failed as a wife and a woman to perform her duty. Not only that but Raouls family fully expected him to carry on the family line and now not only had he married drastically below his station but to a woman who seemed to them to be utterly useless.
Slowly she stepped back towards the door until she stood in its frame, looking over the desolate room once more. With a deep breath she began to shut the door when a quick movement out of the corner of her eye brought her attention back to the doll. She watched in horror as it once again fell from its place and smashed into a million pieces on the hardwood floor. Another crash of lightening flashed through the ill lit room causing what seemed to be the outline of a figure to momentarily appear in the farthest corner. Trembling, she backed away into the hallway as every hair on her body stood on end, unsure of what she thought she had seen. There was nothing there, she knew there was nothing there and yet that terrible image was imprinted in her mind.
In a brief moment of courage she tore herself away from the sight and went racing down the hall calling for Sarah, the household maid. When she did at last find her she had her come to the room to help clean up the broken shards, though in truth she just wanted another person to take a look inside with her.
For the remainder of the day Christine kept to the parlor and wouldn't even venture up the stairs again. The past two days had been enough for her to start doubting her own senses and she waited restlessly for Raouls return. Desperately she wanted to feel his warm embrace again, for him to tell her everything was all right and that she was just being silly while kissing her forehead. But he was off dealing with some property dispute, which meant lawyers, he hated lawyers and would likely return home in a mood much to her displeasure.
It wasn't until well into the evening that he did at last return and Christine hastily welcomed him at the door while he gave his coat and hat to Sarah. Relief over came her as soon as she saw him in the front entrance, soaked from the rain and with a tired look on his face.
"How did it go?" she asked cautiously, not wanting to upset him if he was indeed in a mood. He merely shuddered at her question and kissed her lightly on the forehead before heading for his favorite chair in the other room. She followed him in and sat in a nearby seat, watching him curiously as he stared into the fires glowing flames.
"You know, I think I'm just going to go to bed now. The days just been a little too tens for me." He finally said to her while getting up.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Concerned she rose as well but he made a sign to stay.
"I'll be fine, you enjoy your book." He glanced quickly at the title. "La morte amoureuse, and you wonder why you've been having nightmares." Smiling he kissed her chastely on her lips when she frowned at his statement before casually leaving the room. Still frowning, she watched as he lazily made his way up the stairs, slowly taking his steps one by one when a knowing smile crossed her lips. She knew exactly how to clear his mind.
Raoul had just finished putting some things away when he entered his bedroom and began to undress. His attention was lost completely to his thoughts, going over the day's events. Apparently some documents had the incorrect property lines listed, causing a conflict on one of the many properties the Chagny family owned. He couldn't care less about a couple of feet of land but of course everything had to be settled legally, meaning many hours of going through paper work, signing documents, and dealing with upset tenants. All he wanted was to forget this day ever happened and mused to him self he probably should have grabbed a stiff drink first while he began to unbutton his shirt.
The sound of a light sigh startled him, bringing his attention to the area of the room the noise emanated from. With an expression of surprise, his eyes fell on a rather scantily clad Christine lying leisurely across the top of the massively sized bed. She met his eyes with a triumphant smirk as she saw his look of astonishment and complete loss for words.
She rolled onto her stomach with a yawn while resting her head on her hands and kicking her feet up behind her. Raoul stared at her ardently as the enchanting contrast between her soft pale skin against the dark sheets left his mind grasping for words.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" was the only thing he could think of after fully drinking in her sight.
"Not nearly enough." She playfully replied as he came over to her, his crystal blue eyes never leaving her own. Christine met his lips with delight before pulling him down to the bed in a passionate embrace, holding back none of her desires. This night she would be sure they'd both sleep sound.
~*~
Please R&R ^_^