Dear Readers,
I am sorry for taking so long to get chapter 20 posted. I really struggled with it. I hope you like it. Thank you for the encouraging reviews. You're all very important to me. Cheers, ShyeMareck.
Erik was none too pleased to be in the position he found himself at the moment and left Lily to face her husband and brother alone. Meg knew he was embarrassed, but there was nothing she could do, but remain calm, so she prepared to greet Stuart and Reggie as the Marchioness de Leon. She would behave as the title required of her. Stuart was a marquis, also, and it would never do for him to be treated as anything other than an honored guest in the home of the Marquis de Leon. How would Erik react to her offering the men refreshment and sleeping accommodations if need be? She told Garrick to find Erik and give him the message that his presence was required immediately by his wife. In the meantime, she would act the perfect hostess.
Meg went with Lily to welcome Stuart and Reggie to her home. The men still wore the uniform of the French military. Meg greeted the men kindly. Stuart bowed low over hand and murmured an appropriate response.
Reggie did not come forward to greet her but nodded briefly, adverting his gaze. A stab of guilt struck Meg in the heart and she regretted her partial involvement in the letters which were sent to him in her name. It was a disturbing situation she found herself in and the only way out of it was to face it head on and try to maintain some dignity. She wondered where Michelle might be at the moment. Having no real knowledge of what Michelle had written to him, Meg was at a double disadvantage. She wanted to talk to him and explain, but perhaps it would only add insult to injury for her to justify her actions.
Stuart had fixed Lily with a stare that surprised Meg. It would seem that he was less than pleased with his bride, while Lily pretended not to notice. She kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, Stuart, darling. I didn't expect you so soon. I have been enjoying myself here with Meg so I wouldn't be so lonely while you were away." She soothed.
"I am glad to find you well," he replied, stiffly. Meg sensed that Stuart's initial reaction would have been much different if she were not in the room. Truly, she would have rather been somewhere else, as well. "How do you do,...Mademoiselle, pardon me, Madame?" He corrected himself, bowing. "I thank you for entertaining my wife in my unavoidable absence." So Stuart knew she was married, which meant that Reggie knew, also, but what else did he know?
"Welcome, Monsieur de Fairmont," Meg said. "May I offer some refreshment. Tea will be served soon. Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable."
"I apologize for the sudden nature of our arrival and truly appreciate your hospitality, but I think we will be leaving just as soon as possible." Stuart replied, politely.
"I insist that you take refreshment with us. You must be weary from your journey." Meg said graciously, and cast Lily a questioning glance.
"Stuart, it is unnecessary to leave immediately. You are exhausted." Lily said, her voice soothing and calm. "It is pleasant outside, walk with me. Reggie too, I have so much to tell you."
"I should think so." Reggie agreed and cast an odd look in Meg's direction.
"I shall have tea ready, when you return." Meg said, eager for escape. She didn't know how to interpret the look Reggie gave her. Disdain, mistrust, or hurt? Perhaps a mixture of all three. Meg knew, deep in her heart, that she deserved his ire, but there was something else about him that was different from the last time she'd spoke with him. There was an edge of anger and raw energy that emanated like an undeniable force from him. He eyes were dark and narrowed coldly. Meg shivered. What had changed him from the boy who had so openly expressed himself to her? Another stab of guilt stirred her into action, and she left hastily to help Francois prepare tea for their guests.
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Out in the cool air, Lily walked between the two men. She took Stuart's arm for support, needing every little bit of help she could get. She knew Stuart was angry, expected him to be, but she also knew he could be a reasonable man, when it suited him. However, he didn't share her views on many things, such as playing matchmaker. When he found out just how much meddling she'd done in his absence, he may never speak to her again. Just the knowledge that she had been the honored guest of the man, known by some as the Phantom of the Opera, for the last two weeks would surely push him over the edge, and he would have their marriage annulled. Though Meg had never actually disclosed the information, Lily had concluded on her own the true identity of Meg's mysterious lover, some time after he'd arrived at the staged engagement party, masked and mysterious, yet natural and unpretentious. No other man or woman in the room carried off a disguise with such presence. He'd asked her to dance, and complimented her eloquently on the party. Lily thought she knew everyone in Paris worth knowing until he showed up that night. He was different and still somehow familiar, like someone from a fairytale.
Lily had heard fantastic tales about the infamous character known as the Phantom of the Opera. Meg had been a ballerina at the Opera Populaire during a time of rumors surrounding the Phantom and the connection seemed a likely one. Lily was pleased for Meg, but at the same time, concerned with the unconventional nature of the romance. Although Lily was a hopeless romantic, herself, there was a dangerous uncertainty in the relationship. In the vast rumors being spread about the Opera Ghost, there was the disconcerting thought that he was mad. After meeting him face to face, Lily no longer entertained the idea of madness, but she wanted to see for herself that Meg was not in danger or unhappy in her marriage.
It was ironic that she, of all souls, would be concerned with the condition of Meg's marriage when her own was a fragile thing at best. Stuart had left for Cambodia shortly after their wedding and now they were barely more than strangers. In their short courtship, Stuart had been attentive and kind. She really had no reason to doubt him, except that she didn't know the extent of which he would lose patience with her antics and carefree ways. Her mother often warned her that one day she would go too far with her little adventures and shenanigans and lose the confidence of those who mattered most. But of course, Lily's mother had never understood her daughter's desire to right the wrongs of the world.
"Would it be too much to ask, what the hell you're doing here?" Stuart spoke. He was clearly fighting for control of his temper, obviously hadn't believed her story about needing company. Well, it was only partially true anyway, Lily decided and forgave him.
"Don't be angry with me. I did it for Reggie and Michelle." Lily said, easily, though she disengaged her arm from his.
"Me and Michelle?" Reggie asked in genuine surprise.
"You wrote to me about Meg and how you were falling in love with her, but what you didn't know was that you hadn't been corresponding with Meg at all. In fact, Michelle has been writing to you all this time. Perhaps you remember her, Michelle Montague." Reggie shook his head. "She and I were in school together, though she is a year younger than me. You may have seen her, even if you don't remember." Lily and Stuart stopped walking when Reggie remained behind in stunned silence.
"I don't understand. Meg didn't write the letters? If you knew this, why didn't you tell me?" Reggie demanded, still in mild shock at the news.
"I thought that if you came here where Michelle is now, you wouldn't be able to turn your back on her so easily." Lily explained meekly.
"What are you talking about? I have been played for a fool. Of course, I will turn my back on the whole embarrassing situation. I must." Reggie turned away in disgust.
"But, when did you fall in love, Reggie? Was it after you went to Cambodia or before, when you were with Meg?" Lily asked, urgently.
"I don't know exactly. Meg is a very beautiful woman and I thought I was falling in love with her." Reggie admitted.
"But when did you really feel that you found the person who would mean more than life to you?" Lily pursued the subject. Reggie scratched his head in bewilderment.
"I think it was in Cambodia when I found myself looking forward to her letters. I lived to read her next letter. When I was ill with fever and I thought I might die, she wrote to me and her words were so thoughtful and she seemed to know my thoughts more than I knew myself. Her words healed me in some unusual way. It was strange how she could put into words just what I needed to hear at any given moment. I found myself confiding my innermost thoughts to her. I read her letters a hundred times each, drawing on her wisdom and faith. I really thought it was Meg, though." He said, clearly embarrassed.
"But it was Michelle who wrote those words, not Meg." Lily said, softly.
"I wouldn't have thought Meg would do this." Reggie confessed, grudgingly.
"She only asked for Michelle to help her write a letter to gently dissuade you, and didn't know she continued to write until it was apparent that Michelle was falling in love with you. By then, she didn't want to spoil it. You see, Michelle was in a rather delicate condition at the time." Lily looked away and gently cleared her throat.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Reggie demanded with growing irritation.
"I will tell you, but you have to promise you will not get angry and go away without hearing the whole story."
"This is going to be a jewel, I suspect."
"First, you have to know that the poor girl has been disowned by her family and has no one except Meg and her family." Lily put up a hand when Reggie started to speak. "Listen first." She continued. "When Michelle was working as a ballerina at the Paris Opera, she was violated by a horrible man."
Reggie gasped. "He should hang!"
"He did." Lily sighed. "But, that is no longer an issue. She has a child, a lovely baby girl." Reggie was silent and Lily didn't know if she should interpret his silence as a good sign or not, so she continued. "Naturally, she is frightened of men and yet, for some reason, she felt that she could communicate with you."
"Not about this." Reggie stated, somewhat humbled.
"Well, don't hold it against her. I'm sure, she didn't want to burden you with her troubles."
"You said you came here because of Michelle and me. How is that?" Reggie asked without meeting her eyes.
"She is here, now. Of course, she has no idea that you know it was she who wrote to you."
"I found it strange that the letters ceased abruptly a few months ago, with no explanation. She may have become frightened when I wrote about coming home and the two of us becoming husband and wife." Reggie acknowledged.
"I think she came here so she wouldn't have to face you. It must be very difficult for her. Please don't turn your back on her."
"I don't know that I have an option. If she came here to avoid me, then I have no choice but to leave her be."
"But if you love her, how can you walk away without even trying to win her?" Lily cried in dismay.
"But you don't understand. I thought it was Meg and evidently she is married, so there is nothing for me to do but forget this whole unpleasant ordeal! Incidently, who is this person Meg has married." Reggie demanded. "I have never heard of the Marquis de Leon, until now."
"He only recently inherited the title and is most reclusive, but nonetheless, a very kind and generous man." Lily explained. "I must warn you, however, that he suffers from a facial disfigurement which he covers with a mask. If he is inclined to meet with you, I pray that the two of you do not embarrass yourselves by staring or remarking upon the mask." Lily spoke with disdain and mild contempt.
"I beg your pardon, Madame, but how can you underestimate your own husband?." Stuart returned, indignantly. Lily was sure now she had offended him.
"Or your brother for that matter." Reggie chimed in.
"Meg is a dear friend and I should never be able to show my face again if you were to react insensitively. If you are invited to remain for the evening, do not refuse. It would be a gross error in gentlemanly behavior. He may see it as an insult." Lily said in a cultured tone and realized, to her dismay, that she sounded like an exacting schoolmistress.
"I assure you, Madame, that you will have no legitimate complaint. However, your own behavior is less becoming, as I find myself in the precarious condition of taking instructions from my wife as though I were an errant boy!"
"I see that is time for me to leave the two of you alone." Reggie said, clearing his throat. "That is an interesting knoll I should like to explore. I won't be long." His words went unheard by the couple who stared at each other with wary interest. He left to investigate the knoll covered thickly with trees and brush.
"I see that you have been busy in my absence. When did you find time in your schedule to miss me?" Stuart asked, his voice heavy with implication.
"Don't be petty, Stuart. I have done nothing to dishonor you." She replied.
"In all your meddling, did you give a thought to how it might affect your family. My mother is horrified by your antics. Is it true that you sponsored an engagement party, and the bride-to-be was kidnaped by her lover in the midst of it all?" Stuart asked in mild alarm.
"Well, yes, actually but . . . but, it was Meg's engagement party and we . . . I mean I set it up to force Erik . . . or perhaps I should say, make him realize what he was going to lose if he didn't act. It is really hard to explain. You wouldn't understand." Lily looked away.
"Try me. I just might."
"It sounds silly, now, but the Girys lost their livelihood between the fire at the Opera Populaire and the war. They had mounting debt and it was necessary that Meg marry soon to save them from ruin. Erik was unwilling to declare himself. It must have been difficult for him to believe that someone could love him for himself. Meg was so unhappy and still she had to pretend interest in the many suitors who constantly proposed or made inappropriate suggestions."
"Let me guess. You staged a phony engagement so Erik, who I assume is the Marquis de Leon, would feel an urgency in proposing. Who was the unwitting character who played the jilted fiancé?"
"Biagio Delvoix."
"A wealthy man. I hope he doesn't exact some revenge. He must be humiliated." Stuart observed, without empathy.
"He actually managed to get himself engaged again, so I don't suppose he will want to revisit the experience."
"I don't suppose you had anything to do with that, also."
"Well, not directly. I just invited someone to the party who would be a sympathetic listener and be there to comfort him when he found that he was, again, a lonely bachelor." Lily confessed. "What happened after that was entirely between the two of them."
"I have surely arrived just in time to prevent another matchmaking adventure. From now on, I will be your only romantic project."
"You're not angry with me?" Lily asked with some surprise for she expected a severe scolding if nothing else.
"Of course, I'm angry." Stuart hid a smile. "I shan't dare to leave you again out of fear that I will return to find my wife has become a marriage broker or a notorious lady gambler. It is my own fault for leaving you alone, but I could scarcely bring you with me. Cambodia is no place for a woman."
"Do you mean they don't have women in Cambodia?" Lily feigned surprise. Stuart laughed outright.
"Not any like you. She would be burned at the stake for treason. Her husband would deny any knowledge and weep for her everlasting soul."
"You wouldn't!" Lily cried in horror. "I have not committed treason!"
"Not yet, but if I don't keep you busy with other duties, I can see you becoming the perfect international spy—."
"Oh, Stuart, that sounds so exciting!" Lily exclaimed, clapping her hands together with awe and intrigue.
"—But you will hardly have the time with so many children calling you Mama." Stuart continued, ignoring her exuberant outburst.
"I suppose I could give up my career as an international spy for the safety and well-being of our children." Lily sighed contented
"I'm glad to hear of it. I had wondered if you would be willing to become ordinary." Stuart eyes crinkled with humor. Lily knew he was teasing
"Never! There is nothing ordinary about being a mother, Stuart. Michelle, Meg and I will be mothers at the same time. It will be good to visit back and forth, celebrating holidays and birthdays together. Our children will be cousins." Lily smiled at the thought.
"Don't start meddling again. Leave Reggie and Michelle alone to decide for themselves what they will do." Stuart warned gently.
"Of course, my work is done there. I can't make them fall in love if they don't feel anything for one another. I just think they do and may need someone else to point it out to them, in which case, I will be available."
"You're hopeless." Stuart laughed
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Meg rarely went down into the windowless depths of the basement, but the circumstances required it. She found Erik sitting on a wooden crate drinking a glass of wine. On a bigger crate sat a bottle half full and a oil lamp. Several candles were lit as well, casting the large space in light and flickering shadows. The evidence of Erik's mysterious efforts stood near the crates, a large cradle of oak. For a moment, Meg forgot about Stuart, Lily, Reggie and everyone else. Wordlessly, she caressed the smoothly sanded wood.
"It's beautiful. How long have you been working on this?" She asked in sincere admiration.
"I don't remember when I started it exactly. I had some oak left over from renovating and I just started cutting and gluing. Before I knew what I had in mind, it began to look like a baby's bed. By that time, however, I think I knew about the baby. I'm glad you like it." Erik said, pleased.
"I like it very much, thank you." Meg looked at him closely, to determine if he was intoxicated.
"If you're wondering whether or not I'm drunk, the answer is: not yet."
"Erik, we have guests. I sent Garrick to find you, but said that you did not want to be disturbed. I have invited Stuart and Reggie to take refreshment with us and even stay for the evening if they wish to. Stuart and Reggie have traveled for days. It would terribly rude not to offer the basic of comforts." Meg was wringing her hands in frustration. "Stuart is a marquis. It would be doubly insulting not to honor him as our guest."
"By all means, make them welcome. Perhaps they would enjoy a bottle of this fine cabernet. I made it myself." Erik took large swallow. "Make my apologies, for I will not be available for entertaining."
"What am I to tell them? Should I say that you are ill and may be contagious?" Meg asked nervously.
"I don't care what you tell them."
"I hate to lie. Lily would know the truth and I would feel that she pitied me." She confessed.
"Why? Do you feel sorry for yourself?" Erik asked, watching her closely.
"No, but I would much rather have you by my side as host to our guests. I am not ashamed of the man I married and I would worry that it would appear that I was."
"Why do you care what other's think? I don't." Erik declared flatly.
"Perhaps I care too much, but only because Lily is a dear friend. It is important to me that our child has a full and happy life. This means that he or she will need friends of the same age and I was thinking that Lily's children and ours would be like family. It will be a lonely existence for our child if we discourage everyone who attempts to become part of our small social circle." She argued, careful to choose her words. Erik was rather unpredictable, and Meg was unsure of how he would respond to her reasoning. He was silent for several moments, staring into the flickering flame of the lamp.
"I will join our guests for dinner this evening and I will do my best not to destroy our child's future social connections." He said, finally.
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Reggie found the hike to the knoll longer that he'd expected. The dense trees and brush at the bottom posed some difficulty to get through, but beyond the thorns and thick berry bramble, the trees were tall with thick trunks. Birds of different species twittered cheerfully in the high branches. He had made a wise choice to visit the knoll with its quiet beauty. The smell of autumn was combined with woodland and earth to create an almost seductive scent. The leaves were turning color and several drifted downward lazily. His boots crushed the dried remains of summer noisily. A sudden flash of pale blue caught his attention. It was a dress...or better yet, a woman wearing a blue dress. She fled as he approached
"Mademoiselle! Wait! I mean no harm! Stop!" He called after her. She did not stop but ran faster, like all the devils in hell were hot on her heels. He had intruded upon her solitude and possibly frightened her. Reluctant to let her leave with the impression that he would do harm, he pursued. His long legs gave him the advantage in the race and soon he overtook her, planting himself in her path. She was breathing heavily and gasping for air, but still she dodged past him and ran down the slope to be free of him. Reggie watched in bewilderment, letting her go. It would serve no purpose to continue trying to reach her. Clearly, she wasn't interested in his attempt to redeem himself. He watched her run and saw that she stumbled, apparently twisting her ankle, because down she went, head over heels and straight into the thorns of the berry bramble at the bottom of the knoll.
Reggie quickly made his way down to where she tried to get up just to collapse again in pain. "Mademoiselle, I will not harm you. Let me be of assistance." He said firmly, dropping down beside her. She had thick, straight, black hair reaching just below her shoulders. She turned from him, so that he could not see her face. "What is your name?" He asked, puzzled by the girl's strange behavior.
"Go away!" She said, weakly and tried to rise yet once more. Reggie reached out to support her only to have his hands slapped.
"What have I done to endure such hostility? You're obviously injured, and I'm only trying to help." He said, offended by her disagreeable nature.
"You've done enough already. This is all your fault. If you had not chased me, I would not have fallen." Indignant from her bitter accusation, Reggie grasped her chin and turned her head so he could see her face. Her skin was pale, creamy and blemish free. Green eyes, fringed by thick dark lashes flashed angrily at him. Lips, pink and delicate as the most tender rosebud were just the right fullness and shape. Who was this woman?
"If you had not run, I would not have pursued you. Now, what is your name?" He asked, again. She turned away in response. "Let me look at that ankle." There was no point in making a contest out of whether or not she would reveal her name. "You could do yourself even more harm if you do not let me help." Reggie slowly reached for the woman's foot. She did not resist this time and allowed him to remove her shoe. Gently he touched her ankle and she flinched. "It is probably a nasty sprain and not broken." He said, rotating her foot slightly. "I did not mean to frighten you and I only wanted to assure you that you had nothing to fear. I apologize for my clumsiness, Bernice."
"Bernice?" The woman said, momentarily confused.
"Yes, you look like a Bernice and since you won't reveal your true name, I decided I would call you Bernice. Where do you live, Bernice? You will need some assistance getting home." Reggie rose and stood looking down at the injured woman. If she resisted, there was little he could do, otherwise, she would have to be carried to the nearest destination, the Chateau de Bagen. She gestured toward the chateau. "Well, that does make things a little easier. I thought I would have to carry you to the next village."
"Carry me?"
"Did you really expect to walk on that ankle? Once again, I assure you that you will be perfectly safe. I've carried things that weighed more for a much greater distance. I won't drop you, if that is what concerns you." Reggie let out an exasperated sigh. She had begun to tremble. Taking off his coat, he knelt down, put it around her and helped her get her arms through the sleeves. It was cool but not extremely cold, hardly enough to warrant the shivers that racked her body. "Put your arms around my neck so I may lift you." He instructed softly. She complied, though reluctantly, tears filling her eyes. The pain must be severe, Reggie concluded. What other reason would she have for crying so? Gently, he raised her into his arms and held her close to his chest. She rested her chin on his shoulder so that she did not look at him. She held her arms strong around his neck, aiding in the distribution of her weight. Navigating through the briars proved a challenge. The thorns tore his shirt and left a few deep scratches on his arms and sides, but his fair burden remained unscathed by the briars.
Once past the berry bramble and brush, Reggie shifted her weight to get a stronger hold. Now she was in a position to look into his face, but she kept her eyes averted. Reggie found her shyness oddly endearing. Most of the women in his acquaintance were either far to bold for his liking or put on the act of the timid coquette. This young woman possessed a natural and straight forward disposition and yet remained a mystery. It was clear that she didn't trust him and yet she allowed him to carry her back to the chateau. Somehow that unwilling trust flattered him, like he'd won a special confidence.
There was nothing familiar in her face, and still, he felt that he should know her. No man in his right mind would forget a face like hers, so it was unlikely they had met before. She demonstrated a unusual lack of interest in his identity. A improbable notion rattled in the back of his mind.
"How is the ankle?" Reggie asked for the sake of dispelling the unnatural quiet. If he could talk about something of general interest, he could take his mind of how soft her lips looked or how right she felt in his arms. She'd stopped trembling and seemed to relax a little. He'd given his word that she would be safe and yet if she knew the true direction of his thoughts, she would likely strike him and certainly never trust him again.
"It doesn't hurt much now." She said clearing her throat. "Perhaps I should try and walk, now. It isn't much further to the chateau."
"No, Bernice, it will only aggravate the sprain."
"There's no need to call me that."
"Until we get to the chateau so someone else can tell me who you really are, you will be Bernice." Reggie replied stubbornly.
"My name is Michelle Montague." She said, and waited for his response. He arms went slack for a moment. Michelle held on tightly as he shifted her weight to get a better grip.
"My name is Reginald Dublan." He finally managed to reply.
"I know." She said.