DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two
Erik looked out the window of the music room and noticed that the sun was beginning to rise. He could not recall the last time he was able to see such a wonderful sight.
He was putting the finishing touches on his new composition. Once the last notes had been perfectly placed, he could hear Cecilia's footsteps stirring down the hallway towards the staircase. He rose from the piano stool and stood in the doorway to watch Cecilia reach the staircase.
She was wearing a glorious lavender dress complete with a matching bonnet-like hat. She looked as though she was going out for the day.
"And where do you think you are going?" Erik purred.
Cecilia jumped back in shock. "Erik, you scared the heavens out of me!" I am going to the market. There is nothing to eat here. I was also going to place a notice in the Paris Chronicle for new household help. I cannot continue to run this place without someone to help me."
Erik gave her a strange look as he folded his muscular arms around his chest.
"Are you going alone?" he asked.
"Would you like to come?" she asked in return.
"Oh no! I could not possibly be around people. They stare too much and ask too may questions. But may I ask, how are you going to get there?"
"I was going to try to catch a carriage. I have one in the stables, but alas, when I fired our stableman I allowed him to take the horses with him because they meant so much to him."
"That does leave you in a predicament my dear. Actually, I was going to be traveling to the lair myself. Perhaps I could…possibly…give you a ride?"
"Why are you returning to the lair? You are more than welcome to remain here. No one will bother you, I promise. In fact, I could use some assistance in choosing some new housekeepers."
"I cannot continue to impose on you. I fear I have taken up too much of your time already."
"I assure you, you are no trouble. In fact, I rather enjoy having you around."
Hmm. So, she likes my company. A far cry from hating me after our episode a day or so ago.
While Erik stood in the hallway making his decision, Cecilia heard a loud knock on her front door. She looked at Erik with a puzzled expression.
"Who would be calling to my estate this early in the morning?" she asked aloud without expecting an answer from Erik.
"Please wait here a moment. I will fetch the door," she ordered as she descended down the stairs.
When she reached the door, she made sure her hat was on straight and grasped the large iron handle. As the door opened, she immediately recognized who was standing on her porch. It was Fredrick and Suzanne.
"Good morning, Cecilia," Fredrick said as he began to smile, "isn't it a lovely morning?"
"Good morning Fredrick…Suzanne," she said as she tried to remain cordial, "Please do come in." She gestured for her former fiancé and his current betrothed to enter her home.
"I apologize. I was not expecting visitors this early in the morning."
"We do apologize. We realize it is very early, but we needed to speak with you immediately," Fredrick motioned.
"Alright, what is it I can do for you this fine winter morning?" she asked.
"Cecilia, as you know, I have asked Suzanne to be my wife. However, due to some unreasonable pleas from my family, they consider our relationship to be void due to my past engagement to you."
He swallowed hard as Cecilia sat down in her chair. Please, why does he have to bring this up to me right now?
He continued, "Suzanne and I have come to ask your blessing for us to wed. I realize that due to the circumstances, it is wrong of me to ask such a thing. In fact, I understand why you would not even consider our request, but we are so sorry for what has happened. I never meant to break your heart, Cecilia. I did not know I would fall in love with Suzanne and not you. I tried…I tried so hard to love you. Please forgive me."
Cecilia could feel the tears well up in her chest. She struggled to hold in her breath from her shallow sobs. Finally, attempting to hold in her dignity, she asked, "Could you please excuse me for a moment?"
Suzanne looked at Fredrick and nodded her approval.
Cecilia darted from the room and in the most ladylike of fashion, ran up the staircase to Erik. Erik was eavesdropping in the hallway as she reached the top of the stairs.
"Is that him?" he whispered.
"Who?" she asked attempting to pretend to not know what he was talking about.
"Cecilia, I am not an ignorant man. Is that the man who broke your heart?"
She nodded as tears began to roll down her face. Erik pulled her into him and stroked her hair.
"Cecilia, do you still love him?" he asked as he lifted her face upward to his.
"No, Erik. I don't, but he did hurt me. Whenever I see him or think of him, I am reminded how he did not want me. I am reminded of all of my fears that no one will ever want me. I am going to die a lonely old woman with only her father's possessions left to comfort her."
"No, Cecilia. You are not going to die alone."
Her piercing blue eyes became transfixed on his green ones. He seemed to be speaking to her soul with the utmost compassion and warmth.
"I never have told anyone. I feel when I am with you as though…as though I can tell you anything. Doesn't that seem strange? You are the one person in this world who I feel understands me."
Erik realized that she spoke the exact way he felt. Maybe I could tell her the truth and everything would be alright. Maybe she could be the one to understand…
While they stood there holding each other, Erik heard Fredrick yelling up the staircase.
"Cecilia, are you alright up there?"
Cecilia pulled away from Erik, wiped the tears off of her cheeks, and attempted to shrug off her dazed state.
"I am coming, Fredrick," she said as she made her way downstairs. As she reached the bottom and walked into the room, she could see Erik standing behind her.
Fredrick and Suzanne looked puzzled as Erik grasped Cecilia's hand and led her to her chair.
"Please pardon me Monsieur and Madamoiselle," he began with shaking Fredrick's hand and kissing Suzanne's gloved one, "I apologize it took me so long to come down. I was in the middle of composition when my dearest Cecilia told me someone was here."
Cecilia looked at Erik in shock. What is he doing?
"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Erik Fournier. I am Cecilia's fiancé."
Fredrick's face let out a large smile as Erik sat down next to Cecilia as he once again kissed her hand. She let out a sigh and whispered a quick "thank you" to Erik who's eyes were back on Fredrick.
"Cecilia, why didn't you tell me you were engaged? Congratulations! How wonderful!" Fredrick said as he stood up and kissed her hand.
"Well, my dear Fredrick, I did not want to make such a fuss since father was only laid to rest a mere week and a half ago," she said as she stood up, "Fredrick, you have my blessing. I shall write to your parents today and inform them of my decision. Now, if you do not mind, I have many errands to run today. If you could excuse me?"
"Of course! Sorry again for the intrusion. Thank you very much for understanding. Thank you for everything," Fredrick said again as he and his fiancée walked to the front door.
As Erik and Cecilia bid them their goodbyes and shut the door, Cecilia turned to Erik with a rather serious look on her face.
"Do you realize that all of France is going to know I have a mystery fiancé? Suzanne is one of the biggest gossips in all of Paris!" she said as she suddenly became frantic.
"What are we going to do?"
Erik put his hands on her shoulders and brought her body close to him. "We are not going to panic. We are going to play along as though we are a happy couple. If you so choose, we can break it off at any time, but for now, let's play along."
Cecilia realized that it probably would not be so bad. At least those pesky older suitors would stop coming to visit.
"Alright, dearest," she said with a sly smile, "since we are to be wed, I guess that means you are stuck going to the market with me. Go fetch your cloak."
She caught him in her trap. He rolled his eyes as he trudged up the staircase to fetch his cloak. Good to see she is going to have a bit of fun with this.