A Place in This World

I apologize for splitting this scene up between two chapters; it is just really long. I will have chapter 9 posted before long.

CHAPTER 8

Dinner with Christine and Raoul turned out to be a pleasant affair, if a bit reserved. Margarite did not get the chance to go out a great deal; she just did not feel the need to spend money on such frivolous social functions. However, she did rather enjoy the evening and Erik's impending freedom made her spirits high. Christine embellished on ideas for the wedding, but her heart did not seem to be completely in it. Margarite sensed that she needed to talk about something in private and made a mental note to find some alone time with Christine when they arrived back at her home. Raoul, although an accomplished conversationalist, seemed distracted and did not carry the subjects as well as he normally would have; but when all was said and done, the evening was a success.

"I don't know about you young people, but this old woman is ready to call it a night." Margarite tried desperately not to yawn, but a hint of one escaped her lips anyway. "Christine, you may sleep in Meg's room, she is not going to be here for a couple of more days, she is spending the week with my cousin in the high country." She walked as she talked, pointing Christine in the right direction. She bid good night and headed up the stairs.

Raoul moved to protest, as he had purchased two hotel rooms at the Reginé Hotel, the most elaborate hotel in all of Paris. "Margarite, I did obtain lodging for the evening, there is no need to put yourself out."

Margarite shot Raoul an accusing look, "Young man, I will not have Christine residing in a hotel with a young man, even if it is not in the same room…she stays here and you may go into town." There was a hint of mirth in Margarite's voice that indicated her resolute attitude about the subject and Raoul knew that she was only protecting Christine

Raoul put his hands up in mock frustration,"Very well, you win." He gave a chivalrous bow and headed for the door"I will return forthwith in the morning, probably around 8:00. Let's plan to break fast in the morning…" Raoul placed his hat upon his head, pulled his cape over his shoulders, and stepped into the cover of night. "Good night Margarite."

Margarite locked the door and headed for the stairs. Her body was exhausted and weary, this was a good night for revealing secrets; she needed to go to Christine and see what was bothering her earlier.

She headed for Meg's room and gave the door a soft knock, Christine answered with a hesitant smile on her face. "Please come in Margarite, I feel the need to talk to you." Christine turned into the room as Margarite entered. She looked nervous about something.

"Christine, whatever is the matter?" Margarite asked while wrapping her arm around Christine's delicate shoulders and easing her into the couch by the fireplace. "You don't seem to be as happy as I would have expected you to be…with your approaching wedding and all..."

Christine bowed her head and did not answer immediately. Margarite turned toward Christine, allowing her all the time she needed to determine what it was that she wanted to say. "Christine, you know that my loyalty stays with Erik, but I will be an impartial ear if you want to discuss something concerning him…" Margarite searched Christine's face for some hint of what the younger woman was thinking.

Christine looked at Margarite and gave her an unsettled smile. "I feel compelled to let you know that my feelings for Erik go very deep; even deeper than I knew…though I cannot allow myself to think of him in a romantic light…" Christine looked anxious and her eyes pleaded with Margarite for understanding, "even when I thought him a murderer and rapist, I was so attracted to him – it scared me." Christine allowed a chuckle to escape her lips, but it held no humor, "I chastised myself continuously over the fact that I was attracted to a man that I was led to believe was so blatantly evil…my body didn't care that my mind thought he was malicious…it found his presence so enticing and intoxicating."

Christine stood up and began to quietly pace the floor, "When I was with him, I felt so safe - but at the same time so frightened. His temper was so erratic and unpredictable." Christine stopped pacing and looked at Margarite with shadowed eyes; she seemed to be realizing something for the first time. "Even when he was upset with me…like when I betrayed his trust by removing his mask without his permission…he never touched me; in fact, he seemed to go to great lengths to avoid any contact at all with me when he was upset."

She once again took a seat next to Margarite, but did not make eye contact, "Come to think of it, even in his desperation after Don Juan, his touch was firm but never painful or imposing…he is innately gentle and kind." Christine's eyes filled with tears; her shoulders shook gently with pent up emotion"I should have known then, had I been paying any attention at all, that he was no murderer or rapist; just a beautiful, misunderstood genius whose only desire in life was to love and be loved…"

Margarite took advantage of the lull and injected her thoughts, "Christine, was he ever, at any point in time…"Margarite was uncertain of how to broach the subject,"…not a gentleman with you?"

Christine's eyes lit up with a fire that Margarite had not seen before and her voice was slightly annoyed, "What are you asking…? Did he ever take advantage of me on a physical level?"

Margarite shook her head yes, even though she had a shamed look on her face.

Christine gave into a beguiling smile that revealed the woman/child that Margarite knew Erik had found irresistible. "He easily could have. He is devastatingly attractive; even with the knowledge of what lies behind that mask…"Christine's voice trailed off in a whirl of memories, "but he never did…"

Christine's heart began to ache; it ached for the man who robbed himself of the love that would surely come his way if he could get past the mask that he wore

"He never indicated that he wanted anything from me until he placed the veil on my head and the ring in my hand when I was in his lair; I mean, he did touch me while we were singing. His gloved hands lightly skirted over my torso as he emphasized the meaning of his lyrics, but I never felt violated in any way…it was at this time, the time after Don Juan, that he indicated he had never had physical relations with a woman…or even been kissed." Christine looked aghast as she again thought about the depth of Erik's loneliness, "I could not believe that such a handsome man could not have known the love of a woman; even now, it seems unfathomable. Why, Margarite? Why has there been no one in his life?"

Margarite was a little surprised at the compassion and utter confusion she heard in Christine's voice; she was even more surprised by the love she saw on her face. She unfolded Erik's story before her; from her rescuing him from the Gypsies, through his vast travels, to his final curtain call the night of Don Juan. She tried to leave nothing out, including her own struggle with romantic thoughts about Erik and how she handled it.

Her face lit up with the pride that she felt for him; all of his self-achieved accomplishments in music, architecture, design, magic and a plethora of other skill; the depth of his genius mind, his manners and impeccable tastes.

Her voice was full of adoration as she spoke, "There is something aristocratic about him. We do not know his bloodline or background, but I would not be surprised to find out that he has noble blood running through his veins. If all goes as I am praying it will, he is going to go through the process of finding out where he comes from, and I intend to do everything within my power to help him."

There was a determined tilt to her chin that Christine was very familiar with; it was that same tilt that helped mold the best ballerinas that Paris had to offer.

Christine tentatively interrupted Margarite's thoughts, "Are you going to leave Paris also? I cannot imagine you not being in the opera business in some way." Christine felt like adulthood was being thrust upon her. Everything she had clung to as a child was changing around her; it was disconcerting. She felt a sudden onset of panic sweep over her. She knew she was loosing Erik, if Margarite was not here for her to turn to; she was not sure how she would cope. "I do not want to lose Erik's presence in my life; he has been a steady influence on me throughout my young life."

Christine smiled as her mind walked down memory lane, "As my 'angel', he helped me through some very trying times and made the loss of my father tolerable. His tutelage inspired my voice to do things that I never dreamed possible and took me places I would have never been able to go."

Her eyes closed and she raised her head toward the heavens, "His music moves me in a way that no thing and no one could ever do. I cannot bear the thought of not being able to be around him…" She opened her eyes and focused on Margarite as though she had forgotten she was there, "…to see his beauty, both inward and outward; to hear his magical, enchanting voice and be awe-struck by his endless intelligence…I want him near me."

Christine's stomach was knotting at the prospect of seeing Erik, (calm down girl, you know that Raoul is the one your father wanted you with. It was agreed upon when you were a child.) Christine remembered the conversation between her father and Raoul's mother…

(FLASHBACK)

summer, 1859

"Bonét, Christine is not of noble birth. This is highly irregular." Gustov Daae was amused at the suggestion of an arranged marriage between his three-year-old daughter, Christine, and Bonét's youngest son, Raoul. Christine sat quietly, playing with her doll, as her father and her "aunt" conversed; but she heard every word.

Bonét chuckled at his inference, "Gustov, Jeanette wanted this and so do I. Your wife and I were best friends growing up. It is only natural that our families have this tie." Gustov noticed the determined look on the noblewoman's face, he was at a loss to argue with her. "Raoul is 16 and he loves Christine dearly. They play together and that is a start. I cannot think of a better match for him. Christine will undoubtedly be a very attractive, highly intelligent girl…how could she not be with the parents she has. Raoul is not the first-born son; therefore, he will not receive a majority of the inheritance. His title will remain Viscount and will most likely not increase, as his brother will take the family title." Bonét de Chagny was a very indomitable woman and was not about to give up on this.

Gustov placidly sat and listened to her reasoning; he knew that this is what his wife would have wanted and he really saw no reason to withhold Bonét's wishes"What does the Count think of this? I know that he is not as open minded and progressive as you. I do not want Christine treated as an unequal in his eyes should this marriage come about."

A look of complete contempt draped Bonét's face, "He will bow to my wishes if he knows what is good for him. It is my financial prowess that keeps the family business afloat, and I know how to hurt him…where it counts." Bonét gave Gustov a mischievous grin. "This is meant to be Gustov, let's seal the pact with a verbal agreement between friends. I will get my husband and we will do this."

After they left, Gustov explained the situation to Christine as best he could. She was a very smart little girl and understood what he was saying. She smiled her effervescent smile, "I will marry Raoul when I am older…then we can play forever…"

(END FLASHBACK)

Christine came back to the present conversation. Margarite was preparing to explain why she was leaving with Erik. "Christine, I owe so much to Erik…he would be very displeased at me saying this to you, but he has supported Meg and me for years. His monetary gifts have allowed me to own this little house, buy clothes, and always have food on the table. He is a shrewd businessman and his investments through the years have left him quite wealthy; enough to rival your viscount, I'm sure."

Margarite smiled with pride as she once again highlighted a strong point in Erik's character, "Erik is quite modern in his thinking and feels that women should be able to handle their own business affairs and make decisions concerning life in general. He taught me to think like he does and I have taken the money that he gives us every month and invested it. My own bank account will never compare to his, but I can live comfortably for the rest of my life. I will follow him to the ends of earth if need be."

Chapter 9 preview – More late night chat