A Place in This World
eriksangelofvoice – I am so excited to have you reading my story. Thank you for commenting. The scene where Michél reveals his past was meant to be light-hearted, for Michél wants his audience to understand that Erik is really a compassionate man who has not been allowed to show that side of himself very much. I hope you enjoyed it and will enjoy the rest of what is to come. Thank you.
CHAPTER 21
Everyone in the room looked at Erik, sprawled out in his chair; his long legs crossed in front of him with a look on his face that was hard to identify. He moved only his eyes as he allowed them a moment to think.
Finally he shrugged his shoulders and pulled his legs in; leaning forward with his head down, elbows resting on his muscular thighs, and his hands dangling between his knees, he stated, "I felt sorry for him, pitiful creature; what was I supposed to do…leave him to die in the streets?...I helped him – no big deal."
Margarite threw her wadded napkin at his broad back as he stood up and stretched his long frame, "It would have been a welcome reprieve Erik, to see the human side of you more often. You were always 'The Phantom'…what you did for Michél puts the rest of Paris to shame; for many turned their backs on him before you became the Good Samaritan."
Erik feigned shock at the "gall" of having a napkin tossed at him, "Woman, you tread on thin ice by wielding a weapon on me…prepare to defend yourself."
He stalked up to Margarite and did something that he had not done in many years. He knelt down behind Margarite's chair, placed his chin on her shoulder, reached around from the back and tickled her without mercy, while her joyous laughter echoed off every wall. She had always liked being tickled; it brought back fond memories of her father, whom she had loved dearly...how she had missed it.
Erik allowed Margarite to breathe once more and strolled back to his chair, the grin on his face making Margarite feel so happy. (This is how it should have been years ago…no stress or worry; just Erik being a charming boy and then becoming an irresistible man.)
She gathered her wits and asked, "So, what are the plans for today?"
Michél took it upon himself to answer that question. "Lord Alastair, Lord Erik, and myself all have tickets for the train today at 5:25 p.m. We're headed for London where we will pick up the Chisolm Ferry to Glasgow, Scotland on Thursday morning. If all goes smoothly, we should be at Lauchlan Estate by Thursday, late morning or early afternoon."
Erik allowed a fleeting moment of panic to sweep over him. In all his wildest dreams, he never thought he was an aristocrat. Oh, he played the part well; the impeccable and expensive clothes, the manner of his speech, his level of education, and the way he carried himself; but he never dreamed he actually was one. Could he truly play the part for real? He knew nothing of what was expected of him. He supposed he would learn as time went on.
He happened upon Margarite's tearful eyes, and got up and went to her. He pulled up the chair beside her and sat sideways on it.
Taking her hand in his, he gave a concerned squeeze and caressed her fingers, "What is it Margarite? I thought you would be happy for me."
Margarite smiled as the tears spilled over. She cupped Erik's smooth cheek, rubbing the surface with her thumb; mesmerized by his luminescent beauty, "I am Erik…really…" She fought her tears heroically, but eventually just gave up, "…I just can't imagine the indescribable joys that await you as you reunite with your mother and sisters…I would really like to be there…" She lifted her pleading eyes into Erik's somber ones, "I know, it's not my place…but I just would like to be there…"
Erik pulled her to him, giving her a hug that a son would give his mother. "Nonsense Margarite, if anyone has a right to be there, it's you…" He pulled back and lifted her trembling chin with his index finger, "…look at me…you have been the only mother I have known for more years than I care to remember…but you have a daughter that will be returning to you in a couple of days and…" Erik tweaked her chin between his thumb and index finger and gave her a sexy wink, "…you have a certain police inspector who seems very interested in courting you." His tone changed from jesting to brotherly advisor, "Live your life Margarite. You have been tangled up in mine for so long that I fear you have lost a sense of self and have given up on living your dream." Erik leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek, "Albert is a good man and you are a great woman…allow yourself to see where it goes; you know where I will be and you will always have a place to come."
Margarite wiped her tears with her kerchief and smiled an uncertain smile at Erik. "Alright Erik, but you be sure and write to me about what is happening in your life. I want to be the first in Paris to know whom you are courting, and definitely, whom you marry. I am sure that Alastair and Brianna are anticipating grandchildren from their only son."
She returned his wink with one of her own, she knew Erik doubted his ability to capture a woman's heart. She doubted her would ever be confident in his own attractiveness.
Erik laughed her comment off, doubting that two of those events would ever take place, "Margarite, should miracles never cease and some poor woman inadvertently marry me, and, horror of horrors, allows me close enough to her to conceive a child;"He shook his head and smirked at her,"you will be the first to know!"
He gave her another hug and pulled himself up out of the chair. Margarite thought how heavenly it was to be in his arms. He would marry, she knew it; and that lucky woman would hold on to him for dear life, knowing that she was given an opportunity to have and to hold one of God's most beautiful angels while walking the earth.
Erik stood at the window, looking very ominous; of course, that was just an illusion that Raoul entertained as he quietly approached the bigger man. Erik could hear him coming up behind him; his ears tuned to many indiscernible sounds that most of humanity could not hear. Most of the time, he could tell who the person was just by the pattern of the footfalls as they made their way toward him.
"My lord, I don't think I have properly thanked you for the generous gift you gave us earlier. It was completely unexpected." The sincerity in Raoul's voice gave Erik pause to turn from the window and regard him with no animosity in his eyes. "I looked over the musical selections that you gave to us; I am not a composer or a musician, but I know quality when I see it."Raoul lowered his eyes and focused them on the wall,"I must admit that I was completely unaware of your talents…I mean; I knew you sang and composed, but I never knew that you could compose such masterpieces as 'Lord of the Dance' or 'Imperfect World'. These two, in particular, moved me to tears."
Raoul turned toward the window, not sure of how Erik would respond to his open appraisal"You could have been a world famous composer, had you been compelled to come out of hiding…maybe I can have the opportunity to repay you for your generosity by attaching your name to these magnum opuses…please allow me to do this."
Erik gave a slight nod, letting Raoul know that he appreciated the compliment, "Raoul, my gifts have served to bring me nothing but pain in the past. I will continue to exercise my architectural interests and my artistic inclinations; but music…my first and greatest love, will cease until I find some other inspiration…and by the way, just call me Erik."
Raoul gave the nod this time, "As you wish." He paused a moment, a serious crease invaded his handsome face. "Erik, I have given this much thought over the last few days; should anything ever happen to me, please promise me that you will look after Christine…" Erik lifted his head in disbelief, his shoulders were immediately rigid, making him seem even more formidable, "…she loves you, I know this...I am not much younger than you are, and I realize that she is still a child in many ways. I don't believe she has it in her to commit to either one of us completely; she is concerned about the pain she will cause."
Erik smirked at Raoul and shook his head; thanking God that Raoul realized this also. "I wondered if you had drawn the same conclusion that I had; I see that you have…her feelings for me are congruent with those of a dear friend or teacher, and I am thankful that she looks on me with any favor at all, but it is you that she is IN love with."Erik placed a strong hand on Raoul's shoulder and looked at him with concern, "You know that I will never allow anything to happen to her; but isn't that a position that your family should take?"
Raoul spoke with bitterness evident in every word, "I do not trust my family to have Christine's best interest at heart…I only trust you for that. My father does not approve of the union and will do everything in his power to take what is legally Christine's, should something happen to me." Raoul gave a hesitant smile,"I know that you will not back down with him as your adversary; I have made my wishes known in writing and placed the will in my personal safety deposit box at the Bank of Paris. I have left written instructions that the only two people allowed into that box are Christine and Lord Erik Lauchlan, otherwise known to them as 'The Phantom'." He smiled a sad smile, "There are things, political things, happening in France that I fear will put a strain on the nobles as well as many others. I do not know what will happen…I just want to make sure that she will be taken care of."
Erik placed his hand on Raoul's arm and gave a gentle squeeze, "She will be…you just get that opera house up and running. In no time, it will be a major source of income for you." Erik gave a friendly tap to Raoul's shoulder, "Put the opera house in Christine's name and all the profits will be hers, especially if something were to happen to you. I would only have to act as financial advisor in that instance…Christine is quite capable of running the business part of it on her own."
Raoul considered the astuteness of Erik's recommendation. It made perfect sense. "I'll do that." Raoul turned to leave but thought of one more thing to bring up, "You really have no romantic interest in her anymore, do you?"
Erik dropped his eyes, looking to the side of Raoul at nothing in particular, "She was the unfortunate recipient of my obsessive, compulsive counterpart…she has entirely too much of life yet to discover and I have seen so much of life that I am ready to find my niche. She needs freedom to expand her horizons…I only want to find peace…these two paths are headed in opposite directions." Erik looked into Raoul's eyes and they both found a common ground. "If, and I emphasis if, I ever truly find love, it will be with a woman, not a child…and she will be my equal in every way. She will challenge my mind and my spirit; making me a better man than I ever thought I could be…she will completely give her heart to only me and in her arms I will feel the meaning of the word 'forever'. When I find that; then, and only then, will I give my heart – completely."
Raoul silently prayed that Erik would find the kind of love he sought. He felt no victory rise in his heart over having Christine at his side and not Erik's. Erik had rescinded his hold on Christine and allowed Raoul to step in and take over. There was no victory in that; just sincere gratitude and admiration. Raoul doubted that he could have done the same.
It was nearing lunchtime and Alastair suggested they all go down to the corner café where he had originally started this little reunion. It was time that he introduced his son to Paris and allowed them see him for what and who he was; Lord Erik Bryant Lauchlan, Third Earl of Berwithshire. He sure wished he could be in more than one place at a time; he would love to see the faces on everyone as they discover who the infamous Phantom really is.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
The laughter mingled with tears as the hour of Erik's departure grew near. Margarite drank in his deep, rare laugh and his calm, serene splendor; knowing that it could possibly be a long time before she saw him again. Christine sat demurely next to Raoul. She had accepted that Erik was removing himself from her life, but she found her eyes scanning his irresistible beauty, forever engraving his image in her mind. She and Raoul had already discussed visiting Scotland in the months to come; after they married. She was already looking forward to that time.
Raoul was anxious to move on and begin his new life with Christine and the Opera de Changy. He knew that he was forever indebted to Erik, but he was oddly at ease with that prospect. There was no one in his life who had ever given him as much as Erik had in the last few days. He had given him Christine when he could have so easily had her himself. He had given him the means to become an independent man apart from his family business and reputation; and he had provided him with the most beautiful music and lyrics that Raoul had ever seen or heard; original works of art that Erik had pinned under the pseudonym of Clément Doumergue. Raoul had taken it upon himself to make sure that Lord Erik Bryant Lauchlan was given credit for writing these future masterpieces.
After lunch, they all headed back to the hotel. The bags were loaded onto the carriage, leaving just enough room for Erik, Alastair and Michél to crawl in and ride somewhat comfortably to the train station. Erik pulled Margarite into his strong embrace, encouraging her to rest her head on his broad shoulder.
He allowed tears of gratitude and friendship to announce his true feelings for this dear woman who had become many things to him as the years had past. "You will always be my guardian angel, Margarite. Thank you for caring for me when all others turned their backs."
Erik held her for a few minutes, reveling in the contact. When he pulled back from her, he placed a brotherly kiss on her cheek. She lifted luminescent eyes to his and smiled despite the ache in her heart and the twist in her stomach. "You really are the most beautiful man I have ever had the privilege of knowing; and that includes your face. Don't ever change your humble opinion of yourself, but I want you to gain confidence in your appeal…I will come and check on your progress, you can be assured of that."
Erik cast a charming smile down at her and gently caressed her right cheek. "What you say is sweet Margarite, complete nonsense, but sweet." He gave her one last hug before moving on to Raoul.
Erik took the hand of friendship that Raoul proffered, giving his hand a strong, firm shake. Erik clasped the younger man on the arm in a brotherly fashion and smiled with sincere affection at this man who had suddenly become very dear to him.
"Take good care of her Raoul, she is a rare jewel." With those words, Raoul knew that Erik had severed all attachments with Christine, even though the pain was still lingering in his eyes. "I will, and you will find your rare jewel; I feel that she is closer than you know."
Erik smiled a sad but sincere smile, "My jewel will be my art and music; they alone will provide my legacy, for celibacy and loneliness are destined to be my only true companions…no woman could tolerate me."
Erik flippantly spoke the last phrase, hoping that Raoul would not see the pain that permanently housed itself in his eyes; it did not work. Erik moved quickly from Raoul to Christine, for this particular good-bye would be the hardest.
Christine's chin trembled as she fought to hold back her tears. She drank in his gorgeous face and pulled him into a tight hug, closely pressing his warm, hard body close to her female softness. She felt the strength confined within his well-muscled frame and breathed in the intoxicating scent that was all Erik. She had forgotten how delicious he always smelled; like a clean, crisp, morning breeze carrying on its wings the first dewdrops destined for the Morning Glories blooming in the garden. He smelled of perfectly aged leather and shaving cream too, but he had his own special blend of spices and exotic elixirs that he construed for his use only. He smelled like sensual passion on legs. Christine held him close for several seconds, just listening to his heartbeat.
She smiled through the tears and spoke with conviction, "You will have a woman in your life that will love you unconditionally and completely Erik. I know you will…don't miss her when she finds you." Christine pulled back and examined Erik, "You really are about the most devastatingly handsome man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing; someday, you will know this."
Erik smiled through tear-filled eyes and placed a chaste kiss on Christine's cheek. "You are delusional…but thank you for the kind words…be happy Christine…make him happy…have many babies and grow pleasantly plump in the afterglow."
Erik gently lifted her chin with his index finger and looked deep into her eyes, "I will be fine. I have a mother and father to get to know and sister's who, I'm sure, are conjuring up ways to shatter my nerves as we speak." Erik noted the poignant smile that Christine gave him and the tears running down her cheeks. "We will see each other again, my dear. By then you will have grown in love for Raoul and birthed a baby or two…I look forward to seeing little Christine's and Raoul's running about." Erik placed one more kiss on her cheek before turning to get into the carriage.
All good-byes having been said, the carriage rolled away from the curb and headed for the train station. Everyone's life that been drastically changed. The coming days would surely bring more change and with that change, promise.
Chapter 22 preview – Her.