A Place in This World

Thank you angelaura76, Pertie, eriksangelofvoice, and OperaLover for your comments on chapter 27. I have been working my way up to this moment haven't I? Kind of like, "When will the first kiss be and how hot will it be?" I know, I know…I am anxiously awaiting the answer to this question also…it will happen at the perfect time. When that is…I don't even know!

There will be a few chapters coming up that I would categorize as "M" on the rating chart. I will warn you as they are approaching. I did not think I could write these scenes, but I find that they flow quite easily. I am giving you fair warning. No one under 16 years of age should read them.

Patience young ones, patience. Here's your update.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26, NKJV

CHAPTER 28

The next morning started just the way Brianna had predicted it would. Alastair and Erik were up and off the premises before the sun before the sun spread its exquisite array of colors over the hills. Alastair wanted to introduce Erik to the many local merchants and businessmen who supplied the materials that Alastair used in his building projects. Being a Saturday, the visits were made to the respective homes. Alastair had made in a point through the years of paying personal visits to these families for they kept him working. He wanted them to know Erik as well as they knew him.

While the men were off doing their thing, Brianna sent A'awynn and Kaitlyn into Glasgow to pick up Erik's clothing and procure the last minute items needed for the ball tonight. A'awynn was a little disappointed to have come down to the breakfast room only to find that Erik had once again eluded her. She would just have to wait until tonight to meet him.

The young ladies left early, around 10 a.m., to get to Glasgow. The carriage pulled up in front of The Tailor Shop and they bounded out of it and into the shop. The man retrieved the needed items and had the attendant take the packages out to the carriage. He assured the ladies that Erik had been in yesterday morning and had the final fitting; the suits fit him perfectly.

A'awynn and Brianna made the last couple of stops and by the time they were finished, it was 1:30 in the afternoon. They got a quick bite to eat at a corner café and headed back to Berwithshire. After all, they would only have 4½ hours, once they got back, to ready themselves for the ball tonight and they both wanted to look their best.

Erik was a basket case. It wasn't bad enough that there was going to be 150 people, at least, present tonight; but he also had to dance with the "proper" eligible women. He had spent the greater part of the last hour berating himself. (Why, for the sake of all that is holy, are you doing this to yourself? The Phantom would never allow himself to be humiliated like this if he knew what was coming…flee…flee into the hills and stay buried…it would be so easy to just disappear.) In the end, Erik knew that he could not do that and secretly knew that he so wanted to please his mother and father.

Brianna had gone to so much trouble to plan this fête that Erik wanted to help her make it a success; and that, for the most part, depended on him being there. He would play the part to the nth degree and convince everyone that he was completely at ease with his surroundings. He did have a "twitch" in his stomach that usually indicated to him that something life changing was going to happen; but he was probably just nervous.

Erik stood back from the hated mirror and assessed his appearance. He had left his hair free and flowing, everyone seemed to like that best. He opted for a deep green half-mask tonight, giving his emerald eyes an even deeper hue. His suite was black with a forest green satin vest adorned with gold nugget buttons. His Cravat was green with gold threads interwoven into it and his shirt was black satin. He wore polished black boots and the large ring on this left hand that his father had passed on to him; the family crest embedded in a black sapphire surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. It was stunning!

Erik, being one that was never satisfied with his appearance, wished he could just crawl under a rock and not come out until this entire evening was over. The festivities were due to begin in less than 30 minutes and Erik could already hear the large gathering of people anxious to socialize with the young Earl of Lauchlin. His nerves were shot and he really needed a drink; a long, tall, stiff drink…and Erik seldom drank alcohol.

He heard a soft knock on the door and opened it to find Michél standing there. Erik invited him in and they sat at the vast table on the balcony, enjoying the night air. "I cannot believe that I am going to do this…I have become soft and malleable in this short life as an Earl. I fear I shall simply turn into a giant pile of mush and allow anyone to tromp all over me."

Michél smirked at Erik"Oh do stop complaining; you make the best Earl I have ever had the privilege of knowing." Erik's raised eyebrow and crooked grin pulled the next words out of Michél, "Alright, you win. You are the only Earl I have ever known…but I know that you are the best!"

Erik rose to start the long walk down to the ballroom.

Michél came over to him and wrapped his arm around the younger man, "You look splendid Erik; you are quite dashing and handsome in those colors."

Erik brushed the compliment aside and studied Michél's appearance. He was dressed in a deep blue suit with a white shirt and blue cravat; he donned black shoes and his brown, silver-tipped hair was combed fashionably back, emphasizing the full head of hair that he still had.

Erik noticed this and commented, "Are you wearing a wig?...I could have sworn that this morning you were more bald than you are at this moment…what happened?"

Michél gave Erik an I'm-going-to-kill-you-as-soon-as-I-can-catch-you look and Erik just laughed. "You look great Michél; I don't think Kaitlyn will be able to resist your charms." That said, Erik strode out of the room and down the hall.

Michél ran to catch up with him and smiled a knowing smile up at him, "You really think so?"…Erik just shook his head and laughed.

A'awynn had debated with herself over the best color to wear for this evening. She had several choices. Her deep auburn hair had many possible combinations of colors that looked great with it. She had to win the hand of someone for a dance…and that someone had to be a someone she was attracted to. A'awynn rolled her eyes in disgust at herself. She must have gone completely mad to have accepted Kaitlyn's challenge.

She decided to leave her hair free and flowing. The curls were bouncy and big, and her hair cascaded down to just above her waist. A'awynn detested falsehood, and as a result, her face was free of any coloring or any other beautifying products. She decided on the deep burgundy gown that she had only worn once; when she had attended the opera in London. It had a slightly revealing neckline, but a ruffle of lace lent a bit more decency to it. The gown was exquisitely tailored and emphasized A'awynn's feminine curves and long shapely arms. The sleeves were full, but only extended to just above the elbow. She donned black velvet gloves and tied a black velvet ribbon around her hair, forming a fancy but tastefully small bow at the top.

Lacey looked dreamily up at her mother and could not remember a time when she had looked to beautiful. A'awynn placed a kiss upon her daughters head and picked her up into her arms.

"Are you going to have fun mama?...I hope so…you look like an angel."Lacey picked up a curl that leisurely rested on her mothers shoulder and twirled it around her tiny fingers. The softness was so enticing that she rubbed the lock of hair against her cheek. The smell of honeysuckle and lavender soared through the air and Lacey wrapped the lock around her nose to get a better smell. A'awynn found this so endearing.

A'awynn chuckled her reply, "Yes sweetie, I am going to have fun…how about you? Is Bree going to play games with you and teach you some more reading?" Lacey shook her head vigorously and smiled over at Bree. They had become immediate friends and A'awynn was so happy to have someone she could trust to watch Lacey. Bree was 18 and training to be a nanny in the royal homes of Scotland; Alastair had handpicked her to come and train here. He knew good help when he saw it.

A'wynn put Lacey down and slipped on her black satin shoes. She was already late by about 15 minutes, but she was never one to be anywhere on time. "You be good sweetie, and do what Bree tells you."

Lacey smiled and took Bree's hand. "Mama, I hope you dance with the most handsomest man in all the world and fall madly, deeply in love!" She dropped her hand from Bree's and clapped her hands together and closed her eyes, seeing her ideal dream world come into view. A'awynn laughed at her daughters innocent statement, she was a little matchmaker; she always wanted a "they lived happily ever after" to culminate a story.

The gala was in full swing by the time A'awynn emerged through the doors. She was not one for entertaining, but she knew that Brianna was known for and enjoyed such things. Her eyes scanned the area for Kaitlyn and found her not far away talking to a young woman of about 20; upon a closer look, A'awynn saw that the young woman was Kaitlyn's niece, Keira; she looked like she was or had been crying.

Keira looked up as A'awynn approached them. A'awynn smiled at them both. Keira was 22 and not much younger than A'awynn was. They had not had many opportunities to talk, but they were what many would consider friends. Kaitlyn whispered something in Keira's ear and the young lady smiled and wiped her tears.

A'awynn came up beside Kaitlyn, who proceeded to elaborate things, "Keira is having man problems…and wanted an impartial ear to listen. Apparently, young Lord Maddox has a roving eye; she saw him flirting outrageously with a countess from Sweden the other evening."

"Ahh, the old roving eye. The only solution is to make him see what a tasty bit of flirting you can do; not in a look-at-me-I'm-ready-to-jump-into-bed kind of way, but more of a subtle, there-is-no-other-woman-as-beautiful-as-me-and-if-you-are-not-careful-you-will-lose-me kind of way." Kaitlyn and Keira both giggled at the suggestion that A'awynn stated.

"That is almost the exact same thing that Aunt Kaitlyn told me to do." The two older women watched as the younger one sauntered off to try her hand at flirting.

A'AWYNN'S VIEW…

A'awynn was chatting with Kaitlyn when the feeling of being watched came over her. She lifted her head, expecting to see who it was immediately, but she saw no one. She excused it as nerves and continued with her conversation. Not two minutes had gone by and she felt it again. She spun around and her breath caught in her throat!

Tall, dark and handsome stood only ten feet away. There he was, the man whose bareback ride through Berwithshire yesterday had totally captivated her! His glorious green eyes wrapped themselves around her heart and pulled her to him. His gorgeous face was half covered in a green mask; well, half was pushing it, more like a third covered. His mouth; full-lipped and incredibly sexy was curved in an ostentatious smile, making little shots of excitement raced up A'awynn's spine.

Recognition shot through her like a bolt of lighting as the reality of who he was hit her. (Erik! This magnificent man is Erik! Oh my…could life get any better? This man has been under the same roof with me and I had no idea!) A'awynn devoured him with her eyes. He was, quite possibly, the most attractive man she had ever seen. He had captivated her yesterday in his natural magnificence; but tonight…heavens! He took her breath away! (Careful girl, don't embarrass yourself…)

Finally, she stood before him after what seemed like a lifetime of trying to reach him. (Those eyes…never take them from me Erik.) She curtsied low and eagerly offered her hand to him.

His large, masculine, perfect hand accepted her offer and he placed a chase kiss upon her sensitive skin and her lilting voice rang forth, "Lord Erik, it is an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Lady A'awynn Raelin Yancey."

As he bowed in front of her, it was all A'awynn could do to keep her hand from burying itself in the luscious strands of his dark, wavy hair. "Believe me, my lady; the pleasure is all mine." His voice caressed her spine with it's erotically, silky quality; deep and sensuous. Rivulets of pleasure sparked every sensitive area on A'awynn's body.

Erik stood straight once again and she was pleased to realize that he stood a good six inches above her…perfect for resting her head against the beat of his heart and teasing his chest hairs with her breath as she admired the sculptured beauty of his body. Thankfully, A'awynn had carried her fan with her and she made ready use of it…it was getting hot in the room as her body temperature rose with her attraction to Erik.

ERIK'S VIEW…

Erik had danced with every woman in the room, he was sure of it. Their endless bantering had left him with an awful headache and all he wanted to do was disappear. It wasn't that Erik did not enjoy having these women in his arms, but he knew that his wealth and title were what drew them to him, not his personal self. He had seen every type of woman imaginable; those he would not touch with a ten-foot pole, those who undressed him with their eyes, those who were so shy that he could not fathom how they ventured out the door to get here and…

Then there was her. Erik almost had to do a double take to make sure he had not conjured her up simply to take his mind off the simpletons that vied for his attention at every turn. She was perfect. Tall and sinewy, with hair the color of autumn leaves and ivory skin that would make cream look imperfect. Her gown only served to intensify the alluring color of her hair and the neckline made Erik breath a little heavier.

Her ample bosom swelled teasingly over the boundary of her gown, whispering for Erik to entice the area with the gentle, exploring touch of his hands and mouth. Her long, slender arms promised hours of pleasure wrapped in their warm embrace as she purred with sexual contentment beneath him. The slender curve of her neck beckoned him to place passionate kisses upon the pulse point just above her bosom and tilt her had back into his hand as he tasted her with his tongue and fanned kisses on every, aching inch as he buried his face in her glorious hair and breathed in its fragrance.

Erik watched her as she found his eyes on her. He did not hide his open appraisal of her as she made her way toward him. Erik admired beauty, in its many forms, and he found her to be the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. His frenzy heart and frazzled nerves did not show as she stood before him. His first thought was to flee; she must find the sight of a masked man repulsive and disgusting; but her eyes…

For the first time, Erik really saw her eyes. The most exquisite shade of blue, no turquoise…her eyes were the color of turquoise! Erik was utterly speechless! Her eyes were actually devouring him with their intense assessment of him and he could do nothing but get lost in their unusual, unique beauty. His eyes focused on her enticing mouth as she began to curtsy to him. What he would not give to taste the sweet nectar of her mouth with his novice tongue and feel her melt in his arms as he…(now stop it, you are going to work yourself into an absolute frenzy…just look, don't touch)

She curtsied elegantly before him and he took her small, soft hand and placed a kiss on it in the appropriate manner.

Her melodious voice filled his senses, "Lord Erik, it is an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Lady A'awynn Raelin Yancey." Her name was every bit as beautiful as she was.

"Believe me, my lady; the pleasure is all mine." That gorgeous voice spoke.

He bowed to her and raised himself to stand a few inches from her. She came to his chin and this intrigued him even more. Most women barely reached the mid-point of his chest, and some did not even make it that far. This exquisite creature appealed to him in every way. (Don't do this to yourself man…she is a woman…nothing more…nothing less. She will rip your heart out and laugh while you bleed! She could never love a monster like you…don't ever forget what you are.)

Erik did not know what to think of the way she kept looking at him. Did he look funny or have something stuck between his teeth? She opening stared at him and, for once, it seemed that she did not simply focus on his mask. She studied him as one would study a work of art in a museum; Erik felt for certain that he was no work of art, so what did she find so interesting about his appearance?

When she pulled a fan from the folds of her gown and began to fan herself, Erik felt a little less pensive, but slightly saddened. She must be warm or she over extended herself; it was not me at all. He scanned her face again for any sign of disgust or revulsion, but there had been no sign of either; she simply seemed willing to tolerate his presence…Erik was thankful.

A'awynn was on the verge of asking Erik to dance when he was swept into a conversation with Alastair. She reluctantly watched him recede from her, admiring the graceful silence in the way he moved. (How can a man move so gracefully and elegantly and still be the most masculine man I have ever seen? He moves like a majestic black panther on the prowl; silent and deadly.)

The man was a work of art. He was tall and well built, with the most arresting pair of green eyes; eyes that completely consumed you in their smoldering depths. If there was such a thing as love at first sight, A'awynn had experienced it, firsthand… (But surely he has hordes of women vying for his attention and the chance to win his hand in marriage)…but as reality hit her, A'awynn remembered a previous chat that she'd had with Kaitlyn; just last night as she had readied herself for bed…

FLASHBACK

"He is so negative about himself A'awynn. He has been rejected and despised for almost 30 years…how do I make him understand that he is not repulsive to his family and no one else should think so either?" Kaitlyn shed silent tears for the brother whose presence had already grown as important to her as it had been all those years ago.

Kaitlyn looked into A'awynn's sorrowful eyes, "Father told me that Erik revealed to him his intent to go to the Middle East and have the surgical procedure done that would render him a eunuch." The last hated word was spat out vehemently. "He says the desire to have love and romance would then cease to exist, as would the ability to take what he has been denied by force." Kaitlyn succumbed to a wail of tears. She hurt deeply for her brother, who despite the engulfing and warm love of his family, still had had no romantic love in his life; at least none that had been returned willingly.

"Can you imagine hating yourself so much that you are willing to mutilate yourself just to make others able to endure your presence…or even your touch? I cannot…it…I…Erik!" Kaitlyn sobbed as A'awynn held her trembling form.

The tears that ran down A'awynn's creamy cheek gave her the resolve to seek Erik out and let him know how ludicrous this procedure sounded. Even if Erik were as ugly as she had been led to believe…looks were not everything…she was sure that Erik had other qualities that would make him attractive to women.

END FLASHBACK

A'awynn laughed at the craziness of the notion! Erik? Ugly? Absolutely not! A'awynn would die before she would allow this heavenly man to continue to think that there was no chance at romance in his life. If she had her way, she would be in his arms, have a set of rings on her finger and be in his bed before the month was out! She would make Erik see just how utterly seductive, alluring and desirable he really was. A'awynn had never been one to ignore her desires…and…she desired Erik!

Chapter 29 Preview – Bad news?