Hello again, friends! I know it's been a while since I updated this story, but my muse decided to take a vacation…lol. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this latest installment.

Someone asked a question regarding the spelling of my character names…I have made the spellings similar but not identical to the originals, but Joseph's character is VERY similar to that of the movie…not a nice fellow, as you shall see in upcoming chapters…

As always, I do not own any of the characters from any written or produced adaptations of Phantom of the Opera, just the characters and plot lines that escape from my poor widdle brain.

And Away We Go!

Chapter 4: The Grand Tour

It felt like minutes rather than hours later when Juliette opened her eyes in the dim room. She felt that it was much later than her normal hour of rising; that guess was confirmed when her eyes sought out the small clock on the nightstand and found that it was nearly noon.

With a groan, she resisted the seductive softness of the Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforter and rose from the bed. Stepping into the bathroom, she groaned again when she caught sight of herself in the mirror, digging for her Visine to relieve the redeye left from the late night allergy attack. After a quick shower, she dressed for comfort in khakis, a white tank top, loose navy cotton shirt and loafers before leaving her third floor room. As she came down the last flight of stairs, she caught sight of Mrs. Geery leaving the parlor where they had spoken the previous evening.

"Good afternoon, Miss Phelps. It appears you have fully recovered from last night's ordeal." The older woman seemed to have forgiven her for her late night rudeness, and graced her with a friendly smile. "Other than the surprise floral offering, I trust that found your room to be satisfactory?"

Indeed I have and I did, Mrs. Geery, and it is just Jules, remember? I hope you'll accept my apologies for my rudeness last night. I'm afraid you caught me at my worst."

Mrs. Geery waved a small hand in a dismissive gesture. "Not at all, my dear, it is completely understandable, given the circumstances. Now, seeing as you slept through breakfast, you must be famished. Would you care to join me for luncheon and then perhaps a tour of the chateau?"

"Mrs. Geery, I'd be delighted…...lead the way!"

After a very satisfying meal in the parlor, the two ladies began their tour on the ground floor. Juliette had to admit that she was very impressed with the understated elegance of the chateau's décor. She also realized that she had grossly underestimated the chateau's size……the main floor alone was larger than the entire Vinson Gallery. She was enchanted with the library, with its masculine leather and mahogany furniture, floor to ceiling bookshelves, and the scent of beeswax furniture polish. The main floor also contained a large, mirrored ballroom, a music room complete with grand piano, harp, and various other instruments, billiard room, a breakfast room, vast kitchens, a colossal dining room with its gleaming oak table which could seat 40 easily, and the eerie trophy room filled with mounted heads. Juliette didn't go beyond the doorway to that particular chamber….being the focus of so many feral eyes frankly gave her the willies.

As they explored the Compte's magnificent home, Mrs. Geery entertained her with the history of the chateau and some of its more famous visitors. The second floor was just as impressive, with its wide hallways lined with alternating portraits and landscapes, below which were placed marble topped tables bearing delicate vases and other unique treasures. Many of the rooms on this floor were dedicated more to the feminine denizens of the household….drawing rooms, parlors, sewing rooms, suites and guest rooms similar to the one she now occupied, as well as the master suite. The upper floor contained more guest bedrooms as well as the nursery and servants quarters. As they strolled past her room, Juliette was sorely tempted to ask her hostess the question that had been burning in the back of her mind since she had risen that morning. Granted, I was unusually tired after my long flight, but I distinctly heard the door creak when I opened it to throw the rose out last night. I am certain I locked the door before I went to bed, so how did someone get into my room without me hearing them?……

Returning to the second floor, they arrived back at the sunroom where she was to set up her studio, and Juliette turned to her guide with a warm smile. "Thank you for the lovely tour…..hopefully now I won't take a wrong turn and end up lost in the cellar." When Mrs. Geery gasped and turned quite pale, Juliette became quite concerned and hurriedly assured the older woman she was only joking. "Don't worry, Mrs. G…… I don't make a habit of wandering into places I don't have any business being in, unlike a certain flower-delivering inhabitant who, to my knowledge, remains nameless."

"I am most relieved to hear that, Jules, for both our sakes. This house and its..shall we say, resident spirit, have their ways of dealing with those who trespass where they are not wanted, and they are most unpleasant." The woman fixed her with her steady gaze, her dark eyes imparting the seriousness of her statement.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind, although I can't guarantee that your kitchen will be safe…In boarding school I was infamous for my midnight pantry raids." Juliette grinned as her hostess rolled her eyes and then smiled, shaking her head as the tension easing away. "Now, with your permission, I think I'll begin with my preliminary assessment and get all my tools and supplies organized. Tomorrow I'll be ready to start doing the job our mutual employer is paying me an obscene amount of money to do."

Three hours later, Juliette climbed the stairs and swept into her bedroom with a tired sigh. After locking the door, she laid her clipboard down on the dresser and removed the pins which had been holding her hair in a knot on top of her head, rubbing her temples where the tightness of the hairstyle had caused the beginnings of a headache. She had located all of the various solvents and chemicals she had asked for, organized her tools, and put the artworks in the loose order she would work on them. She was eager to get started, but her body still hadn't quite caught up and was threatening to shut down if she didn't get some sleep soon.

Removing her watch, she laid it on the nightstand and gathered up her nightgown and robe before heading to the bathroom. Eyeing the antique style claw foot tub, she decided on a bath rather than a shower, hoping that a soak would relieve her aching head. While the tub filled, she dug through her bag and found her tub of cucumber melon bath salts and her favorite scented candles in votive cups. Using a hair clip to secure her long mane, she slipped into the steaming water with a sigh. Smiling contentedly, she laid her head back and began to review the events of the day…..

….and came awake with the realization that the water was actually getting chilly and she definitely was well on her way to resembling a raisin. Blinking rapidly and murmuring a curse under her breath, she rose from her bath and dried off quickly with a huge fluffy towel before donning her nightwear. She approached the bed and was about to pull back the covers when she spotted the black ribboned red rose, obviously silk this time, and the black edged envelope with a red skull seal resting against the pillows….both of which hadn't been there prior to her bath.

With fingers that trembled only slightly, she tore the seal and read the note's brief contents…

'My dear Mmse. Phelps,

I hope you will accept my most humble apologies for any distress my action of last evening may have caused you. I was unaware that my bestowing a small gift of welcome would have such violent consequences in terms of your health. Rest assured, dear lady, that any future tokens of my esteem will not be fresh floral in nature!

I do hope you found the Chateau to your liking, and will consider it your home for the duration of your stay. However, as Mrs. Geery has undoubtedly told you, it would be prudent for you to limit your exploration to the main floors of the house. There are levels below ground that are quite unsafe, and it would be a pity for your stay here to end prematurely due to your failure to heed sound advice.

Please don't hesitate to notify Mrs. Geery if you have any needs that have not been anticipated—she has been instructed by the Compte to assist you in any way possible. Your presence and talents are most welcome here, Mademoiselle Phelps, and I look forward to seeing the results of your efforts in the near future.

Your Obedient Servant,

The Phantom

P.S. It really isn't safe to fall asleep while bathing, Mademoiselle

Before you become alarmed, I must inform you that my very nature has gifted me with certain…awareness…of activities that take place in this household. I became concerned when you didn't emerge from your bathing chamber and thought it prudent to check in on you for safety's sake. I will make every effort to respect your privacy in the future; however, I must confess that the sight of your innocent repose would undoubtedly make Botticelli sigh with delight……I certainly did.

Pleasant dreams, Mademoiselle…

O.G.

The figure on the other side of the wall watched as the young woman refolded the letter and placed it and the silk rose in the drawer of the bedside table. She then calmly climbed into bed and turned off the light as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Moments later however, the Phantom grinned as his keen eyesight and hearing noted her violent reaction to his missive, her angry screams muffled in one thick feather pillow as she beat her fist in fury against its mate beside her.

'I believe I can safely say that I've definitely gotten her attention……'. He chuckled softly before turning back toward his lair, his black cape fluttering behind him as he slipped down the dark corridor.