I have personally answered everyone, but a group hug and big "thank you" are in order….THANK YOU
Note: This Erik will be slightly different from my Erik in "A Place in This World". Erik Clairvaux is a little more impish and flirtatious; not quite the "proper" gentleman (wink)!
Enjoy
It is foolish to reject criticism. In order to improve, we need to know what needs improving.
God's Best for Your Success
I Surrender All
CHAPTER 7
The lone, tall figure moved undetected through the rain toward his destination. His clothing was soaked and his hair was dripping, but he cared not. The only rational thing to do was get out of Paris, and quickly.
He silently keyed the door and entered the hall, taking careful consideration to remove his cloak and hat in such a way as to avoid dripping water on the floor. He heard familiar voices drifting to his ears from the kitchen and proceeded toward them. Apparently, they were unaware of his return.
Erik recognized the now familiar voice of Roland Temple, why was that man still here? He hid in the shadows, listening to the already engrossing conversation.
"So he is now as wealthy, if not more so, than you…correct Viscount?" Roland asked, unintentionally goading the younger man. Roland was astounded at the wealth that Erik possessed.
Why were Christine and Raoul still here? Was there ever going to be any peace for his weary soul and broken heart?
Raoul laughed uneasily and was ready to debate Roland's statement, when Erik interrupted, "Why is it, that when I come up on you people, you are always discussing me…have you nothing better to do?" Erik's voice was drenched with mirth and light-hearted sarcasm, but darkness rested just beneath the surface.
Audrey signed inwardly, relieved that Erik had returned and seemed to be in good spirits. He was a stunning figure indeed, hair hanging wet and untidy about his stately features, dark eyes sparkling beneath long lashes. She went up to him and hugged his strong frame, something she very seldom did; he always seemed to pull away.
Although he stiffened under her affection, he seemed less rigid than usual; maybe the walk in the rain had purged his soul of just a few years of the agony that resided there, allowing him to let his guard down just a little.
He avoided eye contact with Christine and Raoul, preferring to be aloofly friendly, and concentrated his focus on Roland as Audrey disentangled herself from his tall frame.
"Am I correct in the knowledge that you are acquainted with Audrey in some way?" Erik asked, with inimitable formality.
Roland was thrilled that Erik opened up the conversation, "Yes, her husband and my predecessor were room mates at the university. I studied under Thierry Bordeaux for years, perfecting my managerial skills and building my clientele, as well as learning as much as I could about music and its language."
Audrey's voice injected, "I had the honor and privilege of teaching Thierry's only daughter to dance several years ago…my goodness, has in been eighteen years?" Audrey could not believe how fast time had flown by, "She is…the most gifted ballerina I have ever seen…her abilities are innate. It is breathtaking to watch her." Audrey's eyes lit up with the same glow that invaded her eyes every time she talked about her gifted students. "She was only three-years-old at the time, but her future was quite promising."
Erik thought back to the time that Audrey was speaking of and remembered a beautiful raven-haired girl under Audrey's watchful eyes. Erik had just begun residing in the lair, so he must have been about eleven.
She had been training for three years by the time Erik came to the opera house. He remembered the gracefulness and maturity of her moves…she was well advanced for a child so young. He had thought her the most beautiful child he had ever seen.
"You remember her, don't you Erik?" Audrey's searching voice and eyes rested on Erik.
"Yes, I believe I do." was all he said.
Roland watched Erik with hooded eyes. This man would be such an asset to his company. His professionalism was unsurpassed and his talents were unmistakable.
Erik turned his eyes to Roland, anxious to hear this man's reasons for traveling the distance he had come. "What brings you to Paris Mr. Temple? We have many sights and wonders for travelers to enjoy…for which of these did you come?"
Roland swallowed his nervousness and told his story, "The War of the States has taken its toll on the arts, especially the theater. The populace is recovering from losses that no one could have foreseen." Roland had not personally lost anyone close to him, but he knew some who had.
Erik noticed the satchel that his uncle had left. He bent down and brought it to him. He pulled the contents out and perused the face of each sheet of paper, and looked through each financial book, while still listening to every word Roland said.
"My vocal instructor and financier have both left me without the means to carry on." Roland slouched his shoulders and his eyes clouded over. "I was not sure what to do…I searched the local and surrounding area, and then I searched the other states for replacements, but none were found."
Roland tried not to sound desperate, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. "My funds have depleted and I am at my wits end." He lifted his earnest eyes to Erik, hoping that his genius would catch the meaning hidden in their grey depths.
It took all of two seconds for Erik to grasp the depth of the situation. He looked up from his bankbooks, "If you came to Paris seeking replacements, you have probably come to the right place; there are many gifted musicians and rich patrons ready to make names for themselves." Erik stated, noncommittally.
Roland squirmed slightly in his chair, "I did not come here with anyone in mind…I had hoped that Audrey would have some suggestions."
Audrey quickly lifted her head at the mention of her name, "I do have a suggestion…but this person means a great deal to me." Audrey was looking at Christine with an unreadable expression on her face. "His vocal adeptness and quality are unsurpassed and his teaching abilities gave Christine the voice that could have easily been the next shining star of the opera."
All eyes fixed on Erik whose face was completely blank. Surely, she did not expect that this American would be so desperate as to employ the Phantom of the Opera?
"Audrey, I appreciate your vote of confidence, but I am certain that Mr. Temple would prefer someone whose background is not laced with abuse, neglect, and fits of rage." Erik offered, without lifting his eyes.
Roland chuckled lightly, his rotund belly jiggling slightly, "On the contrary, Monsieur Clairvaux, you are exactly the person I am hoping will accept the position."
"You know about my background, you see my ugliness…and still you wish for me to come and instruct your singers?" Erik was very seldom surprised, but surprised he was.
Roland tried to contain his excitement at the prospect of working with his man, "Personally, I find you delightful. You are not conceited or egotistical; you are exceptionally talented and completely unassuming about your appearance, although…from what I understand about women, you are definitely an attractive man."
Erik wrinkled his forehead, and Roland could have sworn he saw genuine humor in those deep eyes, "Well, I don't know what women you are used to dealing with, but French women would not agree with you." Erik stated with gentle affirmation, leaving no room for discussion.
Roland wisely changed the subject, "Will you do me the honor of working with me Erik? I could really use your expertise and influence." Roland prayed that it did not sound like he was begging, even though he was.
Erik was deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons about moving stateside. He really had nothing of his own to take with him. All that he had was related to his past…a past he was trying to leave behind.
What did he have to hold him to Paris…or even Europe? Nothing. He had vast wealth which had just become more vast with the receipt of his inheritance. He knew that Roland was in need of a financier also…
Erik allowed a rare smile to grace his handsome face, "I have recently come into more money than I know what to do with, Monsieur Temple…I can think of nothing I would rather do with it than invest it in the French Opera House, New Orleans, Louisiana." Erik folded the books up and laid them neatly on the table.
Roland felt tears coming on. He had never dreamed that Erik would wish to be his financier also. This was an oddity, but one that he could easily deal with.
"It would be my honor Erik, to both work for you, as my financier; and have you work for me, as my vocal instructor and composer." Roland once again produced his hand for Erik to shake; which he did. "This is to the start of a great friendship and partnership." Roland said while still grasping Erik's hand and grinning.
Christine and Audrey looked on, both with looks of complete shock. In a matter of a few minutes, they had lost Erik…he would be leaving them; possibly, forever.
"Your tenacity inspires me Monsieur Temple, I am anxious to work with you if you approach every project with such passion." Erik was impressed with Roland's determined nature. Not many men would have traveled half way across the world to find the perfect person for a job.
"Please Erik, call me Roland…we are going to be partners." Roland could not stop smiling.
"Would tomorrow morning be too early to leave? I am eager to start fresh in a new place." Erik asked, not even thinking that others might not be so anxious for his departure.
Roland agreed and stood to excuse himself. "I find myself about to drop from exhaustion. If you will excuse me…I think I will turn in for the evening." Roland shook everyone's hand and gave Audrey a big hug and thank you. When he got to Erik, he clapped him on his broad shoulders, "I'll see you tomorrow morning around ten; how does that sound?"
Erik nodded his agreement and Roland was out the door. Erik turned from shutting the door to see all three females regarding him with sad eyes. Whatever was the problem?
"We will miss you Erik…how can you not know that?" Audrey stated, tears welling up in her brown eyes. Erik could not remember ever witnessing a time when a woman cried for him. Christine had cried in his lair, but that had been from fear and for Raoul.
Erik chuckled at her honesty, "I am sure that you will find another dark, brooding, grumpy old man to take my place…I am quite forgettable."
Erik moved to pass them, but Christine put her hand to his chest and stopped him. Erik stiffened from her touch, feeling the heat of her palm radiate through to his reclusive skin. Meg and Audrey stopped briefly, but after seeing the pleading in Christine's eyes, they left.
He lifted his doleful eyes, "I cannot do this Christine…the more I dwell on it, the more I know…I cannot be subjected to your presence in my life, even if it is only a day or two a week.." Erik's kissable lips were trembling, "I cannot just turn off my feelings for you…I wish I could." He intently looked into her eyes, "I need closure."
Erik gently pulled himself from her tender grasp; the weight of her hand on his chest causing him physical pain. "It is easy for you Christine, you have the love of a good man to sustain and lift you…" the smile on his face was sad and wrenching, "…but, as it has always been, there will never be anyone for me...and I grow weary of my own company."
Christine was shaking her head to the negative in response to Erik's prediction of loneliness, she reached up and caressed his cheek for the first time without provocation. "I know that I have never really told you this before, and I know that you will not believe me…"
Christine dropped her eyes briefly, "Coming from me, these words may be empty and meaningless to you." Christine again caressed his eyes with her own, "Just because I cannot love you as you wish I could, does not mean that I don't find you attractive, Erik; a woman would have to be blind to not find you attractive."
Erik did not react to her words, "Christine, I know my voice is attractive to you…it is the one attribute of mine that I would consider desirable…" Christine's look was one of complete shock. Again, he had completely misunderstood her meaning. Erik continued, "I make you this promise…I will not use it to manipulate and seduce anyone ever again."
Christine rolled her eyes and sighed, exasperated that he kept misconstruing her words, "Erik, I find you physically desirable…that is what I was referring to. You are tall, muscularly built, a genius AND…extremely handsome…I have never seen eyes like yours, and your mouth is beautiful!" Her words were abrupt and straight forward, "And other women think so too…so don't go thinking you are not going to find love." She smiled genuinely and beautifully, "It will most likely find you!"
Erik did not believe a word she said. He knew where these words were coming from, Christine could not stand the thought that he might be upset with her, so she was appeasing his wounded self-image with words that she hoped he wanted to hear.
Erik moved away from her like a wounded animal, her touch suddenly becoming completely unbearable. "I am not angry with you or upset at you Christine…you do not need to tell me lies to get me to relinquish my anger. You made the decision that was expected…I cannot fault you for that." Erik could not read the look she was giving him and diverted his eyes elsewhere, "My life had gotten to the point where I had nothing to lose, I needed to relieve the burden from the heart that I never knew I had…" Erik's voice trailed off slightly, dropping to almost a whisper.
"When Raoul stepped into the picture, I got jealous…an emotion I had never felt or dealt with before." Erik let out a humorless chuckle, "I knew that I could never compete with him in physical beauty or as a titled gentleman, so I strong-armed my way…like the monster I am."
Erik bit back tears and fought the pain in his chest as he revealed his true intentions, "I never truly expected you to love me Christine; that would make me a fool…" Erik tried to keep the bitterness from coming forth, but his heart was aching profusely. "…but I had hoped you genuinely cared for me…maybe as a student or friend; I would have even accepted being thought of as a father figure…although I would have had rethink the way I felt about you…" he smiled languorously.
The image of Erik as a father figure caused her to chuckle; "fatherly" did not come anywhere close to describing how she felt about Erik. Christine could not understand why he refused to see the love in her eyes, or how much his impending departure hurt her. Of course, he was completely unfamiliar with women, especially women caring for him.
The chuckle left Erik cold; she was laughing at him. "I could never reach the level in anyone's eyes that would cause me to be worthy of any emotion but fear and hatred…I truly am sorry for ruining your life, Christine." His tone was stoic, "Perhaps my absence from it will allow you to live the life you have dreamed of with Raoul…excuse me."
With the last words, Erik left the room and Christine was left to reflect on when it was she had lost control of that conversation.
To Be Continued…