A/N: Well, faithful readers, you may now be asking yourselves what this fool of a soprano has gotten herself into, eh? Will Erik be able to rescue her from the clutches of this ridiculous nobleman, who appears to be more of a fop than even the Vicomte de Chagny himself? We shall see, won't we?

Chapter 11: An Unwanted Proposal

Christine

I straightened up suddenly, having dozed off briefly, and glanced outside the coach window to my right. It was completely dark outside, and panic seized me, as I choked back a sob. My God, what had I done? I had left the man I adored, and gotten into a coach with a complete stranger! What insanity had seized me? Where was Erik now? Oh, that I would learn to control my childish impulses! He might even now be putting a pistol to his temple once more! I tried to yank open the door of the coach, as I started to sob uncontrollably. Of course, he, with a cry, restrained me at once.

"Mademoiselle! What are you doing?"

"Let go of me, you ruffian! Let go of me!" I had quickly become hysterical.

"You will hurt yourself if you attempt to leave the coach now, Mademoiselle! We have still not arrived!"

His hands were on mine, his face, inches away. I had only to turn my eyes in order to meet his. I did so, glaring at him.

"You...are touching me! How dare you! Take your hands off me!"

He did not do as I demanded, giving me stare for stare.

"I shall remove them only when I am sure that you will not attempt to leave the coach again," he said, quietly.

I took a deep breath, releasing it slowly, and closed my eyes.

"Just so...very good," he said,approvingly. "Now, Mademoiselle, I shall release you, and you shall not engage in any more hysterical actions. Agreed?"

I nodded my head vigorously, saying nothing.

"Very well, then." He released my hands, but remained near enough to grasp them again, should it become necessary.

I swallowed, and tried to compose myself. There had to be a way out of my present predicament. I had made a terrible mistake! I prayed that I would be able to correct it, and return to Erik. If he still wants me, that is...I thought in despair. I had sworn to stay with him, in spite of his angry outbursts! "Inanities", I had called them! I bowed my head as guilt squeezed my heart, and shame took possession of my mind...

"Are you all right, Mademoiselle?" The unwelcome voice came to my ears again...Oh, why had I asked this man to take me back to Paris, away from my beloved?

I now began to tremble. "Where...Where...are we?" For some reason, I dreaded hearing his answer.

"Ah, you are about to be pleasantly surprised, Mademoiselle..." he answered, enigmatically.

I was instantly alarmed. "Are we not going into Paris? That is where I asked you to take me, Monsieur!"

"Well," the fiend chuckled, "it is true that you shall not be too far from Paris..."

"You...you damnable rogue! Where are you taking me? And you call yourself a gentleman?"

He leaned back in his seat, smiling broadly, as if there were nothing at all wrong with the present scenario.

"There is nothing to be alarmed about, Mademoiselle Millefleur, if that is, in fact, your real name. I am taking you to a perfectly safe place. I could do no less, for the woman I intend to court, and eventually marry!" He spread his arms out on the back of the seat as he said this. He seemed to be gloating, too! Holy Mother of God!

My worst fears had been confirmed! He was a madman, albeit one with rather quaint, romantic ideas...

"Am I to be your prisoner now, sir, on hand whenever you wish to satisfy the hunger of your flesh?" I asked, quietly, meeting his eyes.

He continued to smile, even as I felt an unusual need arise in me -- the need to put my hands around his neck, and squeeze the life out of him... I could now understand Erik's murderous urges. God in heaven, that I should feel such things!

"You should not consider it such, gentle flower! After all, you shall have all of your needs amply met, all of your whims, whatever they might be --although within reason, of course --amply satisfied!"

I winced at the ridiculous endearment. I could not believe this man's arrogance! How dare he presume to take over my life in such a manner! Now he seemed to be proposing, not marriage, as he had just stated, but an arrangement in which I would be set up, comfortably and discreetly, at his chateau!

I ventured to question him on this. "So I am now to become your mistress, Monsieur? Have I no say at all in the matter?"

He suddenly bent over with a loud guffaw. I stared at him, horrified. He continued to laugh, bent over in that manner, for a full two minutes. It seemed an eternity...I could do nothing but stare incomprehensibly at him.

At length, he straightened, and, still chuckling, faced me. His handsome face was red from the force of his laughing.

"Mademoiselle...You really do think me a heartless rake, I see! Well, you are not mistaken in believing me to be a Don Juan! But that is all in the past now! No, I have no intention of making you my mistress! Did I not say that I plan to court you, and eventually marry you?"

I started at the mention of the name Don Juan. Ah, Erik...

"But...how can you know, having just met me, that I am destined to be your wife? Do you not recall that I am already betrothed?"

"Tut, my dear! I know that you are to be mine! I cannot explain how, but I know! As to your betrothal, were you not desperately fleeing from your fiance? You were most eager to escape his clutches, as I recall! I do not think that is a very auspicious beginning, little cupcake!"

I bristled at his use of these endearments he had no right to direct at me. "Would you kindly refrain from calling me by such names, Monsieur? After all, we are not officially a couple, nor will we ever be, if I have anything to say about it!"

He smiled his sickeningly syrupy smile. "Well, we shall see about that, will we not, my little dove? I intend to court you properly, so that you will soon be swooning at my feet! I shall be the most attentive of suitors, never fear!"

I was appalled, but somewhat amused, as well. I began to wonder if he might not be entirely harmless, after all, even if he was slightly daft...I did my best to keep a straight face, as it wouldn't do for him to think that I found his antics in the least entertaining!

"Well, Monsieur, you have still not answered my question of several minutes ago." I crossed my arms, regarding him evenly.

"Which is, Mademoiselle?" He lazily inquired with a dazzling smile, as he began to toy with the watch at his waist.

"Just where are you taking me? I have every right to know! Now, will you answer me, or not?"

"Ah, but she has a bit of a temper, my shy little dove! Very well, my darling, I shall satisfy your curiosity. We are on our way to the chateau of the Duchess Dupres deTocqueville!"

I never expected such an answer, needless to say! "Who...who...the devil is that?" I managed to choke out, not sure whether to start laughing or wailing in despair.

"Now, my sweet, you must really endeavor to control your language, if you are to become the Comtesse Dupres de Tocqueville! Have you never heard of the Duchess? Tsk! She is my mother, of course!"