Chapter Three

New Life

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."

The manor the carriage stopped in front of was one of the biggest Christine had ever seen in her life. It was one of the wealthier houses in France and Christine glanced at Erik, wondering how he could afford such a house. The driver helped her out and she tentively followed her husband inside the large wooden doors. Light surrounded them and Christine looked around, her curiousity getting the better of her.

The ceiling towered above them and from it hung a beautiful chandelier of what appeared to be glass. Directly in front of them rose a marble staircase that was larger then any she had ever seen. She looked up to the very top to see that it branched off to the right and to the left and also forward. On her left and right were several doors, all of which were closed and Christine wished she could look through each one and see what this kind of man lived like.

"Master!" a voice cried. Christine turned in the direction of the voice to see an older woman waddling down the stairs, and waddle she was because she was large of frame and it appeared hard for her to move her weight around. She had a kind face with round, dark eyes and graying hair piled chaotically on her chubby head. Her navy blue dress could do with replacing and the apron she wore over it was stained in numerous places from God only knew what.

Christine smiled at the woman, wishing to make a good impression and the woman stared at her in surprise as her round eyes looked over Christine from head to foot. A smile lit her face as she finished her study and she quickened her pace so she could reach them.

"Oh, Master! I did not expect you home for a few hours at least! Your room is not prepared and dinner has yet to be made!" she cried.

"Calm down, Susannah! You will be no good to me if you give yourself a heart attack," Erik snapped. Christine glanced at him before looking away from the angry scowl on his face. Susannah turned red and apologized profusely. Christine felt sorry for the woman and so tried to be friendly.

"Susannah, is it?" she asked.

"Yes, Mademoiselle," she answered, bobbing her head.

"It's Madam, Susannah," Erik said impatiently. Realization dawned in the womans eyes as she finally realized who Christine was.

"Madam, forgive me," she said. Christine shook her head.

"That is fine. I am Christine," she said. The woman smiled. Already she could tell she was going to like this young woman.

"A pleasure, Madam," Susannah assured her. Erik was tapping his foot, clearly annoyed with the both of them. Susannah did not fail to notice.

"If you would excuse me, I should go and see to dinner," she said. She bowed politely before disappearing behind one of the doors Christine had been curious about when she had entered.

"Bloody servants," Erik murmured under his breath. Christine raised a brow.

"I found her quite charming," she informed him.

"And I fail to remember if I asked for your opinion," Erik replied.

"And I fail to remember what I did to be forced into marriage to you!" she shot back. Erik said nothing for a moment as he looked at her, clearly surprised that she was talking back. Christine would not apologize, he was being angry for no reason and she did not wish to hear him snap at everyone in sight. Since she had met him he had failed to impress her, something she did not find very attractive. She had done nothing to make him this angry and she did not appreciate his attitude.

"If you wish to know where our room is come with me," he said, avoiding an arguement. 'Our room'. Realization hit her hard...of course they would share a room...and a bed. He was her husband. But the idea of sleeping beside a man she knew nothing about scared her immensily. She glanced at him as he led her up the marble stairs. He seemed the type of man who would expect his wife to give him everything...including her body. Christine shivered, not liking the idea at all.

But in all truth she could not deny him. He was her husband and he had every right to take what was now his. He turned left at the top of the staircase and made his way down a hallway a little to dark for Christine's peace of mind. Moments later they reached a pair of doors and Erik opened them, stepping aside so Christine could walk in. It was too dark to see anything so she waited for Erik to light a candle before she roamed the room with her eyes.

The first thing she seemed to notice was the last thing she wished to see. The bed. This bed seemed to take up most of the room and was large enough to fit two people comfortably. The blankets and sheets were a menacing black and she had to look away before her nerves gave out and she fainted. A wardrobe that was larger than Erik stood in one corner with a mirror beside it and there was a massive window overlooking the city.

"I will have the servants bring your clothing up here and put it into the wardrobe. I am also having a large trunk moved so you can put it at the foot of the bed and keep your undergarments in it," he said from behind her. Christine nodded, not knowing what else to do.

"Y-your home is lovely," she whispered.

"Our home," he corrected. She said nothing. He took her hand, surprising her and almost making her flince.

"Come. Dinner should be ready and you can eat. I am sure it has been a trying day," he said slightly sarcastic. She followed him back downstairs and into one of the many doors. They entered a small dinning hall with a table that stretched the length of the room. Candles had already been lit and the silverware in place. Several windows were in this room as well, but all of their drapes were shut.

Erik sat at the head of the table after sitting Christine down closest to him. A young man, carrying several plates, came in, keeping his eyes on the floor after glancing at Christine briefly. He had a shock of carrot colored hair and deep green eyes and seemed rather long of arms and legs.

"Madam," the boy murmured, setting a bowl of stew down in front of her. The aroma was a welcoming smell and she smiled in delight.

"Thank you, it looks delicious," she said in earnest. The young man bobbed his head and went to give Erik his bowl. Christine noticed the way the boy was shaking under Erik's intense stare and as she watched the young man dropped the bowl of soup directly in Erik's lap. Erik got to his feet, muttering several curses that were not appropiate for a lady to hear.

The boy was staring in horror at what he had done and he began shaking. Christine bit her lip when she saw the way Erik tried to wipe some of the hot food off of his lap. Both males looked up when Christine began to laugh. It was the first time she had laughed for any reason since she had been told about this marriage. The young man looked at her nervously, glancing at his master to see what his reaction was.

Erik was staring at Christine in disbelief. Why the devil was she laughing? He did not find this very amuesing. She put her hand to her mouth, trying to contain her giggles but it was failing miserably. Erik glanced at the boy, Douglas, who was shaking like a leaf.

"Go back to the kitchen and make yourself useful!" he snapped. The boy scrambled to do as he was told.

"Your amuesment is ill placed, Christine," Erik informed her. Her happiness quickly fled at his tone. He was angry and it was evident.

"No, it is not, I believe it is about time someone laughed at you. You should try it, it might melt that ice that is around your heart."