The dimly lit parlor always made Meg feel unnerved. On the far wall were paintings of ballerinas and opera divas; across the room there were photographs of Anna, Meg, and Christine. There was a large desk and a smaller settee. Beside her Anna rattled on and on with their parents. Meg tried to listen in and follow the conversation, but her eyes would not stay open and yawns kept coming.
"Meg Cheri, stop yawning and come join us, we are going to the gala in only a few moments." Christine called.
Meg nodded, "Oui maman." She rose from the cream settee and went to stand by her mother, who kissed her cheek.
"Rauol, is it not wonderful to have the two girls home with us for a time?" Christine asked. The vitcomte nodded his dark handsome head, but glanced at the clock on the wall.
"We must be going if we don't want to be late!" He said, offering his arm to Christine, who took it gracefully. Anna and Meg fell into step behind their parents, following them out of the huge Georgian home, and out into the waiting carriage. They had spent most of the day and all of the evening with their parents, and although Meg had greatly enjoyed herself, she was much to occupied with her haunts.
As they rode in the carriage Christine and Anna talked of the latest going on in Paris and the Opera house.
"Maman, did you know that Meg believes she's met the Phan…"
Meg stared in horror, and kicked her sister hard on the ankle.
"Phantom horse that Grandmere claimed haunted Paris?"
Both Christine and Rauol turned to look at their other daughter.
"Meg? What is your sister speaking of?" Her father demanded. Meg glanced away, looking out into the dark Parisian night. "Megan Sophia, what is Anna speaking of? Have you seen a Phantom of any sort? Answer me!"
Meg finally glanced at her father, "She is talking about a dream I had last night. That is all."
"Good because there are things that happen the that opera house that you should not be in too, either of you." Rauol demanded, and both sisters knew that his word was law.
The opera house was overflowing with hundreds of Paris nobility. The crowds parted as the vicomte and his family.
"Welcome back Christine!" A large buxom woman with artificially darkened curls walked over, grasping Christine in her arms.
"Why Carlotta, it is wonderful to see you." Christine detangled herself from the Diva's arms. "Allow me to introduce my tow very lovely daughter, Meg and Anna. Girls, this is Carlotta."
Both twins bobbed up and down, "Madame."
"They are lovely, but now let me introduce my darling niece and protégé, Sophia D'arcy. Sophia, this is the woman I spoke of."
Sophia nodded, then turned to look at Meg, giving her the darkest look imaginable, then turned and walked away.
After Meg kissed her parents good night her, she followed her sister to their private dorm.
"How dare you tell maman about the phantom!"
Anna turned to look at Meg, while taking of her formal red gown. "I am sorry, I did not even think about it. Do forgive me?"
Meg sat taking off her socks, "I suppose." She took off her own gray gown and slipped into her nightgown; then went to stand before the mirror, hoping and still not wanting to see the Phantom.
"Is he there Meg?" Anna asked, coming to stand next to her sister.
"Hush!" Meg replied. Anna shook her head, kissed her sister, and replied,
"Not to late tonight, alright?"
Meg nodded, and slipped on her robe as Anna blew out the candle. She stood before the mirror a long time. He had to show up!
"Come on…please?" She stared until about 10 pm, when a figure appeared. Meg smiled a welcome to him, and he smiled back, and mouthed the words, 'meet me in the chamber.' Then disappeared. Meg spun around to look at her sister, who was fast asleep, then ran to the door and down the dark hall to the chamber that both her and her mother had loved so much.
Anna heard her sister leave, and jumped from her bed pulling on her own robe. "Meg! Where did you go?" Anna whispered, throwing open the door to see a dim light down the hall leading to the stage. She quickly followed it and entered the huge stage. There, standing in the glow of a candle stood a man, his back was to her, and he was singing to himself.
"monsieur?"
He turned to look at her, surprise written all over his face, or the half that was not covered in a mask.
"coup manqué?" He replied, a smile creeping across his face as he stepped closer.
Anna gasped, pulling her robe closer to her body. "Who are you?"
He stopped only inches from her, "I am Joshua, and I assume that you are Anna, I have heard highly of you, miss."
Anna blushed, trying to avoid the young man's eyes, which were the deepest darkest green Anna had ever seen. He was in fact the most handsome young man. He was tall and broad, with blondish brown hair.
"It is nice to meet you, Joshua." Anna blushed.
"Non, the pleasure is mine." He bent over and kissed her hand. "Surely you should be a bed at such an hour."
Anna nodded, "Oh yes…" She stepped away, "Good night!"
He nodded, "Good night."
Meg lit a candle in the chamber, casting light over the painting of the angel on the wall. There standing in the farthest corner stood a handsome young man, his back turned to her, but he turned as she entered.
"Meg, we meet at last." He smiled.
Meg blushed, "Yes, though you have not yet told me who you are, my good sir."
"True miss, so I am still a mystery to you."
Meg smiled, "yes and that is not fair. You should remedy that."
He nodded, "So I shall, I am Dominik." He bowed over Meg's hand, kissing it gently. He was tall and thin with huge dark blue eyes and sandy blond hair. "So I remedy the problem."
"Very good." Meg smiled. "Dominik."