Chapter 3

"Emily Sterling, where have you been?" My mother asked sternly as I walked in just before four.

"I went to the market, I was there until close to twelve or one, then I took a walk through the park. Once I heard the bells toll three I left the park immediately, I had not realized I had been gone for so long. I apologize, it will not happen again, maman." I lied, but my mother seemed to buy it.

"All right, just as long as it doesn't happen again." My mother sighed looking at me, "Now, go wash up. You've already missed dinner with your Aunt, I will not have you miss your lessons."

I nodded then started up the stairs. I had forgotten I had planned to have dinner with my Aunt this afternoon. But it didn't matter, I had met the Phantom! I walked into my room and closed the door, a wanted poster with a not very attractive masked figure greeted me.

"They really do him no justice." I thought to myself, imagining the Phantoms handsome face. I looked about my room; framed posters of operas from the Opera Populaire, in which the Phantom had 'interfered' lined my walls. I smiled to myself, all those things were now so much more wonderful.

I skipped across my room to the adjoined washroom and filled the tub then lit the heated underneath. I got undressed then put on a robe and walked into my closet looking for something mice to wear. If I recalled correctly the Preece's had returned to Paris and there would be a welcoming party held by my family tonight.

I shuddered suddenly at the thought of their son, Laurent. Oh, how he had teased me so! I cannot say I was upset when they had decided to move to London. He was so horrible! There wasn't a day that went by when he didn't make me cry when we were children. He always pulled on my hair and let toads lose in my room. His nose was also always runny and red, which was just unattractive.

"Perhaps living in London has froze the snot out of him and made him civil." I thought hopefully.

From my closet I withdrew a deep green gown and laid it out on my bed, then went into the washroom. I placed a fluffy drying towel my the tub, pinned up my hair, and got into the tub, being sure to blow out the heater before doing so, so I wouldn't boil myself to death. The water was the perfect temperature, I leaned back and closed my eyes letting my day replay over and over in my mind.

After soaking for some time I washed my face then got out of the tub and dried off. I applied over lavender oil to my temples, neck, collar, and wrists, then dressed in my underclothes and petticoats. Then I called in my maid, Anne, to help my with my corset, dress, and hair.

I thanked her as she left then got up, breathing deeply, or as deeply as I could, from the seat of my vanity. Anne had made the corset especially tight tonight.

"You'll be seeing monsieur Laurent again, won't you? I bet he'll fancy you, all grown up." She'd said while getting me ready. I just smiled kindly, but in my mind I was rolling my eyes. He might fancy me, but there would be no way I'd fancy him, even if he had changed. Besides I had the Phantom.

I pinched my cheeks to give them some color, then left my room and went outside seeing the carriage waiting for me.

"To Madame Provence's, miss?" ((Pro-ven-say))Asked George, the carriage driver.

I nodded then issued a thanks as George helped me into the carriage. George then got into the driver's seat and started off towards her home. I looked out the carriage and could have sworn I saw a dark shape disappearing into the trees. A small smile spread across my lips as I thought of the Phantom. For the rest of the ride my mind was on him.