Chapter 7

That night my mind was filled with thoughts of the Phantom, music, and how I didn't even know his name. Slowly my thoughts cleared as I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning I awoke facing my windows. The curtains were drawn back and my windows were open; giving me a perfect view of the garden. Normally I would have groaned and turned on my other side away from the morning light, but that morning I smiled to myself and got up.

I dressed myself in a simple light fabric dress that was a soft rose pink and had white lace at the hem and collar. I tied my hair back in a pink silk ribbon and put on my day shoes.

When I got down stairs the entire manor was in an uproar. I made my way past busy servants looking for my mother. When I found her she gave me a look. A look I had come to know very well, especially in recent years, the look that meant "We are talking later." I sighed and walked up to her.

"What is happening?" I asked looking about, "I don't think I've ever seen us this busy." My mother ordered some servants about then turned to me.

"The Vicomte is having a great supper tonight, and has invited us!" Her face was bright. I rolled my eyes, my mother was always happy to up her status on the social ladder, though unless she became friendly with the King and Queen it couldn't go up too much, seeing how my aunt was a countess.

I looked around once more, ignoring my mothers menacing gaze at my eye roll. "Um, and we are going insane, why?" I glanced at her, not making eye contact.

"Well, from last night the manor's a mess. And also, it is always polite to bring gifts and food, and things of the sort. Didn't you know that?"

I blinked at her and opened my mouth to say something, but decided against it. Though, my mother seemed not to notice seeing as she had turned around and was bothering a maid about a flower arrangement.

I began to walk slowly backwards from my mother, making sure she didn't want anything else, then turned quickly to go out in the garden, almost running into a servant as I did so.

I retraced my steps from the night before, when I got to the fountain I smiled and walked around it. Then I noticed something. How the gardeners could have missed it, I didn't know, though perhaps they had that day off. I walked towards it, picking it up off the edge of the fountain, and looked at it. My heart leaped when I saw the print. Neatly scrawled across the front of the envelope read "Emily Sterling". I knew it must have been from the Phantom.

I looked around quickly then sat on the edge of the fountain. I held my breath as I opened the envelope and took out the note.

"My Dearest Emily,

Last night was that of a dream. Each moment I spend with you fills me with such a joy I never knew I could feel. I cannot wait to see your radiant face once again. I look forward to our lessons together.

Yours truly,

OG"

I felt as my face grew warm going slightly pink. I hoped he knew how much I cared for him. I placed the note back inside its envelope and went inside the manor. I avoided my mother and made my way up to my room. I shut my door and placed his second note with the other one inside the drawer of my bedside table. I laid down on my bed and looked up at the ceiling of my room smiling ever so slightly.

Moments later there came a lightly knock at my door. I sighed, hoping it was not my mother.

"Come in." I said.

"I don't mean to bother you, Miss." It was Anne, "You have received a letter, from Monsieur Laurent. He arrived early this morning, but you were still asleep."

I looked at her and she walked from my door way towards me, a slight smile upon her face. I sat up and took the letter looking at the fancy envelope. Anne still stood there, so I looked up at her.

"He also said to give you this." She took her hand from behind her back, she held a lovely white rose with alight pink, almost white, ribbon tied to it. I took the rose a smelled it, the sweet aroma filling me. I thanked her and she walked out, closing the door behind her.

A smile had placed itself on my lips and I put the rose on my bedside table next to the one from the Phantom. The two roses contradicted each other wonderfully. I picked up the envelope, that simply read "Emily", once again. I took out the note and read it.

"Emily,

Last night I had a wonderful time with you. It was so very nice to see you again after all of these years. You are as sweet as always and more beautiful than ever. I hope with all my heart to see you tonight at the Vicomte's. I do wish you will come.

Your dear friend,

Laurent Preece."

"So, he will be at the Vicomte's tonight?" I thought, "I shall have to wear something nice."

In the late afternoon Anne came back in to help me get ready for that night. She helped me with my corset, once again so tight I could hardly breathe, and pick out a dress. It was a full red satin gown with off the shoulder sleeves, exposing my bare neck, shoulders, and some chest. I then picked out a black lace choker and matching black gloves that went to my elbows. Anne then made my hair up into a loose but elegant bun with a few curls hanging down. I finished off my attire with earrings of black pearl. I sat at my vanity and lightly powdered my face, and painted my lips and eyes. Around my eyes with a dark kohl, and my lips with light red. I looked at myself in the mirror once more before going down stairs.

"Emily, you look lovely tonight." My mother said to me when I reached her. I thought my mother looked equally lovely in a sapphire blue gown, "Laurent is a lucky boy." I blushed slightly and my mother took my arm and we went outside to the carriage, my father had left earlier with the gifts.