Author's Note: Kudos to my reviewers.
Emma Lipardi: Yes, "Erik" is spelled correctly. That is the spelling found in the original "Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux. Have you read it? As for his being out of character, you have to remember that he is the object of a manhunt: he needs a place to stay, and he can be a little forgiving for his kidnapping. After all, she had done all the hard work of an escape for him. Yes, shadowsylvia is my sister. Could you possibly get her to review? (hint, hint.)
Victoria: Glad you like it.
Wild Pixie Child: I'm glad it's cool.
Not so Blind Meiko: Don't worry, we're about to learn more.
Chapter 5
As I was having breakfast in my room the next morning, Jacques arrived with several packages for me. Abandoning my meal, I opened them and exulted at what I had found: Manuscript paper, several types of ink, designer's tablets, writing paper, sketchbooks, charcoal pencils, oil pastels, and a writing set with a cherry and silver blotter, blotting paper, cherry wood pens trimmed with silver, nibs, penwipers, a glass and silver inkwell, and a book with Copperplate, Roman, Italian, and Gothic examples of handwriting. Stationery had been included with the writing set, and the writing sheets, cards, and envelopes had been embossed with a Gothic letter E. Apparently, she wished me to have everything I needed.
Jacques handed me a note once I had finished my exultation.
Dear Monsieur Erik, it read.
I hope that these items will be what you need, and I hope that they will stave off boredom. Should you need anything else, inform Jacques, and he will procure what you need. Unfortunately, emergency business matters have called me away, so I must leave you on your own for the time being. The servants have their orders to obey you, and they have also been ordered to make you as comfortable as possible. There are instruments in the music room at your disposal. I must ask you to refrain from visiting the east wing of the house. There are renovations being made, and I do not wish you to see it in such a state. I remain, Monsieur, your hostess,
Madame Delphine
I reread the missive several times and I wondered at it. Why was she so adamant about my not visiting the east wing of the house? I had not seen nor heard any evidence of renovations anywhere in the house: no workers going to or fro, no scaffolding, no lumber, no tools, and no noise of construction or work. What had caused her to lie so obviously?
Space
After I finished my breakfast, Jacques showed me to my study. It was nicely furnished in an echo of my bedroom, and the desk, chairs, bookcases, and tables were exactly what I needed. I spent the morning putting things away and organizing my work areas. While I had been working, Jacques had brought my lunch and cast looks of exasperation in my direction when I kept putting him off, saying that I only had to do one more thing. When I at last emerged from the study, the good fellow was certainly annoyed, but I was elated. I had all the space I needed and all the materials I could want, and the rest of the day I could work in.
Jacques left me alone after lunch, so I went into my study and began to work. I started to design a house: After all, I couldn't stay here forever, and if I had a home of my own, I wished it to be exactly what I liked. The rooms would be large and sunny with plenty of room to move around in, and there would be an expansive garden with a high wall to keep others out. After all, it would be my home, and I was tired of living in caverns. Part of me yearned for the sunshine I remembered from my earliest years.
I was putting the finishing touches on the windows when I heard a loud crash from somewhere in the house. Setting my sketch aside, I sat very still and listened. It came again, and I went out into the hall, still listening. I heard hushed voices and then footsteps. A door closing, and then all was silent.
I was intrigued at these noises. Where were they coming from? Who was making them? Why was there an element of secrecy in this place? I was determined to find out what it was.
Author's Note: Short chappie, I know, but I'm at work. I'll update more later.
