One thing I could not understand was how accepting of me the two girls were. It did not seem to matter that I hid my face behind a mask. I saw Jeanette and Claudia almost every day, yet neither one asked or even seemed to notice my mask. Christine had been in my home for less than twenty-four hours before she removed my mask, but Jeanette and Claudia did not even seem to care that I wore it. This perplexed me.
I wasn't complaining, mind you. No, I was happy that I was accepted for who I was and what I seemed to be, and I was elated that both of them smiled when they saw me. Except for Christine's false smiles, that had never happened to me before.
It was difficult, though, to spend time together. Jacques always contrived to be at my side in case he was needed, but he also managed to be in the way a great deal. It took all of my effort to lose him whenever I went to see the girls, and later when he would complain that he had lost me, I would answer that I had thought he'd been right behind me all along. It irked him terribly whenever I said that.
Occasionally I would receive a letter from Madame Delphine. All letters I had from her included her itinerary, a description of the hotel and city she was currently in, descriptions of her activities, and they closed with wishes of good will and how she wished I could be with her. Traveling about Europe with a fashion mogul? No, thank you. I had done enough traveling. I was quite content on my own in her country house with her lovely and amusing daughters for company.
They were amusing, and we had great fun together. Every night we would meet in one of the closed up rooms in some far corner of the house, and once there, we would light a fire to keep us warm and to provide light while we put on plays, pantomimes, and spectacles. It was amazing how well Claudia could do at charades, and what a budding little actress she was. You never saw a young girl look more aghast at an imagined scandal, more penitent over some grievous imagined sin, or more amused at some antic just out of sight of the audience. More than once Jeanette and I had trouble breathing due to the stitches that little girl had us in.
When they asked me to tell a story, I would hem and haw and pretend not to know any to tell, but both would be ruthless as they ganged up on me and demand a story. I would acquiesce after a token resistance, and I would tell Romany stories, tales from India, Persian fairy tales, Russian tales, old French fables and tales from the Cabinet des Fees, and stories I had heard or read. I had read one fairy tale called "Fair, Brown, and Trembling," which was an Irish version of Cinderella, and it was one they asked for often. On stormy nights we would all take a turn at telling ghost stories, and usually mine would send the girls shrieking under their wraps. One morning Jeanette told me that Claudia had been unable to close her eyes all night due to a story I had told, but despite this, the little girl begged me for another like it.
Why did I enjoy these girls' company so much? One would think, that after all that I had been through, I would shun their society, but that wasn't the case at all. It was the first thing I thought of in the morning and the last thing on my mind at night. I began to neglect my study in favor of spending time with the girls, and Jacques continued fishing for information regarding where I spent my days and what I did. I put him off as much as possible, but I knew that it was only a matter of time before he found out what I was doing.
Space
Jeanette, Claudia, and I were in the music room one afternoon when we were discovered by Jacques. I had finally coaxed Jeanette to sing, and we were nearing the best part of the song when Jacques flung open the door, startling all three of us to death. Angry, I leapt to my feet and advanced on him, demanding to know what he thought he was doing and what he meant by barging in like that.
"Monsieur, I must protest," he said, sounding surprised that I would complain about his coming. "Madame does not wish these young ladies to bother you, yet you seek them out! Soon you will feel their company too irksome—"
"I most certainly will not!" I protested. "I find their company delightful and quite diverting. Why Madame Delphine did not wish me to meet these charming young ladies is beyond my reasoning faculties. If you must inform her of our acquaintance, be sure to tell her how much fun I've had." I was enjoying watching him sweat. Ten to one, she had told him to make sure that I never found out about her daughters, and yet I had still found out. That meant that he had failed and that he would have to answer to Madame Delphine for his failure. "In fact, I'll write to her myself to let her know."
Jacques turned a pasty white color. Poor man, I was scaring him to death. Good, I thought. It serves that prying bloodhound right.
Jacques nodded, gave a bow, and left, most likely to put some liniment on his dignity. I laughed, but Jeanette and Claudia were not amused.
"What's the matter?" I asked, confused.
"If Mamma is upset, she may send us away or order us to keep away from you," Jeanette said sadly. "I don't want that to happen, Monsieur Erik. You have been the best of friends to us."
"Do not worry, Mademoiselle Jeanette," I answered. "I won't allow it to happen."
Reassured, Claudia took my hand in hers and smiled, and Jeanette smiled as well, but her eyes were still clouded with worry. I resolved to clear that worry as soon as possible.
Before I went to bed that evening, I sat down to write a letter to Madame Delphine using the stationary she provided for me. I went through several drafts before I finished the final copy.
Dear Madame,
I thank you for you last letter, and in answer, I have been very well and quite occupied of late. No doubt your latest letter from Jacques will inform you, but I have decided to write to you myself. I have met Jeanette and Claudia, and I must admit, I have never met more charming or amusing young ladies. Jeanette is a calming presence, while Claudia is enough stimulation for us both. The young ladies and I spend most of our time together, and it has been a lifetime since I have had better company. Jacques has given me the impression that you did not wish us to meet, but our meeting was fortuitous, and our association has been most enjoyable. You need not worry, I treat both ladies with every amount of respect I am capable of showing, and they have no better protector in the world than I. I ask that you do not try to curtail our time together since they have been the sole means of clearing the depression that I had begun to suffer. I had known it was coming, and once it set in, it was difficult to clear. I had thought it impossible to get rid of, but one afternoon with your daughters has made me a changed man. I thank you for allowing our association and I hope you will allow its continuance.
I remain, Madame, your obedient servant and grateful friend,
Erik
Once finished, I blotted the page and sealed it in an envelope. It would be mailed in the morning.
Space
Two weeks after I had sent my letter, I received another letter from Madame Delphine while I was having my breakfast. It was hard to read, for it had not been blotted before being sent out, but after a bit of work I was able to make it out. It read,
Dear Monsieur Erik,
I am distressed to hear that my daughters impose on you so much, but since you enjoy their company, I will not put a stop to it. I only hope that they remember their manners. Somehow I have been tricked into hosting a Mardi Gras party at my country home, so guests will begin descending on the house soon after my arrival. If you wish, you may attend the parties leading up to the Grande Masque, as they are all masked, but I do ask that you come to the Grande Masque. Everyone will be there. I thank you in advance, and I shall see you about a week after this letter.
Most respectfully,
Mme. Madeleine Delphine
