Chapter 6

He woke feeling much better than he had yesterday. Although he didn't remember much of the past forty-eight hours, some of it had returned now that his hangover had abated. The singer from the Opera House. She was at the tavern. Why would she be there? She was too fine a lady to be in a tavern like that. And what a prize she would have made…For a moment, his mind swam back to the machinations he'd entertained about her one, no, two nights before. He wasn't sure how long it had been. But he knew he's seen her. Yes, a fine prize at that… He forced his thoughts back to the question at hand. I do remember seeing her close the door. I went to find her…there was another door, but I fell on it and…wait! She was in that room! I know she was! There were others there, but I'm sure it was she. He worked very hard at dredging up a bit of information he'd heard right after the fire. She went missing and they couldn't find her. But I've found her now! And there surely would be a reward for that, wouldn't there?

The door to the station intimidated him. Huge and ornate, it announced to all concerned that this was the final stop in the chain of command between the gendarmes on the street to the Prefect of Police. Walking toward it, his sense of self-preservation kicked in. He had lived on the edge of the law for years, but the possibility of a monetary reward overrode any fear he might entertain.

Once through the door, he spied a large desk with a gendarme seated behind it. Another stood along side and they looked to be involved in a raucous conversation. He could hear their laughter at the door. As he reached within ten feet of the desk however, all laughter stopped as they stared at him with astonished faces.

"Excuse me monsieurs, but I am in possession of some information you might find interesting."

"Is that so?" the deskman asked, eyeing him up and down.

The first niggling of doubt crossed his mind, but he continued pressing, hoping for the reward he trusted he would win.

"Oui, monsieur. I have brought this information to you because I feel it is my civic duty to do so."

"And I suppose, because you are wondering if the information is important enough, you might get paid?" This brought once again, the laughter of both men, but now it was aimed directly at him.

How dare they laugh at me! Don't they understand how important I am…the information is? They should be grateful that I am even here.

"Well, monsieurs, I understand that the singer from the Opera House has been missing since the fire." He noted that he now had the attention of both men and his self-importance grew.

"Oui, well, " He puffed out his chest, certain now that his information would be rewarded "I can tell you where she is!" He ended his statement with a flourish of his hands and a smug sense of satisfaction, awaiting their rush of gratitude. Instead, what he received was roaring laughter from both men and felt their mocking looks shred his pride. This was not a joke! How could they goad him when he brought such important news to them! His fists curled in anger as he tried to resist his urge to smash both their faces.

"Monsieurs. I did in fact see her, night before last, at a tavern in Low Town. It's connected to the inn run by Claude something and his daughter. She was there as plain as if she were standing before me now!" His bravado began to wane however, as he looked at the disbelief on their faces.

The gendarme standing looked at him with distaste. "And what, monsieur, would an opera girl, a star performer, of the opera, be doing at a tavern in Low Town? You bring a good joke to us sir! Who sent you?" and his laughter once again filled the foyer.

"Monsieur! I sent myself!" He immediately recognized his mistake by the outraged tone he used.

The gendarme behind the desk stood with such force that his chair tipped over behind him.

"Monsieur! You would be wise to keep your anger to yourself! Now, I will give you ten seconds to remove yourself from this building before I throw you out myself!"

Both gendarmes glared at him as he backed away from them, never turning until he'd made it through the door.

Well! If that's the kind of thanks I get, they can just continue to waste their time looking for someone they will never find! They are too stupid to find a dog on a leash! He stomped back into the flow of pedestrians, looking for a local tavern to procure his feeling's easement.

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Morning brought a sense of urgency to the mismatched group of travelers. The carriage had been loaded with only the most necessary of things, the horses harnessed to it and its occupants seated. A sense of hope and dread filled each heart as they began their journey to life. Christine sat with Antoinette on the forward facing seat. Erik sat with his back to the driver's seat, alone, should he need to 'disappear' quickly. The compartment he had fashioned was small, but would suffice should he need it in a hurry. He would lift the seat, slip below it, and then turn up in a small area behind the coachman's seat. On the outside, there were no odd appearances. Inside, it afforded him just enough room to remain in a half crouched position for as long as he needed. He hoped he wouldn't have to find out how long that could be.

Antoinette gazed out the window as they rode off with Claude in the coachman's seat. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked back at the only home she'd ever known. Though this could prove to be a great adventure for her, and the possibility of a better life- still, she had never known anything else. She was born there; her mother had died there. It was very hard to say goodbye. She prayed this would be the right move for her and her father.

Christine seemed to be lost in thought as Erik watched her with trepidation. Am I doing the right thing for her? Taking her from a life she loves to an unknown existence with me. Will she be safe? Happy? Will she grow to hate me? God, what have I done? Erik rested his head against the carriage, closed his eyes, and did something he never thought he'd do. Prayed.

Christine saw Erik watching her from the corner of her eye. He looked so worried, so afraid. She had never seen this side of him and it pulled at her. She wanted to reach out and grasp his hand but remembering his touch and the fires it ignited, sighed and smiled instead. Was it right that I made myself his responsibility? He has so many now, even if he doesn't see it. He's but one man and there are four of us to consider. Will I be strong enough for him? Will he be safe? Will we all be safe? God, she prayed, please help us all…

They traveled for some time, passing through the city proper. There was a quiet but collective sigh when they realized they would not be passing the Opera House. None of them could have faced the memories it would have evoked.

Due to the unrest in the city, foot patrols had been stepped up in hope that any disturbances would be quelled quickly. Several times, the gendarme would glare at the carriage as it passed, making its occupants nervous. They had hoped they would be able to make it out of the city without being stopped and although there were several carriages exiting, they still felt singled out.

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As they reached the edge of the city, Erik's worst fears were confirmed. A checkpoint had been set up at the last possible placement and every carriage was being stopped and examined. He knew they must be looking for insurgents, but also thought they would have been alerted to him and Christine as well.

"Christine, you have the papers?" His question came out in a rush. Her eyes grew wide as she looked at him and shook her head yes. He was going to carry them himself, but that wouldn't do if they had been separated. He could 'disappear' quickly; they wouldn't stand a chance.

"You must act as if nothing is amiss. You are traveling with your servants. There is no need to worry. I will be safely hidden." He watched her response to his instructions. They had been over this several times the previous night, but still, she looked very frightened. He remembered another time, not so long ago, when he'd heard her told that everything depended on her. He was angry then, at the boy who put her there, and he was angry now, for doing the same thing. Would she remain brave enough to carry through with their charade? He was soon to find out. He watched a look of fear cross Antoinette's face as well and wondered once again, if his decision was the right one.

Christine watched Erik as his face paled. She knew he feared for them all and hoped she could carry out her act as convincingly as possible, for all their sakes. It all depended on her now. She hated being put in that position just a few days ago, but this was completely different. The last time was to take someone's freedom from him. This time, it was to give freedom to them all.

God, she prayed silently, help me to be as strong for Erik as he is for me. And help me to play my part so we all can get through this safely…

As she watched Erik enter the hold he had devised, her heart ached again with the love she felt for him. When he turned and smiled at her, she thought it would burst from fullness. Oh Erik, I will do the very best I can…

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There were only two carriages left in front of them, and the gendarmes were making a thorough search of every one. Christine thought surely they must be able to hear her heart pounding, even with the distance between them. Time passed as if in slow motion. First one carriage, and then the other, was searched and sent on its way. Suddenly, their carriage jerked forward and a moment's panic drove through her mind. What if this doesn't work? What will happen to Erik, to us, then? Please God, please let this work…

As one of the gendarmes approached her side of the carriage, she grasped Antoinette's hand and held on with her life.

The gendarme looked at the carriage, which was not in the best of condition and thought this was simply another group trying to leave the city before the real trouble started. Too many skirmishes had already happened in the city, and he had watched carriage after carriage leave with all manner of passenger, from Vicomte, to the poorest citizen. He had been assigned to this duty four days ago, and had been bored with it after the second carriage had passed through the checkpoint. He had grown angrier with each passing hour, believing himself to be far above this type of work. In fact, he thought, I would rather be back patrolling the streets than to be inspecting these foul smelling, dirty, overfilled excuses for transportation! He did not include the nobility that had passed his scrutiny. They were the worst of the lot as far as he was concerned and didn't warrant any thought at all. As he approached this one it seemed he was finally dealing with the poor gentility. He had wondered when they'd be coming through…nobility that for whatever reason had suddenly been forced into a life so like the servants they had once employed. This carriage, in poor repair at best, would be an easy search.

"Mademoiselle, your papers, s'il vous plait?" he asked as he poked his head in the window. "You will not be allowed to leave if you cannot produce travel papers." He recognized his rude behavior, but he just didn't care anymore. A young woman held out the papers to him and as he took them, her beauty stunned him. It was a rare treat for him to see natural beauty. The normal titled lady of the nobility usually adorned their self with face paint and powders. This one wore nothing but outshone all he'd seen before. He knew he would not soon forget this one.

Christine gave a quick glance at Erik's now-empty seat. She desperately wanted to see the back of Claude's legs through the window opposite her. Anything to help her confidence. Because of Erik's modifications however, it had been blocked. The only communication she would have available to her were Antoinette's eyes – and her own… God, here I go she thought. The forged papers trembled in her hand. He had made her a Baronesse, a title of the Noblesse d'épée. As the lowest title in the line of nobility,

it would be unlikely the authorities would question her station and it would not draw undo attention. Claude and Antoinette were her servants, travelling with her to her Château oustide Paris. They had all practiced what they would say, were they even questioned and Christine fervently hoped now, they would all remember their parts.

"Mademoiselle, you are traveling to the country ? For rest and relaxation, non ?"

Christine's shaded eyes looked every bit the sheltered wife of a noble.

"Yes, monsieur, we are traveling to my family's château and will be gone for several weeks."

The gendarme looked her over once, taking in her hair, eyes, lips, everything that made her such a beauty. His brazen look made Christine quite uncomfortable. But she remembered who she was supposed to be and assumed an indignant look at his obvious leering.

"Monsieur Gendarme. Is there a problem?" she asked as coldly as she could. She drew on every bit of her acting experience to remain calm and play her part as convincingly as possible. The gendarme cleared his throat and looked the papers over.

"Well, Baronesse De Chatel, everything looks to be in order. You have just the two servants with you? The roads can be treacherous these days. Perhaps some protection might be in order?" He raised his eyebrows at the word protection, obviously insinuating more than just an escort.

"I assure you monsieur, we do not need the type of protection you offer, thank you." She tried to be as aloof as possible so as not to incur his wrath, at the same time letting him know she would not tolerate his impudence. She walked a fine line and to cross to the wrong side would be disaster for them all. The gendarme's head snapped back to the papers he held in his hands. His face flushed and he looked as uncomfortable as she hoped he felt.

"I will keep one set of these, mademoiselle, as confirmation that you have cleared this checkpoint. You may proceed, but…be very careful mademoiselle. Accidents happen when one travels. I would hate to see one happen to you." His tone was icy as he handed the second set of papers to her and she realized he was making a veiled threat.

"We will be safe, I am sure, and…thank you." Giving him a winning smile she tapped on the side of the carriage, signaling Claude to move on. The carriage lurched forward, harder than she expected and she bumped her head on the wall behind her. She put her hand to the back of her head and let out a huge sigh. Maybe we have a chance after all…

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Antoinette sat quietly, in awe of Christine. Her ability to become someone else was amazing. Antoinette had never been to an opera or a play but this was better than any she could ever have wished to see. When the gendarme first approached the carriage, Antoinette's heart had moved into her throat and she couldn't breathe. Will she be able to make this work? Is she really as good as Monsieur Erik has told us? As she watched, Antoinette's delight in Christine grew. She actually has become the Baronesse! This just may work. Though she didn't drop her guard, she began to have some faith, both in Erik's plan, and Christine's ability to carry it out.

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Claude sat stiff backed during the encounter at the checkpoint. He could only hear the gendarme's side of the conversation and it infuriated him to hear this…this scum, treating Christine that way. He glanced over his shoulder in time to see the man's face flush and a smile touched the corner of his mouth. Mademoiselle must have bested him, and he is embarrassed by it! Brava! Monsieur Erik's faith in her was well placed. He heard the tap on the side of the carriage and reined the horses forward more abruptly than he intended. As they passed the checkpoint and moved into the open country, he hoped their deception had worked…

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Erik, cramped into the extra compartment and privy to both sides of the conversation, felt his fury grow almost beyond control. He wanted to burst out of the compartment and wring the man's neck! How dare he speak to Christine like that, the little toad! He's only a lowly gendarme, one I could break with very little trouble at all! He realized he had been holding the seat lever so tightly, it broke off in his hand.

Christine was the only one who could bring both his rage and love to the surface with equal violence. He struggled with both in a feeble attempt to control one or the other.

That tiny bit of sanity he'd felt two nights before showed itself once again and he managed to hold his ire in check. His love was another matter entirely. As he continued listening, Christine's reply confirmed his faith in her abilities, making his heart swell. My beautiful Christine. My ultimate actress. My love. You have reached your true potential after all…at that moment he made the most important promise of his life. You once called me your protector. As long as you live Christine, I promise to be your protector, your shield, and your safeguard forever. Even at the cost of my own life.

He heard the tap on the side of the carriage just before it began to move again. A smile crossed his face as he realized they made it through the checkpoint.

A mile out of the city, Erik finally felt safe to re-enter the carriage compartment.

"Christine!" He reached across the seat and crushed her to him, fear for her safety and pride in her ability overriding his common sense.

"You were wonderful. He never stood a chance against your charms and ability."

When he felt Christine return his embrace, his body began to respond to her once again. Loath to let her go, he knew, should he continue to hold her, he would easily betray himself to her. He released her, pushing himself as close to the wall as possible, without becoming a part of it. He struggled with his desire to grasp her to him, and his need to see them all safely away. Need prevailed, but it became more difficult with every touch. Closing his eyes, he attempted to calm his racing heart, gripping the front of the seat until his knuckles turned white from the effort.

When he felt he'd regained enough control again, he looked across at both women.

He caught Antoinette's look of amusement and lifted an eyebrow at her.

"You find me so amusing, Antoinette? I am glad that you gain enjoyment from my actions."

"Non, monsieur Erik, it is not your actions, but your reactions that amuse me." She smiled knowingly at him and turned again to watch out the window.

Embarrassed that Antoinette would notice, let alone comment on his reaction, he realized he must take better care at controlling himself.

"Christine, today, your performance was worthy of the finest stage in the world. I fear however, that his threat was not an empty one. We must make haste and get as far from the city today as possible. I do not want to find that we are being followed after all."

He opened the door and stepped onto the side ladder as Claude led the horses in a comfortable trot. He spoke loudly with Claude for a few moments, then returned to the compartment, lithely retaking his seat. Claude spurred the horses into a road gait, hoping to make up as much ground as possible before nightfall.

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Erik had been watching Christine and Antoinette sleep. Christine had pillowed her head on his cape, propped against the top corner of her seat. She had convinced Antoinette that her lap was more comfortable than the carriage wall. It seemed to him that in a few days, they had become fast friends and it made him very happy. When the carriage lurched to the side of the road, both women awoke with a start, their eyes round with fear.

"Erik! What has happened?" Christine cried out they came to a halt.

"I'm sure it's nothing, but I shall know shortly." He exited the compartment and met Claude climbing down from the coachman's seat. To their dismay the back wheel on the outside of the carriage had come off its spindle and hung cockeyed against the carriage. Upon inspection, they both realized it looked worse than it was, though it would take several hours to fix. Erik sighed at the prospect of losing all of the ground they had covered to an errant wheel.

"Claude, get the tools from behind your seat and let's get to work. "

When he let both women know, Antoinette's eyes showed worry but she said nothing. He reveled in the confidence in Christine's smile. It still amazed him that she trusted his abilities so completely.

"We will work as quickly as possible. Don't fret. We'll be back on the road soon." He returned Christine's smile and included Antoinette as his eyes swept the compartment. He had taken Christine from the Paris Opera stage, to a damp chamber underground, to an inn that although clean, was by no means luxurious, to a carriage not in the best of shape, broken down on the side of the road, running from a city they both loved. What have I done to my sweet Christine?

He turned back to the wheel, working as quickly as possible. With Claude's help, only a little more than two hours passed before they were ready to move on. As Erik looked back over the road once again, he saw a cloud of rising dust. That big a cloud meant two things. More than one rider, and moving fast. In a flash of enlightenment, he knew. He knew! The authorities were coming for them. A carriage could barely outrun a lone horse and rider under the best of circumstances. This carriage had seen better days already and he hoped it would hold together as they ran for their lives.