Chapter 4

November to December 1874

As the days passed, Mouse proved to be and excellent help and I began to teach him his letters and math. He proved to be a swift learner and soon was carrying a slate and chalk around wherever he went so he could spell things out to us. We also worked out a kind of sign language so it would be easier for all of us.

One day as Erik played the piano and I sat doing some mending, Mouse cautiously crept over to stand at Erik's side. Erik glanced down at the small boy.

"Do you wish to learn Mouse?" The boy nodded vigorously.

"I warn you I am a strict task master, are you sure?" Mouse just nodded again eagerly.

It was amazing how fast our little ward learned everything he put his mind to. Watching him soak everything in made me think of how Erik might have been if he led a normal life when he was young. Amazingly, Erik never seemed to lose patience with the boy. Sometimes he would look at Mouse, sadness and pain permeating his very being. On those occasions, I would go to him and wrap my arms around him just to let him know he was loved.

Mouse and I were running errands one day and I had given him a few coins to get himself a treat. While he was gone I bought him a few extra sets of warm clothing and a new winter coat and gloves, the winter was becoming especially bitter. We passed the music shop and I sent Mouse to go check out some of the other shops, Erik wanted me to get Mouse a second instrument and we had decided on a flute. I went into the music shop when Mouse left. I had just finished the transaction when Mouse came running in. He grabbed me by the hand and urged me to the door gesturing frantically. I grabbed my purchases and followed. A light drizzle started falling as I followed him down the street and finally into an alley. There sat a small bundle of rags. It was a girl about the same age as Mouse. Her long blonde hair hung in wet, curly tendrils framing her sweet face. She was whimpering with pain and massaging her leg. It was twisted strangely I feared a broken leg. She shrank back as I reached for her as if she thought I was going to strike her.

"Sshh, it's alright. I'm not going to hurt you I just want to help." I said softly. I gently examined her leg; it was twisted from an old break that had healed wrong. Apparently, she had hurt it by falling on the wet cobblestones spraining her ankle badly.

"What happened child? What's your name?" I asked. She exchanged glances with Mouse and he nodded in encouragement.

"Sylvie. I…I ran away because my uncle was drunk and was going to beat me again, he called me bad names and said I wasn't worth keeping and was useless because of my leg." She whispered. Mouse tugged on my skirt to get my attention. He pointed at her and mouthed the word "home". I nodded and handed him the basket while I picked the girl up. I would have to carry her. The rain started to come down heavier and a brisk wind started to blow, the cobblestones became slicker and several times, I slipped and almost fell. It was a long walk home. Light as she was Sylvie got heavier and heavier as we made our way home. The wind seemed to cut right through me. By the time we got to the entrance, we were soaked to the skin and freezing. When we got to the chamber, Sylvie and I were starting to turn blue from cold and we both were shivering violently.

"Erik I have brought another wounded bird." I called as I sat Sylvie by the fire. . He turned as I called out.

"What do you have this time..." he started to ask but when he saw our drenched forms, he got up and ran to get some warm blankets. He ordered Mouse to get into dry clothes and warm himself by the fire.

"Jenny you must get out of those wet things before you catch your death." He said.

"After I take care of the girl, bring me one of Mouse's nightshirts and a robe. She can wear that for now." I told him. While he went for the clothes, I helped Sylvie out of her wet things, wrapping a warm blanket around her and then sat her back in the chair by the fire. I took her leg, binding her ankle tightly and then gave her a cup of hot tea. Erik came with the clothes, sitting them near the stove to warm a bit, and came and stood looking down at the girl. She looked up at him shyly and he smiled at her in encouragement, his eyes gentle.

"She can warm herself by the fire, Mouse will keep her company. You need to get out of those wet things now." He said sternly taking my hand and pulling me to our room. By then I was trembling violently. My fingers were so stiff I couldn't manage the buttons and Erik, in exasperation ripped the dress, buttons flying and then bundled me into a warm blanket rubbing feeling back into me.

"What's wrong with her leg.?" he asked softly.

"She sprained her ankle badly but it's twisted from an old break that healed wrong. She's crippled. She will need a walking stick to get around easier. The poor thing you should see the bruises covering her body. She was cruelly treated." He held me in his arms and dropped a kiss on the top of my head.

"My poor angel is collecting quite a brood of misfits starting with myself." He whispered.

"Not misfits. Just people who need someone to care for them, to love them." I whispered back.

"Well I guess I need to fix a place for her to sleep. She can sleep on the settee until I can get a proper bed for her." He said and kissing my cheek, went to prepare her a sleeping area. I dressed in warm dry clothes and went to the kitchen. Mouse was lying on the floor in front of Sylvie with his slate and they were getting along famously. I sent Mouse to get some more wood for the fire and helped Sylvie get dressed. Then I fixed a supper of hot, thick stew and biscuits, Sylvie ate as if she had not eaten in a week. When she was finished, Erik carried her to the alcove that he had prepared. She looked at wonder at the small room that Erik had fashioned for her. He had used the tapestries and comforters that he had used in my room. He put her down on the settee and covered her in a warm comforter.

"This is your room Sylvie. We'll get you a real bed in a couple of days but you can sleep on this for now."

"Thank you Monsieur, Madame." She said sleepily. Erik just smiled. His smiles were rare but when he did, it was beautiful. We left the room as Sylvie slipped into sleep. We sent Mouse to bed and we followed suit. Once we were in bed, Erik held me close.

"You never fail to surprise me." He whispered. "You seem to have no end of compassion." He trailed a row of gentle kisses from my brow down my cheek and finally my mouth. We made slow gentle love that night. Afterwards he wrapped his arms around me and I snuggled back against him and drifted into sleep.

Erik was gone when I got up the next morning and I asked Mouse if he knew where he went. He shook his head and went about his chores. I went to check on Sylvie and she sat up as I came in.

"How are you feeling this morning Sylvie?"

"Much better Madame, Mouse told me you took him in too. Will you teach me things like you are teaching Mouse?"

"Of course I will if you wish it. You can join us when I teach Mouse his letters and math. If you want to learn music you will need to ask Monsieur Erik."

"Madame, why does Monsieur wear a mask?" I hesitated a moment.

"You must never ask Monsieur about it. You know how your leg looks and how people treated you. It is the same with his face. The one side beautiful the other not so and he was cruelly treated all his life. Perhaps one day he will not feel the need to hide behind it but the time is not yet. Understand?" She nodded solemnly.

"Come you can help me fix breakfast." I lifted her, carried her to the kitchen, and set her to peeling potatoes while I prepared the rest of breakfast. Mouse was stocking the fire and then put a kettle of water on for tea. Erik returned as Mouse was setting the table. He was hauling a small brass bed frame and mattress that someone had thrown out. I had no doubt that when Erik was finished with it the bed would be fit for a princess. He also had a length of wood. When I looked at it questioningly, he said he was going to fashion a crutch for Sylvie so she could get around easier.

After we ate, the children and I cleaned up and Erik went to work on Sylvie's room. When we finished cleaning, I gathered the children by the fire and we had our schooling session then I left them to amuse themselves and went to Erik to tell him that I needed to get Sylvie some clothes. She could not keep wearing Mouse's clothes. Mouse got up to accompany me as he usually did but I told him I didn't need his help this time. Erik gave me the money I needed and I left. It was snowing now and the wind was bitter. Snow was beginning to form small drifts and in spite of my warm clothes, I was freezing by the time I got back. I put my purchases away and stood by the fire to get warm. Erik was giving Mouse his piano lesson and Sylvie was listening with a look of longing on her face.

"Erik, with everything else yesterday I forgot, we have a gift for Mouse." Mouse looked up from the keyboard, a look of surprise on his face. "Stay here, I'll go and get it." I went and got the flute and when I handed it to Mouse he looked at it in wonder then looked up at me and then at Erik, a question in his eyes.

"Yes Mouse it's for you." Erik said. Mouse put the flute to his lips and blew through it experimentally. Erik showed him the proper fingering and put him through some exercises.

"Erik, I think Sylvie might want to learn too but she's to shy to ask." I told him.

"Is that true Sylvie?" he asked. Shyly she nodded her head.

"Very well lessons will start tomorrow." He said and her smile lit up her face.

It had occurred to me while I was shopping that Christmas was coming, I had no doubt that Erik, and perhaps even the children had never had one to celebrate so I had bought a few secret gifts and hidden them until the time was right. I could not wait for my little surprise.

It was cold when I woke the morning before Christmas. I burrowed my head under the covers and backed myself against Erik's warm length. He threw his leg over mine and cupped my breast in his hand as he started nuzzling the back of my neck. I felt his growing maleness pressing against me and I was about to turn to him when the sound of giggling froze me in place. Erik's hand closed convulsively on my breast as he burrowed his head in the pillow. Cautiously I peeked out of the covers to see Mouse and Sylvie standing next to the bed smiling.

"Morning Madam, Monsieur, we made you breakfast." Sylvie said proudly. Mouse held up a breakfast tray that contained some misshapen and burnt biscuits, butter and a jam pot.

"I see. Well thank you so much children. If you would just sit it on the desk, we will be up in a moment. Why not go and have your own breakfast? We'll join you soon."

"With a new set of rules." Erik muttered under his breath as they trailed out. I smiled; Erik still had a death's grip on my breast.

"Ah love, you can let go now they're gone." Erik immediately loosened his hold.

"Sorry angel." He said as he sat up and then leaned over, lifting the covers to kiss my breast in apology. "We have got to set some ground rules. Besides what they could have walked in on in a few more minutes, I do not want them to walk in and see me without the mask. It would terrify them." He said dejectedly.

"Darling I don't think that they would care about your face. They have come to care for you, the person." I said softly.

"Angel you are one of a kind. You think that just because it doesn't bother you that others should feel the same, but believe me I know differently." He kissed my brow ending the discussion. He grabbed his robe and got up. "Now let's see about this breakfast that they…." he paused as he looked at the pathetic biscuits. I joined him and stood leaning my head against his arm.

"Well I suppose if we use a lot of jam…." I said doubtfully. "Well we can't hurt their feelings." I said as Erik cocked his brow at me in askance.

"Might I suggest cooking lessons Angel?" He said as he bit into a charred biscuit. Ruefully I agreed with him. We forced down a couple of the biscuits and then dressed. When we brought the tray out to the kitchen, I looked around in dismay. There was flour everywhere, pots and pans strewn around. The children jumped guiltily.

"Madam, we'll clean it up. We promise." Sylvie said worriedly. "Please don't be mad." Suddenly I heard Erik start to laugh. I had never heard him laugh like that before and quick tears came to my eyes. For that, alone I could not be mad at the children, anything to here that laugh.

"Sylvie, I could never be angry at you for this, you were giving us a surprise. Come I'll help you clean up and from now on you are to help me when I prepare meals so you can learn." Erik cleared his throat.

"Before you start clearing this err… mess, there is something Madam and I wish to make clear. Although we realize you meant well, from now on no more surprises from the kitchen until Madam says that you are ready to prepare a meal by yourself. Also, from now on bedrooms are off limits. If you need someone when they are in their bedroom knock on the outside or call out, do not go in until they say it is all right. It wouldn't do to walk in while someone was in a state of undress now would it." Mouse and Sylvie looked down at their feet. Sylvie looked as if she was about to cry. Erik's eyes softened. "Okay lecture over. Sylvie it is all right I'm not angry. Just laying some ground rules for future reference and it applies to all of us not just the two of you. Madam and I must respect your rooms as well." Sylvie looked up at him and he smiled at her. Mouse nodded his head in agreement.

The day crawled along. I couldn't wait until everyone was in bed asleep so that I could set up my surprise for the morning. Finally, it was time for bed. When the children were safely in their beds, I took Erik by the hand and led him to ours. As we undressed, I glanced over to find Erik watching me. He was already undressed. I could tell by the look on his face that he intended to finish what never got started this morning. I smiled at him as I stepped out of my clothes and stood running my eyes down his familiar form, his broad chest with its sprinkling of curly hair, down to his stomach on down to that which had already risen. I went to him and reached up pulling his face down to mine. I kissed him lightly, my lips barely brushing his. He reached for me but I eluded his arms and when he looked at me in puzzlement I took his arm leading him to the bed, I turned his back to it. I reached up and kissed him again and then I traced kisses down his chest. I nipped at his nipple and then licked it. Taking his erect flesh in my hand, I stroked it tenderly and then worked my kisses down across his stomach. I pushed him down upon the bed and continued kissing and nipping at his stomach. He gasped as my lips met his manhood. Hissing with indrawn breath as my tongue licked up its length and across and around the sensitive head, he reached down and pulled me up to him, rolling me over on my back. His mouth captured mine his tongue plundered my mouth. His hand reaching down, across my stomach, on down the inside of my thigh and then to my center, his fingers invading thrusting, his thumb rubbing that most sensitive of places. Warmth spread from my stomach. I tossed my head, moaning as his hand and fingers brought me to the point of release. His mouth left mine momentarily; he took my lower lip in his mouth, sucking on it, nipping it. Pulling back he looked at me his eyes dark with desire and then his mouth met mine again his tongue entering my mouth even as he entered me. I whimpered at the heavenly sensations as he filled me, our joined bodies dancing in an ever increasing fevered pitch until a last, clutching each other tightly we reached or release. Breathing heavily, he leaned his forehead against mine, and then slowly kissed my bruised lips. When he finally slipped from my body he cradled me against him, his hand cupping my breast possessively and finally he fell asleep. I lay there for a while and then cautiously moving his hand, I got up quietly.

Grabbing my robe I checked to make sure Erik still slept, and went out, gathering my gifts from their hiding places. I then placed my gifts at the base of the piano. For Mouse I had gotten a new set of clothes and a shiny new pair of boots. He was outgrowing his old clothes and badly needed new shoes. For Sylvie I had gotten a violin. It was old but had a sweet sound. Erik had been difficult but I finally found a Celtic friendship ring in white gold. The jeweler had given me an odd look when I told him what to inscribe. It said "For my man of the shadows with love. Jenny". I had put it in a small box with a card with his name attached and set it on top of the piano. I crept back to bed and slid back under the covers. Erik shifted and mumbled in his sleep, reaching out and pulling me against him. I fell asleep.

When I awoke, Erik was already awake and dressed. He smiled down at me and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Time to get up sleepyhead, the children will be up soon." and he leaned over and kissed my forehead. I got up and dressed, secretly excited about the surprise that I had for them. Erik sat and watched me dress a small smile on his face. We went to the living area and the children were already there, standing side by side, broad smiles on their faces. I looked toward my small collection of gifts and found that there were more gifts next to mine. I looked at Erik in surprise and he had a smug smile on his face.

"Do you think that you could hide anything from me?" he whispered taking my hand and pulling me to him. "Mouse told me that he saw you hiding things and Sylvie guessed what they were for so we got our own secret gifts. Come shall we open them." He said as he kissed my temple.

The children had given us some drawings that they had done and framed which we admired. They had given each other simple toys that they had made. While the children opened the gifts that I had given them, I gave Erik the box with the ring in it and he handed me yet another exquisite handmade music box, this one was round and of redwood, with tiny blue and white butterflies painted around the sides. There was an engraved plaque in the lid, "To my angel of light who brings so much joy." Tears came to my eyes and I turned to find Erik holding the ring looking at the inscription. He had an odd look on his face.

"Erik? What's wrong?"

"No one ever gave me a gift before. It's beautiful." He slipped the ring on his right ring finger and pulled me to him. "Thank you my angel." he said and kissed me. We heard giggling and turned to find the children looking at us with grins on their faces. We smiled at each other and then gave the children each a big hug and kiss.

"Merry Christmas everyone." I said happily.

After breakfast, the rest of the morning and afternoon we spent singing and playing Christmas carols. A slight headache began plaguing me and I begged out by saying I needed to get supper started. I listened to them as I prepared our Christmas feast. When asked to join in I smiled and declined saying I would rather listen. Erik looked at me and frowned slightly when he saw me rubbing my temples. He stopped playing.

"Children go ahead go play with your toys." He told them and when they left the room he came to me "Angel is your head bothering you." He asked.

"A bit, it'll pass." he put his hands on my shoulders and started to massage them working the kinks out, then my neck. After a while, he led me over to the settee and sat down pulling me down next to him and putting his arm around me. I leaned against him and dozed off. When I woke, we had our supper and then I went to bed early.

The next day I woke to a scratchy throat and heavy head. I got up and went about my morning routine in silence, coughing slightly. Erik looked at me in concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I just have a bit of a cold. I'll be alright." I tried to reassure him but he continued to look worried. The rest of the day went by in a fog and by evening, I was feeling even worse, by the next day, my cough was worse but I was still sure that I just had a cold. A bad cold. Erik fussed over me like a mother hen. I had never seen that side of him before and at first, it was enduring but as the day wore on it got a little tiresome. By evening though, I was too miserable to care and had to admit that I was getting a fever. I spent a miserable night my very bones ached. When my coughing wouldn't stop, I got up to get some tea and lay down on the settee hoping that I wouldn't disturb Erik, and fell into a feverish doze. In the morning, Erik came out looking for me and seeing me lying on the settee swore as he picked me up and carried me to bed. He wouldn't let me get up and he and the children did all the chores. He fed me soup and chamomile tea but my fever continued to get worse. I really don't remember much after that.