Chapter 6

January to February 1875

The next two weeks went by in a flurry of activity as we prepared for the wedding. Even though it was just Madeline, the children and us, Erik insisted we have a formal wedding. Erik dyed his mask to as close to flesh colored as he could. Early one morning while Madeline and I worked on wedding clothes he went to check out a piece of property Madeline had heard about. When he returned he smiled. We now were property owners.

The remaining days before the wedding, he was spending at our new home, moving in furniture and preparing it for us. It was the first time since we met that we had been apart, the first time since we shared a bed that we slept alone. Parting was not easy, I was worried that something might happen while he was gone. That someone might question the story we told. I walked him to the carriage in silence determined not to voice my fears.

"I'll be fine angel." He said softly as he embraced me. I looked at him in consternation. I thought I had covered my feelings so well.

"Erik how is it you always seem to know what's in my mind?"

"I keep telling you that you can't hide anything from me. Your heart is written in your beautiful blue eyes. I am going to miss you but I will be back the day before the wedding. I love you my angel." He breathed.

"Then there is something else we have in common. Our children will never be able to lie to us." I smiled at him but there was some sadness hidden from me in his eyes.

"Love, Sylvie and Mouse are enough aren't they? Would you mind so very much if…Now is not a good time for this discussion I really need to get going if I'm to get there before nightfall." and he kissed me, slowly and deeply, as if memorizing my mouth.

"I'm going to miss you so much Erik." I said just as Mouse and Sylvie ran out for their goodbye hugs and kisses. We stood and watched him drive away in our new carriage, and then we got back to the business of getting a wedding planned, forgetting momentarily his enigmatic comment.

Just as planned, he arrived back the night before the wedding. I ran out to greet him when I heard the carriage arrive. The children started to follow but Madeline made them stay and set the table for supper giving us a moment alone. Madeline's groom came to take the horse and carriage to the stable. Erik caught me as I threw myself at him.

"I missed you so mu…" I didn't have a chance to finish before his mouth crushed mine, his arms pulling me against him, pressing me against his hard body. Then, with great effort, he pushed me from him.

"Just one more night." He said raggedly. "Tomorrow after the wedding I'll take you to our new home. The children and Madeline will follow in a week with the rest of our belongings. We will have the house to ourselves for a week. It will be as if it was the first time." We walked back to the house and the children eagerly greeted their Papa Erik. The night crawled by, suppertime came and we nearly forgot to eat, watching each other, thinking of the coming day. Madeline watched us watching each other with amusement and wistful remembrance in her gaze.

"Erik did things go well?" Madeline asked breaking the tension.

"Uh, yes." He said breaking his eyes away from mine. "I have hired two grooms, Antoine and Pierre Fremont. They are brothers. Antoine's wife is to come in twice a week to help with the housework. There are certain rooms that will be strictly off limits though. I am paying them enough to keep any questions they may have to themselves. The furnishings are nearly complete." His eyes met mine for a moment, and then he stood up.

"I have some things to do yet." He said somewhat unsteadily and brushed my cheek with his fingers. "I'll see you tomorrow my angel." and he abruptly left the room. I left for my room soon after, certain I would not be able to sleep but surprisingly sleep did come.

The next morning when Madeline brought in a breakfast tray I was unable to eat. There was a hard knot of excitement in the pit of my stomach. In less than three hours, I would be Erik's wife. I took a hot bath scented with gardenias and then carefully arranged my hair. One long reddish blonde ringlet fell in front of each ear and the rest of my curls swept up and back, falling down my back. Next, my dress of white lace, the rounded bodice came just above my breasts and had a ruffle of more lace around the top. The sleeves puffed out slightly at the top and then fit my arms snugly the rest of the way to my wrist. The skirt was slightly full with a train that flowed behind. A coronet of gardenias held the veil of lace in place, the veil shadowing my face.

"Oh mama you're beautiful." Sylvie sighed. I looked at Sylvie with her golden ringlets arranged, as mine were, her pink lace dress, a child's version of my own. She had pink ribbons entwined around her crutch and the basket of flowers hung from the crutch in such a way that she could scatter the petals with her other hand as she preceded me.

"So are you Sylvie. You are very beautiful too." I said and hugged her. Madeline came in then smiling.

"It's time my dear. The bear is grumbling downstairs demanding to see his bride. He is very anxious to make you his wife." I could swear she was on the verge of laughter. "Sylvie as soon as you hear the music you start to come down the stairs. Mouse will meet you at the bottom and then walk to where we practiced. Jenny will follow five paces behind. Ready."

"Ready." Sylvie said grinning. A tight knot gripped my stomach and I clutched my bouquet.

"Shall we go?" I whispered and we went to the head of the stairs as the music began. Sylvie carefully made her way down the stairs scattering petals as she went. Although Erik could not see me yet, I could see him and the pride in his eyes as Sylvie came down the stairs shown. She was in truth his daughter in all ways but blood. Then it was my turn. I slowly came down the stairs, not taking my eyes from his beautiful face. He looked up from Sylvie and with an audible gasp, stood there looking at me, mouth slightly open, adoration in his eyes.

The rest of the wedding went by in a blur with certain images that stuck out. We exchanged our vows and he slipped the ring over my finger. He lifted the veil and his eyes drinking in my face, slowly kissed me and I was his wife. It was short but beautiful and all too soon we had to change to traveling clothes. Madeline promised that she would pack my wedding dress carefully. Erik helped me up into the carriage and we were on our way to our new home.

Several hours later found us on a road with very little traffic. Trees were getting thicker and closer together while houses grew fewer and farther between. Finally, we came to a narrow lane lined by oak trees and Erik turned the horses down the lane. He started glancing at me as we approached the house to see my expression. It was charming. It was a two story stone manor house. Ivy framed the front door and ran up trellises all around the house.

He stopped the carriage in front of the house and we got out of the carriage, a groom came and took the carriage to the stables. As we approached the door, Erik swept me from my feet and carried me over the threshold, whirling me around before setting me back down.

"Welcome home Madame des Ombres. " He whispered and kissed me. We were standing in a large entryway. Directly in front of us was a flight of stairs. There were entryways on each side. Behind the stairs there were two doors, one led into a library, the walls lined with bookshelves. There were two leather sofas facing each other and two matching armchairs. Erik led me through the entryway on the left into a hallway. On one side, there was a sitting room with two red brocade settees, a matching chair and a light oak desk and chair. Red velvet drapes hung from the window. On the other side there was a music room with the grand piano central, a stand that held Sylvie's violin and another that held Mouse's flute, a red velvet couch and two chairs facing the piano, against the wall was a flight of stairs. At the end of the hall and joining the music room was a glassed in green room with a profusion of plants growing, there were two pink marble benches to sit on and French doors led to a covered patio. Through the entryway on the right was the kitchen which had a large stone fireplace, a wood burning stove, a pantry, a sink and oak counters, a small kitchen table and chairs and set of stairs that led down to a cold room. A formal dining room was adjacent to the kitchen, the table and chairs were of heavy oak as was the sideboard. There was also a water closet and a bathing room. Upstairs Erik showed me two guest rooms, one in pale yellow with a light wood four poster bed, a light wood desk and chair, dresser and nightstands, which was to be Madeline's room. The other guest room was more of a russet theme with a maple four-poster, dresser, nightstands, and desk and chair. There was another water closet and bathing room. Another room could be either a sewing room or whatever I wished he claimed but I already had an idea what it would become.

He then showed me the children's rooms. Sylvie's room was in pale rose. Her bed was a white canopy bed with pale rose comforters and pillow. She had a white wood nightstand, dresser, bookshelves, desk and chair. We then went to Mouse's room. His was all in a medium blue with pine wood furnishings. There was a playroom between their bedrooms.

Then he led me into the master bedroom. The walls were of medium green wallpaper with gold trim. The drapes of dark green velvet covered the two windows, our bed placed between the two windows. Again, we had dark green velvet comforters. There were brass nightstands with glass tops on each side. There was a dresser and a vanity with an ornate mirror attached. Against the wall opposite, the bed was a fireplace. Through one door was a study for Erik. Bookcases lined the wall, a heavy desk and chair sat in the middle of the room. To one side was a couch, to the other the staircase that led to the music room. On the other side of the bedroom, the other doorway led to its own private water closet and bathing room. The tub in the bathing room seemed extra large. There was room for two in it.

"What do you think, wife of mine, angel of my heart." He said tenderly.

"Oh Erik it's all so wonderful." I reached up and kissed him. He looked at me hunger burning in his eyes. His hands went to the pins in my hair releasing it to flow around my shoulders.

"You are so beautiful." He breathed as he ran his fingers through my hair. For the second time since we had been together, I felt suddenly shy. "My bride blushes. My wife, my angel." he whispered and he bent to kiss me, lips just brushing mine. Just hearing him call me his wife, made my stomach do a funny little flip flop. His hands moved slowly up my body, cupping and caressing my breasts through the material of my dress. I reached up pushing the sleeves of his jacket off his arms. His waistecoat followed and then he turned me from him. Raising my hair from my neck, he placed soft kisses at its base around to the side of my neck and then softly nipped at my earlobe. His hands caressing down the front of my dress and then back to the line of buttons at the back. Slowly unbuttoning, placing a kiss on the exposed flesh as each one came free. He slid the dress from my shoulders placing kisses and nips across my shoulders as he freed my arms from the sleeves. The dress slid down and I stepped from it, my petticoat soon following. He pulled me back against him, his hardness pushing against my back, one hand caressing my breast the other sliding slowly down across my stomach. I closed my eyes leaning back against him relishing in the warmth that spread from his touch. He turned me to him, again his lips just barely touching mine, his tongue tasting my lips.

"Erik I love you." I whispered against his lips. "My husband, my love." and I carefully removed his mask and then his wig placing them on the vanity next to me. Again, our lips met and he lifted me and carried me to the bed, my mouth hungrily pulling his lower lip into mine. He laid me back on the bed and kissed my throat, my shoulders and the tip of each breast. His hands then slid my under drawers down and off. He stood there watching my face as he slowly undressed, his desire readily apparent. He came and took my leg placing soft kisses up the inside of my thigh, across my stomach. I pushed out to him burning for his touch. He teased, touching, caressing, kissing everywhere but that place which wanted it most. His mouth met mine once again, his tongue wrapping against mine, and then a whisper touch of his hand and I was opening myself to his seeking fingers. Waves of heat rolling from me as his fingers entered and withdrew, exploring the secrets of my most intimate of places, his other hand massaging, caressing my breast. I was writhing with the tender torture. His mouth left mine and worked its way down across my stomach. His tongue touched, joining his fingers in exploration. My body arched as spasm after spasm rocked my body. His mouth then traveled back up and I captured his lower lip, sucking it, nipping it. I kissed his neck and slowly reached my hand down over his stomach until I reached his throbbing length. Slowly I slid my hand up and down its length. He closed his eyes and hissed with indrawn breath at my touch. I lightly brushed my fingers across the tip and then closed my hand around it increasing pressure as I stroked and caressed him. Finally, with a groan he pulled my hand away and slowly sheathed himself in my body, moving slowly, rhythmically slow heat building and building until slow, intense waves of rapture pulsed through my body. Our bodies shuddering in time, holding each other tightly until finally panting, we were no longer one. Finally, he rolled to one side, his hand wrapped in my hair, gently kissing my eyes, the tip of my nose, my mouth.

"Each time we make love is as magical as the first. Angel I love you so much. " he whispered as he stroked my hair. I caressed his face, smiling at him.

"You make me feel in ways I never thought possible. You are my heart, my love, my life dear husband." I said softly and kissed him.

We lay in each other's arms for a while until a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten anything that day.

"Hungry?" I asked him. He smiled at me a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"For you, always." he said as he gently bit my neck. I hit him playfully.

"I meant for food." I said as his teeth playfully nipped at my breast. He sat back with a sigh.

"Well if you insist we can see what Delia laid out for us. Before I left I told her to leave us a cold plate today." He said as got up and grabbed his robe. I got up and followed suit. We went to the kitchen and made our trays of cold chicken, cheese, fruit and bread. It was cold in the kitchen and we took our trays and went back to our bedroom. We sat the trays on the desk and Erik started a fire in the fireplace. We sat side by side, feeding each other tidbits, our eyes locked. I fed Erik a piece of cheese and he grabbed my wrist and kissed it lightly on up the inside of my arm. Then he stood and led me back to the bed.

"Now its time to feed my hunger." he whispered and soon our bodies and souls were again joined.

The next morning we were slow to rise. Erik lay with his arm around me in his favorite position with one hand over my breast. I settled back against him, prepared to doze off again, when his hand began to stir gently caressing. His other hand slipped beneath me, and putting his hand on my stomach pulled me against him tighter, rocking his hard length against me. My body had an instant response to his caresses as his hands explored downward. His wandering hand discovered my body already prepared for him and pulling my pelvis back to him, he eased his way in. With slow short strokes, the fever slowly built. His hand caressing that secret place as we rocked soon had white hot heat spreading through my body in shuddering waves and soon his shudders joined mine. When his shudders ceased I turned to him and gently brushed his hair from his face.

"Morning husband, I love that word, husband." I whispered. He smiled at me, gently playing with my hair.

"Sleep well my wife, my angel." He said softly kissing my forehead.

"Mmm wonderful, I missed your arms around me when you were gone. The bed felt so empty. It seems I just can't sleep well without you."

"I didn't sleep well without you either. I spent my nights playing the piano, pretending I was playing for you. You have awakened something in me I never thought I possessed. You have shown me a love more powerful than I believed could exist. You will always be the angel of my heart." He kissed me softly. "Come, we should get up. There are a few riding horses for sell in town, I wanted to show them to you. See if you liked any of them."

"I've always loved horses Erik. In my old home I rode frequently." I said as I got up, Erik, watching me as I got up, his eyes roaming my body. I turned from him as I dressed, uncertain what his eyes might find. The words that he spoke the day I sent him off coming back to me.

"What is it love?" I started. I hadn't heard him come up behind me. He had dressed quickly.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "I was just wondering what I should fix you for breakfast."

"Don't you mean us?" He asked.

"I'm not really hungry this morning." His eyes quickly became concerned and he put his hand to my forehead.

"You're not becoming ill again are you." he asked worry in his eyes.

"I'm fine my love, better than fine." I kissed him. He looked at me uncertainly. "I promise." I said and led him to the kitchen.

After he had his breakfast, we walked to the stable hand in hand. He had his cape and hood on, hiding his masked face. He introduced me to Antoine and Pierre and then requested the carriage be made ready.

We arrived at the sales lot and two horses immediately stood out to me. Both were young, about five years old. The one I knew immediately would be a perfect match for Erik was a black stallion without a trace of white. The fire in his eye matched the passion in Erik's heart. The one I chose for myself was a flame red chestnut mare with flaxen mane and tail. She had a stripe down her face and a sock on her right hind leg. She nickered as I approached her and reached out to me snuffling me and nudging me for attention.

"Erik these two are perfect." I whispered. He smiled at me.

"These are the very one's I had chosen and that bay gelding for Madeline. I just wanted to be sure the mare was to your liking." Erik went to make the purchase and I led them to the back of the carriage and secured them. On the way home we threw names around until we had found the ones, we liked best. Erik's stallion was simply The Shadow. My mare became The Lady, the gelding was for Madeline to name. We arrived back home and had the horses stabled.

In the following days, we rode together exploring our new property. In the middle of the property was a small lake fed by a stream nestled at the base of a rocky hill and surrounded by a dense forest of pine trees. As we rode deeper into the forest, it suddenly opened up into a meadow. It was so peaceful and beautiful.