The carriage made its way past the muddy roads of southern Europe. It had not been difficult to leave Paris, at least not so as anticipated. Renzo had brought around the carriage to Chateau de Chagny, and had simply informed staff and family alike that Madame de Chagny was to go and live with her remaining family in the country. The Vicomte had graciously accepted his story, happy to rid himself of her in a sociably acceptable way. Raoul's mother, still alive, had heavily protested against the departure of the child, but Renzo had assured her Christine would not leave without her and she would be well taught by the country's most excellent governesses. In truth, no preparations had been made whatsoever. He had no idea what he was going to do with her. In the end, he had decided to send Renzo ahead with a key and a money belt.

'Take the money and buy whatever needed to provide for such a child. Prepare one of the guestrooms as her own, with an adjoining room for her nurse (meaning Nicole). This key unlocks the Secret Chambers, they are to be readied for Madame de Chagny. The less staff goes there, the better. I trust you and Franca to know your business..."

Renzo raced his horse across the fields, his heart pounding at such an assignment! He held the keys to the Secret Chambers, the part of the Palazzo where no one but the master had been. There had always been rumors of a lost lover, back when the master still lived in Paris, and suddenly Renzo knew deep down that all of it was true and that the lady in question was now being brought home!

Whether Christine would actually arrive in Venice alive, was something the passengers of the carriage seriously feared. Nicole sat quietly in her place, cradling the child who had luckily fallen asleep. Fate it seemed, had bestowed on her her mother's looks. A wild bunch of dark curls peeking out from underneath her small hat, and a pair of inquisitive hazel eyes, that had curiously wandered in all directions before finally landing on his face. He had expected the child to back away or cry with fear, however she had not. Nor did the journey seem to bother her much, enjoying every minute of it and crying out at each cow or sheep she saw along the road, tilting her head in laughter. The only thing she did not seem to comprehend was her mother's silence. Her nurse had whispered at her that maman was very tired and needed to rest, but she had looked at the sky and babbled. "But there is no stars!"

Nicole had been shocked to find her mistress in such a state, claiming that though pale, her fevers had not been noticeable the evening prior. This gave him some hope that the disease had not yet spread far. Giving her some medication to make her at least sleep peacefully throughout their journey, he had lifted her in the carriage where she was now sleeping in the warm comfort of his cape. His closeness to her was surely not proper under normal circumstances, but Nicole was too tired and too scared to even mention it. She had no idea who this gentleman was, where he had come from, or how long he had known Christine de Chagny. When she had dared ask him for their destination his reply had been brief. " Italy. Venice. My Manor."

Franca Barbari hastily crossed the long corridor to the place she would normally never venture. This part of the Palazzo, near the master's own chambers, had come to be known among the staff as "Le Camere Segrete", the Secret Chambers. Master kept it well locked and shielded from the world, and would sometimes spend hours on end in them. No one knew what the rooms contained, or why master was so keen at keeping them hidden, but there were rumors the Chambers were a lament, a tribute to a long lost, but never forgotten lover. The man was a brilliant architect and a very accomplished musician and poet, but no woman had ever been permitted into his life or his domain. Franca shook her head, how she had wished for her master to find love, perhaps it would shed some light on his dark ways, and shield them all from his sudden bursts of outrage! And now her brother had returned from Paris, with his money belt and his keys, breathlessly relating to her his story. Master was returning from Paris, he was perhaps one day behind, bringing with him a Contessa and her child, as well as her lady's maid. All must be accommodated for, the Secret Chambers were to be opened! Franca had stared at him.

"He brings home a child? He knows not what to do with a woman in this house, let alone a child!" Renzo tried to give her a scolding look, but could not help but smile.

"I believe his intentions were for the woman alone, but plans seem to have changed. That's why I was given the money. The child has a nurse to care for her, a very pretty one at that, but we need clothing, food, toys for her to have. Maestro was in such an urge to leave quickly, there was no time to pack anything at all! And the lady is very ill, I hope she will survive her trip or we will all have hell to pay for!"

And so there she was, in front of the locked door. She carefully turned the key, the lock was very smooth as if used often. What she beheld inside was beyond her immagination. The chambers had been delicately decorated, to suit a noble lady's every need!

Walls covered in the finest silk, ceilings painted in light soothing colours and images of the heavens and angels, angels all around. A sitting room with a small but exquisitely decorated pianoforte awaiting its musician in one corner, a wall cabinet filled with books, sheet music, theater plays on the other end. Wandering through to the next room she discovered a bed filled with the softest pillows, sheets of the softest satin, closets filled with breathtaking gowns for each occasion...

Franca let out a sigh. To find a man who loves you so dearly he would create all this for you and you alone. But she knew she had to hurry. If the master was indeed so close at arriving, she wouldn't have much time and the last thing she wanted was for him to find her spying about! She drew back the curtains and opened the windows to let sunshine and fresh air into the rooms. She turned back the bed, only to notice it had recently been slept in...She thought she could see the outlines of dried tears on one of the pillows, but decided it safer not to dwell on the thought for too long. There was nothing more she could do, the chambers had been so impeccably kept, without a maid ever coming there! She turned around, walked out of the rooms and locked the door behind her, ignoring the curious looks from the maids she encountered in the hallway.

Where to put the girl? She decided on an ensuite room on the far end of the hallway. This way the nurse could easily reach the child, the mother could visit as often as she wanted, yet the room was far enough from the master's chambers as not to wake him should the child cry at night. She could not immagine his reaction at being deprived of his sleep by an infant! The room was somewhat dark, but in the short time she had left it would have to do. After preparing the room to be inhabited, she ran to the market square to purchase the requested items. A few teddybears would surely brighten the rooms dressed in dark greens and blues!

Later that evening, just as dinner was being prepared, the master's carriage arrived through the main gate. Renzo and Franca both ran outside to meet the weary travelers, but before they could reach the carriage they were already met by their master, walking past them in grave silence, carrying a ghostly figure in his arms.

"Renzo, my keys. Now!"

Renzo hurried after his master, after quickly looking around towards the carriage. Franca understood his message. As she turned around she noticed a pale, blond girl making her way from the carriage all by herself, cradling a small child. The child looked very sleepy as if rudely awakened in her slumbers, rubbing her eyes while curiously looking around. Franca could not help but smile. what an angel! She approached them, happy she had learned some French from the master's books for she doubted the girl would speak any Italian.

"You must be the lady's maid, yes? You have come to take care of the little signorina?"

The girl nodded at her happily, and curtsied shortly.

"I am Nicole...and this is mademoiselle Céline de Chagny."

Upon hearing her name the little girl looked up at Nicole. Suddenly in her sleepy weariness, an outburst of tears came.

"I want my maman!"

Nicole and Franca both ran to hush the child, realising it would be some time before she would be reunited with her mother.