Disclaimer: I tried to kidnap the Phantom, but failed. Therefore, I own nothing.
AN: This is the last update before my new computer at work arrives and things start to slow for a bit. So until I get around this "no floppy drive at work" thing, I will have to write and post at home. However, thanks to summer reruns on TV, this shouldn't be much of a problem. Enjoy!
Chapter 6: Reflections and Budding Romance:
I was in a daze as we rode home in the carriage, my mind floating back to the wonderful evening that I had just spent with Erik. Our walk outside had been perfect for us to get to know one another in between dances. I couldn't believe how attentive Erik had been, fetching me drinks or food whenever he believed me to be in need of them. It was so wonderful to have a man hover over me, glaring at anyone who dared to interrupt our conversations about books, music, or ourselves.
'It had been especially funny to see Lillian Dubois practically choke on her tongue when Erik refused to dance with her, despite her flirting.'
I smiled at the memory. Lillian was what I considered a true Southern beauty, with glorious blonde hair, forget-me-not blue eyes, and a confident, charming smile. However, she always made me feel as though I were worse than dirt whenever we were in the same room together. That was why I couldn't help but feel smug when Erik merely told her to leave because she was interfering with his efforts to get to know a beautiful woman (meaning myself) better. Lillian's jaw had dropped before she pulled herself together and walked away in a huff.
'Now she'll be sure to try and embarrass me at the next party.' I sighed. 'Oh, well.'
At least Mama was happy. She had seen me dance with Erik, and her thoughts were now likely drifting towards Erik proposing to me within the next few weeks…which I was sure would never happen. True, Erik had been very attentive to me, as well as charming, but that didn't mean that he wanted to marry me! Goodness, it had only been one ball! How could my mother be planning my marriage off of one encounter with a man?
'Because that man has been the only one ever interested in you!' exclaimed a voice in the back of my mind.
Well, that was true. It didn't help that Erik didn't recognize me from the day I had spent at his bedside, caring for him. Of course, I hadn't brought it up, and he had been feverish at the time, so it was likely that he thought that it had all been a hallucination. Still, Erik was unusually interested in me, so I suppose that it would be alright to allow Mother her fantasy of planning the perfect wedding, even if the event never actually occurred in the future.
Glancing across from me, I noticed that Papa was frowning at the floor, apparently deep in thought. His brow was creased, and he was running his fingers over his thinning hair, which meant that his thoughts were troubling him and would continue to do so for quite some time. Although he wasn't looking at me, I knew what he was thinking about: me and Erik, dancing together the whole night in each other's arms, and he didn't like it one bit, Papa being the protective man that he was.
I sighed again as I turned my gaze to the window of the carriage. The moment the Ball had officially ended, Erik had kissed my hand and bid me goodnight, which I eagerly returned. Just as Erik was about to say something else, however, Papa came up to us with a furious and disapproving look on his face. It seemed as though Erik wanted to say something harsh to him, but I touched his arm to stop him. Instead, my partner for the evening had looked at me and bowed, giving my hand another kiss before leaving me to take Papa's arm and walk towards the door.
'How embarrassing that was!' I inwardly winced. 'To think of Papa and Erik fighting in the middle of the ballroom, all because of Papa's protectiveness! I would never hear the end of it, and neither would my family!'
Well, at least Philip appeared to have had an uneventful night concerning Mama and Papa. My little brother had been quite popular with the young ladies this evening, and he was now falling into a light doze as we rode towards home. From what I had heard from Mama, Philip had spent the entire evening dancing, chatting with friends and young ladies, and laughing up a storm over the silliest jokes. Well, his success at the Ball only made Mama happier about the evening, so I said nothing and didn't even try to tease my brother about being popular with the girls.
Instead, I leaned back in my seat and decided to take a light nap, a pair of green-gray eyes and a white mask dancing within my mind.
As Marcus directed the carriage back towards the house, Erik could not keep his mind off of Clara, the young woman that he spent the evening with. She had been so sweet, so gentle, so happy and so willing to be with him that he felt he must have been dreaming. During the course of the night, he had repeatedly (and discreetly) pinched himself just to be sure that he was, in fact, at a public event with a woman on his arm (and in his arms), and that he was enjoying it.
'I never thought I would find public outings enjoyable,' he thought, watching the shadowy trees drift past his window. 'Never in all my years did I ever dream of a woman willingly grace me with her company and presence, dancing in my arms and talking with me about ordinary things like books and music.'
Well, perhaps with Christine he would have talked about music…
He grit his teeth. 'NO! She is of my past! She made her choice, and it was that boy that she chose.'
Now he was sure his fate lay with another girl, a girl with brown hair and chocolate eyes that stared so wonderfully up at him whenever they danced or talked. And the way she fluttered her fan when she was nervous or shy during their conversations…it was so adorable and appealing that Erik found himself looking forward to seeing it again and again. He wanted to know every little quirk and detail about her, just so he had the thrill of discovering them.
'But I must move carefully this time,' he thought with determination. 'I am no longer the Phantom of the Opera; I must win Clara as any normal man would.'
And as horrible as it was for him to think it, it was a blessing that she had no other suitors that he had to compete with; she was completely his for the taking, with nothing standing in the way of his wooing of her…besides her father. The blasted man had interrupted Erik's near request for Clara to meet him at the next public tea party thrown by the Brooks', which was to occur in a week's time. In all likelihood, he would see her anyway, given that she had been at the previous one, the one where he had first (unofficially) met her.
'And this time, the party is sure to be much more pleasurable and entertaining than the others.' Of that, he was sure.
Sighing in contentment, Erik leaned back in his seat and watched the countryside go by.
I couldn't help but be thrilled as I readied myself for the Brooks' tea party; after all, if Erik were to be there, I would have to look my best. And of course, once I had realized the possibility of Erik being in attendance, I had practically attacked my wardrobe, searching for something that would hopefully keep Erik's interest in me. I spent hours rejecting one dress after another, thinking them too modest or too revealing; I did not want to look like the flirts who usually threw themselves at men, and yet I didn't want to appear as a shy old maid, either.
Finally, on the day of the party, I settled upon one of my simple white dresses, this one with a blue sash that, when wound around my waist, would give me a fairly appealing figure. Mother had bought it for me quite some time ago, and I had never felt the need to wear it until now. It was very elegant, made from a very light, thin, white cotton fabric that would keep me cool during the day, and a trimming of lace around the shoulders and hem, which very much resembled a cloud. The blue sash added a touch of color that I liked very much, and secretly hoped that Erik would like, too.
As desperate as it sounded, I truly wanted his attention and affections; after all, what woman doesn't want to feel wanted and cherished by someone? I had waited so long for a man to notice and take interest in me, and I did not want to let that wonderful feeling get away because I didn't try to look my best for him. Hopefully Erik would find me at least pleasant-looking in my new dress…
I quickly shook any sad emotions from my mind and focused on putting my hair into place. It was difficult, since the two popular styles of today consisted of either wearing it up or wearing it down and I looked good in neither one. Finally, I decided to clip the side locks of my hair into a small ponytail at the back of my head, letting the rest of my hair hang down in a wave. My hair was normally straight, but if it dried the right way, it would have a light wave to it. I was rather proud of the fact that my hair wasn't bone-straight, as Mama's was; she called my hair 'stubborn' whenever I tried to pin it up in a bun, but I thought it was nice to have a bit of 'unique texture' to my hair.
Once I felt I was ready, I made sure to snatch up a straw hat, one that had a blue ribbon around it to fasten it securely to my head. That way, if I went outdoors (which I doubted would happen), it would keep the hot Southern sun off of my face. Feeling unusually happy and confident, I made my way downstairs and to the carriage, where Henry stood waiting for me.
Standing in front of the floor-length mirror, Erik nervously smoothed his navy-blue vest so as not to let it wrinkle. To think, the former Opera Ghost, nervous about a tea party! Oh, how the Populaire's managers and staff would laugh to hear those words. And for him to be willingly in front of a mirror, trying to look his best would have had the Populaire's staff in hysterics.
'But those days are behind me,' he thought, straightening his black coat and adjusting the neck ruffle at the collar so that it was straight. 'Now, something new lies ahead of me, something that I will not so easily release.'
Clara…oh, how he hoped he looked appropriate for her! True, Erik had always done his best to look his best, his clothing always custom-made just for him and always consisting of the newest fashions, but today he had to look his absolute best.
'Well, as good as a man in a mask can possibly look.' That part he couldn't help but think in bitter tones.
But Clara did not see Erik as he viewed himself. She laughed and traded jokes with him, and allowed him to hold her hand in his or tucked in the crook of his elbow. She smiled at him and treated him as though he were any other man, as though he were…human.
'Which is why I cannot let her go,' he thought, grabbing an ebony walking cane with an ivory rose as the handle.
But unlike the situation with Christine, this courtship would be willing on both sides, with Clara freely giving him her heart. He would do his absolute best to sweep her off her feet and keep her high in the clouds as long as he had to, and he would attend any and all functions that she did so that she would never have that sad, forlorn look that he had previously seen on her face. A face such as hers did not deserve to have tears streaming down it, and a woman with her warmth did not deserve to be alone.
And neither did he. Tucking a long, thin box into the pocket of his coat, Erik went out to his carriage.
I was a nervous wreck by the time we arrived at the Brooks' mansion. Mama and Papa had decided to come with me at the last moment, and had managed to talk Philip to attend as well. Oh, I wish they hadn't come! How would I be able to speak to Erik alone if Papa tried to keep him away from me?
'Well, there is nothing I can do about it now,' I thought as Papa helped Mama and I out of the carriage, Philip following close behind.
A butler bowed and led us straight to Martha Brooks, who was looked extraordinarily cheerful today. Papa and Mama stood in front of Philip and I, as was proper when approaching our hostess; Mama stood on the right while Papa took a place on her left. Philip stood behind Mama, and I placed myself behind Papa as I watched Martha shine her glorious smile on us in welcome.
"Oh, my dear friends!" she cried, holding a hand out to us, which Mama took in her own. "Richard and Camilla Savoy, you look marvelous! That lovely violet dress does wonders for you, Camilla, it truly does." The older woman turned her attention to my brother. "Goodness, little Philip, you've grown so much since I last saw you!" Martha's joyful laughter filled the air, and everyone around her, including my family, smiled in response to the sound.
A gentle hand, gloved in soft black leather, suddenly gripped my left elbow, and I could tell through his touch that it was Erik. I turned and found myself looking at the top of a blue vest with gold buttons. Goodness, he was tall, even taller than Papa! My head just barely reached the center of his chest, which was currently in my line of vision. I followed his shirt buttons up to the shirt and straight into Erik's handsome face and green-gray eyes. My breath caught in my throat as a smile tugged at his lips, looking as though he were pleased to see me. I couldn't help but blush and wish that I had brought my fan with me.
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle," he whispered in that marvelous voice of his.
I did my best not to sigh. Everything sounded so wonderful when he spoke in French! "Hello." My reply was soft, as I was still cursing myself for not bringing a way to hide the red in my cheeks.
"Would you care to join me for something cool to drink?"
I swallowed hard before accepting his offered arm, completely forgetting that my family was standing behind me. I doubted that they would miss my presence, though, as Martha was sure to keep my parents locked in a stream of chatter while Philip roamed around, charming young girls. Instead, I turned my attention to the handsome man leading me to a dark corner where I could spot two chairs waiting beside a small table. On top sat two tall glasses of lemonade.
As I sat down, I couldn't help but admire how handsome Erik was today. He was darkly mysterious in his black coat, which covered a white shirt and dark blue vest with gold buttons. Neatly pressed, tight black pants clung to his long legs, and polished black shoes clad his feet. With his black hair smoothed back to perfection and his face a golden tan, the white mask on his face stood out like a half-moon in the night sky. I saw a black walking cane in his hand, and couldn't help the elegantly carved rose that formed the handle. Goodness, what could a man like this see in a girl like me?
"You look lovely today, mon cherie." Erik's voice drifted over me, causing the heat in my cheeks to become hotter.
'Oh, my, he could melt butter with that voice and his French accent,' I couldn't help thinking. 'Thank goodness I'm sitting down! I wonder if his voice has this effect on everyone he speaks with?'
I merely smiled shyly and took up my glass of lemonade, taking a sip of the liquid to occupy myself while I tried to keep my blush from spreading. I heard Erik chuckle softly beside me, and I couldn't help but look over at him. There was an amused smile on his lips as he also drank his lemonade, though his eyes never left me. I couldn't resist smiling back at him, which only made him put his drink down as he fully grinned at me.
"Perhaps, when you are finished with your drink, you would care to join me for a walk outside," he said, his grin turning into a soft, affectionate smile. "Before the day becomes too hot, I mean."
I did my best not to swallow my tongue. Go walking with him? Alone? That was quite a step forward in the realm of courting someone. Last night had merely been dancing and walking around in public, with numerous people surrounding us. Walking around another person's plantation alone with the opposite sex was…well, it was quite a bold move in saying how much affection one had for another. Still, who was to say when I would again receive this sort of attention from a man?
"I would like that very much…" I hesitated, not knowing whether to address him formally or not. I decided to be bold for once in my life. "Erik."
I saw him take a sharp breath, as though my saying his name put him under a spell. Perhaps it did, for the moment I set down my empty glass, his hand reached out to me, seeming to need it tightly wrapped in his. I slipped my bare fingers into his gloved ones and let him sneak me out of the room and into the bright Southern sunshine.
He had never been one for sunlight and daytime walks, but since his arrival in America, Erik had found himself enjoying them. Whenever he was unable to focus on his music, or when he was feeling restless, a walk through his new lands had become a force of habit for him. He found that he liked looking at flowers during their blooming seasons, and crunching through fresh snow was very refreshing and delightful to someone who had spent many years in an underground cavern.
As a result of this newfound hobby, his once pale skin was now a golden tan, which some (like Martha Brooks) considered a good look for him. In truth, it was the tan that enabled him to look in the mirror more often. While far from being vain, Erik found himself liking his tan reflection a bit more and more, now that nobody fled from him in horror because of his face. Having had little self-confidence throughout his whole life, Erik found that he could now look at himself in the mirror without hating what was staring back at him from behind the glass.
'And now I am walking through a flowery garden with a lovely young woman on my arm.'
Erik couldn't help but smile at his present situation. He was sure that the two of them made a lovely picture, though he truly wished he could have someone capture it. Clara was a lovely vision in white, and the blue sash around her waist and on her straw hat perfectly matched the blue in his vest; he was glad that he had chosen the color, even though he hadn't known what she would wear to the tea party. And since they were surrounded by numerous kinds of flowers, trees, birds, and statues, Erik personally felt that it would be the perfect setting for a romantic walk with a lady.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked, his gloved hand still holding her right one in the safety of his left elbow. "We could return to the house, if you'd like." Which he hoped she didn't.
"No, it's quite nice outside today," she said, smiling up at him. "Spring is always a good time for walks; summer gets too hot, so I usually stay inside and mend my winter dresses or read in the library. Sometimes I'll go out for a ride on my horse, but mostly I stay where it is cool."
Erik chuckled. "I am not fond of heat, myself," he admitted with a smile. "A cool parlor and a glass of something cold while I am composing does a great deal for one on a hot day."
"You compose?" Clara asked, looking up at him with surprise. "How wonderful!"
"Thank you," he said, trying to look humble as he accepted her praise.
"Did you learn to compose in France?"
"No, I had no teacher. I merely taught myself the notes and rhythms, which I found in books." He looked at her, finding a rather wishful look in her eyes. "Are you alright, Clara?"
"Hmm?" She looked up at him with a blush. "Oh, yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking how I wish I could go to France and see everything there." Clara sighed again. "I would love to see Europe…"
"Then why not just go?" 'Though I would rather take you there myself,' he thought with an inward smirk.
"Oh, Papa wouldn't pay for me to go to Europe."
"Why not?" The sight of Clara looking up at him with sad brown eyes tore at his heart. "Surely he has enough money to do so."
"Well, yes, but usually girls travel there to go to school or visit family, not for amusement…well, not without their parents at least," she explained. "I might go with my husband after we are married, but other than that, there is no chance of it ever happening."
Erik gently stroked the hand she had tucked into his arm. "You will get your chance." 'I will make sure of it,' he thought. Clara merely smiled up at him, thankful for his kind words.
As Erik led me back through the gardens and into the house, I spotted Lillian Dubois and a small flock of companions watching me. Lillian in particular bore a rather nasty sneer on her pretty face, and I knew that I would be the center of some sort of gossip that they would cook up this evening. Still, I couldn't help but feel happy at being the center of Erik's attention, especially when he set me down on a couch…and looked at me with his gorgeous green eyes.
It was then that I knew…I was in love.
AN: Okay, kind of sappy chapter ending, but the best I could do right now. Please review!