Disclaimer: I tried to kidnap the Phantom, but failed. Therefore, I own nothing.
AN: Okay, this website is being a pain and not really letting me upload the story. It's been doing that a lot to me, so I had to act resourcefully. In the end, I had to export a chapter from a different fic, cut out the old text, paste the present chapter from my disk,and use it to post this new one. So if anything looks all wonky (aka: weird/funny), please let me know and I'll try and fix it.
PS: I again admit to not being from the American South, so I know nothing about the traditions of the region either now or in the late 1800's. It's all part of my imaginings, so please don't be angry if it's not accurate. Other than that, please enjoy and review!
Chapter 8: Gentle Wooing Over Fits of Jealousy:
I could not believe how well the dessert social had gone. Erik had been so wonderful to me I couldn't help but think that it had all been some sort of dream. Our visit with my small group of friends had been short, but our walks around the Dubois gardens had been long and, for me, dreamlike. When Papa called that it was time to return home, I wanted to cry. However, a kiss on the hand from Erik quickly returned the joy to my heart, and I looked forward to seeing him again. Apparently he felt the same, for he said so as he handed me into my family's carriage.
"I look forward to seeing you again soon, Mademoiselle Savoy," he declared, giving me a flirtatious smirk.
I did my best not to blush, and instead began fluttering my fan in the hopes of ridding me of my blush. "Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, Mr. Rousseau," I replied, giving him a smile. "It would be a pleasure to meet with you again."
I wanted to say something more, but since Mama and Papa (in particular) were there, watching everything, I had to be as polite as possible, and not say anything that betrayed my feelings. Papa would have had an apoplexy if he heard what was going on in my head at that moment, I swear. Instead, I smiled and fluttered my eyelashes at Erik, who responded with a very dashing grin.
"Until next time," he said in a silky tone of voice that nearly made my heart stop.
"Until next time," I repeated as the carriage door closed and we drove away.
Secretly hiding the hairclip Erik had given me in the lace of my dress, I felt my head drift in the clouds the entire ride home, staying there until my head sank into my pillow that night.
Watching Clara ride away, Erik felt like chasing after it and inviting her back to his home for a brief visit. However, he knew that it would not be appropriate, and would have to wait for either the next social or public gathering, or a personal invitation to visit the Savoy home. Clara could not invite him, as it would be a tad scandalous to do so too soon into his courting of her.
'And I highly doubt that her father is going to do so,' Erik thought to himself, holding back a snort of contempt.
Honestly, that man was beginning to annoy him. It seemed that every time Erik managed to get Clara alone for a little while, her father would appear out of nowhere. There would be an angry look on Mr. Savoy's face when he saw who exactly was with his daughter, and would have likely dragged Clara away from him, had it not been for Mrs. Savoy holding him back.
'But I still was able to spend a great deal of time with her,' he thought as Marcus brought his own carriage around to stop before him. Yes, that was a good thing. And he had also been able to give her the hairclip that he had purchased for her.
But now the question remained on how soon he would be able to see her. The Brooks' would not be holding another tea gathering for another month, since they were supposed to be leaving to visit their children, so he would not be able to see her there. But wait, there was supposed to be another small party or ball coming up in the next few weeks…
And Erik knew just what to give Clara when she attended it, too.
I bit by lower lip in joy as I put my hair up for the afternoon. Of course, I was using the hairclip that Erik had given me, so it was even more special. Even better was that we had just received the invitations inviting us to another ball, this one meant specifically for the younger crowds. I knew that Erik was older than most of the men usually involved at this particular ball, but as long as he wasn't old enough to be anyone's grandfather, he would surely get an invitation.
Humming, I quickly fastened the clip into my hair. I wore it in a neat, upswept style that Mama had taught me, and was pleased with the result. Even though I could not see the clip itself, I knew that the mother-of-pearl in the ebony wood would stand out against the darkness of my hair. It was a lovely gift, and I couldn't help but preen at my reflection.
'Oh, goodness, I'm becoming as vain as Lillian!' I thought, grimacing. The last thing I needed was to be like her!
Clucking my tongue at myself, I grabbed the fan Erik had given me and headed out to the waiting carriage, my mother already seated inside. A day of dress shopping awaited me, and for once, I was not going to complain about it!
Growling, Erik searched once more through his wardrobe and felt the need to throw something at it. There was nothing in his entire collection that he could wear to the ball in two weeks!
"How could this have happened?" he snarled, once again searching through every piece of clothing his eyes encountered, hoping that perhaps he had accidentally missed something.
He thought that he had bought all of the clothing that he could possibly need, and yet there was still nothing appropriate amongst all of the shirts, pants, coats, and vests in his home! True, Erik knew that he had good taste, and it had served him very well in helping to win Clara's affections; after all, women loved men who had a good sense of style. He could see in her eyes how much awe he inspired in her every time she saw him in a tailored suit or outfit. The sparkle in her eyes when he looked at her showed that he was attractive to her, and that she was attracted to him.
As he paused in his search through his many articles of clothing, Erik's thoughts drifted to Clara. He knew in his heart that he felt the same awe whenever Clara appeared in one of her elegant dresses. Any color suited her, but he especially longed to see her in red…she was ravishing in red…
The word ravishing caused a shiver of delight to go through him. Yes, ravishing was definitely the word to use when describing her. He would have to buy her something red to wear…which was why it was the perfect excuse to go to town today.
'And to buy something new for my own wardrobe, of course,' he thought as he pulled on a black cloak.
Calling for Marcus to bring the carriage around, Erik swiftly headed downstairs.
I couldn't help but let out a tiny sigh as I walked past several store windows. There were so many shops with lovely dress displays, but Mama refused to allow me inside to look at them. For some reason, she didn't think I could choose my own clothes correctly, believing that I would choose the wrong color or style for myself. I was upset with this notion of hers; I wasn't a child anymore and my sense of styles and colors wasn't that bad!
"Stop sighing, Clara!" Mother whispered out of the corner of her mouth, just so I could hear her. "I will find the perfect gown for you if it takes me all day, don't you worry!"
I was about to reply when a familiar voice called my name. Turning, I found myself face to face with a familiar, broad, male chest. From the look of the clothes, it could only be Erik.
"Oh!" I said, stepping back. Goodness, the man was tall! Looking up, I found that he had a small, highly amused smile on his lips.
"Forgive me, Mademoiselle," he said, taking my hand in his and kissing it. "I did not mean to startle you, only to speak with you, as I did not expect to see you in town today."
"Oh, it's alright, we were merely shopping for a dress for Clara to wear to the ball in two weeks' time," my mother chimed in, startling me. I had forgotten she was there beside me!
"Were you really?" Erik asked, looking at me. I nodded in reply. "Then I suggest that Mademoiselle Savoy wear something red." He looked at the deep, golden-brown dress I was presently wearing with a critical eye, causing me to blush a little. "Yes, definitely something red. As lovely as she looks now, I believe that red brings out the color of her eyes and hair, and goes very well with her coloring."
I blushed and turned to look at Mama out of the corner of my eye. I could see that she did not like the idea of this Frenchman telling her how to dress her daughter, much less how to dress her so that she caught the eye of one particular man. Still, I knew that red was indeed a good color for me, despite what Mother thought, and Erik's words had caused something to stir in me that hadn't done so before.
"Do you really think so?" I asked, looking between them discreetly, just to see their reactions.
Erik smiled. "I do indeed, Mademoiselle," he said, causing my stomach to flutter at his words. Goodness, I loved the way he spoke!
"Then I suppose I will have to obtain a bolt of red material," I said, smiling at him in a flirting manner, which he returned with a sly wink.
I quickly turned my head to see my mother look at us both with a hostile glare that could have withered flowers. I felt my newfound confidence begin to fail, only to suddenly have a strong, gloved hand touch my arm, giving me the strength I so desperately needed.
"I believe I saw some red materials at one of the corner shops," Erik stated, tucking my hand into his arm as he used his charms on my mother. "Would you allow me to escort your daughter there, Madame Savoy?"
I could see my mother was melting under Erik's tall stature, elegant appearance, appealing French accent and his charming address to her marriage status. Her usually firm stance was no longer holding, and she seemed a tad unsure as to whether Erik's request was a good idea or not. Finally, after a brief moment had passed, Mama nodded her head.
"Very well, but be back at the carriage in an hour!" she firmly ordered me. "One hour."
I could barely keep back my glee as I nodded my head solemnly like any obedient daughter would. Not a moment later, Erik escorted me down the street to a shop and opened the door for me.
He would have recognized her form anywhere, even in the crowded streets of Rockford. However, he couldn't help but stare at the color of dress she was wearing; it was almost the same color as the coat he had worn to the dessert social event! Had that been a conscious decision, or mere coincidence? Well, no matter; the color was quite pretty on her, and Erik immediately followed behind until he was close enough to approach.
As he neared, he spotted Clara's mother, Mrs. Savoy, walking beside her in a green dress and hat, apparently rebuking her daughter on something, all the while trying to appear that she was not doing so. Erik had decided that would be the ideal time to 'rescue' Clara from the present circumstance, and had quickly grabbed her arm to gain her attention. Thankfully, his tactic had worked, though he had been forced to use all of his charm to convince her mother to let her go with him to shop for dress materials.
'But now she is here with me,' he thought joyfully as they entered a dress shop.
True, shopping with women could take a great deal of time and patience, but as long as that time was spent with Clara, then Erik did not mind at all. Perhaps he would be able to find something she wanted but could not hope to have while they were walking around together? Using his powers of observation to watch her closely, Erik did his best to find out what she liked or disliked.
He studied her as she hovered over certain materials, savoring the feel of some while passing on others. Her brown eyes shone brighter when they landed on particular colors and turned dreamy at the sight of a material that both looked and felt perfect to her. From what he could see, Clara enjoyed the feel of silk and velvet, and preferred them in any shade of blue she could find. However, she also tended to pause over anything red or violet, which meant that she liked the color and knew she looked appealing in it.
Finally, Clara pulled out a length of red material that had a dusting of gold on it, causing it to shimmer. From the excited look in her eyes, Erik knew that she had found what she had sought. As she turned to purchase the material, the former Phantom knew exactly what to buy Clara as a gift for the next ball.
Once I was sure that the material would be put on my family's bill and delivered to our favorite dressmaker, I allowed Erik to escort me from the store with a gentlemanly flourish. I couldn't help but blush as he flashed me that seductive smirk of his, which caused me to pull out and use the fan that he had given me. When he spotted the fan, I watched as a pleased smile pulled at his mouth and couldn't help but want to give him a kiss on the lips. However, my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar, unwelcome voice.
"Why, Mr. Rousseau, how nice to see you!" It was Lillian Dubois.
Grimacing, I turned to greet her and my heart nearly dropped to my feet. She was particularly lovely today in a rather fetching blue dress that matched her eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled up, allowing a few elegantly curled locks to fall beside her face and set off her pale skin. In her hand she carried a parasol to keep off the sun, which I thought was silly since she wore a blue bonnet on her head. However, she still looked lovely and I knew that I could not hope to compare to her, probably not even in Erik's eyes.
Apparently Lillian thought the same, as she gave me a brief scan with her eyes and sniffed in distain, obviously not liking my dress or its color.
"Hello, Lillian," I said, at least attempting to be civil towards her while trying to draw her attention away from Erik, who had stiffened next to me.
"Why, Clara, dear, I didn't see you there!" she said, obviously lying about not seeing me.
"You're looking well," I casually replied, trying to appear calm despite her hidden insults.
"Really?" she said, beaming a charming smile at Erik. "Do you think I look well, Mr. Rousseau?"
I felt my heart drop to right under my feet, waiting for someone to walk all over it, of which I was sure Erik was about to do. What man wouldn't fall for Lillian's charms and lovely face? She and Erik would make a beautiful couple; Lillian's sunny looks were sure to compliment Erik's dark one, while I was sure to take away from the seductive appeal that Erik had. Biting back a sigh I turned and looked up at Erik, only to be surprised by the cold, polite, statuesque look that he had on his face.
"Indeed, Miss Dubois," he said in a distantly polite voice that held no emotion.
Obviously that was all he was going to say to Lillian's question, which appeared to be unsatisfactory to her. Instead, she turned her blue eyes towards me, a mischievous glint in them that told me trouble was coming. I knew that look by heart, as she frequently used it whenever we met by chance, and braced myself for the inevitable by trying to remember if I had brought a handkerchief to use when no one was looking at me.
"My, Clara, don't you look lovely in that old-fashioned dress style!" she exclaimed, fluttering her eyelashes as she tried to appear coy. "I swear that you could make even the oldest frock look somewhat presentable." She tilted her head up slightly. "Yes, even if it is that sort of dull color, which, by the way, washes you out completely."
I tried not to lower my eyes in shame. Why did this have to happen? Just when I started to feel good about myself, just when a handsome man was interested in me and wanted to spend time with me, Lillian had to ruin it for me. Unfortunately, this had happened before. A few years ago, I had been attracted to a pleasant young man named Zachary, who been sweet and kind to me at several balls that we had attended together. We talked and laughed, and I thought that he had an interest in me
Then, one day, Lillian and her friend Becky Cooper, a light-haired brunette with green eyes and a slender figure, had swooped in. They began distracting Zach by saying how dull I was, and how my clothing was out of style and that they looked like the outfits widows wore just out of mourning. A few weeks after this had happened, I saw Zach dancing with Becky at a ball and not long afterwards, the two were engaged. It had been the last time I had been interested in a man, before Erik.
Presently, though, there was nothing I wanted more than to sink beneath the ground and weep. As I felt a cold sadness envelope my being, I watched Lillian's face swell full of triumph at making me look like a fool in front of Erik, which would not cost me his attention and affections. The way his arm moved beneath my hand made me think that he no longer wanted me to touch him, so I pulled it away and gripped my fan with both hands. I held my head high and gave her a bright smile, not wanting to appear as sad and pathetic as I felt.
"It was nice seeing you again, Lillian," I said, still smiling. "If you two will excuse me, I must be going; my mother will be waiting for me at our carriage with our purchases."
I gave a brief, distant nod to both her and Erik before turning and walking away.
For the first time in his life, Erik wished to do serious, deadly harm to a woman. The depressed look that settled in Clara's eyes showed that she wanted to cry, but her pride would not let her; she would return home and weep privately into her pillow, away from public…away from him. As she pulled away from his side and said goodbye, Erik wanted to reach out and strangle Lillian until she turned deathly blue. Instead, he gave her a glare as she shot a pleased look after Clara's retreating form.
Suddenly, she turned back to Erik and gave him a flirting glance. "Would you care to join me for something to drink at a hotel café, Mr. Rousseau?" she asked, smiling and fluttering her lashes.
"No, I would not," he declared, not holding back his anger. "If you will excuse me, I have something better and more important to do."
Before she could reply, Erik turned and raced after the woman who held his heart.
The world went on around me, but I didn't see it. My mind was in a damp, white fog, and I could feel my heart turning to ice inside me as I walked towards where I was sure my mother and carriage were waiting. However, before I could reach them, a strong hand gripped my elbow and swiftly pulled me into a dark alley, out of everyone's view. I could feel familiar arms wrap themselves around me, and a voice humming something soft, warm, and soothing into my ear.
Suddenly, the fog lifted and I could feel the warmth coming back into my body. A wonderful cologne filled my senses…it was sandalwood, a scent that brought great comfort to me, and somehow, I could tell it was Erik holding me in his arms. It was his voice which told me so, that glorious voice that could make me melt with just one word.
"Do not listen to her, cherie," he whispered, one of his hands rubbing up and down my back as the other merely held me. "She knows nothing of true beauty, and I can see how absolutely beautiful and ravishing you look every time I see you stand before my eyes." His hand stopped stroking my back and went to my chin, tilting it up until my eyes met his.
I felt time stop around us, frozen as his mouth descended towards mine. I could feel lightning strike us as our lips met, timidly exploring the new sensation we had created. It was my first kiss, and from what I could sense, it was Erik's first kiss as well. But it was still more blissful and magical than anything I had ever felt in my life.
A few moments later, the bells from the church jolted us back into the real world. Blushing with happiness, we separated, giving each other one last, lingering kiss before going separate ways on the street, the both of us looking forward to our next meeting. As I rode home, I knew my mother saw my red cheeks. However, she said nothing, for which I was very thankful.
With one kiss, Erik had felt everything come together. Nothing from the past mattered anymore; not the Opera House, not Paris, not even Christine. His whole world was tied up with the woman who had stood wrapped in his arms, her lips against his, and love shining in her eyes…all for him.
AN: Aw, wasn't that sweet? Thanks to a certain Southern reader for the idea involving Lillian and Clara meeting like that…brilliant! Let me know what you thought by reviewing!