Disclaimer: Erik and the real town of Manistee are not mine. Only original creations belong to me.

AN: Someone asked where Manistee is located. It is on Lake Michigan, and if you Google the city, it has its own website. Not to sound like a travel agent, but I highly recommend it for a quiet getaway with friends or family; it's peaceful, beautiful, and they are very friendly there. Review!

Chapter 19: Revelations:

I awoke the next morning with a mixture of feelings that left me feeling ill. I was happy from Erik's visit, but terribly disturbed about the news he had brought with him. I had suspected Charles of being interested in me, but never did I imagine that he would propose so soon! I thought I would have at least another month or so before the proposal occurred, giving me plenty of time to run away with Erik and leave this all behind.

Sighing, I rolled over in my bed, noticing that the sun had yet to rise. They say that the dawn brings hope of a new day; however, my hopes were ruined by the mere thought of my family trying to marry me to someone I didn't like, much less love. If Charles' proposal had happened before I had met Erik, I would be thrilled to finally have a man like Charles Kirkland ask to marry me. Mr. Kirkland was a decent man, but after experiencing the dark, mysterious, seductive air that was Erik, every other man I encountered seemed dull and lifeless. No other man would do for me but Erik.

'How could Aunt Mary do this to me without asking how I feel about this?' I thought, torn between despair and anger. 'It's not right, nor is it fair!'

I had always planned to marry for love, as my parents had, but apparently that was going to be denied to me. I would have to wed someone my parents approved of, though every time I looked at Charles I had to fight not to wince at the sight of the man. Charles was a tall, gangly creature with limp hair, eerie pale eyes that were nearly all white, and he always wore clothing that was wrong for him! He was nothing like Erik; Erik was a man who commanded attention with his incredible green eyes and intense demeanor; small wonder that women always tried to get his attention, even when he was courting me!

Yawning, I slid out of bed and began rummaging around in my closet before a thought hit me. If I were running away with Erik, I would have to pack lightly and pack soon, as I had no idea when we were leaving. Since there was no one up except myself and the kitchen staff, who would be making breakfast, now was the perfect time to ready myself. Picking up my suitcase, I opened it and let it lay open on the floor as I turned to sort through my wardrobe.

Many of my dresses were of the same style and colors, mostly outfits that were light and airy as the South was a hot place most of the year. I hadn't brought any winter clothes, but Erik had promised to purchase things for me as we traveled, so I needn't worry about that; a few of my shawls wrapped around one of the light coats I had brought would suit just fine until then. I dug to find my thickest wraps and folded them as small as I could before putting them into the suitcase, also packing two coats for the weather we might encounter in Canada.

Next came the harder part: which dresses would I take with me when I left? There were so many that I loved, but only a few could accompany me to where we were going. Most importantly, I would have to bring my most comfortable traveling clothes, for obvious reasons. Also, since Erik and I were going to be traveling the world, I would likely encounter many different trends and styles, so I would have to bring my most fashionable outfits for when we went out into town to socialize and explore.

My travel dresses were all hung together in the wardrobe, and I picked out the ones that wouldn't catch any unwanted attention. I chose three: one to wear when we left and the other two for spares. My favorite was a dark blue outfit with little to no ruffles and some lace lining the interior of the sleeves for elegance. A dusty, brick-red gown and a dark green dress of the same styles were now set aside to go in last so that they were easily accessed. A dozen handkerchiefs were also set aside.

Sighing, I glanced through the entirety of the clothes I had brought with me and the ones Aunt Mary had purchased for me since my arrival. My white dresses would have to remain, as they would easily show dirt, but some of the newer dresses would be ideal for use everywhere. From the rainbow array in front of me, I made my choice. First, I chose an elegant gown of deep purple, embroidered lightly with forest-green thread and trimmed with green ruffles and ribbons. An elegant pale blue evening gown was my next selection; it was a dress I had yet to wear, but was still extremely fond of. I also chose a bright peacock-blue dress with gold thread and ribbons trimming the hem and neckline.

Excellent choices, my dear, said a voice in my ear.

I gasped and dropped the peacock gown, trying to find the source of the voice. Catching my breath, I huffed and scolded myself for not recognizing Erik's voice in the first place. Even as I thought his name, the source of my shock opened my bedroom window and slipped inside, a bright smile on his masked face.

"Are you mad?" I gasped once he was in front of me, keeping my voice low so that I wouldn't be heard. "Someone might come in at any moment, and then where would we be?"

Erik merely smiled as he picked up the dropped gown and folded it neatly, setting it on top of those already inside the suitcase. I watched as he put the folded travel dresses on top, and closed and locked the lid before slipping it under my bed. Once that was done, he turned and stood in front of me, green eyes flashing in amusement and affection. A gloved hand slid up to my face and caressed my cheek.

I sighed and smiled up at him before getting a closer look at him. It was almost dawn, and yet it appeared that he hadn't changed clothes since last night! "Erik, have you been sitting outside my window all night?" I quietly asked, hoping that it wasn't so.

The right side of his mouth quirked up into a smile as his fingers stroked my jaw. "Not all night, my love, but most of it. I could not bear to leave you for long," Erik whispered, his voice soft and heavy with emotion as he touched me. "I wanted to be sure you were alright."

I couldn't prevent a sigh from escaping my lips as my eyes fluttered halfway shut. "I'm alright," I replied, smiling as I opened my brown eyes to look into his beautiful green ones. "I decided to start packing early, before everyone woke up."

"A wise decision," he softly said, sliding his arms around my waist and bringing me closer to him.

A faint glimmer from the horizon caught my attention and I turned my head. Erik, in an attempt to see what had caught my eye, turned his as well, maneuvering our bodies so that we could look out of my balcony window, me still wrapped in his arms. Together, we happily watched as the bright, golden orb rose over the lake, the light reflecting like a million silver and multi-colored jewels on the water. Glorious shades of red, orange, and gold set the sky ablaze with light, and the warmth of that light soon reached inside to wrap the two of us in its embrace like a blanket. It was breathtaking to watch and feel, and after the sun was fully above the Great Lake, I allowed myself to breathe freely once more, Erik's arms tightening around my waist as I felt his body heat through the thin, black silk shirt.

"Beautiful," I whispered, smiling as I snuggled closer to his chest.

"Yes, you are," my fiancé replied, kissing me when I opened my mouth to correct him. A moment later he pulled back, a pleased look on his face. "I have purchased two tickets on the next ship heading for Canada," he whispered, making it so that I only heard his voice. "It leaves in three days. You will have to find a way to leave the house that morning, alone and unescorted. I will fetch your suitcase the night before so that you need not bring it yourself. Meet me at the local bookshop, and try to look surprised when you see me. My newest mask makes my face appear whole, so you will have to wait for me to speak to recognize me."

I gave a quiet chuckle. "I would recognize you no matter what you looked like," I said, my voice also soft. "Now, you must go before someone comes in or sees you leave! The servants will all be up soon!"

Erik nodded before giving me a soft kiss and slipping back out the window, keeping to the last lingering shadows of the night.

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It was all falling into place. The boat passage tickets were safely tucked away in his hotel room, waiting to be used. It hadn't been easy to procure them, given that he had purchased them late at night when all of the shops were closed and everyone was returning to their hotels or homes for the evening. Last night, however, after watching Clara drift into a deep sleep, Erik had slipped away from his perch in the tree directly outside her window. He had then returned to his hotel room, put on his new mask and makeup and gone downstairs to the parlor area where men were chatting and gambling. Drifting around the room in a dark suit ensemble, Erik listened to the conversations, if only to gain information about the Kirkland's and the Pine families. However, what he found instead was even better.

One of the guests at the hotel, an older man traveling on his honeymoon with his new, lovely young bride, was at a loss of what to do with his boat ticket to Canada. His wife had taken such a liking to the small port town of Manistee that she wanted to stay there, perhaps even settle there to raise their family. The man, Mr. Fitzwilliam, if Erik remembered correctly, now had to get rid of his boat tickets, but had found no buyers. None of the other men there wanted them, as they already had set travel plans, so Erik had decided to act.

Using his talents of ventriloquism and hypnosis, Erik threw his voice near Fitzwilliam's ear, hinting that he might want to go get a drink at the bar. Fitzwilliam had acted accordingly, ordering a glass of scotch and drinking it down as Erik approached him. The two men had chatted, and after Erik had poured a fair number of drinks down the other man's throat, the two had clasped hands and separated, Erik now in possession of the two tickets heading northwards. Once that was done, Erik had gone upstairs and secretly packed all of his belongings away, readying himself for the upcoming voyage. He had then returned to Clara's window to spend the rest of the night watching her sleep.

Now Erik carefully pulled up his hood and silently crept through the empty streets back to his hotel, entering through a back door and going up the servant's staircase to his floor. From there, he quickly slipped to his room, shutting the door behind him, the privacy sign hanging on the outer doorknob; there would be no interruptions as he caught up on his rest. Erik then quickly changed into a night shirt and got into bed, snuggling under the covers and falling asleep instantly.

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I was in a rather excited and very good mood all day today as I thought about how I would soon be leaving all of this behind me. Breakfast and lunch with my aunt and uncle had been filled with cheerful conversation, which was nothing new. It was usually dinner when we had trouble, as that was when we tended to talk about our day, and since my days were usually filled with dull tea party conversations, I was always reluctant to say anything.

However, nothing seemed to lower my spirits, not even the horrid tea parties that I'd had to attend both this morning and in the afternoon, so when my uncle asked me about them, I gave him a chipper answer with a smile on my face as I ate my dessert. I was finishing up the last of my berry pie when the butler entered the room. He had a very surprised look on his face, and when he spoke his announcement, it was clear why.

"Mr. Charles Kirkland to see Miss Savoy, sir," he said, glancing at me so quickly I wasn't sure if it had happened.

I swallowed heavily as my aunt and uncle turned towards me, broad smiles on their faces. If they were this happy, it was only because of one thing: they knew why Charles was here, and if I were correct, it was likely to officially ask for my hand in marriage. It was very likely, so I would have to do my best to act surprised when he proposed. And so, gathering all my courage, I nodded.

"If you'll excuse me," I said, rising from my seat.

Aunt Mary seemed to be beaming at me. "Oh, take your time, dear," she chirped, sipping her wine as I walked away from the table.

Charles was currently standing in the parlor, looking at a few portraits of my aunt's family that lined the mantle of the fireplace. He turned around when I entered the room, the heels of my shoes loud against the wood of the floor. As I approached the couch, he reached out and took one of my hands in his, giving me a smile with those horrible thin lips of his. I barely held back a cringe of revulsion as he touched me, instead focusing my thoughts on Erik's wonderful warm kisses.

"Miss Savoy, you look lovely this evening," he said, eyeing my pale pink evening dress trimmed with white lace.

I covered another wince with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Kirkland," I replied, removing my hand from his while taking a seat on the couch. Charles took a seat across from me.

Inwardly, I was fuming. I absolutely detested this dress, but Aunt Mary had come up to my room and insisted that I wear it to dinner this evening. It looked very sweet and modest, nothing like the more daring Southern garments I normally wore to dinner. I had wondered why my aunt had been so adamant about my wearing a dress in a color and style I detested, but now I knew; she had expected Charles to come by, and had wanted me dressed accordingly for the occasion.

"Miss Savoy…Clara," he said, looking at me with his pale eyes as he reached over and took my hand once more. "I…I have no experience in matters such as this…in matters of the heart. Therefore I must be bold when I say that I am very much in love with, and attracted to, you and to your Southern charms and manners." He looked down at my hand, which was now firmly clasped between both of his. "I would be honored if you would be my wife."

I suddenly felt very ill. Although Erik had informed me that this might happen, I did not think it would happen so soon! Gracious, I doubted that my father had even received the telegram from my aunt yet, and here Charles was, proposing to me! Swallowing around the sick feeling tickling my throat, I pulled my hand back, rising from my seat on the couch.

"Mr. Kirkland," I said in my most firm and authoritative Southern voice. "While I am quite flattered by your offer, I'm afraid that I cannot accept it."

Charles looked at me with a stunned look on his face. Then, without warning, he smiled. "So you are waiting for your father's approval before you accept?" he said, an amused spark in his eyes. "How proper you are to do such a thing! And a fine woman, a very fine woman you are as well to act according to your father's wishes!"

My fingers clutched at my skirts as I tried not to loose my temper. "Mr. Kirkland, I'm afraid you don't understand," I said calmly, keeping my emotions under control. "I cannot marry you at all. I am in love with another man."

"Another man?" he asked, the smile now wiped off his face. "But your aunt has clearly stated that you have no suitors back home, that you are quite available." He was silent for a moment. "Or is it that you love a man and he does not love you in return?"

My eyes narrowed. "He does love me in return!" I snapped, finally having enough of having to deal with this man. "You know nothing about us and our love for one another! How dare you presume to know anything about what we feel and how we think?"

I watched as Charles began to look furious. "Who is this man, then, Miss Savoy?" he said, looking me in the eye. "Clearly your family must not approve of such a man if I were allowed to court you as I have. This man must be no gentleman, and have nothing to offer you if you are here instead of back in your own home, planning a wedding."

"My family is extremely shortsighted when it comes to me and how I feel," I snarled, happy to vent my feelings. "They care nothing about my happiness or about how I wish to marry a man that is far more then they could ever be! If you stood beside him, you would be nothing, nothing more than insect compared to him!"

"Obviously I must be something, as I am the one currently in favor with your family," Charles coldly replied as he walked over to me. He was taller than I, but he lacked the impressive air that Erik had. "Also, I happen to have your aunt and uncle's permission to wed you."

"But not my father's," I retorted, looking him in the eye without fear. "Even if you did manage to gain his permission, I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth!"

For the first time in my life, I heard Charles growl in the back of his throat before stomping past me to the door, flinging it open before heading down the hall and shouting for a servant to bring him my aunt and uncle. In moments, they were there, and I could clearly here the three of them talking. A moment later, they entered the room, blocking the way so that I could not pass.

"Clara," my aunt said in a firm tone of voice as she took my right arm. "Sit down. We must talk."

"No. There is nothing to talk about," I said, now on my last nerve. "I won't marry Charles Kirkland, and that is final. There is no possible way you could make me! You are not my parents, nor my legal guardians."

"But you are currently living under our roof," Uncle Geoff snapped, crossing his arms over his chest. "And we have the right to throw you out with nothing but the clothes on your back, should we wish to."

"So you are going to throw me out if I do not accept this sham of a marriage proposal?" I demanded.

"It is no sham," Charles protested, coming to stand on my left. "You are the one I wish to wed."

"Well, you are most certainly not the man I wish to marry!" I cried, pulling out of my aunt's grip.

"This is about that masked man in Rockford, isn't it?" asked Aunt Mary, grey eyes narrowing.

"Masked man?" Charles said in disbelief. "You would rather marry a masked freak than me?"

I slapped him, causing my aunt and uncle to gasp. "How dare you call him a freak?" I yelled as Uncle Geoff took hold of my arms, preventing me from further defending Erik's honor. "He's far better than you are! He's thoughtful, and kind, and chivalrous, and most of all, he loves me like a man loves a woman, not a piece of property to obtain and own for money!"

"Clara Elizabeth Savoy, you will calm down this instant!" roared my uncle as he shook me.

"I will not!" I yelled back, raising a foot and kicking him firmly in the leg with my heel. With a cry of pain, he promptly released me, clutching his thigh. "If wanting to marry the man I love means being expelled from this house, then so be it."

I managed to push both my aunt and Charles out of my way, storming past them and up the stairs to my room, where I promptly locked the door and placed a chair in front of it to keep everyone out. I heard loud voices downstairs before I heard the front door slam shut. The house was quiet for a brief moment before another door slammed closed. I heard quiet footsteps approach my door and braced myself in case it was either my aunt or uncle. However, it was Penny's voice through the wood.

"Miss Clara, it's safe now," she whispered through the keyhole. "They've gone and locked themselves up in the library, Miss! They're right upset about you refusing that ghost of a man!"

I laughed to myself, knowing that Penny disliked Charles as much as I did, and her vocal insult of him told me that she was alone in the hall and not a Trojan Horse my aunt had sent. I moved the chair and opened the door just enough for Penny to slip in. She curtseyed before helping me slip out of my dress and undid my hair before helping me into a nightgown. Once that was done, I let her go back to her own room to rest for the evening since we had both had enough excitement for one night. After she was gone, I locked the door and turned to head for my bed.

However, my evening was not over yet. There, sitting on my covers, was a red rose with a black ribbon tied around the stem.

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From his position outside the house, Erik had seen and heard the entire proposal and the arguments that followed. He had half expected Clara to break down into tears or give into them, but to his surprise, she stood up for both him and for their love. Never had he seen her act so passionately or so fiercely to anything! And she certainly was ravishing when she was angry or upset...

After she had fled upstairs, Erik had crept up to her balcony, watching for the right moment to show his support. He then left the rose he had brought as a gift on her bed while she let her maid out of the room. He gained great pleasure in seeing Clara's surprised look as she picked up the rose and stared at it. But the greatest pleasure came when her lovely, doe brown eyes filled with love and gratitude as she put the rose on the pillow next to her and fell asleep beside it.

Satisfied, the Phantom emerged from his hiding spot behind the shadows of the curtains. Silently, he took a seat near the bed, watching over his Angel as he waited for dawn.

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AN: Review!