Chapter 35 Adaptation

Drenched in candlelight, Erik and Jade silently faced each other.

"Allow me to assist you, my dear." Before she could respond, he had closed the gap between them. His long fingers slipped beneath her cloak, and brushed her collarbones as he lifted it from her shoulders.

Placing her soft garment next to his dark one, he turned and caught her eye. The spark of excitement that was there vanished as a false calm settled on her face.

Erik suppressed a smile, and savored his victory. She was finally here in his home.

Behave like a gentleman, indeed! He thought with amusement, as he strolled towards her. We shall see, my dear, how long you wish me to keep that promise. He felt relaxed, and confident as he looked down at her impassive face which tilted up to his.

"Are you hungry?" he casually asked. He knew she'd missed supper the last two days. The weight she'd put on during her absence from Paris was becoming. However, it would disappear if she continued to skip meals. Erik decided that he would not allow those soft curves to waste away.

As he examined her, he realized that food wasn't on her mind. Her slight shifting from one foot to the next with a quick glance at his book cases showed her true interest.

"While I am getting our supper, you are welcome to walk around my home," he said formally, and then turned to the kitchen.

Once there, he loaded a tray with quiche, bread, pastries, fruit and cheese. Opening a bottle of red wine, he set it on the tray next to a vase that held a trailing spray of snowy orchids. As the tips of his fingers caressed a curled petal, he meditated on how that exotic blossom suited his guest. Orchids required careful cultivation but once cut, held their beauty for weeks.

While carrying the food to the table, Erik watched as Jade studied his book collection. She was scanning titles, and touching books as she moved from one bookcase to the other. At the sound of him clearing his throat, she abruptly turned towards him, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Then lifting her chin slightly, she walked towards him with a smooth, unhesitating gait.

It struck him how rapidly she was adjusting to his home. No hesitation. It is as if she knows that she belongs here.

Christine had also seemed to fit well the first night he had brought her here. But what a contrast between her and Jade! Whereas Christine had been pliable and fragile, Jade had the air of an adventurer.

She will be harder to control, he considered as he held back a smirk His eyes sparkled in anticipation of that pleasurable challenge.

As they sat down, her green eyes settled on the point between his eyebrows and then momentarily met his. She never stares directly at the mask, he mused as he returned her piercing gaze.

If I had not been overconfident and carelessly dropped my guard, Christine would not have removed the mask and she would be here with me tonight, he meditated as Jade lowered her eyes

Never again, he resolved, as he handed a plate of food to Jade. The mask would remain in place. Regardless of how much she might come to trust or love him, he would not repeat that mistake.

Leaning back in his chair, Erik watched his companion. He had wondered for a very long time what it would feel like to experience every day events with a woman. Greedily, he memorized every nuance of their shared meal.

Jade's eyes closed with pleasure as she tasted the savory quiche. The tip of her moist tongue smoothly removed the crumbs on her lips. Erik's groin tightened in response to its darting sweep. He followed her small hands as she sliced the cheese for both of them. When she offered him the plate, and raised her eyes to his, he unabashedly stared into them.

"Wine, my dear?" Erik inquired, and then poured her a third of a glass before she could reply.

"Is it a young wine?" she asked curiously.

"No."

Turning the glass in her hand, she assessed the liquid's ruby color. He watched her swirl the wine briefly before she deeply inhaled its aroma. Then taking a sip, she rolled it around her mouth, and analyzed its complex flavor.

Yes, my dear. It is a very good vintage. I would have no less in my home.

She was sampling the wine as if she were a connoisseur, which reminded him of her past.

Weeks ago, on the night that she had shared a bottle of wine with his rival, Erik had stood behind the mirror and listened to her history. At that time, he had learned that Jade was an only child, the daughter of a wine merchant in the province of Burgundy. Her father was a successful businessman with a substantial income for his class. She had grown up with certain luxuries such as a private education in a local nunnery. When she wasn't studying, she had roamed her beloved wine country with its lakes and rolling hills of vineyards.

At the age of seventeen, she had left her home, her departure precipitated by her mother's death.

Erik had thought it an unusual story. Young, rural women of the petite bourgeoisie class didn't suddenly leave their families and end up in Paris years later unless there was a husband involved. She had not mentioned one to the farmer.

As she neatly put the food into her mouth, he wondered what she had done to keep body and soul together over the years. She didn't look much older than twenty. However, three years could be a very long time if one was struggling to survive.

"Do you like the vintage?" Erik queried.

"Yes," she replied, and without thinking asked, "it is from the vineyards near the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, no?"

Smiling slightly, Erik acquiesced with a brief nod as he glanced at the unlabeled bottle. He had paid a pretty sum for that particular batch of wine from Burgundy. It was satisfying to share it with someone who recognized its special qualities.

After a long silence, Erik spoke again. "Did you see a book that interests you?"

Jade shot a brilliant look at him, and then lowered her eyes to her plate.

"There are a couple possibilities." She paused as she considered her answer. The flush of excitement had returned to her cheeks. Then as if to calm her passion, she reached for a second helping of quiche.

With a satisfied smile, Erik placed the pastries in front of her, and tempted her to take one. Her appetite was back, which was a good sign.

After their meal, they sat on the couch, sipped wine, and read. Jade was paging through a book she had selected, the Dictionnaire Philosophique by Voltaire. On the couch between them was her other selection, an illustrated book of Japanese architecture, one of Erik's favorites.

Utterly wrapped up in her reading, she seemed to have forgotten his presence. Now and then she absent-mindedly played with the violet scarf around her neck, which suggested that she might be chilled. Erik left the room, and returned with a black, embroidered shawl from Spain. As he draped it around her shoulders, Jade sat very still. When he returned to his seat, her eyes were fixed on him.

"That is very kind of you, Erik," she said quietly.

"It is nothing, Jade. My home is sometimes chilly, and I want you to feel comfortable." Staring at his book, he watched her from the corner of his eye, and saw that she continued to gaze at him for another a minute.

When they'd finished the wine, Erik stood, and held his hand out to her.

"It is getting late, my dear. Perhaps you would care to see the rest of my home?" he asked with a silky voice.

Putting the book aside, she took his hand. Erik led her out of the large room and through the kitchen to the rooms beyond. They paused in front of a thick, oak door which he opened.

Inside was a bedroom with a pink canopied bed. The walls were painted in a delicate rosy color with cream-colored trim that pulsed in the candlelight. The room held a potpourri of furniture and a bookcase next to the bed that was half filled with books.

Jade glanced up at him with a question in her eyes. Erik strode past her, and gestured for her to follow. The room beyond held a private bath. Her eyes brightened when she saw the pink marble, sunken bath with a dozen candles surrounding it. Gathered next to the bath were soaps, bath oils, herbs, and other small luxuries.

Erik leaned across the tub, and turned the hot water on for a moment. Then he turned to his guest.

"It was late when I left your room last night. I assume you did not have the opportunity to bathe before you retired. You are welcome to use this before you leave."

Quickly, she glanced at the door, and then stared at him with her eyebrow raised. Erik responded with a brief, dry laugh.

"The door to the bedroom has a bolt on it that is quite sturdy, my dear. Feel free to use it while you bathe."

Returning to the bedroom, he stopped in front of a swatch of fabric draped across the wall. Then he turned and stared at her with an unspoken command.

Cautiously, Jade left the bath, and joined him.

She was looking at him as if she were expecting a trick. She wonders what I am about to spring on her next, Erik thought with a little discomfort. His previous manipulations were beginning to haunt his good intentions.

Well, she is flexible, and she will learn to trust my motives.

"Jade, if I may ask, when is your birthday?"

A flicker of emotion crossed her eyes. The wariness that she had adopted faded, and her face softened.

"It is this month, on the twenty third." Then after considering a moment, she added, "I will be twenty-three."

"Good. In that case, you may regard this as an early birthday gift," he said as he looked steadily at her. His fingers curled around the fabric, and deftly pulled it off the wall.

The little girl in the painting stared up at them from her task of tying her ballet shoelaces. The artist had captured her bold look of curiosity and excitement, giving her the charm of real life. The bright crystals of the pastel painting caught the nearby candlelight, which caused the portrait to glow with an unworldly light.

Jade stared at Gillian's image with wide, unwavering eyes. When she finally turned to Erik, there were tears in them.

"Erik…" she said softly. Suddenly, she reached up, and pulled his face toward hers. Then she gave him a long, soft kiss on the cheek. Taking his hands, she pressed them to her mouth, and kissed each one in turn.

"Thank you."

When she reached up, and took his face in her hands, Erik wanted to pull her to him, and kiss her. Instead, he suppressed his passion, and gave himself up to the sensation of her soft lips on his face. His pounding heart slowed a bit when she released his hands.

Slowly, he traced the line of her jaw with his first two fingers as he looked into her grateful eyes. "Jade," he said with a touch of huskiness, "the bedroom door is very secure if you bolt it. Will you stay the night? I will bring you back in the morning, in time for mass."

Stepping back, she wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. When she looked up at him, her eyes had become older and serene. Reaching for his hand, she held it momentarily and said, "Yes Erik, I will stay with you tonight."

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Easing into the steaming bath, Jade stretched out with a sigh. What a pleasure it was to lie in this warm pool! There was hot and cold running water at her command, with fragrant herbs to doctor her bath. The tensions of the day slipped away as a blissful peace took hold. In her imaginings, she had never expected that a place such as this existed. All she'd known was that wherever Erik lived, it would be extraordinary.

Part of her wanted to steal a lantern, and explore the hidden cavern that lay outside. But it was pointless to try to slip past Erik. The man lived and breathed darkness, and probably had the ears of a wild animal. He certainly had the eyes of a cat.

Snorting at that, she dipped her head into the water, and doused her hair. While running her soapy fingers through the dark mass, she reflected on a remarkable evening. Oddly enough, sharing a meal with Erik in his home as he silently watched her hadn't felt unusual. She'd grown accustomed to his scrutiny and silence.

The large room they'd dined in was splendid. There were marble floors covered with fine woolen rugs of intricate design. A magnificent organ was set on a dais against a backdrop of mirrors. The tall bookcases that covered one wall were full of books with amazing topics and foreign titles. She could easily spend months here reading.

Finishing her scrub, she lay back in the tub and let her mind wander. After all the excitement, she felt pleasantly content. Poking her toes through the suds, she lazily wondered what he thought of her being in his home. His fondness for her was obvious. But what else did he feel?

Languidly her hands moved across her glistening belly, and up to her breasts as she recalled how his broad shoulders had sensuously swayed when he'd walked ahead of her into the bedroom. For a moment, she'd thought that he was about to break his promise, and a thrill had mingled with her fear.

She shivered as she thought of the gift. The man was a genius when it came to knowing her heart! And now she was in his home, adjacent to his brilliant mind, with the only barrier between them a bolt on her bedroom door.

A charming bedroom. How many women have slept here before me? The thought of an amorous Erik with overnight guests was too much. Quickly, she exited the tub, and dried herself on the soft rug.

Strolling into the bedroom, she rubbed the towel across her hair, and sat down in front of the vanity mirror. After gathering the towel around her waist, she combed out her hair. The air was a little chilly on her bare shoulders and breasts, and its brisk fingers kept her awake long enough to complete her task. She rifled through the dresser and found a cotton chemise that was similar to the one she usually wore. The wardrobe produced a robe that also looked very much like the one she had in the opera house. Wrapping it around her, she walked to the painting, and stared at it while continuing to comb out her hair.

The tears returned as she gazed at the exquisite depiction of the child. The fine flaxen hair, the delicate heart shaped face, it was all there, encapsulated in time.

Sighing deeply, Jade looked for the artist's signature. The painter's style was familiar. At the bottom of the picture she found the name: Degas.

Her mouth opened with astonishment. How could he have known?

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Poking her head out of the bedroom door, Jade listened to the undulating melody that filled the hall. Leaning towards it, she was strongly tempted to go to its source.

She looked down at her robe. What would he think of her wandering around his home with a wet head and a frumpy wrap? Would she be intruding?

If I retire with wet hair in the morning it will be an unmanageable mane, she reasoned. Why not spend the next hour with Erik? The concert in the church had had an untimely end. This was a chance to hear him play again.

Quietly moving to the kitchen, she peered around the doorframe at the man who was seated at the organ.

Erik's face was tilted up as his shoulders and back moved in rhythm to the music. He had removed his coat and waistcoat, and was wearing a white shirt, which hung open at the chest. From her viewpoint, the white mask covered his face. Its rise and fall as he extended and flexed his neck was mesmerizing. The inanimate object had been brought to life by the music's spell.

Turning away, she stood with her back pressed against the kitchen wall, and shut her eyes. She could feel the music in her throat, and breasts. Its soft, tender quality swirled, and permeated her senses. She could smell it. It had the rich scent of vanilla mingled with the light perfume of the white orchids.

Dreamily, she opened her eyes, and wondered if she should take a seat at the couch. She was safe here, in the kitchen, away from his penetrating eyes. If he saw her attraction for him what would he do?

Again she looked into the room at his moving figure. He was beautiful in the candlelight.

Suddenly, Jade felt shy and awkward as she realized how silly she was being. I'm behaving like a love struck child.

Erik is not someone to swoon over, she coolly reminded herself. He was far too dangerous and unpredictable to be making sheep's eyes at. When he chose to, the man breathed fire.

Pushing aside her troublesome feelings, she grimly studied him, and decided it was time to squelch this foolishness. Briskly, she walked across the room, and sat upon the coach. If he noticed her, he gave no indication. The music continued.

It was the same melody with variations. Sometimes it was soft and sweet, and at other times it had a sweeping grace. It was endless, and appeared to have taken over its player who seemed to have lost touch with everything else around him.

Jade listened intently, and after awhile, her tension melted. There was something very pure about the way Erik joined with his music. It was as if it was a living being, and he was allowing it to use him so that its voice could be heard. It's like the music in my mind. I don't pick or choose what will come. While it's with me, I live and breathe it until it leaves.

That soothed her. Erik and she were alike. He was a kindred spirit.

Her head felt heavy, so she rested it on the arm of the couch. Moments later, she was curled up on it, and quietly breathing as Erik's music followed her into her dreams.

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Jade awoke in the canopied bed. Her eyelids quivered, and then closed as she rolled onto her side. The candles were still lit. She could see the golden glow through her eyelids. Sighing, she settled deeper into the soft mattress that cupped her body. Something warm swept across her hair. A hand gently stroked it. She had just left a dream where he had been holding her in his arms. It was natural and right that his hand was still with her.

"Erik," she murmured. Then she fell back to sleep.

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Erik stood over her, and intently watched as she disappeared into her dreams. He smiled when she said his name.