Hi everybody,
I hope you are still sticking with me, even though I am currently putting our couple through the wringer... Please keep reading, keep putting on alert, adding to favorites and, most of all, keep reviewing. It is your support what keeps me going!
This chapter is slightly longer than normal, I simply could not find a way to cut it down to usual length. I hope you will enjoy it! And keep in mind, I do not own those characters...
Chapter 20 – Silent Tears
"Lotte, I have a wonderful surprise for you!" Raoul announced to his wife. "You will be able to perform again!"
Christine's eyes betrayed no emotion as she looked up from the book she had been reading. She had learned in the few weeks of her marriage to keep all her feelings under control and to always appear calm and composed, almost a bit cold and unfeeling.
"I do not understand," she said slowly, her voice even. "You told me yourself that it is a definite no-go for a Vicomtesse to display herself shamelessly upon a stage." Those had been Raoul's very own words when he had informed her that she had to quit the Opéra Populaire after the production of "Le Nozze di Figaro" had run its course. He had had the guts to call her performing a shameless display, as if she had behaved improperly on stage. He of all people had dared to use the word "shameless"! He, who liked nothing better than to see her naked and to grope her in the most vulgar ways.
Raoul grinned. "Of course not here, Lotte," he assured her. "That would cause a scandal. But I have been exploring a few opportunities. You know that as a patron of the Opéra Populaire I have been planning to organize an exchange of productions with other theaters. I have been working on that project recently. We are going to London, Lotte. I will talk to the people in charge of theaters, and you will be able to do a concert in the meantime."
"London?" Christine almost lost her cold composure. London... That's where Erik was. Erik, whom her heart could not forget and still longed for. Erik, who had betrayed her, abandoned her for another, a woman who brought him a theater as her dowry.
"Yes, Lotte," Raoul continued, observing her reaction as he landed his final blow. "London. I have already made appointments with the managers and secured your concert with one of them, a place called "The Music House". I thought it would please you to see your former teacher again, this Monsieur Givenould."
Christine closed her eyes for a second to hide her shock. Erik! If Raoul met him, he would know that Erik Givenould was the Phantom, the one he had tried to have put on the wanted list for murdering Buquet. Fortunately, the police had not been convinced it was not a case of self-defense and had dropped the case. But if Raoul recognized Erik, would that not put Erik in danger? Would Raoul not try to harm him?
She composed herself and said coldly, "I have not seen Monsieur Givenould in a very long time, true. But then, we were not that close, he was just my teacher."
Raoul laughed. "If I did not know better, you could have fooled me, you little minx!" he said. "You are worried, for even though he has dropped you like a hot potato when he had the chance to marry a rich heiress, your heart still beats for him. You are worried sick that I might discover who he really is, that ugly, disfigured freak!"
Christine paled. "I do not know, what you are talking about," she whispered, trying in vain to keep her hands still.
"Oh, don't lie!" Raoul replied. "I know it all. He is the ugly monster that used to extort money from André and Firmin, who murdered Buquet. And he is the man of your perverted sexual phantasies. I am sorry that I am not such a savage beast as he is that can fully satisfy your appetite, Lotte, but I am trying my best. And don't worry. I won't hurt him. At least not as long as you keep your distance and do not try to get back into his favor again. Show him that cold composure that you always give me, then he will be safe. Of course it cannot hurt to keep me in a good mood, Lotte," he added, reaching for the buttons of her blouse.
Christine gave him an icy look, but quickly helped him unbutton her blouse then leaned back to give him better access. There was no point in fighting him, not when so much depended on her obedience. So she offered her breasts to the touch of his fingers and mouth.
She did it for Erik, she realized, even more so than for Meg. Erik had betrayed her and hurt her in the most cruel way, and yet... As much as she tried to convince herself that a man who had treated her as poorly as he had done should be as good as dead for her, that she should not waste even one thought on such an unfaithful scoundrel, she could not forget him and her heart still longed for him. To keep him safe, to make sure Raoul would be happy enough with her to leave Erik alone, she let him do with her as he pleased.
"You will not try to flirt with Givenould?" Raoul asked, his fingers kneading Christine's breasts so hard that it hurt, then lowering his mouth to one of them and teasing the nipple with his tongue while his hand reached under her skirt.
Christine felt like hitting him hard for the way he treated her, but she remained calm. She did not want to give Raoul reason to complain about her, for then Erik might suffer. Oh Erik! Why could he not have been faithful! Why did he have to abandon her, so that she could fall prey to this shamelessly debauched man in front of her that now was her husband.
"Of course not," she said coldly. "I would never sink as low as trying to attract another woman's husband, and of course, I also know my duties as your wife. I will do nothing that could tarnish the honor of the de Chagny-name"
Xxxx
It was Erik's first day back at work after his so-called honey-moon. He had to admit that his marriage was not as bad as he had feared it might turn out. He did care for his young wife in his own way, and her obvious adoration and love was like a healing balm on his broken heart. True, Amanda-Ann was no Christine. He would never be able to love his wife as much as he had loved that heartless wench that had sworn her love and faithfulness to him only to give herself to the rich and handsome Vicomte not too long after he, Erik, had had to leave Paris.
Christine! The pain she had caused him with her betrayal still burned in him like an open wound. He would have bet his life on the sincerity of her love! How could those beautiful eyes of hers have deceived him so? He remembered the way she had looked at him that last night, when he had left Paris, so full of love, so sad because of their separation, so worried about him. How could all this have been a lie? How could she have forgotten him so quickly?
Erik shook his head. No, there was no point in remembering the past. That chapter of his life was over. He must forget Christine, the sooner,the better. He had a loving wife now, who truly cared for him and appreciated him for who he was. It was wrong to still long for Christine, when such an angel as Amanda-Ann had blessed him with her love. She deserved his love more than Christine.
"As you can see, everything went well during your absence," his father-in-law interrupted Erik's thoughts. They had attended a rehearsal so that Erik could get an idea of how the theater was running. He had not been particularly attentive, but then, the play was mostly routine now, and everybody knew exactly what was expected of them.
A stagehand approached Mr. Stanton and whispered something into his ear. Stanton immediately stood and turned to Erik. "I almost forgot, we have an appointment in your office," he informed his son-in-law. "Apparently the gentleman has just arrived. It is about an interesting business proposal, a collaboration with another theater. Let's go and hear, what he has to say. Erik, as Amanda-Ann's husband you are now the manager of the theater, and you will of course have the final say in this, but I think it might be a good chance for us to do more productions per year. Amanda-Ann would certainly love that. She has not seen too many operas yet, but she is always eager to get to know new plays."
Erik nodded and followed his father-in-law to the office. He had no clue what kind of collaboration between theaters this caller could possibly suggest, and he was rather skeptical, but it could not hurt to see what this gentleman had to propose.
When Erik entered the office right behind Mr. Stanton, his eyes widened and he grasped for the door frame to steady himself. There, in the office, were the last two people he had expected to see. Seated in the comfortable armchair, dressed in an expensive green dress which made her dark brown eyes glow like liquid lava, was Christine, and behind her, his hand possessively on her shoulder, stood de Chagny.
"Bonjour, welcome!" Carl Stanton greeted the visitors. "Monsieur le Vicomte, Madame!" He bowed his head to Raoul, then took Christine's extended hand and raised it to his lips. "I am Carl Stanton, and this is my son-in-law Erik Givenould."
Erik now approached as well. He thanked God that with some financial support from his new family he had been able to acquire the expensive materials necessary for the fabrication of a lifelike mask, and that thanks to this new cover he looked more or less normal. It was therefore doubtful that de Chagny would recognize him as the so-called "Phantom". Christine of course knew who he was. How would she react?
His heart beat faster. How beautiful she was! Yet now, that his father-in-law had introduced him, and she turned to look at him, he almost gasped. Her eyes that moments before had seemed so vivid, now were lifeless. Christine almost looked through him, as if he were thin air, when she extended her hand to him as well. Erik looked at her coldly. He did take her hand, but raised it nowhere near his lips. There was still a good inch between them and Christine's hand when he released her.
Christine needed to summon all her strength to keep up her cool composure. Her heart quivered at the sight of Erik. What would she have given if she could have jumped up and thrown herself into his arms! But that was over now, had to be over now, for Erik had betrayed her, he belonged to another woman, just like she belonged to another man. His coldness hurt her more than she had expected. She wanted to hate him – and couldn't.
"Messieurs," she said, her voice as cold as ice, "I am pleased to meet you."
"As you should, Christine, ma chérie," Raoul chimed in, bowing down to her and kissing her hair. "You see, Monsieur Stanton has promised to let you do a recital at this theater."
Erik inhaled deeply. He knew he could not make a scene, and if he was honest, he would love to hear Christine sing again, but he had to think of Amanda-Ann as well. After all, she was the true owner of the theater. Could he allow that shameless wench who had sold herself to the Vicomte to profane their stage?
He therefore turned to his father-in-law, frowning. "Was this not a bit of a hasty promise?" he asked sarcastically. "Madame is a Vicomtesse, and as far as I remember, ladies of the aristocracy may pursue music as a hobby, and some of them even perform at private soirées, but that does not necessarily mean they are on the same level as trained performers. We have only just begun to make a name for ourselves..."
Christine almost fainted. How could he say such things about her? He of all people should know that her voice was more than up to the challenge, even though she might be a bit out of practice, since Raoul had not allowed her to sing at home.
"Monsieur, I assure you that my dear wife is an accomplished opera singer," Raoul chimed in, very pleased with the way Christine and Erik were obviously trying their best to hurt each other. "I confess that I selfishly stole away the Opéra Populaire's most promising star, when I married my dear Christine. But our love was just too strong, was it not, my love?"
Christine nodded. She was not able to speak.
"But if you have doubts, Monsieur... Givenould," Raoul spat out Erik's last name, as if it were some insult. "Maybe we can proceed to your stage and Christine can give you a sample of her art, right, chérie?"
"Of course," Christine managed to say and stood. "If you would please show me the way?"
Raoul was immediately at her side, putting his arm around her middle to guide her. Even though Erik turned to lead the way he could not help but notice that Raoul's hand was not exactly lying on Christine's hip, but a bit lower down, on her buttock.
On stage, Christine sang Susanna's aria from "Le Nozze di Figaro" and Mr. Stanton was blown away. Even Erik had to admit that there was very little he could complain about, she had sung it almost flawlessly.
"Madame,you were stupendous!" Carl Stanton exclaimed. "Erik, what do you say? Was I right to organize that recital or not?"
"I guess we can risk it," Erik grudgingly agreed. He had tried his best to keep Christine away from their theater, but it had been in vain. After her display of talent there was no reason left to object to her recital.
"You must have dinner with us," Carl Stanton continued. "My daughter appreciates good music and I am sure she will love to meet you, Madame. Of course you as well, Monsieur," he hastily added, grinning at Raoul apologetically.
Erik felt like struck down by a flash of lightning. Christine in their home? The Vicomte's shameless whore and his pure, innocent wife? He could not allow it!
"Will that not be a bit too exhausting for Amanda-Ann, father?" he therefore tried to prevent such a disastrous meeting between the two women. He had to protect Amanda-Ann. After all, how could he know what that snake Christine, who had obviously found a way to introduce herself into his life again after she had sold herself to the Vicomte, could tell his innocent white dove? What if Christine told Amanda-Ann of her former engagement to Erik? What if Amanda-Ann then feared that Christine had come to win him back?
"Oh Erik, don't worry so much," Mr. Stanton replied. "Our Amanda-Ann may be of delicate health, but music has always had an invigorating influence on her. I am sure, she would love to meet Madame de Chagny. Maybe we can then also discuss the program of the recital, which arias Madame would like to sing and in what order."
"That would be excellent!" Raoul agreed. "We would be delighted to meet Madame Givenould, n'est-ce pas, chérie?" he asked Christine.
Christine had no desire whatsoever to meet that rival of hers, the woman that had managed to lure Erik into her trap by offering him a theater. But she also knew that she could not risk upsetting Raoul, who obviously wanted to accept this dinner invitation. For whatever he had done to her, and how poorly he had treated her this afternoon, she still did not want Erik to get in trouble with the police. If she wanted to avoid such a scenario, she had to do what Raoul wanted.
She therefore said with a forced smile, "I would indeed be pleased to meet your esteemed daughter, Monsieur Stanton, and as you suggested, we could discuss my performance."
Erik sighed. The inevitable was about to happen. He had no idea how he could protect Amanda-Ann.
Xxxx
When Amanda-Ann learned that a potential future business partner of theirs was coming to dinner with his wife, an extraordinary soprano, as her father assured her, she was excited.
"Do you think she will sing for us tonight?" she asked her father and husband. "I would so love to hear her as well! And you just have to allow me to come to her recital!"
"We'll see about that," Erik tried to stop her enthusiasm. "Maybe you won't like her, once you meet her. She seemed very cold to me." And inwardly he prayed that Christine would leave his wife alone, would not disturb Amanda-Ann's peace.
When Raoul and Christine arrived, Amanda-Ann greeted their guests very warmly and invited Christine to sit down next to her on the sofa.
"My father told me what a wonderful singer you are, Madame," Amanda-Ann chattered. "I would love to hear you sing later. And I am so looking forward to your recital."
Christine was shocked. Erik's wife was not at all what she had expected. She had come prepared to hate her rival, the woman that had stolen from her the man she loved, had bought him with a theater. But when she saw Amanda-Ann, her hatred dissipated. No, she could not hate that woman. Whatever had made Erik leave her for Amanda-Ann, it could not have been this frail girl's doing, of that she was certain.
"I am happy to grant your wish, Madame Givenould," she therefore said, more warmly than she had intended.
"Oh, how sweet of you!" Amanda-Ann exclaimed happily. "I already like you. I think we will get along very well, which we should, since our husbands will be business partners. I have never had a girlfriend before. Maybe you and I could become friends?"
Christine smiled. "I would be honored of your friendship," she replied.
Mr. Stanton then asked them to proceed to the dining room. He offered his arm to Christine, who, after a look at Raoul to make sure he was fine with that situation, took it. Raoul then gallantly approached Amanda-Ann, but Erik was first. "I will lead my wife myself," he announced, helping her up from the sofa and leading her to the table.
Christine noticed the way how Erik looked at his wife, so full of devotion, of fondness. He obviously cared deeply for this frail child-woman. But he did not look at Amanda-Ann the way he had looked at her all those months ago, so full of love. And while it filled her with satisfaction that what Erik had once felt for her must have been deeper and stronger than what he felt for his wife, she also could not help but feel compassion for this woman who obviously adored Erik but did not possess his heart the way she had possessed it.
After dinner, Mr. Stanton invited Raoul and Erik into the library for a glass of port and maybe a cigar. "You will retire to the parlor with Madame de Chagny, my dear," he told Amanda-Ann. "We won't leave the two of you alone for long, I promise."
"You should rest, Amanda-Ann," Erik told her. "Sit down, close your eyes a bit. I am sure Madame will want to prepare for her song with which she will grace us later." He had no desire to leave Amanda-Ann alone with Christine, but he could not well stay behind with them.
"Is your husband such a tyrant as well, Madame de Chagny?" Amanda-Ann asked Christine, sighing. "I used to be a bit weak, and because of that my father and my husband treat me like a raw egg and won't allow me to do anything that could tire me out. But I am not that weak anymore, I am strong now!"
"I am sure, your husband and father mean well," Christine replied, deeply moved by the young woman's problems.
Then she turned to Mr. Stanton, pointedly ignoring Erik. "I assure you that I am feeling a bit tired as well, I won't exhaust Madame Givenould, since I would like to rest a bit as well. You gentlemen go and enjoy your wine and cigars, we will be fine!"
Both Raoul and Erik gave her a worried look. Neither was sure leaving her alone with Amanda-Ann was a good idea. Both of them feared what she might tell her rival. But the women smiled reassuringly, so the men followed Mr. Stanton to the library.
Xxxx
When Amanda-Ann and Christine reached the parlor, Amanda-Ann once again asked Christine to sit down next to her on the sofa.
"And now tell me a bit," Amanda-Ann begged. "You have been a singer? You have actually performed on a stage? What was it like? What plays did you perform in?"
She sat down comfortably and listened to Christine telling her about the Opéra Populaire, how she had lived in the ballet dormitories after her father's death, about her friend Meg and Meg's mother, the ballet mistress, how she had had singing lessons with a very talented teacher, and when the prima donna had cancelled a performance – Christine left out the detail about the dropped piece of scenery – she had been able to step in.
"That must have been so exciting!" Amanda-Ann exclaimed. "I wish I were strong enough to sing! Maybe in a few years. I love music so. Papa even bought the theater for me, and he hired Erik, ..."
Her eyes took on a dreamy glance. "Hiring Erik was the best thing papa ever did," she confessed. "For that was how I met my husband. I fell in love with him immediately, he is so talented."
Christine needed all her strength to remain composed. She remembered days when she herself had had similar thoughts about Erik, when she had hoped for a future with him.
"I am so grateful to papa for hiring Erik," Amanda-Ann prattled on. "But maybe I should rather be grateful to a French girl."
"How so?" Christine was not quite sure what the young woman was talking about.
"Because my Erik had already loved another girl before me, back home in France, where he is from," Amanda-Ann explained. "But she cannot have loved him very much. She did not wait for him and married another man."
Christine's eyes suddenly filled with tears. So that's what Erik had told his wife. That she had not waited for him and married another, when it had been him who had gotten engaged to this girl long before Raoul had shown her that compromising flyer.
"Oh, Madame de Chagny, I am sorry," Amanda-Ann continued. "I made you cry with this sad story. I know, it is very moving. It makes me want to cry as well, just to think about how heartless this woman must have been. But I am grateful to her, for if she had been faithful, my Erik would doubtlessly now be married to her, he would never have come here, and I would never have met him."
Christine nodded. "I am such a romantic," she confessed, "I even cry when I perform in a tragedy." Then she mumbled, "maybe we should both rest now, I am a bit tired as well, and I will have to sing later..."
When the men returned about half an hour later, they found both ladies leaning back, their eyes closed, dozing.
In the presence of her husband, Christine quickly found her composure again. She made a few polite remarks, and finally sang a Swedish folksong for Amanda-Ann, who was enthralled.
Once the de Chagnys had left, Amanda-Ann smiled at her husband. "I do not understand how such a nice woman like Madame de Chagny could marry this Vicomte," she said. "They are not a good match at all. He is a very authoritative man, and sometimes he looks at her as if he were undressing her in his mind. But her, she is such a nice person..."
"She probably married him for his title," Erik said coldly. "Or his money, or both. She probably did not want to remain a singer for the rest of her life."
Amanda-Ann laughed. "No, Erik, you are mistaken. She is nothing like that. She is a very warm and caring person, and money and a title mean nothing to her, I am certain of that."
