Chapter 5: Fumbled Introductions
Erik sat silently reading in the privacy of his bedroom. Despite his attempt to focus on the book on hand, his thoughts were continuously lured to the letters that sat on his desk. Nicholas had forwarded letters from the prestigious Boshoi Theatre, who had been intrigued by the latest sample he had supplied them. For once in his life, his music was being accepted and he was being honored for it. He had never experienced open praise before. He had always worked vigorously on his music but had used force to have it performed. For once opera houses, musicians, and theaters were soliciting for his music. The fact provided a sense of gratification his work had previously not produced. Yet another debt he owed to Nicholas for graciously using his influence to open doors that may not have been so easily accessible otherwise.
His music had always been an emotional outlet. One he had briefly turned away from during his dispirited transition, however, as always he returned to his beloved music. However, even his music could not occupy his thoughts at all times.
Late in the evenings when he no other distractions, his treacherous heart would make itself known. He tried not to think of Christine, yet one's fickle mind could not always be restrained. He thought of her every night. During the day he venomously attempted to keep himself busy, even attempting to learn the Russian language in a vain attempt to avoid thoughts of her.
The truth was he felt hollow without her. The dull ache in the pit of his stomach never truly stopped. She was a wound that simply could not heal because in truth, it had never stopped bleeding.
On more than once occasion the idea of returning to Paris had crossed his mind, only to realize it was hopeless. Their lives had gone different paths. Paths he was certain would never cross again. Christine was married and he was establishing a solid foundation for a new life away from his tumultuous past. The Crimea and its surroundings offered him both privacy and solitude when he desired it, as well as companionship and, to some level, acceptance by those around him. He never would have been granted the latter in his previous life.
He was not feared by anyone in the estate or the neighboring estates. The local nobleman had welcomed him to their social circle and had been refreshingly forward with him. They confessed, to his face, they had indeed been taken aback by his mask and his mysterious persona, but understood that he was a product of his predicament. Nicholas had taken upon himself to fabricate a tale of a horrific accident which had permanently damaged his face. People, it seemed, could easily be swayed to acceptance if they believed you to be an innocent victim. He couldn't remember when he had ever been an innocent victim. When he attempted to correct Nicholas on his deception, he had waved him off claiming it was best to provide a story than allow them to fabricate their own. It was one of the rare times Nicholas had broached the subject of his face. Erik had come to hold a profound sense of respect and loyalty for the man who continued to treat him with a level of esteem he had always been denied. In fact, most of the neighbors appeared to have followed Nicholas's lead and treated him as one of their own.
One neighbor in particular, the Orlov's; were very warm and friendly toward him. Often insisting he join them for tea or lunch. It had been a daunting experience when he joined them for lunch on what turned out to be his first social call. Nervous and stiff, the couple had quickly put him at ease with their casual demeanor. He doubted they understood how much their noble gesture had touched him, or how significant it had been.
Noise from the bedroom next to his distracted his thoughts. There should be no one in that bedroom, his brows came together in a frown. He put the book aside without hesitating approached the adjoining door. He had been told the adjoining room had previously belonged to be Nicholas's daughter's room, while his present room had been assigned to her nursemaid. He had never heard of any nursemaid living in such privileged conditions, but his lack of expertise in such matters hardly made him an expert. The room was normally closed off and only opened when it required dusting. Even if it was being cleaned, the majority of the servants had retreated for the evening.
There had been tales of scoundrels in the area. Had someone dared to trespass on the estate? His chest inflated with indignation. Whoever was in the room, he would be sure to make them pay for daring to steal from such a generous man. Snarling he proceeded to open the door slowly.
There was no light in the room; the darkness aiding his quiet approach. His eyes, which had long adjusted to the dark, quickly detected a lean form near the nightstand. Like a predator he approached the thief with utter care, careful not to evoke any sound. He observed as the person reach into their pockets, oblivious to his presence. He moved swiftly locking his arms around the figure who gave a shocked cry before immediately beginning to resist his hold. Although the boy of was of decent height, he lacked the significant strength to combat him. He forced the boy against the wall pulling his arms behind his back.
"I'm afraid you have made a grave mistake boy," Erik hissed.
"No, it is you who has made the mistake," a soft but sharp voice responded. Erik inhaled sharply as the voice shattered his captives veneer.
"You're a woman?" Unsettled by his bewilderment he failed to notice the woman in his hold shift her leg slightly before she gave a swift kick backwards that effectively loosened his hold as he collapsed onto his knees. Debilitated by the trauma inflicted to his person, he gasped as the pain traveled to his abdominal cavity. He swore in three different languages before his mask was dislodged by a blow to the face. One hand instantly reached up to cover his marred face while desperately attempting to ignore the stabbing pain in his stomach. Erik attempted to search for his mask, but his attacker effectively froze his movements when she held a knife against his neck.
"Do not move," she cautioned.
Before he could formulate a response, light abruptly appeared at the door. He turned to see Madame Giry in the doorway with Nicholas besides her holding an oil lamp, as Meg attempted to peek over their shoulders. .
"Tatiana! Release him!" Madame Giry cried as she rushed towards them. Instantaneously he felt the sharp object removed from his neck, as simultaneously the room was lightened. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed little Meg Giry lighting the various lamps in the room.
"My mask!" he demanded mortified at his current state. Madame Giry reached to where his mask had fallen and handed it to him. He quickly adjusted the mask back into place, declining her assistance as she attempted to aid him. Once his mask was securely in its place he got to his feet and turned to see his attacker. Despite wearing men's clothing, it was now apparent his formidable opponent was indeed female. Although she was taller than most women, her figure from what he could ascertain was too lithe to be man's. Her face remained shielded from his inspection as she embraced Nicholas.
Perplexed by the sight before him, he noticed of Nicholas's elated expression. Madame Giry had called the girl 'Tatiana', gradual understanding overcame him. Nicholas's only child.
He remained incensed over his injured pride. He'd had altercations with men of various sizes and backgrounds, yet none had bested him as she had. Unable to shake his acrimonious sentiments, he turned to leave the room, without acknowledging Madame Giry or Meg who stood at his side. There would be time for answers later, at the moment he required privacy to deal with his wounded pride and person.
Madame Giry stood over her bed unpacking their belongings while Meg quietly admired the room her mother had been provided. She frowned at her daughter's awed expression. Despite the late hour, she remained very alert and animated. She wished she shared some of her youthful energy. She'd been quite content to retire for the evening after bidding Nicholas and Tatiana a good evening. No doubt father and daughter would have much to discuss, and her presence would only hinder their vital private reunion.
"Mama, have you ever seen such a place?" Meg asked as she ran her hands over the curtains silk material. It was not difficult to notice Meg had been completely enthralled by the richness of their surroundings.
"Yes," she responded sharply. She was not in a particularly talkative mood. Between their long journey, and the unexpected quarrel between Erik and Tatiana, she was utterly exhausted. They had traveled aggressively over the last two weeks. Having to travel through a foreign land was nerve wrecking enough with the added fear of being discovered, it had all but leveled her poor nerves. Too much had occurred at once, not enough was explained, but for now it was enough they had reached their destination. She was eager to rest, the train and carriage rides providing little comfort and restful sleep. Hopefully in the morning, everything would be settled enough to discuss whatever lingering misunderstandings there may be.
Meg's alarmed gasped jolted her from her thoughts as she turned as one of the walls opened and Erik emerged from the hidden door. He walked past Meg as he approached her. His expression underlined his irritable state, yet she did not cower. Her eyes remained fixed on his as he stood before her.
"What are you doing here?" Despite his calm demeanor she did not miss the dangerous edge to his voice.
"It is nice to see you too Erik." she said as she continued to unpack her things. She was not in any mood to deal with his temperament.
"Answer me!" he demanded.
"I had hoped you had learned to have better control over your temper," she chided, "Despite your lack of manners, I do believe you are looking healthier."
"I doubt you came all this way to reprimand me for my lack of manners," his eyes bore into hers, "why are you here?"
"Monsieur please calm down!" Meg pleaded as she attempted to approach him only to shrink back with one angry glare.
"Step away from me child!" Erik heaved, "This is between your mother and I."
"That is enough!" She shifted her gaze to her daughter. "Meg go to your bedroom, I shall see you in the morning."
Meg thankfully did not question her mother as she mumbled good evening before hastily retreating.
"I'm waiting."
"I have traveled much and unlike you it was not in complete comfort and luxury," she explained as she took a seat in a nearby chair before casually gesturing him to take a seat beside her. Erik nodded as he elegantly sat down. She noted his skin was livelier. He'd always had a taste for masking his appearance, however at the moment his skin was emanating a natural glow rather than a cosmetic one.
"As you may know the girl who you encountered was Tatiana Alexandrovna, Nicholas's daughter and heir."
"I presumed as much."
"Two weeks ago she came to me in desperate need of my help. I could not deny her and decided to bring her home to her father."
"Why did you not send word?"
"There was no time. It also would not have been prudent considering the circumstances of her, uh, departure." It was not for her to reveal Tatiana's secrets; however, she knew Erik would not be satisfied with ambiguous explanations. "Erik she cannot return to Paris. I know she hurt you but it was not on purpose-"
"Not on purpose? That girl did what no other man could!" He hissed angrily.
She couldn't hold back the giggle that escaped her lips.
"You dare mock me?"Erik looked at her with fury in his eyes.
"Erik, perhaps when you have calmed down will also find this amusing. It is not every day; a woman holds a knife against the infamous Phantom of the Opera."
"She will pay." He vowed.
"You would harm the daughter of the man who saved you?"
Silence. A small smile graced her lips. She knew Erik was loyal, volatile but loyal. He would not harm Tatiana, although it was doubtful he would be inclined to extend her same trust as her father.
"Why has she fled her home?"
"It is not for me to disclose Erik."
"How long will you be here?"
"I plan on returning to Paris in two days."
"Are you sure?"
"I only came to escort her here, Erik. I have no other reason to be here."
"Are you sure about that?" he asked with a slight smirk. She did not miss the innuendo and quickly blushed, putting her hand on her rosy cheeks.
"Of course!" she stammered out.
Erik laughed at her obvious discomfort. She could not recall him ever having caused her to stammer or blush in such a manner. His laughter only caused her face to redden further. She lowered her gaze unable to meet his amused gaze.
"Forgive me Madame," he said as he took her hand and kissed it. "I owe much to you."
"You owe me nothing Erik."
"You save me as child, and again when you could have so easily have been rid of me. I'm not one to forget kind acts of mercy." She squeezed his hand. "It does me good to see a familiar face here."
"I'm so very happy to see you Erik. I've thought of you constantly."
"I swear to you I will speak to no one about your relationship with Monsieur Alexandrov." His eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Erik what do you know?" she asked eagerly
"I know enough to understand the meaning behind those blushes, Madame," his lip twitched into a smile, "Now if you excuse me, I do believe you are tired and require some rest." He left her speechless as she blushed to the roots of her hair.
A/N: Looking over the story, I realized some chapters could be combined, this was actually two chapters. FYI, chapters do get longer in later chapters, between 4,000 to 5,000 words so don't get used to this short chapters. Although the chapters are revised, could use a BETA if anyone is interested. I think I'll work towards one update a week. Is that fair? Anyway, thanks for reading, and feel free to review.