Chapter 10: Agreement
Tatiana was momentarily left aghast by his brazenness. The moment quickly passed as her blood began to circulate once more. Her eyes narrowed as his inscrutable expression.
"Excuse me?" She did not attempt to mask her chagrin. She tensed slightly as he began to approach her. His movements were slow, almost cautiously calculated.
"Please do not look so offended. You can relinquish whatever salacious thoughts you are currently entertaining; I can assure they are nothing of what I have in mind." Her jaw clenched in irritation as she noted his eyes appeared to glitter with amusement. "As lovely as your face may be, I'm afraid you're a rather too asperous for my taste." He raised a gloved hand and slowly pulled aside a few loose strands of hair that had fallen over her face. Her gaze never wavered from his. "I wish for you to educate me in the ways of your people."
"Teach you?" She blinked in puzzlement. "Aside from a few asperous tendencies of your own, one could almost mistake you for a gentleman." His lips curled into small smile.
"Merci Madame," his tone had a mixture of amusement and something she could not quite place. "I aspire to learn the language and customs of this country, and do to so I'm afraid I'm in need of a knowledgeable instructor."
"This may sound slightly deranged but why not hire someone?"
"Perhaps it may have escaped your notice but my appearance is somewhat irregular." She inwardly cringed as she recalled her blunt remark during their previous exchange. "Many are disturbed by my appearance; however you have yet to blanch at the sight of my mask."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Hardly, merely an observation."
"I'm afraid I do not believe I'm the adequate person to educate anyone."
"Are you not currently educating Meg Giry?" He inquired with feigned ignorance.
"Why not ask my father? He seems to be remarkably fond of you." She casually averted his question. "Would it not be simpler to seek his assistance?"
"A wise choice except for the current restrictions of his leisure time," He shrugged casually before motioning at the chair nearby, "do you mind?"
"Please do." She motioned for him to sit.
"I'm sure it has not escaped your notice how frequently your father is in the company of Madame Giry."
"Naturally," she noted his elegant poise as he sat. He carries himself well, she thought.
"Your father is far too busy between his business and Madame Giry. Who am I to inconvenience him with my needs?"
"Yet have no calms about inconveniencing me."
"It would not be an inconvenience if we were to mutually benefit."
"You appear very confident you'll be able to secure my divorce."
"I have a talent for persuasiveness." His eyes appeared to dance with amusement.
She weighed his words cautiously. Her father may be inclined to trust the man; however it would be foolish for her to place her trust in a stranger. She noted how distinctly different he was conducting himself. His manners underlined the education of a cultivated aristocrat.
"My husband is not easily persuaded," she admitted, "even if he was, I'm afraid the outcome of our marriage will be decided upon higher powers." She reflected briefly on the truth of her words. Even now her eventual fate was out of her hands.
"I admit I am unfamiliar with the legal proceedings regarding martial separations. Regardless of the country, the concept is scarcely executed, especially in families such as yours."
"I'm well aware," she detected a slight accent, one she could not quite place. "You say you wish to learn the language of my country, why?"
"One can hardly reside in a country without understanding the language."
"You will remain as guest for an extended period of time then?"
"Does this disturb you?"
"By no means," she lied smoothly, "merely curious." She could not dismiss the suspiciousness he inspired. He was by all means a stranger, yet it was highly doubtful her father would have welcomed him into their home unless there was some familiarity. "Let's say I accept your offer, what exactly do you need to know?"
"Everything; I'm accustomed to the French culture, Madame."
"Fortunate for you Russian society strives to emulate the French culture. I will do as you ask but you do not need to bother yourself with my divorce." He raised his eyebrow in surprise before slowly rising.
"Then what do you require? I do not like to owe anyone anything." He inquired as he walked towards her bedroom window.
"You will owe me a favor. One I will call upon that favor when needed. Is this agreeable?" He turned his head slightly so he could look over his shoulder, his eye fixed on hers.
"Yes."
"Wonderful," she smiled innocently, "I would suggest we begin in the morning, for there is much you will need to learn, especially if you wish to participate in the upcoming social season."
Madame Giry frowned as she looked over Meg's new clothing. She shook her head in displeasure. She had expressly asked Nicholas she not to indulge her daughter, yet her words appeared to have fallen on deaf ears. Seventeen new day dresses had been delivered in the morning much to her surprise. Before the delivery their wardrobe combined would not have made up of seventeen dresses. The morning delivery had been followed by four ball gowns, ten pairs of shoes, cloaks, hats, gloves, corsets, and jewelry. His extravagance was unsettling. He had managed to convince her to remain until Spring, after their social season ended. She had reluctantly agreed, swayed by his charismatic manner and Meg's pleading words. She had gone against her better judgment, as it was evident Meg was becoming far too attached to the enchanted of nobility. She had attempted to bring Meg down from her little cloud but she seemed to really believe they would remain there forever. A beautiful dream it would be, she mused sadly.
Madame Giry walked slowly to her dresser and began to go through a few things, before finally reaching what she was searching for. Her ebony engraved box that had belonged to her father. She removed her necklace, which held the key to the box and carefully opened it. Inside were several letters bound by a black ribbon. She carefully untied the knot before setting the ribbon carefully aside. Her small box contained several things that were dear to her. The box, which had belonged to her father, a pair of tiny booties that had been Meg's, her engagement ring, a black ribbon from the first rose Erik gave her, and letters from Nicholas. These objects appeared in one way or another to reflect her life.
My own sweet Antoinette,
I thank you for the recent letter I received. Your words caused my eyes to moist with emotion. If there was any justice in this world, fate would grant me the opportunity to spend eternity in your arms, since we are to be denied the right to share this lifetime together. My Antoinette, I pray you are well every night. I sometimes find myself walking through the garden, reminiscing on our secret rendezvous. How I would wait in the shadows impatiently, until you would run to greet me arriving out of breath and flushed. Remember our stolen kisses in the shadows of the trees?
Life is so cruel to allow me a glimpse of happiness only to deny me my grandest wish. Always remember this Antoinette; I may not have always treated you well, but I have always loved you to the best of my abilities. Please kiss little Meg for me. I hope she enjoys the new dancing shoes. I hope to one day see her on stage, dancing with same grace as her mother.
With all my Love,
Nicky
She brought the letter to her lips and kissed it, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. It was no time to cry, she had too many things to do. Hearing the footsteps approaching, she fumbles with the items in her hand until they fall onto the floor. She kneels to floor to pick up her precious items.
"Look Mama! Monsieur Alexandrov gave me a pair of earrings to go with my new blue dress." She beamed as she opened the small box in her hand. Her smile slowly faded as she approached her mother.
"Mama, what is wrong?" She dropped to her knees next to her mother.
"Nothing child," She tried to wipe the tears away as she put the letters away. "What did Nicholas give you now?"
"Are they not beautiful?"Meg lifted her hand to show her mother the sapphire earrings.
"He gave you those? Meg you cannot accept them." she declared sternly as she finished putting the items in the books. She locked it and quickly put it back in her dresser.
"But Mama!"
"No! You are setting yourself up for disappointment. You are here as a guest. What is going to happen when we return to Paris? This is not our life, it will never be. I expect you to return those earrings at once." Meg nodded bitterly.
"I don't understand. He is being kind, and you behave as though his gifts are offensive."
"It is wrong to accept gifts from a man who is not family," she glared, "How many times have I not warned you never to accept gifts from men?"
"Mousier Alexandrov is not just any man. He is a good man who is very fond of you."
"It is inappropriate."
"Why do you always refuse to speak of Monsieur Alexandrov and your past?" she asked.
"My personal life is just that, personal," Madame Giry warned as she closed the dresser, "do not change the subject."
"I'm not changing the subject. We are finished talking about the earrings. I will return them, mother. I'm now beginning a new conversation. Why do you always try to avoid any questions relating to your past with Monsieur Alexandrov?"
"Meg, go return the earnings. I have too many things to do to sit here and explain things that do not concern you."
"I would think a man attempting to court my mother would be of my interest."
"He is not courting me."
"Only because you will not allow him to," Meg smiled, "It is not difficult to see how much he esteems you."
"We are old friends."
"I don't think old friends would look at each other the way you two do."
"Meg!"
"It's true!"
"Enough." She gave her daughter one sharp look, which quickly had Meg retreating from her mother's sight. Irritation flooded her senses. She inhaled deeply as she closed her eyes. Perhaps it was time for their trip to end?
A/N: Short chapter. Next one will be longer.