Chapter Sixteen

Tatiana nervously adjusted her gloves as the last of her luggage was removed from her room. She waited for the servants to leave before turning to inspect her reflection one more time. Her attire had until then consisted of simplistic blouses and skirts, opting against any clothing which would underline her social position. Having returned to the city of birth, she had been inclined to make a triumphed return in her best. She had chosen one a dark green traveling dress. A simple design, but one tailored to flatter her figure. She had opted for her pearl earrings, a vanity she had also previously neglected. Her hat was free of flowers or feathers, instead a practical design which provided a small veil to shield her face from the sunlight.

"You seem uncharacteristically nervous," a dangerously low voice said beside her.

"Good morning, Erik." She said as her lips quirked slightly.

"Good morning Tatiana." His eyes danced mischievously.

"I'm surprised you have not joined the others on the platform."

"I had some minor alterations to make to my wardrobe." She observed he was wearing a scarf which wrapped around his face to conceal his mask.

"You should not have to conceal your mask."

"I must."

She felt a twinge in her heart at his words. The idea of having to conceal one's face for fear of ridicule was distressing. Yet as distressed as she was at the idea, he appeared resolved to the fact.

"You're nicely dressed." She noted his perfectly tailored black cloak which concealed most of his immaculate dark suit. She could never fault his sense style, for in truth he was one of the best dressed men she had ever met. And she had met men of royal caliber.

"You think?" he gave her a knowing smirk.

"It is only my humble opinion." She remarked coyly. "Since you are dressed as a gentleman are you going to play the part too and kindly escort me off this train?"

His only response was to offer his arm as his eyes uncharacteristically danced with glee.

She linked her arm with his as she allowed him to lead them off the train onto the platform. Even as she slowly stepped onto the platform, her heart began to swell with emotion. The station was crowded as it tended to be in the mornings, yet even the crowd did not detour her feelings of nostalgia.

"Ah, we were wondering what was taking you two so long." Her father teased as he approached them with Meg and Madame Giry on both arms. "I was about to send a search party after you."

"A woman must always dress her best when in town, father."

"Is it always this busy?" Meg inquired as she looked around them with a look of wonder in her wide blue eyes.

"We are simply fortunate we are not here in the evening, it would be much more crowded." Her father began to lead them away from the platform.

She noted Erik felt tense, almost rigid under touch. Her fingers untangled slightly from his forearm wondering if perhaps in her excitement she had squeezed his arm too tightly.

"There are two carriages waiting for us." Her father said casually. "Antoinette, Erik and I will ride in the first carriage while you and Meg ride in second one."

She nodded, not particularly interested in the arrangements but rather in Erik's sudden change in attitude.

"Are you alright?" She inquired softly.

"Yes." His voice appeared strained, the playfulness from earlier apparently forgotten. She glanced around them and noticed several people were glancing at them. Frowning at the sight, she realized how uncomfortable he had to be under the scrutiny.

"I must ensure our luggage has been collected," her father said, "Excuse me."

They watched as her father walked to one of the carriages. She released Erik's arm and stepped away from him as she discreetly took in their surroundings.

"Who on earth is that man?" someone whispered.

"Why would be cover his face unless he was attempting to hide something?" another hissed.

She noted Meg appeared uncomfortable and even a bit of red across her cheeks. Madame Giry on the other hand stood proudly beside Erik and not for the first time, she felt a sense of pride for the woman.

"Everything is arranged, shall we?" Her father motioned for Erik and Madame Giry to follow him. Meg quickly took her hand, urging her to the second carriage.

"You ride with Madame Giry and Meg, and I will ride with Monsieur Giry."

"Oh?" Her father frowned in obvious confusion.

"I shall see you home soon." She smiled at her father as she leaned in to kiss his cheek and whispered. "I want to teach these gawking fools they have nothing to fear from him."

Her father smiled and nodded.

"I fear you will be forced to endure my tedious company a bit longer." She said without reservation as she took Erik's arm again. Noting the shocked glances she was receiving from various persons around them.

"I suppose I will have to learn to make do with the burden." He gave her a devastating smile; one that even reached his usually reserved gaze. His hand took hers and brought it up to place an innocent kiss against her gloved fingers and for some unexplained reason, she could have sworn she felt a flutter in her stomach.

The moment they had stepped out of the train he had felt several eyes focus on him. He had expected it, and to some degree even welcomed it. It was a just another bane in a long list of banes which had hindered his existence. He had also noticed many gentlemen, young and old giving lingering appreciative glances to Tatiana. Some had apparently forgotten their manners as they openly leered.

Their lack of respect had disconcerted him. Tatiana had appeared oblivious to it all as her gaze appeared far and distant. He could speculate as to what was crossing her mind, but then, he was never good at understanding a woman's mind. His concern had distracted him from the not so subtle whispers around him. He feigned indifference even if inwardly he was flinching at every word.

When Tatiana had momentarily stepped away from he felt somewhat jilted before concluding she was perhaps mortified by the attention they were garnering. Just as quickly she declared rather louder than was necessary, she would be riding with him instead of Meg.

He found her deed and words so utterly cheeky, he could not help but raise her delicate hand and place a kiss upon it in gratitude. The gesture did not go unnoticed for he caught sight of many staggered faces around them as he helped her into the waiting carriage.

"The city has not changed." He heard her whisper.

"It has been years since you've been in Saint Petersburg."

"It is the land of my birth," she said with pride, "one never forgets their land of their birth. It is embedded in our blood."

"I wouldn't know."

"Forgive me; it was not my intention to-."

"I know it was not, I merely stating a fact." He smirked. "I envy your ability to identify with the place of your birth so ardently."

"Everyone has a place they hold dear to their heart."

"That is true." He conceded as he thought of his former home.

Suddenly a large cry was heard from outside the carriage, and almost instantly they came to such an abrupt stop Tatiana was literally flung forward. He attempted to catch her but a second jolt caused him to fall off his own seat. They both landed ungraciously on the floor.

For a moment neither said a word as they stared at one another. He realized he had instantly wrapped his arms around her when they were thrown off their seats. He had taken the brunt of the impact.

"What on earth?" she cried as she attempted to raise herself off his person. He felt her leg brush against his, and then the other. Suddenly he was all too aware of her form pressed against his. He felt the full weight of her ample bosom against his chest before she was able to successfully lift herself. He realized to his utter mortification his body had suffered a reaction to her close proximity.

"Are you alright?" She extended her hand.

"I'm fine, thank you." He groaned as he attempted to cover his embarrassing state with his cloak.

"Countess!" a voice cried out from outside before the door was opened. "Forgive me! The boy came out of nowhere!"

"All is well," Tatiana reassured the driver as she took her seat. "Please let us continue." She turned to him with a look of concern. "Are you sure you are alright? You look a bit tense."

"I'll be fine," he hissed as he attempted to adjust himself comfortably. "Just slightly stiff from the fall."

"Shall I send for the doctor when we arrive?"

"Hardly necessary."

"Are you sure?"

"Very."

He wondered if perhaps God did indeed exist, and if so, if he was enjoying his ridiculous predicament.

Nicholas smiled as Antoinette cautiously stepped into his home. How many years had he not imagine her crossing the threshold of his home on his arm? It had seemed such a futile dream for a time before morphing into a shattered illusion of what could never be. Now there they were, standing side by side with her on his arm, and his once impossible dream now within his grasp.

"This is your home?"

"Yes." It could be your home too; he wanted to say but was conscious enough to refrain from embarrassing her in front of her daughter.

"It's beautiful."

"I thought only royalty could posses such palaces." Meg looked up at the elaborately decorated ceiling and smiled. "It's amazing!"

"I'm glad my home meets your approval," Nicholas teased as he urged Antoinette forward.

"It is lovely," she mumbled as she turned to look at him, "far lovelier than you described in your letters."

"I may have made some adjustments over the years."

He was not fibbing. For in truth he had ordered renovations and a few rooms were completely redesigned to suit his taste and needs. It would seem every generation saw fit to make their own adjustments to the property they inherited. He was no different, and doubted Tatiana would one day not be inclined to make her own changes.

"Shall I give you a tour or would you prefer to see your room's first?"

"A tour would lovely." Meg answered with radiant smile, he could not help but recall her mother at a similar age.

"Then please allow me to escort you and your lovely mother around my humble home." He offered his arm which was readily accepted by Meg as her mother looked on in mocked annoyance. Her smile soon mirrored her daughters as he happily escorted mother and daughter up the stairs.

Tatiana stood motionless in her room. It was all just as she had left it.

Unlike her room in the Crimea, this room had not been packed away. It had been taken care of, almost as if she had never left. Her desk contained the same Faberge frames she had neglected to take with her. Her bedding remained the same, the arrangement of her furniture, and even her favorite scent remained.

She slowly walked towards her desk where her personalized stationery paper was. Her gloved fingers caressed her monogram.

"Where did you go." She whispered as she looked at the silver frame contacting a photograph of her and her father. Her father sat proudly on a chair, as she stood behind him looking towards the photographer, capturing a expression which bordered between ethereal and melancholy. A foreboding of what was to come, perhaps.

Everything felt as familiar as it did foreign. Another reminder of a life she had felt distinctly alienated from.

"Countess, would you like me to unpack your belongings?"

Countess…how she hated the title, she thought bitterly. Even in the infancy of her marriage, she had recoiled from the title. She had always known it would be a failure, she simply did not understand how disastrous of a failure it would be.

"Please have my things put away accordingly." She turned to the young girl. "Once my belongings are in their place you may leave."

"Yes Countess."

She looked out the window of her bedroom. The scenery was not as ethereal as in the Crimea yet it was no less beautiful to her. She was at last home.

Erik had withdrawn to his bedroom soon after their arrival. He had quickly dismissed the servant with the pretense of fatigue and asked not to be disturbed. In reality he had been desperate for solace since the unfortunate and humiliating incident in the carriage.

Although the incident had been a complete accident, aside from Christine, no other woman had ever been in such close physical contact with him. His body had betrayed all the rules of reason and decency and reacted to her closeness, much to his utter mortification. Perturbed by the unsettling sensations and irrigated by his lack of control, he had endured the journey to the mansion in a particularly painful aroused state.

He was only a man after all; he could not deny his body had certain primal needs. Needs he have believed he had mastered some time ago. He frowned in irritation as he began to undress.

He could reason it was natural to react in such a manner when an attractive woman was pressed again him, yet the shame remained. Her warmth had been intoxicating as her scent. Nor would he soon forget how divine her figure has felt -. He swore under his breath as he practically tore his shirt off.

He had not intended to project such lascivious sentiments, especially towards Tatiana. She had endured enough leering at the station; she deserved to be treated with respect, especially by those within her current circle. For better or for worse, he was part of that circle. Surprisingly against logic or reason, he was inexplicably drawn to Tatiana.

They engaged in long fascinating conversations about books, music and art, at times of nothing of importance. Yet he never tired of their meetings. Nicholas had provided him with intellectual conversations which he had yearned for, yet since the arrival of Antoinette the conversations had been few and far between. He did not begrudge the man, if anything he wished for the two to resolve their impasse. Yet who was he to provide advice in the matters of the heart?

He walked into bathroom and was relieved to find his bath drawn as he had requested. He was reduced to calming his depraved ardor like an adolescent. Removing his remaining garments he stepped into the tub.

"Merde," His jaw clenched as his flesh came in contact with the cold water. For the second time that day, he felt convinced a certain deity was laughing at him.

Hi everyone, forgive the delay. Been busy with life and holidays.

The next chapter is already written, just need to finish a few minor edits. Will probably be up within the next few days.

I again wanted to thank everyone for their support and private messages. Much appreciated!

Don't forget to review!