Cecily turned, the unexpected contact making her bring her cane up in defense. It connected soundly with flesh, and only when the man groaned did she truly see what she had done.
Before her, now down on one knee, was Nicholai. Immediately filled with regret, she knelt next to him, looking for where she had hit him. "I'm so sorry! It's just that here, when someone comes after you, it's mostly better to act first and think later."
"It's alright, I should have announced myself." Grimacing slightly, Nicholai brought himself to his feet. "My hip will be fine. I am just grateful that it was my hip you hit, and not…other places."
Cecily blushed, thankful for the shadows to hide it. "What, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?"
"About joining the Count and I in our box for this evening's performance. We, I, should rather enjoy your company."
Cecily considered for a moment. She had responsibilities backstage, but perhaps she could get a few taken by others… "I will do what I can, Nicholai. Alas, I cannot guarantee."
He nodded, his eyes burning into her in a way that reminded her of Erik. "Will you tell me before the opera begins? I will wait for you at the top of the Grand Staircase."
She smiled and dropped her eyes from his. "Of course."
"Very good. I must go; I have business to attend to for the Count. But I will see you this evening."
"Yes," she replied, doing her best to hold back the grin that was edging in on her. Turning back toward the exit, Cecily didn't jump when the hand landed on her shoulder this time. "Nicholai, I thought you had left."
"We both know I never leave this place, and I am hardly your precious Nicholai."
"Erik! I thought…And what do you mean by 'your precious Nicholai?'"
"Yes, Erik. I can see you out here seducing him for all to see! The way your hand lingers on his! The blush that creeps up your face every time he's near! Do you think I'm blind?"
His grip on her shoulder had prevented her from turning, but she suddenly threw all of her weight into it. Facing him, she searched his eyes for something. "What has become of you Erik? Since all this business with Christine started, you've not been yourself. You've been ornery, stubborn, sometimes cruel, and you've avoided me. When you do come visit me, you are cross. What has happened?"
Something in her tone took him aback and for a moment he was speechless, considering his words carefully. "I will repair all the damages done to you tonight." Without another word, he was gone.
Cecily leaned against the wall, pushing back tears that Erik's outburst had brought to the surface. "Stupid ignorant man! Who does he think he is to speak to me so?" She took a deep breath to steady herself, biting her tongue to keep from continuing her thoughts. Why couldn't he tell that the things he saw her do for Nicholai were the same things she did in his presence? He was blind.
Straightening herself, Cecily made a decision. If he was going to ignore her, then she wouldn't waste her heart on him. She resolved to spend the evening with Nicholai, far from the uncertainties of the backstage. Still, even as she walked to the stairs, she suppressed a small voice wishing that the box she was spending the evening in was Box 5.