ALL I KNOW OF LOVE
Erik and Christine are the creation of Gaston Leroux; the reference to Persia and some of its customs are derived from Susan Kay's book, "Phantom". All other characters and the backdrop of the story are the creations and property of GerrysJackie.
Some places and all names are fictional.
PLAYERS:
Erik – Gerard Butler - Perfect
Christine – The face and coloring of Zooey Deschanel (Failure to Launch, Elf) – and the body of Marilyn Monroe, except 3 inches taller
Gustav - Billy Connelly – Because I really like him.
Patrick Connelly - Paul Bettany – (A Knights Tale, Firewall, A Beautiful Mind)
Pascal – Mel Gibson's looks (slightly older with graying hair) with the cunning and cruelty of J.R. Ewing from "Dallas".
Madam Marie Forsythe – Miranda Richardson
James Lumpkin (the butler) – Daniel Davis (the butler from the TV show "The Nanny")
Kamilla – Georgie Henley (Chronicles of Narnia)
Duke Sergei Beauvais – Derek Jacobi (Underworld:Evolution)
Use your imagination on all others.
This story has taken a while to develop, but I hope it has been worth it. I have several chapters already written, but I am taking my time. There is humor, drama, and romance in this story, so I hope you will enjoy it.
This rendition of Erik is one of a man who has suffered greatly in his life, at the hands of just about everyone in his life, but his spirit is still intact. He is less self-loathing than others that I have written, but he is very much aware of his self-proclaimed faults. He is dangerous and ruthless, but has had enough of death and destruction. Women are still a mystery to him, and he needs a strong, independent woman who is his equal in every way.
This Christine is not a drop-dead gorgeous woman, but her beauty is less assuming and soft…Erik will see it.
I will try to update twice a week, depending on how quickly I write chapters. I don't anticipate this being a particularly long story, but we'll see.
Enjoy.
CHAPTER 3 – The Measure of a Man
Erik warily approached the monstrous structure; he was not certain about meeting this man who had engineered his freedom
Edmond and Walther had offered little information about him; only that he was a man who respected intelligence and character, and expected complete loyalty from his friends. In exchange, he gave his complete loyalty.
Having arrived in Paris by train, they took the carriage from Paris to the southwestern corner of the Jenei Province in France . The Dukes residence rested within the Merlot Region, not far from the border of Spain .
Erik admired the landscape as they rode; he had forgotten how beautiful France was. The rolling countryside and the lush greenery were sights he had never thought to see again; but God had seen fit to bring him back… 'To what purpose?' he wondered.
Anxiety ate at his nerves as he watched the scenery through the small window in the carriage. Erik knew his temper was in check, he prayed that there would be nothing to set him off; it wouldn't do for this man to see his inner demons.
The carriage came to a halt and Erik and Kaveh made their way toward the giant castle. The air was crisp and cold, as was customary for December in western France .
Before Erik could place a knock upon the it, the ominous door slowly opened to reveal a middle-aged, medium height man with silver hair and a broad smile.
"Welcome, my lord, you are expected." He voiced, making direct eye contact with Erik. "His grace will see you in the drawing room, follow me."
Erik and Kaveh followed the older man through a large hallway decorated with family paintings and coats of arms; they were directed into a large room with the smell of leather and gin. Erik couldn't help thinking that the place resembled a mausoleum or a museum rather than a residence.
The man standing by the window was rather short by Erik's standards, but stout and regal. He turned to face them as the doors closed, and his handsome features lit up with a genuine smile.
Erik thought him to be in his mid to late fifties; he had short, salt and pepper hair, and a well-trimmed and neat beard. His sable eyes were sensible and shrewd, allowing no detail to escape his notice. Erik had no doubt that this man could be ruthless if need be, but his character seemed to be one of peace.
"Erik Laroque, it is good to at last rest my eyes upon you." The older man didn't just look regal and poised, his voice demanded attention, and he seemed to be accustomed to getting it.
Erik took the hand that stretched toward him and bowed his head in a proper greeting; something about this man demanded his respect; and Erik sensed the respect the man already had for him.
"I am Duke Sergei Beauvais; this is my estate and you will remain here for several months to recuperate, train, and build your strength…" his eyes swept over Erik's overly thin frame and he called the butler, "…you must be famished." He said to Erik while he moved toward the door.
Erik lifted his brow amusingly when he realized that the Duke thought him very thin; which he was…food had always been of little importance to him. The drugs had altered his taste and everything tasted the same; until recently. He was drug free and had been for several weeks – food was suddenly an entirely new experience.
"Have the chef prepare the meal and present it straightaway, our guests are in need of nourishment and I will join them in the dining room."
The butler bowed low and hurriedly bustled away to do his master's bidding.
"Who is your companion?" Erik heard the Duke ask as he made his way back over to them.
"This is my truest and only friend, Kaveh Hushmand. He ruined his chances of ever returning to Persia by helping me leave." Erik stated.
"Then I owe you a great debt of gratitude, Monsieur Hushmand, a great debt indeed."
Kaveh bowed and shook the hand extended to him. "I owe Erik my very life, your grace…it was the least I could do."
Sergei moved around Erik as if assessing him for resale, and came to stand directly in front of him.
Erik saw warmth and concern in his open gaze; but the uncomfortable flashbacks that his prying eyes produced caused Erik to rage within and tremble without.
"The extent of your treatment in Persia has reached my ears, Erik…I wish to see what they have done to you as well as hear it."
Erik felt the panic close in on him and his instinct was to refuse the Duke's request.
Sergei moved closer and put his hands upon Erik's shoulders. He noticed how the younger man tensed up under his touch, and the pain from years of abuse echoed in his eyes.
Sergei frowned and soothed Erik's sudden anger, "I am not going to hurt you, relax…I only wish to know you better so that I can determine what treatment and training is best for you."
He closed his eyes against the fury that threatened to spill forth and calmly asked, "What are you, some sort of doctor?"
His temper was one thing he knew he had to get a hold of, but his years in Persia had taught him to trust no one until they proved themselves; and even then, he was cautious.
"Of sorts, yes…" Sergei ordered, "…I have a medical background and have studied the human condition, extensively, for many years."
"I'm not some experiment for you to dissect and study, and I won't allow myself to ever be exhibited in such a way again." Erik's tone was acidic and piercing.
"I'm not interested in putting you on display or making a classroom project out of you, Erik…my interest is personal; I need you to assume your father's title, take over the family holdings, and become the Marquis he and his father before him, could not manage to be."
Erik frowned, but interest filled his eyes, "What makes you think I am capable of such greatness?" Erik asked, "You don't even know me."
"I know more than you think, Erik…if you let them, your past experiences can make you a better man." Sergei noted, "Take your strengths and develop them to deadly perfection; your cunning intelligence, your animal-like reflexes, your unmatched abilities in music and architecture…make these the pivot around which you base your life."
Sergei stared Erik straight in the eye and continued, "You are already a man worthy of my respect and admiration….two things I don't readily grant to just anyone."
Erik raised his chin in fascination, no one had ever said they respected him or admired him, but there was no guile in the man's words – he was being honest and forthright.
"Let me help you, Erik…I will earn your trust and your friendship."
Erik removed his shirt so that Sergei could see the extent of his scars. Oddly enough, Sergei's concerned looks and paternal manner allowed Erik to relax enough to tolerate the assessment.
"You bear the scars of a man who has endured much agony, and yet, your spirit is still intact." Sergei observed. "A lesser man would have succombed to the punishment and become a mere ghost of a man; but you are an extraordinary individual, Erik...extraordinary!"
The Duke was appalled and disgusted with those who had done this and he would do what he could to help Erik move beyond his brutal past and become an even stronger and more confident man.
ЖЖ
Erik looked to Sergei as a son would a father, and in the four months he spent under the watchful eye of the Duke, Erik showed himself to be a versatile, volatile, and highly skilled swordsman and knife thrower; but is was his skill with the Punjab lasso that thrilled and amazed Sergei.
"You are extraordinary with this weapon!"
Erik sighed remorsefully and frowned at his mentor, "I developed my skills by becoming the head assassin for the Sultan."
Sergei had assumed such, but he had not said anything.
"Many a man found himself on the receiving end of this rope - death was instantaneous…I can still see the faces of each man every night while I try to sleep."
Sergei felt for the man whose life had been ripped from him with cruel precision when he was but an infant; but what a man he was.
"I have an aversion to death, and I want no part in it." Erik's tone was emphatic and dangerous.
"How about using your skills to render fear in the hearts of men whose ambition is to thwart the rights of the people and fill their own pockets with more money?" Sergei asked - eager to know the answer.
Erik raised his visible brow and smirked at the older man, "I have no problem with fear…many have feared me and they had good reason."
"Well good, there are a few lessons that need to be taught...but more on that later." His voice trailed off for a moment and then he looked at Erik with a smile.
"Let's go eat." He suggested as he walked out the door.
He waited while Erik passed him and then put his hand on his shoulder, "You are a valuable asset to your family name, Erik, and to France …it is good to have you back."
ЖЖ
Four months later
Erik was intrigued by the man who stood before him; so, this was Pascal Laroque, current Marquis of Merlot and Erik's father.
There was a resemblance, mostly in the strong chin and dark hair. Erik had sea-green eyes that changed color with his moods, he was tall and statuesque, and he had an air of refinement about him.
Pascal had none of these things. He stood as though he was ready to flee the scene, his shoulders slumped as though hiding something, and he never made eye contact with anyone, even if they were right in front of him.
He kept glancing at Erik with disgust in his eyes, mouthing vulgarities under his breath, and he refused to answer any questions directed at him.
"Pascal Laroque, you are hereby stripped of your title and holdings – they are passed to your only son and heir, Erik Rameau Laroque." Sergei forced Pascal's eyes to meet his by lifting his chin with his strong hand, "Your son has chosen to allow you to remain at Vassadelle; you are in his debt."
Sergei turned to Erik, "He will be a thorn in your side, Erik; I think you should renounce him now, pass judgment, and send him into the wilderness."
"I will not abandon my father, as he abandoned me." Erik stated with fortitude.
Sergei shook his head and smiled, "You are a better man than I, Erik…a much better man."
"No, just one who's seen life from a different angle, that's all." Erik pointed out.
On that, they were in total agreement.
TBC