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)
Kaveh Hushmand - Oded Fehr (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns) - Thank you Mlle.Fox, for suggesting this striking actor as a model for Kaveh.
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.
I want to take a moment to thank Mlle.Fox, who has graciously accepted the task of being my beta. I hope you don't find it too taxing my friend.
iluvmyphantom drew a wonderful picture of Erik to go along with this story, it is posted in my profile - take a look and I thank you, iluvmyphantom, for taking the time to draw it. I am glad you are enjoying the story.
This chapter is short; all I can say is forgive me.
CHAPTER 17 – The Way to a Man's Heart
Christine didn't respond at first; she found herself at a loss for words. His sincere admission shook her to her core and she tenuously stroked his chiseled features.
"You have nothing to fear from me, Erik." She soothed.
Erik allowed her the freedom of touching him; in truth, he couldn't get enough of her touch – that was part of what terrified him.
He loved the feel of her ample curves against the hard, masculine surface of his body, and he could not escape the vat of insecurity into which he was falling.
"Just the fact that you send my world spinning out of control with just a touch of your hand…terrifies me." Erik admitted.
"Erik, I will never hurt you…I know you find it hard to trust anyone, especially women…but just know that I will never hurt you."
Erik smiled sadly, "The fact that you have the power to hurt me – that is what I fear the most."
Knowing that she would just have to prove herself, she changed the subject, "Kaveh told me about your experiences in Persia – all that you endured."
Erik didn't look at her, but she could feel his muscles tense, "They are getting married…did you know that?"
Erik lifted his eyes to hers and nodded, "Yes, I knew." He answered, softly.
Christine smiled sweetly and laid her head on his shoulder, "Kaveh answered many of the questions I had about you, but was afraid to ask you."
Erik's brow creased with concern, "You can ask me anything, Christine…I would never hurt you."
"Oh no, you misunderstand my meaning…I wasn't afraid to ask you out of fear of you…I didn't want to overstep my boundaries and offend you – or bring up bad memories."
Erik smiled remotely, and looked away from her.
"Bad memories are an unfortunate side-effect of living as I have…you may ask me anything; I may choose to answer… or not."
His tone was sincere and Christine knew he was ready to open up – if only a little bit – to her.
Erik was poised to remove his mask at her request, but to his surprise, she didn't ask that of him.
"Tell me about Persia…in your words."
"Much of what occurred in Persia is not meant for delicate ears, Christine." He warned.
"Don't patronize me, Erik…I have been married to you for almost three months and barely know you…I think it is about time some of that wall around your heart started coming down."
He quickly stood, bringing her into his arms. He carried her with such ease over to the divan and sat her down; then, he sat down beside her.
"It's been up so long that I fear it may be permanent." Erik teased, with only a hint of trepidation in his voice.
The massive windows in front of them, afforded a wondeful view of the gardens; full of blooming flowers and budding trees. The weather was spectacular and Christine longed to take advantage of the cool, spring days.
She looked away from the view of the gardens and smirked smuggly.
"Nonsense, I am a tenacious and stubborn woman…as well you know…it will come down."
Her blithe tone make Erik smile, but she could see unspoken thoughts lurking behind his brilliant eyes.
"What Erik…what are you thinking about?"
"Your passionate reaction to me is a mystery – no other woman has ever allowed me to feel like a man." He finally admitted, touching his hand to her cheek.
He was fascinated when she leaned into his touch and her eyes closed in pleasure.
"How did they react?" she asked, wanting him to open up to her.
He smiled ruefully, "To be honest, I really have no idea – but none ever sat their sights on seducing me – that's for sure."
Christine rolled her eyes in disgusted impatience, "Well, that's a good thing…it just shows that I am a woman with taste and intelligence."
He scowled confusingly at her comment, "I've not encountered very many women at all – except those that hurt me physically, like the Sultana and the gypsy women, or personally, like Nicholle."
"Well, I am none of them…" Christine scoffed, "…tell me Erik, what do you admire most in a woman?"
He seemed perplexed by her question, and didn't answer immediately. When he finally looked at her, his eyes were turbulent, "I've never given it much thought, actually. I never thought to have a woman in my life that was there because she wanted to be…so I never thought about the kind of woman I'd be attracted to."
He paused, but Christine could tell that he had more to say. When she locked her eyes with his, he smiled brightly – and her heart skipped a beat.
"I suppose I admire strength, courage, determination, and intelligence…these are attributes I admire in anyone – women are no different." Erik's voice drifted off as he considered the possible joy of having such a woman in his life.
Their conversation was cut short by a persistent knock on the door.
"Enter." Erik commanded.
James was at the door wearing a mischievous smile and Erik new that something unusual or unexpected had occurred.
"Duke Sergei Beauvais has arrived, my lord…where would you like me to seat him?"
Erik frowned and looked at Christine, "This is unexpected…I wonder what he needs?" He looked back at James, "Show him to the east drawing room, James…we'll be with him momentarily."
Christine smiled at his usage of the "we" pronoun…he intended to introduce her to his friend and the man who had arranged this marriage.
"Come."
Erik instructed as he stood up, taking her with him and planting her feet on the solid foundation of the floor. He offered her his arm and she took it with a smile. They made their way down the hall and toward the drawing room…neither one of them aware of the pleased grin that hung on James' weathered face.
ЖЖ
He was shorter than she had pictured him in her mind, but he was every bit as imperialistic. Christine could feel her nerves about ready to pop out of her skin, and the fact that Erik considered this man one of his best friends did not help the matter at all.
"Sergei, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
Sergei cocked his head in an inquiring manner and took the hand that Erik extended toward him.
"There are some matters of extreme urgency that I wish to discuss with you – concerning your past."
Erik sensed that the news Sergei had for him, could be construed as good or bad, depending on how you looked at it.
His eyes drifted from Erik to Christine and a smile spread across his handsome features.
"This must be the new bride…" He lifted her hand to his and brushed a slight kiss over her knuckles. "…I see what you mean, Erik. – distracting indeed."
Erik felt Christine's eyes on him and knew she was wondering why Sergei would say such a thing.
"Is he treating you well, my child?" He asked Christine
He sat down on the divan and motioned for her to set next to him. Erik seated himself in the chair across from them.
"Yes, your grace, but he tends to disappear a great deal of the time and does not reappear until several days and, sometimes, weeks have past." Christine pouted.
Sergei laughed and patted her hand in a fatherly gesture, "I dare say, he probably thinks you prefer it that way…" he scowled playfully at Erik, "…knowing him."
Erik frowned irritatingly, "You do realize that I am right here and can hear every word you say?" he muttered.
"Has he played the piano and sang for you?" Sergei asked.
Christine turned her head slightly so that she made eye contact with Erik, "Yes…I have never heard such beauty."
Erik sighed loudly and crossed his arms over his chest; then he waved with an annoyed look on his face, "I'm still here."
"I must say, there would have been hoards of females ready to be bed by him – if he had let it be so."
Christine felt a pang of jealousy shoot through her and she stated firmly, "If there had been, I would have had to learn to hunt."
The possessive tone in her voice made Sergei laugh jovially and Erik was certain she was just playing into his mood; but he liked her tone nonetheless.
He was desperate to change the subject and remembered there had been a reason why Sergei showed up.
"You mentioned something about my past?"
Sergei ceased his teasing and turned his attention to Erik. "I promised you that I would do all that I could to solve the mystery of your birth."
Erik nodded, but felt his chest constrict and his breathing become labored.
"My men have found a woman whom I believe to be your maternal grandmother."
TBC