Chapter 2

Raoul had sent his wife to the beauty salon to get her hair put up professionally for the Baron's ball that evening. Raoul was working very closely with Baron Allanson and his wife the Baroness and Christine wanted to make this evening the best for her husband, for this evening would be the best impression to start their new lives in England. It had been two weeks since they moved to this new city and he was ready to make it his new home. Even though Christine fell a little out of place amongst the few people they had met so far, he reassured her that after tonight things would be a lot better for them.

A somewhat pregnant, petit redheaded woman stepped out of her carriage in front of the city's best salon that late Friday morning. She looked beneath her wide brimmed hat at the sign and walked in. She loved spending her Friday mornings at the salon, learning all of the gossip of London's wealthy whom she knew as acquaintances. She didn't gossip to her husband because he never was one for gossip, but she did love spending part of the day amongst her friends and hairstylist.

"Good morning Mrs. Thibault." Her hairstylist greeted her as she walked through the door.

"Good morning George. As you probably have heard Baron Allanson is having his ball tonight and my husband says I have to look absolutely stunning since he is the reason the gathering is being thrown." She said as she had a seat in one of the chairs waiting for George to finish his client.

"Well I'm sure we can make you look absolutely beautiful Anna." Anna smiled watched patiently while he talked to his client. Anna stared at her trying to figure out who she was as they talked amongst themselves. This woman was around her age, and had long, brown curly hair. George was styling it up and pinning when he looked at Anna and said,

"This is the Vicomtesse from France, and she just mentioned to me that she was attending the same party as you are tonight." Anna stood up from her chair and walked over to where Christine was sitting and said,

"It's a pleasure to meet you Vicomtesse." Christine looked at her shyly and with her English pretty perfect and said,

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Thibault."

"Please, call me Anna. So your husband is the Vicomte? We have all heard about him and how he will be working closely with Baron Allanson and the government. That's wonderful that you both have uprooted yourselves."

"Yes, it is…" Christine started quietly, but Anna cut her off.

"Do not worry; you will fit right in with our circle of friends. I will make sure of it. I'm sure it is a hard thing to move away from your family and everyone you have known to come here." Christine liked her, she seemed genuinely kind.

"It's just going to be difficult tonight, my husband will be trying to mingle with everyone and I will have to stand by his side since I don't know any of the ladies." Christine said surprised at herself for saying all of that. She must have sounded so stupid to this woman who already knew everyone. What would she tell the ladies tonight?

"Well don't you worry, you know me and I'll be there. You just sit right next to me and I'll get the ladies to talk to you. My husband is the guest of honor tonight; he is designing the Baron's new wing on his estate, so if you stick with me you will get to know everyone and they will want to know you too. Also, get used to the Baron throwing a lot of parties, for in his mind, anything calls for a celebration." Christine smiled at her meekly, but inside she was screaming. Eleven years of dealing with people of the highest society in France, she was pretty good at playing as if she belonged. But starting over with new people in a new country, she just didn't feel prepared.

"So tell me about yourself Vicomtesse." Anna asked taking a seat in a nearby chair.

"Well, my name is Christine and my husband is Raoul, we are from France. We have a son, Charles, he is eleven."

"You do not look old enough to have a child that old!" Anna said putting her hand on her swollen middle. Christine blushed and responded,

"Yes it wasn't long after we were married that we figured out he was coming. But thank you. Is this going to be your first child?"

"Yes, my husband and I have been married for 5 years this October and we are very excited about this new addition."

"What does your husband do?" Christine asked relaxing a little in her chair as George kept working with her hair.

"He's actually from France too, just like you. He is an architect; he taught himself and even made some designs for the Paris Opera House, which you surely have visited." Christine's heart thumped hard in her chest, her palms became sweaty and she told herself silently that it couldn't be. She broke Erik's heart and because of her, he had died from that broken heart. She hated thinking about how she was a murderer, and how his son existed as a secret to everyone including himself and her beloved husband. No, it definitely couldn't be possible. Also, Erik would never put himself into society if he were alive. He hated people, especially the fake, aristocratic people. No, it definitely wasn't possible, even though this woman, the nicest woman she had met so far in this foreign country, seemed so genuine and uncaring about anything, a perfect wife for him. However, even though it was an impossible thought, it was comforting to feel somewhat close to her beloved angel whom she knew long ago.

"Yes, I have visited. But it had been so long ago, my husband doesn't really like the opera."

"Well that's a shame, according to my husband it was the most beautiful opera house with the best performers. But knowing him, he was probably just being biased upon saying that." Anna responded giving a slight chuckle.

"Madame, I have finished. What do you think?" George said meeting Christine's eyes in the mirror.

"I think it looks wonderful for tonight's occasion." Christine responded putting her hands on the perfectly styled hairdo. She looked it over some more, and stood up. She and George walked over to the cash register where Christine gratefully paid him.

"Don't forget Christine, come find me at the gala tonight and I will introduce you around and make you feel right at home." Christine smiled brightly and responded,

"I surely will. Thank you Anna!" And she happily flounced out of the salon. Stepping out onto the sidewalk and watching her carriage turn the corner to pick her up, her heart skipped a beat. She met a friend, someone who would include her so she wouldn't feel so alone, and someone who was so genuinely pleasant.

That evening, Anna and Erik stepped out of their summer estate. Anna was wearing her new light blue gown with white gloves, and her flaming red her neatly pulled up setting off the dress. He helped his pregnant wife into the carriage and climbed in after her. As the carriage started off, she said,

"You know dear, I met the new Vicomtesse today."

"Oh did you? I heard her husband would be making his first appearance tonight. Where are they from?"

"France." Anna responded. Erik felt numb, his face turned a ghastly white and he immediately looked out the window. His wife knew all about his secret, she knew what happened at the opera house, but she didn't know the royalty it involved.

"She really is a wonderful woman; however she seems very small and meek being a stranger tonight. She won't survive with the rest of the vultures, so I decided she could sit with me and get acquainted with the other women." Erik tried not to make eye contact with her through his mask and instead whispered,

"That is very lovely of you my dear." The carriage did not have far to travel to the Baron's estate and it pulled up in line behind the rest of the carriages. Finally, they made it to the front door, Erik feeling very hot underneath his tuxedo took a deep breath before the door opened and said,

"Put on your fake smiles." The door opened and he stepped out and helped his wife behind him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Thibault, we are so glad to see you!" greeted the hosts Baron and Baroness Allanson.