Raoul handed the reins of his horse to his stableman and walked toward the back door of the house. He never used the service entrance, but tonight he was not interested in formality. Entering he could smell the aroma of a roasted beef and Yorkshire pudding. In all other cases he would have been eager to dine, but tonight he longed for a liquid comfort, a distraction that food could not provide. He passed through the kitchen, causing a hush to fall on his servants, making his way to his study. A fire had been started for him, but was only a kindle now as it had not expected its guest until after supper. He pulled the long heavy doors closed, indicating to all whom past that he was not interested in having company.
Selecting a large crystal tumbler from the shelf, he poured a stiff bourbon; lifting it to his lips as he sank into the leather seat before the fireplace. The liquor burned his throat, causing his eyes to water. He loosened the straps on his boots, slipping them off and allowing them to fall with a large thud to the floor. His manners all but forgotten now, he slumped in the chair, pouring another drink from the bottle sitting next to him on the table. Tonight he would drown his sorrows, for who knew what would be born on the winds of the morrow.
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Meg and Madame Giry made their way across the street, back to the inn. They had managed to carry away a few small things from the Opera House, not wanting them to be stolen or destroyed. The light in the inn flickered as they opened the door. They were greeted by the inviting scent of simmering soup, and what was likely a freshly baking cherry pie. "Hmmmm something smells wonderful…Sara?"
"Yes mum, I thought you'd be hungry when you returned. Dinner should be ready soon. I've made my favorite beef and vegetable soup, some dark rye bread, and pie for coffee after dinner." Sara said smiling at them.
"I am most grateful for you Sara." Madame Giry said. Meg glanced over at the table, it was again set for two. "Sara" Meg said, "won't you be joining us for dinner this evening?" Sara turned and blushed a little "it was most wonderful of you to invite me to lunch with you today, I would never have been so presumptuous to assume to have dinner with you also."
Meg walked over to her, clasping her hand. "If it is alright with you Sara, we'd love for you to dine with us for as long as we stay." Sara smiled at Meg, glancing over at Madame Giry, who gave her a reassuring nod. "If you'd not mind the company, I'd love to." Sara smiled, squeezing Meg's hand. She walked over to the cupboard to fetch another place setting.
With her back turned she said "I've drawn two hot baths for you upstairs…I was thinking you might want to have them after your work today." One at each end of the hall. I've left you warm robes and a pair of thick stockings to wear. Meg and Madame Giry smiled at one another. "Sara, your kindness overwhelms me, thank you." Sara turned as the two were mounting the stairs. "You are most welcome. Dinner should be ready about quarter past, so you have plenty of time….that is the best part about soup…the longer it simmers, the better it gets." Sara could hear Meg laughing as she disappeared from site.
Meg opened the door to the tiny room at the end of the hall. Inside there was a small fireplace, a claw foot tub, and a chair. She peered out the window. From what she could make out in the darkness, it overlooked a flower garden of some sort, no doubt beautiful in the spring. She looked back at the vapor rising from the water, thinking how very lovely it would feel as she sunk into its depths.
Meanwhile, down the hall Madame Giry was doing the same, slipping out of her dress, and shoes. She hadn't been out of those clothes in two days, and the hot water on her skin was heavenly. As she allowed each muscle to relax in the warmth of the water she smiled. Hints of lavender and lilac tickling at her nose. It had been a long while since she had felt so luxuriated. "Thank you Erik." She said under her breath as she closed her eyes to take in the full enjoyment of the bath.
Sara busied herself setting the table, and setting a kettle on the stove to boil for coffee. She barely heard the rap on the back door of the inn. "What?" Sara said. There it was again. Tap, tap, tap. Sara walked to the heavy back door. "Sorry, no rooms, all full." There was silence. "Hmmp." Sara said walking back toward the kitchen. Then the tapping began again. She walked over trying to peer out the window but could see nothing. Somewhat hesitantly she pulled the door open just a little to see who was so rude as to intrude on an inn already full.
"Good sir, we are full, I am sorry to tell you…." "Madame," the masculine voice began "I am the one who procured the rooms from you not a week ago. I trust you still have rooms available here for my wife and I?" Sara opened the door, hoping to see who the mystery man was. She was surprised to see a hunched over man, carrying a cane, his wife no more straightened than he, behind him. "Why do come in. My guests will be most grateful to meet you. They are somewhat curious as to your identity, as I must admit am I." Sara said, trying desperately to get a better look.
"My husband is not well" the feeble voice of the woman came from behind him. "We would very much like to retire to our room if it's not too much trouble." Sara opened the door and let them in. "I am Madame Giry's uncle's brother, yet I've thought of her as my niece all of her life, as my brother died when she was quite young." "Oh I see." Said Sara.
"If it is not too much trouble, and if you're able, might we have a bit of supper in our room once we are settled?" the old woman inquired. "Yes, I've plenty of soup, but why not dine with us here tonight?" Sara replied invitingly motioning to the already set dinner table.
"We've had a long travel, my husband as I mentioned is not well." "I see, I certainly understand." Sara moved past the door, closing it behind them. She led them up the stairs, offering to carry one of the bags for the gentleman, he graciously accepted. Sara felt sorry she had no rooms on the main floor for them, so they wouldn't have need to climb the stairs. The pair followed her to a large room near the back of the inn.
"Had I known you were coming, I'd have lit a fire, this room is a bit chilly." Sara moved over to the fireplace, setting the bag down. She immediately set about lighting a fire for them. The man moved to a chair, setting down in it, resting his cane on the side. His wife followed suit, sitting in the chair beside his. Sara got up and lit the two oil lamps on either side of the bed.
"Do you need help unpacking…is there anything that I can do for you before I bring you supper?" "No" the gentleman said. Sara smiled and walked to the door. "Oh, mum, if you don't mind, I'd rather you not trouble your other guests with the news of our arrival. I am sure they are exhausted themselves, and another night's rest would do them well. We can all visit in the morning." Sara nodded. "Yes, but of course. I'll see to your supper….welcome." Sara closed the door and made her way back down to the kitchen.
The door no more than shut behind the woman, than Christine was in Erik's arms. She could feel the lump in her throat as the tears began to swell from deep within her. "Oh Erik….thank you, thank you." Christine crawled into his lap, tugging at her awkwardly large dress. Erik smiled with great pleasure as he wrapped his arms around Christine. "No matter where we will travel, we needed to know they were alright…..they…needed to know we were alright." Erik planted a delicate kiss on Christine's cheek.
The pair sat silently holding one another, as the kindle in the fireplace began to grow. The shadows and flickers of light from the fire dancing across Christine's eyes. Even in the drab gray garments she now donned, Erik thought she was more beautiful than she had been just the day before. His love was filling her, lighting the way for the woman she was to be.
He reached out and pulled Christine's head to his chest, resting his chin on her forehead. "You are a beautiful creature." He said, reaching beneath her cloak to run his hand over her back.
"Erik, you make me blush…you needn't tell me such things so often." Christine replied shyly. "But I must, a truth this evident must always be shared." Erik smiled, now wrapping his arms around her shoulders, covering her, pulling her into his protection. He would die for her he thought to himself. How very blessed he was to have her here with him now.
How Eric longed to have Christine reunited with Meg, if only for a night. How he longed to spend some time with his old friend, nay, his sister…..but that would have to wait for the dark of night, when no eyes or ears could witness the reunion.