Madame Giry took one last glance around the Opera House. Mr. Firmin had been gracious, wishing she and Meg the best, assuring her it would be at the most two months. Meg had wandered up to the dorms and was making her way back down the stairs to meet her mother.
Meg had been crying, Madame Giry wiped the tears that rolled down her cheek. "It will be alright Meg, it will be alright." She pulled her daughter to her hugging her as she did when she was a child. Meg sighed, nodding her head on her mother's shoulder.
"Oh my!" Meg pulled away from her mother. "I forgot to warn them!" Madame Giry glanced at her, concern overtaking her expression. "Forgot to warn who?" Meg looked toward the large wooden doors that led out of the auditorium. "Mother, they are visiting this afternoon, Chri…I mean Elizabeth and Stephan will want to be gone when they arrive….perhaps a bit of shopping as an excuse." Madame Giry said "who is coming for a visit?" "Raoul" Meg said, grabbing her mother's hand and moving quickly toward the door. "We should have time, but they'll be cross with me for not having told them sooner."
Madame Giry nodded, as the two of them moved as rapidly down the stairs and toward the Opera House as they could in their long skirts.
XXXXXXX
Sara came into the kitchen, Erik had let Christine's hand drop limply to her side. "Will that be all sir?" She heard the hansom say to Stephan. He nodded. "Then I shall wait for your direction." Joseph said, closing the door behind him.
"Oh good, the two of you together! Come, I've someone for you to meet." Sara grabbed Elizabeth's hand leading her out into the dining room. She turned looking desperately at Erik. He just nodded and motioned to her to lower her head. "Sir, are you going to join us?" Sara looked over her shoulder at Stephan. He followed them slowly out into the other room.
Raoul and his father stood to greet the couple. Raoul was the first to extend his hand to Elizabeth. Her husband quickly stepping in front of her to shake Raoul's hand. He could never have allowed Raoul to touch Christine's hand, it would have been much too familiar. Raoul looked a bit taken back, but then decided Stephan was likely just an over protective husband….something he would have been with Christine.
Raoul's father could not help but notice the horrific disfigurement that covered one side of Stephan's face. He looked away, the intensity of it too much to bear. His family had been spared the normal military service, and he could not imagine having to live with such hideousness in the name of serving one's country. If the side he exposed was this disfigured, what must the other side, kept hidden well by bandages look like? He'd seen many injured men, but none so cruelly scarred…that lived to tell of it.
Raoul's father in turn shook his hand. The five of them taking a seat at the table, Stephan helping Elizabeth to sit. Normally Christine would have thanked Erik, but she was planning to say as little as possible. Silently, Erik was relieved.
Sara tried to intervene in the introductions. "This is Monsier De Chagny, and his son the Vicomte De Chagny and this is Madame Giry's uncle and aunt, Stephan and Elizabeth Courtland. "A pleasure to meet you both" Erik said. Christine didn't even recognize the voice that came out of her husband. Surely if it fooled her, it would fool them.
"You must forgive my wife…she's not herself today." Sara looked at Elizabeth strangely, having just had a lively conversation with her minutes before. She wasn't sure why, but she sensed that the older woman was keenly uncomfortable around the two visitors.
"So, you are taking our Madame Giry and her daughter Meg to the country with you?" The senior De Chagny said, making idle conversation now, for what would a peasant farmer know of the city.
"Yes, that is our intentions as there will be no need for her here at the present time. We shan't mind the help with planting the garden, and arranging the house for the spring." Stephan tried to make his sentences short, but not so short as to call suspicion.
"Courtland, is that English?" The senior De Chagny inquired. "No, Scottish" Erik said a bit of irritation in his voice. He hoped that this line of questioning would cease soon, as he would provide as little information as possible to the men at this table. Christine looked down at her hands desperate to find some way to get out of the room, but knowing full well there was no way out.
Sara said "Elizabeth, would you help me in the kitchen for a moment?" Christine was relieved…she nodded and stood with Sara. In that instant Erik didn't know what to think. He could barely stand to sit in the room with these men, and didn't want Christine more than a few feet away from him…he promised to protect her.
Sara closed the door behind them once they were in the kitchen. "Is everything alright Elizabeth?" Christine could feel a large lump in her throat. Sitting at the table with both Erik and Raoul was more difficult than she could have ever imagined. How terrible the feelings that welled inside of her. She had betrayed Raoul, had loved Erik, had been engaged…accepted a proposal from both men…had married…loved one. She nearly wished she was once more the innocent chorus girl she'd been the year before, taking lessons from her mysterious tutor, staying up late telling stories with Meg…how simple her life had been. She fought the urge to run out the back door and blend into the throngs on the streets of Paris.
"Mam?" Sara touched her hand. Christine was pulled to reality from her deep thoughts. "I am alright….it's just that….well," she had to think fast. "Monsieur De Chagny knew a relative of mine…years ago…" Sara looked at her curiously. Christine was pulling from the stories that Raoul had told her of his father. "A woman, that he courted….it did not end well."
Sara gave Elizabeth a knowing look. "I understand, men often trifle with young girls affections," Sara said, shaking her head. "I've heard stories myself of his philandering and that's at his age now…one can only imagine what he was like in his youth." Sara and Elizabeth stood staring at the floor. "Well, we can stay in here a bit, and bring out some cream and lemons for the tea, a fresh plate of the scones that are in the oven. That will give us a few minutes away" Sara reached out and touched Elizabeth's shoulder, giving her a gentle smile. Elizabeth returned the glance with a polite "thank you."
The three men sat silently sipping tea from their emptying cups. It was an uncomfortable silence. Erik felt rage, a deep rage swelling in him, and he had to talk his way out of jumping to his feet, pulling a sword, and telling both men that Christine was his, had always been his, and that they should stop pursuing them. But, he sat in silence, the perfect picture of a demur older gentleman.
"When shall you be departing?" Raoul broke the silence. "This very afternoon I'm afraid. My lungs will do well to be back where it is a bit more dry. The smoke and soot in the city makes it difficult to…to…" Erik broke off into a coughing fit. He tried as hard as he could to make it sound pitiful, gut-wrenching. Raoul and his father sat looking at one another helpless to do anything for the old man.
Sara came in out of the kitchen with a hot pot of tea, quickly pouring a cup and offering it to Stephan. He took it gratefully, sipping it between coughs. Sara sat down at the table with the men, trying to liven up the conversation, sensing that an uncomfortable silence had descended upon them. "Yes, it will be sad to see them off, but they promise they will return for a visit when Meg and Madame Giry return." Sara said with a slight smile, knowing full well that she was making that up, but not really knowing what else to say.
XXXX
Meg and Madame Giry reached the inn, they were both out of breath from traveling so quickly. As they opened the door Meg was already calling out for Sara. "In here child, in here."
Meg slowed, her mother nearly running over the top of her, the two women gasping as they entered the dining room to see Erik sitting at the table with the two men. Raoul and his father stood in proper greeting, and slowly Erik joined them. Just then the kitchen door swung open and Christine came out carrying a plate of scones. There in that room the electricity flew among them. Some knowing why, others not. Sara glancing back and forth at her guests, pulled up several chairs from the wall, and invited Meg and Madame Giry to sit.
"Monsieur De Chagny, Vicomte…" Madame Giry began I see you have met my uncle Stephan. Raoul nodded, turning to look at Meg. Meg smiled politely, tilting her head just slightly downward, then glancing sharply up at Christine, lips agape. Christine was looking with fiery eyes at Meg, and at Raoul as she saw him smile back at Meg.
Christine was feeling jealousy, and she didn't know why…she was a married woman….she shouldn't be… Christine swallowed hard and glanced at Erik whose eyes were fixed on her. This was so unbearable. Christine felt herself getting hot, lights flickering before her eyes…too much…too much. She sat the plate of scones on the counter, grabbing at the surface, clutching it for all she was worth. Sara stood, going to her, and guided her to a chair next to Stephan.
"Mam, sit here, I'll get you a glass of cool water, do not exert yourself." Madame Giry, trying to divert attention from Christine and Erik said "I've delivered my information to Mr. Firmin this morning, a map for when the time is such that you are ready for our return" she said distracting the elder De Chagny.
"Good" he turned looking at Madame Giry. "We've just begun meeting with a group of men who will begin to assess the work that needs to be done. We hope the interior will be cleaned and ready for construction within the month. There is much to be done before a new stage can be built. Swarovski is busy already cutting crystal for the new chandelier, several hundred thousand crystals will take a lengthy time to prepare." Madame Giry nodded.
Raoul had not taken his eyes off of Meg. He had noticed her of course, talked to her many times with Christine, but never had really looked at Meg. She was pretty, and shy, well raised…he shall want to keep track of Meg…as her friend….as Christine's friend…he'd want to know she was alright.
Erik had reached out and was holding Christine's hand under the table now. She clutched it in a death grip, longing for their private moments in the cave…of the time they spent on the rooftop…in the cemetery…in the caverns dancing on their wedding night.
Sara was relieved that the conversation seemed to be flowing now, and set about refilling everyone's cup of tea, she rearranged the scones and clotted cream, and went to fetch more cookies, though the plate hardly needed refilling.
Erik felt himself moving into another world as he listened to De Chagny describe how they were going to change some of the things at the Opera House, adding some new acoustical refinements, additional seats…. His opera house would be changing, not under his direction, no notes were to be left making suggestions, he had no control over the architectural changes that were being made….he felt completely out of control.
He'd not expected these emotions. He'd been so focused on the intimate part of his life, the life he'd not known before, that he had spent little thought on his other life, the life as the director, creator, architect, of the opera house. In any other circumstance, in a real world, he would be able to express his incense at the changes they were making. Yes, it would be men sitting around a table, dark mahogany walls surrounding them, a large fire crackling in the marble fire place, hands full of snifters of the finest brandy, aromatic cigars and the like. But this was not Erik's world…he was not a respected architect…not a gifted musician…..not in the world's eyes anyway.
"Monsieur, Monsieur…" Christine squeezed Erik's hand, bringing him out of his illusion. "When did you say you'd be leaving? Would you have time to join us for dinner before you depart?" Erik stammered a moment, not having been listening to the conversation previous to this one, he was momentarily at a loss for words. He glanced around at those round the table, and managed "we are leaving this very afternoon…" then he began another of his coughing fits, hoping to disrupt the conversation.
"Uncle," Meg reached out for his shoulder. "Would you like to retire for a nap before we are on our way?" Erik had one hand covering his mouth, holding up the other to pause. He nodded before he began coughing again. Meg immediately stood, moving toward him, helping him to his feet.
Christine not knowing if it would look suspicious if she went with him, stood briefly before sitting down again. Both Raoul and his father were on their feet, their backs turned to Christine. How odd their profiles looked nothing alike. Raoul was slightly shorter than his father, a stockier built frame, shoulders slightly narrower, his coifed red hair. Christine felt a bit odd in those brief moments, a furrow forming on her brow…Raoul's father had a poise, a stature that seemed familiar, his dark hair trimmed at the nape of his neck, his broad shoulders under the thick black overcoat, long and lean as his shoulders were slightly turned, it resembled something she'd seen...it was too familiar…"
Meg moved with Erik up the stairs, Raoul watching them all the way until they disappeared. "Meg will be a fine helper for you Mrs. Courtland. It appears that she is rather fond of her uncle." Raoul said turning to face Elizabeth. She managed weakly to say "yes, rather fond," her voice barely above a whisper, and a bit gravely.
Raoul looked at her with a strange glance, igniting fear in her heart. Had he sensed her tone? Her pulse quickened, her mind began to race. Raoul stood, walking toward her reaching into his pocket for something. Her eyes grew wide, she held her breath as his hand reached toward her face. Madame Giry's eyes wide now too, Raoul's actions sending a shiver up her spine…had he recognized her?.
"Here Madame, allow me to…" he reached out dabbing the handkerchief under Christine's nose. She shuddered. He drew the cloth away from her face, just slightly for her to see that it was stained with blood, Christine gasped. Raoul glanced over at Sara who was at once on her feet at Elizabeth's side. Raoul handed the handkerchief to her, a deep concern on his face. "Perhaps Elizabeth would benefit from a bit of rest herself before they depart" he suggested.
Madame Giry stood and walked over to Elizabeth saying "come, let me help you, we shall take care of that." Christine only nodded, not daring to speak, just having now been able to breath again.
She felt light headed, so that needing assistance would not be an act at all, she felt her knees weak beneath her as she stood, clasping Madame Giry's hand and shoulder. The elder De Chagny rising again as the two women departed up the stairs.
Sara, Raoul, and his father sat down as the room emptied. "Pitiful…." Said the senior De Chagny. "It is truly fate…" Raoul said, "they would have been needing to call for Meg and her mother for assistance this Spring, as their health is obviously failing…they would have needed to travel to the country…so perhaps this opportunity will allow them to do so without guilt of leaving the ballet without a mistress."
Raoul's father nodded his head in agreement. "Sara, thank you for the tea" Raoul's father was on his feet, reaching for his cloak. Raoul rose to his feet as well. His father turning to him said, "it is time that we were at the police office, final reports being due to be presented" Raoul nodded. "I'll be along in a moment, I should like to speak with Meg before I take my leave." His father looked at him inquisitively, but nodded once in ascent. "Good day Madame" he said as he put on his cloak and left, a cold draft swirling in the room as the door closed behind him.
Raoul turned to Sara, "could you retrieve Meg for me?" he asked. "Yes, I can…and may I say thank you for this lovely gift" she said running her hand over the glittering broach. "I've not had such a fine gift since my husband passed on." Sara said looking down at the jewelry as the light reflected off it as it moved in her hand.
Raoul thought to himself it was such a trifle, twenty francs or so, a simple trifle…but he was glad that it brought her pleasure…she'd offered him such motherly comfort the day before. "You are most welcome Madame, it was most generous of you to have allowed my visit yesterday, and for taking care of these two woman." He smiled at Sara.
"It's been no trouble, no trouble at all." She paused then stood walking toward the stairs "I'll fetch miss Meg for you. Sit, have a cookie…I'll be back in a few minutes." Raoul sat, looking at the plate heaped with chocolate drop cookies. Smiling he reached out and selected one, taking a bite. The first taste melting into his tongue…they were wonderful. His kitchen staff never prepared cookies like this, simple hard biscuits suitable for teas yes, but nothing as sweet and sinful as these…it reminded him of something a mother would make for her children…something he'd been deprived of for a good many years.
Erik thanked Meg for her assistance. "Do come and tell me when they've gone. We must be on our way." Erik said now standing fully within the safety of his room. "But the hansom, he's not.." "Out in the back behind the inn." Erik interrupted. "We've to load our.." "Already done, everything is ready."
Meg looked down at her dress. She'd hoped to change before they left, but she'd have to travel in the dark grey wool she now donned. "Alright, I shall come back up for you when they've…." There was a gentle knock at the door.
"Meg?' Sara called out. "Yes?' she responded. "Meg, the Vicomte would like to speak with you before he leaves." There was silence. "I'll be there in just a moment, do tell him?" "Alright, you'll be right down then?" Sara inquired. "Yes, I'll be right there." Erik motioned with his hand for Meg to go. She realized this was the first time they'd been alone in a room together…and she hadn't been terrified…it was a start. Meg left the room and wandered down the stairs behind Sara.
Raoul rose from his chair, wiping the crumbs from his jacket. Sara smiled as she passed him and disappeared into the kitchen. Meg shyly walked toward Raoul, looking a bit embarrassed. This had been her friend's fiancé, and she felt ashamed that she blushed whenever he was in the room with her.
"Meg," Raoul said with a compassion in his voice that she'd not heard before. "Meg, I shall keep in contact with you and your mother. I know that you are concerned for Christine, and will want to know of our progress." Meg smiled at him, glancing up into his piercing blue eyes. She could see the deep pain that still lingered in them.
"We both miss her…I can tell you are hurting too…" Raoul continued. "I don't know what we shall do if we never find them…never know what happened….why…." Raoul could feel emotion welling in his chest, and he coughed trying to relieve it.
"It will be alright Raoul" his name seeming foreign on her tongue, to have spoken it so informally. "Tragedy has a way of healing in time, and perhaps we shall find some resolution" she smiled at him slightly.
Raoul looked far away now as he offered "I have a feeling he wouldn't harm her, physically anyway…but keeping her prisoner…not providing for her comforts….forcing her to be away from her fiancé, her family…we'll hope that it doesn't last forever for her…perhaps he will tire of her company and return her to us" Raoul said trying to look at Meg with optimism in his glance. Meg smiled "perhaps."
"In the meantime, please let me know if there is anything that I can do for your comfort….maybe you will come back to the city on occasion, when you've tired of the care for your aunt and uncle, when you are in need of conversation that does not contain talk of coughing or fainting spells! You are too young to be troubled with all of that now…indeed, you'll be in need of company more your age, if only for a brief reprieve."
Meg smiled, "I should like that very much." Raoul handed Meg a small envelope. "You may contact this hansom in Paris who will come to retrieve you should you need a brief escape from your work. He is an acquaintance of mine, who shall be alerted to your situation, and will pick you up whenever you wish to return to Paris." Meg smiled, "thank you Raoul." He reached down touching her hand, lowering his head he lightly kissed Meg's right cheek. "Do take care of yourself now….I'll let you know if we hear of anything…and you'll let me know if you need anything?" Meg nodded.
Raoul lifted his cloak to his shoulders, as Sara was walking back into the room. "Sara, again, my thanks" he said nodding his head towards her. "No trouble at all sir," she smiled moving toward him. "Here, I hope you don't mind taking a few of these with you…I'm afraid I made many more than I'd thought. I'd hped you might like them."
Raoul looked down at the neatly tied cloth, and could feel the weight of a dozen cookies in it. He smiled at Sara "thank you, they are a wonderful treat." Sara smiled as Raoul turned and walked toward the door, passing by Meg pausing slightly to look her in the eye once more and touch her hand. He passed through the door, shutting it tightly behind him.
Meg let out a gasp. Sara smiled at her "right handsome young man isn't he?" Meg blushed heavily as she realized she'd been staring at him the entire time. "Yes," she replied, pulling out of her stupor "I can see why Christine fancied him, he is most pleasant." Sara smiled as she went about clearing the cups and saucers from the table.
XXX
Behind the inn, Monsier De Chagny had just concluded his business with the hansom. He'd tucked a hundred francs into the man's pocket as he agreed to report anything suspicious on the road as they traveled. Joseph had heard of De Chagny's recent free-flowing good will, and didn't mind being privy to it. He smiled pulling the notes from his pocket as De Chagny disappeared around the side of the inn.
XXXXX
Upstairs, behind the heavy curtain in the the darkenened room, unbeknownst to either man, Erik had been watching the transaction. They would have to be extremely careful now, the very carriage they rode in was driven by a spy, one likely to be very loyal to his supporter. Erik was thankful that he had employed him for only part of the journey, it would make it more difficult for the group to be traced. Only to the Candlelight Inn, just past midnight they'd arrive. They would wait until the hansom departed before employing another. The rest could be decided later, for now, they simply needed to start out.
XXXXX
"Father?" Raoul sounded startled as he nearly collided with the senior De Chagny as he rounded the corner. "Son, good, you are finished. Let us be going to the police office, we shouldn't be late for the meeting we've called." Raoul's father lightly took hold of his son's arm, leading him down the street. "What were you doing in the alley?" Raoul said, now straightening his jacket, reclaiming his arm. "Just tending to a little business." His father replied, a small smirk on his face. "One can never have too many pairs of eyes open at times like these." Raoul glanced back toward the alley as they past, taking note of the horse and carriage that they'd passed. "I see" was all that Raoul said. "I guess it doesn't hurt." His father nodded at him, picking up his gate propelling them toward the offices some blocks down from the inn.