Madame Giry woke, her neck was stiff, and she could feel the heaviness of having fallen asleep sitting upright. The combination of the brandy and her weariness had gotten the best of her.
She startled as she heard the exhalation of another just next to her. Her eyes flew open, and it was then that she realized she'd fallen asleep in front of the fire, her head resting on Nadir's shoulder. She was aghast. How could she have found herself in such an improper position?
She slowly removed herself from Nadir's arm. Straightening her dress, she moved toward the door taking great pains to move as quietly as was possible. She opened it, breathing a sigh of relief that the outside corridor was unoccupied. She slipped down the short distance to her room and moved to the window seat.
The sun was barely rising, and yet she was fully awake, and quite aware that she'd spent the night in the company of man, the first time since her husband died. True, nothing that even hinted of impropriety had taken place, yet she felt ashamed.
She pushed back the tendrils of hair that had become loosened. Her thoughts wandered to Meg. Raising a silent prayer to the heavens. Meg no doubt wondered about her obvious absence. She anxiously awaited their departure to join Meg at her side.
She stood, tucking the stray hair into her somewhat disheveled bun. She would find her way to the kitchen, putting a pot of coffee on the stove, and perhaps frying up the remnants of ham and eggs from the previous evening. With no bread available, the cake would have to suffice as a substitute. The smell of brewing coffee would certainly make the gentlemen stir without Madame Giry having to wake them formally.
XXX
Meg opened her eyes, stretching her arms above her head. She raised her hand to her face, gently rubbing her left eye, running her hand over the small slit of her right. The swelling was slightly less than it had been before, but the skin was far more tender to the touch. She could barely open her right lid, perceiving only a faint hint of light through it.
She pulled herself to a sitting position looking around the room. In the light of day, it was far more luxurious than it had been by candlelight. The sun was glinting off the multi-faceted crushed stone on the mirror. She looked at the elaborate canopy of fabrics that crowned the head of the bed, and draped elegantly down and over the end of the posters. The walls were adorned with some of the most exquisite tapestries she'd ever seen. Raoul had instructed her to make a mental note of the things she would like to have removed, and thus far, she could think of nothing that seemed to not belong.
The knowledge that Christine had never seen…never known of these things, made it much easier. Perhaps Raoul himself hadn't even selected them, perhaps had delegated that task to someone else…that would make it easier still.
She slid her feet to the floor, and walked over to the closet. She had nothing to wear, nothing at all, so if but for today, she would have to select a garment from the collection inside. Christine was slightly taller than Meg, but in all other respects their size was about the same. She opened the doors to the dressing chamber and moved inside.
One kerosene lamp sat on a high chest of drawers, so Meg lit it to widen her view of the contents. She still felt an eerie presence, but shrugged it off. It might well have been a residual fog of the medications from last night.
There was so much to choose from that it made Meg's head swim. No doubt each fabric had a suitable purpose, and she'd not want something too frilly. Rather a simple dress, if one could be found, would be most suitable. After a half-hour's time, there was a gentle rap on the door. "Young Miss? Wake now?" Meg leaned out of the closet, calling out to Madeline. "Yes, do come in." Meg welcomed the opinion of someone who might know of these things.
"Madeline, do come in here. I must select something to wear, and I haven't an idea of what it should be." Madeline took Meg by the hand and led her over to the vanity. "You brush hair, I find dress." Meg smiled at her, as Madeline patted her on the shoulder. She would come to be a trusted friend, Meg could feel it.
Madeline reappeared in a few minutes time with a lovely peach colored gown. It was elegant, yet understated, tastefully adorned with small flowered embroidery. "This good for you, not too warm." Madeline laid it on the bed, and went to retrieve the other necessities.
Meg brushed her hair, noticing how painful the crown of her head was to the touch. She felt in her hair, a small clump of scabbing had formed there. No doubt she would discover much more as her body came to life. Madeline walked behind her, pulling her hair up into a satin ribbon, fastening it loosely at the nape of Meg's neck. "Now come, we dress you."
Madeline helped Meg stand, walking her over to the bed, assisting her with the under garments. Once the corset was in place, the dress was slipped over Meg's head, and the final ribbons were tied. "Most beautiful miss Meg." Madeline took her over to the mirror and tilted it so Meg could see the full length of the dress. Madeline was right, it was beautiful!
"Now come, go breakfast, Vicomte waits you." Meg took in a deep breath, holding onto Madeline's hand. "No worry father gone, just you Raoul." Meg was relieved, although not entirely. While Raoul's father made her nervous, that feeling withered in comparison to having to look Raoul in the eye in the full light of day. If she was to stay there, she would have to find a way to resolve this in her mind. If she refused Raoul now, his feelings would be hurt, and any hope of a future might be lost. She'd have to talk to her mother when she arrived.
Madeline had waited patiently, as Meg tarried, but now she reached out and patted Meg's hand. "No worry, no worry, he's nice man, he smiles for you!" Meg lowered her head blushing, and then leaned over and pecked Madeline's cheek. "Thank you," she said smiling at her, "I am ready now."
Madeline led her out of the room and down the staircase to the dining room, where Raoul stood to greet her. "Come, let us have something to eat. Then we shall discuss our plans for today." He pushed the chair in under her as he nodded to Madeline. "Thank you." Meg replied as Raoul took his place in a chair across the table.
"I trust you slept well?" Meg stopped and thought, she had actually slept well, no dreams, no memory of even falling asleep. The last thing she really remembered was Raoul bending over her kissing her. She didn't think she would ever be able to get that out of her mind….not as long as she lived.
"Meg?" Raoul reached out his hand and touched hers. She shook her head, "yes, quite. The room is very lovely, the bed divine. Whatever the physician administered certainly performed as he claimed it would."
Raoul smiled, he was relieved. He himself had slept fitfully after his bath. Though he'd scrubbed every trace of the murder from his hands, he could still feel it screaming from his pores. He shook his head, thinking to himself, it was like the story penned by Edgar Allan Poe… 'The Telltale Heart'. There was something very haunting about the lethality, finality of a life claimed in such a heinous way, even in the name of self-defense. Tonight, when the doctor visited, he would see if there was something he could give him.
"I was thinking Meg, it would be a lovely afternoon to sit in the gardens. Do you enjoy watercolors?"
Meg blinked. He couldn't possibly have known, in fact no one knew. In the farthest recesses of the attic in the Opera House, Meg had a small corner where she would go when she was feeling blue, or a bit anxious. Even Christine hadn't known of it. It had been Meg's haven. And in it, she had the small easel that her father had given her the last Christmas he was alive. She'd borrowed paints and brushes from vast supply that was always on hand in the props department. She loved painting watercolor; it was soothing to her. At the peak of the roofline from the attic, Meg could look out at the most beautiful skyline of Paris. She'd painted it countless times.
"Meg?" Raoul called out to her. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, yes of course. It is just that…well…I love water color, very much, but I've never spoken of it to another soul. It seemed a silly past-time for a chorus girl, only girls of good breeding are allowed to dabble in such fancy." Meg smiled at Raoul, the half of her lips not burdened by the swelling rising like a small slivered half-moon.
"Good, it is something we shall both enjoy. Truth be told, my father has always disapproved of my passion for it really. No son of his would strut about like an itinerant painter!" Raoul said in a mocking fashion. That made Meg laugh.
In spite of recent developments to the contrary, Meg and Raoul had grown to be close friends, and that was such a comfort in times like these.
Madeline appeared bearing a large silver platter, with serving dishes of eggs and ham, simmered winter fruits, a potted porridge, and toast. The china in front of Meg was beautiful, she marveled at it.
"It was a favorite pattern of my mother's," Raoul said as he lifted Meg's plate and began to serve her. Madeline looked confused, but Raoul nodded, just for today, he preferred to do this himself.
"It is exquisite!" Raoul smiled as Meg lifted the teacup to examine it.
"I had it brought here when I moved from the Chagny mansion. My father kept it tucked away in a cupboard, and it was never used. It would have made my mother very sad indeed. She preferred it over any other pattern, as it had been her own mother's wedding china."
Meg suddenly felt as though she'd seen a small glimpse into Raoul's fondness for his mother. "We used it every day for tea, just the two of us," Raoul was smiling as he recanted the memory. "The day she died, father had it packed away, and it hadn't seen the light of day until I brought it here. Now, I use it every day."
"That is most special, I feel honored that you'll share it with me." Meg said, dipping her utensil into her sauce. Raoul went about pouring tea into their cups, again tending to every detail with two splashes of cream and a dot of sugar in Meg's cup.
As they ate they talked of things that both of their mothers had done to make their childhood special. Meg's mother was fond of note writing, Raoul's mother of reading to him from the great contemporary authors.
When they were finished, Madeline, almost on cue, came in to collect the dishes. She smiled at both of them coyly, trying not to make it known. She could see it, feel it…something was in the air.
XXXXXX
Christine had risen before Erik. She marveled that he still slept. She slipped into the water closet, noticing that the plumbing was not fully functional, she'd have to retrieve a basin of water and warm it on the stove to take a sponge bath. She slipped on her dress from the day before, without the corset, and made her way down to the kitchen, basin in hand.
Before she even reached the top of the stairs she could smell the freshly brewing coffee. Though it was a little unsettling for her stomach recently, she decided a cup might be just what she needed this morning. They'd have a long day ahead, no doubt disagreements would arise about the timing, the departure and the mode of transportation, but it should all be resolved quite quickly so everyone could be on their way.
Once outside of the kitchen, Christine could hear someone cracking eggs on the side of a bowl. No doubt Madame Giry had been up earlier than even she herself had. "Good morning," she said as she walked in the room.
"Christine, you are up! I'd rather hoped my commotion would raise the gentlemen of the house instead!" Christine smiled, walking over to the cupboard retrieving a cup and saucer. Everything had been wrapped in blue tissue paper, so it felt like opening something that had never been used.
Madame Giry poured a cup for Christine, and the pair sat at the small servant's table in the kitchen by the window. "I hope you do not mind eggs and ham."
Christine smiled. "I shan't mind anything today. I wish only to see you on your way to Meg." Madame Giry smiled, putting her cup back in its saucer. "I am rather anxious myself."
Christine said "oh, how I'd love to accompany you, but I know it isn't feasible. Do make sure that Meg knows that I am thinking of her by day, praying for her by night." Madame Giry smiled, "indeed I shall." Christine rose with her and the two went about preparing a breakfast for the lot of them.
XXXX
Nadir awoke. He rubbed his chin, scratching fiercely at his beard. The last he remembered, he and Madame Giry were talking in front of the fire, and he had been trying to comfort her. "Must've dozed off, and she slipped out," he said out loud. He looked over at the bed. And though it looked inviting, he saw the light rising in the windows and knew he'd best get started.
Down the hall Erik was waking too. He stretched his arms high above his head, bringing his hands down to his face as the nerve in his right cheek began to twitch. The brow above his right eye itched incessantly. Though he'd resisted the urge to simply tear away the flesh, he vigorously rubbed his thumbnail over the area, trying to relieve the sensation. It was then that he realized that his stretching hadn't caused him any pain. He sat up, carefully examining the bandages. There had been no drainage for a second night in a row, surely that was a very good sign. Soon he hoped, he could be rid of the infernal bandaging altogether.
As Nadir dressed, he felt the paper in his left jacket pocket. He retrieved it to look at it closely. It was as if he was looking into the future. There, Erik stood over a small boy playing in the sand. The woman behind him was not Christine, yet still it didn't disturb the mental picture Nadir had in his mind's eye. He'd do some investigating. He'd have to find a suitable place to stow the picture, he couldn't risk taking it with him to Paris. Somewhere that Erik or Christine would never look. The library was too obvious, someone might see him. The room was not safe, for surely Erik would have the maid clean up after them when he returned to the manor.
"Ah, I've the perfect place." Nadir strolled down to the sun room. Surely this wouldn't be used now, and no one had slept in it, so it would escape the attention of the maids. He looked around for a place to tuck it. There on the floor was Meg's papers, strewn about haphazardly. Nadir collected them, reading a few brief lines. He quickly folded them and put them in his pocket. When he was in Paris, he would return them to Meg, or destroy them, whatever suited her. He reached high above the top shelf in the cupboard, and laid the picture flat. Unless someone was eight feet tall, they would never find the picture. He'd return before the fall, certainly by then he'd have some answers. At least he hoped he would.
Author's Notes:
Captain Oblivious: I must tell you, you've created a monster! Yes, I am holding you entirely responsible for my lack of sleep this past weekend. I spent hour upon hour looking at all sorts of videos of our beloved Gerard. The link you suggested led to another, and another, and another, until I was entirely lost in cyberland with Gerry dancing above my head like sugarplums on Christmas Eve! Not that it was unpleasant mind you. Hmmm…. I just never knew this world existed. Out on the GB website, there is a video contest raging, and that is where I spent Saturday night until 2:00 a.m. Too bad I had to be up at 6:00! I've turned into a bat-bird….a new creature that stays up with the bats, but gets up with the birds….oh where is my diet coke…I think I need some caffeine! Hoping you've received your Dracula 2000 DVD safe and sound. I've just ordered the UK DVD "The Jury". I wasn't going to do it…then I saw one of the videos for it set to the music of "Moulin Rouge" and one thing led to another…oh what's another $ 38 anyway! Amazon and Visa are just loving me right now!
O.K., back to the story. Yes, it seems rather cruel of Raoul, but he'd no idea that he'd ever be bringing Meg there. By the time you read this you will see that I'd already been thinking along the same lines. But we shall have to see how Meg reacts, time will tell. Yes, good books. I wished I had that leather-bound collection myself! I do have a leather bound collection of Edgar Allen Poe that belonged to my great grandfather, hence a Poe reference in a future chapter!
Now, I am smiling fiendishly as I write this, imagining myself to be Erik, holding a sword to your side, forcing you to read 'Old Curiosity Shop' just to learn about the game of Cribbage. But alas, I do not have the stature or finesse to pull that off, not to mention I have no idea where you live! So, I can simply tell you it is a game that involves a wooden board with a number of pegs and a deck of cards. I must warn you, it is rather addictive if you begin playing it. Though I wish everyone had learned about the game through the great literary work as Erik and Nadir had, I hope that they might be interested in learning now! Here's a link if you're interested in finding out more. you enjoy the next chapters! I think though things are much kinder, they are still no less complicated!
Phantomluvr: Yes, much nicer indeed. I couldn't do that to you two weekends in a row! Punjabbing aside, I've rather gotten used to people taking a poke at me now and then! Thanks for staying with the story!
Christine de Nuit: Thank you for the compliment! Yes things are getting better. SOOO much life ahead of them, so much to look forward to! Waiting for me only adds to the enjoyment of something….perhaps anticipation has a joy all it's own! Hope you enjoy the next chapters!
Crayann: If you could see me now, you'd see a pair of crimson cheeks, a blush from the humility I feel when I receive such compliments. Thank you. Ultimately I want everyone who reads anything produced in fanfiction to be as happy as I am to have found it. This is the one place we can all be serious, or hilarious, and we are free to exercise our own set of values and options to find happiness. Literature is merely a distraction from the normal cares of life. If it makes someone sad, they should move on to find something that makes them happy. One doesn't have to look far in the real world to find something to put a frown on their face. I hope that person finds what they are looking for, even if it means leaving our little "family" of readers. I hope you enjoy the next chapters.
Just so you know, I've no intentions of stopping writing until all of the ideas for this family have run their due course!
PhantomFan13: I don't know if you will find this before or after you return from your camping expedition, but either way I hope it was a relaxing time for you. Being parted from our computers is painful….it feels like someone has removed one of your limbs!
And on to the story….as for the picture that started this whole crazy thing, no…Nadir has not forgotten about it at all. In fact, it occupies quite a lot of his thoughts, he is simply a very calculating man, and is choosing his time wisely. How's that for being vague? I don't want to give any spoilers. I for one, love suspense!
Thank you for your encouraging words. Right now I would feel like I cut off a limb if I were to quit. I'm feeling a little bit like Dickens, and this story has become MY favorite child! I will not quit unless God smites me dead, or the story comes to a completely perfect ending. So, if the updates quit abruptly, you'll know God has spoken! (Sorry, I'm feeling a bit sleep deprived, and quite silly….)
Idonno: Welcome to the family! I don't think I've heard from you before… Interesting tag name….hmmmm it makes me feel oh…I don't know… (sorry, sleep deprivation has made me a bit giddy!) Yes, this revision is not one for those who prefer short stories. I have been accused by English teachers, friends, family, and a few others, of being far too verbose a person. Try though I might, I simply get lost in the language and cannot help myself! If you decide to stay with us, I can promise you an interesting ride, but alas, few short chapters. Hope you enjoy!
Stormyrainedoncowgirl: I'm happy to hear you are enjoying the story! The chapter number on your review has me a bit confused, because I think we first met somewhere in a much later chapter…hmmm….irregardless, I'm glad to have you back.!