Nadir was impatient. They'd stopped only briefly at the Candlelight Inn, he'd not even stayed long enough to have a proper tea. The horses were fed, watered, and rested all within an hour. He wanted to make his way to the winter house before the full darkness of night fell. Through all the fidgeting and worry, he'd nearly driven himself sick. Now, they were but a half-hour's ride.
The sun was setting, a blood-orange red. The night sky something more like one sees in the fall rather than spring, an oddity indeed Nadir thought to himself. He mulled over and over again in his mind all that De Chagny had told him. How in heaven's name could he ever search each small hamlet, village, and town that was at least a number of hours away from Paris? The task seemed utterly daunting.
Yes, he and Meg were most anxious. No doubt their impatience would be the cause of a great many headaches and sleepless nights. But for the rest of the world, this situation had no timetable, for they knew not that it even existed.
Nadir sighed, leaning back for the thousandth time this trip alone, trying to calm himself. He'd draw out a map. Find towns that were too small to have ever supported an Inn. Then he would begin crossing off villages that were at least…. His shoulders slumped…if only he'd mentioned the name of the village…if there was but only some way to encourage him to speak of it again…though he doubted the opportunity would present itself.
Sighing yet again he tried to relax, he had to relax. There was much to be done when the sun came up in the morning, and he'd be no good for any of it if he didn't rest. He'd head to the undertaker first thing, then he'd be off to Paris. He'd contact the registrar to find where her husband had been buried….Nadir grumbled to himself. He wasn't as young a man as he used to be, he'd best make a list, lest he forget something important, like taking Sara back with him!
He dug in his pocket retrieving a piece of paper and a writing instrument. Taking out his spectacles and slipping them on, he realized it was far too dark to see to write legibly. He returned his glasses to his pocket, and was folding the paper when he realized that one sheet did not belong with the others. Then it hit him, it was one of the papers that he'd collected of Meg's. Somehow he'd missed returning that one. "Must have been separated from the others." He muttered to himself.
He hesitantly folded it and began slipping it back into his pocket, when his curiosity got the best of him. In one impetuous moment, he'd taken leave of his good senses, opening the page. Holding it up in the failing light he marveled at her beautiful penmanship, and then tears formed as he read these words:
"If Erik is Raoul's brother, and one day I wed Raoul, then we shall all be one large family. Christine would finally be the sister that I'd always dreamed she was. There is so much that would be necessary to take place before any sort of reconciliation…if even one could occur. If this proves to be true, we'd likely not be one happy family. Raoul's father would have to admit to the errors of his past, whatever those were that left Erik quite without a mother, and quite alone in the world at a very tender age. He's a proud and awful man, and even faced with his very likeness in Erik, would not be likely to believe it to be true. The scandal, it would surely break everyone's heart. Is the greater good, should I find out the truth, and it is as we suspect, is the greater good not saying anything at all, and letting the secret die?
I shall talk to Nadir, dear sweet Nadir. Mother's become rather fond of him. She smiles when his name is mentioned, though she denies it. They banter back and forth, it is rather sweet. I've respected Nadir, the way he stepped in and took care of Erik's household while Erik sleeps. I've no doubt their friendship runs deep, much deeper than most, I can tell in the way he guards Erik's secrets with fierce loyalty. I've become rather fond of Nadir myself, he feels a bit like a father to me in recent months. It will be he and only he that I entrust with this secret, for surely if anyone can help put the pieces of this puzzle together, it would be him. Only he knows of Erik's past and present. I pray to heaven that he wakes soon, Christine is going quite mad. The love she feels for him is almost like a fairytale, almost too intense and sincere to be true, but love him she does, and I only hope that one day, I shall find myself as devoted to a man as she.
Nadir was grateful that the page was finished. He felt both guilty and proud, all at the same time. Meg thought much about the relationships in her life. She also thought highly of him, and of her mother's inclinations toward him. Perhaps he should think more about them too.
Oh how he wished the carriage ride was over, he needed to talk to Erik, dig deep into what he could remember as a boy, anything that might help. Nadir closed his eyes. When he'd tried everything else, he'd pray.
Not the most religious man in the world, but he knew it had power. "Lord, if you find it in your will to allow us to discover the truths that have been hidden from this family for so long, please, I implore you, show us a sign, anything that would help us find what we need to in order to uncover the truth." Nadir immediately felt better. Not only because he'd prayed, but also, because upon opening his eyes, he could see the glow from the winter house out of the carriage window. He'd be there soon.
XXXX
Raoul had sat all afternoon reading to Meg. At points she had dozed off, the pleasant company, the warmth of the fire, and nothing but Raoul's melodious reading voice, had contributed heavily to her drooping eyes. Madeline had come and gone several times, refreshing the tea, and refilling the cookie plate that she and Raoul had no trouble emptying several times. It was as if they were school children on holiday the way they'd been eating them. There was something decidedly soothing about enjoying them, knowing that their origin lay with a woman who'd provided both with a comforting word, and a warm cookie just when it was needed most.
"Oh Raoul, that was entirely lovely. Do you not grow weary from the strain of reading?" She said as she poured him another cup of tea with a dot of honey, just as he liked it. The room was warm and entirely private, save the noises the staff were making cleaning on the floors above.
"I hope I've not tired you so that you'll not join my father and I for dinner when he arrives with your mother." Meg smiled. She'd sit through dinner for Raoul's sake, though she doubted very much that she'd have much of an appetite after having eaten nearly a half dozen cookies that afternoon! Raoul chuckled at her. "At least my dear you'd be excused from consuming a large portion of anything. I on the other hand, will be expected to eat a full portion, lest I have to admit to my father that I was entirely full, having spoiled my appetite with sweets!"
That made both Raoul and Meg laugh. They'd both been chastised for that very thing when they were children, and had just spoken of it the day before. It was starting to feel very much to Meg that she and Raoul were developing a past together. One that was neither occupied by Christine nor anyone else for that matter. That alone would make having a future much more possible.
Meg startled as she heard a bang on the wall just down the hall. Raoul cringed. "Raoul, do your staff normally find themselves this busy? They've been banging about your house all afternoon."
He closed the book, reaching out for Meg's hand. "They are a busy lot, they do take particular pride in keeping a tidy household. It just so happens we have three house guests, and an additional one in the stable, so they are going to every effort to make everyone as comfortable as possible."
Meg looked down at her hand in Raoul's it felt good to have his warm hands around hers. She was going to say as much when Madeline opened the door. "Vicomte, have question, no trouble please?"
Meg smiled at Raoul, "do you mind at all?" he said to her. She shook her head no. "I've plenty to keep me occupied here. She glanced over the number of books that they'd worked their way through that afternoon. Raoul nodded and followed Madeline out into the hall, pulling the door closed behind him.
Madeline led him into the kitchen, pulling the door closed behind her. "Vicomte, bed not here. Bed not come till tomorrow. We tell Meg, we spill wax all over floor her room, she sleep in room with mother?"
Raoul didn't like telling a fib, especially to Meg, but in this case, there was no other way to deal with this, for what is a room without a bed? "Very well Madeline, do as you suggest, but do be a dear and spill a bit of wax there, so we won't be lying entirely!"
Madeline smiled at him, she understood. Raoul was scrupulous when it came to being honest. It was one quality that his mother had drilled into him. She'd always advised him that he could tell the most about the sincerity of a person's heart by how honest they were, and he'd taken that with him every day of his life since then.
"Have you seen my father Maddy?" "No, carriage not come from Paris…many others come and go, bring many things, but no father." "Thank you."
He returned the study where Meg had been wandering about looking at the pictures that were carefully hung on the wall. She had shuddered at the picture of Raoul's father, it was like looking at a shadow of Erik years from now. She adored the picture of his mother with he and his sister, and it was that picture that she stood in front of when Raoul entered.
"That was painted just weeks before she died." He said coming to join Meg at the foot of it. "She was a beautiful woman Raoul…your mother."
He smiled up at the picture. "Yes, she was, inside and out." The look on his face was priceless. Meg could tell he'd loved his mother a great deal. His gaze displayed his undulating adoration for a woman he'd spent only a fraction of his life with. She had been the most important part of his world until the day they'd been parted by her death.
He turned to face Meg, "I've some news for you." Raoul began rather uncomfortably to spin a yarn regarding the spilled wax. "So, if it doesn't trouble you, I'd like to have a cot brought into your mother's room until we can see to having it properly remedied."
"Oh Raoul, I shan't mind at all, I think it is most gracious that you've allowed my mother and I to stay with you. I should be happy no matter where you'll have me." In truth, she was glad to have an opportunity to sleep in another room. Though she'd not mentioned it, the longer she contemplated the fact that all of the items in that room were to have belonged to Christine the harder it became to appreciate them….be surrounded by them.
Raoul smiled, "good, I'll have Madeline see to the arrangements then."
There was yet another knock on the door. "Our quite afternoon has turned into a rather busy evening my dear!" Raoul said in a rather mocking fashion. He opened the door just slightly.
"Vicomte, I have that report you requested, if you'd be inclined to join me in another room." Raoul nodded.
"Meg, do you mind at all, I'll be back in a few moments time?" Meg smiled nodding, "this is your house Raoul, you do not need my permission to tend to your business, for I am but a guest here." She'd meant to be sincere and reassuring, though it stirred a feeling in Raoul, and before he'd thought it through, it escaped his lips. "For now my dear, but do not think it shall always be mine alone." He was blushing as he pulled the door closed. He'd not yet received Madame Giry's permission, and he was already acting more like a fiancé even than a simple suitor!
Meg again began fumbling with the pieces of paper she'd kept concealed within the folds of her dress all afternoon. She needed to act swiftly, ridding herself of them before Raoul returned. She looked at the fire, deciding against it for what if a remnant remained? She could not make her way up to her room, Raoul had explained that the floors would not allow travel on the upper floors just now.
She was in this room, and it needed to provide safe-haven to the journal entries until she could find a more suitable place. She glanced everywhere. The only plausible idea was placing the pages within a book, perhaps one that was not often used, so as to avoid unintentional discovery.
She pushed a chair as quietly as she could over to the shelf. Each one had been carefully dusted, so it was hard to tell what was likely least used, though one could surmise the higher the shelf, the less it was used. Meg stretched as far as her frame would allow, pulling an old chartreuse covered book from the shelf. Meg quickly slipping the pages in the middle. She turned it over to reveal the cover, 'Love Letter' authored by John Adams, April 20, 1763. Meg had heard of the great book, though she'd never had opportunity to lay her hands on a copy. Perhaps one day she could borrow it from Raoul. For tonight, it would provide a much needed hiding place for the pages until Meg could find a more suitable way to dispose of them. She quickly returned the book to the shelf, and the chair to its home. She sat in the chair, just as she had before, lest Raoul return.
Raoul shook his head as the man tugged at his jacket and they slipped into the coatroom. "I've had interrogatories with all who work in the stable. None took ownership of the bedded area, nor knew of the stacked wood. I sent out several contingents to search the property. They found no hole in the fencing, or any sign that anything had been disturbed. I shan't know what to make of it Vicomte."
Raoul rubbed his chin, "I see, well, at the very least, we know whatever or whoever made the shade of that tree bed last night, is no longer here. Never-the-less, I'd like several staff to maintain guard near the entrances of the house for the while that Miss Giry and her mother are here. One can never be too careful when there are ladies to be considered."
The stable master nodded his head, "I think that is most prudent Vicomte." Raoul thanked him and was returning to his study when he heard the staff welcoming his father and Madame Giry. It was time to retrieve Meg, for dinner would certainly be served within the hour, and there was the customary glass of sherry before dinner.
XXX
Erik held his breath as he walked down the short alley that led out to the street. His fear was compounded by the fact that he had neither mask nor sword, and his Christine was back in the alley quite alone, and unprotected. Yes, he'd go to the street to see who Christine mentioned, but he'd not stray far in case she called for him.
Erik didn't have to wait long before he saw the face that belonged to the voice. He strained to make her out, but he was entirely certain that it was the young woman who'd offered them dessert at the tavern that very evening. As she came closer, he recognized it was indeed her.
"Sir, there you are sir, I've been looking all over Chauesser for you…..I'd feared you and your wife had already gone." She was quite out of breath, and ready to sit down. Erik was still scanning the street, waiting for any minute that the guard would be hiding ready to catch him unaware.
"Sir, I must apologize for that woman's behavior tonight." Erik's neck nearly snapped as he turned his full attention to this young woman. He motioned for her to sit on the bench in front of the mercantile.
"What do you know of that woman?" Erik asked. The girl looked down somewhat embarrassed. "She is my grandmother. She has been out of her wits a number of years, and had fantasies that were far too unreal to be true. She's hallucinated that a man was coming back for something she had, that was most precious to him, though she'd never say what it was precisely. When she saw you and your wife last night, she was convinced you were that man, that you'd come to collect your item. She began babbling again about having to return something which she'd lost long ago…." Erik gasped, he realized he'd been holding his breath.
The girl was apple-red now, as she continued. "My grandmother even created a name for you, claiming it to be real…now I fear she's gone completely mad. She snuck out of my mother's house and has been roaming the streets all day in hopes of finding you. Tonight, she'd come to my work and was waiting outside on a bench when she spied you and your wife having dinner, and that is when she began pounding on the window."
Erik was relieved, they'd not been found. He'd have found the situation nearly laughable, but he didn't…she'd used the name….De Chagny. Erik looked down at the girl, trying to provide her some comfort, but unable to do so, he asked the question that was burning in the back of his mind.
"She called me DeChagny…is that a family that lives here?" The girl shook her head no. "No doubt it is something that she's made up in her mind, just as she does so many other things these days." Erik was confused, but relieved. No relation to the name was familiar to this young woman. Surely one who holds a position as she did, would likely have heard the name before, as many of the residents frequented the tavern where she worked. But how could there be such a coincidence? Ah, he remembered, he didn't believe in coincidences, he'd even professed as much to Christine not long before. Oh how he longed for Nadir's company…perhaps he could do a bit of poking around, perhaps speak to the old woman for Erik…find out why the fascination.
The young woman sat rather contritely next to Erik on the bench. A few moments of silence had passed as Erik contemplated. "Do not worry young miss, your grandmother did not offend me. She may have startled my wife a bit, but no harm was done."
The woman looked entirely relieved. "Will you and your wife be staying in Chauesser long?" Erik smiled at her, "we've been thinking a bit of it…why do you ask?"
She smiled up at him, ever the dutiful employee, "I should say that we owe you and your wife a dessert. My manager has instructed me to invite the two of you to dinner, with our compliments, the next time you are in the village."
Erik smiled, an invitation…..how long it had been since he'd received one. "I shall tell my wife of it, I'm certain she would be delighted."
The young woman stood, nervously looking back down the street. "I best be getting back now, they'll have plenty to keep me occupied I'm quite sure."
Erik stood smiling at her, "thank you for your kindness in clearing up the matter. Do tell your employer not to worry, or trouble your grandmother, no harm was done."
"Thank you sir, I shall." She curtsied, and was about to trot off down the street but she paused. "Sir, if I might be so forward, may I just say, that you and your wife are quite a handsome couple. It has been a long while since we've seen a couple so obviously in love, it gave us all a bit of happiness tonight to see the two of you enjoying one another's company."
Erik smiled widely, feeling his cheeks flush. "She is a lovely creature, I dare say I am a very fortunate man, thank you."
The girl smiled timidly and before she could stop it, the words tumbled out, "and she a fortunate lady sir." She smiled quickly and then ran off down the street. The last comment making Erik's face go straight. Twice in two days he'd been uncomfortable at the notice of another woman, and he could certainly say he didn't think he'd ever grow accustomed to it, should it continue.
He was turning to go to Christine, and just as he did, he noticed her standing just out of sight in the shadows of the mercantile. "Christine?" She smiled at him as she walked over, reaching out and grabbing both of his hands, she stood on her tip-toes and kissed Erik's cheek.
"I told you there was nothing to fear….though the name, that does raise some question." Erik looked down at Christine's face that was illuminated by the faint rays of the setting sun. She looked peaceful, and the mere presence of her countenance made Erik relax the clench in his jaw.
"We shall know in time, or perhaps it is nothing at all. She may have encountered that name anywhere….an article in a newspaper perhaps, a story, anything is entirely possible." Christine said as she ran her hand along Erik's arm, and then onto his hand as she slipped hers into his. "Come, let us sit and wait for the carriage, no doubt it will be here soon."
Erik nodded to her as he followed her leading to the back of the mercantile. Once again in the shadows, she bid Erik sit on the crate, and lean back against the post. She climbed into his lap, tenderly fingering his dark curls. His eyes roamed her face, her beauty and vivaciousness captivated him every time he looked deep into her eyes. She leaned down tenderly kissing him on the lips as he drew her to him. There they sat, in the shadows of a setting sun, their love adding yet another moment to the wonderful memories of their lifetime.
A sharp snap, and thud, and Erik and Christine found themselves splayed out on the ground, Christine atop Erik. The crate had broken in two, and now they were in fits of laughter, as they rolled around to find their footing. Though it appeared most improper, the pair couldn't help themselves up they'd begun laughing so heartily. There they laid on the ground holding hands, looking up into the night sky, and laughing.
Author's notes:
Captain Oblivious: Yes, drive-in theaters are a thing of the past I'm afraid. They are entirely enjoyable if you like a "retro" experience. Second year of college, my goodness me. You'll be a very busy girl. Now instead of spending 10 hours on your feet working, you'll be spending 10 hours a day with your nose in a book, or in class! College is indeed very demanding, but in the end, very rewarding. That is the best part about learned knowledge. Everything else you acquire in your life can be stolen from you, but knowledge….it stays with you forever, a true asset as far as I'm concerned! I hope you have a great weekend camping!
Yes, poor Erik indeed. I don't think anyone ever expected he could transition to a normal life without a few….o.k., many bumps on the road. He is happy, he is loved, but it is all tempered by the fact that he is in hiding, has the love of a woman that another man wanted, has been through so much physically and emotionally, and is about to have some very interesting news….
Icherisherik: Glad to hear you're working on that essay, a student's studies are important! (Did I sound a little like what Erik might when he starts instructing his staff….can you imagine him as a teacher? Yikes…I bet he'll be a tough grader!)
Yes, the story would be entirely boring without some suspense, but I hope that this chapter provided some relief for you for the weekend. Raoul, I've never hated him, o.k., I did want to smother him a couple of times when I thought he was hurting the Phantom! But in the end, Christine couldn't truly be happy and content if she thought she'd broken his heart forever, after all he was her childhood friend, and she does care for him, though not like she does Erik!
Hopelesslyobsessed: I bet you'd be tracking down our poor Gerry wouldn't you? I cannot say I'd blame you. After you spend the money getting there, it would be like going to the mall shopping and coming home without buying anything!
O.k., glad I saved you a little money on the 'Jury' movie. Oh, I looked at my library last night, the video I'd forgotten I had was 'Reign of Fire', it has Christian Bale as the leader, and our beloved Gerry is his best friend. As actors, they interact really, really, well. I hope they have a chance to make a movie together again because they have great chemistry on screen, and I mean that in a man to man as friends kind of chemistry. It is a weird movie about dragons, but hey, if you like 'Star Wars', you'll get to see Christian and Gerry reenact a scene from that movie…it was hilarious! I'll warn you though, Gerry only makes it half way through the movie, and Matthew McConnehay (spelling?) is really icky in the movie. I like him in other movies, but let's hope for his sake he never goes bald!
Hope you like this chapter, not too much stress for the weekend!
Darkmoonlightbright: Do not worry that you write too much, I am a long talker myself! Unless I am in extreme pain, or have absolutely no time, I cannot help myself! Yes Night Owls are a unique group of people, we don't see the world as everyone else does that is for certain! The one quote I tell my friends who object, or think me to be mad, is that if we were all created alike, same interests, skills, sleeping habits, then some of us wouldn't be necessary! So, here's to different people…..long live the crazies!
Hope you enjoy this chapter. I laughed a little while I was writing the ending with Erik and Christine laying out on the ground. What I hope people can feel is that Erik is starting to blossom as a person. That happy times will replace the years of repressed feelings, years of utter loneliness, and a lifetime thus far without the happiness that he so longed for.
Poetzproblem: Thank you for the compliment. I hope this chapter answered some of the lurking questions you had. I try not to leave too much unresolved over the weekend, for I don't have a cruel bone in my body….I suppose that depends on who you ask I guess! LOL! The next chapters some things will start to gel, and by this time next week, a few more important things will be making their way to the surface…at least I think they will.
Yes, Madame Giry needed to get someone else's perspective on the relationship. She's been surrounded by men who aren't always as intuitive as women can be when it comes to relationships. She also needed to find out what was going on between them when Meg visited Paris unaccompanied. She'd sensed there was something growing there, and she needed someone to confirm that it wasn't her imagination, and that Raoul wasn't just on the rebound having lost Christine. Oh, yes, Crawlings, I doubt very much we've seen the last of him…..
Phantomluvr: Time will change your point of view on mathematics. And though most of us will never use the quadratic equation, calculus, or even care what cold fusion is, I am entirely glad that they exist, and that someone knows how to use them. Math is truly the only fundamental and universal language. No matter what language you speak, the process of math is still the same!
Hmmmm…Erik in a lake, perhaps Christine could use a long branch from a tree to pull him to the shore, assuming he isn't all that far from shore, or maybe into a boat if they have one, using an oar. The nice thing about people in water is that someone who is very heavy is suddenly light, and someone even as small as Christine could easily move him through the water. I'm kind of liking the branch idea…I can see it is nighttime, perhaps the sky is stormy, Erik's in trouble, and doing the deadman float in the water…Christine does the only thing she can do, and that is reach for a large stick and pull him to shore….or Christine jumps into the water, her dress floating up around her neck, threatening to drowned her, but she pushes on to save her love, struggles back to shore and pulls him up onto the sand where she pushes the water out of his lungs and saves him…..oh, the possibilities!