Chapter 175 The Note
Nadir made his way swiftly up the stairs; the note from Erik tucked deep within his pocket. The task that lay ahead of him shan't be an easy one. He would need to visit with the doctor, making certain that all was well with Raoul. Then he'd have the challenge of convincing Meg to leave his side if she were awake and aware of all that had transpired. In fact Nadir shan't be certain that she'd not be there even now attending to him.
Then, to devise a plausible reason to trouble Raoul's staff into carrying them into the City, that was yet another matter. Perhaps under the auspices of meeting Stephan and Elizabeth before they left Paris. There was much to be done, and the exact order had to be perfect if he was to have any success at all. If there was any hesitancy, or uncertainty in his voice, it would be sensed and questioned. No he was to be a man determined and fixed upon taking the women to Paris to meet with their relatives. He knew DeChagny was not all that familiar with his association with Madame Giry, but he'd not pushed to know more than what had been offered.
He was out of breath as he reached Madame Giry's door. He had gently knocked several times to no avail. He turned and was walking to his own room, when he heard the door on the other end of the hall open. Glancing up he saw the doctor stretching his legs, bending this way and that. He glanced back toward his own door, and made his way down to the doctor. He'd have had to check in with him in a short while, so he'd best take this opportunity whilst it seemed ripe.
"Barron.."
The doctor looked up, rubbing at his eyes, and replacing his spectacles. "Nadir, friend, what a sight for sore eyes! Do tell me, does the remainder of the house still slumber?" Nadir was shaking his head as he walked to the doctor, hand outstretched taking in his in proper greeting.
"No, though they do remain quiet out of respect for what happened last evening, and for Raoul's sake no doubt." Nadir scratched at his chin. He needed to be brief, but had no want to see rude or ill-attentive. "How is the young master?" Nadir asked, well aware the words of familiarity would aide in the doctor's willingness to trust him.
"In truth Nadir, he's not stirred, not so much as to use the facilities, nor even change position. Whilst it is good for healing, I dare say he will be rather stiff when he does rise!" The doctor looked at Nadir who was nodding in agreement. "Not normally so quiet sir…is there something playing to your distraction?"
Nadir glanced up, "indeed, there is yes. I've need to go into Paris this afternoon. We've received a messenger from Paris bearing a note from Stephan and Elizabeth Courtland. It It seems that Madame Giry and Meg's relatives have come to Paris, to what end I am uncertain as the post did not make mention of it. They are normally very cautious travelers, which is what startles me. If they've sent post that they'd have good reason for it. They've traveled to the City, and should very much like for us to dine with them this very evening, I feel most obligated to comply, return to their home this very night…before it warms sufficiently to make their sleigh of little real use to them." Nadir said, trying to think quickly on his feet. "I do not know what precisely brought them to Paris after such a storm, but I suppose that is not my concern. I only wonder how Meg will receive the news. No doubt she'll not have want to leave Raoul's side." Nadir was glancing down at the ground then up at the doctor.
"That is all very opportune, as you see I sent word to his father this very morning requesting that all consideration of visits should be revoked in favor of Raoul's rest and recuperation. Nadir, Raoul needs rest now more than anything. I plan to sit at his side until he awakes, and then he and I shall have a long chat before I'd feel good about allowing him visitors. So, if you've some way of keeping Meg occupied, it would be all the better for the both of them!"
Nadir was relieved. With that said by the physician, an invitation that seemed fitting to go to Paris, and a courier still awaiting a reply, all should be in place for a visit to the City. He was as pleased as he could be, it seemed fate was smiling on him once again…and he was very thankful.
"Barron, I am certain that this news will be met with protestations to be sure, for Meg will not want to leave his side, not now. However, at your behest that Raoul not receive visitors, I cannot see that she shan't be willing to allow him to rest. I shall speak with she and her mother this very hour." Nadir turned to depart, paused, and turned back to the Barron. "If she were to go in, just to see him as he slumbers….if she promises not to wake him…"
The Barron was smiling, surely even he understood the tender heart of a young girl such as Meg and her desire just to lay eyes upon him, to reassure herself that he is well. He nodded, "I will allow it, but do remind her to be brief…and silent." He'd not have anyone interrupting Raoul's healing, even in the name of love.
Nadir nodded and departed. He would dress more properly for traveling, venture down to Meg's room, for he was certain that is where he would find the pair of them, and then be on his way once again to the carriage house. The trip into Paris would be underway within an hour. He glanced at his pocket watch. It was nearly twelve o'clock. He would have to hurry.
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Nicole and her mother sat quietly in the room by the warmth of the fire. The doctor had gone on to tend to several others. There was a sense of numbness that covered them both. There was the death of Victoria, the knowledge of the waning health of Nicole's mother, the sense of excitement for the possibilities of the new friendship with this young doctor….all so very much swirling about them. Somehow when all things became so heightened, when the senses were overwhelmed with exhilaration and grief…the mind could not possibly handle all that was to come…and simply slowed like the air being let out of a billow. Numb was good; it was like ether for the soul.
"We should dress, be on our way mother." Nicole looked at the woman who sat across from her. Her face was gray and tired. Each crevasse and wrinkle seeming somehow more pronounced than it had in all the days previous. Her brow was furrowed, her lips pursed. Yet through that seemingly stony, stoic exterior, her eyes were alight. Nicole knew that her mother was trying desperately to make sense of all that a few days time had produced.
"Child, I greet this day with a heavy heart." She looked at Nicole, reaching out to take her hand. "It is, yes, the loss of my own mother that saddens me…." She said as her lips began to quiver, "but what weighs heavier on me still, is the thought of having left you in such a state as this. I am sorry my dear, sorry for…"
Nicole embraced her mother, pulling her head to her shoulder as the woman began to weep. Nicole's hand rose to brush the tears from her own cheek. "Mother, do not worry for me. Life is a mystery, and each day it reveals but a bit more of itself. We can neither alter what is behind us, nor predict what is yet in front of us, we can only behold the moment we are in."
Her mother grabbed Nicole's hand, squeezing it with a grip so tight Nicole nearly thought her fingers would snap like the dry, sapless branches of a tree in winter.
"Nicole, my dear, sweet daughter. How very fortunate I am to have such a devoted child." Looking out through her bleary eyes, she wanted only to say her piece but once. For she knew she would not find courage, nor would Nicole permit it to ever be spoken of again. "Nicole, my heart grieves for the thought that I'd brought you this far away, so far away from the life that had been laid out for you. I've oft thought of the marriage and family you would likely have even now had I not brought you here." She glanced at Nicole. A knowing glance that she would not tolerate being interrupted. "Nicole the burden of caring for my mother was mine and mine alone, and it was neither fair nor wise for me to have insisted those years ago that you come to care for her."
Nicole was shaking her head, but quickly relented. It was the pity in her mother's eyes, a soul crying to be heard, unburdened of something that had brought it such great torment. How could she deny her mother such release? She could not.
"When we received word from John Paul's grandfather that Victoria was not well, and that she needed attending to, my loyalties at once were divided. My loyalties Nicole, not yours. I knew your father was not well, and was not long for this world. In my selfishness to be with the man whom I'd grown to love so dearly, I thought only of myself. Had he been well enough to accompany us, that would have been favorable…but he was not….so I sent you off to Chauesser in my stead." Her eyes brimmed and overflowed, hot, repentant, tears. "I knew how you loved your father and how his affections for you swelled within him," she paused as the memories flooded over as a mighty river, "you were his pride and joy." She looked up at Nicole, oh how she had loved them both. "It is my great regret Nicole that I did not leave you with your father, and attend to my mother. I could have insisted that I bring her back with me, I could have…"
Nicole took up her mother's hands saying, "mother, could have yes, but why do you torture yourself so with what cannot be changed? You loved him mother, you were joined with him and body and spirit. Does it not say that a man and woman shall leave their father and mother, and cleave to one another, and the two shall become one? Hmmm?"
Nicole's mother nodded in agreement. She hated it when Nicole quoted from the good book, there was no way to argue with the rationale of God.
"Mother, your duty was to father. It was most unfortunate that their health waned at moments that put your heart and mind in a state that caused you such strife." She lifted her mother's down-turned head with her forefinger. "Mother, had you gone to be with your mother, and father would have died without you, your regrets would be no less than the throws of that which you are in even now, nay, I think they'd be all the greater for it. You did only what you could, and that is all that can be expected of anyone. Regret will do nothing for you now. It is a self imposed prison full of loathing that we put ourselves in. Battering ourselves to and fro, as a small boat washed out into a raging sea. It can come to no good to punish yourself mother, not now. You did what was intended. You stayed with him through sickness and in health, that was your promise to him was it not?"
Outside the door to the room the young doctor stood in tears. He'd not cried since his own father's death several years before. Here was a young woman who was consoling another in the most compassionate of ways. Finding method or courage to do so successfully was a gift indeed, one which he could quite easily tell from this brief encounter, Nicole most definitely possessed. He could learn much from this young woman, perhaps far more than he had thought at first blush. He had knowledge, he possessed skill in his profession; what he had not learned was how to bring release to the mind of a body possessed with such guilt. She did so with adept ease. Yes, perhaps Nicole was a brighter gem than any ever knew. Unpolished, undiscovered, and most certainly, underappreciated.
He walked away from the door, quietly down the hall. He would administer the medicine to the woman when he returned. He'd go to see about a sleigh to carry them to the undertaker. There were a few arrangements still to be made. Though the curious man had taken care of payment, he'd made it abundantly clear before his departure, that he wanted the women to have whatever they wished for Victoria, even if it had to be sent off to Paris for. He sighed. Perhaps he had underestimated the civility, the class of this tiny hamlet…for certainly good blood did indeed run there. He smiled, knowing his grandfather would have been exceedingly pleased at his revelation.
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Nadir found himself knocking on Meg's door. He'd have to be reassuring yet persuasive if he'd any hope of making this as swift as possible.
"Do come in," called Madame Giry. She'd learned to recognize his knock.
"Dear ladies," he said as he entered, closing the door behind him. He walked over and sat in the chair opposite the divan where Madame Giry had positioned Meg and was now braiding her hair. "Meg, I trust that you've had opportunity to speak with your mother?"
Meg was nodding. "I am most distraught over it really. Nadir, Raoul is not a man such that he would take any pleasure in killing another, even one so vile. To learn of Raoul's injury has made me rather distressed. Raoul's father was here but a few moments ago, telling us of the note he's been given by the doctor…" Meg paused looking between her mother and Nadir. "I have no wish to leave his side Nadir, but mother tells me that a mutual friend is in Paris.."
Nadir nodded retrieving the note from his breast pocket. "Perhaps the two of you should read this." He handed it to Madame Giry.
She sighed in relief, a note had come, no doubt from Erik. She took it over and sat down on the divan next to Meg. She opened the envelope and began to read.
Nadir paced the floor over by the window as the women read. It served a much better purpose for them to read it rather than for he to explain it. It seemed like waiting for water to boil as he glanced back and forth to see if they'd yet finished. When finally he heard the paper being refolded, he turned around. He could see Meg's face. Such conflict on a young woman's face he'd not seen, but immediately understood her distress.
He walked over putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Meg, this is not an easy choice my dear, I understand." He glanced at Madame Giry. "The doctor has assured me that it is best for Raoul if we allow him time to rest." Meg looked at him, her lips quivering. "I know you have no want of leaving his side my dear, but it would be but for a few hours, and," he paused touching her hand and smiling, "the doctor has agreed to permit you a brief visit." Meg's eyes brightened. Nadir smiled though it pained him. "To look in on him rather, though you're not to disturb him with speech or sound. If you agree to those terms, then he shall permit it."
Meg wanted more, so much more. To hold his hands, to look into his eyes, to tell him she loved him…but she understood. She nodded her head in assent. Seeing him, if for a brief silent moment, was better than the alternative. She only wanted what was best for him.
Nadir smiled, "then come child, come with your mother. I shall take you to him. I will go on to the carriage house and arrange for everything, not to worry."
Meg and Madame Giry were already on their feet. Madame Giry and Nadir each took one of Meg's hands, as they led her out of the room.
Madame Giry leaned over whispering into Meg's ear, "it shall be alright Meg, do not worry. You know how the doctor cares for Raoul. You've every reason to be optimistic about his recovery."
Meg squeezed her hand. "I shan't worry mother, though I do pity him for the pain he must suffer. Having been under the care of the same physician, I know he shall be well taken care of."
Meg leaned over whispering into her mother's ear. "Christine mother!" she paused, correcting herself, "Elizabeth mother! It will be so very good to see her, to see them together." Meg's mind was racing. It had been far too long since she'd seen Christine, and she had been missing her terribly. She had so very much to share with her dear sweet friend.
They arrived at Raoul's door. Nadir approached it, laying one hand on the handle, the other pointed stiffly toward the sky, placed over his lips. He'd proceed no further until they were entirely silent. He'd not knock lest he disturb the patient. Slowly he opened the door peeking his head inside.
The doctor rose from his chair, placing the book he'd been reading face down on the table next to his chair. He strode silently over to Nadir, opening the door just slightly escorting Nadir and the two women into the room, closing the door behind them.
The doctor focused directly on Meg, as if the two others that accompanied her, were not even in the room. He'd dealt a sufficient number of times with grieving widows, and in the lot of them, they were not nearly as difficult as the women who were betrothed and their fiancé was lost…there was something so desperate about love that had never been explored. True, Raoul had not died, nor was his life even remotely in danger, but his lack of conciousness would give Meg worry, especially since he still lay face down buried in the pillows.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Hold his hand Meg, behold him with your eyes, but nothing more, he must rest, at least for this one day. On the morrow you shall pay him a visit in the morning. Do find something to occupy yourself. Do not worry, all will be well, and I promise to take care of his every need."
He leaned away looking Meg in the eye, his glance pausing for a fleeting second on the site where he'd removed the stitches, then he smiled. Leaning back in to whisper in her ear once more. "You and Raoul will have this in common my dear," he said to her as he ran the back of his index finger over her cheek. "You both had twenty one stitches!"
The humor with which he spoke set Meg at ease. A blush and a smile crossing her face. He certainly knew how to handle her. He led her to Raoul's side, and slipped the sheet off exposing Raoul's hand. He'd been careful to wash all traces of blood from it so as not to frighten Meg. She smiled at him and he walked away to talk to her mother.
Meg slipped her hand into his, placing her other hand over the back of his hand. She knelt down next to the bed and tried to look at his face, but alas, he'd had it buried in the pillows so deeply that if she shan't have been able to watch his back rise and fall, she'd have estimated he'd not be able to breath. She closed her eyes raising a silent prayer. She stood, leaning over trying to see the place where the stitches were, and yes, the doctor had left them exposed to the air so best they could heal. The very sight of it was sufficient cause to feel a bit light headed. It was crusted with blood at the edges, black and blue were the majority with a smattering of a deep purple. No doubt whatever he'd hit his head on had been hard enough that it should have broken his skull right in two!
Meg sighed, she wished she could stay there forever just holding his hand until he awoke, but she knew she could not. She had to be strong. He was in good care, and her friend was waiting for her. She'd no want to leave, but she knew she must, for she knew not when she would ever have opportunity to see Christine again.
She stood turning around realizing that everyone, with the exception of the doctor had left the room…she hadn't even noticed. She had no idea how long she had been there, but the doctor looked sufficiently settled and as though he'd been reading a while. She slid her hand from Raoul's leaning down to place a kiss on his knuckles, pulling the covers back over his shoulder. She stood staring at him for a last moment, then turned walking as quietly as she could over to the doctor. She leaned down and whispered in his ear, "thank you…thank you for watching over him. If he should wake…"
The doctor was nodding his head. He'd not be telling Raoul of her travels. Although as much Raoul loved Meg, he'd likely not even know his own first name. He was in an induced state of mind where time and reality have stopped and you are peacefully floating through space. "Do not worry my dear, it will be well for the two of you very soon…I can feel it in my bones.
Meg leaned over and placed a delicate kiss on his cheek. "You are a most kind and wonderful man Barron." Then she turned and made her way to the door. She glanced one last time over her shoulder. He'd not care that she had gone, and likely would not even know that she had gone. The evening would go quickly and she'd much to look forward do. She was going to see Christine, and she could imagine no finer a distraction.
She opened the door, and slipped from the room, tugging at the door handle several times until it closed . She looked down toward her mother's room, she was just coming out, cloak in hand and walked rather quickly toward Meg. "Come, we must move quickly before the night arrives, Nadir no doubt waits for us to join him."
Meg took the cloak that her mother offered her and the women walked side by side to the stairs. "Mother today I am both excited yet terrified. I've never had two such diverging things requiring my attention. One brings me great happiness, the other such sorrow."
Madame Giry patted her hand, as they started to descend, "all in good time my dear, all in good time."
Nadir was on his way back from the carriage house. The morning had been somewhat of a blur. When the day began he'd fully expected it to be spent in the leisure of Madame Giry's company as they awaited word from Erik. Now, it was after 1:00, and they'd not even had lunch, nor would they have time to do so before they left.
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The parlor was awash in the glittering rays of the new spring sun. As Erik and Christine passed the large door at the end of the hall that was inlaid with beveled and stained glass, the light was nearly blinding. There were all manner of cast shadow and illuminations dancing in the hall; a day most certainly filled with promise. Erik led Christine into the room, cups in hand as if they were connoisseurs of fine art venturing into the gallery of a little known but highly touted artist.