Erik awoke in the early hours of the morning while the sunlight was barely starting to peek above the horizon. He nearly startled himself out of bed to wake and find he was still in Christine's room and bed. Last night had not been a dream after all! He had truly slept by her side all night and, dear god, he had kissed her. He never dreamed anything could be more painfully exquisite than kissing the woman he loved.

He saw her in the dim light, curled under her blanket, now facing him with her small fists balled next to his chest and breathing lightly through softly parted lips. Erik could hardly believe he was able to fall asleep last night, much less so quickly. The tension of having to restrain himself from doing with her what he could only dream of had been the hardest temptation he had ever faced. In the end his morality and conscious reasoning won out in that had he continued to remove her clothing as his body screamed at him to do, she might have pushed him out of the room for going farther than she invited and he would never have known the pleasure of sleeping in comfort with her in his arms.

He was unable to resist, however, dreaming and fantasizing in his sleep. When he awoke, he was faced with a rather embarrassing situation and prayed Christine would not awaken until he was able to gain control of his body's natural impulses. It took a long time. As he lay there, he knew he should probably be gone from her room before the rest of the household stirred. The servants might catch a glimpse of him returning to his own room, but if he was stealthy enough he might avoid detection. He had to try at least, for Christine's sake and reputation. As much as he was loathing leaving her bed, wishing he could instead stay there all day long, he knew he had to leave.

He brushed the curls back from Christine's face gently and kissed her forehead, listening to her sleepy murmur, continuing to caress her shoulder and down her back. She was so beautiful as she slept, he hated to wake her up, but she stirred at his touch and blinked her eyes open.

"Good morning my love," Erik crooned.

"Good morning," Christine said dreamily. She yawned and stretched next to him. "What time is it?" she asked as she squinted at the light starting to peek in the window.

"It's quite early still," he replied. "I thought it would be best if I leave before the house awakens."

Christine gave a moan of protest, "Must you go?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. I've already risked enough by staying here tonight, however little I regret it."

Christine blew between her lips and curled into his arms tighter, "Who cares? Nobody here knows who we are and we will never see them again."

Erik was shocked at her devil-may-care attitude. "What of Marie?" He leaned on his elbow as he looked down at Christine's face, tracing her cheek with the tip of his finger.

Christine looked up at him and said, "You don't know her very well. If she knew she would probably give me a short lecture on propriety, then wink at me before she left the room."

Erik laughed softly, "Still, I think I should be going, regardless. If any servant sees me the whole house will know in minutes. If there's one thing I know about servants it's that they are horrible gossips for scandal."

Christine groaned again then sighed, "I supposed you're right." She sat up in bed, running her hands through her disheveled hair. "I'll wait awhile before I ring for the maid."

Erik nodded then got up out of the bed smoothly. He took off his mask and rubbed his face.

"Doesn't it bother you to sleep with that on?" Christine asked.

"It's not the most comfortable thing, but I'm used to it," he replied as he used some leftover water from the basin.

"You should have taken it off last night. I did say for you to be comfortable."

Erik looked at her after he replaced the mask on his face, "No matter how many times you say you are comfortable seeing me without it, it's still difficult for me. I hope you understand."

"I do, Erik."

He gathered up his coat and hat after putting his boots back on. Then he laughed, "I never thought I would ever be skulking out of a women's room in the wee hours of the morning."

Christine laughed, "At least you don't have to worry about another man discovering you here."

He smiled at her as his hand was on the door.

"I would kiss you good morning, but I've terrible morning breath," Christine said, covering her mouth.

Erik crossed the room and placed a gentle kiss on her lips anyway. "Do you really think that something like that would stop me?"

She acted horrified that he would kiss her then, but she blushed and felt the chills go up her spine as he did so. He turned and opened the door silently, then shut it without a sound behind him.

Erik quietly made his way downstairs, being very careful to avoid being seen. One of the maids saw him just as he was entering his room, but he was sure he hadn't seen where he had spent the night. If anybody asked, he could say he was out for a very early morning stroll, or that he had just returned back after a very long night. A very long night indeed, he thought.

As he changed his clothing and washed, he couldn't help but let his mind wander. Christine certainly shocked him by inviting him to her room last night. Even if they did not do what he most desired, she had taken a bold step forward, one he would never have thought possible of her. He could only pray she did not regret doing so. She was so very embarrassed at her behavior earlier in the week, how would she act now after such a blatant statement?

He could hear people moving around outside in the hall. A few guests were rising early to the dining room for their breakfast. He debated on waiting in his room a long while before joining them. He decided to wait quite awhile before going there himself. After what seemed like forever, he heard Christine's voice speaking with Marie down the hall, her voice chirping above the usual din of the room.

He joined them in the dining room. Christine was already seated at a small table by the fireplace with a mug of hot tea in front of her. Marie was just hurrying off to the kitchen but not before she gave him an odd look.

"Oh, no," Erik groaned, "Don't tell me she saw me."

Christine motioned for him to sit down, "No, I don't think so. But I'm sure she suspects something. I'll have a little chat with her later about it so she isn't thinking you and I did something last night," she said in a whisper.

Erik whispered back, "But we did do something last night Christine. And as far as anyone else who might have seen me come or go from your room last night, it was more than just sleeping." He sat back in his chair as he saw the serving girl come over to see what they wanted for breakfast. They ordered quickly then waited for her to be out of earshot before continuing their conversation.

"I'm still not worried about it. Like I said this morning, who are we going to see again?" Christine said in a hushed voice.

"Perhaps you're right, but as far as our stay goes here, it might make things uncomfortable. Maybe we should find lodging somewhere else," Erik suggested.

"Or we could return to Paris a little early as you originally planned," Christine replied.

Erik looked at her panic stricken. "If that's what you want," he said unsure, his voice threatening to crack. He was definitely not ready to return to Paris yet, not after last night.

"No, of course it isn't what I want, but it's certainly an option."

He agreed then changed the subject as their food was brought out to them. By the end of their short meal, Erik deduced that everyone working at the Inn knew he slept in Christine's room that night. He recognized the stares and hushed whispers to be directed more at Christine than him today. No doubt they were spreading rumors of who she was and what her relationship to Erik was. Either the maid who saw him enter his room this morning had talked, or they were seen last night when neither one of them was paying attention to anything but each other.

Erik quickly finished his breakfast, wanting to get out of the house for the day. Gossip was usually short lived enough. Perhaps if they did not repeat their actions last night, the staff would forget about it and move on to some other juicy tidbit. He and Christine were just about to leave for a morning stroll, but Marie saw them exiting the dining room and chased them down before they could go.

"A word with you monsieur?" Marie called to them, waving a hand for them to wait.

Christine did not wish to hear a lecture this morning so she announced, "I forgot my gloves. I'll be right back," while giving Erik and apologetic look as she swept off up the stairs to her room to pretend to retrieve them.

Erik didn't blame her, but he was completely unprepared with any sort of defense, having never dreamed he would be in such a position to need one.

"Yes, Mme. Beauchamp?" he said politely as she approached him.

"I wanted to let you know before you left the house for the morning that your window has been repaired in the upstairs room and if you wish I can have my maid transfer your belongings back into it."

Erik breathed a pent up breath of relief. "That would be fine."

Marie slyly added, "Of course, if there is no need, I could rent it out to another patron…" she drifted off suggestively.

Erik knew she was privy to the fact he spent the night in her room. "No, I assure you, there is still a need for a room to myself." His answer brooked no argument and told her he was aware of the insinuation.

Marie nodded then added in a hushed voice, "I'm not one to pry into people's private business, but Christine is a dear sweet girl with nobody to speak for her as a guardian. If your intentions are anything but honorable…"

"Madame, let me reassure your fears," Erik cut her off. "I have not sullied Christine's innocence nor do I intend to."

"I'm glad to hear that," Marie replied skeptically.

Christine returned down the stairs just then, gloves in hand. "Shall we go out for our morning stroll?" she asked Erik and reached for his arm.

Erik took it and they turned to leave, nodding good day to Marie, but before they could walk through the door, Marie said, "Christine, I'll do my best to quiet the staff's rumors but the next time you invite a gentleman to your room, make sure nobody sees you do it."

Erik and Christine's jaws dropped.

"Have a good morning!" Marie trilled and waltzed back into the kitchen laughing out loud at the looks on their faces.

Outside in the garden Erik exclaimed, "My God that woman is sassy!"

Christine simply laughed and tugged his arm towards the path that led to the cliffs.