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Ricard paced endlessly in his home. It was past midnight and everyone was already asleep. I need to pay. I need to pay, but how? He had one more day to pay and he couldn't sleep at all. He poured himself a bottle of whiskey and drank it greedily, but the more he drank the more his conscience hurt him. The deed! Yes, the deed! He ran to his father's study and opened his safe where the deed of the house was. He gulped as held the papers in his hands. This will save me.
The next day, Ricard burst into Mason's office, slamming the deeds onto his desk to his surprise. "Here's the deed to the house, now give me the money! But I swear, old man, if you even think about using…"
"Don't worry, Monsieur Durand, I'll take good care of them until you can pay me back," said Mason, looking over the papers.
"Oui, oui, but no one can know about this, is that clear?" growled Ricard.
Mason got up and placed the deeds in his safe. "Y-Yes, I'll keep them safe. I'll bring you the money immediately!"
Ricard closed his eyes not believing what he had just done.
"I don't understand why I have to go," said Anne as Charlotte brushed her hair. "I mean it's just another social party where there will be gossipers and more suitors. That's why Mother accepted, right? She wants me to marry already."
"Oh, Annie, what are you waiting for? Do you want to die alone and become a nun?" said her aunt. "You have to get married already."
"But I want to pick my own husband like my father says I can," she responded.
"Fine, pick, but pick soon. I heard that Monsieur Levesque is a handsome and honorable man," said Charlotte, winking at her through the mirror.
"Well, I bet that Lucinda, Stephanie, and Adalyn are praying, so they'll catch his eye." Anne sighed. "Besides, I don't judge for the looks of a person."
"Well that's good," said Charlotte.
Anne frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Please, Annie, the man wears a mask. Don't you think that he might be hiding a deformity or something?" Charlotte said, curiously.
Anne bit her lip. "I guess, but it really shouldn't matter if he's a kind person. I've worked in the hospital and seen many deformities, including burns and amputations. He'll be no different."
Charlotte nodded. "Maybe he'll like you, Annie, or you might like him," giggled her aunt.
Anne laughed. "Oh, Aunt Charlotte, it's not possible."
"Why not? You're both single and out of love, aren't you?" Anne stayed quiet and looked away. She shouldn't be speaking so much to her aunt.
"Monsieur Levesque, I was just finishing up the books with all your accounts," said Mason as Erik and Nadir entered his office. "However, I'm just missing small details," he said laughing.
"There's no need for that. Now let's cut to the arguments and discussion and answer me sincerely. Have you been stealing money from my profits?" asked Erik, glaring at him. Mason shifted a bit. "I suggest that you answer me honestly or I'll cut your tongue off for lying to me," he hissed reaching for his sword.
"N-No, there's no need for that, Monsieur. Please have mercy on me," said Mason, helplessly. "I have a wife and children…"
"That's too bad, but I want my money and I want it now. Do it or I'll have to take matters into my own hands."
"Yes, certainly, I'll return every last penny to you, but I don't have right now. I just gave a huge sum of money to Monsieur Durand," he said, fearfully.
Erik kept a straight face. "I don't care."
"Please, I swear, he even gave me the deeds of his father's house as guarantee!"
Erik nodded. "Alright, I accept it." Mason looked at him in shock. "I accept that you'll pay me with those papers."
Nadir laughed as they left Mason's office. "What are you going to do with those because money you don't need?"
Erik sighed. "I want to see how far these aristocrats are willing to go to save their home."
"And it has nothing to do with their beautiful daughter?" teased Nadir.
Erik rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile.
"Mademoiselle Annie," shouted Elise behind her. Anne looked up from her gardening and saw her maid running towards her. Elise panted and smiled, handing over a letter to her. "I saw Mikaela today and she gave me this."
A smile spread on Anne's face and immediately took the letter from Elise's hands. She opened the letter and began to read it. "Dear Belle…" she started. "He says he's coming back. He comes back next week," she said with joy. Elise jumped in happiness, as well. "He's coming back to me!"
"Ah! There's my dear sister," said Ricard in back of her. Anne gasped and hid the letter in her flower basket before she turned. He looked at Elise and scowled. "Leave, girl," he ordered. Elise quickly took off towards the house. "What are you doing?"
"N-Nothing, just tending to the garden. H-Have you heard about the party on Saturday?" she asked, trying to change the topic.
"Oui," he said.
Anne sighed. "I don't know when Mother is going to understand that I won't accept any of her suitors."
"Why not?" asked Ricard.
"Because no! I want to make that decision," she said, picking more flowers.
"Are you sure about that? Someone told me that they've seen you with a militia man before." Anne froze and looked at him. "Am I wrong?" Before she could answer, Ricard snatched the letter from her basket and began to read it.
"Stop it, Richard, it's personal," she said, trying to take it away from his hands.
"Mm, I was right," he said, giving the paper back to her when he was done.
Anne huffed in annoyance. "Yes, and so what, next week he's coming back and he'll speak to my father."
"Yes, I already read that, but, please, Belle, a militia man? He doesn't have a penny to his name! What is his name by the way?" scowled Ricard.
"Maurice Martin," she responded. "And he's not penniless. He has a small farm that his parents left him."
"And that's it?!"
"No, that's not it. He's kind, intelligence, and honorable. Besides, we love each other and that's what matters the most!" argued Anne.
"For the love of God, Belle, how could you fall for a peasant," said Ricard in abhorrence.
Anne glared at him. "I won't allow you to insult him and if it isn't with him then I won't marry anyone else."
Ricard sighed. "Is that your decision?"
Anne gave him a merciful look. "Please don't tell our parents about this, at least until Maurice talks to Father."
Ricard laughed. "Fine, but you're on you own on this one, little sister."
"What do you know of the Durand family?" Erik asked one of his workers.
"Well, everyone knows about the Durand family, but they have been going through financial problem, since the decline of Monsieur Stephan's health. I think from his heart and his legs, too. He's a kind and honorable man and used to be in the military. His wife, Madame Camille, is a respectable lady. They have a daughter, Mademoiselle Annabelle. She's really pretty and very decent. Her brother, Monsieur Ricard, is an elegant man."
Erik sighed. "Thank you, Jean," he said, dismissing him. He excused himself leaving him alone with Nadir.
"Sounds like the perfect, aristocratic family," said Nadir.
"Yes, one of the best families in Paris and their son trades the deed to their house so he can pay his debts."
Nadir shrugged. "Maybe his parents don't know."
"Too bad for him because now they're going to find out," said Erik, chuckling.
"And what if they can't pay to get their papers back, are you going to kick them out of the house?" asked Nadir. Erik sighed, shrugging. He didn't really care about that. People of the upper class were all greedy and are willing to go to the extreme to get what they want.
"Ricard, come here, please," called Camille.
Ricard made his was into the drawing room and sat down next to his mother, kissing her hand. "Yes, Mother?"
"I want you to keep a close eye in Annie for me," she said.
Ricard frowned. "Why?"
"Don't you think it's a bit odd that she hasn't picked a man to marry? Maybe she has a young man speaking sweet things to her and a girl her age is vulnerable whenever a good-looking guy romances her," said Camille.
Ricard smirked. "Alright, Mother Dear. I'll keep a close eye on her."
"And you, too, Charlotte, I want you to keep a close eye on her, too. Whenever she goes out, you go with her." Charlotte nodded with a mouth filled with candy. "Please, woman, those are for our guest," scowled Camille.
Anne walked into Erik's lavishing home along with her mother, aunt, and brother to his party. Her father couldn't show because he was called to check on the plantation. She nodded courtly as other noticeable families said their hellos. She sighed heavily as she winced in her dress. Elise had tied the corset too tight. She felt embarrassed, knowing her chest was more lively shown. She couldn't help but admire the surroundings. There were many paintings and sculptures, along with beautiful musical instruments.
"Oh, Annie, you look beautiful," said Nicole as she greeted her.
Anne sighed and mingled along with her. "I don't know why Mother forced me to do this. I can't breathe, but thank God that you took me away from them. I wouldn't stand hearing them gossip."
"What are friends for," laughed Nicole.
"And this Monsieur Levesque, where is he?" she asked.
"I think he's over there along with my husband and the other men. Probably speaking about politics like they usually do," said Nicole, rolling her eyes.
Anne smiled and looked at the group of men, only seeing Erik's back. "Why do you think he hasn't shown himself in public after all this time hidden in the shadows?" she said, turning back to her friend.
Nicole shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he wants to pick a wife already."
Anne nodded. "I just hope my mother doesn't get involved with him. I'm sure she'll rant about me all night."
"Monsieur Levesque," said Ricard, taking his hand out. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you."
"I think we've met once before in Mason's office," said Erik, shaking his hand.
Ricard winced as Erik gripped his hand tightly. "Ah, oui, this is my mother, Madame Durand," he said.
Erik smiled and Camille and kissed her hand. "Pleasure, Madame."
Camille smiled politely. "Enchanted."
"And my aunt, Madame Roux."
Erik smiled again and kissed Charlotte's hand. "Why aren't you a gentleman?" she said, grinning at him.
"Aunt Charlotte, please," chuckled Ricard.
"Speaking of your mother there she is talking to Erik," whispered Nicole. "He looks handsome, Annie. He has an elegant posture, a nice smile, and he's single!"
Anne sighed. "Yes, he's handsome, I'll give you that, but you know very well that my heart belongs to another."
"Calm down, Annie, I was just giving you my opinion," said Nicole, grinning.
"Annie," called her mother, taking her hand. "Come here, I want you to meet someone." Anne gave Nicole a helpless look, but she just gave her a small smile. "Annie, I want you to meet Monsieur Levesque," she said, almost pushing her in front of him. "Monsieur Levesque, this is my daughter, Annabelle."
Erik looked at the petite beauty and smiled. Anne smiled nervously back as he kissed her hand. "Mademoiselle," he said. His voice was soothing and vivid.
"The pleasure is mine," she responded. Anne looked away as he stared at her intensely. His look was getting her nervous. "Excusez-moi," she said, walking away, but her mother grabbed her by the hand.
"No, Annie, you just got here. Why don't you give Monsieur Levesque some company?" suggested Camille as she left.
Anne stood silently as Erik looked on. He held out his hand as music started to play. "Would you like dance with me?" he asked.
Anne gave him a small smile. "Of course," she said in a low tone. Anne's heart thumped against her chest as Erik took her to the dance floor. She nervously grabbed his hand as his went around her waist. They began to sway with the music. Anne would look away when she felt uncomfortable by his stare. They said nothing to each other and continued to waltz until the music ended. When it did, Erik kissed her hand and bowed at her. Anne smiled back. "Excuse me," she whispered and went back to Nicole.
"Oh, I'm sure you made all the single women in here jealous," she giggled. Anne rolled her eyes. "Oh, you're going to tell me that you didn't like him?"
"He's likable," hesitated Anne.
"Likable? He's gorgeous! He's single, handsome, with all the money in the world!"
"I already told you that I don't care about those things," said Anne.
"Oh, I know, but I bet your mother is talking to him right now about you and I heard that he liked you a lot. So, I suggest that you start liking him too because I wouldn't be surprise if he asks for your hand in marriage and your parents accept."
"No, my father won't accept because I'll make the choice," Anne said, huffing.
"Oh, Annie, you're so stubborn," said Nicole, shaking her head.
"Nikki, I need one favor from you. Maurice comes back tomorrow and I need you to give this to him," said Anne, giving her a letter. Nicole scowled. "Please, Nikki, this is the last favor I ask of you. I can't do it myself because my aunt follows me everywhere I go. Please, Nikki."
Nicole huffed. "Fine, but it's the last time I do this," she said.
Anne smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Merci, Nikki, merci."
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