A/N: New character! Special shout out to pineapple3000 and chozogal for helping and to all that have reviewed. It makes my day. Love you all. Tell me what you think!

Chapter Forty-two

Helene Marion

Darcey awoke to a maid at the door with a stack of invitations in her hand. She thanked the girl before closing the door. She slowly walked back towards the bed as she unfolded the top one and read it. She laughed when she read the signature. It was from a Madame Penok whom she remembered blatantly disliking her. She had gone so far as to insult her to her face one time. She wasn't fooled by the reason for the invitation. She was connected to the wealthy Dubois name and soon to be married to Erik who was also quite wealthy. Besides, they could be nice to your face though they are stabbing you in the back.

She knew from experience that though they might pretend that everything is fine and that you are best friends, they could be thinking and likely saying the opposite. In fact, just two days ago someone had mentioned that it was peculiar that their "savior" from the Phantom was a man who also wore a mask. This person having praised Erik for his efforts. Darcey had been quick to point out that Erik did not fit the description of the Phantom at all.

She set down the paper and adjusted her dressing gown before opening the next. This was from Madame Colobus inviting her to tea that afternoon. She laughed at the last line, which stated that she had lost a bet because Erik had proposed so soon.

She placed it on the bed in a new pile as she continued to sort through them, sorting them in to two piles. Those she personally knew, and those she knew of. Of the pile of people she did know, there was the one from Madame Colobus, one from her cousin who said he wanted to buy her things for her trousseau and wondered if she was free late this afternoon for a fitting for new clothes, one from Erik telling her that he was busy all day but would still be able to take her to supper late that evening as they had previously planned, and finally one from Lionell who wished to talk to her early in the evening. She quickly wrote little notes to each of them saying that she would be free at those times.

She dressed quickly in a dress that was a faded blue color. The bodice had faded pink lace on top. She thought it looked flattering on her, even if she did say so herself.

Once dressed, she rang for a maid while she began brushing the tangles out of her hair. "Come in!" she called at the knock that sounded. The door slowly opened to reveal a timid looking girl of about twelve wearing a worn, gray dress.

"You rang, Mademoiselle?" she said quietly as she took a step into the room.

"Yes, would you be so kind as to have these notes delivered?" she said as she held them out. The girl nodded and tentatively approached her to take the pages. She turned to leave but stopped when Darcey spoke. "Are you new here?"

"Yes, ma'am. Today is my first day."

"What is your name and your duties?"

"Helene Marion. I work here in the mornings, ma'am."

As Darcey took in the appearance of the girl before her, she found she was reminded of herself. She wouldn't be surprised if that was the girl's only dress. She found herself wishing there was something she could do to help her. She suddenly had an idea. "Will you be busy this afternoon? I could use a companion and I would like you to come with me. I would pay you well."

"I'm not busy," she said quickly, jumping on the opportunity before she caught herself. "What time would you like me to join you, ma'am?"

"I am going to tea at noon and then my cousin, Lord Dubois, is taking me to be fitted for new clothes at two. Would you be able to be with me from eleven thirty to probably four?"

"Yes, thank you ma'am! Shall I meet you here at eleven thirty?" Darcey smiled to see her gray eyes light up in excitement.

"Yes please. Thank you Helene."

"Yes, ma'am. I will make sure these notes are delivered and will be here at eleven thirty." She curtsied before hurrying out of the room, her shoulder-length blond hair bouncing behind her.

Darcey found herself happier than before as she finished brushing out the tangles. She then managed to pull it up into a bun of sorts. She spent the next few hours practicing her violin before starting to write her own song. She was interrupted by a knock on her door. "Come in," she called as she wrote a note on the sheet of paper in front of her. She glanced up to see Helene enter. "Ah, Helene. Is it that time already?"

"I came a little early. Were you playing the violin?" she answered in a small voice.

"Yes i was. I'm trying my hand at song writing. Would you like to hear what I've written so far?" When she nodded, Darcey placed the violin back on her shoulder and played the finished portion. When she glanced at Helene, she saw that her eyes were closed and she seemed to relax. "What do you think?" she asked when she finished.

"Lovely, ma'am."

"Please call me Darcey. Thank you. Do you play any instruments?" She stood and put her things away.

"I have only once played but I love music. Do you need help with anything before we leave, ma'... I mean Darcey?"

"If you would grab my coat from the closet while I put my music away, I would appreciate it." Helene nodded and went to grab the coat.

"You have some very pretty dresses."

"Thank you. Shall we leave?" She nodded and they left. When they were outside, a coachman approached them.

"Mademoiselle Dubois, I presume."

"Yes, I assume Madame Colobus sent you," she said even though she already knew by both the insignia on the carriage door and the man's uniform.

"Indeed she did. Is this girl with you?"

"Yes. Helene is my companion." He nodded as he opened the door and held his arm out for them. They climbed in and the door closed. Helene was silent but was looking around in awe. "Have you ever been in a carriage like this before?" she asked with a smile.

"No, ma'am, I mean Darcey. I have ridden in a cart before but that is nothing like this. Have you?"

"Yes. I have. At one time, I had my own. It's very nice, isn't it?" She nodded, still in awe. They sat in silence; Helene sat on the edge of the seat as she watched out the window. They were soon there and helped out of the carriage. Darcey grinned at Helene's continued look of awe. "Just wait until you see the inside," she said. "I never thought to ask but do you know your tea manners?"

"My mother taught me all my manners in hopes that I could be a companion. It's been a long time though." It seemed the more time she spent with her, the more talkative she became.

"It's been awhile for me too. We'll have to relearn together." The butler let them into the giant house and led the way.

"Darchelle, my dear. I'm so happy you could make it. Who is this?" Madame Renee Colobus said.

"This is Helene Marion. She graciously agreed to be my companion today."

"She certainly is a pretty thing," Madame Doris Monteque said, bringing a blush to the girl's face. "Please make yourself at home."

They settled in and Renee served them as they engaged in small talk. After a few minutes they got down to business.

"So, Darchelle dear, when is the wedding going to be? Are you two planning on a lengthy engagement?"

"My cousin would suggests we wait until spring to avoid gossip but we don't want to wait that long. A few weeks or so. I'm sure he will support us no matter what we decide. What do you suggest?"

"I trust you two have not..." Renee said, trailing off because of the presence of an innocent.

"Heavens no!" She blushed red glancing at Helene who seemed just as uncomfortable though not embarrassed.

"I had to ask. Well, for sure if you married as quickly as your friend did, there would be all kinds of gossip. Luckily for your friend, she is not high up in society and the rumors will die down before being forgotten completely. You and Monsieur Destler however, might not be so lucky. A few weeks might not be soon enough for them to question but there will still be at least one person that will question it. In fact they already question it with the short courtship."

"They do?" Darcey asked surprised. She hadn't heard of this.

"Only a few people of no importance but a hasty wedding will add fuel to the flame," Doris answered.

"What do you suggest? When would the earliest, acceptable date?"

"I don't know. Normally I would agree with your cousin but in this case, I'm not sure. What do you think, Renee?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe as soon as the new year but only if a babe did not appear. Excuse me for being frank but if you get with child immediately, they will question it, you can count on it. All I can tell you is to tread carefully. At least if you want to be in their good graces."

Now both Darcey and Helene were embarrassed though mostly Darcey. "Enough of that," Renee continued. They then began to discuss the latest clothing styles until it was time for them to leave so that they could be too the dressmaker's on time. They said farewell and left.

The ride over to the dressmaker's shop was uneventful though Helene was obviously still impressed. When they entered the shop, Helene's eyes got big as she looked around at the fabrics and premade gowns. Everything was so beautiful and expensive.

"Ah, Darchelle. I'm glad you could come. Who is this?"

"This is Helene. She agreed to be my companion today. Thank you for offering to pay for this and some of the wedding."

"Do not worry about it at all. It's my responsibility as your cousin. Now then, shall we begin? I must say I am grateful that you brought Helene along. I'm afraid my knowledge of women's clothing is very limited. I have been told that I am a good judge of color but that is about it. Madame Skoy is waiting for you in the back."

"Thank you." She walked towards the back with Helene.

"Why do they keep calling you Darchelle?" she said with a funny face

Darcey laughed. "Because that is my given name. Rather ridiculous, isn't it?"

"Lord Dubois did not say we would be serving two young ladies," a larger woman said in a happy voice.

"I am only her companion," Helene said quickly.

"Actually I would like a dress made for her."

"You don't need to do that. I could never repay you," she said with a blush.

"Then it is a very good thing that gifts do not need to be repaid. Do not argue. I want to get you something. Please let me buy you something. You can wear it when you are my companion," she said as she stepped behind a curtain.

"You are going to hire me again?" she asked in awe.

"Of course. You have been the best companion I have ever had," she said from behind the curtain as she undressed down to her chemise. She then stepped out and walked over to the small platform indicated for her to stand on. A small gasp sounded behind her, causing her to look over her shoulder at Helene as the measuring tape was wrapped around her waist. "What is it?"

"Your back," she said softly.

"Can you leave us for a minute?"

"Yes. I have enough measurements to find some things for you," she said as she finished measuring her height.

"Thank you." She stepped down and sat on the platform, gesturing for Helene to join her as the woman left the room.

"What do you know about me?"

"I know you are Mademoiselle Dubois, your cousin is Lord Dubois and you are soon going to marry Monsieur Destler. Other than that, I know you are a very kind and good person."

"I thank you for the complement. Let me tell you the rest. My father was the previous Lord Dubois. When my parents died in a carriage accident, I was left with nothing and had to sell all my things. I was able to pay for a room that winter but ran out of money when spring came. I lived on the streets until I found work at the opera house in. When I was on the streets, it was rough. I found little jobs to do to get money for enough food to live. I had a terrible employer who gave me these scars as well as doing other terrible things and because of him, I dressed as a boy and luckily was able to work at the opera house. I don't know what you have been through but I understand. I was both lucky and unlucky. Lucky that I survived and now have gotten back on my feet but unlucky because of some of the things that happened. I hope that you are luckier than me."

"Oh... Am I now your charity case? You pity me and decided it was your job to help me?"

"Oh no, not at all. This might sound strange but I feel connected to you. Its almost as if you are a sister or something. Some of it is probably because we have been in similar situations but there's something more."

Helene thought about what she had said. "I think I understand. Its hard to believe since we have only known each other for one day."

"Will you let me buy you something then?" When she hesitated, Darcey thought of a different way to help her. "You know what, I actually have some old dresses that I don't need any more. We could alter them to fit you."

She visibly brightened at the idea that satisfied them both. "I would love them. You are so thin I'll probably only have to shorten the skirt."

Darcey blushed and looked down at herself, "I'm not that thin. Granted I haven't gained all the weight back that I lost."

"Excuse me for interrupting but I have a few things for you to try on," Madame Skoy said, poking her head into the room.

"Come in. We just finished. What did you find?"