Chapter Six
Angel's Farewells
The jostling of the coach lulled the three occupants to sleep. Well at least two of them slept. Erik could find no peace as the coach drew him closer to Christine with every hoof beat. Madame had forced his agreement not to approach Christine or Raoul as he had in the past. He had wanted to tell her to go to hell but she had risked her life as well as Meg's to help him. He could do no less than cooperate.
Could he bear to see Christine without whisking her away? He had let her go once before, he did not think he could manage to do so once again. He even doubted his ability to be within striking distance of Raoul without wanting to toss his Punjab around Raoul's neck. If their stay did not last longer than an hour or so Erik thought he might restrain himself. Besides, Erik had only agreed to a peaceful reunion. He had made no such agreement about going back afther they had left the estate.
Erik tried to justify his hatred for that pomous boy. The only real grudge Erik could find against Raoul had been his noble standing in society, Raoul's perfect features and the fact of his courting Christine when Erik had considered her to be his alone. Men competed all the time for women without it coming down to an all or nothing ending. Erik had been the one to take things to that level. He had no experience with which to woo a woman.
Erik had grown arrogant in his belief that he would forever hold sway over Christine with the sheer power of his will and their shared devotion to music. He had discounted her ever meeting anyone she could love other than her Angel of Music. Christine had seemed to be so focused on her career and succeeding on stage.
Erik had thought that bond alone to be enough to build the rest of their relationship on. He had been in love with Christine perhaps for this last year only. Gradually all he had felt before began to shift and change. A change he did not seek but one that came nonetheless. Over the course of this past year Erik's obsession with Christine had gone from benevolent teacher to deranged suitor.
He could admit to his insanity now that his head had cleared. Some deep need in him had led him to do such horrible, unforgivable things.
A love born of such desperation Erik assumed would be doomed from its inception. He could see now his downward spiral into a deeper hell than he had ever been in before. No one could have stopped him from his goal. Anyone who got in his way had paid dearly as Piangi and Buquet had found out to their cost. Erik did not regret Buquet so much as the man had been a lecherous cur. He had spied on the women of the ballet and chorus. Piangi was merely an overweight tenor of meager talents that needed to be removed so Eirk could take his place. If the idiot had not fought back wasting time, Erik could simply have tied him up then gone on in his place. It was the man's own fault he had to be removed permanently.
Countless young girls had been disgraced by Joseph Buquet's unwanted attentions. If Erik had the opportunity to relive that moment when he had strangled the life out of that man, Erik thought he might do the same as he had done before. Buquet had not deserved to live. There would be those who would say who was Erik to judge a man's worth of life or to take it from him? To those people Erik would answer quite simply that in his opera house it had been his duty to protect those under his charge. He had been derelict in those duties by allowing Joseph's behavior to continue for as long as it had. No, Erik could not honestly say that Joseph's death bothered him at all.
The coach took a turn into a private drive lined with many willow trees. Those trees reminded Erik of the ones that had lined the drive of his home when he was a child . The sight of those trees also brought back the memory of that willow whip his mother had often struck across his legs, arms and back. Fleetingly a memory of a someone walking away as he watched and cried flashed into his mind. He felt an unexpected jolt of sadness.
When the coach jerked to a stop Erik for the first time became aware that Meg had leaned against his shoulder when she fell asleep. The first time Erik had a woman sleep with him and it was in a moving coach with the woman's mother seated directly across from him. If he were not so anxious about his upcoming reunion with his beloved he could have found humor in the situation. As it stood he could only find annoyance coming to the fore as he unceremoniously shoved Meg away from him. He shoved her a little harder than he had intended for she struck her head on the frame of the coach window beside her.
Meg moaned as she opened her eyes. Her hand rose to her hair then threaded her fingers into the long blond tresses rubbing the spot that had connected to the wooden frame of the coach.
Erik had never really taken notice of how beautiful Meg's hair was. The long golden strands beckoned fingers to glide through those silky strands. His own fingers tingled with the thought. Angrily he brushed aside those treacherous thoughts. He needed to prepare himself to see Christine once more.
A footman standing guard at the side of the front door stepped forward quickly to open the door. Were nobles unable to alight from a coach on their own Erik wondered?
Antoinette looked toward Erik as she spoke, "Wait here. I must prepare them for your arrival. We may not even be welcome here for all I know. If left to Christine I am sure we will be asked to stay but I have my doubts as you can imagine for Raoul's approval or an invitation to stay."
Erik merely grunted as Antoinette sighed in irritation of his continued morose behavior. If he did not snap out of it soon Antoinette would be taking things into her own hands and Erik would not like her method of bringing him out of his self-imposed depression.
Once Meg was certain her mother had left them she turned to ask Erik angrily, "Did you shove me into that hard wooden window frame on purpose?"
"Indeed Mademoiselle Giry I did. My shoulder has neither pillow nor mattress strapped to it. Kindly keep your head from resting there again."
"Oh, you miserable man, I was asleep. One cannot control what happens when one sleeps. Lord above do you think I would want to lay my head on your shoulder? Your arrogance is only outdone by your belief in your own irresistibility. You may have kept Christine enthralled all these years but don't think for one second you hold any interest for me." Meg angrily crossed her arms across her chest. She felt more anger for his rebuff of her than for any pain in her head.
Erik found his own ire rising as she mentioned Christine. The woman clearly had no feelings for his loss. Did she not think he suffered?
"You must forgive me Mademoiselle Giry. I beg your pardon for thinking matters of the heart important. Of course you yourself have not had a suitor yet correct? What a shame. Perhaps if you had been less shrewish some man might have taken notice. A man tends to like the sweet rather more than the bitter."
Meg turned angrily to face him once more. Her face had flushed becomingly. Her cheeks glistened with healthy color. Her blue eyes were alight with angry sparks. Erik could only wonder why she had not caught the eye of some young noble during her years on stage as a rising ballerina. He had to give her credit for her talent. Erik had not taken notice of her once his attention had been fixated on Christine. Any promotion Meg had received had been on her own merit not due to any threats he had made. This thought naturally brought the question to mind whether or not Christine would have progressed so quickly without his threats.
"Contrary to your erroneous notion that I had no suitors, let me just tell you that countless young men came to escort me to dinner after many performances. Of course being a much older man I guess you had gone to bed long before the performance had ended. Does Christine know how near to a doddering old man you are?"
Of course Meg did not really think Erik to be anywhere near a doddering old man. In fact she found it hard to concentrate on anything other than the deep hypnotic green of his eyes. This was one reason Meg purposely tried not to look directly into Erik's face. Once ensnared in those luminous green depths and she feared she might make a fool of herself.
It stung Erik's pride that Meg considered him so old. It had not gone unnoticed by Erik that Christine had been nearly fifteen years younger than his own thirty-three years. Meg he supposed would be nineteen almost twenty.
Erik had been saved from any further comment as Antoinette came back out. Erik sighed in relief as anything he said would only have invited further insults. He did not need his confidence ground into the dust any more than it already had been. Why he let this little chit bother him mystified him. For not having taken notice of her for so many years he certainly seemed to be making it his business to notice her now.
Antoinette did not have a smile on her face but neither did she look worried about their next move.
"Raoul has graciously invited us into his home. Let me warn you Erik, you will respect his home as if it were mine, no let me correct that, you did not treat my home well at all. Think of this as a shrine to every holy being that will rain down misery and retribution upon your head should you step out of line."
"Antoinette I am a gentleman. I do know how to behave in society even if I have not had many opportunities to do so."
Erik did not miss Meg's sniff clearly indicating her opinion as to any abilities he might have to be a gentleman.
He barely resisted the urge to give her a shake that would rattle her teeth. Erik found it a little disconcerting that Meg showed no fear of him. She had not even shown any awe of his powerful persona. She had spoken to him and treated him like…well like she would any man. Later perhaps he would wonder why that pleased him so much.
Erik stepped out of the coach. He stretched mightily as he had been cramped the whole journey. He had forgotten how long his legs were. Hearing a huff behind him he assumed Meg to be trying to remind him that she still occupied the coach and waited for his hand to help her alight from it as a gentleman should.
He had taken a step forward with the intention of ignoring her or any gentlemanly duties he may have.
"Do not move one more step or I shall be quite cross. Some gentleman you are leaving a lady to fend for herself."
"Lady? I was not aware there was a lady present."
"Oh you uncouth cave dweller. Give me your hand this instant." Erik turned back around to see Meg shaking the hand she held out in front of her. For half a franc he would pull on her hand just enough so that she fell flat on her face.
Noting Antoinette's irritation with the both of them Erik graciously took Meg's hand making sure she stepped down without any mishap. He gave her a mocking bow once her feet had a steady foothold on the ground.
Erik ignored the tingles in his hand caused by her bare hand against his own. Erik had only felt another's skin on rare occasions and not at all since he had been a young boy when Antoinette had brought him to live under the opera house, at least not until the night of Don Juan Triumphant when he had caressed Christine as Raoul looked on helplessly.
It confused Erik to have experienced so many new sensations and emotions with Meg in such a short time. His relationship with Christine had been developed over many years. His romantic interest had only really come into fruition about a year ago. Until then Christine had only been the voice for his music.
Antoinette did not say anything as her thoughts were centered on the meeting that would shortly be taking place between two adversaries and three star crossed lovers. Stepping into the foyer Antoinette led the way to the parlor. Inhaling deeply, mentally preparing herself for anything she hesitated with her hand on the doorknob.
Glancing over her shoulder Antoinette could not miss the looks over the shoulder Meg kept giving to Erik. Gracious no. Not her baby. Antoinette would not wish for her daughter to harbor any burgeoning feelings for Erik. His heart was not free and for now he was a broken man. He had seemed better this morning but now he once again would face Christine for the first time since she left him brokenhearted.
Erik took his time entering the home of his enemy. He had not entered into a home through the front door in many years. Antoinette's brother-in-law had been his first since he had last been in his mother's home. Now here he was not only entering through the front door by invitation but this home belonged to one of Paris' elite members of nobility and society.
Erik heard a gasp to his right which drew his attention. He nearly fell to his knees when Christine's face came into view. Dear God would he ever see her and not want her? His rage built as he saw that boy, Raoul drape his arm around Christine's waist as if he had every right to do so. Erik closed his eyes in an agony of grief when he remembered that Raoul had won. Christine did not belong to Erik, her Angel of Music any longer if she ever had.
Christine surprised everyone by running forward to embrace Erik with her arms tightly as she buried her tear drenched face in his chest. "Oh my Angel I feared for your safety so much. Raoul would not hear of me returning to Paris to search for you."
Erik could not have her so close and not touch her. He had only ever touched her once with his gloveless hand. The night he had taken Piangi's place in Don Juan Triumphant Erik had held Christine in his arms as he had caressed her in a shamefully decadent manner. For a short time she had welcomed his touch even responded to him. If he had not so foolishly used the same words that Christine and Raoul had used when they had declared their love and devotion to one another Christine may have stayed under Erik's sensual spell and gone with him willingly to his home.
Raoul could only stand by helplessly as he watched Christine's one time tutor and Phantom embrace her. He wanted nothing more than to tear her away from that man, that monster and run him through with the sword he had strapped around his waist when Madame had told them who waited outside.
Christine leaned away from Erik placing a hand on either side of his face. Other than looking a little gaunt her Angel looked much as he had the last time she had seen him.
"Other than looking a little worse for wear you look well. I am so glad you escaped without harm. Come inside. It seems we have much to discuss."
Meg could only look on in wonder as Christine used her considerable power over those two men to do with them as she would. Meg had over the years been envious of Christine's power over men. It was nothing she did consciously. She only had to speak or stand looking helplessly pretty to have men flocking to her side like moths to a flame.
If it had been anyone else Meg would have long ago scratched her eyes out just for the considerable number of boys and men who had become acquainted with Meg first then quickly changed allegiance once Christine entered the picture. Christine had never purposely done a single thing to attract anyone which made it all the more aggravating and humiliating. Meg could not even take her frustrations out on Christine as for the most part she had seemed oblivious to those would be suitors. The fact that Erik had warned her off letting her guard down where men were concerned might explain why Christine had never been taken with anyone until Raoul had come back into her life storming her defenses and causing her to disobey her Angel of Music's dictates not to see anyone or go out with anyone even for a short time. Her mother had told her of Erik's rules he had foisted on Christine's innocent head. The blackguard had gotten his just desserts as far as Meg was concerned.
Meg felt that green-eyed monster entering her body even now. She tried to convince herself that she suffered not from jealousy but merely from envy. Somehow one seemed less pitiable and sinful than the other in her mind.
Christine glanced to the side of Erik's shoulder. Squealing girlishly she dodged around Erik to fly at Meg. Meg braced herself for Christine's launching into her body.
"Oh Meg. You are safe. Raoul and I worried so much for everyone. That first night we stayed at his Paris apartment. News trickled in slowly concerning L'Opéra Populaire. With so much going on in Paris and the country the opera house burning down seems to have been pushed aside. Raoul has already made arrangements for us to use his yacht to leave the country. Raoul has surprised me with a voyage to the coast of Africa. He says there are Islands where we can anchor just off the coast. We will most likely travel to England for a while after that, just until things settle down here in France."
Meg hugged Christine tightly knowing that their time together may be short. If her mother's plan to leave for England came to pass, who knew when they would all see one another again?
Over Christine's shoulder Meg spied Raoul. His was wide and welcoming. She moved around Christine to approach Raoul. She lifted her hand toward him for the light kiss upon the back of her hand. Instead Raoul pulled Meg forward with a hard tug. Once he wrapped his arms around her he lifted her high as he twirled her around. Meg could only lean her head back and laugh at Raoul's boldness. They had always gotten along well.
Meg had grown quite fond of Raoul. For all he presented himself to be a proper gentleman Raoul had a keen sense of fun as his behavior just now had shown. He and Meg had kept Christine in stitches whenever they would go out together. Raoul set Meg down so he could address his other guests.
Raoul caught a dark look directed toward him from Erik. Raoul returned the look with a haughty grin. Wrapping his arms around Christine and Meg he invited everyone to the parlor. "Come everyone, let us go into the parlor. I instructed the servants to bring in a pot of coffee and tea. Sandwiches will have been brought in as well. I am sure that after such a long journey you are all tired and hungry." Raoul felt nervous to have a man in his home who had tried to kill him not once but twice. For Christine he would try to keep his animosity at bay. Meg and Antoinette he considered more like family than mere friends.
Erik thought if he ate one bite that Raoul provided he might choke. He did not feel at all comfortable out in the open like this during the daylight hours. A man did not go from being a recluse to a social butterfly overnight. He needed his solitude and soon or he would not be responsible for how he acted.
Entering the parlor Raoul indicated for Antoinette to take the wingback chair. He and Christine sat side by side on a settee that sat across from a matching settee that he indicated Erik and Meg should share.
The men stood as the ladies took their seats. Erik much to his irritation had been forced to sit by Meg. Erik had begun to think of her as some new plague God had sent to infect only Erik.
Everyone took a cup of tea except Erik Meg noted. The tightlipped expression on his face told the whole story. If he had to eat or drink anything Raoul had bought and paid for Erik would rather starve or die of thirst.
Meg made sure she made enough appreciative sounds as she ate to annoy the man beside her. If they stayed here for any length of time Erik would become awfully weak if he did not eat. Meg could only live in hope.
One more sound emanating from Meg's throat had been all Erik could stand. For God's sake the woman made eating a mere sandwich sound as if she had a lover behind a locked door. Erik had seen enough lovers in the heat of passion in many hidden and not so hidden corners of the opera house. He had tried to drown out those lustful sounds as they always led to nights of dreams from which he awoke drenched in sweat and soiled clothing. In his youth he had felt shame for losing control in such a vulgar manner. He had soon learned what he suffered had been a common malady among young and sometimes not so young men.
"My God woman must you chew like a cow chewing her cud?"
Everyone stopped eating and talking when they heard Erik's outburst.
"So it's a cow now am I?" Meticulously Meg laid down her saucer with the remains of her sandwich. She wiped her mouth with her napkin then took a sip of her tea. Once again she wiped her mouth carefully. Once having done that Meg raised her cup once more as if to take a sip. Just when she brought it to her mouth she tossed it sideways into Erik's lap. He jumped up shouting the most vulgar obscenities.
Meg covered her mouth trying to refrain from laughing out loud as that would be far too unladylike. The tea cup tipping could perhaps be dismissed as an accident if they had all been blind and not seen Meg deliberately tip it sideways.
Brushing down his trousers with his napkin Erik caught sight of Meg's saucer with the half eaten sandwich begging to be picked up and used in a retaliatory method.
Meg saw where Erik had been looking just as his eyes raised to look into her own. She could not miss the vengeful light in his. When he bent down to pick up the sandwich Meg began to feel an unfamiliar excitement zipping through her.
"You would not dare." Meg smiled in confident assurance that the former dignified Phantom would not stoop to something so childish as to plaster her sandwich in her face. Meg's confidence began to waiver as Erik took the sandwich apart so that the pickles and mustard were exposed. Erik's evil grin lowered Meg's confidence even more.
Meg began to scoot along the settee as far as she could as she said, "Erik stop. I am sorry. It was an impulse. I have apologized. What more do you want?"
Erik lunged toward her as he said, "This." Erik lay down across the now prone Meg holding her hands above her head with one of his own as his other hand brought the sandwich toward her laughing face. He smeared it over her leaving a garish yellow stain on her cheeks and mouth.
Meg's laughter vibrated from her chest to Erik's causing strange reactions within him. Almost akin to pleasure. Erik did not know what possessed him to act in such an uncharacteristic manner. He could not say he disliked it.
Meg's squirming caused an odd reaction in Erik's body as well. He had been aroused over the years by many women. What man could look at a half naked woman without showing some sort of response? Even after he discovered his love for Christine he had found himself in a constant state of painful arousal during the rehearsals for Don Juan Triumphant. Not all his response had been for Christine. Other women had caught his eye.
Fleetingly he recalled noting a particularly captivating ballerina. Erik refused to acknowledge that it may have been Meg. In the deepest part of him he knew it had been Meg. Just at the moment he would rather have acid placed on his tongue than admit he had found anything about her alluring contrary to what his libido shouted at him at this moment.
Erik's movements stilled as did Meg's. Her laughter gradually died down until all was silent. Meg and Erik continued to stare into one another's eyes until they heard Antoinette's scolding voice penetrate what had quickly turned into somewhat of an uncomfortable lustful display on his part which from the shocked look on Meg's face she had not missed nor misinterpreted.
"Megan Louise Giry. Stop this at once. What sort of manners have you learned lately? I know I did not ever teach you to behave so poorly."
Erik pushed himself away from Meg not daring to meet anyone's eyes. He wished to leave the room but could not without having everyone know of his state of arousal. That would be a humiliation he could do without.
"Maman I am so sorry. I do not know what came over me. Well I do but Erik's boorishness is no excuse for poor manners in someone else's home. Raoul, Christine, please forgive me." Meg caught Raoul's gleeful glance just before she heard his chuckle.
"No need to apologize Megan Louise Giry. That, I have to say is the most entertainment I have witnessed for many months."
Raoul stood and came to Meg. He took her hand and raised it to his lips. He lightly brushed the back of her hand with his warm lips as he held her eyes with his own, laughter brimming from his charming clear blue orbs. Meg could not help but be impressed by his gallant gesture.
Erik felt irritation beyond what should be normal to see Raoul kiss Meg's hand. The teasing between the two irritated him for no good reason other than the man was Raoul and Erik felt he would hate anything the man did on principal.
Not able to sit silently by while Raoul stood over him Erik interjected into the silence, "Well I suppose that does not say much for the performances at L'Opéra Populaire does it?"
"Ah but Megan is the exception along with Christine. Megan if I have never said it before let me say it now. I have long admired your performances at the opera house. Many years ago my parents began dragging me along to watch boring performances. I thought I would die from boredom until this little blond fairy stepped onto the stage. I was heartbroken when I was told I would be attending school in England and would not be seeing my little fairy any more.
When I returned to the opera house and found both you and Christine my cup truly did run over. I am still in awe of your performances. Your dance is only surpassed by your beauty."
Erik could not listen to such hogwash. The boy spouted out compliments simply to impress the woman, could she not see that? From the enraptured look on Meg's face, apparently not. Erik looked toward Christine expecting to see her brimming with jealousy. The contented smile on her face had not been what he expected at all. Megan. Pompous ass. Who gave him permission to call her Megan?
Erik could not remember when he had last interacted with anyone is such a lighthearted manner. Had he ever behaved in such an uncharacteristic way before? Perhaps if Rochelle had stayed they could have shared this teasing but quite inappropriate behavior.
Not to be outdone by Raoul Erik took Meg's hand kissing first her wrist then the back of her hand as he bowed graciously.
"Please forgive me Meg, Megan. I humbly lay myself at your feet and beg your kind indulgence. It is not often I get the chance to interact with such a beautiful woman. My manners are somewhat rusty. Again I beg your pardon." Once more Erik bowed over Meg's hand kissing first her wrist then the back of her hand. As he kissed Meg's wrist he thought he detected an acceleration of her pulse. Glancing upward Erik could not fail to see her heaving bosom as well as the flush on her cheeks. Erik straightened abruptly dropping Meg's hand as if it had suddenly caught fire.
Why did he lose his dignity when in Meg's presence for more than a few short moments? What sort of wicked spell did she weave around him? It had to stop. He could not continue letting down his guard. Had his experience with Christine taught him nothing?
The thought of Christine had Erik's head whipping in her direction. The look on her face could only be said to be jealousy. Erik was somewhat perplexed. Naturally he was pleased but along with that he had confusion filtering into his thoughts. Why had Christine not shown an ounce of jealousy when Raoul had flirted with Meg right in front of her eyes yet her eyes now were brimming with what Erik could only describe as jealousy. With sudden clarity it dawned on him that Christine showed jealousy for his teasing with Meg only because Christine in some way still thought of him as her teacher, someone only for her. She had always asked him if she were his only student. She had seemed pleased to find he had no other students, only her. That explanation explained why she showed jealousy where Erik and Meg were concerned but it did not explain her lack of that same emotion for Raoul and Meg.
Erik did not have time to muddle through things as Antoinette asked if they could be shown to their rooms as they had not been to bed since late yesterday. To arrive as quickly as possible they had traveled straight through. Erik had not minded in the least as he did not deal well mingling with people.
Raoul had rung for his butler to show them to the rooms in the west wing as they were always kept ready for guests. They looked out over the back garden. The balcony ran along the whole back side of the manor. Every room had access to the garden through double doors leading out to the balcony.
Erik sat on the soft bed. He gave it a few bounces. Not bad. Erik took off his boots then lay back hoping to fall asleep quickly as he did not wish to think about anything substantial at the moment.
An hour later he gave up. Sighing heavily he sat up bending down to retrieve his boots. Putting then on Erik went to the doors of the balcony. He could see no one out in the garden.
Contrary to what everyone believed Erik had gone out in the daylight. He had not gone out in society but he had availed himself of the opera house rooftop.
Slipping out into the sunshine Erik paused a moment to enjoy the warmth on his face. The day was not overly warm as spring had only been hinted at over the last few weeks. Soon spring would be arriving in all its glory. The buds of flowers were just beginning to open.
Erik took the stairs much quicker than most would consider safe. He wanted to walk among all those blooming flowers and bushes as if he owned this place. For a short while he could be someone other than a former ghost or phantom. He could be somebody, somebody who counted. Someone just like eveeryone else.
Christine sat in the bay window of the parlor with a book lying across her lap. She had tried to read but everything had been such a muddle in her head that she could not make heads or tales of it. Giving in she had allowed her thoughts to flow unchecked.
Over the last week she had not let the thought of her teacher into her mind for very long at a time. If she had Christine knew she would be in a carriage demanding to be taken to Paris.
Even though her Angel, no Erik, even though Erik had put them through hell in one gigantic misjudged action, Christine could not forget all the years he had come to her to give comfort and encouragement. He had never asked her for anything in return until the end. What he had asked of her she could not give as her heart and love had already been claimed by Raoul.
Christine knew she felt something more for her one time teacher than mere admiration or affection. Had she not felt all those sinful things as he had caressed her during the performance of Don Juan Triumphant? She could also recall every little shiver that had traversed along her spine as he had touched her the night he had first taken her to his home. Shamefully she had admitted to herself if Erik had pressed her she would have let him take her virtue.
Whatever it was she felt for Erik it was powerful but it was not love at least not the sort of love that lasted through triumphs and trials. She could not imagine herself living a lifetime with Erik or having his children. With Raoul those things were in her head every day. She loved him with every inch of her heart and soul. Erik, well Erik had a charismatic pull on her. Honestly Christine thought if Erik really tried he could be quite devastating to women. Despite his face Erik had so many other qualities that negated the horror that was his face.
Christine recalled the shock of seeing it for the first time. Erik had raged at her. Once she had been taken back aboveground, Christine had replayed those hours she had spent with her tutor in his home. She had felt shame and remorse for her behavior. A little regret had crept in also.
If she could go back she would not have childishly removed his mask as she had. She should have left it up to him to show her or not what he hid behind his mask. She knew how much she had hurt him that night. The night his opera had been performed she nearly killed him by removing his mask during the performance.
When Maman had come asking for shelter gladly both she and Raoul had offered their home. Christine considered herself to be married in her eyes if not in the eyes of the church. That would come in due time. She and Raoul had planned to be married by the Captain of Raoul's yacht.
Christine had thought Raoul would withdraw his offer when Maman had gone on to say that Meg and another would be joining them shortly and just who this other person was.
Antoinette had told them that Meg had found Erik, Christine's Angel of Music half dead in a tunnel. She had brought him to her uncle's home. Christine was so glad he had made it out. She could not be with him but that did not mean she did not care what happened to him.
Movement out in the garden caught Christine's eye. She recognized that tall lithe figure striding with purpose down the garden path toward the river bank.
Throwing her book aside Christine went to the patio doors. Going out onto the stone patio Christine did not care about the impropriety of her actions. She needed to speak with Erik privately and now she had her chance.
Lifting her skirts and petticoats Christine took off down the same pathway Erik had taken. She ran as fast as her hindering garments would allow. Thankfully Erik had seated himself upon a bench and sat looking out quietly over the slowly moving water.
Coming up behind him she thought to surprise him but it was he who gave the surprise when he said, "Join me Christine. It is a lovely and peaceful sight."
"How could you know I was there? Everyone used to think you were a part of the opera house. How else could you see and hear everything? We never considered that you had passageways behind the walls."
"Christine you have worn the same lilac scent in one form or another since you first came to the opera house as a child. How could I not know you?"
Christine sat down beside Erik. She straightened her skirts. She wiggled about until she felt comfortable. Now, where to start? Before she could speak Erik took the opportunity to ask his own questions.
"Christine did you ever love me? I mean really love me? For a time I truly thought you did. Sometimes you acted as if you did. Without even seeing me I could tell that you anticipated each of my visits.
You would always beg me to stay a while longer. I used to pretend reluctance but in the end I always gave in. Once you grew into a beautiful young woman I could no longer bear to be in your presence after your lesson had finished. I feared I would do something that would frighten you. In the end I did worse than merely frighten you."
Christine felt tears hovering just on the edge of her lashes. In choosing Raoul Christine had let Erik go. At least she had released his body just as he had released hers. Their souls she feared remained entwined.
"I…I did…I do love you Erik. Not in the same way I love Raoul. I even have feelings of passion toward you which are perhaps not appropriate and I should not be admitting to them openly but I feel you need to know, you have a right to know."
Erik's hand was gripping the wooden plank of the bench near his knee. Christine lowered her hand to place it over Erik's. Using her fingertip Christine caressed Erik's hand in an unconscious sensual stroking of her finger. Erik felt an instantaneous reaction. He felt the hardening in his trousers as well as the warm flush covering his body.
Erik turned his hand to grasp Christine's bringing it to his lips. He kissed her hand with all the passion he would kiss her lips if she were his to kiss at will.
"Mon Dieu Christine what shall I do without you? I love you still, that is not something I can change at will. If I could I would wipe your memory from my mind rather than suffer without you.
I understand your choice. I do not have to like it but I do understand it. It is enough I suppose to have some small piece of your heart. You shall always have all of mine."
Christine leaned her head against his shoulder. She was crying freely by now. She ached for the pain she caused him. It was not right for him to pledge his heart to her for eternity. He needed to save it for someone worthy of him. Someone who could love him without reservations.
"Erik I do not want your heart. I only want your friendship. Promise me you will open your heart to another. I know someone will come along. You are far too special to live out your life alone. Promise me you will try or I shall be cross with you."
Erik could not imagine giving his heart to any other woman but Christine. He might tell her he would look for this mysterious woman but he knew he would not. Christine had been his one true love. His heart would belong to her forever.
"I promise to be as open as I can be and give of my heart what is left. I can not promise more than that."
"Well that shall have to suffice for now. Goodness I must look a fright."
Erik watched as Christine wiped her eyes then blew her nose delicately. Even in this Christine was perfection. Most women looked far less attractive when they cried. Christine looked more charming and beguiling with her eyes awash in tears and her cheeks flushed a becoming pink.
As Erik stood he said, "Christine you could never look anything other than what you are, an amazingly beautiful woman."
Erik held out his hand to Christine. Helping her to her feet she fell against his chest. They looked into one another's eyes for an instant then in the blink of an eye they were kissing one another deeply. Their hands roamed over forbidden territory. The kiss only lasted for merely a few seconds in reality but in Erik and Christine's minds it may well live on for eternity.
They parted slowly. Both knew it had been a moment out of time. Nothing would come of it. This passion they shared between them had no other substantial emotion to sustain it, at least on Christine's part.
Erik could probably persuade Christine to leave with him now and she would. They would both live to regret it later. As Erik had already admitted, Christine had made the right choice for her. He would have to learn to live with her choice.
As she made to move away Erik could not bare to release her as he begged, "Christine if I had not been so threatening to you or demanding would you perhaps have come to love me? Please Christine, please come…" Christine stopped him from finishing his plea by placing her fingers over his mouth.
"Please Erik, I beg of you do not finish that sentence. To my shame I know what answer I may well have given to you. The two of us, our…our love if that is what we share, came at the wrong time. If Raoul had not come back into my life, if I had never fallen in love with him, I do think I would perhaps have loved you as you deserve. As it is I cannot give you my whole heart. No man or woman should settle for only a piece of the one they are to share their life with. You should not settle Erik as I will not. Raoul has my whole heart."
They turned of one accord back toward the house. A silent pact had been made. Neither would mention that last unbridled kiss of passion. It may live on in memory but it would never be spoken of aloud.
Raoul and Meg had been in the kitchen stealing a few cookies and some milk when they had spied Erik going down the garden path. Only moments later they had seen Christine go down that same path. Taking their snack to the kitchen table both pretended to eat as they stole glances out the windows. An eternity of waiting had them both ready to jump out of their skin.
"Do you play billiards?" Raoul had to do something or he would be going down that pathway with his sword in hand and murder on his mind.
"What? Oh, yes, billiards. Uh, no I do not think I know the game. Let us play. You can teach me how to play."
So that is how Meg and Raoul ended up in the game room with Raoul draped over Meg's back with her backside nestled snuggly against his front. Raoul had his arms stretched out along Meg's guiding her shot.
Erik and Christine heard feminine giggling and a masculine murmur coming from down the hallway. They headed toward the sounds never expecting to see what met their shocked eyes.
Raoul was practically lying across Meg as she bent over. She was wiggling herself against Raoul as she protested, "Raoul stop that it tickles. How can I concentrate with you blowing like a winded horse in my ear?"
"I was not blowing you wretch, I was breathing. This is blowing."
Raoul proceeded to blow into Meg's ear which set her off wiggling and squealing. Catching sight of Christine and Erik who both looked less than pleased, Raoul straightened. He and Meg continued to laugh unconcerned that the other two seemed slightly put out.
"Oh Christine, he is such a tease. It is impossible to learn anything from him. He has to be the worst teacher on God's green earth.
Do you know how to play Christine? I know it is not considered a proper thing for a lady but I daresay some women have bucked the rules of propriety and learned anyway. What about you Erik? Oh please do forgive me. There would not be a billiards table underneath the opera house now would there?"
Meg knew she was baiting Erik but could no more stop herself from challenging Erik to match wits with her than she could stop breathing.
"No there was not a billiards table in the opera house or anywhere beneath it. Would it not be somewhat ridiculous to have such a vulgar game somewhere in a house of refinement?"
Erik picked up one of the balls lightly tossing it up and down as if gauging its weight.
"I suppose the game is a simple matter of mathematics. Equations can solve almost every question man may think to ask. So, will we play in partnerships or as individuals?"
"Partners of course." Meg spoke before anyone else could. She actually had played the game many times before. She had been declared an aficionado of the game by her teacher. One of her admirers had been a wealthy young noble. His family had a table set up for his enjoyment. When he had mentioned other uses for the table Meg had thanked him graciously for his attention then left him on friendly terms.
Naturally Christine and Raoul were partnered. That left Meg and Erik. Meg could tell Erik did not want to play at least not if he had to have her for his partner. No doubt he would trip over himself to play with Christine as his partner.
Despite the negative beginnings they did end up enjoying the game. Christine's ineptitude gave them all so much fun just watching her try to play with little success.
Antoinette awoke just as the game finished. The rest of the evening passed pleasantly. They talked about past performances at the opera house. Antoinette thought it best to leave the wound open so that the poison could drain away. They had indeed spent many happy years in one of Paris' most famous landmarks. People from all over the world had come to Paris just to purchase a ticket for an evening's performance at L'Opéra Populaire.
When the clock struck midnight they agreed it was time for bed. Plans needed to be set in motion tomorrow and arrangements made.
Erik noted that although Christine did not go into the same room as Raoul her room was the one just next to Raoul's. Since Raoul stayed in the master bedroom the one next to it must be the bedroom for the mistress of the house. Erik did not need anyone to tell him that only a door separated the couple. They had been intimate almost as soon as they met so why not now? It ate at Erik to think of them together. How he wished he could play his organ. Even a piano would do. If he would not wake the house he would play until his mind could take no more and he could fall asleep.
He had told Christine he had let her go and he had meant it. Now he just had to convince his heart to comply with his command.
Sleep came readily to some that night while others tossed thinking about things better left forgotten. Tomorrow would begin the first day of Erik's new life. He could not help but wonder what it would bring.