A/N: I am making enquiries to find someone who knows about the free websites at angelfire. I set up several but can't figure the darn things out to design it like I want. I can't figure out how to put everything there so all you have to do is click a button to go to the different pages. If someone wouldn't mind setting up one for me and then manage it I would be really grateful. E-mail me or pm me. You'd be the first to get to read knew chapters and new stories. Or if you prefer we could share the site.
Chapter Eight
Temptation
Two weeks on the yacht and tempers began to boil again. Erik for the life of him could not understand what had come over him. He loved Christine. He had killed to possess her. The opera house lay in a heap of ash by now, all for the love of Christine. So why could he not seem to get Meg out of his head? She felt like an insect that burrows under the skin. It is always there irritating you no matter what you do. You may scratch and dig but until it wishes to leave you are doomed to have the irritation always at the ready.
Erik found that even Meg's voice now irritated him. His continued scowls in her direction only earned him smiles in return. Did the fool girl not know when someone disliked her? Why he disliked her Erik had not been able to determine the cause with any satisfactory answer. Perhaps he found her boldness toward him when others had shown fear irritating.
They were all on deck enjoying the sun and gentle breeze one fine afternoon when things took an unexpected turn. The wind had continued to be balmy. Raoul stood at the helm with his shirt unbuttoned to his waist. Erik did not miss both Christine and Meg admiring his careless display of his manly charms. Erik grumbled under his breath about showy men who must parade around flexing their muscles.
"Did you grumble something which you wished for us to understand or are you merely grumbling because perhaps you have some stomach ailment? If you need a bucket just let me know. I have one right here." Meg picked up the bucket beside her deckchair that had fruit sitting in it. She waggled it to and fro.
"I am not ill nor did I grumble anything." Erik felt the almost irresistible urge to toss her overboard without a life preserver. Only Antoinette sitting in the chair opposite him kept him from carrying out his urge.
"Are you sure you did not grumble for I am quite sure I heard distinct grumbling or…Oh dear me, am I embarrassed. Pardon me. Upset stomachs can cause that problem. It can be the very devil when in company. You know a sip of seltzer will take that rumble right out. Does your poor tummy hurt? At least we are out in the open." Meg leaned back satisfied she had given him an uncomfortable few moments. If he would not notice her for anything good she did she would glory in aggravating him until he screamed for mercy or gave in and admitted she was meant for him. Whichever came first.
"Damn it Antoinette what have you been teaching this girl? She speaks far too easily of things better discussed in private or better yet not at all." Erik had felt the wave of crimson wash over him as Meg had spoken of what ailment he might have. Christine he had noticed had edged away just the tiniest bit.
"My daughter has had a perfectly fine upbringing. She speaks freely as a woman should. Women have been cowed for too long as it is. Bodily ailments and functions are a fact of life. Deal with it Erik." Erik did not for one moment believe Antoinette approved of Meg's continued outspoken behavior. Had he not heard with his own ears Antoinette admonish Meg for such behavior? This was purely a case of closing ranks on the opposite sex.
Raoul's shout to ask if Christine would care for a turn at the wheel drew their attention for which Erik could only be grateful.
"Raoul, women do not take the helm of a ship. They say man a ship for a reason. Women were meant to be passengers not seaman." Christine smoothed the cotton skirt of her dress. The pure white gleamed starkly in the sunlight. Meg on the other hand continued to wear the men's trousers and shirt. Christine wanted with all her heart to take that helm but she did not have Meg's courage. Raoul came from nobility. His family and the people he associated with would scrutinize everything she did. Just because she had been on the stage would already be a mark against her. They had not been to see Raoul's family yet. When Christine had worriedly asked Raoul what he would do if his parent's disowned him he had calmly stated that he had a trust from his grandparents on both sides that would last a lifetime if managed correctly. Raoul had been managing it since he had turned eighteen five years ago quite successfully.
Erik disliked the fact that he could give the number of every button on Meg's clothing while he had not noticed if Christine's dress buttoned or not. His confusion over these strange feelings he had toward Meg bothered him. Last night Meg had even entered his dreams. Erik would not let himself think about what he had dreamed. Should not all his dreams of that intimate nature center around Christine as the woman he bedded?
"Oh Christine we were raised by the same mother but sometimes I think you were brought up by someone else. Well I guess in a sense you were." Turning to Erik Meg continued, "Erik did you fill Christine's head with all this nonsense about women and what is and is not proper? Never mind. I do not really need to know. Raoul is that offer open to any woman willing to take the helm, if it is I would dearly love to take on the task."
Meg heaved herself out of the low chair not waiting to see if Erik would do the gentlemanly thing and help her up. She assumed by the stubborn look on his face he would rather eat dirt than offer her a hand. Meg mentally dusted her hands. My work here is done, for the day at least.
Raoul smiled warmly at Meg when she came to stand in front of him. He glanced over her shoulder then looked back at her to ask, "Do you rile that man deliberately or is it some quirk that comes naturally?" Meg heard the teasing in Raoul's voice.
"Both. Now show me what it is about this that makes men swell with pride when they speak of it."
Raoul instructed Meg to stand in front of him so he could help guide her hands on the helm.
"Why Monsieur de Chagny if I did not know better I would say you were trying to take advantage of me." Meg batted her eyelashes at him playfully.
"No not today. I seduce my unsuspecting guests on Fridays. Now tomorrow, being Friday, I will not hold back so be warned." Meg giggled as he had hoped she would. He always felt cheered whenever Meg was around. Things seemed less serious around Meg. Christine had seemed on edge ever since her angel or rather Erik had joined them. He knew Christine loved him but he also knew she had some deep feelings for Erik. Years of bonding by care and comfort could not be broken so easily.
Raoul wrapped his arms around Meg and placed his hands gently over hers. Of necessity their bodies were aligned so close together they almost seemed to be one body.
Erik felt that familiar shifting deep inside him once more. As he watched Raoul practically make love to Meg right in front of them his mind kept putting pictures in his head of Raoul going overboard with chains wrapped around him.
A quick glance at Christine told him she did not care for this new intimacy any more than he did. Christine kept biting her lip gazing in Raoul's direction rather forlornly. She could regret now refusing his offer but could not now demand she take Meg's place, not when Meg seemed to be enjoying herself so much.
Christine knew neither Raoul nor Meg would go beyond the perimeter of propriety but still she could not help the jealous feelings rising to the surface. Meg had always been so outgoing that people flocked to her. She made every humdrum daily task seem much more interesting.
Meg's exhilarated laughter carried to them on the wind. Erik gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw. Erik wanted to suggest to Antoinette that she curb Meg's less than ladylike tendencies but his last effort had not won him any favor. Antoinette seemed to be unconcerned. In fact Erik would bet she had fallen asleep under that hat she had laid over her face. A gentle snore confirmed his assumption.
Stretching out his feet Erik crossed his arms over his chest. He would not give her another thought. He leaned his head back closing his eyes. Perhaps he would take a nap.
Meg's continued bouts of laughter coupled with Raoul's low murmurs ensured Erik stayed irritated. After a particularly long pause when there had been quiet and Erik dared peek under one eyelid, he saw Raoul whispering closely into Meg's ear. Her burst of laughter set the match to Erik's temper.
"Must you cackle so loudly while people are trying to relax? Has no one ever told you that your voice grates abominably or that your laugh could make one's ears bleed?" Erik regretted his harsh words when he saw the hurt look cross Meg's face. She stared at him for a moment or two before she said anything. When she did reply only indignation and pride were allowed to enter into her voice.
"Well pardon me Monsieur Opera Ghost. I am sorry my voice displeases you. Not everyone is a Christine Daaé. I would not want to damage your hearing so I suppose I will limit my conversation and laughter to times you are not around which I can assure you I will endeavor to avoid annoying you with my presence or my voice."
Meg did not say another word. She had to struggle to keep the tears from falling. Well, did she not wish to irritate him? She had succeeded beyond her wildest dreams.
Her hurt she would deal with later in the privacy of her cabin. That darn man would not see her cry if she had to sew her eyes shut.
True to her word Meg made the extra effort so that she and Erik were only in the same room when they dined. If he entered a room or came to rest somewhere on deck Meg would excuse herself without giving him so much as a smile or greeting.
Antoinette began to be amused by the dance of avoidance they performed. From the look on Erik's face whenever Meg pulled her disappearing act Antoinette could honestly say Erik did not look any happier for having won his point.
Christine and Meg had never spent quite so much time together. At least not whole days one right after the other. They took this opportunity to get to know one another again as over the years they had drifted apart. Meg naturally blamed Erik for this. When he began to teach Christine she had become secretive. She disappeared at odd times for hours never telling anyone where she had gone.
Now Meg knew her mother had known all along. It hurt somewhat that her mother had not once asked Erik to tutor her. Meg loved to sing and did sing in the Chorus. She always thought it would be wonderful to sing as well as she danced thereby having two talents so that if she failed in one she might use the other as a safety net.
Today Christine and Meg had made arrangements to sit out on deck and have tea while they talked. Meg bowed to Christine's right as Raoul's wife to play hostess and pour. She didn't mind really as with her clumsiness she felt it likely she would spill more tea than made its way into the cups. Meg could not understand how Christine could be so graceful while Meg tromped around like an elephant unless on stage. Whoever said all dancers had grace in every move they made had obviously not known Meg Giry, the world's biggest klutz had been born.
Having sipped her tea in silence for a few seconds Christine could not hold back the questions that had been burning in her to be asked.
"So what do you think of him now that you have met him?"
"Who, Raoul? I think he is one of the finest men I have every met. Let me know if you don't want him and I will cast out my line to try to land him." Meg spoke only half in jest. She could indeed come to care for Raoul romantically. She found him to be so easy to be with. He did not make her feel all wiggly on the insides as Erik did. That man caused the strangest sensations in her.
"No silly, I meant Erik. What do you think of him? Is he not one of the most handsome men you have ever seen? Add his talent in music to the splendor of his voice and he is almost irresistible."
Meg busied herself picking up a small cucumber sandwich. She nibbled the corner giving the impression she only had eating on her mind. Really Christine had brought up a subject Meg had hoped to avoid when speaking with Christine.
"Does Raoul know you still harbor strong feelings for Erik?" Well that had not been what Meg had wanted to say at all. Her need to know for her own peace of mind had forced the words from her lips.
"I do not…why how absurd…how could you think…," Christine broke off trying to scramble around for a convincing denial. She sighed. If Meg could see that Christine still harbored some feelings for her former teacher so would Raoul. For all that he could still be considered a young man he was very astute.
"Meg you must never speak of this to anyone especially Raoul. I do find myself experiencing certain longings for Erik. I cannot deny he stirs something in me. I think I can say honestly that I love Erik but I am not in love with him. Does that make sense or sound like a lunatic's ramblings?"
"I suppose a person can lust after one man while loving another. God knows men fornicate all the time while caring nothing for who they take to their bed. Some I dare say do not even have the luxury of a bed as we well know from the opera house shenanigans.
I dare say there are degrees of love between men and women. With so many of our species about it is absurd to conclude we will only find one person attractive. Even love can come to us for more than one person. If not all those poor widows and widowers would die from loneliness."
"Meg Giry I never said anything about lust and must you be so plain spoken? I…I…yes I suppose you are correct in your assessment in any case." Christine bowed her head as she picked at her fingers in a nervous gesture. Continuing on at last she said, "What I feel for Erik does stir me deeply, more so than mere affection. Oh Meg, what shall I do? I love Raoul truly I do but something else draws me to Erik."
Meg felt the knifing pain shoot through her. She had only recently found herself attracted to that man while Christine had years to get to know him, in some small way. Christine would surely feel the loss when Erik would no longer be a constant in her life.
"Christine I am not the one you should ask such a question. I have so little experience myself. Yes I have gone about with many suitors but none have touched my heart. I had a few who were serious but even those I managed to keep at a distance while remaining friends. The ones I managed to keep away from you that is. I suppose I am too forthright for most men. They much prefer someone who is demure such as you are my dear sister. Some of my Nordic Viking heritage must have crept into my makeup for I do tend to want to shake up the status quo concerning women and men and their roles."
They sat in a companionable silence for a while. Gradually it came to Christine that Meg had avoided answering her question about her thoughts on Erik. She had posed her own question about Christine's feelings instead of answering.
Christine turned to Meg thinking she might ask her question again. Meg's fixed stare and fierce look of concentration changed her mind. Following where Meg's eyes looked with such intensity, Christine saw Erik himself standing at the rail looking out over the water. Christine could not help but admire the rather dashing figure Erik presented.
Turning back to Meg, Christine caught such a look of longing on her sister's face. On my, Meg has feelings for Erik. Christine began to wonder how she could not have noticed before. If Christine could not be the one to bring Erik some happiness she would dearly love for Meg and Erik to find one another. From the animosity they displayed it seemed a remote possibility. Perhaps while Meg used her animosity as a defense against revealing herself Erik did the same?
Over the next few days Christine watched Meg and Erik whenever they were in the same room which had been only during meals lately. They avoided speaking to one another whenever possible. At least it seemed as if Meg did. Erik would direct a question toward Meg only to have Meg answer in brief terse words or pretend not to hear him at all.
When they thought no one had been looking they would cast numerous looks toward one another. Christine tried to enlist Raoul in her campaign but he seemed less than enthused to help further any relationship between Erik and Meg. Jealousy again raised its ugly head when Christine thought Raoul did not want Erik to court Meg as he himself wanted Meg.
Meg was more than a match for Raoul's adventurous side. He even encouraged Meg to flaunt propriety continuously. He stood behind Meg's continued wearing of men's clothing. Christine wished she had the courage to do as Meg did. It would certainly be much cooler with less clothing. The layers upon layers of petticoats added to everything else women were expected to wear made for some very uncomfortable moments.
The day they anchored offshore of one of the many islands dotting the Coastline of Africa would begin a new torment for Erik. Everything he thought he wanted will be shown to have been a fools dream. If he will grasp reality he will have more than those obsessive wants from his years in the opera house. Reality has much more substance than mere dreams or fantasies. Erik can have all of those turn to reality if he will but accept that the past is done, it cannot be changed. Moving forward will get him all he ever wanted and more.