Chapter Twelve

Meeting an Old Friend

Antoinette and Meg kept in contact with Erik. They did not visit as often as he would have liked. Perhaps it had been for the best though as Erik found it harder to distance himself from Meg when in her presence. Whenever he was in her presence every other thought seemed to seep from his mind leaving only her image, sight, sound and sweet fragrance to fill his senses with her captivating charms.

Whenever Christine and Meg happened to attend a function together Erik could not help but compare them. Why had he never noticed in all those years how Meg had grown into a beautiful woman? If he was honest Meg outshone Christine as far as beauty went. Her talenst as a dancer rivalled or perhaps even surpassed Christine's musical talents.

Simply put Erik had been uselessly occupied elsewhere with Christine all those years. Strictly speaking Erik thought that all those years with Christine had not been a total waste. She had awakened in him something he had buried. Erik had thought it futile to ever pursue any woman with romantic intensions. With his history of rejection and ridicule it had been easy to put that part of him away.

Christine's tears and need at a young age had sparked something in Erik that had blazed out of control toward the latter year of their association.

With Meg he felt different. Would he kill for her? Of course he would just not in the same insane way he had for Christine. He would only take a life if someone threatened Erik himself or those he loved. He would not kill out of jealousy but he might beat the man within an inch of his life if one happened to show too much interest in Meg's attributes. Erik knew this thought contradicted his resolve to only be a friend to Meg while aiding in finding her a beau but could not curtail his thoughts on the matter.

With every meeting Erik fell more in love with Meg. He went to bed thinking of her and he found her to be the first thing on his mind each morning. Erik would have been gratified to know Meg felt much the same as he did. Her affections for him sort of snuck up on her when she had not been looking.

She admired him and thought him to be quite handsome. His business tactics early on had left much to be desired but Erik had been changing the way he did business. He no longer used strong armed practices to get what he wanted. Erik had become someone she could admire and perhaps love?

Antoinette could not be prouder of Erik than if he were her own son having so much success. She had been watching Meg and Erik over the last few months. They were always very circumspect around everyone. They never went off alone. If Antoinette did not know her daughter and Erik so well she would not suspect anything to be amiss.

Antoinette had not missed Erik taking every opportunity to touch Meg in some familiar way. He never did anything untoward; in fact Erik had been the perfect gentleman. Even with Christine and Raoul he had been cordial when they met.

Erik no longer cast longing looks in Christine's direction. He treated her and Raoul with respect and a level of friendliness he would accord anyone else.

There had been times when Antoinette had caught Christine casting looks toward Erik that were not altogether innocent. If Antoinette had not come to think of Erik as a brother or surrogate son, she felt that Erik would have been hard for her to resist as a maturing woman all those years.

A time or two when Antoinette had come upon Erik singing or working on some project with his shirt off Antoinette had been hard pressed to keep him in the role of someone off limits to her lustful thoughts. When Antoinette had married it had been easier to look upon Erik without feeling any of those deeper emotions she had felt in their younger days.

Antoinette supposed Erik would attract any woman from early teens to a woman with one foot in the grave if he put his best foot forward. He could be quite charming when he chose to be.

An invitation had come in the mail a week ago inviting both Antoinette and Meg to a social function. Erik must have gotten the same invitation because he had come round offering to treat them both to a shopping trip.

Never would Antoinette think Erik would brave entering an establishment displaying women's intimates. In fact she would have said Erik would never come out in the light of day. He had come a long way since living under the opera house. Erik used to smell somewhat musty at times, now he always smelled of some intriguing men's cologne. Meg had been quite boringly observant of how Erik looked and smelled. After every meeting Meg had regaled Antoinette of every aspect of Erik's appearance as if her mother had not been present at these meetings. Antoinette had almost told her to hush a few times. Meg did not realize just how often she spoke of Erik with such admiration.

This was a somewhat new development. At first when they landed on England's shore Meg had been no more than cordial to Erik. It had taken time for her to get that special look back in her eyes when she saw him. Antoinette did not know what had happened between the two of them but something clearly had. Antoinette thanked the good Lord above that everything had worked out. Erik needed someone to love him wholeheartedly and why could it not be Meg? They would be good for each other.

Meg was young and innocent enough to show Erik how to be less intense. Erik had the experience of the world to keep a close watch on her daughter. Antoinette could think of no other person she would entrust to care for her daughter.

The shopping trip had been surprisingly entertaining. Erik had stoically sat and watched as Meg paraded around in one gown after another. He had blushed and turned his head when the shopkeeper had asked Meg if she would need intimates. Antoinette could tell Meg had quite enjoyed Erik's discomfort. She had made a show of asking his opinion about one over another. By the time she had gone through the stores entire stock Erik looked as if he needed a stiff drink or to steal away her daughter for some serious petting. Of course Antoinette would not allow such a thing but she did sympathize with Erik as Meg had been ruthless making sure she showed him each and every piece of lacy garment in the shop.

Where Meg got her rebellious streak from Antoinette could never quite figure that out. Even as a child Meg broke every rule set down for her. She never did anything terribly wicked. Meg liked to test the boundaries a little more than Antoinette had ever been comfortable with. Perhaps that had been why she had never encouraged Erik to let Meg see him.

Everyone had ended the day at a hotel restaurant. Meg had teased Erik mercilessly. He had not seemed to mind. He had even laughed out loud a time or two. Laughter had been one of the things Erik had too little of over his life. Ridicule yes, but shared laughter, never that Antoinette could remember.

Erik had stolen glances at Meg the whole ride home. Antoinette had noted that Meg had done her fair share of coy looks in Erik's direction.

The week had passed quickly for all those taking part in the evening's festivities. Each one had their own agenda concerning this evening. Meg hoped tonight might be a new beginning for her and Erik.

Meg and Antoinette rode with Christine and Raoul. As they would be out quite late Raoul thought it best they travel together. He had his stable manager clean and ready the larger of his coaches. High spirits were in the air during the ride taking them to the evening's entertainment.

Once inside the theatre Meg bobbed her head around trying to catch sight of Erik. When she began to jump up and down so she might see over everyone's heads Antoinette had set her foot down. Meg would behave as a lady should for one evening. Meg had reluctantly acquiesced to her mother's directive.

Erik had not wanted to attend this evening's celebratory occasion. If the chance to see Meg had not been in the offing he would have simply sent his regrets. After all Lady and Lord Donavan were only acquaintances through business.

Looking at his pocket watch Erik deemed enough of the evening had passed so that he could approach Meg without all eyes taking note of his every move. Erik had found Meg as soon as he entered the ballroom. It was as if they were linked by some magnetic force. Erik's instincts had found Meg quickly. He could always tell when Meg was near. His body reacted in strange ways. Of course he reacted as any man would but this was more like some inner connection that always guided Erik to Meg's side.

Meg was in conversation with Raoul, Christine and Antoinette. Having just left the dance floor Meg stood fanning herself. Her face had a healthy pink sheen upon her cheeks. Wisps of hair floated softly around her face. Erik wanted to feel those silken strands between his fingers.

Bowing Erik said, "Good evening ladies, Raoul. Meg, would you honor me with the next dance?" Erik tried to keep the eagerness out of his voice. He held his breath waiting for Meg's answer. Erik chided himself for behaving like a callow youth. He had not had the opportunity to have a normal life like other young boys or even as a man had he lived like other men. Erik's soul experience with close relationships had been through Antoinette and Christine since his childhood. Antoinette could be thought of as a sister while his association with Christine had consisted of him mesmerizing Christine and using her innocent belief in the Angel of Music to control her life. Nothing real had ever been established between the two of them other than a physical attraction mostly on his part.

"Why Erik Devereaux I would be honored to have you as my partner." Meg fanned herself in a flirtatious manner looking over the edge of the fan with beguiling eyes. Erik hoped Meg did not use the same tactics on other men. He knew very well what could happen when the blood got stirred by a woman. Had his own infatuation with Christine not led him into disastrous acts?

Placing one hand on Meg's waist and the other around her gloved hand, Erik spun Meg onto the dance floor.

"How have you been Meg? Are you and your mother in need of anything?"

Meg tapped Erik on the shoulder with her fan as she teased, "You dear Monsieur would know that first hand would you not as every single thing we have has come from your funds. Do not bother to lie to me Erik, for Maman has already spilled the beans as the English say. She never could lie to me when I was determined to find the truth about something. I had thought only this evening's dress had been purchased with your coin. A few days ago I found some receipts for paid bills with your signature on them. I wish to thank you now that things are out in the open. I suppose I owe you gratitude for the invitation to audition at The Palace Theatre also? I know you own the establishment Erik. Acquisitions of that magnitude can hardly be kept a secret."

"Guilty as charged. Do you mind? I can assure you that any offer my manager extends will be from his honest opinion of your talent. I would never let any sentimental attachment sway my judgment concerning someone's talent or lack of talent."

"I will give it some consideration but I may not be going back to the stage. I might be getting married."

Stumbling clumsily Erik felt himself stiffen in reaction to Meg's words and missed a step nearly treading on Meg's foot. He quickly apologized then twirled her around listening to the music of the waltz with only half his mind. Most of his attention had gone to dissect Meg's words repeating them over and over in his mind until he wished to dig out those words thus removing them from his memory. Erik tried to be casual when he asked his next question.

"You have been asked by someone or someone has made his intentions known to you? I have not noticed anyone becoming that close to you Meg."

"Erik have you been spying on me? I rarely see you these days. Our shopping day had been the first time in a few weeks since I saw you for more than a few minutes in passing. How can you possibly know who is or is not courting me?" Meg had begun to remember things that had happened before they came to England. At first it had been just snippets that would quickly flash into her mind then retreat into hiding. She learned that if she did not try so hard to retain the memory that it had been easier to recall things her mind had hidden from her.

When the truth had come to her one night in nightmare recollections Meg had been devastated. She had almost dressed so she could go to Erik's and confront him. For just a little while she had even contemplated his demise at her own hands.

Once she had calmed Meg began to feel those familiar emotions for Erik that had led her into disaster. It saddened her that Erik could have treated her so badly while imagining that Christine lay beneath him. If Erik thought about it he might see that if indeed he had thought he took Christine his actions were not any nobler than if he still thought he had taken Meg in such a violent manner.

Meg could not decide quite how to react to Erik which had been one reason she had not been visiting him when her mother went to see him. When he stopped by the house she had always made an excuse of an engagement with a friend. It had been easy to fain a busy social life as many young men came to call on Meg. None who interested her remotely in the same way Erik had but she could use them to shield her until she could decide if Erik could redeem himself in her eyes.

The day they had spent shopping for this evening's gown had made Meg realize how much she missed seeing Erik and speaking with him. Their acquaintance had been of short duration but Meg felt as if she had known Erik for years.

Tonight seeing him so handsome in all his finery had nearly undone her resolve to keep herself aloof toward him. Her heart had nearly come up into her throat when he had approached her to ask her to dance. Meg could not help noticing how many women's eyes had followed Erik across the room. Her own mother and Christine could be counted among them. The man surely embodied a danger to all women.

The idea of announcing she may marry had been a spur of the moment thing, one she quickly regretted as she had no one in particular she could offer as her beau. She would not use anyone in that manner anyway. With her declaration she had painted herself into a corner. Just when Meg had been going to confess her subterfuge she and Erik bumped into another couple.

Erik felt someone knock into his back. He could not say with certainty if he had been at fault as his focus had been on Meg entirely trying to sift through all the men he knew who showed any interest in her. What he would do when he pinpointed who the young man was Erik had not thought that far ahead.

Erik heard a feminine voice apologizing for her clumsiness. A tug at Erik's memory redirected Erik's focus from Meg to the owner of the voice. He felt certain he had heard that soft pleasing tones before. Turning to get a better look Erik saw the moment of recognition upon the woman's face. He felt some vague stirrings but could not quite grasp if he did indeed know this woman. Perhaps she had been at the opera house at one time although that explanation did not explain Erik's feeling of having known her personally nor did it explain the woman's own recognition. He had let so few people see him in those days and anyone who got too close ended up at the end of his lasso.

"Erik? Is it really you? After all these years to meet you here is so unexpected. Oh Erik it is so good to see you. You look as if you have been prospering through the years."

Taking note of Erik's confusion the woman took pity upon him. "It is Rochelle, Erik. Do you not remember me? I am a widow now. Madame Rochelle Cavanaugh is my name now. Oh do pardon my manners, Erik this is my youngest son David. David this man used to be in my charge when I worked for his mother. This is the boy, well man now, that I told you about. The boy I predicted would give the world his genius."

Erik shook the hand of Rochelle's son then introduced Meg to Rochelle. His mind churned with questions. He wanted to pull her into a tight embrace but knew that would not be proper or even acceptable by Rochelle.

"Erik you simply must come tomorrow. Now that I have found you we must catch up on all that has happened in the intervening years. Please bring your lady friend with you. I wish to know everything about you."

Before they left that evening it had been decided that Erik would come to Rochelle's home in London. She would be staying there for a few more months until some personal problems had been resolved.

Meg barely contained her curiosity. This woman who could only be a few years older than Erik had known him as a small boy. Meg knew her mother had met Erik when he was perhaps ten or so. This woman had known Erik at an even younger age.

Returning to the others Meg informed them of their mishap on the dance floor and the surprise meeting of two old friends. Antoinette shot Erik a questioning glance which he shrugged off. He had far too much on his mind to spend time rehashing something he did not wish to dig up. Tomorrow he would let his past come into the light for a short time then bury it back into the farthest recesses of his mind once more. Those days did not hold much that would entice Erik to recall them with any eagerness.

Meg glanced from Erik to this woman, Rochelle Cavanaugh. Erik seemed to have mixed feelings about this unexpected meeting. The woman was not so old that Erik could not be interested in her. In looks Meg grudgingly had to admit the woman would make any man's head turn twice in her direction. Unconsciously Meg moved closer to Erik laying her hand on his forearm in a possessive manner that Rochelle could not help but notice. When Madame Cavanaugh smiled as she looked from where Meg's hand rested to Meg's suddenly haughty face, Meg's chin lifted just the tiniest bit higher.

"Miss Giry, would you care to dance with me? I would be the envy of my friends to have such a beautiful woman dance with me." David, Meg estimated could be no more than fifteen. Although tall for his age and well built, his boyish face and exuberant manner could not disguise his youth.

Meg did not wish to leave this new threat with Erik. Other than feign a sudden illness or being outright rude Meg saw no other alternative than to grant the young man's request.

Erik scowled at the young man's back. He may be young but that did not preclude him from making inappropriate advances. A hand on Erik's arm drew his attention from the retreating couple.

"She will be fine Erik, I promise. David will puff and brag but he would never do anything untoward to any female young or old. I have taught him to be a gentleman above all things.

Come Erik. Sit with me so we may catch up on what has been happening the last twenty years. I often thought of you and worried about what happened to you after I left. I hope you had a good life Erik. I have had many wonderful things happen to me and it would ease my conscience if you could say the same."

For the next half hour or so Rochelle and Erik exchanged bits of information about their lives. When Erik had told Rochelle about his years with the Gypsies Rochelle had gotten a strange look upon her face but had said nothing. He did not miss the tightening of her lips when he mentioned Javart's name in particular.

Erik did not wish to tell about the disastrous years leading up to his final days at L'Opéra Populaire. If he continued to keep in contact with Rochelle at some point she would inevitably learn about what he had done in Paris. There were only so many masked men who came from Paris who had a connection with the de Chagny family. It would not be hard to deduce that Erik and the masked genius who caused the opera house fire were one and the same. Erik told Rochelle everything other than his association with Meg. That he wished to keep private.

"Erik I had no idea you were the Erik Devereaux I have been hearing so much about. Not all of what I have heard has been flattering but I will not pass judgment upon you. The things I have been hearing lately are somewhat less disturbing. I am glad to see you have begun to take a different path. I always thought that you would accomplish great things if given half a chance.

I see Meg trying to get David to return her to your side. I am surprised she stayed away for as long as she has. If you were my escort I would not be leaving you in the company of any woman under the age of sixty. Now I have made you blush. You always were a sweet child Erik. I can see the years have changed you drastically but if one looks deeply enough there is a glimmer of that sweet child just below the surface.

Erik gruffly protested Rochelle's assessment. He had never felt like a child even when he had actually qualified to be called such. Rochelle continued to speak bringing his attention back to her.

"Now Erik, I wish for you to indulge me. I must speak quickly before my son and Meg rejoin us. There is an urgent matter we must discuss. I cannot go into it tonight as I need to make sure of my facts before I say anything more. Would you please come to my home tomorrow for tea, around one o'clock?"

Erik heard the fear and desperation in Rochelle's voice. He could not ignore her plea, for that is what it sounded like. She seemed to need his help with something or at least that was what he assumed. Remembering how much Rochelle had meant to him all those years ago Erik could not in good conscience refuse her anything she might need from him. Erik gave his promise to present himself promptly at one o'clock tomorrow.

Further conversation returned to the mundane once David and Meg joined Erik and Rochelle. Meg glanced from one to the other sensing that something important had transpired between Erik and this woman. Meg felt her jealousy rising as she watched Erik fawn over Madame Cavanaugh, or at least to her he seemed to be overly solicitous of the woman. Meg kept remembering how Erik had been with Christine. Erik always treated Meg cordially since the night of his transgression. He showed no other interest in her than that of a friend. Erik seemed able to show every other woman deeper emotions than he showed to her. She felt deeply hurt at the moment watching as Erik solicitously placed Rochelle's wrap around her shoulders and whispered in conversation with the woman.

Perhaps Erik's continued overly solicitous manner led Meg to be more cordial to David than she would otherwise have been. She found herself agreeing to meet him early in the park for a ride. She avoided looking at Erik directly as she had no wish to feel his censure. Erik disapproved of all of Meg's choices lately. No matter what she did he seemed to have something negative to say about it. With each disapproving look or word Meg lost a little of her optimistic outlook that she could eventually gain Erik's admiration let alone love. How could she have him fall in love with her if Erik barely tolerated her presence?

Meg had arrived back near Raoul and Christine so she could do nothing when Erik opted to accept Rochelle's offer of a ride home. All she could do was watch as he left with a woman she viewed as competition for Erik's affections.

Upon returning to her mother and the other couple Meg told them that Erik had been offered a ride by an old friend. Antoinette had raised her brows in curiosity upon hearing about some old friend of Erik's, moreover one that was a woman. As far as Antoinette knew Erik had no friends outside those in her presence at the moment.

Meg secretly hoped the carriage lost a wheel or something. She quickly rescinded that wish when she saw all too clearly Erik comforting Madame Cavanaugh in graphic detail, completely forgetting the fact that her son David would be present.

Calling herself all sorts of an idiot Meg rode home in Raoul's carriage. Sensing her sister's restlessness Christine asked Meg if she had enjoyed the evening. Meg made some unconvincing comment saying that she had indeed had a pleasant evening. Christine let Meg's little deception pass. When she felt ready to tell her sister anything important Meg would come to seek out Christine.

It did not take a genius to know that whatever had been disturbing Meg had to do with Erik. Meg had not had much contact with Erik since they had arrived in England. She perked up when his name came up in conversation. When she did see him anyone with any knowledge of her sister would know that Meg felt something for Erik, something profound. Christine could wait.