Chapitre 4

Count's View-

"Now, will you join us for the remainder of the evening? Or do you need to leave?" I smiled and started to walk to the door.

"If it's not any trouble, then may I stay?" He walked over to the door and opened it for me, bowing slightly.

"O-of course your Excellency, you are welcome to this house any time." He said as he and I walked down the hall, toward the dining room. The maid with red curls bowed and opened the doors for us.

"Humble guests, the Count of Monte Cristo!" Hungarius announced, everyone looked at me, looking down the table Estelle had gone white, her glass halfway to her lips slipped a little. Her step-sister opposite her looked as though she was about to burst and their mother pursed her lips. Hungarius brought the large woman with long black hair over to me, Estelle and the step-sister followed behind her, Estelle's head was bowed, trying to his her scarlet cheeks under her fair hair.

"Count, may I introduce my wife Agatha, and my daughters Lottie and Estelle." I took the woman's hand and kissed it softly. Lottie and Estelle curtsied behind her.

"I'm so glad you could make it Count, we were starting to think that you weren't coming." She said, giving me a sickly sweet smile, she grabbed hold of Estelle and brought her forward.

"Especially after you made such a hit with my little Estelle, I'm so happy to see you again." Her lying tongue spoke while she pinched Estelle's cheeks a little too hard, leaving painful looking red marks. I felt my smile drop and my eyes narrow, Lottie looked shocked and Agatha's cheeks went red.

"Now come, sit with us." I sat next to Hungarius and his wife, Estelle couldn't bring her eyes up to look at me, occasionally rubbing her sore red cheeks. I sipped my wine and chatted with Hungarius, Agatha and Lottie were staring at Estelle all evening, their eyes narrowed at her as she calmly ate, not saying a word. Dinner finished and it was time for the entertainment part of the evening, apparently Lottie was to play piano and sing before the dancing started. Everyone seated themselves in the ballroom, around the grand piano where Lottie sat. A boy was following her, I saw him at the party last season, and he was watching her from afar obviously attracted to her. I felt a growl burn in my throat but I swallowed it down. She sat near the corner or the room, far away from where I sat at the front, when she caught me looking at her; she turned away and blushed but said nothing. Lottie played.

'Rather well.' I though to myself, but when it came to singing, it was slightly unbearable. I, like many others tried to discretely cover my ears, but thankfully it didn't last long. Lottie finished and the crowd applauded, Agatha especially louder than everyone else.

"Well now that's then end of that, time for dancing-"

"Hungarius, shouldn't Estelle play something too?" Agatha said, a smug smile on her face. Everyone's eyes turned to her, her face was white and she looked as though she might be sick. Her shoulders were shaking and trembling, her eyes were wide and fearful.

'The poor girl, I wonder what's wrong with her.'

"I know you gave her a new violin, now we should hear her play!" Lottie agreed with a wicked grin, the both of them staring at her. Hungarius walked over to Estelle and hugged her, his old frail arms around her fragile frame.

"Estelle, you don't have to. I know how hard it was for you." She shook her head and smiled at him. Bringing her hand to wipe away some growing tears in her eyes.

"No Father, the ghosts of the past need to be revisited. To help me move on, I must take up the bow again."

Estelle's View-

Mina walked up to me, the violin case in her open arms, and a look of understanding on her face. I took it from her, the crowd was whispering amongst themselves, the Count muttered something to Father but I couldn't hear it.

'I can't do this, but to finally get over it I have to. This is for you Mother; I hope you can hear me.' Step-Mother and Lottie were looking up at me with smiles on their faces, Drake was muttering to someone next to him and gesturing towards me. I put the bow to the strings and started to play, I didn't care what it sounded like, I played for Mother, for Father, and for the Count. I played and played, the world disappeared and I was lost in the golden ribbons that were music. It consumed me, dragging me under; it felt like mother was still alive and we would play together for hours. I felt something warm and wet sliding down my wrist but continued playing until I finished my piece. Lowering my bow I bowed and left the room, no one had applauded for me.

"MISS! Your hand!" I looked down at it; deep cuts were on my left fingertips. Blood seeped out of the wounds and trickled down my wrist, I had played so hard that the strings had cut me. Mina washed my hand and bandaged my fingers; a knocking came from the kitchen door.

"Estelle? Are you there?" Father stuck his head in.

"She's alright sir, I bandaged her cuts." I looked up, Father stepped towards me. He was beaming with pride, his face looking ten years younger.

"Your audience awaits, they love you." The sound of applause met my ears. I exited and a wonderful sight befell me. Everyone was on their feet, clapping and cheering, even Lottie was clapping a little but Step-Mother quickly stopped her. A sour look on her face, her evil dog yapping in her arms.

"Wonderful Mademoiselle, you are truly talented." I turned around; the Count was walking towards me, applauding like the others. He was smiling at me; I felt my face flush as he kissed my hand.

"T-Thank you Monsieur."

"Can I ask how'd you learn to play like that, especially if you haven't played in years?" I turned around, Drake was looking at me. His arms crossed over his chest, people around me were silent, waiting for me to answer.

"I-I just played, I didn't care what you all heard. By playing again, I let go of something, and I felt something return."

"Well that's all good isn't it? Now we should get back to the usual events of the evening." Step-Mother wrapped her arm around my shoulder and steered me in the opposite direction, everyone crowded around me, asking me questions. I stole a glance over my shoulder at the Count; he gave me a sympathetic look. Step-Mother led me to the ballroom, where drinks were being served and music started to play.

"If the Count dances with you again tonight, I'll humiliate you so much you won't be able to show your face in public again." Step-Mother hissed in my ear under her breath. I hid my face under my fringe, my self-esteem slipping several notches. A hand clasped over my shoulder, Drake's unpleasant face leered at me.

"Madame Cutter, may I dance with Estelle?" Step-Mother smiled and pushed me into him, his arms quickly wrapping around me. I turned around to see the Count looking at me, a frown on his face. Mouthing 'I'm sorry.' to him, he nodded but didn't walk away. Drake took my waist and led me on the dance floor, a swift tango started.

'Oh God! Anything but this!!' He pressed my body against his, skin squirming in disgust.

"You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you Este?" Drake muttered against my ear, his hand tightening around mine. I didn't answer, the dance continued.

"Not a woman of words are you, my love?" He ran his nose down my neck.

"Please don't… You know perfectly well how much I dislike you." He sniggered, resting his head on my shoulder.

"It's not like you to speak up, is it perhaps that your beloved Count is here." I tensed up, he felt it.

"Ah, it's all about him isn't it? I see the way he looks at you, wishing to tear your clothes off and suck your blood while he fucks you." Drake whispered, rising his hand up my thigh and nipping my neck, accentuating his claims. I stood up and firmly placed his hand on my waist and giving him a cold look. He dug his nails into my gloved hand; I let out a whimper of pain.

"Marry me Estelle. I can make you happy and give you whatever your heart desires." He said, dipping me low. My eyes locked with the Count's, who was taking a sip of wine, Step-Mother chatting with him and he was obviously bored. Eyes of red and gold filled me; I pulled myself up and looked at Drake. I ripped his hands from my body and pushed him away, his eyes widened.

"Never, you disgust me." I spat at him, turning on my heel and leaving the dance floor, pushing past people as I walked.

'That's not like me, why would I do that?' I thought as I grabbed a glass of brandy and gulped it down. Leaning up against the wall I caught my breath, the after-taste of the brandy shaking me.

'Note to self: Never drink an entire glass of brandy at once ever again.' Mina walked over to me.

"Miss are you alright?" I nodded and rubbed my temples.

"Yeah I'm fine, just had a bad brush with Drake." She smiled and touched my shoulder.

"I have good news-" She lent over to my ear and whispered.

"-Concerning the Count of Monte Cristo." I blushed; she grabbed my hand and pulled me into an abandoned hall.

"What is it?" She smiled and clasped my hands.

"He has spoken to your father and the both of them have agreed that it would be best if he and you kept your relationship lets say… out of the public eye. The Count is quite taken with you, and I'm sure you know through his actions what his intentions are." I nodded and looked at the floor.

"Miss? Is something wrong?"

"It's just… I can't help but feel like I'm being passed around. Handed from person to person, I-I have no choice in the matter." I said, Mina touched my shoulder.

"Mademoiselle, I shouldn't say this, but I think the Count is different. The rumor may or may not be right. But from what I know as truth, he seems a good man." I sighed and started to walk away.

"I'm going to bed, I'm tired. Oh and Mina…" She looked up at me.

"Drake proposed to me again tonight." She rolled her eyes.

"Can't he take a hint?" Mina said as she followed behind me. I looked around the corner to see the Count, Lottie, Step-Mother and Father walking towards the door.

"Ah Estelle, the Count was just leaving." He kissed the top of Step-Mother's hand before turning to Lottie and I.

"A wonderful performance tonight, the both of you. I do hope I'll see you all again soon, I had a wonderful time." He took his hat and cloak and left, his servants waiting for him outside his sleek black carriage. He turned and smiled at us, I felt my cheeks burn.

"Come back again! You're always welcome in our house!" Father shouted after him, Step-Mother gave him a stern look.

"I'm going to retire for the evening." I turned and left, ignoring Step-Mother's comments about Drake being disappointed that I walked off.

'Maybe the Count will be different as Mina says. I hope so, he makes me feel… different.'