Hey everyone! Here is the next chapter for your enjoyment. Hopefully it won't disappoint, hehe. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews last week. You guys are so great. I really appreciate the feed back and I try to always take your suggestions into mind when writing the next chapter. So keep them coming.
As usual a huge thanks to Terpsichore314. She was out of town this weekend but she still managed to get this chapter edited as soon as she got back. Hurray for genius betas!
Oh…and I hope you all aren't getting tired of my mentioning it but IHeartPoto has done ANOTHER fantastic pic for my fic. And I have to say this one is my favorite! I was so excited when I first saw it! But if you want to see it just follow the following link.
http/ www. deviantart. com/ view/ 28985803/
(As usual just remove the spaces. We have to do the space thing because otherwise the link won't show up.)
Chapter 51: Saying the Words
Brielle found herself suspended in a field of cool darkness as her mind languidly sorted through fuzzy thoughts and half-formed images. She felt herself smile as the thrilling sensation of her mouth moving boldly over a strangely familiar pair of lips drifted to the forefront of her memory. No image came with the feeling, giving the experience a heightened sense of physical awareness. Every motion, every breath and sound tickled her senses awake, causing a blush to work its way up her cheeks, because even without the aid of a face to go with the kiss, Brielle found that she knew exactly whose mouth it was pressed so passionately against hers.
Slowly, as electrifying bolts of pure pleasure shot through her, she became more aware of her body, the pillow under her head and the warm sheets draped over her, as she turned over in bed, but as she drew closer to waking, sneaking tendrils of pain lanced through the soothing emptiness of sleep, cutting through her mind like lightning through a black summer's night. Letting out a groan, Brielle finally squinted open her eyes, blurrily staring across the room at her own red-eyed reflection looking back at her from the mirror. She started slightly when her daughter's grinning face suddenly hopped into her field of vision.
"M-Momma, are you awake!" the child asked cheerfully, as she placed both hands upon the mattress.
Grunting a reply, Brielle raised her hands to her head, pressing against the painful pressure throbbing at her temples. "No, I think I died…" she mumbled. Closing her burning eyes, the Irishwoman grabbed hold of the blankets and pulled them over her head, trying to block out the light as much as possible.
"Well that isn't surprising," Erik's familiar baritone offered from somewhere near the foot of the bed, the barest hint of anxiety clipping his words into short bursts of sound.
What does HE have to worry about? I am the one with a troll rolling about in my head, she thought grumpily before her brain was actually able to process the oddity of waking up with Erik in her room. As soon as she processed this fact, Brielle threw the blankets from her head and openly gaped down the length of the bed to where Erik sat in a chair watching her with intense interest. With the last phantoms of her dream still hanging within her mind, Brielle's blush began to intensify under his steady gaze, sure that he somehow had guessed what she had been dreaming about. Oh my God…what if I said something in my sleep. The pair locked gazes and didn't look away for several moments while an alarmingly powerful current shot through the air between them, igniting the air with a tension so concrete Brielle imagined for a moment that she could see the connections linking them.
Brielle opened her mouth to ask why he was there, to say anything to distract herself from the breathtaking emotion she could see swimming in the masked man's liquid blue eyes, but before a word could pass through her dry lips her eyes flickered away from his and dropped shyly down to his throat. With a vague sense of surprise she noticed that his normally immaculately tied cravat was hanging lopsided around his neck, the tiepin which normally held the knot closed at the base of his throat was completely missing.
Stunned, Brielle couldn't help but recall her embarrassing dream, the memory of a tiepin zipping off to click against a far wall coming to the forefront of her mind. Her brows came down into a frown as she looked more carefully at Erik's appearance, noticing with every second another trigger for her blurry memory of last night. Oh…my…God…That was not a dream!
Pulling the blankets up to her nose in an attempt to cover the mortified expression on her face, Brielle edged backward until her back was pressed against the headboard. The sick rolling within her stomach forced her to raise a hand to her mouth. She was sure that at any moment she would be sick. What did we do? Why is he here this morning…what did we do?
"What are you doing here?" she asked quietly.
Clearing his throat, Erik finally dropped his eyes from her face, ending his focused inspection of her expression with trepidation. "I knew you would feel ill this morning," he began slowly, the same cautious undertones deepening his every word. "So I decided to stay. And I mixed something to settle your stomach while you were sleeping." Pointing to a small bottle full of clear liquid sitting upon the bedside table, Erik raised a hand to pull absently at his cravat until the length of black silk came completely undone and hung limply around his neck.
"Because I had some extra time I also took the opportunity to fix Aria's music box as well," he finished, trying to sound casual as he secretly stole glances at Brielle from the corners of his eyes.
Taking the mention of her name as an invitation into the conversation, Aria clambered up onto the bed, leaning her small body up against her mother's side. "M-Momma, are y-you sick? I c-can get your m-medicine," the child said worriedly as she raised a hand to pat Brielle's face.
Glad for the distraction, Brielle leaned her burning face against her daughter's dark head. Closing her eyes for a moment, the Irishwoman allowed the feel of Aria's hair against her cheek to take precedence over the other embarrassing memories flooding her brain. "Don't worry. I will be fine. I just have a little headache."
Apparently pleased by this Aria turned and slipped off the bed to go over and pick up her newly repaired music box. Taking the toy to the corner of the small room, she turned the winding key and watched as the little monkey on top of the box jerked to life. Left in relative isolation with Erik, Brielle cautiously turned her eyes to where he sat. At the moment his attention was turned from her to regard with a slight smile as Aria played with her toy, his posture relaxing as he watched the child happily play. Free to openly study the man at the end of her bed, Brielle couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked when a smile crinkled up the corners of his eyes.
Sighing, Brielle shook her head. Well…even if I did pretty much attack him last night it shouldn't change anything…Certainly doesn't change how I feel…and it is about time I start acting like an adult. Maybe it is time I start accepting the things I want rather than running away from them. Maybe it is time to stop worrying and just…just live. I am still young…too young to live with ice around my heart. And finally….finally I know exactly what I want. I just have to find the courage to take it.
Her expression calming, Brielle let the sheets drop to her sides. Sitting up straighter, she tried to ignore her pounding headache as she slid her legs off the edge of the bed. Touching her stockinged feet to the floor, she suddenly realized that she was in a rather shocking state of undress. Sometime while she had been passed out Erik must have removed the many layers of outer clothing proper for a woman of her standing, leaving her dressed in nothing but her plain cotton chemise. While this had saved her from a stiff back and sore ribs it was a rather humiliating discovery.
"I am never going to drink again," she griped to herself, her words finally drawing Erik's attention away from Aria and back to her.
"If you like I could try and fix up something for your head as well," he said, his eyes giving away the concern with which he regarded her hunched figure.
Waving a hand in his direction, she shook her head. When the simple motion sent the room spinning, she stopped and pressed a hand against her forehead. "No, I should suffer for being so foolish. I should have known better than to drink on an empty stomach. You are sweet to offer though."
"Sweet?" he snorted a little incredulously. "I believe you are the only person on this planet who would say such a thing."
"Well, it is true, nonetheless. I suppose I am just the only person on the planet with good taste." When Erik started to frown with disbelief, Brielle felt a smile pull the corners of her lips up. Lord, is it so hard for him to accept a compliment? "But setting that aside I think we should talk a little about last night."
At her words Erik snapped up straight in his chair so quickly that several locks of his carefully combed hair fell out of place and into his eyes. He looked extremely worried. "If you would like…" he replied slowly as the fingers of both his hands dug into the flesh of his thighs, the apprehension apparent in every nuance of his posture.
Climbing to her feet, Brielle made her way over to the closet to grab a dressing gown. As she turned around she noticed with an odd sense of satisfaction that Erik's eyes were glued to her every movement. Perhaps he isn't as indifferent as I thought…he is a man…maybe it wouldn't be impossible to convince him that there is more than friendship between us. There has to be more than just friendship…I know now that I wouldn't be able to live with only friendship. Not feeling the way that I do. I have to convince him to set aside his insecurities…I can do it…I am sure I can. The hesitant hope this thought brought instantly spread a grin across her face.
Her smile apparently unnerved him, because he began to shift under her bright expression. Recognizing how uncomfortable he must be to so outwardly show his unrest, Brielle allowed her smile to dim. He must be wondering if I remember last night or not. I hope he doesn't have a stroke when I say I do. The last time something like this happened he automatically assumed that he had somehow done something wrong. It took me forever to figure out how to lure him out of the blasted barn.
Tying the belt of her dressing gown about her waist, Brielle reached up and shook her hair out of the neck of the robe, only then realizing that along with the rest of her clothes that her dark wig was also missing. With the life he has led how could he think anything else…I doubt any other woman has ever willingly kissed him. Except Christine of course…
Her bright mood souring slightly at the unwanted thought of the young singer, Brielle tugged her loose braid of white hair. Shrugging the thought off, she turned and shuffled over to pull a chair up next to Erik's. I will not turn into a jealous shrew…The poor girl isn't even here. "Firstly I think I owe you an apology," she began.
Erik stared blankly at her for a moment, his entire body tensed as if he expected her to attack him, before his shoulders sagged in confusion. "What?"
Taking a deep breath, Brielle smiled through the pounding in her head and in her heart. "I owe you an apology. I acted irresponsibly and put you in an awkward position."
Closing his gaping mouth with a snap, Erik colored and looked away from her. Guilt rather than confusion darkened his expression now. "Brielle…" he started reluctantly, his tone that of a man about to confess to some terrible crime.
Recognizing his mood as to be quickly descending into one of his black broods, Brielle quickly headed him off. "It all seems rather fuzzy still but I know I must have said some strange things." Falling quiet, Brielle frowned, trying to remember exactly what it was she said. I am sure it must have been something mortifying by the way Erik is acting.
Licking his lips, Erik shut his mouth again, relief and disappointment warring for control of his features. "So you don't remember everything then? What you said…" Disappointment seemed to be winning out as he broke eye contact and dropped his gaze to his feet. "I thought as much…that you were too intoxicated to know what you were saying," he sighed.
He looks so melancholy. What did I say? Raising a hand to brush some of her hair behind one ear, Brielle momentarily glanced in Aria's direction. The child sat upon the floor near the mirror, avidly listening to everything the two adults were saying. "Aria…wouldn't you like to go and play?"
A smile slowly spread across Aria's face, her dimples flashing as she shook her head back and forth. "Noooo," she said happily.
Huffing, Brielle pursed her lips, feeling distinctly uncomfortable with her daughter listening to every word she said, especially since she had just decided to essentially seduce Erik. "Aria…" she said warningly.
Climbing to her feet, seemingly unaffected by her mother's severe tone, Aria walked calmly to the door. "I am g-going now, b-but I will b-be back s-so you b-both better b-be nice!" she said matter-of-factly. Turning, she opened the door and exited the room, giving both Brielle and Erik a serious look before disappearing out into the hall.
Something about the five-year-old's warning struck Brielle as funny, and though she was incredibly nervous, now that she was alone in the room with Erik, she couldn't stop the laugh from bursting out of her mouth. "She is so funny. It almost sounded like we were the children."
A shadow of a smile flickered across Erik's face as he looked up at her. "She does have her own way of doing things, doesn't she? I suppose she must get that from you."
"Erik, what did I say last night?" Brielle asked gently without missing a beat, hoping to catch him slightly off guard. Erik's smile instantly vanished and the anxiety once again tightened his features. Feeling the loss of his smile like a blow, Brielle fiddled with the end of her dressing gown tie.
The masked man's heel began tapping a frantic rhythm against one of the chair legs, and as she watched Brielle could almost see the panic spread through his body. "Nothing of consequence…" he hedged.
"Erik…" Brielle said in the exact same tone she had used on her daughter moments ago.
Throwing a glance her way, Erik climbed to his feet. "You said nothing you should worry about. I am an adult…I know how to discern when a person doesn't know what they are saying…"
Likewise getting to her feet, if just a little less gracefully than her companion, Brielle followed Erik as he began to pace around the room. "Erik, tell me!"
Shaking his head, he retreated from her as if she carried the plague, backing all the way up until he was pinned against the far wall. "No, Brielle…don't make me say it," he begged, his voice breaking slightly on the last word. "Don't make me say it out loud…I feel foolish enough already."
Wondering at what could have possibly come out of her mouth to make him so edgy, Brielle held back for a moment, weakened by the quiet plea in his eyes. Hardening her resolve, she raised her chin slightly. "Tell me…"
He stared at her for a moment, not entirely believing that she was going to force him to do something he expressly asked not to do. Slowly the stare turned into a defensive glower, and the protective anger rose up within his eyes. Hissing out a breath, Erik straightened, glaring down at her from his full height, using every inch to his advantage. "Fine…if you insist, I will enlighten you."
Casually he gave a jerk to his jacket, straightening his clothing fastidiously. "You said many things, but I suppose the most notable highlight of the discussion was when you said how much you loved…" Despite his now chilly demeanor he had to stop to clear his throat. "That you loved me."
Nodding her head, her mouth forming a perfect 'o,' Brielle felt a smile smooth the frown from her face. I should have known as much…it HAD to be something like that for him to act so strangely. Strange…I don't feel as embarrassed as I thought I would… "Erik…"
Waving a dismissive hand, Erik gave a shrug. "Like I said before…you didn't know what you were saying. I know this. I also know that there are many nuances to that word. We are friends, after all…one would expect some level of…of affection to be between us," he said, calmly explaining the word away as a muscle began to twitch in his left cheek.
Stepping forward, Brielle reached out and brushed a hand along his upper arm. At her touch, Erik's head snapped up and he instinctively jerked out from under her fingers, his eyes glittering brokenly. "Don't, Brielle…" he growled, a feral, desperate light sharpening his gaze. "Don't touch me right now."
Unintimidated by his fierce blustering, Brielle ignored his command and stepped forward. Moving to within inches of him, she spread her arms and wrapped them about his taut torso, pressing her face into the soft cotton of his black jacket. Tightening her grip when every muscle in his body tensed, Brielle held on, listening to his heart banging like a caged bird within his ribcage.
"I do love you, Erik," she said quietly against his chest as it heaved with every breath. "I do love you."
Several moments passed as they stood pressed together in breathless tension before a dramatic change washed over Erik. A great sigh rushed out of him, releasing the built-up pressure like the steam from a kettle. He sagged in her embrace, every muscle turning to water. In slow, incremental movements the masked man's hands came up to hover a breath away from touching her arms. Closing his hands into fists, he took a deep breath and then released it as he opened his clenched fingers and laid both hands upon her shoulders. Lowering his head in defeat, Erik let his left cheek fall against the top of her head, his hands sliding around her slight form to return her fierce embrace.
"I know," he murmured against her snowy hair. "I have always longed for those words…but I didn't know how hard it would be to finally hear them."
"You believe me when I say it though?" she asked. He turned his head subtly then so that his lips brushed her hair, and through the intimate contact she could feel a slight smile soften his mouth. A shiver of delight raced up Brielle's spine as she felt her own lips pull up into a smile in an answer to his.
"Yes, I believe you…How could I not? You are the one truth in my life."
Biting her bottom lip to keep it from trembling, Brielle closed her eyes, trying to gather her wits. The man certainly has a natural way with his words. She thought shakily, her heart seemingly expanding within her chest until she was sure she would die from the exquisite pain. A moment of lingering fear darkened the lightness, but it passed when Brielle forcefully pushed it aside. No more counting the cost. I know how it felt to be without him…I will never be willing to feel that way again. Tilting her head back, the Irishwoman put a little space between them so that she could see his expression.
"Promise that we won't ever be apart again," she whispered earnestly.
A vague expression of wonder wrinkled Erik's brow as he leaned back to study her upturned face. "How could I stay away?" he finally asked with a funny little shrug, as if the words falling out of his mouth embarrassed him.
Smiling, Brielle released her hold on his jacket, reaching up between them she tugged upon his cravat, straightening the dangling silk in an attempt to retie it. "Well, I suppose we are stuck together then."
"May God have mercy on our souls," Erik quipped, breaking the seriousness of the moment enough to send them both into peals of laughter.
"Ah! Shame upon you for saying such things!" Brielle laughed as she gave a jerk on his tie, pulling his face playfully closer. They both continued to chuckle to themselves, comfortable enough with each other to stay standing inches apart. It seemed natural when Brielle rose up on her toes and pressed her smiling mouth against Erik's in a light kiss. Only when she was pulling away did she realize what she had done.
Seeing the blank, stunned expression on his face, Brielle felt the anxiety stir within her again. Ack…maybe I shouldn't have done that…too fast? She opened her mouth to say something to break the silence when there was a knock upon her door. Erik's eyes shot up to the door as Brielle turned her head around to follow his line of sight. Horrified, Brielle watched the doorknob begin to turn, Meg's voice calling her name through the door.
Silently Erik released his hold on Brielle and swept across the small room to press the flat of his hand against the smooth plank of wood. Frozen where she was, her heart pounding frantic beats within her chest, Brielle could only wonder at the grace with which he had moved. The masked man turned toward her when the door jumped under his hand, indicating with a quick gesture for her to do something with his free hand, his fingers shaking slightly with the movement.
"Brielle? What is going on? Your door is stuck!" Meg called from the other side of the door.
Grimacing, Brielle crossed the room to stand next to Erik. "Oh, don't worry about it. It does this every once in a while. I just have to give it a good jerk is all. Stand back, all right?" Brielle said loudly. Turning her attention to the man standing next to her, Brielle lowered her voice to a whisper. "What do we do? She can't see you…"
"Brielle? Who are you talking to in there?" Meg's voice asked worriedly from outside.
Raising a finger to his lips to indicate the need for quiet, Erik reached down and carefully took Brielle's hand and placed it against the door. Free now to step away, he leaned forward to murmur in Brielle's ear. "I am surprised that you have such little faith, Brielle," he said teasingly, trying to lighten the tension still hanging in the air, quickly composing his expression into impassive. Backing away from her, he turned and strolled over to the mirror. Brielle watched in astonishment, her mouth falling open in disbelief, as the masked man calmly flicked a stone near the mirror's edge and slid the pane of glass to the side. He moved to step across the threshold when Brielle was finally able to shut her gaping mouth.
"What the hell? Erik, there was a passage behind my mirror and you didn't SAY anything about it!" she gasped, nearly forgetting to keep her tone quiet. In reply Erik merely turned and raised his finger to his lips again before sliding the glass closed behind him. Studying the mirror from where she stood, Brielle tried to discern if Erik still stood behind its reflective surface. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, the Irishwoman felt a flush work its way up her face. Oh my God! Someone could be standing behind that thing and I would never know…Hmm…I will have to rethink the whole dressing and undressing thing. Jumping when another series of loud knocks rattled the door, Brielle turned away from the mirror and opened the door, every jolt against the wood echoing within her aching head.
Meg stood on the other side, her hand raised to knock again. Lowering her fist, the blonde gave a lopsided smile. "Who were you talking to, Brielle?" she asked slowly, her dark eyes moving past Brielle and into the room, obviously looking for a second person. "You look a little flushed…"
Cocking her head to the side, Brielle pasted a lightly confused expression on her face. "I don't know what you are talking about," she said with a forced smile. "There isn't anyone here."
"Hmm…" Meg replied with a shrug as she stepped past Brielle and into the room. Turning gracefully with her hands clasped behind her back, the dancer smiled. "Ah, I guess you really aren't hiding a secret beau then."
Quickly glancing at the mirror over Meg's shoulder, Brielle laughed and waved off Meg's statement. You have no idea…Closing the door behind her, Brielle moved to go and flop into one of the two chairs in the room. I think I need some advice as to handle all of this…it has been a long time since I tried to get a man's attention. Hmm…Maybe I could ask Conner. He certainly knows a lot about men and women. Brightening at the thought, Brielle turned her attention to her friend, happy now to listen to everything the blonde was chattering about.
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Conner turned over in his bed, raising one hand up to cover his face. Frowning without opening his eyes, he tried to figure out what it was that had woken him. What was it? Sounded almost like a footstep… Listening to the clock tick away in the corner of the room for several minutes, he finally gave up when no other sound reached his ears. Blindly groping for the edge of the blanket he pulled the balled up sheets over his head and settled in to slip back into unconsciousness, one leg hanging carelessly over the edge of the bed.
"Conner?" A familiar masculine voice inquired out of the quiet.
Jerking to the side with a curse, Conner threw the blankets from his face and squinted up at where Erik stood over him. "What is the idea sneaking in here and scaring the breath out of me!" the redhead demanded irritably. "I have a hangover that could kill a horse!"
Crossing his arms over his chest, Erik didn't seem all that sympathetic to Conner's state. In fact, he seemed rather on edge, color rode high up in his cheeks and his chest rose and fell far too fast. "It is already after twelve."
Sitting up, the redhead threw a pillow in Erik's general direction. "Yeah? Thanks for the time, ya ass! I just went to bed at six. Go away!"
Bending to pluck the pillow off the floor, Erik swung his arm back and smashed it over Conner's head. Raising his feathered weapon over his head again Erik held the pillow at the ready, a dangerous glint appearing in his eyes. "Unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, I haven't the patience to deal with your irritating personality. Will you sit up and talk to me or must I resort to more violence?"
Growling, Conner rose up onto his elbows and glowered up at Erik. "What the hell is so important that you have to come around here pestering me?" Blinking over at the closed door, the Irishman raised a hand to rub at his wild mop of hair. "How did you get in here anyway? I was sure I locked that…"
Lowering the pillow, Erik pulled a chair up to the edge of the bed and sat down. "Never mind that. I need to ask you something," the masked man said earnestly.
"No…forget it. You are driving me crazy. I don't care if you beat me to death with that stupid pillow…at least it would put me out of my misery." Closing his eyes, Conner turned his back to the masked man, and raising one hand to his temple he tried to massage the pain away. When he did not hear Erik take the hint and leave, the redhead glanced briefly over his shoulder. Erik was puffed up in frustration, his entire body tensed as he sat perfectly still to glare fixedly at the floor. Conner waited for the verbal explosion that he had come to expect from the masked man, but none came. Erik was silent. He must be sick or something not to let me have it.
Sighing heavily, Conner rolled onto his back. "All right, what is it that you want to know?"
Erik raised his stress-darkened gaze up to Conner's, searching the Irishman's face for a moment. "Are you serious then? That you will listen?"
"Yes…yes…If only to get you to leave," Conner grunted.
The masked man let out a breath, a relieved smile brightening his expression, if only for a moment. "It is about your sister," Erik said hurriedly. "I must ask your advice. I find Brielle to be…extremely vexing of late. I…"
Holding up a staying hand, Conner grimaced dramatically, attempting to lighten the almost feverish tension he sensed emanating from Erik. Cocking his eyebrow over the masked man's unkempt appearance, he wrinkled his nose in mock disgust. "So…she has been vexing you, huh? Sir, please, you aren't going to confide some sordid tale involving my sister, are you? I don't think my already weak stomach could stand the thought."
Acknowledging Conner's humor with a deadpan stare Erik shifted upon his chair, another wave a color washing up his face. "That is absurd…" he said weakly, his outrage apparently deadened by guilt.
Feeling a little shamefaced for only increasing Erik's discomfort rather than decreasing it, Conner let out an oath. "Hell and damnation, Erik! I was only teasing you a bit. You look so serious that I was afraid that terrible expression would get stuck upon your face." Sighing, Conner cleared his throat, putting the silliness aside as true concern for his strange friend took precedence. He must truly be worried about something for him not to rise to my baiting…he always fires something back at me.
"I am sorry…" Conner began sincerely as he dragged himself into a proper sitting position, directing his full attention to his gloomy friend. "Go ahead and ask me what you wanted."
Glaring steadily at Conner for several moments, Erik waited until he was certain the redhead was actually serious before continuing. "From our acquaintance together I have been able to conclude that you are a man of the world. Though I am loath to admit it, you are more knowledgeable in several subjects because of your exposure to society. I wish to perhaps glean a bit of that knowledge so I can figure out a few things about your sister."
Blinking blankly at Erik for several seconds, Conner tried to translate the masked man's overly formal speech into some semblance of sense. Damn he must be nervous about something. He only talks like he has a poker stuck up his ass when he is skirting the issue. Raising a hand to scratch at his head, Conner felt his headache worsen. "So…what you are saying is that I know more about girls and you want to know some of their feminine secrets in order to try and figure out some of Bri's oddities?"
Clearing his throat, Erik nodded. "I feel like a fool for asking."
"Don't worry about that," Conner said quickly, his fairy green eyes dropping to the floor in thought, his mind automatically turning to Meg and the dance they had shared last night. The moments he had spent with her in his arms had been, quite literally, some of the happiest of his life. What do I do with that? This isn't an infatuation anymore… "I am not sure if I am the best person to ask right now Erik."
"Why, because you are failing with Meg Giry?" Erik asked shrewdly.
Instantly shooting a glare Erik's way, Conner ground his teeth. "Now why would you say that?"
Snorting, Erik sat up straighter in his chair. "Any fool can see it. The way you have been mooning over her."
"Oh! So I suppose I must look just as idiotic as you do whenever you catch sight of Brielle!" Conner shot back, effectively quelling anything else Erik might have been about to say.
"Are you going to help me or not?" Erik finally asked after a tense silence.
"You are the one who got off subject! But ask your question if you are ever going to!" Conner riposted.
"Only if you swear not to breathe a word of this to anyone." Erik demanded, needing his reassurance.
"Fine!"
"Fine!" Sitting back irritably Erik related the story of his most recent interactions with Brielle, his blue eyes narrowed into slits, as if daring Conner to say something snippy in response.
"She kissed you twice in less than twenty-four hours," Conner repeated, his eyebrows shooting nearly up to his hairline, a smile flickering around the edges of his mouth. "Well, what is there to be worried about? Next time kiss her back!"
Hissing out a breath, Erik shook his head. "You are missing the point!"
"And what is the point? She said she loves you…what is the problem?"
"Sometimes you can be infuriatingly thick," Erik snapped.
"Only sometimes? Gosh, thanks, Erik, you are so kind!" Conner said sarcastically.
Jumping to his feet in outrage, Erik raised both hands to run through his hair. "You are maddening! You said yourself that love can mean many things! Surely Brielle was expressing that sentiment. We have only ever been the closest of friends. I feel I can say anything to her. But every time she is near me I begin to forget that. I feel as if I am balancing upon the edge of a precipice and that at any moment I might fall over the edge and into the darkness below." Pacing away across the floor the masked man came to a stop near one wall. "When she is near everything just drops away until the only reality left is what I can see in her eyes," he finished gloomily.
Finding Erik's description suspiciously similar to his own feelings for Meg, Conner shifted uncomfortably. "So you are confused because you are certain her motives are purely friendly in nature, but you find your own thoughts straying along baser lines? Are you serious?"
"I do not want to allow my inexperience to ruin one of the few good things in my life," Erik responded stiffly. "I would rather die than have my actions somehow disrupt our relationship," the masked man said with a conviction Conner found admirable.
"Lord a'mighty, Erik! You don't need my help. You already lo…er…care for Brielle more than yourself." Conner said, automatically correcting himself from saying 'love.' Somehow he just knew that the masked man might not be ready to hear that particular word in reference to his own feelings. "You couldn't ruin your relationship with her…you wouldn't let yourself."
"I only wish I had your confidence," Erik muttered bitterly, banging a rhythmic pattern against the wall with his fist, his gaze never leaving the wall in front of his face.
"Like all things I came by my confidence by extensive practice. Perhaps you should simply practice yours more." Leaning forward to pluck his pillow off the floor where Erik had dropped it, Conner placed it upon the bed beside him. A burning question rose up within his mind as he smoothed a hand over the pillow at his side. Absently scratching at the day-old growth of beard along his jaw, the redhead debated within himself if he should leave the conversation there or voice the dangerous thought now floating about his mind. Never one to back down from a situation, Conner sat up straighter and opened his mouth.
"Have you ever considered that perhaps Brielle's actions may indicate that she considers you more than a friend?" Conner asked slowly, preparing himself for the swift outburst that would surely come from this comment.
Tilting his head to the side, Erik listened to the question in silence. Slowly he brought his head around to stare over his shoulder at Conner, the blue of his eyes shining as cold and sharp as river ice. "In the future I would suggest that you keep such moronic suggestions to yourself," he stated frigidly. "Though I am still acclimating myself to the intimacies that people share on a daily bases I am not a fool. Any delusions I might have once had regarding the opposite sex have long since died."
Holding up a hand Conner smiled weakly, knowing full well that if he continued there would be violence. Not that I mind a fight…but maybe I should put it off until my head doesn't already feel like it is going to explode. "Fine…never mind," he conceded grumpily.
Feeling that the subject had been dropped, Erik straightened from the wall and smoothed a hand through his disheveled hair. "Good…but I think it is time that I go," he said finally as he walked over to one corner of the room, running a hand over the wood paneling there. With the flick of his fingers a small door opened up in the wall.
Sitting up straighter Conner stared dumbfounded at the opening. "That is how you got in here? Damn, Erik…you HAVE to show me all your secret passages. That could be incredibly fun information." Shooting a final glare over his shoulder, Erik merely disappeared from view without another word.
Relaxing, Conner dropped his head back to his rumpled pillow. Closing his eyes he tried not to brood over the odd exchange that had just happened, but the effort was futile. Stupid man…he is so afraid of what will happen that he can't even admit to himself that he loves her or that she obviously loves him. God…does that sound familiar or what? Irritated with himself, he put all thoughts from his mind, determined to finally get some rest and sleep off the effects of last night's party.
Just as he was about to drift off the sound of a key hastily being turned in the lock of his door had his eyes popping open again. Staring at the door he watched as Brielle hurried into the door. Her state appeared very similar to the man who had just left, her face was flushed and her movements jerky and uneasy. Sitting up in bed, Conner raised a hand before she could say anything.
"Am I doomed to never find rest again! What do you want?"
Undaunted by her brother's unfriendly greeting, Brielle hurried over to perch upon the edge of the bed. "You are a man, Conner…so you know how men think," she said without preamble.
"Excuse me?"
"I need you to tell me how to let a man know that I am interested in him," she said matter-of-factly. "And I don't have much time. I told Meg a story to get away from her for a few minutes so I could talk to you. But she will come looking for me any minute…"
"Why did you have to escape from her?"
"I didn't know if she would be open to barging in on you while you were sleeping and I didn't want to be rude either. That and my head feels like it is in a vise so I suppose I wasn't thinking to clearly."
"You sure have a talent for overcomplicating things…but to get to the task at hand I take it that the man you are interested is Erik?"
"Of course it is, don't be stupid."
"Well, apparently you don't need any help. Kissing is a great way of showing a man that you are interested," Conner said as he gave up on sleep and got out of bed, staggering over to the wardrobe to pick out some clothes. "Why everyone has decided to ask me for advice today, I will never know!" he griped as he pulled out a clean shirt and vest. Jerking the shirt he had slept in over the top of his head he donned the clean one, sloppily buttoning the vest up as soon as he had put it on.
"Who else has been asking you for advice?" Brielle asked sharply as she watched him from across the room.
"Erik was already here, blast him. He wanted to know why women acted so strangely. Apparently your recent behavior has thrown him for a loop. He hardly knows what to make of it all. He is afraid that he is going to drive you away or some such nonsense!" Conner raved, thoroughly tired of Brielle and Erik's silliness.
His outburst put Brielle in a quiet mood for she didn't say anything else as Conner sat down to pull on a pair of boots. When he finally stood and headed toward the door Brielle jumped to her feet and followed him. "Why…why is he afraid that he would drive me away?"
"You are a beautiful woman and he is not a monk…why do you think?" Conner said with one raised eyebrow as he opened the door.
Rather than being shocked by this bluntly said bit of news, Brielle simply smiled. "Well, that is something at least. A beginning…"
"A beginning to what?"
"Conner…I realized something very shocking recently. I realized that I still love that stupid man….and so I am determined to convince him to feel the same way about me."
Raising a hand to muffle the sudden burst of laughter bubbling up his throat, Conner glanced her way. "Well good luck with that!" he said flippantly as he walked out the door. Brielle followed along after him for several moments quietly, apparently digesting the information that had been revealed to her.
"Where are we going?" she finally asked, sounding a little distant as she blinked at their surroundings, having not paid attention up until this point.
"I am taking you back to you room so you can meet up with Meg," Conner said over his shoulder.
"Oh…" was her only reply as her gaze drifted off to stare thoughtfully at the floor.
Conner increased his pace then, a sudden longing to lose himself in the oblivion of his violin spurring him on. They reached Brielle's room in record time. "Here we are! Home sweet home," Conner said with a dramatic sweep of his arm.
Frowning at the door Brielle smoothed a hand down the front of her dress. "I could have sworn I left that door open…" she said slowly, as she stepped forward and turned the handle.
Putting a staying hand on his sister's shoulder, Conner prevented her from opening the door. "Let me do it..." he said, as he gently pushed Brielle behind him.
"Conner what is the matter with you?" she protested.
Turning towards her he raised a finger to his lips. "Did you ever consider that we have to be more careful now? You can't just barrel into things now that Andrew is the patron. Someone could be in your room…we just need to be careful."
Her eyes widening Brielle willingly stepped behind Conner's broad form, holding onto the back of his vest as he reached forward and took hold of the doorknob. With one swift movement the redhead threw open the door, allowing it to bang against the inner wall with a resounding crack. Taking one step into the room, Conner's eyes instantly flew to the young woman bending in front of the mirror, who, at the sound of the door, turned toward them with a gasp, both her silk-covered hands raised to cover her mouth.
Taken aback by the sight of the well dressed young lady, Conner cleared his throat. "Ummm…hello?"
Feeling her brother's confusion, Brielle poked her head around him to peer over his shoulder. Seeing what she could of the girl Brielle physically bristled, obviously outraged at the sight of a stranger standing amongst her things. Ducking back down she pushed past him into the room. "What are you doing sneaking around my room!" she demanded harshly, her fists going to her hips in her classic battle stance.
As the girl lowered her hands to wring nervously in front of her, Brielle's stiff posture changed subtly. The Irishwoman's fists slid boneless from her hips to hang limply at her sides. The strange girl raised a hand to brush a chocolate-colored curl behind one ear as she stepped forward, an embarrassed smile breaking the tense expression on her pretty face.
"I am so sorry…I didn't realize that someone was using this room…" the girl said slowly, looking around the room as if surprised to see the personal possessions decorating the space. "I mean…I was concentrating so that I didn't notice…" Clearing her throat, the girl attempted a friendly smile. "What is wrong with me? I should introduce myself. I am…"
"Christine…" Brielle breathed raggedly as she turned to shoot a wide-eyed look of pure shock over her shoulder at her brother.
Blinking slightly, Christine stared at Brielle for a moment, trying to puzzle out how she knew her name. "Yes, that's right. I am Christine De Chagny."