CHAPTER 24
The next day started early. Everyone wanted to give Gustave a proper recital, so they'd planned a real party complete with formal attire. Kara kept busy in the kitchen making sure all the food was prepared to her standards. She'd brought in some help to serve since she was expected as a guest.
Lisa spent the day getting her mother ready and then herself. It was a great way for them to spend time talking, but Mama Aguilar had just one subject she wanted to address.
"That's a good man there, wealthy, eligible, and with an obvious eye for you." said Mrs. Aguilar.
"Don't start momma. You know that is never going to happen." Lisa rebuffed.
"Why not, you need a man, he needs a woman, and Gustave needs a mother? I'm not going to live forever and I don't want you to waste away in this place."
"This place is my home and I love it here. Anyway, when the time comes I might take a trip down to the house in Florida for a while. I'm sure Kara would love it."
"Come now child, you need to think about your future and stop living in the past."
"My future ended 15 years ago with 2 bullets. Please momma, leave it alone. I don't have it in my heart to start over." She responded, but her voice cracked uncharacteristically.
"How can you know when you keep your heart locked up?" debated the older woman.
"Is this coming from the woman that waited till she was 35 for her true love to claim her?" Lisa shot back.
"It's not the same. Charles isn't out there waiting for you dearest, he is gone. You don't honor him by refusing to live your life. Is that what you think he'd want you to do?" Gloria asked.
"As you so elegantly pointed out, he isn't here to give his opinion. But I do believe I will see him again, so I'm not going to waste my time on less honorable suitors." Lisa sighed heavily and plopped down on the mattress next to her mother. "I hear what you say mama. The problem is I don't think I have it in me to feel it again. I know you understand that I've had the kind of love most people only dream of. How can I desire water after having tasted the finest wine?" she said with a grand air and deepened accent.
"Ach, it's not fair for you to use my own words against me." Her mother said.
"I know you mean well, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to give you a grandchild."
"That doesn't matter to me. I only want your happiness. If the boys are looking down on us from heaven, do you think they'd be happy with what they see?"
"I love you momma. All I need is you." Lisa leaned over to wrap her arms around her mother, and her heart lifted slightly from the feel of her solid form.
Gloria Aguilar held on to her daughter as tightly as her old arms would let her, but she knew she wouldn't be able to hold on forever. The moment passed and they continued on with getting ready. When Mama Aguilar was satisfied with her appearance she asked Lisa to send Gustave down for a quick chat.
Lisa left the pair talking secretively in the sitting room while she went to her quarters to dress. She'd ordered a gown from a shop in midtown. Lisa had seen it in the window on her last outing, but had not considered purchasing it until she was given an occasion for wearing it.
She'd sent for the same seamstress they'd used over the last 10 years to make the proper adjustments to Lisa's measurements. It was short notice, but Marilyn was well skilled and willing to take up the task.
The woman arrived early in the afternoon with the garment and was soon helping Lisa step into it. When Lisa had stepped in front of the mirror to see herself it was like another person was staring back at her. It had been so many years since she'd worn such luxuriant attire that she'd forgotten how otherworldly it made one feel.
The dress was a deep iridescent forest green that caught the light beautifully and seemed to shimmer like a trembling leaf after a summer storm.
"Oh my, your beau will certainly go weak in the knees when he sees you." the seamstress gushed.
"What?" Lisa was taken off guard by the comment.
"The man staying here, aren't you two courting?"
"Uh, where did you hear that?" Lisa asked. The other woman's face flushed as she realized she may have misspoke.
"Oh… well… um, it's just an assumption I guess… I didn't mean to imply..." She said, trying to recover.
"It's alright Marilyn, let's just get me into this and then we can get started with my hair."
"Of course Mrs. Faolan."
"Call me Lisa, please." A lump caught in Lisa's throat when she heard her married name used, as it always did, but she fought it back as she always did.
By the time they were done, dusk had fallen and the other attendees had started filing in. Lisa stepped quietly out of her room and looked over the railing to examine them. She recognized everyone, even the somber Madam Giry who stood apart from the group talking with Kara.
She was dressed all in black from head to toe and had jet black hair that stood in heavy contrast to the pale skin if her face. Her austere expression did not lend itself to someone whose kindness and compassion had saved Erik, but this was a woman who'd endured plenty of hardship in recent years and Lisa could not know what other tribulations may have marred her life. Her only concern remained with how this woman related to Gustave, and Erik.
Lisa didn't want to prejudge the woman based on the limited information she had, but the face and attitude she discerned by watching her didn't encourage sympathy. Lisa was so distracted by her thoughts that she didn't notice the presence that had joined her on the landing until everyone in the foyer turned to look up.
Erik didn't concern himself with the crowd of voyeurs at the bottom of the stairs. His attention was squarely set on Lisa. He'd never seen her done up so elegantly, just like the woman of leisure and status her wealth called her to be.
Except for the incident a few days earlier, during his time with her she'd always worn her boyish denim overalls or a man's shirt and trousers, or the rather unflattering night dress that replaced her negligee. Though her attire had been masculine by design, there was no way she could look anything but feminine in anything she wore; such was her beauty even when understated.
Her arms and shoulders were bare all the way down her arms. She wore delicate black lace gloves that made her hands look dainty. The bodice of her dress pressed tightly around her curves and pushed her already ample bosom forward. She looked like the most beautiful marionette brought to life, but Erik knew this was not a puppet to be manipulated. A challenge perhaps, but nothing like…
"You look exquisite." He complimented her as he approached, giving her a shallow bow without breaking eye contact.
"Thank you. You look amazing as well, like you were born wearing a tuxedo." Lisa thought about how silly a comment it was only after she'd said it, but didn't fail to curtsy appropriately. She needed to keep composure or it was going to be a very difficult evening.
Erik offered his elbow, which she took graciously, and together they descended the stairs. Everyone in the foyer watched in complete silence, gawking at the sight of the strange pair. Mr. Y's small court beamed as proudly as ever they had to see such a change in the man who'd made such a difference in their lives.
Madam Giry kept her expression detached, but within her a conflagration of emotion was building. She though first of Christine, who'd been seduced by the man and lost her life as consequence of his scheming; she thought of Meg, who'd given everything she'd ever had to give for his sake only to be rebuked and tossed aside like flotsam; and finally Antoinette thought of herself.
How many times had she risked herself for his sake? How much had she invested in making sure that he was protected from gypsies and angry mobs? How often had she ignored the crimes he'd committed and still given her faith, loyalty and love?
Though no one else in the assembly could hear it, something broke inside of her. That he would dare aspire to live a life free of his past sins.
Now he had this woman on his arm, radiant with obvious affection like he was a prince instead of the devil and a murdering villainous wretch whose association could lead only to ruination. Antoinette's anger boiled, her resentment ballooned and venom filled her veins, but she was not the only one deeply affected by sight of Lisa and Erik side by side.
Kara observed carefully every aspect of what was happening. Everyone seemed to have picked up on the way Erik and Lisa regarded each other and the special regard they held. Everyone seemed to be pleased by this except for herself and the somber madam Giry, whose eyes were near to spitting fire at the image of her master linked in arms with Kara's mistress.
Kara took this as a small verification that her suspicions were well founded, but she would need more if she were to confront Lisa with facts, especially seeing the way she was clearly affected by the masked man.
Once they were assembled in the foyer and the introductions were done, the 8 attendees were led to the dining room by Kara who then directed each to their appointed seat. Mrs. Aguilar was already seated at the head of the dinner table waiting for them with Gustave, who'd been keeping her company. They'd been talking alone for some time, and all that they'd said, revealed and confided hung in the air around them like an embrace.
Except for the ever present mask, Gustave was the mirror image of his father in his tuxedo with tails. He beat his father to Lisa's chair and stood expectantly waiting for her to be seated. Erik didn't mind acceding that honor to the boy. It gave him pride to see his son behaving like the gentleman he expected him to be, with a little bit of charming rogue on the side.
Lisa and Kara took their usual places to Mama Aguilar's left with Madam Giry and Ms. Fleck. Across from them Erik sat to the matron's right, with Gustave, Gangle and Squelch next to them. Dr. Gilles took up the other end of the table opposite Gloria.
The meal flowed pleasantly, with Mrs. Aguilar leading the conversation with all the stories of her long life starting with her favorite. Everyone listened with rapt attention, owing to the fact that Gloria was such a magnificent oracle. By the fifth and final course everyone in the group was enthralled with the old woman's charm.
Once the dishes had been cleared away, Gustave took charge of the group and led everyone up the stairs to the ballroom. This time he took Lisa's arm while Erik obligingly carried Mama Aguilar up the stairs. Squelch had offered to take up the task instead, but the old woman would have none of it.