I've been busy with art shows, but I haven't forgotten about this story. I still have a bit more written and working on it again. If any of you would like to see what I've been working on aside from writing, you can follow me on instagram wanderlust_by_brittany to see my artwork. :)
Ch. 7
"Ah, Mademoiselle Levour," Mr. Destler said with a smile. "How nice of you to join me."
"Charming, as always, I see," she muttered under her breath before taking her place at the divan.
Erik particularly enjoyed having such authority over her, and she could see this written on his countenance. His typical white mask glared against his smiling features, reminding her of who he really was-far the opposite of a well-behaved gentleman, but rather a man who takes advantage of others in the most discourteous of ways.
"I must say, your talent is great, indeed! No one suspected anything!" he said with a look of amusement.
Cora did not answer him, instead; she set up her supplies the same way that she had done before-cold, meticulous, and professional.
Erik could see her perterbance as he sat beside her.
"Suddenly you have no words to say? That is surprising, coming from a woman who so easily bestows her negative opinion where it is most unwelcome," he observed.
She turned to him with a jar and small powder brush made of horse hair in-hand, an annoyed expression in her eyes.
"Would you kindly remove your mask so that I might begin?" she asked.
Erik was somewhat surprised to see how mechanical she had become. He could only assume that such numbness was her mechanism for coping with the trauma that he had, and would again, inflict upon her. The thought angered him, but he obliged.
She did not scream, cry, or startle. She did not even flinch. She simply began her work and focused on her task, which is not at all what he had expected. He would never grow accustomed to someone seeing his face without the look of horror or shock that he knew. It was almost worse that she could lie and hide her disgust so easily. He almost wished that she would react.
"You are quite the manipulator-you hide your disgust and fear so well!" he seethed. "And to think that I once loved a woman...you have proven, yet again, that your gender is only capable of lies and deceipt!"
Cora shot an angry glare at him.
"I am all surprise that you once loved someone. Your music speaks of it, but your conduct does not," she spoke as she worked, "It is a wonder she did not fall for a man who can threaten and harrass without second thought."
Erik shot a gloved hand out and grabbed her wrist, painfully.
"Never speak that way again!" he shouted. "You do not know what you speak of!"
"Mr. Destler," she yanked her hand from his grasp without affording him the pleasure of having affected her, "It is apparent that we can have no civil discussion, so let us not speak at all. Silence will surely suffice, be it long."
"I could not agree more," he replied. He refused to look at her, instead closing his eyes and focusing on getting the task over with.
Once Cora had finished, she was relieved to know that she would be away from Mr. Destler soon enough. Even if she would be forced to endure his company at the family dinner that evening, at least she would have a brief hiatus from him beforehand.
Erik pulled out the familiar wad of money and offered it to her. She ignored him, packed her belongings, and left without a word.
Once the servant had finished styling Cora's hair and left her alone in her room, she let out an exasperated sigh. There were many times that she had stared at the mirror before her and wished that she had been blessed with a measure of beauty in her younger years, but now she was content with her plainness at the age of five-and-twenty, for she knew that it would be less likely to draw attention from unwanted suitors.
She could hear the laughter and merriment downstairs, dreading the thought of being forced to associate with Mr. Destler. She hoped that the other guests could entertain her with conversation, instead.
Mr. Levour was hosting a celebratory dinner that included Mr. Destler, Ms. Thornfield and her father, Mr. Giovanni, and his beloved friend and conductor, Mr. Johnson. All had arrived in the foyer, save for his daughter Cora, who expressed her apologies upon entering the room.
Erik noted the light pink dress that she wore and how her features did not reflect those of someone eager for a dinner party. He determined that she must not have been fond of such social gatherings, or perhaps it was his presence that had made it so unbearable for her.
Nevertheless, Mr. Levour and his daughters were seated directly across from Erik; Ms. Thornfield and her father to the right of him, and Mr. Johnson to the left. Giovanni sat beside Gisette.
Light conversation was made as the first course was served. Blanche seemed to pay close attention to him, something that did not escape Cora's notice.
Cora could only presume that Mr. Destler's money and good looks were attractive to other women, and she smiled, knowing how difficult he was to get along with. The spoiled and enviable Ms. Thornfield would have a sudden realization soon enough.
"Mr. Destler, you are so talented! And-dare I say-handsome. We are all astonishment that you have removed your mask for us and revealed yourself! It rather takes the amusement away of guessing what sort of sordid tale lay beneath," she mused.
Erik's posture instinctively tensed, unbeknownst to the party. He did not wish for people to guess what lay beneath his mask, for such curiosity would certainly have led to feeling compelled to rip it from his face. He was glad that he had convinced them that he was one of them, for now they would have no need for curiosity.
The public, however, still did not know his secret. He would be wise to have Cora disguise his disfigurement, even beneath the mask, in case of such unexpected revealment.
"Perhaps not all dark secrets are satisfying," he replied.
Cora saw the intensity in his hazel depths as he looked at her momentarily, wondering if she would show a hint of disgust at the thought of his dark secret. Instead, she looked down at her bisque and pretended not to notice him.
Blanche studied Erik's handsome features with a devilish smile.
"You really are quite a mystery. One that I hope to solve someday."
"Would not we all?" Mr. Levour chimed in, and the party erupted with laughter. "Nonetheless, you have brought beauty and prosperity through your music. I could not have asked for a better business partner."
"We were quite surprised when you decided to join the theatre, Ms. Thornfield," Gisette added.
"As was I," Mr. Thornfield, the older man with greying hair, agreed. "But, it is what she wants. And she is very good at it."
"Yes," Blanche said, her full pink lips revealing a smile. "I have received many compliments and suitors-you would not believe the amount of bouquets sent to me after the performance! My room is beginning to look like a garden and I find myself buried alive in roses and lilies!"
Cora gave a forced and weak smile while others chuckled. She hoped that the night would be over soon, lest she be forced to listen to Ms. Thornfield compliment herself for the entirety of the night and watch her and Mr. Destler play upon each other's egos. What a droll prospect!
"No matter, for I could never love a man who does not share my passion for music," she added, directing her flirting gaze at Erik.
Cora was amazed to find that he did not partake in boasting about himself. Instead, he remained silent.
"I cannot wait to be married!" Gisette said dreamily. "I should hope that my husband enjoys the theatre."
"Well, who could not enjoy our theatre?" Giovanni replied with his thick Italian accent. "I think our guests could not have had more pleasure if they tried. What say everyone to another ball...say, in a fortnight? It was much too fun to not repeat!"
"What a splendid idea!" Blanche agreed. "What if we were all to join in on Mr. Destler's fun and don masks?"
"A masquerade would be lovely!" Gisette exclaimed with young enthusiasm.
The table buzzed with excitement and conversations about time, place, and what to wear. Blanche turned to Erik and spoke quietly to him, "I do hope that I can claim you as a partner at least once."
Erik's heart felt light, for once. Not even a few years ago, he never would have thought to hear those words. To have a beautiful woman show interest in him was a newfound and wonderful experience.
"I could certainly never refuse a beautiful woman," he smiled before taking a sip of wine.