10
Helen sat stiffly, wondering why in all her travels she had nothing to prepare her for this. She was thankful he kept his face covered and sat in the shadows.
"You know of my sister's concerns?" She began.
"I do."
"Then prove to me they are unfounded, that you are not worthy of hate. I have made an agreement with Katrina that I will give you that chance. I must warn you that it is for her sake alone I promised."
There was a pause before he said; "Now I see your sister in you. While I am grateful for your concern on my niece's behalf, I must reject it. There are parts of my life and her own which are best left sealed, and for that reason, no man shall take her from me. You have seen enough of my work to know I am not to be trifled with, nor do I have an abundance of patience. As Katrina has attempted to make the way smooth between us, and it is not a danger, I will humor her. As you warned me, I warn you, it is for her sake only. I am not a tolerant man."
Helen nodded wrapping her round arms about herself tightly. "We agree to silence and forbearance then? Very well. I shall have to return to Marie tomorrow morning with some explanation of what has happened. I suppose I ought to stay with our original story, how I took her home and stayed over when…Katrina became ill."
"That would be best. The fewer details, the less to remember, the less to ruin. I will take you above in the morning before Katrina awakes and you need never venture down here again."
Helen let out an involuntary sigh of relief, her old humor returning. "That, I think, would please me. Forgive my saying, the damp down here doesn't quite agree with me."
He made no reply, but stood and walked into his rooms, leaving her to her own devices.
Helen and Katrina's stories were accepted without question, and the only real issue seemed to be the discussion of Pierre's funeral. After a full and rather abnormal day of arranging the black dress for the services, and rushing from Madame Tessa's workrooms to Marie's dressing room, Katrina was thrilled to return to the house on the lake.
It was only after the evening meal when the sisters where in their dressing gowns and enjoying tea by the fire that Marie probed. "Well? What was he like?"
"The first time you asked me that, was when a boy hung about the gate and you were too shy to say hello. As I recall you were certain you were going to marry the scamp." Helen hedged.
"As I recall it, he was infatuated with you, dear heart." Marie snapped, "Now tell me what Erick was like, you impossible female!"
Weighing her words carefully, Helen said, "You were right, he's not a common man. But I think you were wrong that he is bad for Katrina. She would be much the worse without him."
Marie leaned back and eyed the fire, then her sister. "He's scared you, which I can see. It takes a lot to frighten you, Helen, and I don't like it."
"I don't claim to like it, but I do claim to be at a tentative peace with it. There are people," Helen stopped and shook her head as she took a long drink from her mug.
"Go on, there are people," Marie prompted.
"There are people who are mirrors. They are born to show us our souls, all the worst and best in us. This Erik is one of those people, who show us what we really are. It's not a pleasant experience, but I can't be entirely sorry for it."
Marie looked thoughtful. "Katrina is that way, but she's so loving that you only want to be the better person for her sake."
"The way that child sees the world is truly a wonder," Helen agreed