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Ch. 4
"And so you have it," John concluded. "What will you do with your spare time, now?"
Erik glanced down at the slip of paper that had been handed to him and read the amount of money that it contained. Quite a large sum it had been, and yet it did not matter to him. It wasn't as if he had completed the plans for the new theatre for the money, anyway.
"Actually, there is something that I wish to discuss with you before I take my leave," he replied.
Erik sat back in his chair with a stern expression on his face and rubbed his chin in thought, as John waited for him to continue with interest.
"I am aware that you are weighed down-to put it lightly-with the responsibility of caring for your niece, and I have a proposition for you."
"Oh?"
John's eyebrow raised in curiosity and he leaned back in his own chair, crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap as the suspense lingered.
"It is true that no man wants her, and that she is penniless?"
"'Tis true. She does not belong in our society, and if I had not made a vow to my brother years ago, then I would wash my hands of her!"
Erik could feel his blood boiling at the unkind words spoken about Estella, but for appearances' sake, he remained calmly composed. Was it not enough for her to have to endure the thought that no man had wanted her, that she was destined to be an old spinster for the rest of her life, then to also suffer the hatred among her family as well?
He did not know this woman, but he knew enough of how she must have felt to decide that it should not have to continue, as long as it was in his power to do something about it. And yet, part of him was angered at the question of 'why?'. Why would he do this for a woman, let alone another person? The world had showed no kindness to him, and so why was he about to tempt his own fate by his decision?
Despite his inner protests, he suggested what he had been thinking for weeks.
"I wish to take her on as my charge."
Even the expression of utter shock and confusion on John's face had not surpassed Erik's mirrored emotions that flooded through him once he had actually spoken the words aloud. And how absurd they had sounded in his own ears!
A woman in his house? What a foolish idea it was, even in his mind! Had he not been heartbroken by the last woman whom he had been ignorant enough to befriend, or was he simply desiring some sort of self-inflicted pain? Would it not result in a similar, if not worse, outcome?
No, he could not foresee that a young and beautiful woman, let alone a woman who understood his feelings of rejection and injustice quite well, living in his household, would end well for him.
She could live in a different area of the house, but still have reign over the property-especially if he were to travel somewhere in his spare time. He would not be a bother to her, and perhaps it would be best if the two rarely crossed paths.
But then, was she to continue to live as a caged animal, only in a different cage? Although he knew that he could not offer her much of a normal life-for not even he had associations or went out in public-he determined that, at least, his treatment of her would be far from the abuse in which she currently suffered from.
"You what?!" John cried out in shock. With wide eyes, he could not imagine that he had heard correctly what had been spoken, for any man would be insane to desire such a thing.
"I know how much of a difficulty she has proven to be for you, and I am offering you relief," Erik repeated.
"But what on earth would persuade you to sully your own reputation with her?"
Erik had the strongest urge to tilt his head back and laugh at the irony of his question, but he managed to refrain from doing so. Sully his reputation! Ha!
To everyone else, he remained as an anonymous architect, who, while exceptionally talented in his field, had been a mystery to them. Even if his identity was ever discovered, surely it would not be the sight of Estella that would destroy his image, rather; his face would be enough on its own!
"I suppose that I have compassion for her," Erik admitted.
"But...why? Why have compassion for the likes of an undesirable?"
John continued to stare at his partner in bewilderment, as if Erik had grown another head.
Erik's jaw tightened and his patience was wearing thin.
"It is no secret, even to you, that I am also an undesirable, as you so pleasantly worded it, because of this!" Erik hissed, pointing to the masked side of his face. "You may be able to overlook the natural inclination to question what is underneath, but certainly you are aware that, if I were to attempt to assimilate myself into society and the public eye, even I would not be welcomed!"
John furrowed his brows in both concern and further confusion. Of course he knew that Erik could not be a part of society, for even he himself could not be entirely rid of the questions that arose from the sight of Erik's mask, but yet he could not figure out why he would still wish to burden himself with the hassles of a mixed breed.
Erik could see his reluctancy, and he almost wished that he had never brought the subject of conversation up to begin with. If he was to listen further to the insults spoken about Estella and indirectly relating to himself as well, then he would not be able to contain his temper for much longer, and he would forget persisting in his request entirely.
"You say that you can relate, that you have compassion, and yet you wish to have her live in the home of a gentleman, without the intention of taking her as your wife? Is that to be brought upon the reputation of a young woman-to be your Mistress?"
Erik felt his jaw tighten at the suggestion, and he was highly perterbed.
Not even a minute ago, John had been speaking about his niece as one would describe a foul animal who was unwanted, and now he had changed the manner of his description to that of a young lady who had a reputation to behold! Had he not admitted earlier that she was an outcast?
And yet, Erik knew of his true intentions. John was requiring security in the form of marriage, for he knew that he could not be truly free from her unless she belonged to another man.
He had been afraid that this issue would arise, and though he had toiled over it day and night for many weeks in a row, he had finally ended his deliberation, though he knew his choice to be completely ludicrous.
"Then I will marry her."
After he had said it, he almost regretted it. A million thoughts and warnings whirled through his mind, and he silenced them by the reassurance that he was doing a good deed for someone less-fortunate.
As if marrying a monster is a good deed performed! he sneered in his mind.
But he had contemplated it for quite some time and decided that, should he marry her, the two of them did not have to act as husband and wife. She could have her own space, and certainly he would never ask affection from her.
No, he could never be so cruel as to request that she lay with a monster.
The thought of how close he would come to having a wife and family of his own, and yet how he knew that he would never be loved by her or ask for her to bear his children, was something that greatly pained him. How happiness would, at last, be within his grasp, and yet impossible!
But perhaps, he reasoned, that it would be a good thing, after all. He could not deny that he had been filled with loneliness for the entirety of his life, and it would most likely ease his suffering, even if a little, to have another person to converse with on occasion (especially one who shared similar feelings of loneliness). And maybe they could one day grow to become friends.
A friend. He allowed the word to sink into his mind and thought about its meaning.
A friend was someone who would enjoy his company, wish to talk with him and spend time with him. A friend was someone who he could trust and perhaps even laugh with.
Madame Giry had been like a friend to him, even though she had not condoned his course of actions shortly before the destruction of the Opera Populaire.
How it saddened him from time-to-time to allow his thoughts to dwell on her-how he mourned the loss of the girl who had done so much for him long ago, and what she must have thought of him for causing the downfall of her home. It was all a terrible regret in his mind.
He ignored the stab of guilt in his gut and focused on the matter-at-hand. He could only hope that Estella would grow accustomed to life at his estate, and perhaps-dare he entertain the idea of it?-become fond of her new home. Even if nothing romantic should come of it, he admitted to himself that the idea of a friend was quite appealing.
"Marry her?! My dear fellow, I am afraid that you do not know what you are asking! I will hold responsible the fact that you are not yet married and have the normal desires of any other gentleman, but of all of the women in the world, certainly you cannot be serious about marrying her!"
Erik sighed impatiently and reached his hand into the inner pocket of his midnight-black waistcoat. While he had thought that John would immediately rise to the occasion of being free from taking care of his niece, he had also prepared himself for the possibility of his stubborn reluctance, and he drew out a wad of money and set it on the desk that had seperated the two of them.
"Will this do well to change your mind?" he asked a little-too-harshly.
Erik could not even smile when he noted the greedy look in John's eyes and watched him count out the large sum, for he was disgusted that he should have to pay for Estella as one would a slave. How weak and fickle anyone was who could be bribed by a high price! He was a puppet to paper, and nothing more.
"Well I...I will go tell her, immediately!" John stuttered, rising from his seat.
"I will be much obliged," Erik replied darkly.