Ch 133

Marco's exit was far more polite than mine would have been given the circumstances. He mumbled a thank you for my time and quietly closed the door as he walked out, leaving me alone with my brother.

"Don't," Phelan said when I looked at him.

"I didn't–"

Phelan shook his head but said nothing further and I didn't utter a word per his request.

Through the closed parlor door, I heard Claude excitedly call Marco's name and assumed Raoul had finished his conversation and prepared to leave.

I stood, looking from my brother to the door. "I'll return shortly."

"You needn't rush back for me," he said, sounding quite miserable.

"Lan," I pleaded.

"Go," he said.

Once I reached the study, it appeared Marco and Raoul had previously met as they were deep in conversation.

"I've known Claude for at least five years now," Marco said, gesturing toward Claude and Apolline, who were seated together on the settee. Claude looked considerably happier in his friend's presence than he had with his father. "He is a genuine and good-hearted individual who has spoken highly of his sister for as long as I could recall. If I had been blessed with a brother, Comte, I would hope he was like Claude."

"That is quite the endorsement," Raoul said. "Perhaps I will see you entering politics with your uncles one day."

"Running against those stuffy old goats, perhaps," Marco said. He looked at me from the corner of his eye. "A pleasure seeing both you and Hermine Leach not only on the same day, but in the same house."

Raoul stood straighter, his eyebrows raised. "Mademoiselle Leach is here?"

"Both of them," Marco answered. "Meanie and Gertie."

"I did not have the opportunity to speak with Hermine after her auditions," Raoul said. "I would like to do so today."

"She is as talented as she is lovely," Marco said. "And unfortunately, no matter how many times I offer, she declines my proposals."

I made a face of disgust, which thankfully went unnoticed.

Raoul's polite expression became stern. "Forgive me, I did not realize the two of you were…"

"We are not, I assure you. More of a long-running jest in which I profess my undying affection and she tells me I'm much too young of a suitor. She's been telling me this since I was fourteen years of age. I can't seem to wear her down."

Raoul grunted. "You are nothing if not persistent."

"Indeed." Marco chuckled to himself and shifted his weight. "You must forgive me, Comte, but are you…?"

Raoul cleared his throat. No, of course not," he said, leaving it at that. He turned his attention to the clock and then to me. "A word, Monsieur Kire?"

"If there is a need for privacy, we are limited to the hall," I replied.

Raoul stepped out of the room while Marco, somewhat reluctantly, accepted a seat across from Claude, who appeared overjoyed to see his friend for the first time in several weeks.

"How may I be of service to you?" I asked Raoul, surprised by the lack of sarcasm in my words. I closed the door behind me and linked my hands behind my back.

"Apolline appears well cared for," he said.

"Does this surprise you?" I asked, immediately offended by his words.

"Yes." Raoul lifted his chin. "She was quite combative at The Elise and I was not certain what state I would find her in today. I am quite pleasantly surprised that she has settled in well."

"She is where she belongs, with her brother."

"Claude tells me he has sat in on lessons with Charles Lowry and has assisted with advancing his sister's studies in the evening after supper."

"That is correct."

"He stated that she could barely read or write when she arrived."

"She was quite far behind Lisette," I said.

"Claude also tells me that he is teaching Danish to a new student."

I narrowed my eyes, unsure of whether or not Claude had named his newest pupil. "He is."

"And how is that evolving?"

"Well," I answered. "From my understanding."

Raoul studied one of the paintings on the wall, a piece of art Charles had left behind after he and Meg moved into Julia's former home that depicted a woman in a rowboat on a lake.

"I've offered him a temporary position," Raoul said without looking at me.

"I beg your pardon?"

"There are several children remaining at The Elise," he said. "Six, to be exact, with no other option for the time being other than to remain wards of a home that is currently being overseen by one of my associate's wives. She has agreed to stay on for two weeks while her husband visits with his parents, and after that…We are considering other options."

"We?" I questioned.

"A handful of the other donors are attempting to keep The Elise in good standing while homes are found for the remaining children or other arrangements are made. They obviously cannot be left alone on the grounds."

"And therefore you want Claude to look after six children for you and your donors?"

Raoul looked me up and down with a look of annoyance. "I would like Monsieur Gillis to consider the opportunity of employment while assisting in the education of six bright young girls. I believe it would be beneficial for both Claude and the children at The Elise."

"How does this benefit Claude?"

Teaching positions were normally reserved for unmarried women. It seemed almost insulting that Raoul de Chagny offered a woman's position to Claude.

"Financially it would be a great benefit," Raoul answered. "As well as lodging and meals provided complimentary for the duration of the time he spends at The Elise."

"What is the duration?"

Raoul's eyes narrowed. He appeared slightly annoyed by my questions. "A minimum of six weeks. At the most, we are hoping to have the children in homes within six months, if not sooner."

"And if it takes longer than six months?"

"Then we will revisit the conversation at that time," he curtly answered.

"What did Claude say?"

"He wishes to speak with you first before giving an answer."

"You wanted to have this conversation in hopes of me coercing him into cooperation when we spoke later?"

Raoul met my eye and scoffed. "You do have a history of persuading others to do as you demand," he said, his tone lacking all courtesy. "But no, I am not asking for you to coerce him into anything."

I turned my head to the side. "Then what are you asking?"

"For you to listen to Monsieur Gillis. He seems to value your insight."

I waited for him to make another sardonic remark.

"A few weeks back you did not believe Claude was capable of caring for his sister and now you want him overseeing the care and education of seven girls?"

"I had my concerns," Raoul admitted. "Seeing Apolline with Claude made me realize my initial reservations were unfounded and that Claude is quite intelligent and motivated to keep his sister in his care. With his artistic skills, interest in education, and fondness for his sister and your son and daughter, I think it would be a good fit. You have quite clearly aided in his recovery both physically and financially. He has had nothing but good things to say about you and I of course agreed with every word."

"Your flattery will not persuade me, Comte."

"I would be quite the fool if I thought I could bend you to my will."

"You may be quite the fool regardless."

To my surprise, he chuckled at my remark, a reaction I found highly irritating. "As much as I enjoy our conversations, I'm afraid I must be on my way as I have another meeting with Le Blanc in thirty minutes," he said, looking at his watch. "I hope Alexandre and Lisette have enjoyed their time spent with Bella and Domini."

"Given their silence, they're either quietly drawing or secretly planning to overthrow the government."

Raoul gave me a peculiar look over his shoulder as I followed him down the hall to the dining room. Through the open door I saw Bessie had made her way into the midst of the children, just as I had expected. She was on her back, ears fanned out and tongue hanging from the side of her open mouth as she received belly rubs from Lisette while Alex, Domini and Isabelle drew from their seats at the table.

"Girls," Raoul said. "Have you enjoyed yourself?"

Both children enthusiastically nodded while they held up their artwork to proudly show their father.

"Good, I am glad that you've spent time with Alex and Lisette. Now, tell them thank-you."

"Are we leaving?" Domini, the younger of the two, asked.

"We aren't done drawing yet," Isabella complained.

"Yes, Papa, look," Domini said, holding up a drawing that appeared to have every inch shaded with colored pencil.

"You can finish your drawings when we return to the hotel," Raoul replied. "I have another appointment and we cannot be tardy."

"But there aren't any pencils in the hotel room," Isabella pointed out.

Raoul looked at his watch again. "Come, we must be on our way. We will find a store that sells pencils before we have supper."

Isabella sniffled, tears flooding her eyes. "But you promised we could play with Alex and Lisette and we haven't played at all."

"Another time, Bella," Raoul answered. "On your feet, my dear."

Once tears did nothing to persuade her father, Isabella employed a new tactic. She crossed her arms, slouched in her seat, and jutted out her bottom lip.

"You can't make me," she said through her teeth.

Alex gasped and looked at me, his eyes wide and lips parted in horror at Isabella's outburst.

"I understand you are enjoying yourself," Raoul said calmly.

"Yes, I am," Isabella snapped. "We are having fun and your meetings are dull."

Raoul looked at me from the corner of his eye, his nostrils flared and jaw tight. "Isabella Margarita de Chagny," he said, pronouncing every single syllable with the precision of a blade. "You will do as I say at once."

"I will not," she said, her tone matching her father's.

"I don't want to leave either, Papa," Domini said softly. She had moved from her seat to the rug where she sat clutching Bessie's paw.

"I understand–" Raoul started to say.

"You don't understand anything!" Isabella screamed. "You never understand."

Raoul's lips parted. "Lower your voice at once," he said calmly.

"I will not!" Isabelle continued to yell.

"You are guests in this home and you will be respectful to the master of this house, is that understood?" Raoul reminded her.

"I would rather live here than with you!" Isabella shouted. "You are a terrible father who doesn't love his children."

Raoul inhaled sharply. He looked briefly at me, his lips parted in shock and eyes wide as the room went silent. "Bella," he said under his breath. "Please, that is enough."

"Isabella?" Alex said, garnering his half-sister's attention. "You may borrow two of my pencils if you want to finish drawing at your hotel," Alex offered. "I don't mind."

Isabella blinked at Alex, her face twisted with emotion and complexion a deep shade of red. Her lip quivered, eyes darting back and forth from my son to her father. "But I don't want to leave."

Alex sorted through his colored pencils, then craned his neck to look at Isabella's drawing. "I would like you to stay as well, but if you do not obey your father, he may never allow you to visit again. That would be worse. Then you would not only never come back, but you'd keep my pencils forever and I would not be able to draw." He held out two pencils in each hand. "You may choose two, but only if you promise to give them back when you visit next."

Isabella hesitated. She looked at Alex's outstretched hands, her face scrunched up with anger. Her hair was lighter in color like her father's, but her rounder face and long waves of hair belonged to her mother and I couldn't help but think she had also inherited Christine's scathing temper.

"Bella," Raoul said softly. "Come, my dear. Tell Alexandre thank you and we will visit another time."

The little girl swiped the back of her hand over her eyes to dry the tears before she took a shaky breath. "I don't want to leave," she wept, her anger giving way to sadness. "Please, I don't want to leave yet. We were having fun for the first time since…since…Dada…please let us stay."

Raoul exhaled hard. "Oh, my darling girl," he said under his breath. He extended both arms, reaching for his oldest daughter. "I know. I know."

Alex looked at me with immense sorrow in his gaze for the loss his half-sisters had experienced that would never be his, for better or worse.

"Comte de Chagny, would you please wait one more moment?" Alex asked.

Raoul rolled his tongue along the inside of his cheek and checked his watch again. "Of course," he said, cradling Isabella's head in his hands.

Alex sprang out of the room and politely walked down the hall as swiftly as he could.

"Uncle Phelan!" I heard him shout. "Why are you in the parlor alone? Are you lost?"

I didn't hear my brother answer as Alex shut the door and Raoul stepped toward his girls and asked if they would fold up their drawings.

"Dada, I'm hungry," Domini complained.

"We will have lunch after my meeting."

"Why can't we eat before?" she whined.

"Because there isn't any time," Raoul answered, once again consulting his watch.

Alex raced down the hall, arms flailing as he yelled for Bessie to run outside before Elvira ate her. Bessie scrambled to her feet, stout legs propelling her around the room where she circled the table before running to me. I called her into the utility room and opened the back door where she raced out and bayed at the birds fleeing from the feeders.

"I found Uncle Phelan," Alex said breathlessly as he approached. "I am fairly certain he was lost in our house, but he will not admit it."

"Pride, Nephew, allow your uncle a bit of pride in his inability to navigate this maze of a house."

Alex grinned as he looked over his shoulder and waved at his uncle, who slowly made his way toward the dining room with Elvira perched on his shoulder.

"That damned bird," Raoul said under his breath.

"Isabella," Alex said, papers in his hand flapping with each step. "This is for you. Now you have paper and pencils to draw at your hotel before you leave. And you cannot read it now, but there is also a folded paper with a note inside. Promise you won't read it until you arrive at the theater?"

"A secret note?" she inquired, keeping her voice low.

Alex readily nodded while he flashed a devious smile. "Promise you will not read it until you leave?"

Isabella pursed her lips. "I promise," she said. Reluctantly she thanked Alex for the paper and pencils and frowned when she looked at her father.

"We will spend the evening at the park," Raoul promised. "Just the three of us."

Once both girls were on their feet, Raoul motioned toward the hall just as Hermine opened the pocket door and Julia walked through with a plate of sandwiches cut in half.

"Who is hungry?" Hermine sang, drawing out each word.

Isabella and Domini gasped while Raoul exhaled and placed his hands on his hips. "That is very kind of you, but we are already late for our next appointment."

"But Dada!" Raoul's daughter's pleaded as they ravenously eyed the food out of their reach.

"Leaving so soon?" Julia questioned.

"Unfortunately, I have a busy day ahead," Raoul replied.

"We are starving!" Domini shrieked as she clutched her belly. "Dada never feeds us."

"That is not true," Raoul said defensively.

Hermine looked from the girls to their father. "Are you heading to the Golden Palace?" she questioned.

Raoul nodded. "Yes, Mademoiselle. I have an appointment with Le Blanc in…" He looked at his watch yet again and sighed in frustration. "Fourteen minutes. I'm certain it will take fifteen merely to find a cab at this time of day."

Hermine snapped her fingers. "I have the solution to your conundrum," she said. "Leach carriages, the preferred mode of transportation to and from the Golden Palace as well as three of the most outstanding theaters in Paris. There is a deluxe summer carriage waiting just around the corner as I have an appointment with Antonio in an hour."

Domini and Isabella swiped sandwiches off the plate Julia held while Raoul shifted his weight, distracted by Hermine's offer. Julia looked completely horrified by their actions, but made no attempt to stop either child from gorging on food.
"Leach carriages?" Raoul questioned. "Another business venture by your brother?"

Hermine nodded readily. "A joint venture between myself and Dear Old Archie. I can assure you we have only the finest horses, drivers, and carriages you'll find in any major city throughout Europe as well as select cities in America. Why, Comte, the only way I'd travel is with a Leach carriage."

I could see precisely how she had persuaded my son into purchasing a phonograph with her perfectly rehearsed words.

She turned her attention to me. "Isn't that correct, Monsieur Kire? You and your family have found our carriages to be the apex of comfort."

"I have no idea what gives you the impression I would know anything about your carriage company," I grumbled.

Hermine remained undeterred by my words. "You've hired our drivers eighteen times in the last six weeks, including most recently a very pleasant ride to the Exposition."

"Hired unknowingly," I protested.

"Do you have any complaints?"

"No," I glowered. The drivers had been very courteous, prompt on arrival and had delivered us safely to each destination. I found the entire experience enjoyable yet highly irritating simply due to the owners of the company.

Hermine smiled brightly and turned back to Raoul. "Comte de Chagny, you heard it directly from the esteemed composer himself. It would be a sincere pleasure to have you and your lovely daughters accompany me to the Golden Palace. The deluxe carriage is quite spacious and equipped with a fan of my brother's invention."

"We simply could not impose," Raoul started to say, but Hermine, who was not one to be denied, waved off his words.

"I insist," she said. "You should not be more than a minute or two late to your appointment and if it's a moment longer than that, then Monsieur Le Blanc will have to lecture me about it, and considering I am signing my contract today, I doubt he will be in the mood to do so. I am very sought after around all of Europe as well as New York City. I suppose Leach products and services are as in demand as, well, this Leach."

I rolled my eyes.

Raoul took a step toward Hermine. "Contract? Which production have you decided upon?" He glanced at me as if he expected competition over Mademoiselle Leach. "Either of us would be fortunate to have you sing for us. I mean that very sincerely."

Hermine placed her hand over her heart and managed to blush as if on command. "Oh, dear, I cannot say what I have decided without officially signing, but, I will give you a hint." She paused dramatically and looked around the room to make certain all eyes were on her. With their mouths stuffed with sandwiches, Isabella and Domini stared wide-eyed in anticipation. "The Leaches," she said. "Are everywhere."

OoO

Thankfully Hermine Leach managed to persuade Raoul de Chagny and his two giggling children to leave my home in favor of her carriage, which was on the curb outside of my front door.

The carriage had a canvas top with fringe and no windows, allowing for a breeze, as well as two fans near the front of the carriage that would increase air flow toward the riders.

"You cannot take food with you," Raoul said as his daughters each grabbed another sandwich and ran, giggling to themselves, out the front door and toward the corner where they ran in a circle. "Girls! Are you listening?"

"No, Dada!" they answered in unison before breaking out in another fit of giggles.

"My apologies," Raoul said under his breath to me. He sighed heavily, but made no attempt to reprimand their behavior. "They are…spirited."

"They are children," I responded as I watched the two of them stuff the remainder of their sandwiches into their mouths as they continued to chase one another like bewitched forest creatures.

Hermine clapped her hands and caught their attention. "March in place!" she said. "Do as I say! I command you!"

To my surprise, the girls immediately ceased chasing one another and did as instructed while continuing to giggle.

"I do appreciate your time, Monsieur," Raoul said without looking in my direction. He stood on the step below me and I easily looked over his head while Hermine delegated commands that had the two girls marching single file around the carriage where they spun on their heels and followed her to the corner and back. "And your patience with my children. This is twice now that they have been so poorly behaved. There are times when I'm certain I've failed at–"

"I would need two extra arms if I wished to count the number of times Alex returned home from the market slung over Meg Giry's shoulder, kicking and screaming in despair when she refused to purchase some shiny, useless trinket."

It hadn't happened since he was Domini's age, but when Alex was much younger, I could hear him halfway down the street screaming for Meg to stop. He sounded like a piglet that had been abducted from the stockyard and dragged to our home by its ear. When I looked out the window, I saw Meg red-faced and muttering to herself, clearly mortified by my son's behavior in public. Those were the instances I considered locking my bedroom door as I had no desire to involve myself in the chaos Alex created.

"I will send Alexandre a set of new pencils via post when we return home," Raoul said.

"No need."

"I insist. He is a very generous child."

"Alex is… Alex." His generosity and kindness had not come from me. "And he does not need additional pencils. Have Isabella return the used ones herself the next time you are in Paris. And if she is able to respond to his note, he would appreciate receiving a letter. He is quite fond of the post arriving at our home with something for him."

"Of course." Raoul inhaled. He turned his head slightly and glanced over his shoulder at me before looking away swiftly. "You've done well by your son, Erik."

My jaw tensed when he referred to me by my given name. It sounded strange to my ears that he spoke to me in such a manner, as one father to another, as two equal men in a civil discussion.

Hermine loaded the children into the carriage and brushed crumbs from their lips, then smoothed their dresses and nodded in approval. She looked up at where Raoul and I stood and gave a nod of approval.

"Christine would be quite…"

"Respectfully, Alex's upbringing is between myself and my wife," I said.

"Of course," he said. "But of course. My apologies."

"It appears your carriage is about to leave without you, Raoul," I said, staring straight ahead.

He lingered a moment longer. "Good day to you."

I had nothing left to say to him and merely nodded. Hermine had his daughters singing a folk song by the time he stepped into the carriage. She grinned back at me and blew kisses to Julia, who came up beside me with the tray containing one last sandwich.

"What happened to the tray? This was full not five minutes ago."

"Alex and Lissy each took one, then Alex took another for Charles and half for Apolline. Isabella and Domini took the rest before I could stop them."

"Like ravenous pigeons," I muttered.

"Be thankful I didn't bring out the pie," Julia teased. She rested her head on my shoulder. "Raoul certainly has his hands full with those two girls. Perhaps a little less full with Hermine's assistance."

I took the last sandwich from the tray. "At least for the next fourteen minutes."

Julia squeezed me tighter. "Perhaps longer."

"Due to traffic?" I questioned between bites. "Perhaps an overturned cart of turnips and parsnips?"

Julia shook her head at me and chuckled. "You are simply maddening. You know precisely what I mean."

I grunted. "Hermine Leach and Raoul de Chagny," I groused. "That is certainly something unexpected."