“If you tell anyone what happened, I’ll beat you again. I should ‘ve sent you to an orphanage when your father died, but I promised I’d take care of you.
Christine refused to cry, no matter how the cane bruised her flesh. If she could just hold out till Philippe’s return, the cruel treatment from his mama would be at an end.
“Are you in much pain?” asked Philippe, pouring water into the washstand.
“Not till you started using cold water,” Christine winced as her wounds were cleaned.
“That is the best I can do. My mother means you harm if not with the beatings, then by starvation. Pack your bags. We’re leaving at nightfall.”
“Where are you taking me? I have no one else.”
“I know of someone who will feed and care for you till your wounds heal. Then you will join the Paris Opera as a chorus girl. Would you like that?”
“Yes, very much. I can’t wait to leave this place.” Christine lowered her eyes, “I didn’t mean to be ungrateful.”
“Your words do not offend me. I know who took my money. When Richard returns, I=ll deal with him. The little sneak will get himself killed one day.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say about your brother.”
“Richard thinks he owns the world because he’s firstborn. The only reason I get better treatment then you are because I look like my father. And I can keep the books.”
“Surely your brother has some talent.”
“He spends large amounts of money on women of questionable character. I have been running this farm since my father died. I=d better leave before mama gets suspicious. Eat this. Get some rest. We leave at dark.” Philippe was gone before Christine uttered a word of thanks. She took three generous bites of bread and cheese before lying on the cot to rest, but not before wrapping her meal in cloth.
Christine woke before sunset and packed her meager belongings in the carpetbag her father left her. Most of what she had was cast offs from other farm girls who outgrew their homespun dresses and didn’t have sisters. Christine knew the roads weren’t safe, especially at night, so she sewed her money in the hem of her gown.
Philippe entered the garret after sunset as promised, “Where did you get that money?”
“I sold papa’s clothing after he died. The rest people gave me. I sang at the local fair last year, remember?”
They left using the back staircase. “I bought you this. You=ll need it now that we are out of the house,” he said, clicking his tongue to move the horses. Christine knew better than to question Philippe. “Thank you.” She winced, gritting her teeth as the pain of those wounds on her back throbbed
“We will have to get those tended to when we get where we are going. Don’t worry. I know this person is a lot kinder than my mother was.” Christine doubted the old woman would even know she left. After what seemed to be a long time, they stopped in front of a small house.
“Walk behind me and be silent.” Philippe knocked on the door using his cane. A girl, about nine years old, with chestnut hair, bobbed a curtsy, and stepped aside to let them in.
“So, this is the young lady you’ve been telling me about, eh Philippe?” asked a tall lady with a booming voice as they were shown into a parlor.
“Madame Giry, May I present Miss Christine Daee.” Christine bobbed a curtsy.
“Madam.”
“After she recovers from her malady, perhaps she could audition for the chorus.”
“Auditions won’t be for two months, but I=m sure we can arrange to keep her occupied till then. How much schooling have you had, Christine?”
“Very little, Madam. My father taught me my letters and numbers, but it was Philippe’s papa that taught me to read with his boys.”
“And, what is it that you read?”
“The Bible, Madam.”
“Very good. Enough questions for now. It’s time to rest. Meg will show you to your room.@ Meg came from where she sat, motioning Christine to follow.
“Thank you for your kindness, Madam, Philippe,” she said, bobbing another curtsy before leaving the room.
“That young lady will make a wonderful wife someday,” Madam Giry said, cleaning her spectacles.
“I know.”
“Where is the little brat?! I swear I’ll cane her within an inch of her life when I find her!”
“You can stop yelling, mother, Christine is gone.”
“Gone? Gone where?”
“I took her away last night to someone who will look after her properly.”
“Tell me where she is! I must know!”
“I think not! All you’d do is beat her when she speaks the truth! I know who took that money, by the way.” For the first time in his life, he saw the color in his mother’s face drain chalky white. Richard grimaced and turned red.
“You have no right to raise your voice to me! I am your mother!”
“I have every right where Christine is concerned! All she wanted was love and understanding. You and Richard treated her like a servant. You broke your promise to look after her mama, for that you will burn in Hell!”
AI can have you tossed out of here, Philippe. I=m the heir, remember?@
“An heir with no trust fund or farm. That=s right, Richard. On my way back home, I spoke to Mr. Barnes, our lawyer. Instead of paying your debts this time, you will work as a servant here.”
“I know nothing of servant life.”
“You will learn. I=m giving you the rest of the day to prepare. You will need your rest. Servants rise at five.”
“What if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll hand you over to your creditors and let them deal with you.” This time, Richard’s face paled.
“What about me? Surely, I’m too old to work.”
“I haven’t forgotten about you, my dear. It’s the nunnery for you. Perhaps you can find forgiveness among those that are trained to forgive.” For the moment, no one said a word. Richard rose first and went to his room, mother followed ten minutes later.
“You are your father’s son. Punishment was always swift and severe. Can’t you reconsider and let me stay at the farm?”
“With Richard in Debtor’s Prison, there’s no one to look after you. I’d never forgive myself if you were all alone and there was trouble.”
“At least see me to the door. You owe me that much.”
“A nunnery is far better than you deserve, mother. “
“Good-bye then.” Philippe watched as his mother climbed the steps to the old stone building. She did not look back as the iron gate creaked shut behind her. Once her skirt cleared the doorway, it closed with a thud. He heard the bolt as it slid into place. He crossed himself and climbed into the carriage.
Unseen by anyone in the Giry household, a shadowy figure entered the upper chamber where Christine Daee lay sleeping. Horrified by the wounds that marked her back, Erik resisted the urge to swear an oath. Instead, he cleaned her wounds and sang to her when she whimpered. Christine’s cries ceased when Erik held her. Once her body went limp, he placed her back in the bed, covered her up, and left as quietly as he came.
“What do you think?”
“I won’t know until I hear her sing. Bring her to me at sunset.”
“People will be suspicious if I leave the house. I’m being watched.”
“Then let me take her with me. She can’t stay here and remain unnoticed by the patrons of the Opera.”
“I don’t trust your motives either. Christine is too young for what you have planned. Besides, she needs time to heal inside and out. Removing her now would upset her emotionally.”
“I want her. I will have her.”
“Now isn’t the time to be spoiled and selfish, my friend. Christine stays with me.”
Maestro considered her words. The cape and half-mask would frighten the child, which was the last thing he wanted.
“Three weeks then. The Paris Opera has open auditions.” Madam Giry nodded her approval, but was uneasy.
“She looks wonderful.”
“See what love and kindness would do?”
“The cuts and bruises on her back are gone too,” said Meg. This bought stares from both Philippe and Madam Giry. Meg left. Having some excuse to make tea.
“I have an empty house now. I’m going to close it up while I’m away.”
“So your mother is at a nunnery, huh?”
“And Richard is in Debtor’s Prison. Apparently, he refused to work off his debts.” Meg=s hand trembled as she poured the tea.
“I’ll do that. Go back to your lessons.” Meg curtsied and turned to leave.
“Meg is upset with me because I want to send her away to boarding school. I want my daughter to have an education. She has outgrown the textbooks in my library.”
“Christine should go too. Just for a few weeks until Meg settles in. I can arrange it.”
“Thank you, Philippe, said Madam Giry, smiling a weary smile. At least with both girls gone, the old lady didn’t have to worry about protecting them from Erik.
“You anger me, Giry,” Maestro said, slamming his fist on the table.
“Well, I am not sorry for sending the girls away to school. Your attraction to Christine is unhealthy. The girl is only fourteen. And Meg didn’t need to be exposed to the trappings of the Opera House or its Ghost.” Erik remained silent. He knew what Madam Giry did was for the best, but being separated from Christine was more than he could bear, even if it was for a few weeks.
“I can find Christine. I know Paris.”
“If the girls disappear from the Convent School, I will call the authorities. Yes, I am threatening you. Keep you distance, Erik.” Instead of arguing with the old woman, Erik rose from the table and left. Madam Giry felt uneasy at the self-imposed silence. She must alert Mother Superior to keep an eye on her two new charges at the Convent. Grabbing her shawl and a lantern, she slipped out the back door to the stables, unaware that she was being watched by a pair of gray glowing eyes.
“Is it true, Meg? Philippe’s mother is in this convent? I must leave. It isn’t safe here,” Christine pulled the carpetbag from underneath her cot.
“I don”t think you will see her, Christine. There is another convent in the city. Philippe knows not to put his mother near any children after what happened with you.” Christine was still uneasy, even after lying down on her cot. Meg’s breathing slowed, which meant she was asleep. It was nice that Mother Superior allowed her to have a bed near the window. Putting her feet into her slippers, she crept to the window and unhooked the latch. A hypnotic sound lured her to the ladder, which lead to the roof. Unable to resist, Christine started climbing.
“I do realize your concern, Madam, but I assure you that our doors and windows are always locked at night. The girls here are quite safe. I cannot extend any special privileges to Meg or Christine.”
Isn’t there another part of the convent you can put them in? I mean. This place is large enough for all the girls to have their own rooms.”
“Unfortunately, our convent is very old and in need of repair. We only allow the graduating seniors to have their own rooms. Christine doesn’t need our school. The Countess’s late husband did a wonderful job educating her.”
“That was one of the few good things that occurred on that farm. The Countess treated her no better than a servant girl after her husband=s death.”
“Unfortunately, there isn’t much I can do. Our order in Switzerland is full too.”
“Most of the money I have put aside is for Meg’s dowry when she marries. “
“Yes, Christine has handed me the money she sewed in her dress.”
“I have taken enough of your time. Please be on your guard.”
Maestro smiled to himself as Christine reached the top of the ladder. She looked lovely by moonlight. Unfastening his cape, he placed it around her shoulders.
“Hey, aren’t you getting up today?”
“I don’t feel well. Please ask Mother Superior to send for the doctor.”
“Does this happen to have anything to do with the open window last night? I had to leave my warm bed to close it.”
“Meg, Go down to breakfast. I’ll see to Christine,” said Mother Superior. Meg nodded and bobbed a curtsy.
“I bought you some tea with lemon. It will help with your sore throat and congestion.”
“Thank you. I wish I had part of that bread fresh from the oven and butter too,” Christine said, licking her lips.
“I’ll bring you some broth. If you keep that down, You can have the bread and butter.”
“Christine is all right, isn’t she?”
“I told you to stay away.”
“Giry has told me to be on my guard.” Mother Superior pressed her finger to her lips. Christine sighed and rolled over. Maestro walked to the side of the bed and reached for the sleeping girl, ignoring the nun=s protests not to wake Christine. Erik dismissed her with a wave of his hand. Alarmed by the paleness of her skin and warmth of her body, he cursed himself for luring her outside on a cold night in a thin nightdress and bare feet.
“If I didn’t need the funds you donated to rebuild the convent, you wouldn’t be allowed to see that child as Giry instructed.”
“I don’t fear that old woman. You need my treatment for her fever. If we left her care to the doctors in Paris, she’d be dead from the bleeding and purging.’ A loud thud startled Mother Superior, causing her to race from the room. Erik smiled to himself as he pulled the milk bladder from his cloak, running the nipple against her lips. Hecates Cure was awful if the tea got cold, but a little honey masked the bitter taste. Christine fought to keep the liquid from her mouth, giving in when she tasted honey. She needed to ease the gnawing hunger in her belly and put the fire out in her throat.
“I mean you no harm, my sweet. Drink. The medicine in this milk bladder will cure your raging fever. ” Maestro pathed, rocking back and forth to soothe her. “That ‘s it. Trust me. ” As dawn came, color returned to Christine’s cheeks. Erik smiled again, kissing her forehead before retreating to the rundown part of the convent.
“One more day of bed rest and you should be good as new,” Mother Superior smiled.
“Are you going to need my help cleaning up after the workers leave?”
“I want to help too.”
“Meg, you have lessons, but you can help after you finish them.”
“If you are strong enough, you can start tomorrow.”
“Supper is about to be served. We’d better go down to the dining hall.”
” May I come too? Mother Superior, the soup, bread, and tea are great, but I’m ready to eat something hardier.”
“I don=t know…”
“I promise to cover up and put my slippers on. If I get cold, or tired, I’ll come right back to bed.”
“Are you certain you can handle four flights of stairs?”
“The exercise will do me good,” Christine smiled, nodding her head. In no time flat, she had her robe and slippers on and descended the stairs with no trouble.
“Tonight, we have a special treat. Christine is well enough to have her evening meal with us. And as you know, tonight is music night.”
“Are you going to sing tonight Christine?” asked Maddie, smiling.
“Maybe. It depends on how I feel.” Mother Superior clapped her hands for silence. Everyone took their places around the table behind their chairs.
“Aw, we never got to hear Christine sing. Can’t we stay till after she sings?” Maddie pleaded, through half open eyes.
“You know the rules, Maddie. You=re half asleep as it is.” Twelve of Maddie’s
classmates were nodding off too.
“I’ll sing for them. And help get them ready for bed.”
“One song, then it’s bedtime.” Everyone did as they were told mainly because they wanted to hear Christine’s song, a lullaby. When she was through, the room was silent. Everyone fell sleep. She placed Maddie in her bed, blew out the candle, and tiptoed from the room. Christine yawned as she climbed the last two flights to her room. Her bed was warm, a welcome sight after the sing along. Kneeling before the hearth, she crossed herself and said her prayers. Christine was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
“You sang well tonight, Christine, but you must be trained if you are to audition for the Paris Opera, ” Maestro pathed, “I will help you. Do not fear me, for I am an angel. ” A loud bang followed by a wail startled Christine. This sent Maestro retreating to the shadows, but he didn’t stay hidden there for long. One of the nuns ran to the room on the second level. In a few minutes, all was silent. Christine tossed in her sleep. Sitting on the bed, he reached for the shaking child, as he had a few days ago. Maestro rocked and sang the same lullaby she sang to the children. He smiled as her body went limp. “We will be together soon,” he whispered in her ear, as he held her closer. “This time, not even Giry will keep us apart.”
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” said Meg, watching Christine pack her clothes.
“Auditions are in a few days, Meg. Don’t worry. In a few months, you will be home for Christmas.”
“That’s almost three months away. I can’t wait that long.”
“Tell you what. If I am not in any major productions this season, I’ll try to arrange it so that we can spend time together on weekends.” Meg smiled.
“I can’t believe you let a girl join our company,” sniffed Carlotta, “We don=t have time to babysit.”
“Nevertheless, it was my choice to put her in. As manager of the Paris Opera, I say who stays. Christine can hit the high notes you are unable to. We need more singers like her in the chorus.” Carlotta’s face reddened. Pulling out her fan, she fanned herself, sniffing her disapproval. Carlotta worked too long and hard to be usurped by a mere girl.
“Someone has been giving her lessons. No one can sing bel canto without help. I intend to find out who her teacher is.”
“Do anything to upset the order in this company and you’re fired.” Carlotta’s face paled. She knew, at age 25, her time on the stage was a short one. Young girls that were a threat to Carlotta were removed from competition. The last was placed with a rival company, thanks to the pull from one of the patrons last season. Because of this, the girl was now at the top of her profession, enjoying the life of a diva in Austria, which rattled Carlotta to the core.
“It looks like Carlotta is jealous of you, Christine. I’d watch your back.”
“With Andre’s piercing gaze, I doubt Carlotta will try any of her usual tricks.”
“He doesn’t look kindly on jealous divas. No doubt he has warned her already.” Unseen by anyone, a pair of gray eyes watched the activity in the opera house. He smiled to himself as Carlotta continued fanning in an agitated manner.
“I don’t care about Carlotta. All I want is to please the manager so he will keep me at the Opera.”
“You should still be careful. Try to stay out of the way.”
“Walk with us when we leave. It=s safer that way.”
“I don’t have anywhere to stay.”
“We’ll set you up at our boarding house down the street. It=s not much, but you=ll have a roof over your head and food in your belly.”
“I run a respectable boarding house here. No men allowed. This is a proper house for ladies. Meals are served promptly at 7:00 a.m., noon, and six. If you’re late, you get what’s left. Most of the time, it’s not much. I make a special dinner for the cast after each performance during the season. Those that aren’t in the cast will help prepare food in the kitchen and serve. Everyone attends church on Sunday. Do you have any questions?” Jenny asked.
“How much is the rent?”
“Don=t worry. Someone has already taken care to pay your rent for the next six months.@ Jenny leaned in closer. “Would you like a hot bath?”
“It doesn’t cost extra does it?”
“No.”
“If it’s no trouble I would, please.” Christine couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed a good soak.
“Nancy, have a bath prepared and bought to room sixteen.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” she said, curtsying. The tiny woman hurried to the kitchen.
“Follow me.”
“Dinner’s almost ready.”
“I’ll be down in a minute. I can do this part, Nancy.” The excitement of the day exhausted her, but Christine was determined to stay awake through dessert. Her room was small. The big four-poster bed took up a lot of room. Unpacking her meager belongings didn’t take up much time or space in the armoire. She looked at herself in the mirror on the way out. It felt good to be clean and wear clean clothes.
“Will you sing for us tonight, Christine?’
“Not tonight. I hear my bed calling me,” she said, through half opened eyes.
“I forgot. You aren’t used to such late hours.” Everyone standing around the piano in the parlor groaned as Jenny said this.
“I’ll make it up to you when I am not so tired. Good night all,” Christine said curtseying. She collapsed on the bed, sighing. Thank goodness Jenny put her on the bottom floor. Four flights of stairs were too much tonight. She wasted no time in stripping to her shift. Placing her dress and shoes in the wardrobe, she knelt by the bed, crossed herself, and said her prayers. Before she blew out the candle, she filled the basin by the bed with water and rubbed her teeth with cloth. Closing her eyes, she sighed again.
“Let me sing to you this time,” Maestro pathed, sitting on the bed.
“How did you get in here? If Jenny finds out, she will force me to leave,” Christine said, sitting upright in bed. “This is a proper house for ladies.”
“I won ‘t harm you. Let me hold you.”
“I don’t know you that well.’ Unhurt by her resistance, he reached for her hand.
“You will, in time. Lie back.” Christine shivered, but obeyed. Maestro grinned ruefully as she eased into slumber during the lullaby. Christine’s eyes opened, but she was unresponsive to his touch, as he lifted her onto his lap. Holding her more tightly than before, he whispered in her ear, “Come to me when you hear my call.” Kissing her forehead, he sang to her again, placing her limp body back in bed. Retreating to the shadows, he chuckled to himself. He now found a way to summon her for lessons without getting caught at the opera house.
“If I had my way, that girl would never be cast in any opera, so long as I head this company.”
“You heard what Andre said the other day about causing trouble,” Madam Giry said. Carlotta’s face was red as she whirled around to face the old woman pinning her costume.
“How do you know what he said! You weren’t even here!”
“I have ways of finding things out. You are fat and complacent with your position as diva. Christine is young and already surpasses you in talent. That’s why she’s a threat to you now because you are easy to replace if there is trouble. If I were you, I’d attend practice more often and work on your voice instead of scheming against the child. While you’re at it, loose the pouch around your middle. It’s not healthy for a woman your age.” Carlotta’s face paled this time. Not even the last costume girl spoke with such a forked tongue. The rest of the fitting was done in silence. When Giry left, Carlotta broke her fan. Maestro chuckled behind the wardrobe. Getting rid of Carlotta would be easier than he thought.
“It looks like I’ll be a wardrobe mistress for this production of La Triviata. I didn’t expect to get anything my first time out,’ Christine sighed, placing an arm around Meg.
“That’s not too bad,” Meg said, “At least you can earn money.”
“It is when you have a jealous diva ready to pounce the moment you make a mistake.”
“Carlotta knows she has plenty of competition.”
“How come you know so much about this?”
“Carlotta had a kind nature once Mother and I were invited for tea when we had money. After papa died, most of the money went to pay off Papa’s creditors. Carlotta snubbed us because of her link to Lord Edward, Duke of York. They were to wed in the spring five years ago. Lord Edward heard her snubbing us and called off the wedding, ordering her from his property.”
“Now, she must sing to earn her supper, right?”
“She did it to entertain Lord Edward and his friends. Her mother forced her to earn money through the opera. Otherwise, they’d be beggars on the street.” Christine nodded her head, continuing to listen.
“You might want to get someone else to tell you the rest. Mother would cane me if I told any more.”
“We’d better wash up for tea. Your mother shouldn’t be kept waiting.” Meg ran ahead. The soothing voice she heard stopped her in her path.
“Come to me, Christine.”
“I can’t come now. Madam Giry will be suspicious if I don’t show up for tea.”
“Very well. I await your return to the boarding house.”
“Aren’t you coming, Christine?”
“I’m just picking flowers for the table.”
“You stupid girl! You stuck me with those pins again!” Christine tried unsuccessfully to avoid getting smacked with Carlotta’s fan.
“I’m sorry. I told you to stand still.”
“Ouch! -You stuck me again! You did that on purpose!” Christine yelped as Carlotta whacked her bare back mercilessly.
“What’s going on in here?”
“Nothing, Giry. I dropped my fan.” Christine stood against the wall, hiding the bleeding welts on her back. A pair of gray eyes glowed red like fire.
“Are you sure? The noise would’ve woke the dead.”
“Everything=s fine. Right, Christine?”
“Yes, Madam.” Madam Giry left. Carlotta grabbed Christine=s face.”
“Tell anyone of this and your dead.” She smacked Christine’s cheek hard, leaving in a swirl of pinned costume.
“Maestro, Help me,” Christine wailed, as her knees gave way.
“I’m here, love. I’m here.”
“My back. It hurts.” Maestro’s eyes turned red when he saw her red cheek and bleeding welts crossing her back in an X.
“Do you trust me, Christine? ” Maestro pathed, kneeling to brush tears from her eyes. She nodded through a veil of tears, too afraid to speak.
“Then come with me.”
She opened her mouth to speak but he pressed a finger to her lips. With Carlotta in a tiff, she wouldn’t be needed for the rest of the day. Taking her hand, he led Christine to the mirror. When she saw the mask, her breath caught in her throat. Stepping back, she tried pulling her hand free. Placing his left hand over her mouth and nose he held her head, forcing her to breathe Chloroform he poured on a white cloth. Christine’s body went limp.
“Have you lost your mind, Sahib? They will come looking for her when Madam Giry discovers she is missing from the boarding house.”
“You worry too much, my friend. I have my bases covered. Look at her back. Carlotta did that.” The Persian man gasped when he saw the welts on Christine’s back.
“But why bring her here? She is just a child. Too young for what you have planned, I’m afraid.”
“Because the medicine I need to treat her is at the house.”
“And after that?” Maestro sighed, continuing his decent to the boat, using the powers of his mind to soothe the squirming child in his arms.
“It will take time for her wounds to heal. I’m hoping she will learn to trust me by then,” he said, placing the sleeping girl in the boat and covering her with his cape.
“And if she doesn’t? What then? Will you use more herbs to control her mind, bending her to your will?” The Persian stood with his arms folded. The response was slow coming from his employer.
“Until now, I haven’t used any. If she continues to trust me, there won=t be any need to go that far. I’m trusting you to keep my secret safe. Joseph Bucket is snooping around down here. Luckily, I threw him off the track.”
“I’ll see to those traps at once,” he said, turning to leave.
“Before you go, deliver these. I don’t want anyone getting suspicious by Christine’s absence.” The Persian nodded, bowed, and left. Erik stepped into the boat, picked up the paddle, and steered toward home.
“Suspended! Me, but why, Andre?”
“Apparently, one of the patrons of the opera doesn’t=t want you turned out. Remember what I said about causing trouble? Recognize these?” Carlotta paled at the sight of her broken fan. The dress Christine wore was on his desk too. Carlotta=s stomach lurched at the sight of red bloodstains on the white calico.
“How long will my daughter be suspended?”
“Sixty days. I wanted longer, but we don’t have enough singers to fill in with Christine recuperating.” Carlotta sniffed, but remained silent upon getting a wide-eyed glare from her mother.
“Very well then. We will return in 60 days. This is for Christine’s doctor bill, sir,” Carlotta’s mother threw some coins on Andre’s desk.
“I assure you she is being adequately cared for,” Andre said, pushing the coins back across the desk
“Then take it for the inconvenience my daughter has caused, sir. It’s the nunnery for you, my dear.’ Carlotta’s mother motioned toward the door.
“Not the nunnery again…”
“Be silent! I can’t trust you at the house with me at work all day.” Once outside, her mother smacked her hard across the right cheek. “I told you to control that vial temper of yours. Do you see the money it has cost us already?’
“Mother, I…”
“Save your confessions for Mother Superior.” Carlotta hung her head as she walked behind her mother. Erik chuckled to himself as he walked back to the boat. Two months is all he needed to establish Christine at the Opera House. By the time Carlotta’s suspension ended, her services would no longer be needed.
“Lord, help us! He has her,” Giry held the letter so tight, it crackled in her hand.
“You worry too much, my dear. I refuse to believe that Maestro means to do harm to Christine.”
“A man doesn’t teach someone to sing without a price to pay somewhere down the line. Erik means to possess her, body and soul.” Mother Superior turned red.
“Hopefully that won=t happen.”
“You don’t know him as I do. I found him in one of the traveling circuses locked in a cage, dirty, unfed, and mistreated by the public. A gift for this fourteenth birthday from his father. Behind that gentle demeanor is a cold calculating killer, who will remove any obstacle in Christine’s path to stardom.”
“The only thing we can do is pray for Christine=s safe return,” said Mother Superior, sipping her tea.
“Please let me finish. I=m the one who took him in, fed him, bathed him, and educated him. Once he was of age, he boarded a ship for the Mediterranean.”
“What about the mask, the glowing eyes, and the way he moves in the shadow?”
“His mother tried to abort him with a potion a gypsy gave her. Behind that mask is a face with no skin.” Mother Superior’s face paled, the teacup shook in her right hand, spilling on the oak desk, but she motioned the old lady to continue as she wiped it up with her handkerchief.
“Where did he acquire his building skills?”
“While he was in the Mediterranean, he studied the palaces of the Sultan. He returned to Paris and built a Hall of Mirrors for the palace at Versailles. He learned to move in the shadows and the glowing eyes from a magician at the Sultan’s court.”
“I heard that Sultans torture their enemies.”
“That’s why I wish I could bring Christine back here. She was safe behind these walls. With Erik’s possessive nature, she is in danger. Some of the traps I’ve seen come from the Sultan’s torture chambers. His lair is full of them. Otherwise, I’d have the police down there. He pays me well for cleaning Box 5. That and my seamstress skills allow Meg her education and dowry. I may not be able to save Christine, but I’m going to protect my daughter any way I can.’
“Where am I? What have you done?@ asked Christine, trying to sit up. The room started spinning. Pounding in her head forced her to fall back on the pillows with a whimper.
“You ‘re safe. Rest. Sleep,” Maestro pathed, applying pressure to her temples. “Yes, That ‘s it. Trust me.”
“How is she?” asked the Persian, leaning in the doorway.
“Still groggy from the chloroform.”
“I filled the milk bladder in case she gets hungry,” he said, placing the item on a nearby table.
“Thank you. We won=t be needing that.”
“Don’t tell me your going to..”
“Hush, Daroga. She’ll take solids once she wakes,” he said, stroking Christine’s cheek. She turned her head to the side and opened her mouth, sucking on his ring finger.
“Looks like she=s hungry now.”
“Leave us.” The Persian backed from the room, but not before watching Erik lift Christine to his lap through a crack in the door. Reaching for the milk bladder, Erik rubbed the nipple against her lips. Sensing he was being watched, Erik shielded Christine from view. He waved his hand, slamming the door Daroga spied through, knocking him off balance. The lock sliding into place, as Erik moved the index finger on his right hand from left to right.
“Don ‘t push your luck, Daroga, ” he pathed, humming softly to Christine.
Christine looked around the dimly lit room. Her temples still throbbing from the day before. She tried sitting upright, but the wounds on her back made her yelp. A figure looking at her from the shadows, frightened her when she saw glowing gray eyes.
“I won’t harm you, A he said, as he knelt before the bed. The ointment he rubbed on her back stopped the pain enough for Christine to lie back down. Placing both hands on either side of her temples, he pressed with his thumbs.
“I want to go home.”
“You will soon enough. Right now, I’d like it if you’d stay with me, just till you’re healed.”
“Will I be…confined during my stay, Maestro?”
“That depends. Do you trust me?”
“Yes. I do. You haven’t harmed me.”
“Good. It’s a start.” Maestro turned to leave.
“Don’t go. Step into the light. I want to see you, please?” Maestro hesitated then knelt in front of Christine, who sat upright. “Why do you hide your face behind a mask?”
“Because there is no skin and I don’t want to frighten anyone.” Sensing her thoughts, he reached for her left hand. “Touch me.” Christine hesitated this time, expecting the mask to feel rough. She smiled when she found it as soft and smooth as Maddie’s skin. Erik sighed, covering her hand with his own. Before she knew what was happening, he removed her hand from his face, turned it palm-side up, and kissed it. Then repeated the action with the other side. Christine’s eyes widened as he leaned in closer, stopping inches from her face.
“Get some rest,” he said, rising to leave. Christine sighed.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” Maestro said, setting out the plates on the picnic blanket.
“How much do you know about…men and women?”
“Everything. Papa had the nuns explain it.”
“Did he warn you about the opera?”
“Yes. Between yourself, Madame Giry, the Ballet master, and the women I live with at the boarding house, I ‘m well looked after.” Maestro nodded. “I was kept out of sight during the many cast parties in Philippe’s house. Philippe’s Papa saw to that. After his death, I continued to hide. The countess had many bad characters, thanks to Richard’s debts.”
“You shouldn’t worry about Carlotta. I’ll see that she never bothers you again.”
“I don’t. I wish her no harm. I pity her because she must sing for her mother to make up for the financial loss when her wedding was cancelled.”
“I should have Meg whipped for wagging her tongue.”
“Meg didn’t tell all. She was afraid of her mother’s cane I found out that Carlotta had a son who is in foster care from the girls at the opera.”
“That patron fled to England when he was to be a father. Little Edward should be weaned soon.” Christine lowered her eyes, staring at the checkered blanket.
“Is …that what you wanted of me when you tried to kiss me?” This time, Maestro lowered his eyes.
“I just wanted your trust in me,” Maestro said, taking Christine’s hands in his own.
“I wouldn’t be sitting on this blanket if I didn’t trust you. We’d better eat this food before it gets cold,” Christine smiled.
“Would you be willing to….love someone like me?”
“I don’t know you well enough yet,” Christine said, biting into a roll.
That last sentence shook Christine to the core so much that she couldn’t study her Bible. Closing the book, she picked up her hairbrush and began her nightly ritual. The uneasy feeling she had didn’t go away after one hundred strokes. Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, she went to the library for a book. She let herself in quietly, but tripped over the Persian rug on the floor, landing with a thud.
“Are you all right? I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
“I just came to get a book. Couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know you were in here.”
“You should have told me. I would have sung to you.”
“Why didn’t you sing to me instead of using chloroform?”
“You were too frightened. I couldn’t reach you that way. I can remedy your sleepless situation, if you let me, please?” he said, in her ear. Christine’s body stiffened.
“There’s no need.”
“I enjoy holding you while you ease into the Land of Nod. What I have to offer is a lot better than The Origin of the Species. Indulge me, please?” he pleaded, whispering, stroking the side of her face and hair. The tension of the afternoon eased, allowing Christine to relax. She sighed, nodding her consent. Maestro sang softly in her ear, continuing to run his fingers through her corn silk hair. He scooped her into his arms, when her eyelids drooped and her knees buckled, carrying her to her room.
“I think it’s best that you return her to the boarding house. Don=t you?” Maestro said nothing, his hold on Christine tightening.
“I was hoping to have till the end of the week. If I find her missing before then, I know who to come looking for.” Daroga backed up when he saw Erik’s eyes redden.
“I only meant that…a girl her age shouldn’t be staying with a man that isn’t a relative. It’s not proper.”
“She trusts me You and the rest of the world give her far too little credit for knowing what she knows.”
“She’s never seen your eyes when you’re angry or your face behind the mask.”
“I’m sure I can explain my glowing eyes, just as I did the mask.” Erik almost forgot he held Christine in a death grip when he heard her gasping. Removing his glove, he ran the thumb of his right hand over her lips to prevent her from wailing. Christine held his hand after his grip lessened.
“Return her to the boarding house. For her sake as well as your own.” Daroga left, not caring whether he was dismissed, turning his back on Erik, who tripped him by slapping him with the door when he slammed it shut with his mind, the doorknob smacking Daroga’s behind.
“Forgive me,” he said, kissing her forehead and rocking. Christine took several deep breaths, closed her eyes, and went back to sleep, still holding his hand. Hugging her closer he whispered, “I’m not ready to let you go, yet. Everyone will just have to wait.” He had plans for the two people that hurt Christine.
“Look at me, Carlotta, ” Erik pathed, grabbing her face as he sat on her pallet. “You must be punished for the harm you caused Christine. Consider the tattoo I=m about to mark you with the first part. This will only hurt a little.” He placed a hand over Carlotta=s mouth as a circle of thorns were burned into her left breast. Erik clicked his tongue when he felt her hot salty tears on his glove. “It would hurt less if you held still.”
“Please. Don’t hurt me,” Carlotta moaned, wiping her face with the back of her hand
“I always wanted to be your friend, Carlotta, but your temper repulses me,” he said, pinning her body to the mattress with his own. Carlotta stiffened, gasped, and cried again, turning red when her stomach gurgled.
“Is rape my other punishment?” Erik chuckled, kneeling by the pallet.
“No. But I do have a bargain. I’ll give you food, and all the tenderness that’s lacking from your mother, if you help me tame that temper of yours. We will work on that for the next seven weeks. Do we have a deal?” Erik held the milk bladder just beyond her reach.
“Yes.” Carlotta sounded hoarse. Her stomach made a louder noise. Erik lifted her to his lap. Carlotta moaned, eagerly accepting the liquid in the milk bladder.
“That’s it, little girl. Take what you will. You’ve passed the first three tests tonight::empathy, obedience, and trust.”
“I want more. I’ve had no food for four days. Mother’s orders to the nuns at Serenity Convent.” This was no surprise to Erik. Parents always withheld food from a disobedient child, but not for a week He came prepared. She drank more slowly this time, covering her mouth as she belched. Carlotta shivered in her thin nightdress and bare feet. Her body warmed in his embrace.
“Now, sleep,” he whispered, rocking and stroking her brown hair. Carlotta blinked twice before her body went limp. Returning Christine to the boarding house wouldn’t be so painful.
“I shall miss you, my sweet. We will resume your lessons in two months time.”
AI know. I can’t believe you broke through the ice that surrounded Carlotta’s heart.”
“Kindness goes a long way.”
“I can’t wait to see the results of your treatment. I have to go inside now.”
“Before you do, I have something for you. Take this ring. Send it to me if you need me.”
“M-May I write to you sealing the wax with this symbol?”
“You are smart.”
“The Count showed me his symbol. It was a ram’s head.@ Erik clicked his tongue, steering the horses toward the convent.
“Show me your pain.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Carlotta shifted in her seat by the fire.
“In order to help you, I need you to share your pain. I can’t take it away, but I can help you understand it. Just relax,” Erik said, placing his hands on Carlotta’s temples. His gray eyes glowed green as he probed her memories. He felt her pain of being unwanted at birth, the sting of the cane when she failed to make the cut as a ballerina then again as a chorus girl. He felt the pang of hunger when she went without food or water after Edward turned her out, refusing to marry her. He felt the pain of loneliness as her son, Eddie, was ripped from her arms and placed in foster care. All this pain caused by her mother, a parasite to Carlotta and a thorn in her side. He felt the pain of longing to be free of her mother’s control.
“Thank you, my dear,” he said, stroking her damp hair. Tears streamed down Carlotta’s pale cheeks. Exhausted from the mind probe, she slumped in her chair and would have fallen if Erik hadn’t lifted her to his lap. Trembling from the flood of emotions, Carlotta moaned.
“I want my son! Bring me my son!” She wailed. Erik sang softly in her ear, continuing to stroke her hair. Carlotta passed out. Erik’s eyes glowed red.
“I will bring you your son,” he whispered. Kissing her forehead, he placed her on the cot, slowly blending with the shadows.
“I have come for you, Madam,” Erik said, to the sleeping woman.
“Are you the angel of death, come to take me to heaven?”
“You are going on a journey, but before you go, I have something I want you to have.”
” What is it?” asked Carlotta’s mother, sitting up on her elbows.
“Not yet, my dear. You have something I want. Let=s make a trade, ” he said, kneeling by the bed. The old woman turned pale. She hadn’t had sex since her husband died.
“I don ‘t want your body or your money. I want to know where your grandson is?”
“Oh, him. He’s with a lady named Adel on the outskirts of Paris. Can I have my gift now? Where is it?”
“It ‘s not the kind of gift you get in a box. But this is a special gift your daughter wanted me to give you. Now you must hold still. ” Erik placed both hands on either side of the old woman=s head and pressed hard. The old woman screamed.
“This hurts! Please stop,” she begged. Erik’s eyes glowed red. The old hag fell against the pillows, head pounding from her daughter’s memories.
“I hope you like my gift. And the journey you ‘re about to take to a sanitarium. Sleep well old woman, because this is the last night you will sleep here,” he pathed, blending with the shadows. Carlotta’s mother stared after the shadow left.
“I have your son, Carlotta,” Erik said, kneeling by her cot. Edward pitched a fit, hungry from his long journey. Carlotta sat up, took the baby, and unbuttoned her blouse. Edward burrowed into her left breast.
“I used to sneak out at night to feed my son when I wasn’t singing at the opera. Mother almost caught me. Thank you, my friend,” Carlotta said, stroking Edward’s jet-black hair.
“Your mother was placed in the sanitarium this morning. The house and money are yours now.”
“I still have some choices to make concerning my son. My time here isn’t complete.”
“Neither is your time at the opera. I can arrange for a wet nurse.”
“Very well, but I want her and my son with me during practice. I want to wean him myself,” she said, switching Edward to her right breast. Erik nodded, not blaming Carlotta for her mistrust of people. For a fourteen month old, Edward was small.
“This letter came for you, Sahib.” When Erik saw the rose insignia in wax, his eyes widened. “When did you get this?”
“It arrived today.” The words on the page swam before his eyes. “What is it?”
“Jenny’s Boarding House caught fire. Everyone’s ok, but the kitchen and several rooms were damaged.”
“Laughing was heard before the fire from an old woman. They found her remains in what was left in the kitchen.” Erik grabbed his cape and medical supplies.
“I’m going to Jenny’s,” Erik fastened his cape and left.
“Is-is Christine ok? What’s happened?”
“She’s still unconscious.” The worry lines on Jenny’s forehead were dusted with ash and soot. “She won’t eat. I’m afraid she’ll die.”
“The letter didn’t say anything about that.”
“I found the ring and wrote the letter. The old woman was the Count’s mother.”
“The shock must’ve triggered all those bad memories.” He lifted the soot-covered girl to his lap.
“No! Don’t hurt me! Please, Don’t hurt me!” Maestro was alarmed at Christine=s ashen color and cold skin.
“I know who can help you, ” he pathed. Wrapping her in his cloak, he placed her in the coach. “Take us to Serenity Convent.”
“Carlotta, you must save Christine. She and Maddie were sharing her room when the fire broke out. She’s in shock.”
“What can I do?”
“Hold her. Sing to her. And feed her.” Carlotta looked at Erik not sure she heard him right.
“I…can’t.”
“You must or she ‘ll die. I ‘ve seen it done before. Please, You must save her!” Carlotta couldn’t live with the death of Christine on her hands. Humming, she unfastened her blouse, holding the child to her left breast. Christine tried resisting, giving in to her gnawing hunger. Carlotta drew her closer as she latched on, sucking slower.
“That’s it. Drink,” Carlotta coaxed, brushing a damp piece of blonde hair from her head. After twenty minutes, she switched sides. Maestro smiled when the color returned to Christine’s face.
“Thank you my dear. Let me have her,” he said, reaching for the child. Christine opened her eyes.
“Maestro.”
“I ‘m here now. Sleep. ” Erik rocked, held her, and kissed her forehead. Christine sighed, closing her eyes.
“My home can be used until Jenny’s Boarding House is repaired. I would like it if Christine stayed too.”
“No, Christine stays with me.”
“Why don’t you trust me?”
“I do. I don’t want her seeing the burnt side of the building from your house. It might undo all the good we’ve accomplished.”
“What about Maddie? Christine offered to care for her until tomorrow evening. I suppose I’ll have to return her to the convent if you don’t take her.”
“My mask will frighten her. She does not know me. I have no way of keeping a six year old occupied.”
“If it weren’t for the child’s illness, I would be concerned with her ‘occupation’ at your place.” Maestro knew what Carlotta implied, but shook off his displeasure at being reminded of her age.
“Maddie needs a sponsor. Without an education, the child will be placed in a workhouse or service. Both of those options are the only avenue for orphans. With your sponsorship, she has a chance for something better.”
Carlotta knew her time in the spotlight would be ending soon. She needed to train someone else to take her place at the Opera. What Erik said had merit.
“Very well, I=ll speak with Mother Superior.”
“Before you leave, fill these.” Maestro tossed two milk bladders on the table.
“Is Maddie hurt?”
“She’s fine.”
“I was supposed to be caring for her before the…before…” Christine wailed.
“Hush now. You’re safe.”
“When Mother Superior finds that Maddie knocked over the candle that started the fire, she will cane us both. I=d rather die then suffer that humiliation again.@ The chill he felt coming from Christine alarmed him.
“I didn’t think she used that form of discipline on any of the girls.”
“I heard crying coming from the top floor. That=s where the Postulants are placed. She uses the rod to teach them humility.@
AIs Meg still at that school?”
“Madam Giry moved her to another convent school, named Holy Cross Convent. When we went to her house for tea, I told of the ledger I found in the front office at Sacred Heart. Mother Superior left the top drawer in her oak desk unlocked last week. She asked me to bring her gloves. Some of the prettier girls with talent are being sold as slaves for the Sultan’s harem in Constantinople. Those that have their flow fetch a high price because they are ready for relations.”
“Did you recognize any names in that book?”
“I’m sleepy.”
Erik kept rocking. The thought of Christine in a harem unnerved him, but he kept his voice even when he spoke.
“I’ll let you sleep, my love, but first you must tell me if you recognized any of the names in that book.”
“I didn’t, she yawned, “but the ones I saw had no sponsor, except Maddie Buckner, the one I’m looking after. The gold key is around her neck in the shape of a crucifix. The point fits the lock in the top drawer of the oak desk.”
“Good girl. Now sleep.” As she drifted into slumber, Erik had a plan. He left, eyes glowing red.
“Is it true? Are we all safe now?” asked one of the girls at Carlotta’s house.
“Madam Giry spoke, hugging Maddie more firmly, “There is no more convent to return to.”
“Where will we have school? Who will be our teacher?” Maddie asked, biting her nails.
“The nuns at Holy Cross Convent have agreed to take you in, just until they can replace the staff and find a headmistress for Sacred Heart,” Philippe said.
“Oh, good,” Maddie yawned.
“Someone needs a nap. Why don’t all of you lie down. The Count, Madam Giry, and I need to talk,” Carlotta said, ringing the bell for Jane, Edward’s nanny. Nancy, from the boardinghouse, came down to help. Both were given instructions to stay with the children.
After the children were removed, Carlotta spoke. “That nun should be strung up by her toenails after she’s defrocked! Sacred Heart should be torn down.”
“Holy Cross can’t take everyone. They have sixteen girls now, including my daughter, Meg. The waiting list alone is two years long as it is.”
“My home is too close to that nunnery and the opera. I’m not sure little Edward is safe now.”
“That’s why I have offered my Chateau in the country. None of the agents know where it is and well guarded, everyone should be safe. The East wing will be for a school. The West Wing for the ladies of the Opera. Carlotta, Edward should be safe on the top floor of the East Wing, where the nursery is. Maddie and Christine will be up there too until they recover. Then Maddie joins the others in school.”
Madam Giry started fanning, “What of Joseph Bucket?”
“I’m taking ten of the men from the Opera House to live in the Carriage House to guard the grounds. He will be one of them. Five will guard the seaport, looking for anyone suspicious.”
Carlotta’s maid, Julia, came in, dressed in black. “I beg your pardon Miss,” she said, bobbing a curtsey and handing over a letter sealed with a rose, “but this note came for you.”
“Thank you, Julia. You may go now.” Julia bobbed another curtsey and left. When She read the note, she smiled.
“What does it say?” Madam Giry spoke, fanning herself.
“Mother Superior and fifteen of her accomplices are in the cellar of Sacred Heart. They are in no condition to stand trial. All are babbling about glowing red eyes. Those ledgers are in a brown package on a table by the front hall. Would you get them Philippe?”
“Certainly, Madam. Shall I open it too?”
“I’ll do that. Just bring it here, please.” He returned with a brown package. Carlotta opened it to find the ledgers and envelopes with names on them.
“We’ve hit the jackpot! Mother Superior kept notes on everything. I bet one of those ledgers has the names of all the girls shipped to Constantinople. It looks like there are pictures of the foreign agents too, in case they blackmailed her.” Philippe said, turning the pages of the well-worn ledger.
“Mother Superior wasn’t planning on getting caught herself, ” Carlotta frowned. “These are the envelopes with the girls’ dowry in them Meg’s and Christine’s are in here too.”
“Will the girls be returned to their families?” Madam Giry asked.
“Not likely. Once the Sultan has relations with them, their families view them as ‘tainted goods’ Our only mission is to prevent any mote young girls from being taken,” Philippe said, handing Madam Giry Meg’s envelope.
There was a long pause before Philippe spoke again.
“The girls will be moved tonight. Have everyone ready to move at twilight. When I meet this mystery person who brought tin Mother Superior and fifteen others, I’m going to shake their hand.”
“I’m sure they know already,” Carlotta winked at Madam Giry.