My Angel of Music

The Visitor

Erik did get better.  He never went in the music room alone, unless I was sleeping.  I felt guilty for taking him away from his music, but I was his wife.  He had an hour to play the piano while I napped, and once a day we would sing together, so it wasn't like I had not let him touch the piano.  He looked happy, and I was over joyed.  Isn't that what mattered?

One day, about a week after our fight, Erik rounded up all the male servants and took them to the edge of the land to cut down trees for firewood.  He owned about 20 acres so the border of the land was pretty far from the house.  I gave all the girl servants the day off, to do whatever they wished.  I said they could all use the carriage and go into town if they pleased.  They all smiled broadly and cried out their thanks as they hurried off to get ready.

I sighed and went outside to bid farewell to my husband.  He stood, watching the men saddle the horses that were going to drag the trees back to the house so they could chop them into firewood.  I snuck up behind him and put my hand on his shoulder.  He spun around, already knowing it was me.  "I'll miss you, my dear husband."  I said while pulling him into an embrace.  My head rested on his chest and he kissed my hair.  "I'll be gone until dinner time, but if you need anything at all, feel free to tell the stable boy to saddle a horse for you and you can ride over to us.  We will be over there, towards the east."  He pointed in the direction.  "I'm leaving the stable boy here in case you need him, alright?  Behave yourself, my love."  He ordered, kissing my forehead.  

"Why can't I come with you?"  I whined.  Erik chuckled.  "Because, it's warm outside and I'm afraid that you might over heat."  He explained.  "It's only May!  I promise to be good!"  I begged.  He shook his head.  "It would be doing me a favor if you just stayed here."  He laughed at my pout.  I found no amusement, but couldn't stay mad.  "Be good.  I love you."  He whispered.  "Don't over work yourself or I will be quite upset when you return.  You'll need all your energy to stroll in the gardens after dinner."  I ordered, giving his hand a squeeze before walking back into the house.

I didn't know what I was going to do all day.  I guess I could read or maybe sew.  I didn't know what to sew, though. And I had almost read every book that Erik had suggested.  Maybe I could bake Erik something.  I'd made him cookies before.  That time they didn't turn out so good but maybe I could do better this time.  I nodded to myself and was about to call to a servant to help me prepare, but remembered that I had given the day off.  I didn't know where the supplies were.  How was I going to find anything?  I walked towards the kitchen with determination.  I had all day to figure it out, I supposed.  

***

Two hours later I wiped my hands on my apron.  My work was finished, at last.  It took me a while to find the pans, bowls, eggs, flour, and all that but I managed.  I stood before my creation and marveled at it.  I had made about 40 petite sugar cookies.  They were a little brown around the edges, and they didn't look very pretty, but as I placed one on my tongue, I knew that they couldn't have tasted better.

I was putting them on a dish when I heard a knock at the door.  Who could that be?  I wondered.  I figured it was just the stable boy, checking in on me, as he was told.  i dusted of my hands and wiped the flour off of my forehead.  Walking towards the door, I looked at the ground, not thinking enough to look through the window before opening the door.

I opened up the doro, a smile plastered on my face, ready to tell the boy that I was fine and offer him a cookie.  But it was not the stable boy at the door.  My heart stopped and I felt faint.

"Raoul."  I whispered.  I tried shutting the door but his foot stopped it from closing.  "No, no, little Lotte.  Come, let your old friend in."  he didn't wait for my answer, instead opened the door and strode inside.  "Raoul, get out.  You shouldn't be here."  I ordered, trying to act confident.  He only laughed.  "Christine, I've come to take you home.  Now come and pack your things.  Madame Giry will be worried if we do not return to Paris soon."  He commanded, like he owned me.  "I'm not going with you, Raoul.  I belong here.  This is my home."  I said, choking on ym own spit.  He sighed.  "I knew you would resist.  Please, do not make this any harder then it needs to be."