My Angel of Music

United Once More

I waited all day for the stable boy to return, with or without Meg.  I hoped that she wouldn't be proud like her mother and consent to come stay with us.  Erik almost seemed excited about Meg's possible visit.  He didn't know her (except from what I'd told him) but he was excited about having someone here other than me and the servants.  A fresh face was just what we needed. 

Erik had ordered all the maids to dust and clean all over the house.  Everywhere I went servants were bustling about, sweeping this, and wiping that.  A guest room was being made for Meg, upon her possible arrival.  I picked out the room myself.  It was a soft shade of pink (Meg's favorite color) with a sleigh bed that held white bed covers.  A window with long white curtains facing the sun in the afternoon illuminated the room perfectly.  I knew this was the room she would have picked if she were here to do it herself.

I now sat in the kitchen, nibbling on a blueberry muffin.  Erik was outside with the male servants, doing some sort of yard work.  I asked for a glass of water from Dellie, the old woman who had hugged me last night at the dinner party.  Then I rememberd something.  "Dellie, do you know this Jade girl?"  I asked innocently.  She turned sharply and looked me in the eyes.  "Why...yes, madame.  I do know her."  She answered willingly.  I smiled.  "Can you tell me about her?"  I motioned for her to take a seat beside me.  She frowned and turned back around.  "I have to clean the dining room, madame."  She whispered.  I stood and took her shoulder in my hand.  "Please."  I begged simply.

She sighed and sat in a chair next to mine and began her story.

"About a month before you came back with the master, I was walking into the kitchen.  The night before a terrible snow storm had taken place so the ground outside was covered in snow.  Well, I walked into the kitchen and at the table sat a young girl with fine clothes and shoes, but her hair was matted and her face was red and rough.  I asked who she was and she began to explain to me this: She was a Dame's daughter from Paris.  They were visiting some relatives down in the village.  She was kicked out of the household and told never to come back, so she caught a carriage ride up to this house and was wondering if the master would take her in.  I agreed to let her work here, and she has been here ever since."

she looked up at me in expectation.  "Why did she get kicked out of her house?"  I asked.  Dellie looked around to make sure no one was listening.  "I over heard her speaking to Heather, one of her friends a few weeks ago.  She said that she had spent the night with numerous men, so her parents had her thrown out to the street."  She answered.  I felt my jaw clench.  So she was a whore?  And now she wanted to have Erik?  Over my dead body!

"Thank you, Dellie."  I said simply before walking to the small window.  I saw Erik lifting a log onto a wooden cart.  He had only a white shirt on, and black pants.  His mask was barley noticable in the distance but I could tell he was glistening with sweat.  I smiled to myself.  Jade will never get him because he loves me, and only me.  He would never do such a thing.  I should have more faith in him.  I scolded myself.  I gave in and walked outside.  I crept up behind Erik and lightly placed my hands on his back.  I could feel the sweat beneath it, and somehow that made me want him all to myself.  He spun around and upon seeing me, smiled.  

"Is Meg here?"  He asked hopefully.  I shook my head.  "Not yet, my love.  It is only noon.  They will be here soon enough."  I replied.  "What are you doing out here, Christine?"  He scolded, reffering to the hot, bright sun.  I smiled.  "I couldn't help myself."  I said sweetly before standing on my toes and placing a kiss on his lips.  Erik pulled back and smiled.  "What have I done to deserve such a loving wife?"  He whispered.  I laughed.  "Everything, Erik!"  I said.  I took his hand and led him to the rose garden.  He protested, saying that he needed to finish his work but I silenced him with a look.  The rose garden was in full bloom.  It was late June and the air smelled of summer and roses-the best scent in the world.  I breathed in and let the smell linger in my nostrils.  I turned around and saw Erik doing the same.