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A New Beginning	By : Lum Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 5783 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Disclaimer: Please see the prologue

A New Beginning
Chapter 10
Feelings

Erik peered out the bedroom window onto the front lawn. From this vantage point he was able to see the daughter, Madison, as she conversed with a young man, her hands moving freely as she talked in a manner that suggested familiarity. He noticed a slight twinge of jealousy as he watched her amble towards the apple orchard with the boy.

It was not that he had any emotions about the girl, he half-heartedly convinced himself, and it was just that seeing her with that boy had stirred buried memories of his beloved Christine, memories that should remain buried.

He turned from the window as they disappeared into the trees and were lost from his sight. Erik clenched his hands into fists against his side as his eye caught his reflection in the small round mirror by the washbasin.

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Madison walked with James, the only son of the farmer who owned the neighboring orchard. She noticed the trees and their ripening fruit, “you’ll be very busy soon, James, the apples are growing so quickly this year.” The young man looked at the trees and then back at her, “we’ll have a good haul this year; we only had to cull twenty trees, much better than last year.” Madison nodded absentmindedly.

James gripped her elbow and turned her to face him, stopping her in her tracks, “what is the matter, Madison? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this preoccupied before.” She looked at him a moment before sighing in exasperation, “it’s my father.” James' face took a look of concern, “he isn’t ill I hope.” She shook her head and sighed deeply again. “Two sighs in one afternoon, surely things cannot be that bad,” he said while smiling sympathetically.

A look of sorrow flashed across her face as she seated herself under the shade of an apple tree and explained, “It’s just that my father is forcing me to get married. Oh, don’t look at me like that, James, I knew that I would have to eventually; I just didn’t think that it would be so soon. It sounds silly, I know, but I had always thought that I would marry for love. And now it looks as if I won’t have that chance.” James, silent, sat beside her. “It could be worse,” he stated after a few moments of companioned silence, “he could have arranged it for you without your consent.” Madison looked at her childhood friend in complete horror, “I had never thought of that.”

Madison turned her head down to watch the sun glisten through the leaves in dancing patterns on the grass. James studied her profile, noticing the dance of light across the bridge of her nose and the few freckles that adorned her cheeks and felt a tiny fluttering in his chest. His palms began to sweat and a small lump formed in his throat as he said barely above a whisper, “you could always marry me, you know, if no one else suited you.”

Madison stared at him in silence for a moment before grinning and shoving his arm, “you almost had me for a moment, James, I nearly believed that you were serious.” He laughed nervously to cover his embarrassment and looked away. “So what are you going to do?” he asked. She studied her boots and let out another sigh, “I have no idea.”

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It was late into the evening when Madison returned home. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom wearily, pulling apart the ribbon that held back her hair. She had just grasped the knob to her chamber when the architect opened his door across the hallway.

Turning at the sound her gaze locked with his and an uncomfortable silence passed between them. “Just returning home?” he asked. She drew herself taller, straightening her back, “not that it is any of your concern, but yes, I am just now getting in. You look as if you’re dressed to go out. Are you leaving?”

He smiled lazily, “not that it is any of your concern, but yes, I am going out.” Madison glared at his back as he descended the staircase and exited through the front door.

Madison entered her room and began to undress. She unbuttoned the row of tiny buttons at her side and pulled the lavender dress over her head. Pausing in thought she let her mind wander to the events of the day but was interrupted by a knocking on her door. “Who is it?” she called out. “It’s just me, wanted to see if you needed help undressing for the night,” Ummi called through the door. Madison called for her to enter and sat upon the vanity chair as the woman began to unlace her corset.

Lost in thought and unaware Madison missed Ummi’s question. “Child, what is bothering you so much?” the housekeeper asked in a chiding tone of voice. Madison looked away from the mirror and smiled grimly, “I can’t stop thinking of my having to marry so soon, and that architect that father found.” Ummi’s eyes twinkled mischeiously, “is there some reason you talk about that man in the same breath that you talk about gettin’ married?” Madison’s eyes widened and a very faint blush bloomed in her cheeks, “of course there isn’t.”

Ummi chuckled at this contradicting response and reached for the silver brush that lay on the vanity. “Not that it’s any of my business, but if you don’t mind me saying so I’ve seen the way he looks at you when you’re lookin’ somewhere else. I also seen the way you look at him when he’s lookin’ somewhere else. You sure there ain’t nothing on your mind concerning him?”

Madison glared firmly in the mirror at the woman before giving up her pretense of an angry countenance , “he’s just so strange. Part of me wants him gone immediately, but a small part also wants him to stay so that I can unravel this enigma. I don’t know what to think anymore.”

“Well,” Ummi began, “he certainly is charming, and what ain’t hidden by that mask is handsome enough. Still, I can’t help but wonder what he’s hidin’ underneath it. It ain’t right walkin’ around with half your face covered up.” Madison smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear as Ummi finished brushing out the tangles, “I’d almost forgotten about it,” her voice trailing off as if in deep thought, “maybe he has a scar, from a duel or something…” Ummi tsked and put the brush down, excusing her self from the room after saying goodnight.

Madison rose from the vanity in only her chemise and strode to the window. She could see the lines of the trees and fields as the crescent moon and stars faintly illuminated the surroundings. Her breath caught as she saw a figure leaving the yard on horseback. She knew instinctively who it was.

~*~*~*~*~*~Author’s Note~*~*~*~*~*~
I know that it’s been forever since I posted a chapter. I have no excuses other than the fact that I thought about giving up on this fic. I’ve decided after reading over it to give the story another shot. Hopefully I will be able to update every few weeks or so. Please be patient.
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A New Beginning