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No Easy Way	By : secretlysecretly Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 7568 -:- 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.

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Chapter 04

Three days had passed since the incident with the eccentric stranger and still Marianne couldn’t bring herself to qualm her remorse regarding the way she had behaved towards her new neighbor. She had tried to forget him and her indescribable conduct towards him, but she found her conscience wasn’t so easy to drown under the pretence of nonchalance.

Finally, not able to take it anymore, she had decided that the only acceptable way to put the episode behind her would be to visit her new neighbor and apologize to him for her rudeness.

Staring up at the ceiling of her bedroom she decided that she should take action the soonest possible if she were to find peace of mind ever again. Throwing the covers from her body, she pulled the cord that was attached to the bell that summoned her maid. A few minutes later she heard a knock on the door.

“Come in Louise.”

“Bon jour Mademoiselle. May I help you with anything?” Louise asked.

“Yes, Louise. Could you please assist me with the corset? After that, please inform Pierre that I will be going out this morning and I am to use the carriage today.”

“Of course Mademoiselle.” Louise said, hasting to her mistress and immediately starting to pull the strings to her corset, confining the curves of Marianne into the tight garment once more.

Marianne opened her closet in order to find an appropriate dress for her visit. She pulled out a dove-grey gown and as she turned to put it on, Louise stepped closer to her.

“May I suggest the light blue gown Mademoiselle? It is very becoming of you.” the maid said timidly.

Marianne considered this for a moment. She was to pay a visit to her new neighbor. Her new insufferable neighbor. Since she was determined to visit that intimidating man and apologize to him, it would be helpful to look and feel as appealing as possible. Louise assisted her with the dress and then started arranging her hair in a signon.

A few minutes later, a dazzling Marianne was walking down the stairs and out of the main entrance. Pierre opened the door of the carriage for her and moments later they were on their way towards the neighboring estate. Stepping out of the carriage, Marianne couldn’t help but notice how much the estate had changed since the last time she had seen it. She looked at the house; everything exuded an air of prosperity. The neglect that once had been evident in the gardens had now given way to all types of flowers and trees with heavy leafage.

She knocked on the front door. ‘I can do this.’ she thought.

Vincent opened the door and seeing the young Duchess standing in front of him, bowed before her.

“Good morning Mademoiselle de Duchess.”

Vincent had recognized Duchess Marianne Pinon immediately. He had worked in various estates in this part of the country for as long as he could remember and had been familiar with Marianne’s presence ever since she had been a little girl. He knew who her parents had been and recognized Marianne Pinon to be a noble, much sought after, very pretty young lady of whom he had never heard anything ill-concerned. It had been quite a long time since Vincent had seen Marianne and now before him was standing a beautiful woman.

She was tall, her hair drawn back revealing her charming face, her large brown eyes and her bright smile.

“Please Mademoiselle de Duchess, come in.” he said, opening the door widely and stepping aside to give her room to enter the foyer.

“How may I be of assistance to the Mademoiselle?” Vincent asked politely, somewhat puzzled by Marriane’s presence. Since his master had acquired this estate, nobody apart from the house staff and Monsieur Destler had entered the property.

“Would you please notify your master that I wish to see him?” Marianne replied, giving Vincent a dazzling smile.

“I am afraid he has instructed that no one disturbs him this morning. He is quite busy…” Vincent replied.

“I’m sorry to insist, but it is quite important that I speak to Monsieur Destler the soonest possible… Could you please make an exception and notify him of my visit?” Marianne insisted.

“Well… I will try Mademoiselle, but I cannot promise he will be available. Please take a seat while I go and announce your arrival.”

Marianne smiled graciously at the butler and sat in a chair at the foyer as he instructed. “I appreciate it very much.” She folded her hands in her lap and waited quietly for the elder man to return.

The music room was the only one in the house that servants had absolutely no access to. Only Vincent was allowed to enter the room, after taking Erik’s permission of course. This had become his sanctuary. Whenever he found himself in distress, he would always go there and play for hours upon end. All of his deepest thoughts were translated into notes; he was filling the bars of the music papers with his anguish. He would dream, lose touch with reality when he was composing. The moment that Vincent knocked on the door of the music room was one of those moments for Erik. Lost in his reveries, it took more than one effort on the butler’s part for Erik to realize that there was a knock at the door.

He stopped playing and treaded towards the door, growling between clenched teeth. “You better have a very good excuse for interrupting me!”

Erik opened the door abruptly, giving Vincent a furious look. “What is it then? Is the house on fire?”

“Forgive me, master. It wasn’t my intention to interrupt you, but…” Vincent hesitated.

“Yet you did! Speak Vincent! What is so important that you would choose to ignore my orders?”

“You have a visitor, master.” The house-keeper finally said. “It’s the Duchess Marianne Pinon from the neighboring estate. She requested to see you and awaits you at the foyer.”

Erik raised an eyebrow. “Tell her I shall join her shortly.” he said before the elder man could finish his sentence. Vincent bowed his head and turned, making his way through the long corridor and down the stairs.

Erik closed the door behind him, standing in his favorite room. He had to admit that he had not been expecting a visit from his charming neighbor any time soon. What was that woman doing here after the way she had verbally lashed at him a few days ago? Was she visiting him merely to reprimand him for daring to show his face to the outside world? Confused, he walked over to the mirror that was hung next to his organ and looked at his reflection.

Sweat was running down his chest and stomach; his hair was a mess. He run his hands through the dark mane and tucked his white shirt in his trousers. Suddenly he realized that his appearance was of no importance. He smirked at his reflection and muttered under his breath.

“Let’s see what the Duchess will think of my appearance today. Anyway, she has come to my house without a proper invitation.”

As Erik appeared at the top of the staircase, Marianne, sensing him, turned and looked up at his direction. The way he was dressed was quite shocking; much less formally attired than any self-respecting gentleman would be. His hair was hanging loose upon his shoulders. His face appeared as if it was made of light and shadow, as he was wearing that peculiar mask. His lips were full. Elegant planes and angles formed his cheekbones, chin and broad high forehead. His body was a powerful match for his face, all chiseled muscle lying in great slabs across his broad chest, visible through his half-open shirt. Bulging arms and muscular strong thighs completed the picture, granting him with an air of strength and male confidence.

His green eyes scanned the room as he kept descending the stairs, stopping when they met hers. The way he moved encouraged her eyes to leave his for a brief moment and wander over the length of him. When her eyes traveled back to his face, she could see an arrogant smile forming on his lips, in answer to her open gaze of a few moments ago.

She immediately lowered her eyes to her hands and blushed, feeling like a little girl being caught in the act. It was the first time in her life that she had allowed herself to gaze openly at a man’s body in that manner.

‘What will he think of you now Marianne?’ she heard a reprimanding voice in the back of her mind.

Erik saw Marianne’s reaction and couldn’t help but smile conceitedly at the effect his appearance was obviously having on the Duchess.

‘A freak, huh? What does that make you then Mademoiselle for gazing at me so wantonly? Keep yourself in check Erik! She has not seen your face yet. She doesn’t know of the monster that hides behind the mask.’ This last thought sobered him up and he descended the last remaining stairs, walking over to Marianne’s side.

Reaching her, Erik bowed his head smiling curtly. Marianne stood gracefully, trying her best to look nonchalant.

“Mademoiselle” he said, grasping her hand and kissing it. “I fear our acquaintance of a few days ago was not ideal. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Erik Destler.”

“Marianne Pinon” was the only thing she said in a small voice. She blushed again, unable to control herself. His scent was intoxicating. Marianne was shocked at his behavior. His manners certainly didn’t match his outfit once again.

“Please Mademoiselle Pinon, let us go to the veranda. It’s much cooler there. Vincent, prepare some tea.”

“At once Sir.” said Vincent leaving them.

Erik led Marianne out to the patio. It was a pleasant setting, surrounded by beautiful exotic flowers of every kind.

“Have a seat Mademoiselle” he offered, as they walked out.

“Thank you Monsieur” she responded.

Erik waited for Marianne to sit and then chose a seat right opposite to hers. They looked at each other, as an uncomfortable silence was cast between them. Vincent reappeared a short while later, bearing a tray and poured a cup of tea for Marianne.

“That will be all Vincent. I will serve myself. Thank you.” said Erik, looking at Vincent with a peculiar look in his eyes.

“As you wish master” said Vincent and retreated back into the house.

Marianne sipped her tea quietly, no words leaving her mouth. She had come to this strange man’s house to apologize to him and now, having him in front of her, she couldn’t even utter a simple sentence as ‘I’m sorry’. This man held such a potent influence on her; she felt that she couldn’t even move.

Erik didn’t speak either. He had been surprised when he saw her and realized that she had come to apologize to him. He was taken aback by her courage and at the same time found himself greatly amused by this scene.

Marianne couldn’t stand the silence between them any longer. She put the cup on the table in front of her and opened her mouth. Finally, she decided to speak up.

At exactly the same moment, Erik decided that it was time to put an end to her fidgeting.

“I am terribly sorry for what happened between us the other day Monsieur Destler.”

“To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of your visit Mademoiselle Pinon?”

Marianne sighed and smiled at him. Erik, feeling somewhat pleased, said:

“You first.”

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A/N: Please, R&R!
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No Easy Way