"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."
The manor the carriage stopped in front of was one of the biggest Christine had ever seen in her life. It was one of the wealthier houses in France and Christine glanced at Erik, wondering how he could afford such a house. The driver helped her out and she tentively followed her husband inside the large wooden doors. Light surrounded them and Christine looked around, her curiousity getting the better of her.
The ceiling towered above them and from it hung a beautiful chandelier of what appeared to be glass. Directly in front of them rose a marble staircase that was larger then any she had ever seen. She looked up to the very top to see that it branched off to the right and to the left and also forward. On her left and right were several doors, all of which were closed and Christine wished she could look through each one and see what this kind of man lived like.
"Master!" a voice cried. Christine turned in the direction of the voice to see an older woman waddling down the stairs, and waddle she was because she was large of frame and it appeared hard for her to move her weight around. She had a kind face with round, dark eyes and graying hair piled chaotically on her chubby head. Her navy blue dress could do with replacing and the apron she wore over it was stained in numerous places from God only knew what.
Christine smiled at the woman, wishing to make a good impression and the woman stared at her in surprise as her round eyes looked over Christine from head to foot. A smile lit her face as she finished her study and she quickened her pace so she could reach them.
"Oh, Master! I did not expect you home for a few hours at least! Your room is not prepared and dinner has yet to be made!" she cried.
"Calm down, Susannah! You will be no good to me if you give yourself a heart attack," Erik snapped. Christine glanced at him before looking away from the angry scowl on his face. Susannah turned red and apologized profusely. Christine felt sorry for the woman and so tried to be friendly.
"Susannah, is it?" she asked.
"Yes, Mademoiselle," she answered, bobbing her head.
"It's Madam, Susannah," Erik said impatiently. Realization dawned in the womans eyes as she finally realized who Christine was.
"Madam, forgive me," she said. Christine shook her head.
"That is fine. I am Christine," she said. The woman smiled. Already she could tell she was going to like this young woman.
"A pleasure, Madam," Susannah assured her. Erik was tapping his foot, clearly annoyed with the both of them. Susannah did not fail to notice.
"If you would excuse me, I should go and see to dinner," she said. She bowed politely before disappearing behind one of the doors Christine had been curious about when she had entered.
"Bloody servants," Erik murmured under his breath. Christine raised a brow.
"I found her quite charming," she informed him.
"And I fail to remember if I asked for your opinion," Erik replied.
"And I fail to remember what I did to be forced into marriage to you!" she shot back. Erik said nothing for a moment as he looked at her, clearly surprised that she was talking back. Christine would not apologize, he was being angry for no reason and she did not wish to hear him snap at everyone in sight. Since she had met him he had failed to impress her, something she did not find very attractive. She had done nothing to make him this angry and she did not appreciate his attitude."If you wish to know where our room is come with me," he said, avoiding an arguement. 'Our room'. Realization hit her hard...of course they would share a room...and a bed. He was her husband. But the idea of sleeping beside a man she knew nothing about scared her immensily. She glanced at him as he led her up the marble stairs. He seemed the type of man who would expect his wife to give him everything...including her body. Christine shivered, not liking the idea at all.
But in all truth she could not deny him. He was her husband and he had every right to take what was now his. He turned left at the top of the staircase and made his way down a hallway a little to dark for Christine's peace of mind. Moments later they reached a pair of doors and Erik opened them, stepping aside so Christine could walk in. It was too dark to see anything so she waited for Erik to light a candle before she roamed the room with her eyes.