"When my mother was alive I did not have to worry about marrying someone I do not love!" she replied, pulling away from him and turning her back to him. He came up behind her and she could feel his breath against her ear, causing her to shiver. His arms wrapped around her to settle on her stomach. Her breath caught in her throat when his hands moved upward, coming to rest possesively on her breasts. She remained still, both curious and apprehensive to know what he was going to do next.
"I can give you pleasure unlike anything you have ever experienced," he murmured, beginning to knead her through the transparent gown. Christine moaned softly when pleasure seemed to flood her body at his erotic touch. Christine immediately felt guilty for feeling that way and she pulled away hastily, shaking her head.
"Please, Monseiur, if you would be so kind as to keep your hands to yourself!" she said. He stared at her a long time.
"I can force you to give yourself to me," he murmured. She nodded.
"Yes, you could," she whispered. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
"Go to bed, Christine," he instructed. She stared at him in disbelief. He was not going to consumate the marriage? She hesitated a moment longer, wondering if he was going to change his mind and praying that he didn't.
"I told you to go to bed!" he snapped, losing his temper. Christine jumped and scrambled to do as she was told. She slipped between the sheets and pulled them up to her shoulder. She could hear Erik moving around the room, preparing himself for bed.
She felt the bed sink slightly with his weight when he finally joined her, and curious, she glanced at him. He did not take off his mask, and not for the first time she wondered why he wore it. He happened to see her looking at him and frowned.
"One thing I might have forgotten to mention; do not ever touch the mask. I do not care what the circumstances are you will not remove it or touch it. If you do so you will regret it immensily," he said, seeming to read her thoughts. She nodded, not wishing to voice any of the many questions she had at the moment. He blew out the candle and they were surrounded in darkness. She felt every move Erik made and every one caused her to stiffen slightly.
She never had liked sleeping in a bed not her own. Any time her family went on holiday or to visit family she had never been comfortable. Her own bed, in her own room, was comfortable and safe to her. This bed was not that. She felt like she was sleeping in a lions den, the lion only dozing, waiting for its prey; her.
"Relax, Christine, and get some sleep. I am sure it has been a...trying day," Erik said. Christine said nothing but closed her eyes, praying sleep would take her away from here soon.
Erik was awake long into the dark hours of the night. He had so many things running through his mind sleep illuded him. He glanced over at Christine, glad to see that she was sleeping so soundly. When she had dropped her robe...she was more beautiful then he could have ever imagined. Even now his body raged at him to mount her and be done with it.
There were many reasons why he had decided against forcing her. The first being her obvious ignorance. He should have known that the kind hearted Emma would find it difficult to tell her daughter what happened when a man and a woman shared a bed. He would not touch her when she did not know what to expect. Though he had felt her shiver when he had touched her perfect breasts. There was passion there. She had shown it to him with every comeback she had given him. He would have to tell Susannah to talk to Christine about what he expected from a woman as his wife. She would do as she was told, to afraid of him not to.
Then there was the fact that if he had forced her then every night he wished to make love to her there would be a struggle. She would never trust him and so she would never come to him willingly. He wanted to coax her into wanting him with the same desire he felt for her. He knew he could do that. He, despite his face, was a master in the art of making love. He had found that woman cared nothing for the mask as long as he made them scream in ecstasy. Books lined his library from different places around the world, all with instructions on how to inhance a womans pleasure. Yes, he could make her want him, and the waiting would be worth it.
"Where is your sister?" Raoul de Chagny asked his good friend Anthony. Both men sat reclining in a chair, a glass of the finest wine in their hands. Anthony sighed and ran a hand through his hair, staring into the flames of the fire.
"With her husband," he answered, venom in his voice. Raoul's eyes widened in surprise.
"What?" he demanded.
"She was married yesterday," he clarified. Raoul stared at the man he thought of as a brother for a very long time. His Christine given away to another man? They had grown up together and he had always thought he would marry her. She had become more beautiful then anyone he had seen in a long time in the past couple of years and Raoul had eagerly awaited the day her father would ask him if he would like her hand.
"I know you cared for her, Raoul, and I am sorry. It was no choice of mine," Anthony said. Raoul said nothing. He had fallen in love with her and though he had never shown it he had hoped that she could see it. He had been on holiday with his family and had only returned that morning, and he had come straight here. What a wonderful homecoming, he thought dryly.
"In four days I am permitted to go and see her. Would you care to join me?" Anthony asked. Raoul nodded immediately.
"Yes...I just cannot believe it," he murmured. Anthony glanced at his handsome young friend, feeling sorry for the man. He knew he cared for Christine and if there was any man that Anthony would wish to see his sister with it would be Raoul. He was a good man and would soon be Comte and he knew how to treat his woman. There would never be anyone better in Anthony's opinion.
"Neither can I," Anthony answered with a sigh. An idea suddenly came to Anthony and he smiled, having not been this happy since he had found out about his sister.
"Who says that we cannot go today? She is my sister and I have every right to see her. Get ready, Raoul, we are going for a little visit."