The Secret Door: A Phantom of the Opera Novel
Page 49
A slight blush played on Christine's cheeks. “Ah. I see,” she said with a smile. “I guess it was our wedding night when we last saw Omid and Antoinette.”
“Mmmmmm…” he agreed, nuzzling her neck as he hugged her closer. “That was the last time we saw them, as well as the first time we…”
“Erik!” she giggled, pulling a bit away, in an effort to calm herself after his attentions. “Stop! I have already promised our guests some lunch. I only came to see if you would join us.”
With a groan, he loosed his hold on her, allowing her to rise from his lap. “Oh, all right,” he capitulated. “I'll behave.”
Christine looked at her husband once more, amusement flashing in her eyes. Winking at him, she responded, “Only for now, my dear.” Suddenly, she noticed the piece of paper on his lap. “What do you have there, Erik?” she asked.
“Oh this?” he looked down at the letter from Jenna, still resting on his lap. “It is a correspondence from an old friend, very dear to my heart, whom I have not seen in what seems like a lifetime. Omid delivered it.”
“Oh,” Christine responded. “Is it good news?”
Erik smiled, folding the letter once more and placing it in his breast pocket. “The best.” He rose from his chair, and placed his arm around Christine's waist. “Come, my love,” he said, as they began to move toward the dining room. “Leaving the Persian unsupervised was not the best of ideas. By now, I am sure he has finished every last drop of Cognac in the house.”
Christine rolled her eyes and gave her husband a gentle swat on the arm. “I love you, Erik,” she chuckled, struck at that moment with great affection for her husband.
“As I love you, my darling Christine.” He leaned down to kiss the top of her head, and they made their way to their guests.
“Erik,” Christine murmured as they walked together.
“Yes?”
“You know those events of our wedding night you were remembering earlier?”
“Mmm hmmm…” Erik responded with a wicked smile.
“I'm going to remind you later.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.M. Smith has been a long time fan of The Phantom of the Opera, and Erik has always held a very dear place in her heart. She lives with her husband, two children, and very vocal cat (who bears a rather striking resemblance to a certain feline character in this book!) The Secret Door is her first published work—but hopefully not her last.
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[i] Victor Hugo, Les Miserables