Christine looked stricken. Unfortunately, we both knew all too well how dangerous the Phantom could be. There were no words of comfort I could give her as she stared at the spot where the vicomte had disappeared. Madame Giry would likely know the right words to say, but when I looked over my shoulder to where I had seen her last, she was not there.

It should have been hard to pick her out of the crowd of black and white, but it wasn't — she was the only one hurrying from the room. Everyone else still stood frozen in place, amazed, by the strange events to which they were witness. Why wasn't Madame Giry staying with Meg, as helpless and baffled as the rest of us?

Of course, I knew the answer. Now that I knew there was a definite connection between the two, she most likely knew about the Phantom's secret tunnels and planned to enter one somewhere, to help the vicomte. I rose to my feet to chase after her, but did not get very far.

"Miss Devoreaux!" Monsieur Firmin called out from behind me. Repressing a frustrated growl, I turned to face him.

"Yes, monsieur?"

"The play, if you please," he commanded, holding his hand out for it. I had not had a chance to look at it yet and considered telling him I would give it to him after I had absorbed the notes within and committed them to deepest memory. Then I reminded myself that I was already in trouble with this man and any defiance would probably result in my expulsion from the opera house. Reluctantly, I handed it over. A feeling of loss came over me as the weight of the black leather portfolio left my hands.

"Thank you," Firmin said, rather stiffly. After a pause he said, "You were rather quick to grab it."

Not exactly a question, yet it was. I decided boldness could get me what I wanted, if I used it right.

"Oui, monsieur," I replied as Monsieur André joined us. "I am interested to see what he wrote. I know how beautiful his music can be."

Messieurs Firmin and André looked at me sharply. They exchanged glances, but before they could question me further, I spun on my heel and walked haughtily away. Maybe my statement would give them something to think about; a challenge to them, to give the play a chance rather than throw it out.

Once I was out of their line of sight, I burst into a run. I needed to find Madame Giry. More importantly I needed to know where she went. There were many reasons why, not all of them as selfless as I wanted them to be. If I could only talk to the Phantom! I was more than ready to accept singing lessons from him, if he would accept me as his pupil.

I had not even left the hall when another voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Hello, Jacqueline."

A hundred barriers went up around me, while others fell away. Such horrible timing! I thought I had heard his voice for the last time and I wasn't in a mood to listen to it now. There was no preamble left to ease into conversation with my father, and I did not care anyway. I turned to face him.

"What do you want?" I asked coolly.

"Many people are invited to the masque ball," he said. Apparently he shared my feelings toward small-talk, cutting right to the point. "You appear to be doing well here, although I admit I'm surprised to see you in such…finery."

"I'm very close to Madame Giry and her daughter. They insisted I join them." Not a lie at all; they had insisted, but receiving the dress as a gift is what convinced me to come.

"And I suppose you feel quite relieved at finally having rid yourself of Benoit."

Something about his tone set me off. My eyes widened behind my mask. Did he really think…

I raised the mask from my face and let it rest across my forehead. "You think I really did it, don't you? You think I killed him."

"Let's face it, Jacqueline, our last meeting was less than cordial and the accusations you made were quite appalling," he said, his brows knitting together. It was hard to tell if he was sincere in his disgust or if it was a put on. "I always thought of you as level-headed, but I guess I was wrong. You're completely lacking good sense. You must have picked that up from your mother. She was always th—"

"Oh no, if there's any senselessness, it definitely came from you."

My father's face flushed red. "How dare you? To speak to me that way!"

He came toward me and I was actually afraid until I remembered all the people that were near. Still, I stepped back to keep the distance between us. No hugs this time. I was just as angry as he.

"How dare you!" I spat back at him. "To come here and ask me to return to that monster! To care about him more than your own daughter! To care more about appearances than your own daughter! Look!"

I pushed up my sleeve to reveal the pink scars on my arm. "You are so sure that Benoit was innocent. So tell me where I got these? And this."

Turning my back to him I pointed to where I knew the biggest scar ran. My father drew up short. Uncertainty flitted through his gaze.

"That's right," I said, "You believed I made up lies about him. I don't know why you wouldn't believe me, but Grand-père did. When he died, I lost the last person to truly love me."

The words bit deep; there was anguish in his eyes. "I do love you, Jacqueline. I don't know why you won't believe me."

I faced him again.

"If you really, truly, do love me, then do me a favor." I paused, but he said nothing. Just looked at me with sullen eyes. "Let me go. Let me live here as long as I like. My sponsor does not… demoralize me. In fact, he's chosen to remain anonymous! So you have no reason to worry about me. I'm well looked after here. Come see the plays. Join the parties. But do not talk to me. Forget about me and just let me live."

Holding my hands to my chest in a pleading gesture, I backed away from him.

Sadly, he shook his head. "I don't understand."

"You never will."

I backed away until I could bare his frustrated stare no longer, then I turned and walked away, hoping it would be for the last time.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Author's Note

Howdy to all who made it this far! :D I just want to say thank you to those who have encouraged me with their comments, chosen to favorite my story, and/or choose to follow me! I really am SO appreciative of all your feedback and support. I apologize yet AGAIN for the long wait in between chapters, but my computer stopped working back in June, shortly after I posted Part Seize. It's currently running on temporary parts, but hopefully it will be permanently fixed soon. I nearly had a heart attack when it wouldn't turn on. Praying that doesn't happen again!