A/N: In the book, Raoul has an older brother, and two older sisters. The sisters are in this story (you'll see what I mean later on, ;-).), and I am taking artistic license and adding the Comte Philippe de Chagny in, even though an odd fate befalls him in the book. Since they never mentioned family of Raoul's in the play, and the play is basically what I am basing this little figment off of, I thought it would be a nice addition. Philippe is to play an important role in the future… devilish horns go on head

Also, please note that I wrote Mandy the O, author of the wonderful story An Eternity of This before I published my story. I was rolling this idea around in my head, and had the first three chapters planned out when I stumbled across her lovely piece of fiction. I was worried that some might see it that I was copying her ideas (and some have alluded to that fact now that Chp. 3 is up), so I made sure she knew I was not before posting. This beginning part with the notes (much like Mandy's fic) seems to me to be the most effective way for Erik to get his point across, when trying to maintain his air of sinister and mysterious doings. To me, that was just one of his many ways for making people believe he was an 'undeterminable entity' and not necessarily a flesh-and-bones man.

As of now, my story will veer off into previously untouched territory (I think it's untouched anyway), as each of my characters have their own, different demons to conquer and also as I focus on my take of Erik post-Christine. But what interests me the most, and what you will see me writing about more often, is the role of 'society' in all of this. Let's just say Victorian etiquette and everything having to do with nobility astounds me, and I find it interesting to try to write within these constraints, and pointing out what would be seen as inherently bad for any person of high society to do (ie elicit 'affairs' with strange mask and cravat-clad men). Of course that won't happen for a long time… so sit back, relax and enjoy.

And if you haven't encountered Mandy the O's story yet, I demand you sit down to read it when you have a chance. There will be a test. She is truly a gifted author. Actually, no, I ask politely that you give it a gander, the Phantom demands it. Expect a threatening note in your mailbox soon enough if you do not comply. ;-)

Now that was entirely longer than I intended, I would love to extend my deepest thanks to the lovely reviewers of this story. This swift, though short, update is for you, especially 'Passing Stranger', who finally inspired me enough to begin to delve into my supporting characters' roles that I have been putting off for the past few chapters.

Chapter 4- Of Victorian Marriage

Constance sat at the dinner table that night in silence, thinking about her day and wondering about this Phantom. She left the note upon her desk when she went home that afternoon, hoping that he would come by to spy or at least look about at the changes she had made to the room. He seemed like the type that would follow a person about, just to look and critique the actions or things they had done. Of course, she only had those two rather obnoxious letters from the Phantom to guess this about his character, but by the way he wrote of exactly what he wanted, it was clear that if something was not done to his satisfactory appraisal, he would most definitely speak out about it. It seemed he only wanted the best.

Nonetheless, though, she was worried about how he would receive her letter. She had written it in a time of anger over his own letter, and knew some of her wording could have been a bit more polite, but it was done and she would have to live with the outcome of it soon enough. Now all she had to wait for was to arrive at the Opera the following Monday, praying that she would not find it ransacked because of the Phantom's displeasure. Would he be amenable to her request for a meeting?

However, what captivated her about this new development was that all the stories she had pooh-poohed about this Phantom were actually true. There was a man who lived in the Opera House. He had killed. He was the one that caused the fire disaster. What had this creature… man… lived through that had condemned him to living in that Opera and finding his only joy in scaring people? She so wanted to know, if only for her own insatiable curiosity.

"Constance…" came the soft, prodding call from across the table.

She jolted out of her reverie, not realizing that she was so lost in thought. "I am sorry, Joséphine…"

"It's quite alright," the blonde smiled and sighed, quickly readjusting herself uncomfortably in her seat. "I only wanted to know how your first day went at the Opera."

Constance smiled slightly, masking her true feelings of her first day as they were so mixed with good and odd happenings. "It went smoothly. I do not know what else there is to say… I suppose when the operas start forming again, it will be much more interesting. Right now, it is all sorting out documents and fixing all the damage of the theatre."

Joséphine nodded, sipping her dark wine from an intricate glass goblet. Olivier interrupted then, "So you did need me there for a little more excitement."

"You do not cause excitement, dear brother. Perhaps absolute pandemonium, but not excitement," she replied. "Your mind moves in too many directions at once and always confuses everyone, creating such chaos."

Olivier grunted slightly, and shook his head. Joséphine laughed lightly, as a polite lady would, "She is right, you know."

"Mother always said that no one could understand me but myself," Olivier remarked. "I thought I had gotten better."

"There is no cure for your ailments, Olivier," Constance chuckled.

The elder brother scoffed, "This is why I do not like having two opinionated women in this house. Both of you form quite an alliance against me."

"You have Alexandre," Joséphine mentioned nonchalantly, and without any degree of emotion on her face, though it was quite obvious she meant it jokingly.

Constance laughed at Olivier's expression, thoroughly happy that Joséphine was finally beginning to understand the outspoken relationship Constance shared with her brother. Joséphine came from a French family of great wealth and great power, and one that placed their entire wellbeing on acting in perfect noble etiquette at all times. If there was one thing that still annoyed Constance about her sister in law, it was this one fact. Joséphine still held to her principles of a woman's etiquette, and acted, well, downright spineless sometimes, when she was not complaining about the way certain people of lesser society acted. She had, for a time, looked down upon the way Olivier and Constance acted, finding it quite repulsive how they could behave in such a way, like the lower classes, toward each other.

But what Joséphine had not realized, upon marrying into the family, was that the Duchy de Louvois was far from a societal 'normal' in any regard.

Of course the Duchy de Louvois held the highest possible noble position in France, and that limited their freedom quite a bit. They put on a face each time they went out and were forced to interact with the world; they would never do anything to shame the good, upstanding family name… not purposefully at least. However, at home, within the confines of their own space, they were very different from many other families. Their father, a quite persnickety Duc in his old age, had always made sure that both Olivier and Constance were educated in the same manners, and in the same things (except, perhaps, fencing). He was quite a radical thinker for his time, and Constance could have only ever attributed that to the love and joy her fiery, outspoken Spanish mother brought to the family. If the fact that her mother was Spanish was not odd enough, there was such love between their mother and father, that it caused some eyebrows to be raised, just as it had in England between her and William. But what their father did not accomplish, their mother made sure to, infusing her children with the ability to think for themselves and do what they thought right, not what others thought right.

And Joséphine found herself utterly out of place in the household, having been taught the proper way of things. Slowly, though, she warmed up to the realization that being proper all the time was just plain exhausting. She still acted quite girlish and prudish sometimes, but she was much better about it now. And God forbid she should let loose on you in an argument. It would seem all those years of pent up anger over things that the proper lady could not normally show were unleashed in arguments, and she sometimes even gave Olivier and Constance a run for their money.

Of course, these observations of Joséphine's changes were only made since Constance's return to Paris, as shortly after Olivier's wedding, she left for England with William. Constance did not yet feel that Joséphine was quite a woman-in-arms, but they were certainly becoming closer as the months passed.

"Alexandre does not count," Olivier replied after some time, and sniffled mockingly. "I can quite easily persuade him on any issue if I wish. No… the only way to be rid of this alliance is to divorce you, or marry Constance off again."

The room became deathly silent when Olivier and Joséphine both glanced at each other, and realized what he had said. Constance's thoughts went directly to William then, though they had always been there waiting to be brought up from the darker recesses of her mind since the dawning of the new day. She sighed heavily and smiled tenderly, "Do not walk on eggshells around me, please. I will always miss William, and there will be no substitute for him. No amount of waiting will change that, but I must move on. Quite frankly, I am weary of always being in such spirits and having you two act in such a way around me."

Olivier sighed as well, "You know to tell us if we ever step over the barrier of comfort?"

"When have I ever not voiced my opinions?" she questioned with a small laugh.

Joséphine smiled, "I am happy for you, Constance. I know if I were to lose Olivier, I would never recover as you have."

"I am not recovered, only functioning with a higher degree of acceptance," she replied.

"That is still better than I think I would manage," the blonde said.

"The heart is a funny thing, dear Joséphine," Constance said with another sigh and glanced around. "Where is Alexandre anyway?"

Joséphine laughed, "He is helping Danielle pack for the trip to the country."

"Trip?" Constance questioned.

"We did not ask, because we did not think you would be up to traveling, but you are welcome to come with us. We made sure they accounted for an extra guest," Joséphine said. "It would be great fun. The men are to go on a hunting trip, and we ladies will take tea and gossip."

Neither of those things were her idea of a weekend well-spent, but she did fancy the idea of going out to the country again and smelling the fresh air. Constance smiled, "And who would be hosting this event?"

"The Comte de Chagny," Olivier added.

"Your brother, Joséphine?" Constance questioned. She knew exactly who the Comte was, Joséphine's unmarried forty-three year old brother… she just could not think of anything else even remotely intelligent to reply with. Well, she could have asked how he was, but that would have connotations she did not wish to utter.

Joséphine laughed, "That would be him. We have not seen him in a year or so. Not after my younger brother's wedding."

"The Vicomte is wed, not necessarily to Philippe's liking, but he has realized that his younger brother found love," Olivier added.

"Who is the lady's name?" Constance asked.

Joséphine shifted uneasily in her chair and looked at Constance for a long, silent moment before saying, "You shall meet her at the country estate. My sister, Thérèse and her husband the Monsieur Gascogne will also be there."

For an instant, Constance thought to further prod Joséphine on the topic of her younger brother's wife, but decided that since it was such a hard thing to admit in the open air, she should not continue. She would wait until she met this mysterious wife of the Vicomte's. Perhaps then, the wife would be obliging enough to give her a name to call her by.

Now, however, she began to wonder if this mentioning of the country getaway over the weekend was entirely spontaneous, or if it had been planned this way, to some how trick her into going because they thought it would be good for her. There was no doubt the fact that the Comte was as yet unwed was only one of the probable reasons for trying to get her to go on this trip. Their past together would automatically bring her and the Comte together in conversation, and from the sound of it, they would be the only unwed people there, automatically pinning them together for longer periods of time as she would no doubt not be left unattended. After all, the de Chagnys always placed so much importance on their etiquette.

Olivier then spoke with a sigh, "We would enjoy your company, and we plan to return Monday, so you will be able to go to the Opera."

"I will go," Constance replied. "Though I can see where father's evil plan from long ago can once again be carried out."

Joséphine chuckled lightly, "I do not think you need to worry about that, Constance. My brother confirmed his bachelorhood status after the marriage talks for your hand between him and your father ended. No… now he devotes his time to his horses and various other animals when he is not occupied with business."

Olivier smiled, "And I thank you for being so against the marriage, Connie, so Father could secure our ties to the de Chagnys another way."

"I am glad to be of service, Olivier," she said wryly.

"Of course," her brother said finally and sat back in his seat, finally finished with his meal. A servant came in then to clear away the dishes. They each stood from their seats, and retired each to do something else. Constance went to her room to begin preparing for the journey to the countryside, soon joined by Danielle, the young servant girl that her brother employed, whom had finally finished with readying Alexandre's things. Since she had so few clothes that were still in style, and in other colors than black and grey, it was easy for her to decide on the wardrobe for the weekend.

Later, having finished packing, she planned to take a book to the parlor, but once she arrived at the entrance to the room, she heard the low talking coming from inside. It was obviously not the most pleasant conversation, from the tones in which each of the voices spoke in the discussion. Hearing her name mentioned, Constance stepped back away from the door and rested against the wall to listen.

"We should have just told her, Olivier," Joséphine said lowly. "I should have just told her about the Opera."

"Why? Make her worry about something she needs not worry about?" Olivier questioned. "Firmin assured me there was nothing to worry about."

"I do not trust that Firmin," the woman replied.

Constance now knew hat they must have been talking about the Opera Populaire. What were they talking about exactly, though? Perhaps the Phantom?

Her brother sighed, "Joséphine, my dear, that thing is no longer there. That is why I spent so much time there today, checking to make sure there were no incidences. She has nothing to watch out for; she will be safe. But she does deserve to know about Christine and Raoul."

Christine? Christine Daaé? It could only mean that this Christine was connected to something in the Opera Populaire and the Vicomte. And she could only surmise that that thing was the mysterious Phantom.

"Should I let Christine explain it, or shall I?" Joséphine asked.

"Would Christine even be able to?" Olivier questioned.

"No, probably not without a degree of difficulty."

Olivier cleared his throat, and the sound of him walking across the room found her ears, "If Constance asks, then we tell her. Some questions will eventually come up about Christine and her involvement with the Opera, and also the Comte's and Vicomte's."

Constance backed away from the wall, and hung her head, giving it a light shake. Were they just keeping these obviously horrible stories away from her because they thought her incapable of handling it with the past still resting uncomfortably on her shoulders and in her heart? If it did anything, it created more intriguing mystery, and perhaps a way to figure out the story behind the Phantom even before she heard back from him in accordance to her letter. And while she did not appreciate them keeping these secrets from her, sheltering her from the past happenings of the Opera House that she had no idea of because of her removal to England, Constance liked the idea of unraveling the mystery by herself. At least that also occupied her mind from sinking deeper into grief, if that was at all possible.