Chapter 9: What Deal Shall We Make?

Christine entered the grand foyer with a practiced face. There stood her husband, former husband. When he realized she was there, he turned around and smiled at her.

"Ah, Christine. You look lovely as always." He advanced to try and grasp her hand but she moved off to the side.

"What do you want Raoul?" The viscount sighed and dropped his hand.

"I want you Christine." She gave a harsh laugh and sneered at the man.

"To late for that, now isn't it "dear husband"?" She spit out the last word as if it were venom. Raoul's eyes grew dark.

"I'm no longer like that Christine. Please—"

"Please what? Please turn your pretty face away as I get another lover?" She stood there with her hands at her sides and thought she didn't need him at all. She let loose a deep sigh as she ran a hand through her auburn hair. "You're wasting your time. Now leave." With that she turned and went upstairs to her writing room. When she reached the top of the stairs, she stopped and turned back.

"Rumen?" He turned to her.

"Yes Miss Christine?" She had the same indifferent look on her beautiful face.

"May I speak to you for a minute in my writing room?" A few minutes later as she began shuffling through her papers, Rumen ascended into her private domain. Papers were all over the green room, ideas for plays, costume designs, contracts, everything was everywhere. Upon hearing the door shut, Christine turned to her valet with such fury.

"Where do you get the gull to interfere with my personal life?" The gypsy looked at her harmlessly.

"I don't know what you mean, Miss Christine." She glared daggers at him.

"I told you I had no desire to—." He stepped forward interrupting.

"As I recall, Mistress, you loved this man and wanted to return to him." He sighed. "Please, Miss Christine, he's here for you. Won't you at least try and be social with him?" She turned back to her papers and sighed.

"He may stay here, like the others. You man put him under the same agreements as well. Now leave and tend to our new guest." He smiled to himself as he bowed.

"Yes Mademoiselle." He left the room quietly, leaving his Mistress to her work. He will get the two together, even if he had to climb through hell to do it.