Never Could Say Anything

The carriage ride to the de Chagny residence passed in an uncomfortable silence. Upon arriving home, the Comtess retired for the evening, excusing herself from the study where her husband and son remained.

Philippe de Chagny sat across from his son a deep frown upon his weathered face. "Raoul, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Mademoiselle Giry?

Raoul had known the question would come. He eyed his father warily. "It has been one of friendship, Father. But I fully intend for it to become more."

Philippe's grip on his cane tightened and he tapped it angrily against the floor. "You cannot be serious! After the humiliation you have already brought upon this family, I will not permit another dalliance with a woman of such questionable origins."

The insult inflamed Raoul's temper, and he leaned forward in his seat. His voice was low and firm. "You will not speak of Meg with such disrespect again, or so help me, I will not be held responsible for my actions."

Philippe was far from intimidated by his son's idle threats. "And what change would that make from your current behavior? You have been nothing but irresponsible up to this moment…getting embroiled in that unseemly business at the Opera Populaire. And where did get you, Raoul? Humiliated by a common opera singer! Are you so eager to repeat your mistakes?"

Raoul growled at his father. "Meg is nothing like Christine!"

Philippe grunted. "Certainly she is a lovely creature, far more spirited than Mademoiselle Daae. But is having her in your bed really worth the trouble."

Raoul was out of his seat in a heartbeat, towering over his father with hands braced on the arms of his father's chair. "I will not hear one more word from you about the woman I mean to marry!"

Raoul angrily pushed away from his father and stalked over to the mantle, dropping his head to his hands. Philippe stood slowly, his voice trembling in anger. "You will not marry her, Raoul! I humored you once before, and look how it turned out. I will not be so generous again. I will cut you off! Disinherit you!"

Raoul turned and glared. "Then so be it! The de Chagny line can end with me for all I care! I will not lose the woman I love over such trivial things."

Philippe blanched. "Are you daft! You would forsake your family for that woman?"

Raoul stepped closer to his father. "That woman saved me, father. She has shown me kindness and understanding. She listens to me. Hears me! She…has healed me and made me whole. And I will do whatever it takes to keep her in my life…with or without your approval."

Philippe's eyes softened marginally, but he was a stubborn man and would not give in so easily. "Without."

Raoul shook his head sadly. "Very well, then. I will leave this house in the morning, if that is what you wish. Goodnight father."

He left his father standing in silent contemplation.

When Elise de Chagny was made aware of the confrontation between father and son, she immediately exercised her considerable power as both wife and mother to bring about a temporary truce. She forbade Raoul from forsaking the family, and Philippe from disinheriting him.

Time, she had said. Let it play out as it must.

After all, it was clear to both the Comte and Comtess that Raoul's young lady had acquired another suitor who might render moot all Philippe's concerns.

xXx

After a strained breakfast with his mother's chattering about patience and understanding and family loyalty, and his father's silent brooding, Raoul took a carriage straight to the nearly completed Opera Populaire. He had business with Jean Ranier.

Raoul was shown into the manager's office, where Ranier was seated behind a desk. The man did not bother to stand at the vicomte's entrance; only sat back in his chair and smiled. "Ah, Monsieur le Vicomte. I had a feeling you might stop by the Opera today."

"Did you, sir?"

"Mmm. May I give you a tour; show you how successful the renovations have been?"

"Perhaps some other time."

"Of course, consider it an open invitation. Please have a seat, monsieur. I do not fancy your glowering over me." Raoul reluctantly scraped a chair back and sat. "That's better. Now, let us discuss the true reason for your presence here."

Raoul did not feel the need mince words. "Very well. I wish to know your intentions toward Mademoiselle Giry."

Ranier's smile turned rakish. "I would think that would be obvious."

Raoul colored in anger, rising from his chair and leaning over the desk. "You will not touch her, Ranier!"

Jean laughed. "I see you have abandoned all pretense of politeness, le Vicomte. How unbecoming."

"Rogues such as you do not deserve civility."

"Rogue? Hmm, yes. I suppose I am. But I assure you that Marguerite has no complaints."

Raoul nearly jumped over the desk. He had a sudden desire to strangle this man.

Oh God, oh God! I am going as mad as the phantom!

His hands fisted so tightly that his short nails dug into the palms to keep from wrapping them around Ranier's neck. "I will not allow you to hurt her, Ranier!"

Jean stood then, all good humor fading from his posture. "I would never hurt her. She is quite precious to me, le Vicomte, and I intend to make certain that she is happy."

"As do I!"

"Then it appears we both want the same thing, does it not?"

Oh, the wealth of hidden meaning in that. They did both want the very same thing. Meg. "I have heard of your reputation, Ranier. Meg will never be your mistress."

"But will she be yours?"

Raoul growled. "I would not want her as such!"

"Ah, yes. You do have quite an overly romantic attraction to chorus girls, don't you? First a singer, now a dancer. Tell me, do you really think Marguerite would be any more eager to be a vicomtess than the other?"

Raoul paled, the question far too close to his own treacherous thoughts of late. "Christine has nothing to do with this, Ranier! Do not change the subject."

"Do you really think you can offer Marguerite more than I? That money and a title would make her happier than dancing? I can offer her a freedom that you can never give her, le Vicomte."

"But will you offer her respectability? Or will you ruin her with your own selfish desires?"

Ranier laughed in disbelief. "My selfish desires? God, man, you are a shortsighted fop, aren't you? To take her away from the stage is the truly selfish act. A vicomtess could never dance again, but as my wife, she would be forever near that which she loves so dearly."

Raoul felt suddenly ill. Wife? "Then you intend to ask for her hand?"

"My intentions are none of your concern, le Vicomte. I do as I please and answer to no one."

Raoul glared at the man. "You will answer to me where Meg is concerned, Ranier, I assure you!"

With that, Raoul stormed from the office, attempting to block the sound of Ranier's menacing laughter from his ears.

The damned Opera didn't need a Phantom anymore.

It had Ranier.

A/N: Wow...an assertive, determined Raoul...watch out Meg.