Very Rough
Even before the train to Calais lurched into motion, Meg and Madame Giry had met with their first obstacle to a safe journey. The porter had shown them to their compartment, and as Meg turned to enter, a horrified little cry escaped her lips. For there, already seated with a book open in his hands and a devilish grin upon his face, was Jean Ranier.
"Jean!"
"Good morning, my dear Marguerite. It is a lovely day to travel, is it not?"
Too stunned to speak, Meg merely stood staring at him with her eyes wide and mouth open in a most unladylike way.
Antoinette Giry, who had nearly collided into her daughter's suddenly immobile form, stiffened at the sound of the obnoxious man's voice. Giving Meg a little push from behind, she squeezed into the compartment and glared at the devil. "Monsieur Ranier. What is the meaning of this?"
He looked around innocently. "Why Madame Giry, I am traveling, of course. And what a wonderful coincidence that I should have the pleasure of two such beautiful ladies for company."
Meg, having finally snapped out of her shock, gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "Please Jean, you told me yourself you do not believe in coincidence. Only careful planning."
Jean dropped his book to the seat beside him. "Mmm. So I did. But please, won't you both take your seats? We will have more than sufficient time for discussion."
Antoinette scoffed. "My daughter and I have no intention of being subjected to your company. I am going to find the porter and demand to be given other seats."
Jean chuckled. "I assure you, this passage is quite booked. Indeed, I was lucky to obtain a place on board."
"We shall see."
With that, Antoinette Giry went off in search of satisfaction. Meg, however, sank into the seat across from Jean, having realized that they would likely be in close quarters until reaching their destination. "Tell me, Jean. How did you arrange this?"
"Is it so difficult to imagine that I might actually have business to attend to outside of Paris? I am, after all, in sudden need of a prima ballerina for the Opera."
"There are several in Paris who would jump at the chance, Jean."
"Mmm. Perhaps, but I am feeling the need to discover someone who has never before been seen in Paris. The coast is as good a place as any to begin my hunt for talent, don't you think?"
"On this day…this train…this compartment?"
He raised a brow and grinned. "It is convenient."
"Arranged by your hand, more the like. Do I even want to know how you managed to find out my plans?"
"Probably not. But I must say I am hurt you did not think to tell me yourself. Or even say goodbye."
Meg's eyes flashed. "If you recall, Jean, I did say goodbye! I left no doubt of my decision where you are concerned."
"Your kiss told me differently."
The color drained from Meg's flushed complexion. "How dare you! I never invited such attention from you, and you are a scoundrel to mention your actions now."
He laughed again. "I never claimed to be otherwise. Come now, Marguerite, you are no shrinking violet. I think that is what intrigues me most about you. On the surface, you are every bit the proper and innocent lady, but your true passionate nature glimmers behind your exquisite eyes. I noticed it the very moment we met, and I confess that I am unable to resist the unique combination."
Damn the man! How is it he can be so devious, yet still manage to go about it in such a charming way?
Ignoring the utterly improper pleasure she felt at his words, Meg shot him a withering glance. "Perhaps you should try to resist. You could use a bit of propriety."
"Perhaps you should make it your personal mission to make a respectable man of me."
"Jean, you promised this would end."
"No, I merely reassured you I had no need to force myself upon you. And I am forcing nothing, Marguerite."
"What do you call your presence here, then?"
"Opportunity."
"It will change nothing."
"We shall see, my dear."
Just then, Antoinette reentered the compartment, looking very displeased. She took the seat next to Meg with a cold glare. "Monsieur Ranier, I do not know how you have managed to arrange this unfortunate situation, but I assure you that I will not permit you to carry out whatever plans you are making."
"Madame, I assure you I have no plans in the making. Only a great deal of hopefulness."
His emerald eyes fastened onto Meg, who turned quickly away, grabbing her mothers hands.
"Do not worry, Maman. Monsieur Ranier and I have reached an understanding." She shot a heated look back to Jean. "Have we not?"
"Yes. Marguerite and I understand one another perfectly." His grin widened. "Now, whatever shall we discuss to pass the time?"
Meg sighed, thinking this was going to be a very long journey indeed.
In fact, the journey to Calais was not nearly as bad as Meg had anticipated. The first hour or so had dragged on in excruciating silence, until Antoinette Giry had drifted off to sleep and conversation between Meg and Jean had resumed.
Although Meg was rightfully angry at his scheming, there was simply something about his unapologetic nature that appealed to her. She had always enjoyed listening to him talk, and had a guilty fondness for their verbal spars even now. Meg knew that if her heart had not already belong to Raoul, she might have easily allowed herself to succumb to Jean.
Meg doubted that such a foolish action would have given her any chance of real happiness. She knew that with Raoul, she would always face the memory of Christine, not to mention the difference of their classes. But with Jean, Meg was fairly certain there would be more than one woman arousing her own insecurities. He would certainly make a better lover than a husband, if she were in the market for such a thing. Which she was not.
She hadn't even thought herself in the market for a husband, having been perfectly content to dance and act and generally enjoy her youth. She'd had a few suitors in the past, nothing serious at all, just boys who had brought flowers and candies back stage at the Opera. Most of them had just been looking for a quick thrill, and realizing that she wasn't the sort, they'd fast moved along to one of the more willing girls.
Meg had never been bothered by it, as a serious suitor would have proved too much a distraction to her. And she had certainly been right, as she was terribly distracted now by both Raoul and Jean. At least Jean was a distraction she could easily do without. Raoul was another matter entirely.
When the train finally rolled into Calais in the evening hours, Jean insisted on escorting both ladies to a little inn near the station to ensure that they had room and board for the night. At first he had thought to secure himself a room there as well, but Madame Giry had informed him that they would not stay under the same roof with him.
"If you are staying here, sir, then we will find other accommodations."
Jean chuckled. "Very well." He winked at Meg. "We must think of propriety, after all. Might I at least return in the morning to see you off?"
Such a thing was unwise, considering that they were not finishing their journey by coach, but by steamer. And for Jean to know that was unacceptable, as he had already proven he could never be trusted not to follow.
Antoinette shot him a disapproving look. "That will not be necessary, Monsieur."
He nodded to her, and turned back to Meg. "Safe journey, Marguerite. Until we next meet, my dear."
With that, he bid them both goodnight. Jean felt entirely pleased with the day, as Meg had seemed to soften towards him once again. He would leave her to her little visit in peace, as he certainly had no desire to pass boring days in the country, nor did he wish to continue locking horns with her mother. Calais had some rather interesting entertainment prospects he wanted to explore. Jean planned to enjoy his trip to the fullest, certain his current dealings in Paris were being handled as he had instructed.
Suspicious of Jean's presence in Calais, Meg and Madame Giry had risen in the early hours of dawn and discreetly inquired with the innkeeper about booking passage on a steamer. A hansom had taken them to port, twenty miles from Dover and only a day from seeing Christine and Erik once again.
A/N: I know...that annoying plot bunny just refuses to die. You really didn't think Jean would just give up, did you?