Broken Sentences Of You

To say that the ensuing coach ride was wrought with tension would have been a vast understatement. The Comtess had done her best to be pleasant, but Comte de Chagny had silently studied Meg and her mother with evident disapproval. He had uttered only a few terse words of greeting at the station before offering--or rather demanding--to escort the Girys to their home.

Raoul had taken Meg's hand reassuringly and offered an encouraging smile. "Do not worry, my love. Nothing will part us now." Meg tried to return his smile, but she feared the outcome of this all would only cause more pain to Raoul.

Comtess de Chagny had endeavored to make small talk and extended a dinner invitation to both ladies for the following evening. Meg thought Raoul's mother seemed genuine enough in her welcome, but it did little to ease the discomfort she felt under the Comte's watchful assessment.

Upon being safely deposited at the Marseille House, Meg had fallen into her mother's arms lamenting over the Comte's obvious dislike of her.

Antoinette gently admonished her daughter. "My child, you knew entering into this engagement would not be an easy task. I did not raise you to fall apart under the slightest scrutiny. If you expect to be a vicomtess, you will need a thicker skin than this."

"But I will not be a vicomtess if Raoul is disowned! I cannot let him suffer for me."

Antoinette chuckled. "He does not seem to suffer much in your company, Meg. And I feel fairly certain that Comtess de Chagny will not allow her only son to be disowned. Now…you will dry your tears and conduct yourself with confidence. Show them no weakness; trust in yourself and trust in your love…and all will be well."

Meg took this advice to heart, and determined that she would not bow to her fears again. Raoul was worth fighting for, and fight she would.

xXx

While Meg's mother had offered comfort and sage advice, Raoul's father was far less accommodating. As the coach pulled away from the boarding house, the Comte grunted in disgust. "You mean to go through with this, then? Despite my feelings on the matter."

Raoul met his father's eyes unflinchingly. "Yes. I am in love with Meg, and she is in love with me. Nothing you can say or do will alter my coarse."

Philippe scoffed. "How will you support the girl if I should take away your means? You hardly have any skills."

Elise could take no more of such talk, and angrily rebuked her husband. "Enough Philippe! Can you not see that our son will not be intimidated by your threats? He will marry her regardless of your approval. And I, for one, do not wish to be alienated from our son…or our future grandchildren."

Philippe visibly paled at this thought. "Grand…? The girl is not already…?"

Raoul scowled and cut off his father's words. "I will not even dignify that with an answer."

Philippe crossed his arms, and father and son sat staring at one another in silence for long moments, neither willing to be the first to back down. Despite his unhappiness in Raoul's choice, the Comte could not help but feel a spark of pride that his son had developed such strength in his convictions. There was a time not long ago when Raoul would have submitted without question. The boy had finally become a man, and it was this that made Philippe relent, if only a fraction. He cleared his throat. "I will not yet give you my approval for this insanity, Raoul. But…I will make no further attempt to stop you."

Raoul's eyes narrowed. "I expect you will make every effort to show my fiancée respect."

Philippe grunted again. "I will show her no disrespect."

And with that, the first tentative steps to acceptance were taken.

xXx

The first dinner between the de Chagnys and the Girys, while not exactly a rousing success, was certainly amicable enough. Meg had struggled to be every bit proper and polite and keep her more spirited thoughts to herself. Raoul endeavored just as valiantly to make her comfortable with his parents, ever fearful that she would change her mind about joining his family. Much of the conversation had revolved around the common interest of the arts and theater. The Comtess and Madame Giry had discovered they shared quite similar taste in such things, and their pleasant relations had been a great relief to their children.

If the Comte was still not happy with the course of events, he had later grudgingly admitted to his wife to finding the young Mademoiselle Giry to be a very pleasing sort of girl.

xXx

One person would never be pleased by the engagement, and that was none other than Jean Ranier, although Raoul did take great pleasure in telling him of it. Indeed, it was with a happy smile and carefree whistle that le Vicomte de Chagny made his way to the Opera Populaire two days after returning to Paris.

Jean himself had returned just two weeks prior, having had a thoroughly enjoyable search for talent in Northern France. In truth, he had expected the Vicomte's visit a good deal sooner, but his rival had been suspiciously absent. His sources had not seemed to know where the boy had been hiding, but no matter. De Chagny had received the news of Jean's rendezvous with Marguerite just as he'd intended, and now he was eager to twist the knife of jealousy. A simple plan really, divide and conquer.

"Monsieur le Vicomte, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit on this fine afternoon?"

Raoul narrowed his eyes at the man, resisting the urge to call him out. "Monsieur Ranier…I believe you know the business I have with you."

Jean grinned. "I can think of one common interest we have, sir."

Raoul scowled a little more at his tone. "I am fully aware of all your plotting in relation to Mademoiselle Giry, and I am here, in part, to assure you it has been entirely unsuccessful."

Jean smirked. "Not unsuccessful, Monsieur, as the results thus far have been entirely enjoyable."

Raoul's fists clenched tightly at his sides, jealousy assaulting him despite his engagement to Meg. "She has told me everything, Ranier, from your innuendos to your unwanted advances. It will stop as of this moment."

Jean chuckled. "Are you certain she has told you everything? Because I recall that my attention was most welcome. Especially during our travels together"

Raoul leaned across the desk. "You think to play upon my jealousy…my unfortunate history…to inspire doubt…but you have severely miscalculated, sir. In fact, I should thank you for you devious actions, as they have been the means of casting out all doubt for both myself and Meg."

Ranier's superior expression dimmed, and he growled. "You are a fool if you believe that, Vicomte. Marguerite will always doubt your true feelings."

Raoul straightened and chuckled a little, almost pitying Ranier that he could never realize exactly what his interference had done. "Meg knows my feelings, now more than ever. You see, Ranier, your attempt at driving us apart has only brought us closer together." Raoul's expression hardened. "And you would do well to keep your distance from the my fiancée if you wish to hold on to your patrons. My family does have some considerable influence in Paris."

Jean choked incredulously, "Your fiancée?"

Raoul smiled in triumph. "Yes…did I forget to mention that? Meg and I are soon to be married. We will be certain to extend you a formal invitation to our wedding and do so hope you will be able to attend. But of course, we will understand if you cannot."

"You will never make her happy!"

Raoul's smile only widened. "But I will have the lifelong pleasure of trying. Good day, Monsieur." Raoul tipped his head and turned to leave, pausing before he turned. "Oh, and…I do hope you managed to find some new talent on your trip…as my wife shall definitely not be gracing your stage."

As he made his way down the hallway, Raoul heard a crash followed by some very colorful language echo from behind him. He began to whistle once again.

Ah, yes, a very fine afternoon, indeed.

A/N: I know the last few chapters have been a little RM-lite, but the next ones will make up for it. Sad to say that we're closing in on the end now... Stay tuned. And as always, thank you to my loyal reviewers.