CHAPTER 29

Raoul sat in his study clearing the last few documents from his desk. He didn't think it would be possible to ever catch up. He had neglected a lot of his usual duties as of late. There was just too much for him to think about, let alone mundane business matters. He thought back on Meg and that hurried kiss she had given him. She had kissed him briefly before, but this time was different. Raoul touched a finger to his lip. "Her lips were warm and soft."

Raoul had wanted to kiss her, but thoughts of Christine riddled him with guilt. "Perhaps I need a change of scenery," he thought, raising the last piece of business to read it. In his hand was a letter from the Navy regarding a new project to break ground in Montpellier, by the Mediterranean. Raoul rubbed his chin then reclined in his leather chair to think. "I will visit with Meg and then make arrangements to journey to Montpellier. It will be my new future," he thought yawning.

Making his way toward his room, Raoul began his ascent upstairs, to get a well-deserved night's sleep. He wanted to be in top form for the day ahead of him. He stood by his bed undoing his shirt when Philippe came barging in rudely.

"Brother! Please assure me that you were not with that half-wit ballet girl this evening!" Philippe breathed out heavily.

"Good of you to knock, Philippe. I take it you are in good spirits?" Raoul mocked.

Philippe paced the room shaking his head. "Do you know what I had to endure tonight because of you? First of all, you did not show up to the banquet for Lord and Lady Wensley, so I had to come up with some menial explanation on your behalf. But the worst part of the evening was to overhear the gossip among the guests! My God, it was excruciating. You know they say you are purposely disgracing our family and philandering about town between those scarlet women!"

Raoul felt as if his head was going to explode. He didn't want to hear anymore about obtuse socialites and their ideas of propriety. "For Christ's sake, Philippe! Do you even stop to hear what comes out of that mephitic mouth of yours? I could care less what people think. I know the truth. That's all that matters!"

Philippe couldn't believe his brothers audacity toward him. "You may not care about me or of our father, but Raoul, mother was devastated!"

Raoul thought for a moment. Had he been selfish in failing to consider his mother's feelings? "Mother always encouraged me to be a good man and to be true to myself. Surely rumors would not make her think less of me, would they?" He thought.

"It appears I have struck a nerve. Good! You always were mother's favorite, so try and remember that what you do affects her as much as our family. I will do whatever it takes to prevent this tomfoolery, brother. I will not stand for this any further. Do you understand me, Raoul?"

Raoul rushed up to Philippe. "Is that a threat, brother? If it is, I am not amused in the slightest. I make my own decisions and I will not have you or anyone else dictate my affairs, do I make myself clear, Philippe?

The two siblings eyed each other dangerously. Philippe pushed Raoul aside and walked toward the door to exit, but not before adding, "You just remember who took care of you when we were younger. You didn't know better then and you certainly don't know any better now!" Philippe slammed the door.

Raoul hated being treated like a child by his brother. He never saw him for the man he had become. Philippe always thought of him as that timid boy incapable of defending himself. Infuriated, Raoul punched the bedroom wall.

Jacques came flying up the stairs and nervously rapped at his master's door. "Monsieur Vicomte? Are you alright? May I enter?" Jacques knew that Philippe's unannounced visit would not be a pleasant one. Philippe's demeanor was on edge and he knew Raoul did not seem too close with Philippe since his return from the Navy. He opened the door slightly and peered inside.

"Monsieur Vicomte?" he questioned. Scanning the room he saw a hole in the wall and in the corner sat a crumpled Raoul holding his hand carefully.

"Mon dieu! What's happened? Did le Comte do this?" Jacques asked as he crouched beside his master in worry.

"Non. I did this," Raoul sighed. "I know I shouldn't do such things, but I fear my brother brings out the worst in me."

Raoul tried to get up from the floor, wincing as he moved his right hand.

Jacques noticed that the skin around Raoul's hand was turning a shade of purple and that the hand itself seemed to sit at an unnatural angle.

Observing the look on his butler's face, Raoul requested, "Jacques, I need you to fetch the doctor for me. I do believe it is broken."

Jacques finished helping Raoul to the bed, making sure he was comfortable. "I shall send for the doctor now. Try to relax, Monsieur Vicomte," Jacques assured, then swiftly departed the room.

Dr. Gilles attended to Raoul's injury. He had been the de Chagny family doctor for years and he would have never guessed of such a thing happening to such a sweet-tempered young man. "Whatever had happened to cause such self-inflicting destruction surely must have been exasperating," he thought.

"I will instruct Jacques on the medication you are to take when in pain or if you cannot sleep, Vicomte. I will come and check on you in two weeks or should you need me sooner, have a messenger send word and I shall be here," the doctor expressed.

Raoul nodded and thanked him for coming at such a late hour. He was embarrassed for the reason at which the visit was prompted. "If I hit Philippe instead, then I probably would not have this painful reminder of my antics," he concluded.

Needing two weeks to heal and undoubtedly a few more weeks to recover, Raoul wondered what his options would be now. He would still be mobile, but any kind of 'hands on' work would be out of the question. Raoul sighed at himself as Jacques came into the room with some tea.

"I have taken the liberty of adding your Laudanum to your tea, Monsieur. It should be easier to take then." Jacques placed the tray on the small table by the bed.

"Merci, Jacques. You have done an excellent job attending to me tonight. I appreciate it." Raoul took a sip of his tea and thought, "I pray to have a dreamless night."

"I am glad to have been here to assist you. Should you need anything, Monsieur, do not hesitate to ring for the attending household or me. Bonne nuit." Jacques bowed and closed the door behind him.

Raoul settled into the comfort of the bed as the effects of the Laudanum were starting to work its magic. His eyes became heavy and he willingly allowed them to surrender to unconsciousness.

Author's Note
Thanks to all my readers who enjoyed the wedding! All the reviews have been heartwarming. -Hugs- As a reminder, the next Chapter will be "The Wedding Night." I will have two versions posted. The cleaner of the two will be posted here. The other will be at the Adult Fan Fiction site. By no means will the chapter differ in any way other than added detail at the adult site. So, should you choose not to view it there, you will not lose any content pertaining to the story. Enjoy!