CHAPTER 31

Meg pushed her food around with her fork as she thought back on the magical evening she was able to share with Christine. She thought it was extremely romantic and as she watched them exchange vows, she couldn't help but think of Raoul. The possibilities were endless, "Especially now that Christine has finally married le fantôme!" Erik would always be the "Opera Ghost" to Meg. She just loved to hang on to her outrageous tales.

She let out a giggle.

"Is breakfast so amusing, chéri?" Madame Giry inquired.

Meg smiled at her mother and said, "Sorry, Maman, I was just thinking of last night. I still cannot believe Christine is married to him!"

Madame Giry added, "Oui, child, it is true. I have never seen two people more in love."

Thinking of love, Meg wanted to ask her mother about visiting Raoul. She felt an explanation was in order for the way she behaved with him. "He must think me shameless!" She thought.

Picking up her plate and walking over to the sink, she mustered up the courage to ask. "Maman, do you think I can visit with le Vicomte today?" She braced herself for the answer.

Madame Giry was no fool. She knew her daughter was going to ask her this. Gathering her thoughts, she answered her, "Meg, it's not proper for you to visit le Vicomte at his home, especially unannounced."

Meg hadn't thought about that. "Maybe I can send word to him to have lunch at Beauvais's Bakery by the opera house?"

Madame Giry raised her tone, "Megan! What did I tell you about indulging at that bakery? You begin rehearsals again soon and you cannot be stuffing yourself with those sweets."

"They have other things to eat than just the sweets, Maman. You can simply tell me yes or no and I will respect your wishes," Meg voiced.

Madame Giry couldn't believe what she was hearing. Meg had actually been bold enough to stand her ground with her. Normally she would have thrown a fit and excused herself to her room. She wasn't sure about these new changes in Meg, but she knew she couldn't keep her daughter from growing up.

"If le Vicomte wishes to meet with you at the bakery, then it's fine with me, butdo not forget we are expected at La Maison de Roses for dinner."

Meg ran up to her mother and hugged her tightly. "Oui, Maman, thank you!"

Meg kissed her and ran to her room to write a message to Raoul.

"That is the child I know," Madame Giry shook her head and smiled.

Raoul stood outside of his balcony taking in the late morning sun. As he looked across the grounds toward the gate, he could make out a rider. The rider galloped towards the front of the house and met with Jacques. After leaving his bundle of letters with Jacques, the rider took off in a flash.

"Jacques, what news did he bring?" Raoul shouted from above.

Jacques scanned through the bundle. "It looks to be all formal... business related, Monsieur."

Raoul nodded then turned his back from Jacques.

"Monsieur Vicomte! My apologies. There is a personal message addressed to you." Jacques waved the envelope in the air.

"I'm coming down, Jacques." Raoul turned on his heel and made his way downstairs.

Retrieving the letter from Jacques, Raoul seated himself upon the steps of his front porch. Tearing the seal and removing the note, he unfolded it and read beneath the warmth of the sun.

Dear Raoul,

I am writing in hopes that you would like to have a bit of lunch with me at Beauvais's Bakery, by the Opera Populaire. Should you be able to attend, I will be out front at noon. I look forward to seeing you, mon ami.

Fondly,
Meg

Raoul looked at his pocket watch and noticed he would need to change and head out straight away in order to make it by noon. Calling out to Jacques, he asked to have Francois ready his carriage for immediate departure.

Meg sat out front of Beauvais's Bakery enjoying some tea and reading the paper. It mentioned the estimated completion date of the opera house as well as the opening production of Marivaux's "The Game of Love and Chance." Meg placed the paper on the table and sipped her tea. "That play will bring quite a large crowd," Meg thought.

Tapping her shoulder, Raoul made his presence known. "Mademoiselle Giry, I pray I did not keep you waiting."

Meg blushed at Raoul as he bowed formally and smiled at her. "I have not been waiting long, Monsieur." She stressed the formal address playfully.

"What are you having, little Meg?" He asked looking at her cup.

"Just a cup of tea with a bit of honey," she answered.

"Wait here. I will bring you a treat," Raoul said as he entered the bakery.

As Raoul came out of the bakery, the owner, who was carrying a tray, followed him.

"Here we go, Mademoiselle. A fresh pot of tea, a Napoleon, Princess, and Raspberry slice--three of our specialties!"

The owner set the tray on the table and bowed as he left.

Meg's eyes widened at the large cake slices before her. "Mon dieu! I don't think I can eat all of this!"

Seating himself beside her, Raoul replied, "Well, little Meg, I was not sure which you would like best and I was hoping you would not mind sharing with me," he winked at her.

As they enjoyed their sweets, Meg questioned Raoul about his heavily bandaged hand. She looked at him with sympathetic eyes as he recalled the night's events with Philippe.

"I enjoy your company, mon ami, but if our friendship is a problem…" she was interrupted.

"Do not even think it, Meg. I am a grown man and my affairs are my own," he stated genuinely.

Her cheeks colored a pale pink as he mentioned the word 'affairs.'

"There is something I have been meaning to ask…"

This time Meg interrupted him.

"I know that kiss was rather unexpected and I don't know what came over me, Raoul. I do hope you can accept my apology. I didn't mean to be so forward, I…." Meg paused and looked at Raoul.

He shook his head at her, smiling.

"Meg, I was going to ask your opinion on an opportunity I have been given by the Navy."

Raoul watched as Meg flushed a red hue, embarrassed of her presumption.

Regaining her composure as best she could, Meg looked into Raoul's eyes and continued to listen to him explain this 'opportunity' he had. He told her about Montpellier and that he would be gone for about six to eight months, quite possibly up to a year.

Meg's heart sank with every detail he gave. She didn't want him to go, but she had no reason to keep him in Paris. They were only friends after all. Meg had hoped for more given time, but with him leaving for Montpellier, their relationship would never grow into something more beyond what it already was.

"Meg? Did you hear what I said?" Raoul questioned.

"Pardon moi?" Meg answered.

"I was telling you that I would not be departing until my hand was healed and that it would be an honor if you continued to grace me with your cheerful presence until then?"

Raoul anticipated her answer as he finished his cup of tea.

If she only had a few weeks to enjoy his company, then she would take it. "It is better to have a few stolen moments to last a lifetime than to have none at all." Meg thought to herself as she answered him, "I am happy to be here for you while you are in Paris, mon ami," she finished with a forced smile.

Raoul was pleased to hear her words as he took her hand and kissed it. "Would you like to join me for dinner tonight? There is a new restaurant in town that I wish to survey."

Meg frowned as she declined his offer. She told him she had plans for dinner with Christine.

He inquired to which restaurant they would be dining. He offered his services to get them the best table, wait staff, and gourmet cuisines.

"Really, Raoul, that is unnecessary, Christine's staff will be more than capable of…" Meg shut her mouth as she realized she was offering too much information that was Christine's private business.

"I see. Well, I don't mean to pry or make you feel uncomfortable. It seems Christine is doing quite well for herself," Raoul said somberly.

Meg reached for his hand and squeezed it gently. "You will get through this, mon ami."

Raoul looked into her bright blue eyes and smiled. Meg made it easier for him to cope with his loss of Christine. He faced each day a bit better with her support and he was thankful for it. He knew he would miss Meg's company once he was in Montpellier.

From across the road, Raoul and Meg didn't realize a very displeased Comte Philippe, shaking his head in disapproval, as he watched them.
Author's Note
Sorry for the short "filler" Chapter, but I needed it to begin our plot. I'm sure you all knew it was coming. We're coming toward the end of my first fic (do not worry, it's several chapters in the making yet). Philippe is a real loser! -punches him in the nose- Thanks everyone for all the fab reviews for Chapter 30. That really took awhile to write. I exhausted all my efforts, so hopefully I did not disappoint. I wanted to give special thanks to Kelli for helping me edit some parts that needed filling for the cleaner version. She's phantastic! -hugs-

Disclaimer
Once again, I do not own any rights to Marivaux or his play "The Game of Love and Chance."