CHAPTER 46

Meg had accepted Raoul's invitation and as the hour drew near she became a nervous wreck. She continually checked her yellow chiffon gown and fidgeted with the pearls about her neck. "Perhaps this was not a good idea after all," she thought with anxiety. She entertained the idea of making up and excuse or having her mother make an excuse for her. "Meg, you're a grown woman! Now gather your nerves and stop these childish thoughts!" she told herself. A knock at her bedroom door startled her, as she checked herself one last time before the mirror.

"Meg, Francois is here to bring you to le Comte," Madame Giry said beyond the door.

Meg opened the door and her mother viewed her flushed cheeks. She brushed her daughter's hair from her shoulders and said, "You look lovely. Have fun tonight, chéri." She placed a kiss upon her daughter's forehead and walked her to the door.

"Maman, I'm nervous!" Meg said as she held the doorknob tightly.

"Be nothing more than you are and everything should be fine," Madame Giry said positively.

Meg nodded and took a deep breath as she opened the door. She was greeted by Francois, who assisted her into the carriage.

Meg waved to her mother from the window as Madame Giry blew a kiss to her. "I shall pray for you, mon chéri."


Jacques led Meg before the double-doors of the grand dining hall. Meg stood tall and straightened out the front of her dress.

"Are you ready, Mademoiselle?" Jacques asked as he viewed her uneasiness.

Meg simply nodded as she gripped her cane tightly.

Jacques opened the doors and announced her. "Mademoiselle Megan Giry," Jacques said proudly. He admired this young girl's bravery in the company she was about to keep, referring to the powerful presence of the Marquis.

Raoul and his father stood as Meg made her way toward them.

She focused on Raoul, never losing contact with his eyes. She drew strength from his calming blue gaze.

The Marquis eyed her carefully and then took her hand. "Mademoiselle," he voiced firmly.

Meg curtsied slightly, trying not to lose her balance.

Raoul took her hand and kissed it, then seated her beside his mother.

"It's lovely to meet you, my dear," Anaïs smiled.

"It's an honor to meet you both," Meg said confidently.

"Let us dine and we shall adjourn to the sitting room for pleasantries," the Marquis said.

They were presented with a full seven-course meal. All the foods that had been prepared looked delectable.

Meg was glad she had remembered the proper utensil etiquette her mother had showed her many years ago. She never thought she would actually need to put it to use.

Raoul had watched her carefully and was impressed. He would occasionally glance at his father and he noticed he was watching her eat as well, nodding his head in approval.

As their meal came to a close, the Marquis asked Therese to serve tea in the sitting room.

Raoul helped Meg from her seat and offered his arm to her as the Marquis did the same for his wife.

Entering the sitting room, they gathered by the warmth of the fire. Anaïs started the conversation, asking Meg about her upbringing and how life had been for her since dancing for the opera house.

The Marquis leaned against the high back chair and listened as the women chattered.

Meg spoke of the various operas she had performed in and the hours of rehearsals that were required per production.

"Mother, Meg has agreed to try out for an acting part in The Game of Love and Chance," Raoul added as Meg spoke of the opera house.

"So you plan on a transition from ballet to acting?" The Marquis questioned.

"Oui, Marquis. I wish to pursue my dreams of acting on the stage. Maman would like to see me continue with ballet, since she always hoped for me to become a prima ballerina. I do love ballet, but my passion is to become an actress," Meg said dreamily.

"So you go against your mother's wishes?" The Marquis said furrowing his brow.

"Jérôme!" Anaïs warned.

"It's a simple question, Anaïs, and I wish to hear Mademoiselle Giry's answer," the Marquis stated.

"I may disappointment my Maman at times, but she always supports me. She worries about me, rightly so, but she also knows I am old enough to make my own decisions, right or wrong. She loves me very much and only wishes my happiness," Meg said honestly.

The Marquis was amused with Meg's answer. She was strong willed like Raoul, though naïve, but pleasantly so, not dumb-witted, he noted. "Just as I remembered Anaïs in her youth," he thought ironically. "The boy really does take after me." All eyes were on him as he rubbed his chin in thought.

"I wish you the best when you try out for this play. You seem to be a very determined young lady. I'm sure you will be able to secure a part," the Marquis said to everyone's astonishment. He then looked to his wife and continued, " Come, Anaïs. The hour grows late," the Marquis said as he held his hand out to his wife.

Raoul and Meg walked his parents to the door. Before they exited, the Marquis turned to his son and said, "Raoul, I expect you to accompany Mademoiselle Giry home."

"Oui, father," Raoul answered as his father patted his back. He turned to Meg and kissed her hand, wishing her a good night as she curtsied and offered the same.

Anaïs kissed Raoul on both cheeks then whispered in his ear. "Your father likes her and so do I," she smiled at her son. Looking to Meg fondly, Anaïs kissed her on both cheeks as well and said, "You are a beautiful child. It has been a pleasure meeting you tonight."

Meg blushed as she curtsied for the Marquise. "The pleasure was mine. Thank you for having me," Meg said with a smile.

As they watched the carriage leave, Raoul turned to Meg and smiled, then lifted her up off her feet with one arm, spinning her.

"Raoul, what are you doing?" Meg giggled as he spun her.

"My parents, they like you, Meg! My mother I expected, but my father? It's not in his nature to take to others easily," Raoul explained.

He placed her back on her feet as Meg asked, "Your father likes me? Is that how he displays his affection?"

Raoul laughed and he traced the right side of her face with his left hand. "Dear little Meg, if only you knew…" he paused, losing himself in the sparkle of her eyes against the moonlit sky. His smile faded as he leaned closer to her with seriousness.

Meg's heart began to race as she felt his breath upon her skin. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers. Once again, she was captivated him. He placed his left hand against the back of her neck and parted his lips slightly. Meg did the same and as she felt him breathe slightly into her mouth, she began to feel dizzy. The feeling intensified as she felt his tongue enter her mouth. She met his tongue with hers nervously and as it made contact, he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Meg could hardly breathe at this new sensation. She had never kissed in this fashion and it made her stomach flutter. She turned, breaking their kiss, and took a few deep breaths.

Raoul searched her face with concern. "Are you alright, little Meg? Forgive me if I…"

He was silenced as Meg kissed him.

They stood under the night sky, giving into their feelings. This was more than just friendship. Tonight they had found love.

The transport to the train station and the ride home to Melun had gone smoothly. The private car Nadir had reserved had a bed for Christine to keep her comfortable and secure during their journey. The Persian made sure Erik and Christine were settled back within The House of Roses before sending word of their return to Madame Giry and Meg.

"I appreciate everything you've done for us, Daroga. You are more than welcome to stay with us, should you choose. That place of yours in the Rue de Rivoli is hardly a place to call home," Erik said with an unappealing look.

"I do believe I have grown on you, old boy. Perhaps you would even miss me should I refuse your offer," Nadir grinned.

"Don't push your luck, Daroga," Erik said cautiously.

Nadir accepted his friend's offer without any further bantering. He decided to keep his teasing to a minimum since Erik was not fully recovered from his injury.

After Nadir left to grab some of his belongings back at his flat, Erik made his way upstairs to be with Christine. He wasn't able to get as close as he would have liked back at the hospital, but now he could take comfort in the warmth of her body and run his fingers through her long brown curls.

He decided to read her the story of "Beauty and the Beast" by Madame Le Prince de Beaumont. It was a better version to Madame Gabrielle de Villeneuve's original. It was much more streamlined yet still kept its magical essence within the text.

Christine would react by squeezing Erik's hand during certain parts of the book. He found she was most receptive to the story of the Beast and his curse.

He paused to search her face and told her how much he loved her. He kissed her and always begged her to return to him. All he could do was watch his beautiful Christine in her state of endless slumber.

Madame Giry received Nadir's letter and was glad to hear they were finally back home. She had hoped to hear Christine had woken up, but her condition remained the same, which worried her. She also knew Erik would be having a difficult time over his wife's prolonged state.

She wrote back to Nadir telling him she would visit soon to help in whatever way that she could.

Meg had returned home late last night and to her surprise, her mother was not waiting up for her this time. She slept the morning away and it was just about noon and she glanced over to the clock sitting on top of the vanity. "Maman did not wake me?" She thought with amazement.

Meg got out of bed and put on her robe. Grabbing her cane she made her way over to the kitchen. As she passed the sitting room, her mother called to her, "How was your dinner with Raoul and his parents?"

Meg was startled and banged her cane to the floor trying to catch her balance.

Madame Giry flinched unexpectedly.

"Maman, I thought you were not home," Meg answered.

"Manon is with the girls today. I told her I would take the day off," Madame Giry said casually.

Meg made her way to the settee and seated herself. "Why did you not wake me earlier?"

"Did you not enjoy your rest, chéri? After all, you didn't come home until three o' clock this morning," Madame Giry said suspiciously.

"We didn't do anything!" Meg blushed at what she had just said.

Madame Giry laughed at her daughter's inability to keep her mouth shut. "Meg, I am your mother and should anything happen, I would know, regardless of whether you blurted it out or not."

She walked over to Meg and sat next to her. "So tell me, how was your evening?"

"Dinner was amazing! There was so much food! I don't know how they can stand to eat like that everyday, Maman!" Meg emphasized, and then continued more casually, "Le Marquise de Chagny is beautiful and she seemed to like me very much. I'm not sure how Raoul's father felt about me. He seemed like a stuffy old goat, but Raoul says he is that way. He seemed certain his father liked me. I didn't think I would survive the evening, but I remembered what you said about being myself, which I was. His Maman even asked me to see her again soon," Meg smiled.

"Perhaps when you get a bit better, chéri," Madame Giry suggested.

She was relieved to hear Raoul's parents did not treat her daughter as a mere commoner. She was still uneasy about her relationship with the new Comte, but now that she knew her daughter was no longer a secret to Raoul's parents, the uncertainty seemed to lessen. They seemed to accept the fact Meg was a part of their son's life. "Only time will determine what will become of this," Madame Giry thought.

Author's Note
"You like me! You really like me!" -giggles- Sorry, I had a Sally Field flashback. I'm good now. -grins- Anyways, I'm glad everyone is still enjoying the updates and because you have all been extremely patient and loyal, I have updated two Chapters today for your enjoyment. Happy reading, my faithful supporters! -Erik squishy hugs-

Disclaimer
I do not own any rights nor am I affiliated with Marivaux's "The Game of Love and Chance" or Madame Le Prince de Beaumont and Madame Gabrielle de Villeneuve versions of "Beauty and the Beast."