Chapter Two
Raoul de Chagney
He saw her around noon one afternoon and in that one glance he became infatuated with the stranger who had come to Boscherville in the night. She was not like the other girls in the village who all tried to win the eye of every good looking man that passed their way.
She was quiet and sweet and seemed to be so innocent Raoul felt his heart ache. Not only was she sweet she was beautiful. At least he thought so. And he had a very good eye for women. Her hair was brown and fell in tight ringlets down her slim back. Her hair framed a pale face that contained large hazel eyes beneath finely arched brows. Her nose was small and curved nicely at the tip. But her lips were luscious and full and Raoul had made it his goal to claim those lips with his own.
She had just left the local book store and her thoughts were centered on the book in her hands. That was another thing most girls here did not do; read. Except for Meg, perhaps, who was one of the most intelligent girls he knew. Ah, his pretty little Meg. But at the moment his thoughts were filled with the woman before him.
He purposely got in her way until she ran into him, dropping her book to the floor. She flushed in embarrassment and tried to pick up her book but he reached it first.
"I-I am sorry, Monsieur…I was not watching where I was going," she said in hasty apology. He smiled a smile that had gotten him many wenches in his bed and beneath him. She blushed again and looked away.
"It was my fault entirely, Mademoiselle, not to worry," he said, handing her the book.
"Thank you," she murmured. He nodded.
"May I have the honor of knowing your name?" he asked. She hesitated and it was clear for him to see.
"Christine…Christine Daaé," she said finally. He kissed her hand, his lips lingering over the pale flesh.
"A pleasure, Mademoiselle, I am Raoul de Chagney," he said.
"The pleasure is all mine, Monsieur," she said.
"Where are you headed at the moment?" he asked.
"Back to the inn," Christine replied.
"May I escort you there?" he wondered. Christine hesitated as she studied the young man before her. He was exceedingly handsome and appeared to be like Jacque had once been, all charm and smiles.
His hair was a dirty blond that reached his shoulders and was pulled back with a blue ribbon behind his head. His eyes were a beautiful shade of blue and seemed to look at her quite intently. He wore black trousers with a white shirt opened at the front to show a good amount of his muscled chest.
She should not trust a man such as this because she had learned the hard way that most men were not supposed to be trusted. But Raoul seemed nice enough and she decided to push her doubts away.
"That would be lovely," she said finally. Raoul smiled in triumph and offered his arm. She took it with a smile.
"Are you planning on staying a long time here in Boscherville?" Raoul asked as they walked. Christine did not know if she felt comfortable telling him her plans.
"It is uncertain at the moment," she said finally. He smiled at her and she was aware that he knew she was lying. She flushed guiltily and looked away. When they reached the inn Christine was more then relieved to be away from Raoul and she had no notion why. Perhaps it was how much he reminded her of Jacque. That was probably it.
Raoul watched her walk into the inn with a small smile on his lips. Christine seemed like simple woman, it should not be too hard to win her heart, and win her heart he would. Raoul de Chagney always got what he wanted when it came to woman.