A/N: How's summer treating everyone so far? Mine is well and I hope yours is too. I'm going away for a couple of weeks to Myrtle Beach and I didn't want to leave without updating so I give you two chapters now. This story has been fun writing and it's something different from I what usually do. I've done romance before but this one isn't like the others. I don't know if anyone noticed this but this story is also inspired by Pride and Prejudice. There are some hints towards the novel, though for the most part I'm keeping it as original as I can.

Thank you to everyone who is reading this and Halley for a superb job. Please don't forget to review!

Chapter 7: A Mother and Son Chat

Etienne was jolted from bed as his mother came storming in.

"Etienne Fitzwilliam Destler!" Christine shouted, using his full name only when he was in serious trouble. "I want you out of that bed this instant!"

"Mother, could you have at least knocked?" he said, throwing on his robe. "I haven't—"

"Etienne, we have a guest, specifically a friend of your father's with us and what have you done? You were completely rude and out of line with her! I believe your father and I raised you better than that!"

"I will apologize if you like," Etienne responded. "But I was only acting on our family's behalf. How do we know she is who she claims to be? Doesn't it strike you odd that she appeared out of the blue? Why now? Why not when you two got married? Why not when I or any of us were born?"

"That Etienne," Christine answered patiently. "Is not up to us. She's here now and your father is happy and that's all that matters. I'm sure she would have loved to be here earlier, but alas not everything can work out to what we want. And of course she is who she says. Your father knows her. Wouldn't recognizing her alone be the only evidence required?"

Etienne wanted to object, but his mother cornered him to where any argument to that point would be futile. Twenty-eight years may have passed though it wouldn't have matter to Erik Destler. He had a strange ability of possessing a memory far superior than a young man's.

Christine fixed him with an imperative eye. "As long as Stephanie Larson remains in this house, I expect the utmost gentlemanly manners that I know exists. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am," Etienne mumbled.

Christine smiled. "That's the boy I raised. Though, I am quite positive that your father and I never introduced you to a brothel before."

His ears and cheeks reddened as he looked away. "Mother…"

"Etienne…" she interrupted. "I understand you're a man and you have needs. I'm not blinded to it because you're my son. But why would you want to waste yourself to a woman whose interest goes to how large your pocket is? I never could understand that. Thankfully your father never went into those despicable places. Any man will find what he's looking for in one woman."

He didn't reply to her. What else could he say? She was right, as always, and there he stood, feeling like an ignoramus.

"Your father would be saddened to know what his son was frolicking with, but it's not my place to tell him. And you shouldn't either if you stop or wait until we're both dead," Christine added, a mischievous glint in her mahogany orbs.

"I promise," he vowed, thanking God he wouldn't have to face his father's wrath. "Since we have that out of the way, may I return to my bed?"

Christine chuckled. "Heavens no! Stephanie is in need of clothes for her stay and I think it would give you both a chance to get to know each other if you were to take her to the city."

"WHAT!"

"What indeed. Your father has some business to deal with at the Populaire as do I with rehearsals. You're the only one with nothing extraordinary important to do so you will take Stephanie. God forbid you should enjoy her company."

"Mother, do you know what you're doing? What if someone asks about her? What in the world would I say?"

"You're right. Well, luckily your father's past isn't known throughout of Paris, only the present. I'm sure you or either she could come up with a story. She is very intelligent I'll have you know—a career woman in writing. She shouldn't be a bore to converse, will she?"

There was no point left to argue with. Reluctantly, Etienne consented to take her fitted. He highly doubted he would be in a friendly and charitable mood. He wasn't pleased with the first impression she gave him. No woman, except his mother and Maddy, ever made a curt reply to anything he said.

She was beautiful, he'll give her that, but there was that gleam in her eye and the way she held her head. Prideful would best describe what he saw in her the few minutes they had. He didn't like it and she will prove to be a handful if she continued to be short with him. Already he was beginning to dread the outcome of this errand.

Etienne was also beginning to be worried about the gossip that would no doubtingly occur. A strange and mysterious woman by his side would strike plenty of attention among the high social ranks and he would be smothered with questions. Though, he could afford a good tale if that would be the case, which most likely would be needed. He just hoped that no rash judgments would be made about him.

He dressed quickly due to his mother's urgency and waited in the foyer to escort Mlle Larson. The wait lasted several minutes when Erik and Stephanie finally emerged.

Etienne's breath became stuck in his throat at the newly appearance. Even though he seen the gown on his mother before, his reaction was different when Stephanie Larson worn it.

The material molded to her figure, revealing her womanly curves and the swell of her bosoms in a modest fashion. Her light reddish-brown tresses were away from her face, held up by a matching soft purple hair ribbon. Her jade and hazel eyes were acute, returning his bold gaze tenfold. He vaguely noticed before of the two different colors, but now he stared with fascination.

It wasn't until a soft jab from his father that brought him back, allowing himself to properly greet her with a suave bow and a kiss on her knuckles. Etienne hoped this would come across as his apology from earlier.

Stephanie wasn't sure what to make from his sudden change in attitude thus shrugging it off. She wasn't exactly hyped about the plans with Etienne tagging along, but Erik and Christine were both busy and she couldn't do this alone. The 19th century style was foreign to her as the 21st century style had been for Erik. She needed a guide and if it had to be Etienne then so be it.

"The hansom awaits us, mademoiselle," Etienne said, offering his arm for her to take.

Stephanie took one look at him and shook her head. "I can handle walking myself out thank you."

She brushed past him as he shot her a reproachful glance. This is going to be a long day.

TBC…