A/N: I'm back! Sorry for the wait, we decided to stay a few days longer. FOUR MORE DAYS TIL PIRATES! Had to make the announcement. It's Jack Sparrow and I'm eager to see it. Thank you Halley, my beta, for a great job and please don't forget to review!
Chapter 9: Musings
The carriage rolled on, bouncing from the gravel roads. Stephanie watched the sun setting through the window, sighing at the lovely colors in the sky. Her emerald eye stole a quick glimpse at her companion, his chin resting on his hand, boredom etched all over. Looking down in her lap, she felt awful for yelling at him, but was miffed by the way he talked to her like she was incapable of taking care of herself.
She thought about making amends, even though she already attempted it when they had dinner not forty-five minutes ago. Stephanie was surprised by the stop but Etienne brushed off her concern about his parents' waiting for them.
"They wouldn't expect us to come straight home from our excursion. We had started late in our travel and the time took far longer than I originally planned. It will be rather late by the time we return, unless you wish waiting to eat. I, however, do not want to."
Neither did Stephanie for she was quite starving as well, but she doubted he would admit to such commonly feelings figuratively. So, onward they stopped at a quaint restaurant and throughout the meal, Etienne hardly spoke a word to her, except to make a comment on the food itself. She tried to bring up about earlier, but Etienne wouldn't hear any of it. He would call over the garcon to refill his wine glass whenever she attempted a compromise.
Dan wouldn't ignore her in these circumstances. He would allow her to speak her mind and then he would throw in a word or two and the fight would be ended. If not she, then he would be the peacekeeper. Both ways the apology will come out and that was that.
Etienne Destler made it seemingly impossible.
Stephanie felt, perhaps, she was being too critical of Erik's son. Surely this might be awkward for him. After all, she knew his father way before he married and had him and his siblings. Wouldn't that cause some sort of unease? Stephanie always wondered what Erik and Christine's children would be like and pictured herself being friends with them or be Aunt Stephy. But the latter was out of the question now for the grown adults.
I keep forgetting this isn't the 21st century anymore, she thought. I have to keep that in mind.
But the two apprentice seamstresses stuck far out in that the attitude of her eyes were the same as it was growing up. That hadn't changed a bit and the relapse of her temperament was a defensive reaction. On the bright side of it, it could have been the lesson those two needed to experience for any future fascinating appearances of customers. They would think twice about staring had it not been for Stephanie.
"When there's a bad, a good always comes out of it," as Dan would have said, she reminisced, a poignant smile painted on her lips. I suppose that this interlude from my life would shed some good. I have seen Erik and Christine, plus I had the pleasure of meeting their first offspring; no matter how imperious he could be.
Looking fully at Etienne, Stephanie's only hope to be possible friends would be to forgive and forget-- even if his comment was more than likely directed to all of her sex.
"Etienne."
He looked at her, peeved by her use of informality. "I believe M. Destler would do at the present moment," Etienne corrected with astute airs. "I do not know you well enough to be on first name basis and I would suggest you do the same for me."
"M. Destler," she amended, her countenance shaped in a scowl. "I'm sorry for the things I said before. To you it may not have been of an importance, but for me it was. Let's just put it behind us." Stephanie held her hand out and after a brief moment, Etienne shook it tersely before withdrawing to himself, not giving Stephanie a second glance.
At least he can't hold that over my head for trying to be courteous.
xxXXxx
As they neared the entrance, dusk was already settling. Stephanie's derriere was achy from the coach's jarring and a hot bath was definitely in order from the recent stress. There were plenty of things to contemplate and soaking in steam would allow her to reflect mainly on a particular Destler.
Christine and Erik stood in the foyer, greeting their son and Stephanie once they entered. The miserable expressions on both alerted the Destlers that the trip wasn't as pleasant as they hoped for. Neither one addressed it and pardoned themselves to their rooms.
Stephanie forgot her room was in the vicinity of Etienne's, err M. Destler, and cursed her luck. Then she realized how close it was, next to his, that she stifled a moan of exasperation. She didn't bother to say good-night and retreated into the room to prevent from seeing him anymore.
Stephanie took in her surroundings and found the bedchamber to her liking (despite the person next door being intolerable). There was a fireplace to the right, a vanity with mirrors and drawers next to the four-poster bed with canopy, and two doors on the left. She wandered over to the doors and in the first was a closet, already containing some gowns for her. I have to thank Christine when I see her, she thought, grinning at her generosity. The next door led to a private bathroom where a bath was already drawn for her.
And not too long either, she noted from the rise of the steam. Shedding off the dress and underclothes, she laid them over an empty bin and carefully submerged herself into the soothing waters.
"Ahh," Stephanie sighed, resting her head on the rim. Languidly, she reached for the bar of soap and began lathering her hair and body with the suds. By the time she finished cleansing herself, she could catch the sounds of a heated argument in the room next door. Fighting off a smirk, Stephanie turned in the tub so she could listen better.
One voice was obviously Etienne's and the other was male and could only be Erik. The crux of the exchange taking place, she could make out, was apparently over a woman. As the voices rose it became evident of who the "woman" was.
"This is a new experience and World for her! Do you think the transition was easier for me in hers? No! But I managed!" Erik shouted.
"But she should have known better and not made a scene!" Etienne retorted with malevolence.
"It's different there than it is here! She's independent and speaks out for herself. She is very capable of dealing with people. And those girls shouldn't have been staring in the first place. They had to have known you were there accompanying her so their inclinations must be dealt with—first day or not."
Stephanie silently cheered Erik for him agreeing with her. She could count on him understanding her justification of her anger, even if it was so imprudent to Etienne.
"She made up a story including a connection to you! Tell me if my temper shouldn't be justified," Etienne scoffed. "She can get into a lot of trouble and our family will be swept into a scandal!"
"She did not know," Erik answered coolly. "You have every right to be upset, Etienne, but my past is known to you, your mother, and Stephanie. Let the rest of the world be damned. I doubt any traces could be captured of what I've done unless some high action and power is used. But until then, we will go on with what she said and if any problems should arise they will be taken care of."
"Is that your response then?" Etienne queried stubbornly. "So be it. You are my father and you decide what's best, but I won't have anything else to do with that insufferable woman. Any entertaining for her should be by you or mother."
"And what other crimes has she committed to allow you come with such a mind?"
"Everything!"
Stephanie frowned. She had not done anything that would condemn her to be "insufferable". If anyone should be complaining it should be she about Etienne and his sexist ways.
"Her manners have no bounds to what is considered proper. She speaks freely and openly with matters that no lady would dare to admit and her actions are vulgar enough. How you found her to be an Angel I cannot fathom."
That no good son of a phantom, she thought lividly. And what he is silver and gold?
"Etienne, you haven't had the chance as I did to know her. This was only the first day. By the end of the week you might find her to be charming with her unusual manners like I did. Remember, she helped—
"—helped you win mother," Etienne finished sardonically. "I know the story. I know what she's done for everyone. But that doesn't excuse to what I witnessed. She could be as charming as the Empress for all I care and my decision of her character will not sway. You and mother can be content all you want with her but I daresay she will not and will never win me."
Like I would want you, she thought with sarcasm.
"Very well if that's how you feel. But I will not have you be uncivil to her by any means. Night son."
There was a brisk pace of heavy footsteps and a door slamming and all was quiet.
Stephanie sank back into the water, which was starting to be cold. So what if he doesn't like me? She questioned to herself. There was nothing that he's done so far that I could credit to liking in. Yet, Stephanie found the revelation bothersome as the pit of her stomach churned with disbelief. Why should I care? I don't like him either and I doubt I could put up with his company if we were to be alone. No… it's for the best. The best…
She got out of the tub and grabbed a soft towel to dry herself off with. As she rubbed her skin, the frankness of Etienne towards her was disconcerting. Why didn't he accept her?
Stephanie snorted a laugh. Must be that wish of getting along with the kids. Fine if he doesn't want me around. The feeling is mutual.
Securely wrapping the towel around her frame, Stephanie walked out and went over to the vanity set and inside the drawer was a pristine nightdress. It was satin and cool to the touch and very fine to Stephanie. She slipped it on and took the towel and placed back in the bathroom before pulling down the bed covers. Settling comfortably in the plush bedding, Stephanie's mind wandered back to the argument between father and son.
So he thinks I'm insufferable? He has another thing coming. Dan wouldn't stand for his pig-headedness and Dan is more the man than Etienne Destler could ever be. What made him uptight anyhow? His parents are the greatest and they probably did whatever they could for him and his brother and sisters. I suppose there could be no blame put on but him.
She shook her head, hoping that alone would cease her thinking about Etienne. If anything, the thought about him was insufferable.
I'll have to make the most of this, she told herself. Like Erik, I must have a reason for being here. But what? And why? Time will only tell. Oh Dan… how I miss you my love. I hope you're in a better position than I.
Closing her lids, Stephanie breathed evenly and deeply until she fell into a dreamless sleep.
xxXXxx
Etienne tossed and turned but no matter where he moved he couldn't fall asleep. His mind was tormented over the fight he had with his father and the woman next door. He knew his father wouldn't take kindly for his harsh overtures concerning his dearest friend, but he found the words sliding off his tongue as easily as butter.
The haunting visage of Stephanie Larson appeared before him. Beautiful she was but quiet she certainly was not. Then to his aggravating mind, he found her unusual manners… enchanting. And the fight within the coach, Etienne (with great reluctance) couldn't help but feel stimulated by her passionate temper.
She was everything that the other women were brought up against to be. She was too brazen and untraditional and was wholly aware of it with no shame.
She was lecherous and improper that society would be the first to cast her from the circles without a second glance.
Stephanie Larson was all this and more.
He couldn't tell his father how he felt. And he couldn't admit to himself that there might be something worth liking in her. These feelings had to be desire only. They will go away over time.
He will continue to be standoffish and then he won't be bothered. He will force her away from his company so his mind won't be filled of her or the slight jasmine scent. He refused to allow his carnal impulses ruin a friendship between her and his father. He will be a stranger to her and her to him.
How simple it sounded…
If only he could sleep.
TBC…