A/N: Another update… so soon too! Yay! Anyways, if anyone was confused Jeanette LeBlanc was mentioned a few times in the beginning. She's Etienne childhood sweetheart so you can pretty much figure out what's going to transpire. Thank you to my beta Halley for a great job and please don't review!

Chapter 23: Tradition Meets Modern

Silence passed over both young women until Jeanette offered her hand. "It's a pleasure…?"

"Stephanie. Stephanie Larson," she replied, shaking her hand with a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise." It was said in a pleasant nature, though the distasteful look that accompanied wasn't any but. And she could not stop staring at her eyes! Sensing the change in the wind, Christine redirected Jeanette to the seat by her side.

Stephanie didn't take her eyes off as Jeanette sent another glance in her direction before she turned to Christine. She frowned, wondering what her problem was. Corset probably too tight, she thought and snickered quietly.

"So what brings you here Jeanette?" Christine inquired. "I trust your parents are well?"

"They are, thank you," Jeanette answered. "I wanted to personally come over and offer my congratulations on Aida. I would have told you at the gala, but something unexpected came up and I had to leave early."

"That is all right. Nothing serious I hope?"

"Hard to say." And Jeanette left it at that. Shifting her attention to Stephanie, she smiled sweetly (a little too sweetly) and made this query: "If you don't mind me asking but where are you from Mlle Larson?"

"I don't mind at all. I'm from New York City, a student in music, and I came here to further train my voice," she responded, mindful of what Erik mentioned earlier.

"How interesting. I didn't know M. Destler was teaching again."

"It's Etienne who's been teaching Mlle Larson," Christine corrected. "And both will perform together at le Comte's ball in a month."

"I see! I will be looking forward to the performance then." There was something strange in her tone that Stephanie found odd. Did she detect jealousy?

"How is dear Etienne by the way?" Jeanette questioned.

"He's fine," Stephanie made the reply. "You're friends?"

Jeanette's lips curled. "As a matter of fact, we are. We grew up together, Etienne and I. It's been awhile since I last saw him and I know he was working on an opera for me. How is his progress?"

"Y-your opera?" Stephanie repeated, clearly startled and confused.

Christine had been watching the two of them and wasn't sure what to make from both women's countenances. She had always enjoyed Jeanette's visits, but today there was a lot of discord charging the atmosphere.

"Why yes. I don't want to brag, but Etienne sees me as his muse. Quite charming, really."

Before Stephanie could make a rejoinder, Christine interjected. "I hate to be a bearer of bad news Jeanette. But Etienne has recently stopped working on his opera. He had put himself into a rough spot as you might understand."

"Oh. Maybe he'll find the inspiration soon enough. Such a terrible waste to throw away his music."

"Yeah like you would know," Stephanie murmured under her breath. Christine overheard her remark and smiled mentally to herself. She may like Jeanette but she had a change in heart over what lady should marry her son. Jeanette never understood the meaning behind the music, not like Stephanie. Etienne would be happier with someone who would and appreciate it all the same.

Christine peered out the opened door, just in time to see Erik passing by. Glimpsing at the two women, she made her excuses to attend to her husband and promised to be back. She had to tell him about the sudden developments!

Alone, Stephanie sighed and faced this Jeanette LeBlanc and started by the cold glare shot at her.

"I saw you at the gala with him," Jeanette accused, her violet eyes flashing maliciously. "I don't know who you think you are but Etienne was supposed to have been my escort."

Stephanie arched a brow. "O-okay. I didn't know you two were an item."

"An item? I believe the correct terminology would be husband and wife."

Stephanie could feel her eyes bulging in disbelief at the woman. "Come again?"

Jeanette laughed. "You heard me. Etienne is mine. He's always been mine since we were tots. And there's nothing you can do that will change it."

"Funny. He never said a word about you. Not once," she threw back.

"You must have done something to him. You bewitched him somehow… possibly hypnosis."

Stephanie couldn't hold back her guffaw. "Whoa! You think I cast some sort of spell over him? Honey, this isn't the Middle Ages if you haven't noticed."

"There are ways for your kind. Etienne would never be in your company on his own will. Neither would the Destlers."

"Wait a second—"

"Do not deny it, Mlle Larson. I must admit your story is pretty good, but there's a flaw. I heard about you from la Comtess and your aspirations. I know for a fact you're not from the conservatory in New York. My father donates money there as well as sponsoring trips to Paris for the singers. A Stephanie Larson never was mentioned, if my memory serves me correctly."

All the color drained from Stephanie's face as she stared blankly at the smirking debutante. The careful proceedings Erik made for her was for naught. Dread piled in her belly as she realized how much trouble there would be if word got out.

Seeing her in the state of loss, Jeanette simpered with satisfaction. "Do not fret. Your secret is safe. I even went along with the Comtess de Chagny to avoid suspicions."

"Jeez, thanks for the consideration of my welfare," Stephanie muttered sardonically.

Jeanette clucked her tongue as she stood up. "I'm not that kind of person. Unless—"

"Great. A catch," the auburn-haired woman mumbled. She, too, stood as they faced-off each other. "What is it?"

"Stay away from Etienne. I will not have my chances of being married sabotaged by some trollop!"

"Feisty, are we? Let me tell you this Jeanette," Stephanie growled her voice low and menacing. "Etienne can be with whoever he wishes. I won't refuse him if he wants my company. And if you think you can scare me with intimidation, then you have another thing coming. I already saw this movie before and it never ends well for the nasty jealous bitch."

Jeanette's gleaming eyes widened as her mouth fell open in shock. "How dare you-!"

Stephanie wagged her finger. "No… how dare you! This blackmail of yours isn't foolproof. It'll be your word against the Destlers."

"I believe the Destlers would be thankful to me when I tell them their ward is nothing but a hoax!"

Stephanie grinned as Jeanette's confidence wavered. Fear flashed across her false bravado for now Stephanie held the cards.

"You see if you had done your homework instead of jumping to conclusions, you would know that I'm an important asset to the family. Erik Destler happens to be a good friend of mine. I helped him out when he needed it and now he's returning the favor. I'm sure you're acquainted with him and his fiery temper. I would hate to be in your shoes if he finds out you've been harassing me and what kind of impression does that give off to Etienne? Seems to me it won't work in your favor after all. Etienne wouldn't want to marry a conspirator if you hurt his family. They are one close-knit group. But I shouldn't have to remind you. You're a friend of course."

"Unattractive appalling woman!" Jeanette exclaimed. "You're no lady with such foul language!"

"Yeah and you're no lady for behaving so rudely and threatening me."

"I don't know why I was worried. This outrageous imprudence wouldn't keep Etienne for long."

Stephanie snorted, rolling her eyes. "For the record, I'm not interested in Etienne nor will I ever see him any different than that of my teacher."

Once those words left her mouth, Jeanette brightened immediately. Any signs of their fight quickly fled, leaving Stephanie baffled by her change in behavior.

"Ahem, ladies."

Stephanie whirled around, her jaw almost hitting the floor, as Etienne filled the doorway.

TBC…