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Post by Philippe on Jan 28, 2008 12:59:51 GMT -5
"I would die first."
*At the same moment both Raoul and Georgiana swiftly left the room. As the door shut Philippe moved towards his mother.*
"Whereto tends all this?"
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 13:01:00 GMT -5
"Good morning," *a voice said quietly from the doorway.
Rebecca entered the room and took her place at the table beside Georgiana's vacated chair. Rebecca did not blush--indeed, she was almost alarmingly pale as she unfolded her napkin and kept her eyes trained on her coffee cup.*
"Is everything alright? Mademoiselle Georgiana and Monsieur le Vicomte passed in such a hurry..."
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Post by Héloïse de Chagny on Jan 28, 2008 13:03:00 GMT -5
"Excellent. I'm glad your here, my dear, we have much to discuss."
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 13:12:18 GMT -5
"Oh? Regarding Mademoiselle Georgiana?" *she asked with perfect composure as she took a piece of toast.*
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Post by Héloïse de Chagny on Jan 28, 2008 13:13:55 GMT -5
"No, indeed. I've made arrangements for you to marry my son Philippe. Given the circumstances I'm afraid it's the only decent alternative."
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 13:14:54 GMT -5
"Wh-what? Philippe is--"
*Her eyes fell on the Comte for a split second of horrified realization before she looked away.*
"Forgive me, Madame, but that is not possible. I will not marry...I will never marry."
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Post by Héloïse de Chagny on Jan 28, 2008 13:15:49 GMT -5
"I regret that you have little alternative, Mademoiselle Blakeney."
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 13:16:36 GMT -5
"I hardly think a refusal to wed would be risking my life, Madame," *she said coolly facing down her would-be mother-in-law.*
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Post by Héloïse de Chagny on Jan 28, 2008 13:18:00 GMT -5
"Not your life, perhaps, but any life worth having. The deplorable state of my son's bedchamber as the maids found it this morning as well as the testimony of a reliable servant who says he allowed you access to the Comte's rooms last night places you in a MOST unsavoury position, Mademoiselle. If you value your reputation, you will marry immediately."
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 13:20:43 GMT -5
*Rebecca was speechless for a moment.*
"Madame!" *she said, aghast.* "You are quite mistaken! Nothing...nothing of that nature has occured...not with me, not with anyone!" *she cried.* "I did seek Monsieur le Comte last night to...to speak with him, but I meant nothing beyond that and we...we did not even address a dozen words to one another," *she here turned red and dropped her eyes to her plate, falling silent.*
((Dinner back later.))
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Post by Philippe on Jan 28, 2008 13:32:44 GMT -5
((Ok))
*Philippe sat in stunned silence for many moments before speaking.*
"You have got this wrong Mother. I- did... but really She is less than half of my age!"
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Post by Héloïse de Chagny on Jan 28, 2008 13:55:11 GMT -5
"What has that to do with anything? More unequal matches are made every day. This is a case of right and wrong, Philippe."
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 13:55:42 GMT -5
"Monsieur, you are mistaken. We did nothing," *said Rebecca acidly, glaring at the Comte.*
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Post by Philippe on Jan 28, 2008 13:58:39 GMT -5
"Oh, of that I am well aware."
*Philippe felt the words escape his lips before he could catch them. He turned back to his mother.*
"I will not inflict myself on her for any sense of honour. Can you not see that she despises me?"
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Post by Rebecca on Jan 28, 2008 14:06:51 GMT -5
*Rebecca shut her eyes for a moment.*
"I did not mean--WHAT I mean is that I fully intend to remain unmarried as long as I live. I have done nothing wrong and I stand by that."
"That's all very well, my dear, but when news of this gets out--just think of how it will reflect upon you...and you family," *she said carefully. Becca looked at the Comtess helplessly.*
"WHEN it gets out? Do you mean you will spread this false report yourself?"
"A report very well supported by circumstantial evidence. Whether it is revealed as false in the future is of little consequence. The damage will be done."
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