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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 7:10:50 GMT -5
*One afternoon, Becca returned to the de Chagny mansion, with a middle-aged, kindly looking gentleman by the name of Richard Fortesque.
They were shown into a parlour to wait. It was the same sitting-room where her mother-in-law had tried to kill her.*
Appropriate. The darkest chapter of my life begins and ends here.
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 7:16:47 GMT -5
*Philippe, who had been seated in the study looked up when the maid entered. His face grew very pale as she told of his wife's return. Something felt...wrong. If Rebecca had intended to return, to him she would not have annouced her presense. He stood and made himself look presentable, every inch his status. On entering the Parlour his fears were confirmed.*
"Madame Le Comtess, Monsieur."
*He nodded to them, his tone very even. If this was what she wanted, he would do nothing to stop it. It was what he had promised her father. He would do nothing against his word. But it killed him that she looked so well.*
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 7:25:09 GMT -5
*Rebecca stood up as Philippe entered, her head held high.*
"This is Monsieur Fortesque, a barrister--my barrister," *she said, introducing them.* "Monsiuer Fortesque--my husband, Philippe de Chagny."
*She reached into her reticule and retrieved some papers, holding them towards Philippe in one modishly gloved little hand.*
"An annulment."
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 7:30:12 GMT -5
*Philippe took the papers and flicked through them.*
"Under what grounds exactly?."
*He had imagined she would ask for a divorce, not have the audacity to suggest the marriage was not valid in the first place. He smiled grimly.*
"Surprise me."
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 7:36:36 GMT -5
*Rebecca's mouth was dry, but she still spoke quietly.*
"An inability to produce children--within our union."
*God only knew why saying it still filled her with unspeakable shame.*
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 7:42:25 GMT -5
*Philippe felt himself grow very cold. How ironic that she could hurt him with something that he did not push for. His hand balled into a fist.*
"If it will stand, I will sign for it."
*He shut his eyes, trying to calm himself.*
"Though I do not think that it will."
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 7:50:57 GMT -5
"It will, Monsieur le Comte," *said the older man.*
"I was very careful, in speaking to one holy Father who counseled me in the Catholic proceedings. A divorce is, of course, impossible. An annulment is another matter," *said Rebecca.* "You'll be free with little effort and time."
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 7:55:34 GMT -5
"How wonderful."
*He let out a long breath.*
"Monsieur Fortesque, if you would so obliging I would like a word with my wife. Alone."
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 7:58:48 GMT -5
"No!"
*Monsieur Fortesque glanced at her, and she swallowed, hard.*
"I mean...fine. What difference does it make?" *she sighed and sat down, motioning for the barrister to give them the room alone.* "Don't go far."
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 8:01:38 GMT -5
*Philippe waited for the man to leave before speaking.*
"I shall not hurt you."
*He looked up at her, frowning.*
"I cannot imagine why you are so afraid."
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 9:10:26 GMT -5
"Of course you could not," *she said quietly.* "You have this image in your mind of...of how you think you are...but that's not what I see, Philippe."
*She stared at him.*
"That's not what I see."
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 10:48:11 GMT -5
"Well then, W-what do you see?"
*He did not want to ask but he had to know.*
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 14:30:59 GMT -5
*She shook her head.*
"I hardly know," *she said in a desperate whisper.*
"You lie, Philippe. Can you do anything but lie? I don't know ANYTHING about you that I can trust, beyond that you're a liar."
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Post by Philippe on Mar 24, 2008 18:16:18 GMT -5
"So it is that you know I lie rather than believe me truthful? I wonder how many lie to you without your knowledge. I can promise you though, that all my actions, if you could truly comprehend them would not offend you. Unlike many of those whom you judge truthful"
*He sighed.*
"Perhaps I misjudged your ability to think. To see beyond what was there, to what was intended.The artist in you at least should see that."
*He was angry, he was sure of it. But, it was not unreasoned.*
"Any of my actions, or lies as you put it I would have gladly explained to you. Clearly however, you did not value this marriage enough to attempt to try. I shall not waste my energy in persuading someone who would rather believe their own judgements, however misinformed they may be."
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Post by Rebecca on Mar 24, 2008 18:52:28 GMT -5
"If I am misinformed, it was by you. You lied, Philippe, and more than once--that is plain. It would be unreasonable to trust you now, when clearly your motives might most be swayed by the selfishness of your heart's desires."
*She laid the papers on the table nearby.*
"You cannot comprehend how I felt the cruelty of your betrayal," *she said quietly.* "I will not allow you to break me again with mistrust. When I faced death, or a life spent confined to an invalid's bed, it was you who had pushed me there."
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