Nadir watched with some amusement as Erik and Christine came into the house, their clothes disheveled and wrinkled. Christine's face was glowing and she had a hand on her stomach and the Persian was sure she did not even realize it. He knew they must have worked things out and Nadir was glad, they needed that before having to face Delauney. The young couple stopped when they heard shouting and banging coming from the other room. Nadir sighed and shook his head. The house had been that way all morning.
"Christine, I think I could use your help," the Persian sighed. Christine turned to him with a frown, as did Erik as the shouting continued.
"What is going on?" Christine asked.
"Meg is getting a sound thrashing," Nadir answered. Christine gasped and turned towards the sound once more. She could now make out the sound of Antoinette's voice, and Meg's sobs.
"What in Heaven's name for?" she asked, moving closer to Erik without realizing it.
"You two were not the only two out having a little rendezvous," Nadir said dryly. Christine gasped and her eyes grew round.
"Raoul?" she demanded, not believing it.
"Yes, it appears that your handsome friend wastes little time getting what he wants."
Christine could hear the anger that entered the Persian's voice and she glanced at him. She knew that he must think of Meg like a daughter and to catch her in a compromising situation out of wedlock must make any father angry. She glanced at Erik. If they had a daughter would he be as protective over her when it came to men? She had little doubt he would. He would not let anyone near her until she was passed thirty. Christine put a hand to her stomach, suddenly glad about Erik's protective nature. She did not want any man near her daughter for a long, long time.
"Where is he?" Christine asked. Erik glared at her. He did not want her getting into anyone elses business. They had enough things to worry about on their own.
"I sent him to your room, I had planned on having a talk with him myself," Nadir answered. Christine went to rush upstairs when Erik caught her arm. She turned to him, her eyes pleading.
"Erik..." she whispered. Erik sighed and let her go. She gave him a thankful smile and rushed upstairs. She could not believe that Raoul would do such a thing as compromise Meg. It did not seem like him at all. Raoul stood when the door opened but frowned when he saw that it was just Christine. He did not need this right now. Christine said nothing for a moment after she shut the door behind her.
"Raoul, what did you do?" Christine murmured. This could ruin everything but Christine did not want to tell him that. If Antoinette wanted to she could make all of them leave, and that could not happen right now, to many things needed to be done first and this was the only safe place. Raoul ran his hand through his hair and sat down, staring at his hands.
"We...I let things get out of control..."
"How?" she asked softly. Raoul sighed. If he could talk to anyone it would be Christine. She was a woman who was in love, perhaps she would understand where he was coming from.
"We were just talking and I could not look away from her mouth...I can not explain it, I just wanted to be close to her," he whispered. Christine knew Raoul was not aware of it, but he was in love. She could see it clearly. She admitted that she was surprised that it had happened so quickly, but it was more than evident.
"What did Antoinette see the two of you doing?" Christine asked, not sure if she really wanted to know. Raoul shook his head.
"We were making love in the foyer," he whispered. Christine gasped. In the foyer? That was almost worse than making love outside! At least she and Erik had been far enough away from the house. Meg's mother had only been down the hall! No wonder she caught them!
"The foyer?"
"I tried to get us upstairs but it proved to be more difficult than I had anticipated," he whispered. Raoul had ruined everything. He would have to marry her now. He had compromised her from every marrying anyone else! But he was not complaining. In the short time he had known her he had developed feelings for Meg. But he knew his father would never approve. He was of noble birth, Meg was not. But in all honesty he did not care what anyone thought. He would do the right thing by Meg.
"She does not deserve to be yelled at like that," he said, hearing Antoinette's voice from downstairs. It was his fault, he had nearly attacked her in his need to make love to her. Although Meg had enjoyed it. He knew about giving women pleasure and she was certainly receiving pleasure.
"Raoul...you are going to do the right thing, I hope?" Christine wondered. She was glad that he and Meg had feelings for each other. Raoul deserved to be happy.
"Yes, I am."
With that he stood and walked from the room.