Wow, thanks for the reviews, they are very encouraging. I'm glad you're enjoying it. So, without further delay, here we go...

Chapter 4

Mia and Nicholas lounged in their sitting room, discussing the day's events. They looked up at a light knock on the door.

"Come in."

Charlotte entered, looking very uncomfortable.

"Charlotte, hi." Mia smiled at her friend, then looked closer at her expression. "What's wrong?"

"Your Majesty, I know it's late and I really shouldn't be here... I mean, if Queen Clarisse ever found out that I came to you..."

Nicholas rose smoothly and closed the door behind her.

"Then we just won't tell her, all right?" He smiled encouragingly and Charlotte relaxed a bit. He pulled up a chair for her.

"I'm just so worried that something is going to happen." The woman continued, sitting down.

"To Mia?" Nicholas studied her thoughtfully. "Oh Clarisse?"

Charlotte hesitated, then nodded. "To Queen Clarisse."

Nick looked to his wife. "You see?"

Mia nodded. "Charlotte, why do you think Gr—Joe is so sure I'm the target?"

Charlotte hesitated again.

"You know you can speak freely to me." Mia's voice was encouraging.

The older woman nodded, took a breath.

"I think it's partly because it makes sense... you're in power and you would be the one in danger. Nothing like this has ever happened before, so I can see why everyone assumes that you were the target. But I think it's also because it can't be his wife." She frowned, "No, that's not what I mean."

"You mean that it can't be Clarisse because it would kill him if anything more happened to her." Nicholas suggested. "He can't even allow the possibility to himself."

The assistant shot him a grateful look.

"Yes sir. Joseph has worshipped Her Highness almost since he came here and they were... close," She flushed slightly, making Mia smile. "... for several years before she came to San Francisco to meet with you, Your Majesty."

Mia nodded. She'd guessed as much from their almost intimate rapport when she'd first met them.

"And then finally he's gotten what he'd dreamed of for years—"

"Grandma agreed to step down from the throne and marry him."

"Yes." Charlotte smiled. "We were all so happy for them. She's loved Joseph for a very long time, but I think she always felt it wouldn't look right for her to remarry while she was queen."

Charlotte reached to scratch Fat Louie's ears as the cat stepped onto her lap.

"I just don't think he can allow the possibility that someone is trying to kill her."

"But you're not so sure?" Mia pressed.

Charlotte shook her head miserably.

"Well, you're not alone. Nicholas thinks it's possible too."

"It would destroy him." Charlotte said softly. "I've worked with Joseph for a long time and I've never seen anything like the love in his eyes when he looks at your grandmother."

"I know." Mia agreed softly. "And so we'll just have to make sure that nothing happens."

"To either of you." Nick put in. He took Mia's hand. "The notes I've seen have been purposely ambiguous – they could refer to either – or both of you. Even the doll wasn't clear-cut."

Mia shivered at the memory of his description of the voodoo doll.

"Doll?" Charlotte asked. "I know about the threats, but..."

"Someone planted a rag doll with a crown and a knife through it's chest on the grounds." Mia told her. Then she turned to Nicholas. "Why do you say it wasn't clear? It was me, right?

"Maybe." The young man shrugged. "It wore a gown and a crown... as you both do and the hair was brown... but lighter than yours and shorter."

"Ah." Mia drew a breath. "Not good."

"Then there is cause to worry about her." Charlotte said anxiously.

"I think there is, yes." Nicholas agreed.

"Well, I'll try and spend as much time with Grandma as I can." Mia decided. "Grandpa can't object to that. And then my guards are her guards and Grandpa will be free to figure out who's doing this." She looked to her husband.

"Sounds good." Nick turned back to Charlotte. "Hopefully that eases your mind a little?"

"Yes, sir." She smiled and rose.

"Charlotte." Mia reached out to touch her hand. "Please, keep an eye on both of them for me." She chewed her lip. "I think it would kill Grandma, too, if anything happened to Joe."

"I believe you're right, Your Majesty." Charlotte agreed and with a small bow, left them.

"Well." Nicholas said as Mia came to sit beside him again. "The plot thickens."

"No kidding." Mia huffed. Then, "If Grandma means so much to Joe, which she does, you'd think he'd be all about making sure she's safe. Like he always has."

"Ah, but his job is to protect you, my dear Mia." Her husband kissed the tip of her nose. "And I suspect the husband part of him has taken over, if only subconsciously."

Her brow furrowed. "I beg your pardon?"

"He thinks the best person – the only person to protect Clarisse, is himself. Yet she's asked him to protect you."

"Right."

Nicholas tried again. "He feels his protection should be enough to keep his wife safe."

"I can understand that. What I don't understand is why he won't even consider that she might be the target. I mean, I understand what Charlotte was saying, but even if it's his worst nightmare, I don't understand why he won't allow for the possibility and take precautions."

Nicholas sighed. "Neither do I." He studied her face. "Do you want me to talk to Joe?"

Mia brightened. "Would you?"

"Yes. For you." His eyes narrowed in mock seriousness. "But if he maims me, I'm coming after you."

"Deal."

And they kissed to seal the bargain.

Joseph lay on his back in the darkness, Clarisse's head on his chest. Her breath puffed against his bare skin and reassured him that she was alive and safe. He smoothed his fingers through the short silk of her hair as his mind went over what they knew about the assassin, trying to find anything that would point to someone from the palace staff. He didn't like it, but it seemed more and more certain that this was an inside job. And something elusive niggled in the back of his brain, but whenever he tried to bring it into focus, it skittered away.

It was well after one AM but Joe was wide awake and doubted that sleep would find him anytime soon.

Carefully he slipped from his wife's embrace and slid to his feet, silently picking up his trousers and robe, then making his way to the outer room of their suite. There he pulled on the clothing and made his way downstairs.

Clarisse woke to find herself on Joseph's side of the bed. She propped herself on one elbow, glancing toward the bathroom, but there was no light under the closed door.

"Joseph?"

The sheets beneath her were still warm and she could smell his scent on them... he hadn't been gone long. She sighed and contemplated getting up, but then decided against it. He was probably thinking things through and interrupting him wasn't going to help. She wished they'd find out who this assassin was so that she could reclaim her husband.

Reluctantly she pulled the covers over her and lay down, closing her eyes for sleep.

Downstairs in the library, Joseph sat in an armchair with a glass of brandy in his hand, watching the flames leap in the fireplace. He'd hoped that a drink would help him sleep but he still found it elusive.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Joe turned to see Nicholas walk into the room.

"It appears I'm not the only one." He commented as the younger man stopped beside his chair. "I was restless and did not want to disturb Clarisse."

"Mind if I join you?" The young lord cocked an eyebrow.

Joseph gestured to the bar. "Please."

Nicholas studied his companion as he poured himself a brandy and settled into the chair across from Joe's.

"Mia's very worried, you know." He began, sipping his drink.

"Yes, I know. She and her grandmother are very close." He shrugged a shoulder, emptying his glass. "It is only natural that she is upset over what happened." He rose and went to the bar, this time selecting a tumbler and pouring two fingers of Scotch. "Also, she should be concerned about the assassination attempt."

The corner of Nicholas' mouth quirked in a half smile.

"No, I meant that she's worried about you."

Joe paused, eyes on his companion. "Me? Why would she be worried about me? The attack was against Mia herself and the victim, Clarisse." He swallowed a mouthful of liquor. "She should not be worried about me. You should both be concerned about Mia."

"I know, and I am. But she's right in one thing, you know." Nick contemplated him with a faint twinkle in his eyes. "You're working too hard. You're working harder than you did when you were... well, working." He took a sip of his drink.

The corner of Joseph's mouth quirked. "And as long as the crown is in jeopardy, I will continue to... work."

"Has there been a new development?"

Joe sighed. "Yes. A few hours ago another note was delivered to me. It said simply that the queen would cease to rule after the parade tomorrow."

"The parade? You think he's going to make a move there?"

Joe looked uncertain. "Perhaps, but the clue is so blatant... not like the earlier threats. I find it hard to believe he would make it that easy for us." He shrugged a shoulder. "For me."

"So you do think the vendetta is against you?"

"No." Joe shook his head. "But as head of security, I am the one he must defeat."

"But you weren't head of security when the attack happened." Nicholas pointed out.

Joseph leveled a glance at the younger man.

"But I am now."

Nicholas hesitated. "Have you considered that Clarisse may be the actual target, not Mia?"

"Why?" Joe asked. "Clarisse no longer rules. Mia is Queen. There would be no reason to kill Clarisse."

"Unless it is personal." Nicholas said quietly. "Against one or both of you."

"But why?" Joseph held the other's gaze.

"I don't know." The young lord admitted. "But anyone who knows you at all knows that to kill Clarisse is to kill you."

Joseph acknowledged it with a nod. "However, Clarisse was Genovia's queen for many years... why the attempt now?"

"I don't know." Nicholas admitted. "But if she's left unprotected while everyone concentrates on Mia—"

He jumped when Joseph spun and hurtled his glass into the fire, flames hissing and sputtering. Nick half rose, but the older man turned back on him.

"Of course Clarisse is being protected! Just because she is not the target doesn't meant I'm going to put her at risk! She was injured once – not again." The controlled fury in the security man's voice made Nicholas very glad that he was on his side. "Never again. I myself am protecting her."

"I didn't mean to imply that you weren't." Nicholas soothed. "But Mia is concerned that you're working yourself into the ground."

"Of course I'm working hard, Nick! My wife nearly died! Clarisse nearly died!"

"I know."

Nicholas put down his glass and rose, going to Joseph, who was trembling slightly.

"Come on, sit down."

"No... I—" Joseph shook his head. "I'm sorry, Nicholas. I just snapped. I'm sorry—"

"Sit. Down." He insisted, urging Joe back to his chair.

He searched the older man's face, noticing the lines of fatigue, and the dread in his cerulean eyes.

"You want to talk about it?"

Joe scrubbed his face with his palms. "No. What I need to do is find out who tried to kill your wife, our queen, and then I should take Clarisse away for the honeymoon that she never received from me."

"Is that what all this is about?" Nicholas gestured to the exhausted man. "Neglecting your wife? So you're punishing yourself for letting an assassination attempt take place when you weren't even in charge?"

"No," Joe said with forced calm. He liked Nicholas and had secretly hoped that he would be Mia's choice, but Joe had never liked talking about himself and definitely didn't care for Nicholas' perceptiveness, "This is about someone trying to kill the Crown."

"I see. And you don't feel that Shades and his team are competent enough to get to the bottom of it, or to protect Mia?" Nicholas strolled around Joe's chair, stopping to meet the changeable eyes.

"Yes, of course I do – I trained them." Joseph told him. "But Clarisse asked me to take charge until this matter is cleared up and that is what I'm doing."

"I see." Nicholas smiled faintly, planning his strategy. "And if your queen were to order you –" "Don't say it." Joseph said, closing his eyes. Just for a moment. Then he'd go back upstairs. He rested his head against the chair back. "Mia will bow to her grandmother's wishes, especially since Clarisse was the one injured."

Nicholas nodded thoughtfully.

"Truuueee, however, you can probably take a less active role and more of a supervisory position, thus giving both queens what they want."

He waited for Joe's reaction, pleased with his deduction. When none was forthcoming, he leaned over the back of the chair.

"Joe?"

"I'm awake." He opened his eyes and pushed himself out of the chair. "I need to get back upstairs before Clarisse wakes."

"Try and get some sleep yourself." Nicholas suggested.

"From your lips...." The security man smiled and headed for the doorway.