Chapter 14

Dreading the day ahead, Clarisse had showered and dressed early. After arriving home yesterday afternoon, she had taken the rest of the day to relax. She needed the time, for her weekend getaway had brought even more distress to her body. Joseph gave her the time alone. He made sure she knew of his love, and promised to never leave again. Clarisse needed to hear that. She needed his support more than anything, for without it she could not survive on her own. She took the time to stroll the gardens, and some of the grounds she had neglected visiting for years. All the while she tried to reason with herself, tried keeping a sane balance between Clarisse and the Queen of Genovia. Today she had to fill the shoes of the Queen again.

Looking into her full length mirror, she took a deep breath while smoothing her skirt. She looked good, and had to admit she felt better than the previous days. She was dressed neatly, makeup and hair done to a precision, heels polished, jewelry donned, but still she was missing something. Scanning her features in the antique mirror once more, it was then she noticed what it was. She had been alone. Now he stood behind her, smiling at the reflection he saw. Together, they made everything perfect.

"Good morning, love." Joseph slid his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. "I missed you yesterday evening." His voice was soft and low as his breath blew against her skin.

"Mmm, I missed you too. Somehow I have a feeling I wasn't alone yesterday though."

"How do you mean?" He cocked his head to face her.

"How come every place I went, I felt like I had eyes on me?" She raised her brows, searching him.

"AAhh," he started to deny it, but then realized it would ruin the honesty they had been brought to so violently. He looked deep into her eyes, "Guilty."

"I know, and I didn't mind. I liked knowing you were watching me. I needed the privacy, time to think, but at the same time I didn't want to be alone." She turned into his arms and placed a gentle good morning kiss on his lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too. I came in early because I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to tell you, remind you, that anytime you need me, I will be close by." He pulled her into a hug.

"That sounds so good. Yesterday, while walking on the grounds, I thought of alot of things I needed to say to you. Being here in your arms like this, alone, does not help me remember them." Joseph laughed at her, bringing her to giggle. She glowed when she laughed.

"I'm not going anywhere, I promised you that. Whenever you think of them, I will be near to listen."

"How near?" She was toying with him now.

"Well, I better not be too near, or else you will not remember." He raised his brows and smiled once more. "On a more serious note, love, I was thinking also about Charlotte." Clarisse straightened herself up, loosening a bit from his hold. "We need to approach her, find out if she was the culprit, and if so, if the Viscount saw her." Clarisse's face became worried.

"Joseph, if he saw her...," she began.

"I know. I took the liberty of putting Shades on her yesterday. She doesn't know it, but he's been watching her like a hawk." Clarisse nodded, thankful for his insight.

"Have you had breakfast?" She quickly changed the subject.

"No, just coffee."

"Well, will you accompany me?"

"I'd be delighted." He offered her his arm.

"I think we should stop in and ask Charlotte to join us."

"A fine idea," he said, leading the way.

He woke up with a headache, bringing his hand up to the stitches that were still in place. They poked at his skin like pin pricks. "Damn." It had been over a week, and nothing but pure anger had settled in his mind. Nothing had been turning out for his benefit. Nothing. All his solid plans had backfired on him, well except for one. His lips turned up at the thought of her underneath him. He had managed to accomplish one thing.

He sat up slowly, knowing of the dizzy spells he got if he sat up too fast. Admitting he had vastly improved, he decided it would be soon. He would seek revenge on the person who did this. He looked over to where the carpet had been replaced. Someone had spilt his blood. He was one to believe in blood for blood. Yes, someone would lose blood over this, and soon.

Charlotte picked at her fruit, hungry but not able to eat. She could not understand the sudden appearance of Joseph, and had gotten the run-around yesterday when she asked. Her Queen seemed to be in higher spirits since her time off. She complimented her, but got much of nothing in return. Things seemed to be on a 'need to know basis' now. Something was being hidden, and she was afraid she was part of it. She knew she had a part of it. She suspected they knew as well.

Clarisse began, "Charlotte, I know I've said this before, but bear with me as I say it again. These past weeks have been hard on us all." Clarisse motioned to all three of them. "I, for one, am very happy that things are moving on. However, there are a few details that are holding us back." Not knowing exactly how to word it, she looked to Joseph.

"What Clarisse is trying to say Charlotte is, well, we need to know who did that to Mabrey." She sat erect, quite uncomfortable in her seat now. "Charlotte?" Joseph spoke softly, looking through the mask she was trying to put on. Charlotte looked at one, then both of them, realizing that they already knew.

"I think you know why I did it," looking to her Queen. Clarisse nodded, taking her hand.

"Yes, yes I do. I will never hold that against you, know that Charlotte. However, we need to know, for your own protection, did he see you?" Looking like she was studying the centerpiece, Charlotte went into deep thought. Joseph and Clarisse looked back and forth to one another, hoping for a negative answer.

"I, I can't really say. It happened so fast, and I was scared. I had never done anything like that before. I don't know." She looked to them both.

"Charlotte," Joseph began, "I want you to think, step by step, of what happened. This is very important. Charlotte, he could kill you. Try and remember. Did you see his face?" Charlotte stood, pacing the patio.

"I saw his face when he was on the floor, I saw the blood spilling, I, I..." she trailed off. "I can't remember before that." She crossed her arms, now afraid for herself.

"Don't worry, Shades has been watching you, and will continue to," Clarisse informed her. "Stay here for now, no going out, until we know for sure." She looked to Joseph for approval.

"Yes, yes, you'll be safe here. Though no Parliament meetings. Make sure you are with Shades or myself during them. I'm sure he'll be back to his old self soon." A worried look crossed his face, and Joseph let Clarisse see it. He had to admit, it felt good to have someone to carry burdens with you.

Clarisse was afraid it would be hard to keep her spirits up during her work. She had managed to keep her thoughts on Joseph, on his sweet kisses this morning. They made her glow, inside and out. She knew it was relative to keep a good humour about her. The entire palace was coming back to life with her. She looked to Joseph for support, and he had made it easy. Glancing at the clock, it was only after one. He had called six times already. He never made excuses for his calls, he came right out and told her why; whether it be because he was thinking of her, he wanted to tell her he loved her, he wanted to know how she was, or if he was curious as to when they could be alone for awhile. Each of them made her smile. Each of them made her work easier. It was easy. Maybe she could be the Queen of Genovia and Clarisse at the same time.

Upon opening the briefcase, the light brightened the contents. "I told you I could afford you, my friend. Now, do we have a deal?" Mabrey snickered as the man before him, wide eyed, glared at the dough. He was silent, only nodding a definite yes on his part. He took his hand and ran over the stinking cash. "Good, then I'll expect to see that name in the obituaries soon." When that happens, this will be all yours." His voice was full of the anger and hatred that ran through his veins. Vengence would be his.