Chapter 15

"You have to go, don't you?" She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She had heard it in his voice earlier, but refused to dwell on it until now.

"It's the only way. I have to face him, Clarisse. If I don't, it'll never end." He turned in her arms, showing her the worry on his face. "I can only imagine what he is planning, but I know it won't be good, and it will be one of us that gets hurt next time."

"I know, I just ...well, just when things have gotten good between us again..." She broke off, unable to stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. "Just when I want to be here, to have you beside me, and I know it's alright to do that. Joseph I love you, and I can't live without you..." she trailed off.

"I know, and you'll never have to. I promised, remember?" He took her head in his hands. "Look at me. It will be alright, Clarisse. I love you, and I will come back to you. I have to do this, I have to stop it all. I am the only one who can. I have sworn to protect you, and I will do so, but you have to let me. Even now, even after we have confessed our love. Nothing has changed. Ten years ago, Clarisse, you would have stood behind me, proud that I was protecting you. We loved each other then, just as we love each other now. Darling, do that now. Do it for me. I'm not saying you can't worry, I'm saying I need your support." He moved in, rubbing his nose with hers. All he could do was hope she had the strength and the willpower to wait until his return.

"I will be praying for your safety. Know that." She nodded to him, telling him it was time. He pressed his lips to hers. It wasn't a goodbye kiss, nor a passionate one. It was a kiss that told her of his lifetime of concern and dedication to her. She was his destiny in this life, and now she understood.

Pacing her suite, Clarisse thought of his words to her. He was right, nothing had changed. She had loved him for years now, and she knew he had loved her. The words themselves did not change any of that. It was as strong as it had always been, beyond comprehension to anyone else. Still, she could not help but worry. She smiled, knowing full well the worry had always been there as well. He had clouded her with worry many times. Yet, he had always came back to her. He may have had battle scars from his challenge, but he came home safe nevertheless. Realizing now that love does not come free, she resigned to love him the hardest and best she could. Yes, with love comes a multitude of worry. It was up to her carry it, if she were to love him the way she wanted, needed; and the way he would want and need her to love him. Joseph had faith in her, she knew, or he would not have left her alone with this. She smiled at his face, smiling at her in her memory. She lived for him.

"Clarisse?" Charlotte questioned.

"I'm here." She walked from the inner chamber to greet her aide.

"I saw him leave. He's going to confront the Viscount, isn't he?" Charlotte had never looked so worried. Clarisse took her by the arm, guiding her over to the small round table by the balcony. "Here, have some tea with me. We can worry together."

"It's all my fault."

"Charlotte, it is most certainly not your fault. None of this," she said gesturing to her world around her. "I told you before, I will never hold that against you. To be honest, it flattered me that you would go to such measures for me." She took ahold of her hand, squeezing it tightly.

"You mean so much to me Clarisse, how could I not? When he did that to you, well he did that to not only a friend, but to one of my family." They smiled at each other, knowing it was full well true.

"Clarisse, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"I didn't know anything about the haemophilia. When did you find out about it?" Charlotte had been longing to ask for some time, not sure if there would ever be a right time. Now was good, it would take her mind off of Joseph for the time being.

"Well, in my time medical technology was limited. My father had it, and almost died from it once. I remember it well. He had fallen while riding, lost alot of blood. My grandmother, the only one I ever knew, also talked about such bleeding on my mothers' side. So, in a sense we knew who had the disease and who didn't, and that it was past from generation to generation. It was traced back to Queen Victoria. My father was a direct decendant, as well as Rupert; and my mother, well that was traced back to an affair of one of the Queen's sons. Little did he know, he was giving one of my ancestors more than just his love. So it was passed down. We knew nothing of carriers until I was grown. My mother, and much of the women in my family, had to be carriers as well. 'The bleeding curse', my grandmother called it. She said it was given by God himself to those of us who inherited great wealth and power; to remind us of how little power we really have over things here on earth. I totally agree with her. She was a very intelligent woman." Clarisse sipped her tea, pondering over the expression on Charlotte's face.

"I know so much, yet so little," Charlotte finally admitted. Clarisse nodded, understanding.

"There's alot to know about royality and aristocracy. If you really want to learn, Charlotte, when the time comes for me to teach Amelia, why don't you sit in. I do hope to teach her," Clarisse thought of her granddaughter, thousands of miles away. "I also have a few books on the royal families, they are not for the general public as they contain everything, from weddings to affairs, to political secrets," Clarisse smiled, "you could probably write your own book on what you know. You're welcome to read them. Matter-of-fact, when we finish here, I'll show you where they are kept."

"You trust me with them?" Charlotte's eyes sparkled at the thought.

"I've trusted you with political secrets before, Charlotte." Clarisse winked. "Yes, I trust you."

"What happened last weekend?" Charlotte caught her totally offguard. At first, she almost apologized for bringing it up. Then Clarisse spoke up.

"Charlotte, would you believe that I almost took my own life?" She stared out the glass doors, never happier to be able to see the light of day, but yet saddened at having that as a memory.

"Clarisse..." Charlotte began, but lost any hope of speaking.

"No need for that now. It's over, and thanks to Shades and Joseph, well I am still here, and working things out. There is one thing, Charlotte." Clarisse looked at her seriously. "Never, ever, let me go on a trip without either you or Joseph." She felt much better knowing Charlotte would not. "Now, you've done a marvelous job at keeping me occupied for awhile, and if you want to extend that, and I hope you do, you'll follow me to the private library down the hall." Clarisse had never expected a friend from an aide, but Charlotte had become just that, and very treasured one.

He had mustered all his courage from his love of a beautiful Queen. Joseph had walked right up the steps, been announced, and escorted inside to the study of one of Satans diciples. Here he was, facing the demon himself.

"You have alot of nerve, showing yourself here." Mabrey swiveled the chair around he was in.

"You have even more, allowing me in." Joseph knew he had to keep up with him.

"What is it that you want," Mabrey growled.

"I want you to put a stop to whatever you are doing."

"Doing, what am I doing?" He tried to sound convincing, not that it worked.

"I don't know, and frankly I don't care. I just want it stopped. I'm here, asking you nicely. Stop it, or else I will not be able to ask nicely anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you exactly what I mean. Either stop it now, and stay away from my girls, or else, and I promise you, you will not wake up the next time." Joseph was stern, and cross. He was not violent naturally, but the love in his heart brought it out, all in protection for the ones he loved.

"You sir! You have no right to come into my home threatening me!" He stood, pointing at Joseph, trying to belittle the man in front of him.

"I have every right. Let me tell you something. I have diplomatice immunity in 42 countries, including Puerto Rico. Anything I do will be overlooked." Joseph got in his face now. "Maybe I should just leave you alive, drinking through a straw, pissing though a tube, and put away someplace where cockroaches can run over you, while you are unable to do anything but watch." Joseph eyes told him he was serious. Very serious. "I'll also remind you, there are more of me. You can kill me, Viscount, but you will never get away."

The man in black before him was getting through. He didn't want to admit it, but he could see no way out.

"Now, stop your revenge, and you will be granted your life, as you have it now." Joseph turned to leave, more than ready to put this behind him.

"Alright, you have a deal," Mabrey said as he watched the man slow in his footsteps.

"Good, and Viscount, don't disappoint me." Joseph stressed the last three words, knowing he had a tendency to lie.

"On my honor," he spoke. "On my honor as a member of Parliment." He finished his words as Joseph left. He had been reduced from a man to a mouse in a matter of minutes. Mabrey settled for a drink, knowing he had lost this battle, but thinking of the future. "Sometime," he vowed to himelf, "Sometime I will have the opportunity for revenge." Things just had to cool down awhile.

Running to meet him, Clarisse threw her arms around him. Right now she didn't care who saw, beit all of the country. Her heart beat full throttle with happiness.

"Joseph..." she finally managed to speak.

"It's alright, it's over." He smiled to her, glancing at Charlotte who awaited the news. "He blames me. I took care of it, he'll not bother anyone, well, for quite sometime anyway." Somehow Joseph had the idea the Viscount would be back in time, tormenting their lives. Right now his family was safe.

Clarisse pulled away, straightening her jacket, turning on her Queenly demeanor. She offered her arm to Joseph, who quickly took it, escorting her inside the Genovian palace. Charlotte excused herself, knowing she was intruding.

"Joseph, would you care to have dinner with me this evening?" Clarisse already knew the answer, but hoped he saw through her question. Joseph pulled her hand to his lips, gently kissing it.

"Why, Your Majesty, I'll look forward to it." He winked, barely able to contain the passion he had for this woman. He was proud of her, and tonight, well tonight he was going to show her.