Note: Thanks for the reviews. Just so you know, the story is finished (it has been for a couple of days actually), so the parts will go up in pretty quick succession. The only reason I am staggering them a bit is in case people think something doesn't work in one part. It means I canchange it without having to repost the whole story. If that makes any sense? Anyway, should all be up by tomorrow night whatever happens.
Nobody announced Charlotte as she entered the Grand Ballroom. Nor did everyone turn to look. And that was precisely how she liked it. Melting into the background was her job and she prided herself on the fact that she was good at it. A nervous hand left the silky soft material of her dress and went to her neck, feeling the exquisite necklace that sat there, then to her opposite wrist, to the equally exquisite bracelet. Tonight was the first night in a long time when she felt beautiful. She supposed it had more to do with the jewellery and the new dress than anything else, they would make anyone feel lovely, but there was also something about being a guest that gave her extra confidence. Mia had told her that they were practically family now. Charlotte had let it pass unnoticed at the time, but her mind kept replaying the words and they always brought a smile to her lips.
"Thought you could sneak in the staff entrance and nobody would see?"
She spun round and came face to face with the Prime Minister, "I was just watching, sir."
"Why do you always stand in the shadows?" he asked, gently.
"It's my job," she stated, as if it should have been obvious.
Sebastian plucked a glass of champagne from a passing tray and held it out to her, "You are not working tonight, my dear. Enjoy yourself."
O>
Pierre held the door open to the small, typical French café for Charlotte to exit. Their trip had turned the two into firm friends, rather than workplace acquaintances. Charlotte now felt comfortable with the man who, just a few days previously, had been someone she curtsied to.
After two days of sightseeing, they had just finished their last drink pit stop before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the all-important dinner. Charlotte would not be attending, as it was for state heads only. However, it was tradition for the wives to hold their own dinner in competition with the men. Clarisse had warned Charlotte that the women, although prim and proper in the public eye, liked to let their hair down in private. They would want to gossip and drink. A lot.
"I'm not your wife," Charlotte reminded him as they strolled down the road.
Pierre laughed, "I have a feeling that that is what they will want to gossip about."
"Oh no," she moaned, running a hand through her hair, starting to slightly panic about the evening to come.
"Wait," Pierre said suddenly, "I think I've been here before."
"What?" she asked, looking around the winding roads.
"Yes, I have," he decided, changing direction, "Father brought Philippe and I here once during a trip to buy a birthday present for mother. If I'm correct, there should be a rather lovely jewellery shop just down this road…" Charlotte had to run slightly to keep up with his excited pace. Eventually they stopped outside a tiny shop with a very sparkly window display.
"Oh my," she breathed, her eyes widening at the sight of the beautiful gems. Pierre watched her face change as her gaze moved over the jewellery, enjoying her reaction to it.
"Let's go in," he suggested.
"Why?"
"Just to have a look." She looked at him dubiously, but he extended his arm to her and led her inside. A small, scurrying man shuffled out from behind a desk to greet his new customers. He began to speak quickly in French, which baffled Charlotte enormously, but Pierre clearly understood and replied fluently. After a few moments conversation, the man turned to Charlotte, inspecting her for a few moments, before taking her hand from Pierre's arm and leading her towards a chair and a table.
"What's going on?" she asked, when she and Pierre were left alone.
"I want to buy you something. Anything you want."
"Pierre, no, I can't let you do that," she gasped, standing up.
He took her shoulders, gently sitting her down again, "Charlotte, let me buy you a present."
"We have to get back to the hotel," she insisted.
"We have plenty of time. Relax. Enjoy yourself."