Chapter 14
Author's Note: Hi Girls! Thanks for all your lovely reviews, I really appreciate them. Big hug to Rach for beta this for me, and I'm dedicating this chapter to you, Ursa for Come Home With Me to Hungary.wink
"I should seduce him." said Clarisse with a triumphant smile on her face, but it faded quickly when she saw Joseph was out of control.
"WHAT??!!!" He could barely breathe. "Not on your life!"
"But Joseph…"
"Forget it immediately."
"But…"
"No!"
"But…"
"No. And I don't want to hear such nonsense again. You know full well that he has a crush on you."
"That's the point!" Clarisse said violently. "We should exploit the situation…"
"Oh no," Joseph answered. "Mabrey is a strong man. And he could take advantage of the opportunity to… I cannot even speak of it."
"But Joseph…"
"He could rape you! You really do not understand that?!" He was extremely agitated now. "This is not a game."
"Yes, I know. But danger is always a part of every plan. And if he tries to bully me, you can protect me." Joseph calmed down a little. "So don't worry. Maybe a kiss will happen…" She was just teasing him now.
"A… A WHAT?! Do you really…"
"Hey, I'm just teasing you." Clarisse smiled with an innocent look on her face, then she started laughing.
"That's not funny." He said his voice relieved as he hugged her. "Do you promise me you will give that crazy plan up?"
"Alright… If you want," Clarisse said in a sweet voice and hugged him tightly. But when he released her and turned away, her eyes met Charlotte's and she started whispering. "Never mind," she said. "We're going to make it."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
So after this little meeting, everybody went home, Clarisse traveling with Charlotte to be safe. And Joseph did the same much, much later too. The Viscount and Elsie were still unable to determine what had happened. A sleepless night awaited them filled with hundreds of questions and possibilities. The next day, Mabrey decided he had to do something, so he made an appointment with the queen…
"Finally." Clarisse smiled. She was in her office with Charlotte. "The time has come. We will close the books on this case. I will no longer tolerate anyone who wants to interrupt my life. I suffered enough, so I will put an end to it myself."
"So I cannot talk you out of it," sighed Charlotte.
"No Charlotte, but I know you want the best for me. And that means a lot."
"Thank you," Charlotte smiled. "Then is there anything I can help you with?"
"Yes. You have to take some good pictures at the right moment."
"What's the plan exactly?"
"Well, we have to choose something effective. I mean if he caught me with Joseph that would be the scandal of the century. But if we catch him trying to assault the queen – you know what that means, don't you?"
"Life imprisonment."
"Exactly. And I think that will be a good way to keep him out of our lives."
"But…"
"Yes, I know what you're thinking. I know it is a bit dangerous, but it's worth the risk. And I swear, after you take the pictures, you can call Joseph and he'll have a free hand."
"Joe will kill me too."
"No, I will take care of it. Just leave him to me. I have my ways to win him over." Clarisse winked. "So stay ready behind the curtains when time comes. I want to work it out as quickly as I can."
"Very well Your Majesty," Charlotte said and turned to leave. Clarisse called after her.
"And Charlotte… If you talk to Joseph about this …"
"You will send me to jail?" Charlotte smiled.
"No. You will have to work the same shift as Lionel for a whole week."
"Ok. Joe will know nothing about it."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A few hours later in the queen's office…
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty." The Viscount bowed and kissed her hand.
"Ah, Viscount Mabrey. How lovely to see you," smiled Clarisse, as sweetly as she could. "You managed to get in this time, didn't you?"
"Yes, your security system is quite good."
"One of the best in the whole world," Clarisse smiled. "But I think that is not the reason for your visit, am I right? So what can I do for you, Viscount?"
"I just wanted to discuss something with you." Mabrey tried to be watchful at the beginning. "I was in Pyrus yesterday, and saw you at Joseph's flat. It was a bit strange…"
"There is nothing strange in that." Clarisse smiled and tried to be nonchalant. "Joseph is my best friend and he needs my help sometimes. But I have to admit - yesterday was a bit too much. I needed Charlotte's help too."
"Did he hurt you?" The Viscount could not think of anything else.
"No. Of course he did not. Never."
"Sorry, I just thought he…"
"No. Joseph is really a wonderful man, but he simply cannot understand what I'm saying sometimes."
"You mean…?" The Viscount was really curious now.
"Oh, I don't know if I should tell you or not."
"Please, do tell. You know I care about you.
"Oh, alright." Clarisse sighed and started pacing up and down. "In the last few months Joseph needed my help as a friend and I gladly gave him advice. He meant so much to me. He was there when my… Anyway, we talked a lot here and at his flat too - when he was upset." She did not know how long Mabrey had been spying on them… "But after a while, he… He somehow fell in love with me. And that's ok, but he cannot understand that I don't want him."
"That bastard!" The Viscount cried.
"Oh, please don't say that. I really love him as a friend. But I want a bit more than someone like him as my lover. Oh, I'm so rude sometime." She turned around.
"No. You are totally right. He is not the right man for you."
"Yes, but he cannot understand this, and banishes every man near me. He can be awfully jealous sometimes."
"Yes, I know." The Viscount nodded.
"So I need a real man. I mean from my circle – someone who can give me what I want." Clarisse smiled seductively. The Viscount immediately got the message.
"That reminds me. We should have dinner sometime. Don't you…"
"With pleasure," Clarisse smiled.
"Excellent. I will book a private room in La Pomme de Amour for tonight if you are free."
"No!" Clarisse cried then pulled herself together. "I mean, I'm free, but why don't we eat dinner in my suite. Hm?" Her eyes looked with the Viscount's.
"Of course, if that's more comfortable for you." He started to feel the thrill, when the clock suddenly stuck the hour.
"Alright. We'll meet tonight," Clarisse smiled. "I'm sorry, but now I have to go."
"Of course. Until tonight, then." He was very excited now. "I cannot wait for it. That will be a great pleasure."
"I think so," Clarisse laughed mischievously and stroked his cheek gently. "I'm going to take you to paradise…"
To be continued….
Author's Note: If you wanna catch the feeling, listen the song Sexy Eyes by Whigfield. And I finished Ch15 too, so a quick update is coming!