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Clarisse and Joseph quietly slip out of their own wedding reception to escape the crowd of well-wishers, but Mia spots them and slips out behind them. “Hey, you two thought you could just slip out without anyone noticing, hmm?” She asks with her hands on her hips.
“Well, we were hoping.” Joseph says casually. “I should have known that we couldn’t sneak past you.”
“I have one thing to tell you grandma: if I see you at all tomorrow I will be very disappointed in you. Now, I had a few wedding things moved from my suite to yours, so there’s a bottle of champagne on ice waiting for you and I had grandma’s favourite chocolates and some strawberries sent up as well. Joe, you’re on your own for what you want from your old room for tonight.”
“It’s a good thing I love you so much or I would say you’re being precocious.” He hugs her.
“I’m being precocious too.” She teases.
“I’m so proud of you, darling girl. Thank you for everything you did for us today.” Clarisse is so proud of her granddaughter as she hugs her.
“Both of you were so miserable. I couldn’t let the two of you live like that. I may have been focused on my own wedding, but I did notice how unhappy you both were. The maids told me Joe was planning on retiring and Charlotte told me grandma had turned you down, but I knew she only did that because of me. I also noticed that Joe was avoiding you. You just confirmed what I thought had happened when we talked outside the church today.”
“Well, you managed to do something not very many people are able to do: change your grandmother’s mind.” He teases.
“Oh, that’s mean.” Clarisse protests.
“We’ll see you the day after tomorrow.” He smirks at his wife. “Damn, this is going to give Viscount Mabrey more ammunition. When I confronted him in the horse stables after the review of the guards he said, “I think we all know how well you cater to the crown’s emotions.” Oh well, I suspect he won’t be around much anymore anyway.”
“He dared to say that to your face? I knew I didn’t like that man.” Mia fumes.
“Now, don’t you start a feud with Mabrey like your grandmother did. It’s not worth it, even for me.” He pulls her into his arms. “Now, your grandmother and I are going to escape before more people come to wish us well.”
“Good idea. I love you two.” Mia smiles as she watches Joe and her grandma climb the stairs hand in hand.