Author's Note: It's AU, and based on the
book and movie "Dangerous Liaisons." It's set in France in the mid
1700's.
Here's the cast of characters:
Joshua Chasez, Duc de Tournville
Justin du Lac
Madamoselle Britney Spears, Countess de Chanté
Christophe Patric, Vicount Chambless
Others will appear as the series progresses.
Joshua
regarded his friend with amused eyes. He took a sip of wine and smiled as
Christophe sputtered and foamed.
“Chris, stop.” Joshua held up a hand. “You’re not making any sense.
Start over, and start from the beginning.”
Christophe took a deep breath. “She rejected me,” he said through clenched
teeth, eyes fixed past Joshua. “She rejected me!
Joshua turned to see the object of Christophe’s fury. Mademoiselle Britney
Spears, now Countess de Chanté. Young and beautiful, she sparkled and shined,
adding freshness to the overcrowded and stuffy salon.
“When did all this happen?” Joshua counted the number of men basking in
Britney’s circle. Fifteen, and more trying for positions closer to her. “I
was under the impression your marriage was a fait accompli.”
“It was.” Christophe snagged another glass of wine from a passing servant,
downing the drink in one gulp. “That is, until her father died and left her
all the money, and the title.”
Joshua frowned in confusion. “How can that be? She’s a woman.”
Christophe laughed, a hollow sound. “Among the de Chanté’s it is a common
occurrence. Seems they have a special dispensation from the King to let whomever
they want inherit, be it man, woman, or child.” Another glass of wine was
consumed. “Since her father died, leaving her the title and the money, she
felt she no longer had to honor his agreement with me.”
Joshua watched the group of young people, noting one man in particular moving in
close to Britney. The young woman’s face lit with deep pleasure at the sight
of him.
“Who’s the boy?” Joshua asked, regarding the new arrival with interest. He
watched as the boy talked to Britney. He was an exceptionally handsome young
man, no more that twenty years old. His riots curls framed a beautiful face with
deep blue eyes and full pink lips.
Christophe’s eyes narrowed with anger, his face turning red. “Justin du Lac,” Christophe spat.
The
venom in Christophe’s voice surprised Joshua. “And he is?”
“A
merchant’s son!” Joshua
turned back to Christophe in surprise. “A very, very rich merchant’s son.”
Christophe laughed again. “He was studying to be a priest when his father and
older brother died at sea. Now he’s running the business.”
“A priest?” What a waste that would have been, Joshua thought,
peering again at the boy.
Christophe nodded. “And Mademoiselle Britney is just as pious. Even you, the
most famous roué in France, wouldn’t be able to get into her bed.”
Joshua raised a brow. “Is that a challenge?” he asked.
Christophe shook his head. “Joshua, there is no way in hell you’d get under
that one’s skirts,” he said crudely. “Her legs are locked together at the
knees.”
“You misunderstand me, my friend.” Joshua smiled slyly. “I was thinking
more along the lines of seducing the boy.”
Christophe choked on his wine. “You’re not serious! He was going to be a
priest, Joshua. I doubt he’s even slept with a woman yet, much less a man!”
“Are you doubting my ability?”
“If saying that you can’t seduce Justin du Lac, then yes, I’m doubting
your ability.”
Joshua looked at the boy again. He watched as Justin took a sip of wine,
stifling a groan as the boy’s pink tongue came out and licked his lips. “How
much to you owe me in gambling debts, Christophe?”
“Twenty-five thousand francs.” A faint tinge of red stained Christophe’s
cheeks at the mention of his debt.
“Then here’s the bet, my friend. If I fail to seduce Justin du Lac, I’ll
forgive you your debts.”
Christophe thought this to be a great deal for him. However, he wondered what
the price would be if Joshua actually did manage to seduce Justin du Lac.
“Well, isn’t it obvious?” Joshua said when Christophe asked the question.
The other man shook his head. “No, no it’s not. What would be your reward?”
Joshua smiled naughtily. “I’d get the boy.”