DISCLAIMER: I do not own PD and/or it's characters. I get nothing from this but satisfaction. I am responsible for the storyline here only.
Chapter 1
Sweeping the entrance hall with a glance, Clarisse smiled to her granddaughter, the newly crowned Queen of Genovia. She was still a young lady, but had grown so much in such a short time. Clarisse was proud. She knew Amelia still had much to learn, for some things one could only learn with time and experience. Yet, for the time given her, Clarisse had moulded a very bright and very beautiful Queen for Genovia.
"Hello darling."
"I refuse to do this any longer, grandma." Mia jumped the sofa, landing beside her grandmother. Mia crossed her arms in front of her, and pretended to pout.
"Really Mia, what is this all about?" Clarisse was use to Mia having these little spells, and was unsure whether to laugh at this one or if it deserved a serious approach. "And Mia, next time you can walk around the sofa, please," Clarisse added, adjusting her glasses.
"I'm sorry, grandma, it's just that I refuse to do this any longer. I am not going to the state dinner tonight. I'll get Charlotte to announce I'm sick or something."
"You most certainly will go. Now, tell your grandma what is bothering you," Clarisse turned facing her.
"All morning long I had my hand slobbered on. Now, I have to go through the same thing tonight. I can't stand it, grandma. All those old men, kissing and I even think one licked me!"
"That would be Ambassador Pertz."
"Yes, well you know. It's disgusting." Amelia ran her hand through her hair, then rested it on the back of the cushion.
"I agree, that is why you have gloves, my dear."
"I know, but they make my hands all hot and sweaty," Mia whined, trying to make someone feel sorry for her. "Besides, all that slobber eventually leaves them wet."
"Yes," Clarisse agreed, "change them. Amelia, you have two ladies maids and Charlotte. Use them. I always changed mine several times a night."
"You did?" Mia was clearly shocked. "Grandma, I never saw you change gloves?"
"Exactly, but I did," Clarisse pointed out, "Olivia always had a fresh pair of gloves for me whenever I excused myself for a few minutes. I always wore them."
"Not exactly," interrupted a deep voice. "I know of a few times when they would come off."
"Only with you, love," Clarisse said, leaning her head back to accept a soft kiss from her husband.
"Joe, can't security do something?"
"No, Mia. It is custom to kiss the Queen on her hand. You're lucky, your great, great grandmother had to recieve them on her cheek as well." Mia made a slightly sick face. "Security could only do something if someone refused to kiss your hand."
"It never seemed to bother you when someone did not kiss mine," Clarisse interrupted.
"AH, no it didn't. I wanted to kill everyone who touched you, to be honest." Clarisse snickered at her husbands' words.
"Jealous, were we?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was." Joseph reached down for her hand, giving it the slightest brush with his lips.
"Why can't someone do that to me?" Mia motioned. "Can't you give lessons?" Joseph smiled at the young Queen's question.
"Amelia! Really." Clarisse sounded stunned. "What about Nicholas? He could stand beside you, you know. It does make a difference when you have a man at your side. Rupert would be beside me whenever he could, and after that, well Joseph was there, and once or twice Sebastian stood with me. He is very good at moving a line quickly," Clarisse stressed. "He'd be happy to do that for you as well."
"Like you said, being Queen is a real job. I just didn't realize how nasty it could get." Mia got up to leave.
"Darling, you just said a mouthful," Clarisse agreed.
"Bye grandma, Joe. Will you be at dinner tonight?" Mia asked as she walked toward the doors.
"No," Joseph spoke up quickly. "We have prior plans, unless you need us?" Clarisse faced her husband, questioning their plans.
"No, that's fine. Go have fun. It's nice to know someone will be..." Mia trailed off as she left.
"What plans?" Clarisse was curious.
"I thought that maybe you and I could run away for a few hours, by ourselves."
"What if she needs me?"
"We won't be far, besides, Clarisse, you need to let go. She is doing just fine." Joseph awaited her answer.
Finally, with a nod of her head, she consented. "Where are we going?"
"I would really like to take my wife on a stoll along the shore. It's going to be beautiful out tonight, there's a full moon, and we haven't been able to have much alone time here," he said, motioning to his surroundings.
"You know, I think that would be heavenly. I'd like nothing better than to spend the evening alone with you." She moved in, pressing toward him, reaching; when her lips finally touched his.
"Excuse me, ma'am, sir, can I get you anything?" Priscilla interrupted, accustomed to walking in on them like this.
"Yes, as a matter of fact you can," Joseph spoke up. "Can you arrange dinner for Clarisse and I, we'd like to have a picnic on the beach this evening."
"Yes sir, I'll see to it. Anything else?" Priscilla waited to be excused.
"Make sure Charlotte knows where we'll be Priscilla, please." Just the thought made Clarisse feel better. "That's all, thank you."
Knowing he better take the chance given him, Joseph quickly rushed to the door, locking it behind Priscilla. It wasn't often they were left alone. Sometimes he thought their suite was the entrance hall to the palace. It recieved more activity by noon than the kitchen did all day. Slipping off his jacket, he came to sit by his beloved wife.
"So you have plans for this afternoon as well," Clarisse eyed him.
"No, no plans." He pulled her in close, nuzzling her neck. "Mmm, I just wanted to be alone with you, and I saw the opportunity and took it. What happens...will happen." Joseph took her sigh to be one of approval.
With a little rearranging, Joseph had finally gotten her onto his lap. She was such a tease here, and he loved it. She wiggled herself next to him, pressing her body into his as he grazed her skin with is fingers. His hand slid right up her thigh, squeezing the softness. "Clarisse?" Joseph mumbled inbetween her kisses.
"Yes love?"
"Tonight, don't wear pantyhose." Joseph looked into her eyes, showing her he was serious.
"Anything for you."
Although the air in the palace was cool, the heat in their suite reflected the hot summer sun outside. Joseph was sure she had left marks on his neck, for she had completely lost herself in him. This was the passion he fell in love with. The more he gave her, the more she edged him on.
"My love," Joseph said, pulling away slightly, "save it for tonight."
"I"ll have plenty for tonight." She pressed her lips to his again, reigniting the fire. Left breathless, he moaned into her mouth, wanting more, but wanting to wait as well.
"Clarisse, please, tonight..." He kissed her this time, unable to control himself. He kissed her with a passion so deep it could swallow an abyss.
Finally parting, she whispered, "I love you Joseph."
"I love you too Clarisse."
"Tonight?" She stared into his very soul.
"Oh yes, tonight..."
"Then I'll be back here by no later than six?"
"Six..." he muttered, still entranced by his beautifully sexy wife.
Kissing the tip of his nose, Clarisse slid off. She stood, straightening the mess he had made of her. She could never be angry with him, no, never. After all, it was just as much her fault.
He was still transfixed on her curves, watching the way she moved, as she left the suite. Nothing was going to stop them tonight, he was going to make sure of it. Their time together was too precious. They had waited for each other for so long, and now that they were married, he intended on making up for lost time.