Chapter 9
Author's Note: Big hug to Rach as always for beta this for me! Thanks. :-) And I wanna say thanks for all the lovely reviews to Captain Weirdo (my fantastic beta),Kristi-Julie, Zsulie, risingdancer, bluegirl-783, Naseka, and my Ursa. :-) Thanks girls. I love you all. I wanna dedicate this chapter to all of you, and especially to our new member LadyLouxembourg! Welcome on board. :-)
"Joseph! Wake up! We stayed out all night!" Clarisse cried and started punching Joseph's arm.
"What's the matter, Honey?" asked Joseph in a sleepy voice. He suddenly realized what she was saying. "Damn it!" he cried, and they literally jumped out of bed.
"What time is it?" asked Clarisse in a panic, while she tried to collect her clothes from the floor.
"Nearly 8:30 am."
"What?!" Clarisse shouted.
"Just don't panic. OK? Just don't panic!"
"Don't panic?' Clarisse sounded desperate and angry at the same time. "I'm supposed to have an appointment with the Viscount within half an hour. And you know what he does usually, when I'm in late, don't you?" Clarisse asked as she tried to draw on her bra – without much success. "Last time, he waited for only ten minutes, then suddenly decided to visit me in my dressing room. I nearly had a heart attack, when I turned around in my lingerie, and the Viscount was standing right in front of me."
"What?!" Joseph cried, and stood stock still, staring unbelievingly at Clarisse.
"Damn it," Clarisse whispered to herself.
"That bastard! Wait a minute. Why didn't you tell me?" Joseph started, but Clarisse cut him off.
"We really do not have time for this Joseph."
"But I want to strangle him!" He cried angrily.
"Ok, you can strangle him -- just not now, because we're too late." Clarisse smiled a bit and reminisced for a moment, thinking about how much she loved him. Then she started running towards the door with a bra and a half pair of shoes in her hands. Joseph followed her…
They collected the remaining clothes from the previous night and jumped into the car exactly 2 minutes and 23 seconds later.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Joseph was driving fast, and tried to concentrate on the road, but something continually distracted him…
"We have to sneak in somehow, because the Viscount cannot get knowledge of our little… Joseph, are you listening? Joseph! Hey!" Clarisse cried and that brought him back to his senses. "Keep your eye on the road, sir!"
"I'm trying, believe me. But it is not so easy with a view like that." Joseph smiled and glanced at her breasts. Clarisse followed his gaze and suddenly understood the problem. She was wearing no bra, and a nearly see-through blouse.
"Oh! Sorry, darling." Clarisse smiled and covered herself with a blazer.
"No!" cried Joseph then softened his voice. "There's really no need for…"
"Covering myself?" asked Clarisse with a grin.
"Yes, we've known each other for so long, and I already saw everything…"
"You must not have seen enough, if you can't turn your head away. So I think it's better if I wear this blazer. And yes, I know that we have known each other for a long time, but I would like to spend a few more years with you. I don't want to die on the road, alright?"
"Alright. Alright." answered Joseph grinning. "But do you really think that you can get by with such a lame excuse?"
"I can't? Why not?"
"Of course, you can't! Do you know what you are doing to me?"
"I have a few suspicions." smiled Clarisse and laid her head down onto his shoulder. "But I think you love it."
"I love everything you do." He kissed her hair and wrapped an arm around her. "So you aren't in a panic anymore?"
"Frankly?" Clarisse asked and lifted her head up a bit. "I just don't care. I mean we have to sneak in and come up with a believable story, but I'm too happy to worry about it."
"But you were extremely nervous when we woke up," Joseph smiled. He was trying to figure her out.
"Yes, I was a bit confused at first, but now I'm just smiling. I can't help myself."
"That's good," Joseph said and drew her even closer.
"You're always doing this to me. It's very dangerous, just a few moments with you and I simply forget everything."
"I'm glad to hear that," Joseph chuckled. "Then let me help you, there's the palace…" he said and pointed ahead.
"Very funny, sir," she giggled. Then her voice became dreamy. "Do you know what I would love to do now?"
"Drive on past and run away?"
"Exactly. But how did you know that?"
"Because I was thinking the same thing," Joseph answered.
"Then you also know we cannot do this…"
"Yeah. Right now we have a problem to solve. But don't worry. I know a secret passage. Come," said Joseph as he stopped the car. A few moments later, they were climbing up on the stairs in a dark corridor. They were evidently in part of the cellar, but she couldn't see much in the darkness.
OOOOOOOOO
Five minutes had passed, when they entered to her private suite through the bookshelves…
"Oh, hello Charlotte," smiled Clarisse as she stepped out of the secret passage as if she were just returning to her room following a morning stroll through the gardens. "It's a lovely morning, isn't it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Charlotte stared open mouthed, but she started grinning when Joseph followed Clarisse through the secret door, into the room.
"Morning Charlotte." said Joseph.
"GOOD morning to you too." Charlotte answered knowingly.
"Well, I think I need a shower. Charlotte, please tell the Viscount, that I will be late from our appointment," Clarisse said calmly, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "At least, he isn't in my wardrobe," she muttered and headed into the bathroom.
"Well…" Charlotte drawled with a wide smile.
"Well, what?" Joseph challenged.
"That was a long night for you two, wasn't it? An important security conference and an all- night long Tai chi lesson, right?"
"Charlotte!" said Joseph. He tried to be firm, but he could not hide his smile.
"You made love to her, didn't you?"
"How can you ask a question like that?! And anyway a gentleman never tells, so I won't tell you."
"You don't have to, because I can see it in your smile… I'm so happy about you two."
"Thanks Charlotte." Joseph smiled and squeezed her hand, just as the doors flew open and the Viscount stormed in. "How dare you?!" shouted Joseph and headed for him.
"I have an appointment." said the Viscount assertively. "I want to meet with the queen."
"Really?!" asked Joseph with an evil smile. "The thing is, Her Majesty is a bit busy, but until she arrives, you can meet with my fist," Joseph said and smacked him.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Joseph and a violinist??????? Visit forum for details...
