Part 10
"Catherine, please tell me this sort of thing doesn't happen often in YOUR hospital!" Nan said wearily as they all arrived back at the suite in the Plaza. "How could that nurse have done that to me? Why, I might have had a heart attack, for Lord's sake!"
"At least Wilkes' doctor was there to reassure you that this was a normal reaction some people have to certain medications, Nan. It just happens that Wilkes can't tolerate that one. That's why they were keeping him in the hospital while they tried the various medications to see which one works the best for him," Catherine said, "but yes, that nurse should be shot!"
"I am quite relieved that Wilkes will be better by tomorrow," Clarisse said, touching Nan's shoulder comfortingly. "He was already breathing easier by the time we left."
"Imagine that damn nurse saying you will have to keep stimulants away from him!" Robert snorted. Then he grinned and said slyly, "Does that mean YOU will have to stay away from him, Nan? You're probably fairly stimulating."
"Robert!" Catherine admonished him, even as Joseph began to laugh.
"Oh, my stars, stars, stars!" Nan's eyes grew wide. "I must say, I never thought of that!"
"Robert was just teasing," Catherine said quickly, and poked him in the side with her elbow, glaring at him.
"But ... but what if this whole problem started ... because of what I did?" Nan asked worriedly.
"Nan, please," Clarisse frowned at Robert, too, then tried to reassure Nan. "From what I understand, Wilkes has had symptoms for quite a while now. And you said he had a couple of cups of coffee Christmas morning for breakfast. The doctor said that caffeine is the major stimulant to watch out for, because it can start the heart racing ..."
"It can also set off a different electrical impulse in the heart which interferes with the pumping action, and the circulation slows down," Catherine added. "It's all a chemical reaction, not a reaction to anything YOU did!"
"But today ... the nurse said Willy's heart took off again when we were all in the room," Nan twisted her hands together in her agitation. "What if it was seeing the three of us together? What if the shock was too much for him?"
Joseph put his hands over hers and said firmly, "Nan? Look at me. Listen to me. All right?"
"Yes, Joey?" she whispered.
"It was NOT your fault today. It was NOT your fault Christmas Day. Today we know for SURE that it was the medications he was on."
"But ..."
"Now, if he had seen what Robert and I saw when we came up here this afternoon ..." Joseph looked over at Robert, and suddenly the two of them were shouting with laughter.
Indignant, the three women all crossed their arms and glared at them.
"Seeing Clarisse ... a QUEEN! ... acting like that!" Robert gasped out between his chortling. "And Nan leading the way ... and ... and CATHERINE ... all dignity gone! ... ALL of them! ... DAMN, it was funny! ..."
Joseph wiped his eyes and tried to stop laughing, but Robert's words set him off again.
"Nan, since you have a queen-sized bed in your room," Clarisse turned to Nan, trying to ignore the men, donning the shreds of dignity she still had left. "Catherine and I will stay with you tonight. We'll leave these hyenas on their own. Is that all right?"
"Of course it is, love," Nan said, gratefully.
The three of them, not deigning to take any notice of the men, made their way into the bedroom and slammed the door shut.
O o O o O o
The next morning, Robert was awakened by the doorbell ringing. He groaned and rolled over ... and fell off the couch. Muttering under his breath and throwing the blanket back on the couch, he staggered over to the door and opened it, yawning and scratching his chest under the flannel pyjama top.
"Room Service, Sir! Lady Nan asked that breakfast be sent up!" beamed the young man, rolling in a trolley. "I have her rather hot coffee here, so if you could ... ah!"
Nan had opened the bedroom door, trying to smother her yawns with her hand. "Oh, William, thank you very much!"
"Not a problem at ALL, Nanny! Er, Lady Nan ..."
Nan smiled sleepily and pulled her robe closer around her body. "Please, just keep saying 'Nanny', William!"
"Right-o! Rachel sends her love, by the way, Nanny."
"How nice," Nanny yawned behind her hand again. "Oh, my Lord, I MUST apologize, William ..."
"No problem. It's not an easy time for you, we know," William said, sympathetically. "How is Sir Wilkes?"
"Aoww, they say he's on the mend. Should be home for New Year's Eve, for sure, sure, sure."
"Very glad to hear THAT, Nanny. Guess what else I have for you besides your coffee?"
Robert stood back and watched as the young man poured Nan her coffee. He hoped there was some coffee for him, too! With any luck, the women had stopped being annoyed with Joseph and him. What, couldn't they take a JOKE? And it HAD been hilarious seeing them wobbling around the room! Well, all right, not WOBBLING, but still, it had been funny! But his night on the couch ... alone! ... had not been fun. He had spent the night remembering the previous night with Catherine ... damn, where was that blanket? Even just THINKING of her, and he ...
Turning away abruptly, Robert grabbed the blanket and covered himself. "I'll just, er ... go get dressed." He picked up his clothes and began backing away.
"Sure, sure, sure," Nan waved at him absently, taking a sip of coffee. A look of bliss crossed her face. "That is MUCH better. Much, much, much. Thank you, William. Now ... what else do you have?"
With a flourish, William produced three envelopes. "Invitations, Nanny! To the Plaza's New Year's Eve Gala. One for you and Sir Wilkes, one for Queen Clarisse and Sir Joseph, and one for your other sister and her husband. I'm sorry, I've forgotten their names." Then he looked at Robert apologetically. "I'm sorry, Sir. I know I should have remembered your name, and your lovely wife's, but ..."
"Robert Woodward," Robert said, loving the idea of Catherine being thought of as his wife. "and Catherine ..."
"Now, William," Nan scolded. "How many times do I have to tell you that they are NOT my sisters?"
"Nanny, they look just like you! They HAVE to be related!"
She drank some more coffee. "They're not sisters by blood, William, but I suppose they ARE by choice, for sure, sure, sure!"
"And speaking of your sisters, Nanny, did they want tea?"
"Yes, please," Clarisse appeared in the bedroom door, already neatly dressed in her suit.
"Is there any coffee?" Catherine appeared behind Clarisse, also dressed.
Robert looked longingly at the woman he loved, but she ignored him. Fine. If she wanted to be like that, well, FINE. He backed into the bathroom and shut the door, resisting the urge to slam it. Then he groaned. How was he going to get through another day without her? Maybe he could get her alone on an elevator, and jam the 'Close Door' button on it so they could have some privacy? Certainly nothing would be possible in the suite! He was going to have to do SOMETHING, or he was going to explode with all this pent-up sexual tension!
O o O o O o
When Joseph heard the others up, he lost no time in leaping out of the bed and dressing, too. His second night without Clarisse beside him had been FAR worse than the first! He had repeatedly found himself reaching for her, and encountering a cold sheet instead of her warm, loving body. It seemed as though it had been a long, long time since that wonderful Christmas Eve night when they had been alone in Robert's cabin and had indulged in all manner of lovemaking. He supposed the memories SHOULD tide him over for a few days, but all they seemed to do was aggravate his desire for more. He simply could NOT get enough of his deliciously-wanton wife. Remembering how she had looked last night, dancing and singing with the other two, all her inhibitions flung aside, reminded him strongly of their many wild and glorious escapades when it came to making love. Until last night, he didn't think another soul in the world could ever have imagined that Clarisse could be quite like that. Now he was no longer the only one to know the REAL Clarisse, the woman. Still, he couldn't be upset. Instead, it gladdened his heart to know that she was opening up to others, and not just to him. She had so much passion which she had buried inside for so many years, it was delightful to see her blossoming at last.
O o O o O o
After they finished breakfast, Nan phoned the hospital to check on Wilkes. When she got off the telephone, she was beaming. "The medication is almost out of his system," she announced. "They said he should be feeling not too bad by later this afternoon, so we can go and visit then."
"Excellent," Clarisse said. She tapped the invitation which they had all received. "That means we have time to go shopping."
"Shopping?" Catherine and Nan looked a little leery, and Joseph and Robert looked pained.
"We'll need evening gowns, of course. No time for custom-designed dresses, but I'm sure the Plaza could recommend a good shop nearby." Clarisse pondered the problem, wishing she had Charlotte here to organize for her. Well, this was the perfect time to prove that she could do all this herself. After all, she had managed to run Genovia for six years quite well, hadn't she? Of course, she had had Charlotte at her side for those six years, not to mention Genovia's very capable Prime Minister ... and the ever-faithful Joseph. She eyed him lovingly. Yes, Nan was right about what she had said last night, once they were in bed. Then she recalled the entire conversation, and felt herself grow hot all over.
"I know I shouldn't be finding this so hard, but knickers! Willy and I haven't even been together for a year! We're already almost seventy. We don't have that much time left! I love him, for Lord's sake, and I love how he can make me feel! I'm not at all shy telling either of YOU, because I think you both understand! I just, well, think I should take care of him as best I can ... so he can ... take care of me, so to speak."
There was a pause, then Catherine said carefully, "Are you saying what I THINK you are saying, Nan?"
"Aoww, I'm an old fool, I know ... but I just found my Willy, and I don't want to lose him yet! I don't want to tax him at ALL. He's not getting any younger, either. What if I DO ... er, wear him out? I don't want that, although I DO love how I feel when he's with me!"
Clarisse thought about that. "Well, Wilkes has generally been healthy over the years! I don't see how a certain amount of ... exercise ... should hurt."
"It shouldn't hurt at all," Catherine said, the amusement in her voice evident. "But frankly, I don't think a little ABSTINENCE would hurt Robert or Joe right now, either! I mean, they LAUGHED at us this afternoon, for God's sake!"
"True," Clarisse admitted. "So, yes ... perhaps we SHOULD ... take a little more care of them. Make sure they don't ... overexert themselves. If Nan can do it with Wilkes, I should be able to do it with Joseph. After all, I would hate to lose him."
"I was very happily married before," Catherine said. "But Robert ... Robert is ... different. As you say, I would hate to lose him. I can't really explain it, but I had thought everything was over for me when Tom died, and now, suddenly, everything has come back to life. Even my HORMONES are going crazy!" and she laughed.
"I understand completely," Clarisse said. "Yes, I was married before, too ... and yes, I grew very fond of Rupert. He was my best friend. But ..."
"But it's wonderful when your best friend is also the one you love most in the entire world," Nan finished.
"Yes, and Joseph is that for me, now. He showed me that I am capable of a deep and abiding, passionate love. I had thought that perhaps I was ... as cold all through as the shell I kept tightly wrapped around me." Clarisse confessed.
"From what Charlotte has told me about your love life, Clarisse, a number of people know you are capable of that kind of love." Nan murmured.
Clarisse shot up in bed, turned on the bedside light and stared at Nan. "What do you mean, Nan?" she demanded.
Catherine just lay back and grinned. "This should be interesting," she commented. "Please elucidate, Nan!"
Nan blushed. "Aoww, it's easier to talk in the dark, Clarisse ... would you mind turning off the light?"
"What do you mean?" Clarisse didn't move, just repeated her question.
"Well, I heard ..."
"What exactly did Charlotte say?" Clarisse interrupted her. "You've already revealed that Charlotte is the culprit! What has she said, and she hasn't told anyone ELSE, has she?"
"Aoww, no, no, no! Oh, my Lord, I don't want to get Charlotte into hot water! She was just telling me some of the times ... well ... they were Shades' stories ..." Nan looked troubled.
"SHADES!" Clarisse fell back on the pillows, then covered her flushing face with her hands. "Oh, my!"
"Shades?" Catherine inquired. "Oh, yes! Joseph's replacement ... and possible match for Charlotte. Umm, Clarisse, suddenly you look very guilty. You mean, these aren't just STORIES? These are for REAL? Quick, Nan! Tell me!" she urged.
"Well, the first time Shades caught them, they were in a locked closet ...completely NAKED!" Nan whispered.
Clarisse moaned, "Not COMPLETELY ..."
Catherine giggled. "Go on!"
"I'm not too sure of the order. I believe there was something about ... a fountain? The gazebo? In the bushes beside the front steps after a ball? The, er, throne room?"
"CLARISSE!" Catherine looked scandalized, then giggled some more.
"Not to mention various other rooms in the palace, including a secret passageway overlooking the room where Parliament meets when it's in session ... as it was when interrupted by a certain, er ... scream of completion, I understand. And those are just the times Shades caught them himself."
"Shades wasn't around when Robert and I caught Clarisse and Joe naked in front of the fireplace at the cabin Christmas morning," Catherine mused, her voice hinting at the laughter she was holding back. "Not exactly how I envisioned meeting the Queen of Genovia ... had I ever thought I'd have that honour."
"Oh, my LORD," Nan breathed. "Really? OH, and I almost forgot! They were seen in the airplane, too ... you know, Genovia One? So they're members of the Mile High Club, and ..."
"That's enough!" Clarisse put the force of her years as queen into her quiet command. She calmly reached over, turned off the light, and lay back down again, rigidly straight. "Good night, Nan. Good night, Catherine."
The other two murmured good night, and there was a pause before Clarisse added grumpily, "Besides, WE caught Charlotte and Shades in the gazebo ourselves one night! So tell Charlotte THAT, Nan!"
Then the three dissolved into giggles again.
Clarisse had never had women friends with whom she could act the way she had been acting for the last couple of days. She found it hard to recognize herself, but she loved the person she was when with Nan and Catherine. It was incredible to think that she had only met Catherine three days ago. She grew hot again at the memory of THAT 'meeting'. It was certain that NO one in Genovia would recognize her for Queen Clarisse Renaldi! Not this Clarisse!
Clearing her throat, Clarisse resumed speaking, pushing aside all other considerations. "Joseph, you will need to rent a tuxedo. Unless you have one with you, Robert, you will have to rent one as well. Wilkes has one, I know, so he'll be fine."
Robert looked incredulous. "You expect me to get into a MONKEY SUIT? Rent one and actually WEAR the damn thing?"
The women all narrowed their eyes when looking at him. "It IS a formal gala, Robert," Clarisse said, in a tone that meant business. "You and Joseph will be properly attired."
"All right, all right. Monkey see, monkey do ..." he grumbled. "What we men have to put up with when we're trying to impress a woman!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled one dollar bill. "Joseph, I bet you a thousand dollars that there'll be one man at the gala who is NOT henpecked, and will just be wearing a regular suit!"
Catherine snatched the bill out of his hand. "Don't be ridiculous, Robert! Metaphor or not, YOU are going to wear a tuxedo! Besides," she suddenly smiled coyly and tucked the money back into his trouser pocket with a few delicious strokes of her fingers, "think what a handsome group of friends we'll make."
Robert thought he would go up in flames if her hand had lingered one second more. God, he wasn't going to make it through the day! "Rent tux. Right. I'm on it. Joe? Let's go!"
"Ladies?"
"We'll be fine, Joseph," Clarisse assured him. She cupped his cheek in her hand. "Please don't worry about me. I'll be with Nan and Catherine, and we won't go far. I promise. We'll ask Mr. Salomone to recommend a store, and will straight there in a taxi and straight back." She smoothed her hand down his face in a lingering caress.
Joseph wanted to grovel at her feet and ask her to please, please, please come back to bed with him, but he merely inclined his head and turned away. "Come on, Robert. The sooner we go, the sooner we'll be back."
O o O o O o
Robert and Joseph stood staring with their mouths open that night when Catherine and Clarisse disappeared with Nan into the bedroom and closed the door. ANOTHER lonely night!
"Well, damn," muttered Robert. "Makes me wish I hadn't bothered with the stupid tux!"
"I can't believe she walked out on me AGAIN!" Joe looked dazed.
"Not even so much as one measly KISS today," Robert continued grumbling as he stripped off his shirt and rummaged in his case for his pyjamas.
"I feel sorry for Nanny, but ... but I want my WIFE back!"
"At least Clarisse married you. Catherine won't commit! How can I convince her I'm perfect for her if the damn woman won't let me near her?" Robert growled.
"Wilkes is the lucky one here ..."
"How do you figure that?" asked Robert, looking interested in spite of his frustration.
"He's sleeping comfortably enough in the hospital and doesn't even KNOW his wife is turning the cold shoulder to him. And I bet it's all because we laughed yesterday."
"Ah, hell," Robert slumped on the couch and put his head in his hands. "I wish women weren't so damned illogical!"
"You and me both, friend," Joe sighed as he went to his room.
O o O o O o