Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Chapter 21
Clarisse looked out window of salon, unable to quell the feeling of restlessness that had overcome her. Now that she had made her decision regarding 'regina patronus quod paramour' she found herself wanting to inform both men. But she knew that she couldn't until Joseph was officially presented to her.
Moving away from the window she paced the salon, picking up magazines, books and various items before placing them back in their original spots. Clarisse sighed in exasperation, she needed to get out. Perhaps a ride would help with the restlessness.
"Yes, a ride would be perfect," she murmured walking out of the salon.
Ten minutes later Clarisse was dressed in a pair of cotton pants, riding boots and one of Rupert's dress shirts sans bra. She had found the dress shirt lying on the chair in the bedroom.
James, Rupert's valet had evidently forgotten to take it to launder. It still smelt of Rupert, a combination of his cologne, deodorant and his natural scent. Clarisse couldn't resist the urge to bury her face in it before slipping it on. As she looked at herself in the mirror, the shirt hanging almost to mid-thigh she noted her bra shown through. Not wanting to change to another colour of bra or take Rupert's shirt off she simply removed her bra and finished dressing.
Now dressed for riding she headed to the stables but not before telling security that she would be meeting His Majesty and Joseph. The young security guard Scott or Shades as he preferred to be called questioned this but he relented when she simply looked at him her eyebrow raised. She knew he probably knew she was lying but short of calling her on it there was nothing he could do but nod and escort her to the stables.
Mounted on her favourite horse, Manchester, Clarisse enjoyed the feeling of the sun on her as she and Manchester trotted down the lane. Once clear of the palace grounds Clarisse urged Manchester into a gallop laughing with abandon at the feel of the wind on her face and in her hair. She gave Manchester his head and simply enjoyed the feeling of racing across the meadows of the Home Woods.
Slowing Manchester to a trot then to a walk she allowed the gelding time to regain his breath and cool down as she guided him to the small lake that sat to the west of the palace. The lake was one of the hidden treasures of the Home Woods. Fed by a fresh water spring, the lake, with its cool water was a welcome respite during the hot summer months and for years Rupert, she and the boys would come here to swim and picnic free from the prying eyes of the press and Genovia.
Clarisse dismounted from Manchester, praising him and scratching under his chin before removing the blanket and saddle bags Tomas had secured to Manchester. Dropping the reigns Clarisse let Manchester graze knowing the gelding would remain, he was trained well.
Spreading the blanket out near one of the large willows, Clarisse placed the saddle bag down on the blanket before she removed her boots and socks placing them at the top of the blanket. Sitting down on the blanket she removed the cheese, fruit, water and wine she had brought with her. Enjoying a few pieces of cheese and along with a handful of grapes Clarisse sipped the wine from the flask before carefully rewrapping everything and tucking it back into the bag.
The water shimmered in the sunlight, the light giving it an almost ethereal feel. Clarisse watched as the dragonflies flitted over the water and the surface was disturbed by the occasional fish. Clarisse could feel the restlessness leave her as she gazed at the inviting water. Making a quick decision Clarisse stood, stripped off her pants and panties before removing Rupert's shirt, not bothering to unbutton it just pulling it off over her head.
Completely nude Clarisse walked to the edge of the water, the tall grass brushing her legs sensually, the sun highlighting her skin and bringing to life the freckles that decorated its silky softness. Walking slowly into the lake Clarisse couldn't repress the shiver at the coolness of the water before she dove gracefully under only to resurface moments later. She swam for a few minutes simply enjoying the feel of the water as it glided across her skin. Soon she turned on her back and floated allowing the water to hold her in its cool embrace, her eyes closed.
She sighed in contentment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rupert and Joseph exited the vault elevator laughing and in good spirits. After exploring the armoury, trying out a few of the broadswords, swords and dirks they had explored the other many rooms in the vaults, discovering and rediscovering treasures hidden within its vast walls.
Their constant banter along with more serious discussions cemented the already strong friendship into something more. If asked neither man would be able to name exactly what they considered each other- brothers was incorrect, and comrades too tame. There was an intimacy to their relationship that defied a simplified explanation.
And while their relationship with each other was complicated their relationship with the woman they both loved was simple to define. Clarisse Mignonette Gerard Renaldi was their soul, their love, their reason for being. It sounded trite and overused but for them it was true.
As the two men passed Shades on their way to His Majesty's office, Rupert greeted the young guard asking, "Shades have you seen Her Majesty?"
Shades stood at attention surprised that His Majesty would ask the whereabouts of his wife. "Your Majesty, I was informed that you and Joseph were meeting Her Majesty to go riding."
Joseph looked at the young guard. "And who informed you of this Shades?" Joe asked his voice clipped and controlled a sure sign of his rising anger.
Shades swallowed and answered. "Her Majesty informed me herself as I escorted her to the stables that you and His Majesty were meeting her to join her riding. That is why no guard escorted her."
Shades knew he should have went with Her Majesty but short of calling her a liar, an action that would surely have had him hung by his toes in the courtyard, there was no way she would have allowed him to accompany her. Shades prayed whatever punishment Joe meted out didn't involve torture.
Rupert clasped the young guard on the shoulder. "It's alright Shades, you had no idea we weren't meeting Her Majesty." Releasing the young man's shoulder His Majesty asked, "Do you know which direction she was heading?"
"Toward the Home Woods sir," Shades answered. Shades didn't look at Joe; he didn't want to see the older man's disappointment. He was surprised when Joe said, "We'll discuss this later Shades."
Shades sat down heavily as he watched Joe follow His Majesty down the corridor. Shades ran a hand over his face, surprised he was still breathing. He made a promise to himself that from now on he would check with Joe before letting Her Majesty leave the palace unescorted.
Joseph followed His Majesty to the Royal Suite. He watched as His Majesty entered his dressing room and exited dressed in a pair of breeches, riding boots and a t-shirt.
"I take it you are going alone?" Joseph asked.
"Yes," Rupert answered.
Joseph sighed in resignation. No amount of arguing would change His Majesty's mind, Joe could tell just by looking his expression.
"At least take one of the radios to keep in contact with the palace in case of something happens," Joe said, not happy about his charges being out of his sight but also knowing Their Majesties needed some time alone. Their relationship had been strained over the past week.
Rupert nodded his head in agreement and Joseph spoke into his microphone ordering a fully charged radio to be delivered to the stables. Following His Majesty out to the stables he double checked the radio before handing it over to His Majesty.
"It is set to channel 15, Security will monitor the channel until you and Her Majesty returns," Joe said.
"Try not to be too late," he added.
Rupert smirked before he said, "Yes Dad. Is there anything else Dad?"
Joe laughed in response. "No, there isn't. Just don't make me have to come find you two later," Joe warned.
Laughing in response, Rupert saluted and urged his mount into a trot.
Rupert allowed Caruso, his stallion his head. He smiled in enjoyment at the feel of the powerful muscles beneath him. Reaching the Home Woods meadow he slowed Caruso to a walk looking for the tell tale signs of Clarisse's direction. Rupert spied the hoof prints of Manchester leading across the meadow toward the lake.
Tapping his stallion with his heels Rupert said," Come on Caruso, we have a lady to find." Caruso tossed his head in answer before he exploded in a gallop. Rupert let his stallion gallop until they came close to the lake. Slowing him to a walk Rupert carefully navigated the overhanging branches and trees that hid the lake from view of the meadow. As Rupert exited a stand of trees he pulled Caruso to a complete stop amazed at the sight that greeted him.
On a blanket, dressed in what looked like one of his dress shirts and sleeping lay his wife. The dappled sunlight gave her a delicate appearance and even from this distance he was sure he could see the sprinkling of freckles across her nose.
Rupert dismounted from Caruso, noted Manchester grazed a few meters away he allowed his stallion the same freedom. Both horses were trained well so there was no danger of either running.
Slowly walking over to where his wife slept Rupert stared at the vision of her before stretching out next to her, his hand tracing the curve of her back underneath his shirt.
Clarisse's opened her eyes slowly, the warmth from the sun teasing her, tempting her to remain asleep but the hand that was caressing her alerting her to another's presence. Clarisse lifted her head gazing into the darkening eyes of her husband. She rolled onto her back and raised her hand to her husband's shoulder pulling him into her embrace; her lips parted to receive his kiss.
Rupert moaned into the kiss.
Gods, this is what he missed!
The feel of his wife in his arms, the drugging intoxication of her kisses, her soft skin beneath his hands.
Nothing could compare to the feel of this!
Rupert's hands caressed her, bringing sighs and whimpers from her as he touched all those secret places that only he knew. The spot between her shoulder blades that caused her to break out in goose flesh. The spot along her outer thigh that made her breath hitch and caused her to move her leg restlessly against his. The spot on her lower back that caused her to arch closer to him, her pelvis pushing rhythmically against his.
Rupert broke their kiss and looked down into his wife's flushed face. "God, I love you," he whispered hoarsely before recapturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
He felt Clarisse's hands pull up his t-shirt, her nails raking across his back fuelling his desire. Rupert grabbed the hem of the t-shirt yanking it up and over his head before pulling his shirt off her leaving her completely naked to his gaze.
Rupert's head dropped to Clarisse's breast kissing and tasting the soft flesh. He teased each nipple to tautness, first with his fingers then with his mouth alternating between each. His hand caressed her stomach and sides before sliding over her curls to slip in between her legs. He couldn't contain the moan at the feel of her hot wet flesh, his mouth capturing hers in a fiery kiss.
Clarisse could feel her body tightening in anticipation. She was so hot and wet, her moisture coating her curls and her inner thighs. But she didn't want to come from just her husband's hand; she wanted to feel every glorious inch of him pounding into her hot, wet channel.
Clarisse shifted her weight forcing Rupert onto his back. She straddled his thighs before bending over to kiss him. As she kissed him her hands went to work on his belt and fastenings of his breeches. Between the two of them they managed to open his breeches. Clarisse reached inside grasping and moulding her husband's shaft before pulling him free of his breeches. She stroked his erection a few times, pulling his foreskin away from the tip, teasing him before she slid further down thighs and took him in her mouth.
"Oh god, Clarisse!" Rupert groaned as his wife's mouth closed over his erection. He fought the urge to grab her hair and thrust into her warm, wet mouth. He fisted his hands into the blanket trying to maintain control and not come.
Clarisse suckled, licked, nipped, teased and fondled pushing her husband closer and closer to the brink of ecstasy. She knew just how far she could push before he crossed over the line. She loved the power she commanded when she loved her husband this way.
Rupert could feel his control slipping. He knew he was close to coming.
"Please…Clarisse…no more…stop…please...," Rupert pleaded, trying to fight the urge to thrust and come.
Clarisse smiled around her husband's shaft. She sucked hard once more before releasing him, squeezing the base of his penis to prevent him from ejaculating. Rupert groaned then sighed, his eyes squeezed shut to maintain control. He felt Clarisse shifting and before he could process exactly what she was doing he felt her sliding slowly down onto his erection. He gritted his teeth at exquisite feel of her hot wet flesh sliding over him.
When she began to move Rupert knew he needed to take back control, otherwise he would be coming sooner than he wanted to. His hands grabbed her hips to still her movements and with a quick push he forced her onto her back he now in the dominant position. He looked down at his wife, closing his eyes when he felt her squeezing her internal muscles.
"Don't," he rasped out, trying to maintain control.
Clarisse smiled, flexing her internal muscles giggling when she heard her husband's strangled groan.
Rupert looked into the laughing face of his wife. "Witch," he said, thrusting into her wet heat. It was his turn to smile when he heard Clarisse's answering moan. Pulling her legs higher onto his hips Rupert began to thrust slowly, enjoying the feel of his wife around him. He kept his thrusts slow and measured not increasing his speed. He knew the steady pace would drive Clarisse mad and soon she would be begging for him to move faster and harder.
He wanted to hear her beg and plead.
He needed to hear it.
"Rupert…more…"Clarisse pleaded. His slow thrusts were driving her crazy.
"Please…harder…more," she begged, pushing back against him.
Rupert increased his speed a bit, watching his wife's face before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. As they kissed passionately, Rupert increased the speed of his thrusts. Clarisse's nails raked his back in response.
Soon the two were lost in the heat of passion. Words were no longer needed as they strove toward mutual bliss, their bodies gleaming with sweat as they caressed and kissed. They reached the peak of ecstasy at almost the same moment cries of 'Rupert' and 'Clarisse' echoing over the lakeside.
Breathing deeply to recapture their breath the two lovers caressed each other softly, smoothing the moisture from their sweat soaked skin across their bodies, sighing as a soft breeze helped to cool them.
"Je t'aime," Rupert said as he held his wife in his arms.
"Je t'aime aussi," said Clarisse.
Rupert placed a soft kiss on his wife's hair before releasing her and sitting up. He looked down at himself noting the wetness on the front of his breeches. "I suppose I better clean up," he said.
Clarisse stood, holding her hands out. "Come, the water is perfect."
She smiled as she watched her husband pull his boots off then shed his socks and pants, not in the least surprised to see him sans underwear. She waited as placed his clothes off to the side then squealed in delight when he scooped her up into his arms and entered the water.
She yelled when he dropped her unceremoniously in the cool water. She retaliated by jumping on his back and forcing him under the water. Laughter and shouts could be heard as they were soon frolicking in the cool lake before making slow love in the refreshing water.
Afterward they lay down on the blanket and shared what was left of Clarisse's picnic. Wrapped in each other's arms they drifted off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Joseph to Eagle. Come in Eagle. Over."
Rupert woke and grappled for the radio, hitting the button to answer.
"Eagle to Joseph. What is it? Over." he asked, placing a soft kiss on the shoulder of his waking wife.
"It is 8 PM. The chef is wondering if you are going to want dinner and you're late. Over."
Rupert could hear the teasing lilt in Joe's voice.
"Sorry Dad," Rupert answered, Clarisse's laughter clearly heard in the background. "We are on our way home right now. I don't suppose we will be getting dessert tonight? Over."
"No dessert and we will be discussing your punishment. Only yours. Over," responded Joseph, the laughter evident in his voice.
"Why only my punishment? She is late too. Over," complained Rupert.
"She has obviously been led astray by you. Over."
Rupert harrumphed in response. Clarisse grabbed the radio. "Eagless to Joseph, Over."
"Go ahead Eagless. Over," Joe responded.
"Do I get dessert? Over," she asked her eyes dancing as she looked at her husband's face.
"Yes. Chocolate torte with strawberries. Over," said Joe.
Rupert grabbed the radio. "Not fair, Joseph. Over."
"All's fair in love and dessert. Joseph out." he said, laughing as he signed off.
Husband and wife dressed, retrieved all their belongings, and secured them onto their horses before mounting and heading home.