Chapter 2

Several hours later…

Inside Shades and Charlotte's suite.

"Are you sure about this Char? I know it's been a dream of yours, but remember when Andre, Jacob and Lord Crawley tried to steal the throne from the rightful heirs?"

Charlotte hung her robe on the hook on the door nearest to the bed before climbing in. "I do, but what I recall is how neither the Queen nor Princess let fear stop them."

"But they knew where the threats were coming from…at least after some time. We have no idea who's making death threats. Just so we're clear…that's threats as in more than one."

She shrugged. "People who don't want to see a woman in Parliament, I guess. I don't think it's personal. It's just because I'm a woman."

He brushed his fingers along her cheek and chin before cupping it. "A very beautiful woman." He closed his eyes trying to force unpleasant memories from his mind.

"What is it?" She was drawn into his handsome and worried gaze.

"I can't get the images of the gun being held to your head or have you forgotten that?"

She closed her eyes. She hadn't forgotten. "Of course not, but what I choose to focus on is when you, Joseph and the Royal Guard swooped in to save the day…all in about twelve seconds as I recall."

Scott snuggled in close, his breath close to her ear. "We don't know who is behind these threats. The royal guard might not be around to protect you this time."

Charlotte smiled and then kissed him on the lips. "But I have you and that's all I need."

He returned her smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Being responsible for one life was hard enough, two was downright impossible. If both Mia and Charlotte were together and a hostile with a gun was in the area, who would he take the bullet for? He didn't even want to contemplate what he would do and the possible ramifications he would have either personally or professionally should he be forced to choose. At least Joseph had the luxury of having the person he was responsible for protecting and the woman he loved all wrapped up in one nice package

He sighed. His desire to protect Charlotte had already put him and Joseph in a precarious position with the former Queen. He'd need to make it right. He yawned, the emotions of the day draining all of the energy from him. Tomorrow…tomorrow he would make everything right.

Inside Clarisse and Joseph's suite…

Joseph stood staring out the window into the darkness. He wanted to feel the same excitement that Clarisse and Mia felt with the outcome of the vote today. But the secret that he harbored from his wife dampened any excitement he might feel.

Perhaps he should just tell her. The vote was over. Charlotte had accepted. There was nothing more she, even as former Queen, could do to stop this. He sighed. She was also Charlotte's friend…probably one of her best friends. And he knew Charlotte respected Clarisse and would never do anything to disappoint or upset her. If Clarisse pressed, Charlotte would cave. And that is exactly why his beautiful wife hadn't been looped in.

Damn it all. Why did Shades have to pull me into this?

The feel of satin, silk and lace pressed against his back. Normally, this would be a very good sign that he was in for a special treat from his wife. But tonight…he just couldn't. It wouldn't be right. Not when he wasn't being completely honest with her. When they made love, it was something special…something spiritual. She would see into his very soul and would know…

Her hands moved to his front and gently caressed his chest. "Joseph…" she whispered near his ear sending small shivers of pleasure throughout his body. "I feel the need to celebrate all that was accomplished for Genovia today and for our family."

"It was a good day, but…"

One of her hands moved up to allow her nails to dance along his chest while the other moved lower toward the waistband of his silk boxers. "But what?"

He captured her wrist before it could reach its target. He was only human and once she started with that level of teasing, he would be unable to stop his body from reacting and effectively silencing his moral compass that told him he shouldn't make love to his wife while he withheld information about her best friend. "I'm just feeling a little tired tonight is all. Perhaps we can just cuddle?"

The warmth of her body left his as she turned him to face her. "What's wrong? You've seemed 'off' all day today."

"Nothing's wrong, my love. I just want to go to bed and hold you." He made the mistake of letting his gaze skim from her eyes to her body. Black silk trimmed with red lace. Oh and the satin he'd felt against his back? Her skin. He was certain she went through quite the nightly routine to keep her skin as soft and supple as it was from head to toe. And he knew because he'd kissed every inch of her beautiful body.

When his gaze returned to hers, she was smiling. "Sure I can't change your mind?"

His hand cupped her cheek as he closed his eyes, willing himself the inner strength to do what was right. Tomorrow he would confront Shades and Charlotte and tell them that either they told her the truth about the death threats Charlotte had received or he was going to. "Rain check?"

Her smile faded. "You do know you can tell me anything, right?"

Joseph nodded. "I do, but there's nothing to share tonight." There, that was at least somewhat true. He needed to get them in bed and asleep before this turned into something he wasn't prepared to handle.

Clarisse stared at him long and hard before finally nodding. "As you wish. I'll meet you in bed in a few."

Joseph climbed under the covers and waited for her return. She knew him better than anyone else and he knew, without a doubt, that she knew he was withholding something. As they'd always shared everything for as long as he could remember, he knew his actions were hurting her and it made him sick to his stomach. When she returned, she was in a regular nightgown. Still soft and silky, but less provocative. He feared that wouldn't help once her body was nestled up against his.

The lights were dimmed and she snuggled in close. After several minutes, she whispered. "Joseph?"

"Yes, my love."

"Whatever you're not telling me doesn't have to do with us, does it? Have I made you unhappy?"

He pulled her in tighter to his embrace. "Clarisse, I swear to you this isn't about us. I'm just tired. I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too."

He tried to close his eyes and sleep, but escape wouldn't come. What was worse? He was pretty sure she wasn't sleeping either. He was going to fix this. As soon as he could tomorrow morning. Then he'd beg her forgiveness and bring her back to bed and demonstrate his love to her as many times as she would allow.

He felt like he'd barely closed his eyes and drifted to sleep when a loud explosion rocked the walls of the palace. Immediately, he jumped out of bed and pulled on the shirt and slacks that were always close by. He noticed Clarisse was dressing as well. "You need to stay here until I know what's going on."

"Like hell I will. This is my home and I won't stay here and wait for some damn report."

One look at her face told him arguing would be pointless. She might not be the reigning queen of Genovia any longer, but as Dowager Queen, she fully expected that her wishes, whether they were coming from a place of royal authority or as his wife, would be respected. "Fine, but at least stay behind me until we know what's going on and what the danger is."

She ran her fingers through her hair to straighten it, though, he noted, it was barely mussed. She must have still been awake and lying very still while he slept. "Understood. Ready?"

Joseph took one last look at his wife and nodded. "Ready."