Chapter 5


Joseph entered her suite, quite shocked really to see her already up and well into the days' event planner. He had been gone for several hours, he reminded himself, but surely she had not gotten much rest. However little she had gotten seemed to have no ill effect on her, as Joseph was swept away by her beauty once more.

"Joseph? Joseph!." Queen Clarisse startled him back into his role. "Really Joseph, I think you need a vacation. Lately you have not been yourself."

Well, she had been right about that. Joseph had not been himself, but then again neither had Clarisse Renaldi.

"I do apologise, Your Majesty. Maybe I do need some time off, but not right now."

"Very well. I, myself, would like to return home this afternoon, if you please Joseph." She lowered her glasses on the end of her nose, eyeing him over their rim.

"Yes, that sounds wonderful." Joseph turned on his heels, heading off to find Charlotte, eager to plan their return trip. The sooner they returned home, the faster things would get back to normal, or so Joseph hoped.


'What...where...where did all these beautiful flowers come from?" Clarisse finally managed to sputter out in between sniffing the glorious aroma of each bouquet. She had returned to her beloved palace to find the entire entrance-way ensconced in blooms.

"They arrived an hour ago, Your Majesty, along with this letter," a pert young maid declared as she handed over the letter, then bowed before her exit.

"Thank you," Clarisse said, taking the letter, eager to read the sentiments inside, yet already knowing who they were from.

From the smile on her face, Joseph knew who they were from as well. Him. Even after leaving Egypt they had not escaped his presence. The look on her face was another that Joseph could not handle, so he chose to continue his duties, excusing himself as if she would hear him


It had been a whole month, a long month of flowers and expensive gifts arriving every other day for her. Joseph had watched them arrive, had even taken some of them to her suite. Each time declaring that it would be the last. Yet, when he saw her face light up, he softened, melted inside; and could only wish he would be able to see that again. It hurt, but Joseph was getting use to it now. It was a daily part of life, one he didn't like, but had to deal with. She was happy, then so be it.

On his way out the main entrance, yet another flower delivery was arriving. Joseph watched as the person struggled with a rather large arrangement, then being the perfect gentleman, lend-ed a hand with the delivery himself. He led them in through the large main doors, directing the path to the nearest half-empty table.

Sitting the arrangement down, Joseph came face-to-face with his sand; the pale, yet little darker, with light brown spots. He stood in amazement, thinking of the old woman holding the hourglass, hearing her words run through his memory for the hundredth time.

"They're oriental...," she answered, seeing the question on his face. "Beautiful aren't they?" She fiddled with the delicate petals, taking the time to show off the rare species.

"I've never seen anything like them..." replied Joseph, coming out of his trance. Stepping ever closer to her, he lifted his fingers to the petals, gently stroking the colors of the sand. "Pale, a little darker maybe, with small, light brown spots," he repeated his memory.

"They are beautiful, quite expensive, and very rare," she offered. Joseph turned to her, amazed to see the face behind the voice for really the first time.

"Yes, they are." His fingers came into contact with hers, and for a moment Joseph lost his train of thought. Could this be her? Could this be the woman who would love him so deeply? A dozen questions crossed his mind, and for a split second Joseph wished he were again in Cairo, at the little round table of the old woman.

"My name is Katherine." She offered her hand, amused at his formal greeting as he kissed it slightly. "I own the delivery service on the waterfront. I don't usually make the deliveries, but lately we've been overrun with flowers for Her Majesty.."

"I understand. I'm Joseph, head of security for the Queen," he proudly announced.

"Yes, I know." She smiled to him.
"You know?" Her statement left him intrigued.

"Of course, everyone knows you. You have quite a reputation, Joseph."

"Well, I hope it's a good one." He smiled to her, still wishing he knew all the answers. She was very nice, and Joseph did feel attracted to her, but it was nothing like his beloved Clarisse. "May I escort you out, Katherine?" Joseph motioned towards the doors. She nodded, accepting his arm, tickled to be 'escorted' by the famous 'Joseph', even if it was only a few steps.


Trying to relax, he leaned back in his seat as the jet took off for Cairo. This was his only option, as he had spent many sleepless nights now with too many unanswered questions. Several weeks had went by, and Katherine had become a regular at the palace gates. Joseph had found himself looking for her each day, enjoying the fresh air she had about her. Still his heart yearned for his Queen, and he was even more confused than ever. Finally he found himself putting in a vacation notice, just a few days was all he needed to take the trip back to Egypt and speak with her again.

Looking out the porthole, he remembered the stun look of Clarisse's face at seeing his notice. It had been his first notice ever, the very first time he had taken off from his duty. Yes, she was quite surprised, and somehow Joseph had felt that she had been concerned as well. He could admit to himself that he liked that, he liked knowing she was concerned about him. Still, he had assured her that he was well, and he just wanted to get away for a few days. She granted him permission, as there was never a question to that. She may not love him, but she had always given him anything and everything he had ever asked for, whether it had been professional or personal. Queen Clarisse had always cared for her staff, giving back to them a little of the luxury they pampered her with constantly.

Maybe that was why he was so emotional towards her. Maybe he loved her, but loved her in another way, a way that two friends would love each other. Just maybe he was trying to put more into it than he should. Was he so desperate for love that he would do that? Yes, he was older now, and finding himself alone much more. He didn't like that. So maybe he was looking to this woman, who just happened to be his Queen and his friend, just maybe he was looking to her for more because she was there.

Katherine had been there more lately, much more. It had taken only a few days before they found enough courage to actually talk about something other than their names and flowers. She was a true Genovian, a little younger, and much more lively than Joseph. She had her own set of qualities, and Joseph found himself liking her very much. Yet it plagued him that she was pressing matters quickly, very eager to get him out in the night-life with her. Katherine had called him a "celebrity" one day, maybe that was why. Never had he ever realized he was popular. He had always stood in the shadows, yet here was someone who insisted he was just as popular as the Queen, herself; and even more so to the women folk. He snickered to himself at that thought, and decided to let it rest awhile, as he was drowsy, and the flight offered over an hour of otherwise useless time to him.


Startled out of her senses, Clarisse dropped her tea, almost falling in the floor herself. Trying to steady herself, she stepped over the mess on the floor and headed toward him.

"Talmadge! I don't know whether to kiss you or hit you! You scared the life out of me." She brought her lips to his cheek, feeling his arms around her.

"Really, Clarisse, anyone can get in here unannounced. Did you know that? I only had to bribe three guards to do it." Clarisse stepped away, raising her hands, quite annoyed at his declaration.

"Yes...I'm sure. I was afraid that would happen. Joseph is away." She started to pace her suite, worrying over the safety issue.

"Oh Clarisse, I can help. You know I have plenty of security...I'll just order them here until his return..." Talmadge gladly announced, hoping to ease her mind.

"I couldn't ask you to..."

"You didn't. I offered, well we'll say I insisted on it. Now sit down. I wanted to talk to you."

"I sure didn't expect you," Clarisse questioned as she sat next to him.

"Did you like the gifts and flowers?"

"Oh Talmadge, they were beautiful. Just beautiful. But why?" She was sounding like the Queen now, not amused at his antics. "You know the press had a field day with this, not to mention the staff...this whole place has been upside down the whole time. If I had known where you were, I would have ordered you to stop." She was quite in his face now, rambling on as he just sat and smiled at her. "Are you listening to me?"

"Of course, Your Majesty." She playfully hit his arm, reprimanding his use of her title.

"Good, then stop."

"Yes Clarisse, I will, although you deserve each and everything I sent you." He drew her into a hug, rubbing his cheek against hers.

"Why are you here?"

"It's just an overnight stop, I'm on my way to Spain, and I had a free night. I hope you don't mind."

"Never," she motioned around as if explaining "anytime" with her arms.

"Where is Joseph, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Vacation, he didn't say where. Frankly I was just surprised he took any, he never has before." Talmadge shook his head as if agreeing with her. He didn't like seeing her unprotected, and was more than happy to arrange real security for her.

"Can I get someone to show you to your room?" Clarisse asked, after two pots of tea had disappeared between them.

"I'm not sure," he answered, taking her hand. "Can I request a room?" He raised his brow, waiting for her answer; the answer he knew she would give.