Worlds Apart

"Princess? Excuse me, but the queen has arrived," he said quietly, careful to keep his gaze from her face so as not to embarrass her further. Finding her in the tack room after her horse bolted had relieved his fears. She was unhurt, at least physically; they could deal with the other pain later.

Mia nodded and brushed past Nicholas, who moved to follow. Joseph held out a hand, stopping him. "Nicholas, am I going to be disappointed in you?"

He had thought Nicholas to be but a pawn in his uncle's scheme and that the young man might actually care for Mia. Now, Joseph had to reconsider. Even if Viscount Mabrey did not, surely Nicholas had more sense than to risk injuring the princess. Had she fallen…

Joseph was angry, but not just with Mabrey. It was the whole state of affairs that had Mia trying her best to fit in and please others. She should not have to win over her own people, nor should she have to marry to have what was rightfully hers.

He watched the young man carefully. It seemed Nicholas was going to answer, but his uncle's arrival cut off any response.

"Unfortunate incident, that," Mabrey said to Joseph, his eyes still dancing with amusement. Unperturbed, he looked to his nephew. "I'm leaving- you going to come see me off?"

"I'd like to speak with your uncle alone, Nicholas," Joseph said, laying a hand on the young man's arm briefly, a silent reminder of his earlier question. Nicholas nodded then left, head down.

"Viscount," Joseph began, with a fixed smile, keeping his voice level and without any trace of anger. "You may not be aware of what my job entails as the Royal Head of Security. My job is to protect the crown, to see no harm comes to the crown, to step in when someone toys with the crown's emotions, you see."

"I think the whole country understands how you cater for the crown's emotions," Mabrey replied with a mocking laugh, almost daring Joseph to deny it. "Do you actually think Clarisse- a queen- would become involved with the hired help?"

His gaze hardening, Joseph's smile faded and he was silent for a long, tense moment.

"If you hurt my girl, you will answer directly to me." His voice was low and hard, and his eyes narrowed. "And whatever crimes I commit against you, remember- I have diplomatic immunity in forty-six countries…including Puerto Rico."

The viscount started then quickly summoned his courage. "Sir! You will find the word 'fear' is not in my vocabulary!" he huffed, standing as tall as possible.

"Perhaps…but it's in your eyes." Joseph stared at Mabrey then slapped the rubber snake on Mabrey's shoulder. "You forgot something."

His expression becoming one of worry, Mabrey watched as Joseph walked unhurriedly from the room.

Her long, floral Hermes scarf fluttering over her shoulder, Clarisse entered Charlotte's office, a folder of financial statements in hand.

"Charlotte, will you please call-" Seeing the empty desk she went to it; a note would do just as well. Reaching for the notepad, a book half concealed by papers caught her eye; actually, it was the brazen cover that held her attention.

Did men really look like that?

The memory of Joseph in a sweat-soaked undershirt came to mind. Not quite as much muscle bulging in so many places, but he was close.

Giving the doorway a quick look to make sure no one was coming, Clarisse nudged the papers aside a few inches to uncover the rest of the muscular male who was clad only in a sheet…and barely that!

A Conflagration of Hearts….

It was that book she'd heard about. Clarisse laid the folder on the desk and gingerly picked up the paperback. As a girl, her schooling required that she read the classics and as an adult, she tended to read mysteries when she had the time. But this! Curious, she flipped it open near the end.

"Oh, my!" Clarisse reached for the reading glasses dangling at her neck so that she could see the words without squinting.

Her mouth opened further in surprise as she skimmed the page and hastily turned to the next. The author must certainly have an incredible imagination- the hero was doing things Clarisse had even thought of! She read the paragraph again, trying to picture the position described.

Was that possible?

She turned back toward the beginning of the book, and read more.

Lydia peered at Jose Cordoba through her long, thick, smoky-black lashes as the tip of her pink tongue showed between perfect teeth, taunting him. A groan rumbled deep in his manly torso and he swooped down like a hawk hunting its prey, fastening onto her luscious, ripe, cherry-flavored lips as though he were starving and she was an all-you-can-eat buffet.

"In my chest, my heart thunders in agony when you are away," Jose said, bathing her face with his kisses. "I am a simple man, but my devotion to you is interminable."

A teensy frown flittered across Lydia's fair features. "Interminable? Is that good?" she whispered, wishing she had paid more attention to her tutor.

"Yes…and so is this!"

Lydia's world came to a screeching halt as his strong hand executed a dance of desire across her ribcage then waltzed across the lacy bosom of her dress before his fingers performed a tango on a particularly sensitive spot, leaving her breathless.

"Mi amor, usted me ama?" he breathed, his breath warm on her long, slender neck. "Do you?"

"Oui, mi amor!"

His hands gentled as he sat on the hard cement bench and pulled her onto his lap, his body jabbing her at an odd angle again. Lydia squirmed, but it did not help in the least so she wiggled a different way, and then gave up.

"Me ardo," he gasped. "I burn and only you can quench the heat of my inflamed-"

"Your Majesty?"

Clarisse dropped the book as if it were hot coals. "Oh! ah…yes, Charlotte. I was merely leaving you a note." She waved the sticky-backed paper as proof, sliding the folder and loose papers across the book.

"I need you to call about the quenching- I mean quarterly report." She added, breezing out of the room in what some would call haste. "Thank you, Charlotte. I'll let you get back to your work."

Literature had certainly changed!

"Do I want to know?" Queen Clarisse asked, looking everywhere but at her drenched granddaughter.

What had the child done now?

Under her new satin pumps, the puddle was growing larger. Lionel, posted at the little used utility entrance, had rushed over and was peeling off his coat, no doubt for her to stand on. Clarisse waved him back.

"No, I don't think so," Mia whispered. In full agreement, Clarisse gave an abrupt nod, dismissing her. This was something better discussed in private, and not for curious guests to overhear.

Andrew laughed uncomfortably as his fiancé hurried away to where her lady's maids were waiting with a towel. "She's…she's going to be a handful, isn't she?"

Clarisse smiled, trying to put a good twist on the situation. "You'll never be bored, Andrew."

His fears confirmed, Andrew gave her a weak smile and trotted off after Mia. Clarisse's smile turned into one of concern.

Clarisse could not recall any situation from her very proper past that was remotely similar to the ones Mia had gotten into lately. Her granddaughter seemed to have far more energy and imagination than she had as a young woman. Perhaps it was because Mia had been raised unaware of the responsibilities facing her, while Clarisse herself had known since early girlhood and was careful not to do anything to excess.

Despite the companionship between her and Rupert, there had been moments of boredom and she had sought escape by taking on more causes, and more work. With all her heart, Clarisse hoped Mia never lost that spark of individuality and spontaneity. Wearing a crown, one could lose oneself.

Joseph's proposal came to mind. Suddenly, Clarisse was weary and very much needed time alone to think.

"When are you going to start acting responsibly?" Clarisse demanded. "Being caught in the storage closet with a man who is not your betrothed, and now being found soaking wet in the garden pool with the same man who is not your betrothed is not acting responsibly!"

She could only imagine the thoughts of the two security guards who'd come running at Mia's screams. It was times like this when you had to put your full trust in your staff to be discrete.

"You must think, Amelia, before you act. If you had considered your actions first, you would not have-"

"I didn't plan to!" Mia retorted from the corner of the couch. "Sometimes, you just lose it."

"You cannot just lose it!" Clarisse said, spreading her arms wide, waving them about. "We cannot afford to lose it- we are supposed to find it."

Mia rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you never lose it!" she muttered under her breath, pulling her knees up under her chin. "You always think things to death."

"People look up to us- we are held to higher standards of behavior," Clarisse continued, unaware of her granddaughter's comment. "Can you try to grasp that concept?" Clarisse poured a cup of tea, hoping it would calm her. She was beginning to get a headache.

"I understand that. It's just the doing that is elusive," Mia answered haughtily, in an attempt to salvage some dignity.

Clarisse laughed shortly. "I'd say so!" She sat down on the chaise, tired, her heart going out to Mia. The young woman was in a difficult position and faced with choices few people were asked to make. Her anger faded.

"Try and get some sleep," she said gently as her granddaughter strode crossly out of the room. The hall echoed with Mia's grumblings.

Clarisse understood only too well how important public opinion and perception were. Without the respect of her subjects, a queen could not rule effectively. As a queen, one had to be completely above reproach, above gossip or talk. Mia might be young, but it was vital she understand.

Cup in hand, she walked slowly across the room. "Well, Maurice, it's just you and I, or are you upset with me, too?"

The dog gave a bark and ran off, nails clicking on the polished floor. Mia and now Maurice…

Exhausted mentally as well as physically, Clarisse sat on her couch, hugging a pillow to her chest.

And what of dear Joseph? She was going to have to give him an answer soon.

"Hello! Hope I haven't called at a bad time. How are things in Genovia today?" Chesterson asked cheerfully.

"The past two hours have been reasonably calm," Joseph answered, shifting his cell phone to his other hand. He opened the glass door to his balcony and sank into a cushioned seat and propped his feet up on a small wrought iron table. "But there's still twenty-five minutes left until midnight."

Chesterson burst out laughing. "I've heard about some of the happenings over there. Is the wedding still on?"

Joseph let his breath out in a rush. "As far as I know, it is. A contender to the throne has been involved in creating difficult situations."

"Is the claim legit?" Chesterson asked. "I thought it was the hotel tycoon who was next in line."

"Seems he is in fact third for that exalted position," Joseph replied dryly, "so there is no lack of people ready to assume the crown, should Princess Mia not prove able."

"A shame your princess had to become engaged like that, but Andrew Jacoby gets high marks from everyone I've spoken to. Should do quite well, actually."

"I hope so. She deserves no less."

Chesterson grunted in agreement. "Listen, the main reason I called was to run something by you- a business proposition. I have an idea."

For the next three-quarters of an hour, Joseph listened with increasing interest in his friend's plans.

"How do you feel today, my dear?" Joseph asked the next morning, trying to keep his voice light as Mia climbed into the carriage. He wore dark glasses so that he might observe those around him covertly; she was wearing dark glasses to hide behind and that was not good.

"Not that great," Mia replied as he took his position behind the seat. Mia possessed a great deal courage, he thought. Few young women of her age could deal with what she'd had to with such poise and grace. She was definitely Clarisse Renaldi's granddaughter.

"Would you feel better if you called me 'Joey'?" he asked softly, leaning closer. Mia smiled up at him, grateful for his understanding.

"No, Joe."

"Good," he said, very much relieved.

Barely looking at him, Clarisse mounted the carriage step and he reached forward to help her, but she ignored his hand and took her seat unassisted. She looked pale and Joseph worried that the stress she was under was too much.

Had there been any possible way, he would have put Mabrey away for what he had done and rid Clarisse of at least one anxiety. While he could have filed charges for Mabrey's involvement in the rubber snake incident, it would have kept the embarrassing occurrence on the front pages for weeks and done far more damage than simply letting the episode die quietly. Once Mia was married and away on her honeymoon, he would take care of it.

The parade started and he scanned the crowd routinely, looking for movements, facial expressions, and other indications that someone was preparing to harm the queen or princess. In general, open spaces and crowds were their most difficult situations to work in. But, there were extra police in force and he had every available agent on duty, some casually dressed and stationed in the crowd. In the carriage, the two women smiled at the cheering people, Mia waving as she had been taught by her grandmother.

It was something of a surprise to him when Clarisse did not accept his proposal that day in the gazebo. Should he have made his feelings clearer during the past months or had she simply been too distracted by Mia's mishaps?

Understanding the pressure Clarisse was under, he'd given her nearly the whole month to consider his proposal, and while he did not want to rush her, he would have to ask for her speak with her about it soon. There were plans to draw up for renovations on Stone Manor and the estate, a wedding and honeymoon to fit into her schedule, and their future to discuss.

With his attention focused on coordinating security measures for the two upcoming ceremonies, he'd had few opportunities to speak Clarisse alone. He would have to make time to draw her away from her work- the wedding was less than a week away. More importantly, he knew their commitment to each other would give Clarisse peace of mind.

They'd barely gone three blocks when the princess suddenly ordered the carriage to stop. Joseph quickly notified his men and they pulled in closer to shield the queen. With his hand on his weapon, Joseph's gaze quickly swept the area.

Nothing.

Ignoring every instruction he had given to her on how her movements in public had to be coordinated with him, Mia jumped out of the carriage and headed directly toward the crowd. Joseph had to grit his teeth to keep from swearing as he hurried after her.

"Princess! What's wrong?" he asked, catching up to Mia.

"Nothing's wrong, Joe." She placed a hand on his chest and smiled. "Really, there isn't."

He looked around the area. There was nothing out of the ordinary on the street- crowds of people watching, children waving flags. Her actions did not make sense.

Following her, he motioned for Pearson to move closer to Mia and Joseph gave orders via his mike for Anton and Mel to leave the crowd to join them. Then, understanding dawning, he watched as she greeted a group of children in front of the orphanage.

For years, he had anonymously donated funds to help in the children's care. Recalling the painful aloneness he'd experienced, his throat tightened as she spoke with the children, inviting them to join her…then nodded his approval. Joseph returned to the carriage, careful his features gave no hint as to his thoughts.

Confused and not entirely certain that Mia's actions were not going to cause yet another crisis in less than twenty-four hours, Clarisse looked to Joseph for assurance as the parade resumed with Mia leading the jubilant children. He smiled, laying his hand on her arm, and gave a quick glance over his shoulder at the princess.

Mia was going make a fine queen.

Just a little less than three and a half days before the ceremony- everything was in order, everything planned…everything except the music and place settings. Clarisse glanced over the table of glittering crystal and china, debating which pattern would go best with the centerpieces. She was partial to a simple silvery white pattern, but wanted to see them all before deciding.

Mia had asked her to choose both, and why her staff waited until the last minute to remind her, Clarisse did not know. Thankfully, the delay would not cause a dilemma. The palace had enough settings of any pattern she chose and the orchestra was a very capable one.

It was already late evening and once these two items were taken care of, her day would finally be over. Clarisse had promised herself a relaxing hot bubble bath tonight because the coming days were going to be extremely busy with the reception tomorrow evening and the celebratory ball the next. Thankfully, engagements on the day before the wedding were limited to close friends and family.

But, tonight she was putting away all of her problems and concerns, and instead, she was going to rest her body and her mind. A cool breeze stirred the sheer curtains framing the door leading to the garden, carrying the fragrance of early blossoms. She pressed the button on the portable stereo.

Lovely music filled the hall and Clarisse closed her eyes, letting her body slowly move from side to side in time. She and Joseph had danced, once in public, twice in private and there would be shared dances again. There was absolutely no reason for their relationship to change, even if she could not-

Out of the blue, Joseph swept her up in his arms, twirling her gently, and they laughed together at her gasp of surprise. It felt good to laugh.

Clarisse laid her head on his shoulder and felt his cheek against hers, a faint scent of spice warming her senses. She felt so safe in his arms, so at ease. If only the moment could last forever…

"Have you been thinking about us?" he asked softly.

She stiffened slightly and lifted her head. Summoning all the lines of reasoning she had rehearsed during the past week, she tried to smile. "Yes, I have."

Clarisse knew he could see the answer in her eyes and she longed to take away the hurt she saw reflected in his. She never meant to hurt him, but there was nothing she could do- there was only one answer she could give. He would understand.

"I see," Joseph replied evenly, his face devoid of any emotion. He was silent for a moment then stepped back, letting go her hand. "If you will excuse me."

He wasn't supposed to walk away!

You will lose him!

Joseph was nearly to the door.

Clarisse ran after him.

"No! Joseph – you had to know what I was going to say!" she cried, clutching his arm desperately, pulling him toward her. "Mia needs me now- it's the monarchy- the country's future! As queen it's my responsibility!" she pleaded. "You know how it is!"

Please let him understand!

"You were never just my queen, Clarisse," Joseph answered, trying hard to keep his voice level. "You were the someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."

"But," he quickly continued, before she could protest, "if you prefer I see you first and foremost as my queen…then I shall oblige you."

This was all wrong- all wrong!

Somehow, she would make him understand. She touched his cheek gently. "No, Joseph, it doesn't have to be-"

"Your Majesty." The words were said with finality.

He bowed, moving away, his eyes still locked with hers until the moment he turned his back and walked out the open doors, into the darkness.

Go after him!

Staring at the empty doorway, Clarisse took a ragged breath. It hurt so much more than she had expected- so very much more. She laid a steadying hand on the table as her eyes closed. The heaviness in her heart was unbearable.

It had to be this way- it had to be.

"Your Majesty, may I have Princess Mia come join you now?" Charlotte asked hesitantly from the landing where she had overheard.

"Not now, Charlotte," Clarisse answered, swallowing hard.

Oh, please not now!

"Did you wish dinner to be served in-"

"No!" Clarisse fairly yelled, bringing her hands to her face, "I just want one second for myself!"

Just one moment to be me- a moment free of answering to others and to duty! Isn't a queen allowed at least that?

A queen.

She was a queen.

"Charlotte, I'm sorry," Clarisse continued quickly, recovering her control. A queen was always in control, never gave in to emotions. Her voice softened with regret. "I'll…get something from the kitchen later."

The young woman nodded sympathetically. "I understand, Your Majesty."

Gazing at the door to the garden, Clarisse felt as if she had lost a precious gift. She laid a hand on her chest, her heart full of anguish.

No one could possibly understand.

No one.

This ends Worlds Apart, andI hope you have enjoyed the story as much as I have.

I have to thank Revsue for her help as a beta and note that she is to blame for the Conflagration of Hearts idea of the hawk and the starving man. As for the rest of that awful romance, I hang my head in abject shame and guilt… even though I must admit it was great fun to write. The sad thing is that I've read stuff like that (and worse!) in books I paid good money for.

I'd like to point out that the exchange with Charlotte, after Clarisse refuses Joseph, is from the deleted scenes found on the DVD. I think it is a touching moment excellently performed by Julie Andrews, and gives us a deeper understanding of just how hard it was for Clarisse to let Joseph go. I hope that came through in my story.

Your feedback makes me want to write even more, and I very much appreciate your comments. Feel free to make suggestions as to how I can improve my writing, please.

As I mentioned before, this story will continue and it won't be long before Dreams Fulfilled begins.

Again, thank you, my dears.