Part 2

Joseph was relieved when finally everyone left his small house after the quiet funeral. It had been a horrendous few days, and he had had no sleep. Even now, he half hoped that Nan's death had been just a nightmare brought on by the stress of losing the King of Genovia. Yet, standing alone in the vacant rooms, knowing that Nan would never come whirling into the house, laughing and teasing him until he could not conceive of anything other than making love to her with all his heart, mind and body, he ached. Never again would he hear her clear, musical diction as she chatted about inconsequential events in their lives. Never again would he hear her calling him 'Joey' in the throaty whisper she reserved for the times she was bent on seducing him. Never again would he hear Nan gasping "Oh, God, Joe, I DO love you!" as she arched against him in ecstasy.

His beloved wife of forty-one years was no more. Grief overwhelmed him suddenly. How could he continue to live? What did he have left? How would he survive the tragedy? Knowing that it had been a freak accident ate away at his mind. A slip of the foot and she had plunged down the stairs to her death. Possibly she had opened the door to her dressing room in the Opera House, seen the King's body on the floor, and panicked. Running for help, she had tragically been killed. Perhaps she had NEVER seen the King, but had been on her way to her loving husband who had informed her that afternoon that he would be attending her performance with the King and Queen.

How could someone so vital, so fun and loving and sweet and earthy ...? Hot tears were coursing unheeded down Joseph's cheeks now. "Nan!" he choked out into the stillness and emptiness of the house. "Oh, Nan! What am I to do now?"

Forgotten were the fierce arguments they had had about his dedication to his work and the long hours at the palace, disagreements she would end by hitting such a high note for such a long time that neither could think anymore and the fight would dissolve into laughter then be made up in bed. Forgotten were the times Nan had bitterly told him he cared more for the Queen's security than his own wife's triumphant music tours. Forgotten as well was the anguish he had felt the day after their wedding when Nan had admitted candidly that she had married him on the rebound, since she couldn't have the man she had really wanted. Oh, she had denied that ever since, and he had come to believe her denial and to feel sure of her love for HIM, but still ... the words lingered somewhere in the depths of his mind.

Joseph's tears dried. Where had that last thought come from? He HAD forgotten ... but Nan had indeed admitted it then! He was convinced he had turned her love for another to himself, he was sure of her devotion to him ... wasn't he? Had he been wrong to insist so often that he stay to guard the royal family rather than become a silent background figure at Nan's concerts? No. No, he still believed in his commitment to his work. And speaking of which, with the King's body being brought back to Pyrus tomorrow afternoon, he really should make the effort to see Queen Clarisse in the morning, to extend his condolences, and to ask what he could do to help in this trying time. Besides, he needed to get out of this empty house which was feeling more and more like a tomb.

After a sleepless night where Joseph spent hours sitting on the floor looking at pictures of his life with Nan and listening to her CD's endlessly repeating, he dragged himself into the shower, then forced himself to drive to the palace. He was unsure what he was going to say to the Queen, but he wanted to check in with the security team anyway, so if he couldn't think of anything intelligent, he would just give Queen Clarisse his sympathies and that would be that. She wouldn't want to have to visit much with him, either, he was certain. Yes, she had been, well, friendly enough over the years, but she had never appeared to have been interested in him personally or in his personal life, which is how it should have been, as he reminded himself quickly. The Queen had her own duties and responsibilities just as he had his, and his were to make sure that the entire royal family could carry out their work and their lives without a care for their personal safety. The details of Joseph's work thus far had been dealt with by King Rupert, so some changes were inevitable. Joseph suddenly felt a small glimmer of anticipation. Perhaps, now that he would be working more closely with Queen Clarisse, he would be able to implement some of the changes in the security system he had previously suggested and which King Rupert had vetoed!

When Joseph stepped into the palace, he was instantly aware of the difference in the atmosphere. It was very obvious that a monarch had died. There were no flowers around, and usually the palace abounded in bouquets and vases. The maids and guards spoke in hushed tones, and no one smiled. Joseph was greeted with a handshake and a sympathetic murmur by the guard at the door, and more handshakes and voiced sympathies when he reached the security office. He thanked his co-workers gravely, then asked about the arrangements for the next week. In moments he was as engrossed in his work as if he had never been away, his loneliness forgotten for the moment.

It was over an hour later before he straightened up and checked his watch. This was the time Queen Clarisse usually had a tea tray delivered to her suite. "I am going to speak with the Queen," he said quietly to Albert.

"She was asking about you this morning," Albert nodded.

Joseph was surprised, then concerned. "Oh dear, I should have come sooner."

"No, I don't think so," Albert said. "She asked if anyone had gone to ... well, had seen you yesterday."

Joseph shook Albert's hand again. "I want to thank you for coming, Albert. It meant a lot to me to see you there."

Albert grinned, looking a little embarrassed. "Franz wanted to come with me, but ... well ... he was working."

Nodding, Joseph said, "I expected that. It's a very busy time for us all."

"Well, it IS busy, but Joe, if you don't feel up to ..."

"I'm fine with it, Albert, really. Besides, to tell you the truth, I am not used to sitting home alone ... this way, I don't have to think about Nan ... you know?"

Albert nodded. "But remember, anytime ..."

"Thanks, Albert. I'll go on up to the Queen, then check back here again. Maybe the Portuguese government will have decided how many officials will be coming by that time!"

"I think you're dreaming," Albert grimaced. "But yes, we're hearing hourly the numbers from all over the world."

When a sombre Priscilla admitted Joseph to the Queen's suite, he realized anew that it was the Queen who was responsible for the flowers in the palace. Usually her suite was a veritable bower. Now the only greenery in sight was a small, struggling green plant on one window. Then he looked at Queen Clarisse, and he swallowed hard. She was obviously trying to be so brave, but her face was white, her eyes betrayed the fact that she had been crying a great deal, she looked tired in spite of the expert makeup, and the hand she held out to him was shaking slightly.

"Joseph," she said in a low, husky voice.

"Your Majesty," he took her hand and bent to kiss it lightly. "I wish to offer my condolen ..."

"Oh, Joseph, how could you think of ME when you have suffered the same loss?" she asked, her eyes filling with tears which she blinked back fiercely. "We should have offered you some support yesterday ..."

"Albert was there, your Majesty," Joseph said, unconsciously keeping her hand in his. He was astounded that she was thinking of him at a time like this. "I did not expect to see anyone ..."

"I'm glad you were not completely ignored by those of us in the palace."

There was a short, uncomfortable silence. The two stood facing each other, but unable to look each other directly in the eye. Clarisse was feeling rather awkward, thinking about what Pierre had told her of some of the rumours circulating, and she wondered if Joseph had heard similar comments. She had no intentions of asking, however.

Then a knock came at the door, and in that moment, they both realized that Joseph was still holding her hand. He dropped it quickly and she pulled back slightly as Olivia entered with the tea tray. The two ladies' maids urged them both to have a cup of tea, and poured two cups.

Although he wasn't fond of the beverage, Joseph perched on the edge of a chair, trying to hold the delicate china cup without either burning his fingers or breaking the tiny handle right off. This was NOT conducive to easing his discomfort! The Queen, of course, had no problems with the dainty cup.

"I understand Prince Pierre is here with you," Joseph said, desperately taking too large a gulp of the hot tea and burning his tongue. He hoped the pain would give him something else to think about other than how ill at ease he was feeling.

"Yes," Clarisse smiled rather introspectively. "I don't know how I would have coped without him. There's no substitute for having family when there is a dea... oh, Joseph, I can't believe I SAID that! I'm so terribly sorry!" Her face was stricken. She had known neither Joseph nor his wife had any family, and however distraught she might be, she should never have said something so cruel.

Joseph put his cup carefully down on the table by the chair and stood up. He tried to smile. "Why be sorry, your Majesty? It is the truth. If you'll excuse me, I really must go over some of the security arrangements ..."

The Queen stood as well, poised almost as if she wanted to take his arm and stop him from leaving. "Joseph, wait. There really is no need for you to work for the next while. I ... You should take some time off, to help you adjust to this change in your ..."

"I need to work," he said hoarsely. "Please. I need something to do to keep my mind off ... well, you know. To be honest, your Majesty, the house seems terribly empty and I am very happy to be given a chance to get out of it, even for a short time."

Clarisse studied him briefly. "Joseph," she said, rather hesitantly, "I ... if you are feeling anything at all like I am, you are probably not sleeping very well. Actually, you look exhausted. I DO understand your need to be doing something routine, something useful. Your expertise will be greatly appreciated with all the security arrangements which have to be made now with the extra people coming for ... coming next week, so I've been thinking that perhaps you might consider taking over the suite here at the palace which has traditionally been reserved for the Head of Security. I know you never used it before, but right now, well ... would you consider it? There is always someone around here if you need company, yet there is solitude when necessary."

Joseph looked down for a moment, hiding the surprise that he was sure was on his face at her words. She had noticed he was tired? But then, hadn't he noticed the faint air of exhaustion hanging about her? He considered the offer. Frankly, he had forgotten about the suite. Now that she had mentioned it, it seemed like the ideal solution. He need not be alone if he wished company. From the corner of his eye, he caught Olivia's slight nod, and the strange thought shot through his mind that she might be expressing what she had hinted at many times since her arrival at the palace. She had never pretended otherwise, actually. She was attracted to him, and, before finding out that he was happily married, she had shown her interest blatantly. Having had no desire whatsoever in starting anything with the woman, Joseph had arranged to have Albert mention Joseph's wife in Olivia's hearing, and the blatant invitations had stopped, if not the subtle smiles.

Shocked to find himself thinking such things about another woman just the day after burying his wife, Joseph suddenly realized he had not answered the Queen's question. He looked up and saw her blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Joseph swallowed. He had never really noticed before just how beautiful her eyes were! He swallowed again, and inwardly shook himself. Enough of this! Clearing his throat, he said slowly, "I ... I would be grateful for the suite, your Majesty."

"I'm glad," the Queen said simply, holding out her hand again. "Once more, Joseph, we are both grieving. I hope we can be of some comfort to each other."

Joseph took her hand and kissed it gently, then released it before straightening. "I am yours to command, your Majesty."

She smiled faintly at him, then turned away and held out her cup to Olivia to refill. Joseph let himself out of her suite, and, after moving down the hall out of sight of the guards at her door, he leaned against the wall and shook his head. Truly, things seemed to be working out, and after such tragedy! He marvelled at the Queen's strength, knowing she was still trying to cope with the accident which had so gravely injured the Crown Prince. Well, if there was anything at all that he could do to ease her way, he would most certainly do it! She was a remarkable woman.

Joseph went home immediately to gather some of his belongings, then returned to the palace before the noon meal. That afternoon, he co-ordinated the procession of the king's body from the Pyrus train station to the Cathedral Hall, but at Albert's insistence, he remained in the palace with the Queen and Prince Pierre who would not be seen in public until the day of the State funeral. It wasn't until the following afternoon that Joseph realized he had not yet seen Franz.

"Albert?" Joseph questioned, stepping into the security office. "Where is Franz today?"

Albert looked a little uncomfortable. Joseph's eyes narrowed. Something was obviously going on. Albert cleared his throat a few times, then, when Joseph continued to stare at him, waiting for an answer, he finally said reluctantly, "He was at the police station this morning again ..."

"Again? Why?"

Albert sighed, then said heavily, "As you know, we were all at the Opera House that night. You and I stayed with the Queen ... Franz was with King Rupert, may he rest in peace."

"And?"

"Well, it was first thought that the King must have had a heart attack."

"And?" Joseph repeated impatiently.

"They were not sure, later."

Joseph stared at him. "What do you mean, not sure?"

Now Albert looked away again and shuffled with the papers on his desk.

"Albert?" Joseph stepped closer and lowered his voice dangerously. "What are you not telling me?"

"Well ... Franz was one of the last ones to be with the King. Franz and ..." Albert swallowed again, then whispered, "your wife."

Joseph frowned, still not making the connection. "And? I know he was going to see her ..."

"The King went into the room, your wife arrived soon afterwards ... then rushed out. When Franz looked, the King was on the floor ... dead."

Joseph stopped breathing. No. No, Nan could NOT have ... she could NOT have killed King Rupert! It was IMPOSSIBLE to imagine!

"Joe? Joe!" Albert shook him.

Joseph shuddered, then looked at his friend dully. "They are blaming her, aren't they?"

"No. No, not necessarily. After all, she ... well, anyway, no. Yes, she came into the equation. But Franz was also a suspect, and, since he was the only witness of sorts, he has been down at the police station a number of times telling his story. They're still waiting for some final reports to come in, but they're not expected for a couple of weeks yet. In the meantime, most of the rumours have been kept under wraps."

"Rumours? What rumours?" Joseph was still trying to take in the information Albert had given him.

"Look, Joe, I'd rather not be the one ..." Albert began.

In a split second, Joseph had gripped Albert's shirt under his chin and dragged him closer. "WHAT ARE THE RUMOURS?"

"Th-that ... your wife ... and the king ... were ... well ..."Albert couldn't finish.

Joseph understood, and almost threw Albert from him. "How DARE you?" he snarled, fury overwhelming him. "How DARE you repeat such rubbish!"

From behind came Franz's low voice. "Joe? I'm sorry. I – it's maybe my fault ..."

Joseph swung around, his fists at the ready. Franz backed up involuntarily. He was young, and Joseph could be very intimidating in a rage. "Well?" Joseph barked. "I'm listening!"

Franz gulped, then began to speak.

O o O o O o to be continued