Mixed Signals by Posh and Stoneygem

Part 18

The early morning sunlight was sublime, it's a pity I don't always have the time to enjoy it, Clarisse mused as she strolled through the garden. Sundays were always peaceful, today was no exception. She'd left Joseph sleeping in their bed, exhausted from their previous nights exertions. She on the other hand felt divinely wonderful and full of energy. Rising before 7:00 she had read for a while, showered, dressed and done a round of the gardens with Maurice. Now she headed for her private greenhouse, often a sanctuary, and joy, to her.

Collecting a spray for the roses she quite happily strolled along each row inspecting and spraying each plant individually. Perhaps she should expand on the gardening front, it had always been a hobby, now with more time on her hands it could become something more.

She was distracted from her musings by a figure leaning against the door. She spun round quickly.

"Good morning." He smiled.

"Well, good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Ahh yes, pretty well actually." He stepped towards her. "Though I was a little saddened to find my wife had abandoned me."

Clarisse moved to meet him halfway. "She would never abandon you. She merely couldn't sleep and went for a stroll."

"A perfect morning for it." He said as he reached her.

"I agree." She stood directly in front of him still holding the spray. "Though perhaps next time you could join me."

"Perhaps, I think I'd like that…"

His mouth was getting closer to hers and she closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss.

"Ahem…" A polite cough broke their shared moment of reverie.

"Your majesty," Charlotte acknowledged Clarisse before turning her attention to Joseph. "Sir, there's a call for you," she said glancing down at the pad in her hand. "A Mister Sagan from the committee organising the conference…"

Reluctantly Joseph turned away from Clarisse to face Charlotte.

"Well, he's up early."

"And working on a Sunday." Clarisse murmured returning to her roses.

He allowed himself a smile, especially when he noticed the sparkle in Charlotte's eyes as she watched them from her position by the door. "I'll be right there Charlotte, leave the details on my desk."

"Of course." She smiled gently before turning away and happily making her way across the garden back to the palace.

"Sooo…" Joseph sighed. "Back to work."

"Hmm." Was all Clarisse replied with as she slowly moved to water the last row of roses.

"So," Joseph slipped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"So…" She smiled twisting her head a little to accommodate him.

"Are you still happy?"

"I am." She touched his fingers with hers.

"Good." He kissed her cheek. "I'll go make this call then how about we have breakfast?"

"I'd enjoy that very much darling. And it's such a beautiful morning, let's eat on the terrace."

"A fine idea," he kissed her neck. "From a damn fine lady." He covered her neck and the side of her face with kisses.

"Joseph…" She giggled. "Stop, somebody might see."

"Let them."

She playfully swatted his arm away. "Go, I'm getting rather hungry."

He laughed giving her a quick hug before he headed back to his office.

Clarisse calmly folded the napkin in her lap and rested her hands beneath her chin as she listened to him. He seemed slightly nervous, months of treading on eggshells around each other.

"So you see, they really want me to leave today so I can start tomorrow."

"They want you to be a key figure in the proceedings?" she said watching him carefully.

"Want me to chair it." He said dropping his napkin onto the table.

She raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And?" He queried.

"And do you want to?"

"Of course I do." He smiled reaching for her hand. "Of course I want to, it's a big deal for me."

"I know, it would a 'big deal' for anyone." She gave his hand a squeeze. "So you go, we'll postpone our lazy weekend together."

He dipped his head and kissed her hand, the way he used to when they were discreet and hid their feelings from prying eyes.

She watched him, a smile playing upon her face. He moved his chair a little closer, toying with her wedding ring.

"Come with me?"

She gasped, he hadn't asked her that in a while, she remembered their argument, when he'd told her he got bored of asking.

"Come with me," he shrugged. "Enjoy the weather, the sights, do some shopping. Time together, just the two of us, away from here… it could be good."

"I'm sure it would be." She smiled settling back in her chair.

"Yet the answer's still a no."

"I didn't say that."

"But you won't come."

She sighed gazing steadily at him, he let go of her hand and sat back in his chair.

They were silent for a while, Joseph absently staring across the table to the open terrace doors out onto the lawn. Clarisse watching him, never shifting her gaze from him.

"You're angry with me." She said gently.

He shook his head. "No, not angry."

"Frustrated then, I can't simply drop everything today Joseph, you know that, it wouldn't be fair."

"I know." He said resolutely. "You could arrange something though, perhaps fly out in a few days time." He looked across at her again, hopefully.

She shrugged. "Perhaps."

She grimaced as he heavily slid his chair back and stood up, digging his hands in his pockets and striding out onto the terrace. She recognised that stance. Giving him a few seconds she eventually got up and joined him out there.

Standing slightly behind him she rested her hand on his shoulder, he relaxed beneath her touch and she reached down for his hand.

"I'll think about it…" She whispered. "I'll think about it."

Things should be quite easy she mused, depending on the angle a person used to look at them. Subjectively, she couldn't imagine letting all work drop, leave Mia behind and go onto a trip. Subjectively, she could not imagine going somewhere being just 'Mrs. Romerro'. Subjectively, it was an impossible concept to her to go off somewhere, just because her husband had decided to do so.

Subjectively. Objectively, her husband had never demanded for her to accompany him; he had only asked if she would consider it. Objectively, Mia was doing so well as the queen and the never-ending paperwork could be delegated.

In the end, Clarisse mused sitting on a recliner in the back garden, it was an entirely subjective decision. The point of her life now was being Mrs. Romerro, was being supportive of her husband's endeavours, was being the loving and understanding wife. Supporting her chin on her fist, Clarisse stared only half seeing at Maurice once again chasing Fat Louis.

It didn't matter that she would not be the centre of attention, if she'd accompany Joseph on his next trip. She had always complained about the constant surveillance, it would be a welcome change not to be important.

Except to Joseph of course.

They were still in the process of building bridges. They had made good progress she felt, but three weeks didn't mean they were out of the woods. Building bridges meant to learn about each other, meant to share. And sharing went both ways, Clarisse had realized yesterday evening.

Yes, Joseph was once again on a trip and she didn't like the idea any better than she had done a month ago. However, last night he had called from Vienna to tell her about his day. Clarisse still had to smile thinking about the conversation. How excited he had sounded, when she had asked him about the conference. How he had launched into a lengthy, witty description of those stuffy politicians.

Admittedly, if she had really caught half of his words, she was good. She had been much too busy listening to his voice. Nevertheless, it was his last words that had given her another sleepless night. "Thank you for asking me about it. It means a lot to me to be able to tell you."

Had she never asked? Had she never tried to find out what he was really doing? Why he had become such an important man so suddenly?

Feeling shame rising, she had realized that indeed her interest in his work had been minimal so far.

That would change, she would make sure of it.

His work had become important to Joseph. And he was important to her. No, he wasn't important – he was everything.

That was the other thing she had realized last night. Once again alone in her bed, she had felt so lonely, so cold. Only two nights of their delightful togetherness and she was already unable again to stay alone at night.

She missed his warmth next to her, his lean hard body to be spooned against, his breath on her neck, his hands holding her. His scent, his voice. Oh, she missed everything about him. She simply missed… him.

Joseph had become the centre of her life, she saw it now. She couldn't bear to be without him anymore. She didn't want to.

She still did important work for the country, but so did he. From the looks of it, he was very good at his job. His occupation demanded that he'd travel extensively across the continent. If she couldn't bear to be without him so much, then she would just have to travel with him.

He had asked her numerous times to accompany him. From now on, she would do so, if possible.

Objectively seen, there were certain advantages to travelling across Europe as no more than Mrs. Romerro. Mrs. Romerro could enjoy Europe's most beautiful places without hundreds of people demanding her attention. Mrs. Romerro could do things she never had the time to do before – go sightseeing, relax, go shopping. But most of all, Mrs. Romerro would have Mr. Romerro right at her side – before his meetings, afterwards to see the sights with him, visit restaurants or simply take walks around the places; but most of all she would have him to hold her at night.

Yes, Clarisse smiled broadly, objectively seen there was only one decision to be made. Subjectively however, there was also only one decision to be made – exactly the same.

She would join Joseph on his next trip. He would attend his meetings and she would simply enjoy herself. And when he got back, she would await him to share the beauties of their destination.

Her eyes widened as a sudden idea crossed her mind. She would not wait until his next trip. The conference in Vienna was going to go on for another two days and she hadn't seen this utterly romantic town for quite some time. There were so many things she could do while he was busy. So many things they could do there together. And maybe, just maybe they could finally do something they had never done before.

Filled with sudden delighted energy, Clarisse jumped up from the recliner. Marriage was about sharing, about taking and giving. And finally, she would do some giving. She would give Joseph something he would never expect from her. Something he would hopefully enjoy…

Clarisse quickly strode towards the palace. She needed to pack. A suitcase that contained everything a woman could need for a romantic weekend with her husband. A smirk crossed her face, maybe even some of the lingerie she had not dared to wear during the last months. First on the agenda, was to have herself a flight booked, however.

After all, 'Operation Courtship' had to be properly and quickly executed.