Disclaimer: Don't own, just having a little fun with!

Author's Note: Only 2 more to go...

Mixed Signals - Part 33

The morning dawned cool and sunny, with only the slightest hint of morning fog rising over the grounds and from the small brooks running through the royal gardens. It was a tranquil scene to everybody who took the time to look at it.

However, at the palace nobody had the time for such a look or was even in a state of mind to do it. In the kitchen, the staff had long since started to prepare the meal for this afternoon's reception. Other staff were already making last checks that all necessary tables, chairs and the marquee were ready to be put up by the river. The maids were carefully inspecting that all necessary clothes were freshly pressed and folded. The clerical staff were going through the daily mails, memos and other papers. The security contingent made another sweep of the site of the event, as well as checking all roads to and from there were safe.

A normal day almost – except for the minutely rising undercurrent of excitement. The big day had dawned.

Inside of her suite, firmly and safely locked in her husband's embrace, Clarisse Renaldi Romerro awoke with a jolt. Her eyes flew open in shock. What time was it? Her eyes flew to the alarm clock. 7.10. Thank God, only 7.10. Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Clarisse quickly went over the things she would have to do before noon today. Last dress fitting, checking with Chef and his staff, meeting with Charlotte, having their trip for tonight secured, checking on their vacation home. Oh God, so much to do and so little time.

And everything had to be done without Joseph finding out. It would be such a shame if he found out about her plans only a few hours before.

Taking another calming breath, then pressing a gentle kiss against Joseph's arm under her head, Clarisse carefully eased out of his arms. Standing beside the bed, she took a minute to watch him sleep. An overwhelming feeling of tenderness overcame her.

Such a gentle man, so fiercely protective and yet so tender. He had once admitted to her that he could spend hours just watching her breathe, now Clarisse found that it could be indeed an occupation with which she could fill hours. It was so calming to see Joseph sleeping peacefully in their bed. The sheets were rumpled and hung half on the ground, only their tight embrace had secured that they had actually stayed covered by them.

Clarisse grinned. There was much to be said about the 'last night fling' as it were. Of course, there was also much to be said about the 'first night'. But that would have to wait. Even though the sight of Joseph's naked chest tempted her to climb back into bed and sensually wake her husband with a few feathery kisses on his torso, she could not indulge herself this morning.

Too bad. With a sigh of regret, Clarisse stealthily made her way into the closet to pick up the necessary clothes and items for the morning. She would go through her morning routine in one of the guest suites.

When Joseph woke up, she had to be gone…

After dressing Clarisse stole away to Mia's suite where a quick breakfast had been set up, yet she could not force herself to eat more than a few bites. Even though the table was full and exclusive, she couldn't muster any appetite. The knot of excitement in her stomach seemed to grow by the minute and spread throughout her body bathing her insides in a heat of nervousness.

Outwardly absolutely calm and collected, she felt the flutters rising. Even picking up and holding her teacup was proving difficult as the flutters seemed to have taken over her hands.

"Grandma, your hands are shaking." Mia's voice came from far away it seemed, but when Clarisse raised her head, the young woman stood right beside her and took the expensive china cup out of her indeed shaking hands.

Sitting down with a concerned smile Mia studied her grandmother. If she didn't know better, she'd almost believe that today's ceremony was the original wedding and that it was to be feared that somebody would voice objections. Her grandmother had never been so nervous before. Mia smiled again. It was sweet.

"Are you nervous about today?" she asked, but then corrected herself, "no, you are nervous. But really, there is no reason. We have everything organized and the whole family will be there and they're all looking forward to it. The food will be ready, the music too. And Joe will love it."

"I hope so." Was that really her voice? The thin, almost timid little sound?

Now the young queen's smile turned indulgent. "Grandma, really now, Joe will love your surprise. How could he not? You want to marry him in the face of his entire clan. And you'll be the most beautiful bride this country has ever seen, he will definitely love it. And he'll understand why you kept it a secret."

"Do you really think…"

"Your Majesty, Mia, the dressmaker is here again and he's driving me nuts with all this fussing. Can you come now before I kill that nut cake?"

"Lily!" Clarisse was scandalized. Although secretly she had to agree with Lily's assessment of Misr. Galins, Mia's best friend should really work on her choice of words.

Lily Moscowitz had the decency to blush at the gentle reprimand. "I am sorry, your Majesty, but this guy is really driving me up the wall."

'Me too, Lily. Me too.' Clarisse thought with an internal sigh as she rose from the breakfast table. With a last look at the barely touched food, she straightened herself to follow the girls to her – hopefully – last hassle with the dressmaker. The gown was breathtaking indeed, but the tailor…

As she reached the door, Clarisse turned around once more and caught a look at the digital clock Mia had set up on the mantle of her fireplace.

8.23. Three and a half hours left.

Joseph turned and stretched in the luxurious bed, the room was warm and his body felt wonderfully relaxed and lethargic. Clarisse's scent clung to the sheets, clung to his very skin; with his eyes still closed he recalled the events of last night.

It had all started strangely, she was scheduled to join him for dinner in their suite at 7:00, it got to 8:15 and she still hadn't appeared. A hasty phone call from Charlotte was all he had received. Hence when she finally did march into their dining room in a flurry of apologies and kisses he had been less than welcoming and remained stony-faced on the couch.

She had showered and changed and he had poured himself yet another Cognac and lay down on the couch to watch television. He knew she disapproved of frivolous TV so he made a point of choosing the most cringe-inducing show he could find. Some game show where contestants were humiliated in the name of entertainment.

"Joseph…" She grumbled as she entered the lounge. "What on earth are you watching?"

"I like it, it's funny." He mumbled gruffly from his slumped position on the couch.

"Really, well you certainly look comfortable, sit up a little you're squashing my pillows."

"It's what they're meant for…" "Is it really, well not these ones… besides, grumpy…" she leant over him. "You'll spill your drink."

He was not amused by her attempt at humour and he drained his cognac in one hiding the burn in this throat with a slight grimace into the pillow.

Clarisse had moved behind him, out of his sight, to the balcony windows looking out over the grounds.

"I certainly hope the weather holds for tomorrow, a little breeze would be helpful though, not too much, certainly no rain for the garden party."

"Mmph…" was his only reply, he would rather overlook the fact she had obviously gone to such trouble to plan an anniversary party, he was still pissed off that she had not only stood him up for dinner again but not even bothered to contact him personally and apologise.

"Joseph…" She whispered huskily leaning over the back of the couch and touching his arm. "Don't be angry."

"I'm not."

"Yes you are, I know that face, it's sulky."

"I don't sulk."

"You don't?"

"No. I don't."

He turned away as she grinned at him.

"Oh Joseph… I said I was sorry, you know I am." She moved around the other side of the couch standing in front of the television blocking his view.

"Do you want me to show you how sorry I am?"

He shrugged turning onto his back, arms folded across his chest.

She seductively shed her dressing gown revealing the long cream silk nightgown she wore beneath it. It clung to her body and a line of lace began at her breasts and wove its way down through the silk temptingly revealing the slightest amount of flesh.

He felt his body shiver but still remained staring at the ceiling nonchalantly.

She deftly moved to the couch and slid down on top of him, her face mere inches away from his she lifted her hand to his face and stroked his cheek.

"You love me…" She whispered nudging his nose with hers.

He resisted but when she persisted in teasing him he broke into a smile and grabbed her waist holding her tight against him.

"Yes, yes I love you." He said breathlessly.

"I should think so, I chose this outfit especially for you."

"I'm one lucky man." He lifted his mouth to hers and they shared a sweet, slow kiss.

"Do you think we might be able to switch the television off now?"

"You have something more interesting planned?"

"Oh I think so, we should practice one last time, don't you think, before we celebrate our anniversary…"

And so they had made love there on the couch in the lamplight, afterwards he had carried her to bed and for hours they'd lay side by side speaking is hushed tones, reminiscing on the year gone by.

Groaning Joseph turned over to Clarisse's side of the bed and reached for her. It was empty, she was gone.

He looked to the clock, well it was gone 9 in the morning, she had never been known for sleeping in late.

He sat up and looked to his bedside table, no note, perhaps she had ordered breakfast for them.

As he dropped his feet to the floor and climbed out of bed it suddenly hit him, today was their anniversary. Today, a year ago, Mia was preparing to marry, he and Clarisse were barely communicating, he was heartbroken and preparing to leave the palace, and perhaps Genovia, for good.

Never had he imagined that the day would grant his deepest desires and greatest dreams.

Now a year later he was so in love, so completely wrapped up in her that he couldn't imagine ever not being near her. Not sharing every moment of his life with her.

He made his way out of the bedroom and into the lounge area, through into their dining room and out of the balcony doors. Each room empty but out on the private balcony area a tray sat on the table.

He lifted the lid to find pancakes and strawberries waiting for him. Freshly squeezed juice and coffee waiting to be poured. She was good! A small cream envelope rested against his coffee cup, a white rose lay next to it.

Gently tearing the envelope open he took out the small card and read her elegant swirled handwriting.

"Good morning my darling, I do hope you slept well. Today I am going to spoil you, for my plan to come to heed I ask only one thing of you… please do as I say!"

He chuckled out loud imagining her smiling over those words.

"I ask that you remain in our suite for the morning, read in the sunshine, relax in the bath tub, do the crossword, or even watch your darn television programmes but please stay there. At 12:00 noon I would like you to come to the gazebo where I will meet you and inform you of the next part of your treat. Have a wonderful morning my love, and I will see you very soon. C."

Smiling he glanced over the edge of the balcony, all seemed perfectly calm and organised. Off in the distance he could see that the marquee had been erected and as he watched tables and chairs were being arranged out on the lawn.

Well, there really was nothing for him to do but enjoy whatever she had planned, beginning with breakfast. He seated himself, placed a napkin over his lap and drizzled a little maple syrup onto his pancakes. He might as well thoroughly indulge himself.

It was bloody 9.45 and her list of things done had only become one point shorter. And all due to this bother of a man. Honestly, the nerve of some people, Clarisse thought in exasperation. Where Misr. Galins had gotten the idea that he was not only alone in the world, but had also the right to dictate how other people spend their time was beyond her. And that wasn't even the worst of it.

Not only had he kept her in for the fitting for almost one hour longer than she had anticipated and therefore tightened her morning schedule immensely, he had also constantly droned on about the inability of his other customers to value a good dress. In addition, his mode of operation was exasperating in itself. If the result of his efforts were not so breathtaking, Clarisse would almost have regretted having hired him.

Hopefully, the final result would be worth all trouble she had endured for it. If only Joseph appreciated her outfit as much as she hoped he would. A grin crossed over her face. There would be no doubt about what lay underneath the gown, and Joseph would certainly appreciate her choice of jewellery, but now, mere hours before the actual ceremony, Clarisse couldn't help to feel another bout of nervousness flooding through her.

The whole affair seemed so, so… so big all of a sudden.

Turning around a corner, Clarisse stopped her steps and held on to the wall for a second. Closing her eyes, she sent a short prayer to the deities above. 'Please, let him like it.'

"Your Highness, your Highness, there you are." Charlotte's voice sounded profoundly relieved. "Chef has been asking urgently for your presence. He says, he can't guarantee the quality of the food, if you do not come down immediately and finalize the plans."

The aide's face was a mask of excuse. Between the droning on of the dress maker and the constant whining of Chef, she had no doubt that Her Highnesses liking for Frenchmen had diminished considerably over the last two hours. The rather uncharacteristic rolling of her eyes proved that theory right. The deep breath she took to calm her apparently already frayed nerves, did as well.

Charlotte sighed inwardly. If the morning went on like this, they would have one very upset bride on their hands soon.

And barely two hours to get it all done.

"Your Highness, we really have to go to the kitchens."

"Yes, yes, Charlotte, I am with you." With one last deep breath and prayer to the heaven's above. 'Oh Joseph, I wish…'

"Your Highness…"

"Would you please have some tea sent up for her Highness? Thank you." As Charlotte made the phone call, Clarisse sat down in the overstuffed armchair in her office with a sigh. Hiding her face in her hands she shook her head tiredly. What a morning. If only she could have stayed in bed with Joseph until it was time to dress for the ceremony.

Thinking of her husband brought a smile to her face. In less than twelve hours they would be at their hideout, where nobody would disturb them and finally, finally for the first time in weeks they would be truly alone. And for the first time in almost a year without any cares in the world. No appointments, no calls, no schedules, no guests. Nobody.

Just Joseph and her.

The thought was almost too divine to believe.

They could make love all over the house, they could act silly, have fun, joke, become lost in each other. She could walk around the house barefoot, without make-up – if she wanted, even completely naked.

How perfect it would be….

"Your Highness?" Charlotte's voice shook her out of her happy daydream. "Mr. Dawson is on the phone, he wants to know if you plan on riding during your holiday. He says, he'd need to stock up on hay, if that were the case."

Clarisse couldn't help but smirk internally. Planning on…? A deep blush rose to her face. Seriously, hadn't they…

"Your Highness?"

"Tell him that he doesn't need to stock up. If we change our mind, we'll call in advance."

Charlotte eyed her former queen, deciding mentally that she really did not want to know what that smirk on her face meant. Some things were better left unknown.

A look at the clock however showed that there was very little time for such musings. 11.20.

In forty minutes they had to be done.

Clarisse signed the papers put in front of her mechanically. She didn't have the mind to think about trade agreements or arrangements for visiting dignitaries. There were more important questions to be solved.

Light yellow or pale violet?

It was so silly. In only an hour she would be at the mercy of that new hairdresser Mia had hired. Hopefully, this man was not as overbearing as Paolo. Then her ladies maids would come in to do her make up and help her into her gown.

It sounded so easy and yet, again Clarisse felt her stomach churning. She was certain that Joseph would like her plan. Actually, the surprise and then joy spreading over his face – she could picture it in her mind, had done so for days now. In his happiness, she would see her own reflected.

The proposal would be perfect. Joseph would love it.

God, why was she so nervous?

Please review... we're getting there! xxx Rhonda & Suse