Chapter 2

"Husband, wake up," said Charlotte, shaking her husband gently.

A grunt, then a groan were heard before Charlotte was pulled into the strong arms of her husband. She giggled as he nibbled at her neck.

"Stop," she begged as he attacked that one spot on her neck that always reduced her to laughter.

"Why should I stop? You woke me so therefore you should pay a forfeit," he said as he rolled them over so he was on top and she underneath. Joseph stared down into the beautiful face of his wife, before capturing her lips in a slow kiss.

Charlotte moaned as Joseph kissed her. She loved this man, and thanked Providence for him every day, but she knew she had to stop their kissing. Kissing led to loving, and at this moment there were more important things than lovemaking needing to be handled.

"Joseph, darling…please…stop," begged Charlotte as Joseph kissed her neck.

"Why?" asked Joseph, as he placed kisses along Charlotte's collarbone.

"Because we have…mmm…we have to….oh….we have…," Charlotte tried to explain as Joseph kissed his way down her chest to her breasts. He took a nipple into his mouth, suckling the taut flesh. Charlotte arched against him, her hands holding his head to her breast as he sucked, lost for a brief moment in the sensations he created. Minutes passed as Joseph teased and sucked from her lush breasts. Charlotte fought against her body's rising need, finally finding her voice.

"Rupert and Clarisse need our help," she said breathlessly.

Her words penetrated the desire that held Joseph in its grip and he ceased his attentions toward his wife. Lifting his head he asked," Why?"

Charlotte took advantage of the brief respite, pushing Joseph onto his back, and laying across his chest.

"Because if we don't help Clarisse is going to be injured and embarrassed, Rupert is going to be angry and I don't think their brief marriage will be able to recover from the problems that will arise," said Charlotte.

Joseph looked sharply at his wife. Charlotte rarely interfered in others lives, but something in her voice told him that if he didn't at least listen to what she said he would regret it.

"What do you know?" he asked.

Charlotte sat up. "I was in the kitchen earlier. Our son…," began Charlotte, only to be interrupted by Joseph.

"Daughter," countered Joseph.

"Son," said Charlotte continuing. "Our son woke me because he was hungry," she said, placing her hand over the soft mound of her abdomen. " So I went down to the kitchen to find some cheese and meat. While in the larder two of the maids that accompanied Clarisse's aunt to the Palace came in. Before I could make my presence known they began talking about Clarisse, Rupert and the aunt."

"What did they say?" asked Joseph. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.

"They said that if everything went well Clarisse would have not only learnt her place, and learnt it well, but would also want nothing to do with the either the Prince, the Crown or the Royal Family," said Charlotte. "They joked about how Clarisse would be broken. How she would no longer be the proud lady, instead she would be nothing more than a scared rabbit. They then said the aunt would finally have her revenge on the little upstart!"

"Dios mio," swore Joseph, rising from the bed.

"You don't think..?" began Charlotte, not knowing how to voice her fear.

"If there is one thing Rupert Renaldi is, it is honourable. He has never taken an unwilling woman into his bed nor will he ever," said Joseph, pulling on his hose, breeches and shirt. He didn't bother with his doublet and slipped his shoes on.

"I would suggest you get dressed querida," said Joseph. "It seems our services are needed."

Charlotte smiled, climbing out of bed and dressing as quickly as she could. She decided to forgo everything but her shift, stockings, corset and kirtle.

"I prefer to get you out of these things, rather than help you in them," said Joseph as he efficiently fastened Charlotte's corset. He knelt and helped his wife on with her shoes.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yes," said Charlotte.

"Then let's go," said Joseph, opening the door and checking the corridor before escorting his wife down the hall to the Royal Apartments.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A knock on the door roused Rupert from his fitful sleep. Rising from his makeshift bed he padded nude to the door and opened it far enough to see who was on the other side. Surprise covered his face at the sight of his friend Joseph Romero and his wife Charlotte.

"Get dressed," ordered Joseph. "We have to talk."

Rupert closed the door, walked over to wear his shirt, hose and breeches lay and dressed quickly. Once dressed he opened the door to his chambers again and ushered Joseph and Charlotte inside.

Keeping his voice low so not to wake his new wife he asked, "What is so important that you come to me in the middle of the night?"

"It seems there is a plot against you and your wife," replied Joseph. Joseph indicated to Charlotte that she should explain. Charlotte explained quickly and concisely. Rupert's reaction had her grabbing Joseph's hand in comfort.

"Are you sure the two maids are part of Clarisse's aunt's entourage?" asked Rupert.

"Yes, Your Highness," answered Charlotte.

"Just Rupert please," he said, walking to the table and pouring himself a goblet of wine. "Do you know when they were planning on bearing witness to all this?" asked Rupert.

"No, Your High…Rupert, but I can make an assumption that it would be close to the noon meal, since it would be unlikely either of you would stir before then," said Charlotte, blushing a bit. She remembered how long it had taken she and Joseph to leave their chambers after their wedding. Before anyone could comment on Charlotte's assumption a voice issued from the bed.

"What is going on?' asked a sleepy Clarisse.

Rupert moved to the bed and sat down on the edge. Clarisse's move away from him did not go unnoticed. Deciding to ignore her reaction to him for the moment Rupert said, "It seems we have a problem, wife. Your aunt has decided to teach you a lesson. A very harsh lesson, and she intended me to be the one to deliver it."

At Clarisse's confused look Rupert added, "Your aunt intended for me to take your virginity violently. In fact, I can assume it was she who informed you of what happens between a man and a woman in the marriage bed?"

Clarisse's affirming nod forced Rupert to gather a tight hold on his temper. It would not do for him to lose it at the moment.

"Because of her misinformation, and her belief I would not be able to control my baser instincts on our wedding night, her intent was to have you raped."

Clarisse paled at Rupert's words.

Rupert continued. "Although, it would not be viewed as such by anyone since I am your legal husband, and it is well within my rights to make demands of your body. But the damage done to you would be enough to cause emotional and physical upheaval in our marriage. The result would be you would revile me. And eventually, I would stop seeking your bed, which would put paid to any children for us. Resulting in the two of us stuck in a loveless, childless marriage that would continue until one of us died."

"She hates me that much?" whispered Clarisse to herself as she plucked at the quilt.

Covering Clarisse's hand with his, Rupert squeezed it reassuringly. Clarisse looked at Rupert's hand covering hers. She wasn't sure why she didn't pull her hand away from his. It wasn't as if she desired his touch. She didn't desire anyone's touch, least of all a husband she barely knew, but there was something about his strong hand covering hers that was comforting.

"What are we going to do?" asked Clarisse.

"I am not sure," said Rupert. "While her actions are reprehensible, your aunt broke no laws. So arresting her is not an option. Nor is banning her from the Palace."

"If I might make a suggestion," said Charlotte.

Rupert, Clarisse and Joseph all looked at Charlotte.

"Go ahead," said Rupert, his thumb stroking the skin of Clarisse's hand absently.

"Since no one but we four know what did or did not occur in this bedchamber last night, perhaps it would be best if Lady Clarisse and yourself present a devoted front to any and all you encounter. That way, any gossip that Lady Saunders hoped to begin would be easily quelled by the physical evidence of your devotion to each other. And it would give us time to discover if there is more to this plot than simple humiliation," said Charlotte.

"And how do you intend for us to do that?" asked Rupert.

"Yes how?" added Clarisse. "We weren't exactly on the best of terms or behaviour yesterday."

"Tosh, that is neither here or there," replied Charlotte, a grin playing around her lips. "Haven't you heard that even the most shrew of women and the most notorious of rakes can be tamed by love?" teased Charlotte.

Joseph, Rupert and Clarisse all joined in laughter. Clarisse quieted first and asked, "So you want me to act demure and sedate?"

"Hardly," laughed Charlotte. "Besides, would anyone believe you the same woman if you were not as fiery and outspoken as you normally are? I think not. What I am suggesting is that you show you are not adverse to Rupert's attentions, nor he to yours."

Charlotte looked at Rupert and Clarisse noting their bemused expressions. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, Charlotte asked, "Have you kissed?"

"Excuse me?" Clarisse and Rupert said in unison.

"Have you kissed?" asked Charlotte again.

Seeing that neither answered her question she continued, "I see. Well, the first order of business it seems is to kiss. After all, if you are not comfortable with kissing each other how can you be comfortable with touching?"

Neither Rupert or Clarisse could find an argument against the logic of Charlotte's statement.

"I suppose we should kiss…to become comfortable with each other," said Rupert, suddenly nervous at the thought of kissing his wife.

"It would be for the best," said Clarisse, plucking again at the quilt.

Rupert moved closer to Clarisse, placing his hands on her shoulders, drawing her forward. Clarisse placed her hands on Rupert's chest, surprised at the heat that radiated from him. Their heads met in the centre and they stared into each other's eyes. Their breath mingled and Clarisse felt dizzy for a brief moment. Her thoughts raced from one to another, but soon even thoughts ceased as Rupert gently touched his lips to hers. Clarisse whimpered in response, and when Rupert moved to pull away she grabbed his shirt tightly to prevent him moving.

Rupert heard Clarisse's whimper, and taking it for discomfort he tried to pull away, only to find any retreat on his part hampered by Clarisse's hands clenched in his shirt. Since he couldn't move away, he decided to move closer, pulling Clarisse into his arms. Her gasp at his actions allowed him to slip in between her lips, and he stroked her tongue with his own. His deep groan was echoed by a moan from Clarisse as they both gave themselves up to the pleasure of their first real kiss.

Joseph and Charlotte watched the newly married couple kiss. Joseph whispered into his wife's ear. "What are you playing at, querida?"

"Playing?" asked Charlotte, looking at her husband over her shoulder. "I am not playing at anything, husband."

At the sound of another deep moan from the couple kissing on the bed, Charlotte said, "I am not playing at all."