Author's Note: Thank you to all my loyal readers, it really helps when I'm writing, and here's another long instalment!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me
True to Mia's word, news of their engagement remained a secret for the next few weeks, although word filtered through the palace as Mia and Clarisse began planning the party. A day or two after their engagement, Mia had approached Clarisse.
"I know you've already got plans, but I was wondering…"
"Of course I'll help," Clarisse said calmly- she and Joseph had already discussed it. "That's what grandmothers are for."
Mia and initially wanted a small, private party, but both Clarisse and Sebastian had convinced her otherwise.
"Most of them are still insulted that they weren't invited to our second wedding, and it would be even worse for you and Nicholas."
"But this is OUR special occasion… they'll be at the wedding, so why this party as well?" Mia sounded annoyed- the constraints of her job still irked her, and Clarisse looked sympathetic.
"Nicholas is a member of parliament, and it is protocol…"
Another complication arose when Lily brought in the guest list, and Viscount Mabrey was on the list. Neither Mia nor Clarisse were pleased (and Clarisse knew her husband would be furious), but she could also understand why he was invited- it would be interpreted as a peace offering, as well as the fact he was Nicholas's only living relative, as she explained to Mia a moment later. Mia's reaction was predictable, but Clarisse was secretly dreading telling Joseph who, as she suspected, hit the roof.
"Why is he invited?" he almost thundered when she told him. "He and Nicholas aren't even speaking!" he snapped, pacing the room. "Whose idea was that, may I ask?"
"Sebastian's," she said, sitting down in a chair and watching him pace. "He thought he could be seen as a peace gesture."
"It was a damn stupid idea, and I'm tempted to go and see him… I'm surprised you're not more upset about this," he turned and looked at her accusingly.
"I'm not pleased either, not by a long shot," Clarisse said evenly. "He insulted the three people I love most, something I will never forget, but I can also see Sebastian's point, but it's not for the benefit of Mabrey… it would reflect very badly on Mia and Nicholas, and you know he would go straight to the press…"
"Rubbish," Joe snorted, sitting down opposite her and crossing his arms. "What if he has too much to drink? What if he makes a scene?"
"Security is going to keep a close eye on him… Darling," she began, standing up and walking over to sit on the edge of his chair. "I know you're concerned…"
"No… actually, I'd welcome the chance to take him outside and do what I wanted to do last time."
"You can't fool me, Joseph," she said gently, rubbing his shoulder soothingly, and he took her hand in his. "It's about whether he might verbally abuse Mia or me, and we both appreciate it… besides, don't tell me you wouldn't like to see me knock him out again!"
He laughed along with her, stroking her hand thoughtfully, before lifting it to his lips.
"Maybe… but I don't want you to break your hand because of him."
"I won't," she laughed. "Although, I will admit it did hurt the first time," and they both smiled. "But, as for Viscount Mabrey," she continued, and he stiffened. "He might not come, but if he does, he will be watched… and it's for Mia…"
"Alright," he sighed heavily. "But if he even THINKS about being rude to you…" and Clarisse laughed.
"I wouldn't worry about that, my love. He can barely look me in the eye since I married you."
While party plans were underway, the press, while still taking Clarisse's admonition seriously, were beginning to speculate on the state of Mia and Nicholas's relationship.
"Are they or aren't they?" Elsie mused on her show, a week after Clarisse's warning, and Mia, who was watching with Joe, Clarisse and Lily, giggled.
"It's really driving her crazy that she doesn't know anything." Mia beamed triumphantly. "It really is good to have some secrets from the media!"
"You're just like your father and grandmother," Joe mock complained from his position on the couch, Clarisse cuddled up next to him. "All three of you seem to enjoy toying with the media!" he chuckled as his wife gently slapped him on the arm and Mia sat up from her position on the floor to say, pretending to sound hurt:
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing… don't you approve? I notice you never said anything to Grandma if and when she did it."
"I did do on occasion," Clarisse admitted sheepishly. "But you were here when I did it more recently…"
"Oh, that's right," Mia realised. "When you were planning your second wedding… But Joe," Mia stretched, looking at him with a look that Clarisse gave him when she wanted to know something he wasn't telling. "You didn't answer my question."
"Alright, I do approve- you're always watched by the press… the times they went too far for a picture of Clarisse," he rolled his eyes, recalling the times she had almost been jostled roughly, despite his best intentions, and the number of agents surrounding her. "I never told her, fearing she would try it with me," he shot a sideways look at her. "But yes, I approve, and I know that you will inevitably do it to… but just be careful- it is the press."
"I know it's not going to last, but I'm really appreciating the fact that they're all on their best behaviour at the moment, thanks to Grandma."
"I do my best," Clarisse blushed modestly.
"Anyway," Mia turned to look directly at Clarisse. "What are we going to for your birthday, Grandma?"
"Nothing," Clarisse said hastily. "I've already had all my treats- the hotel, going to the ballet and the theatre, and shopping, so I'm more than happy to have a quiet day."
"Wrong," Mia began with a meaningful look at Joe. "Joe and I have been talking…"
"Why do I sense a conspiracy going on here?" Clarisse looked from one to the other with a smile- they had obviously planned something. "I think this is very unfair…"
"It may seem unfair, but I wanted to do something since you stayed to help me plan the party, and Joe agreed, but it was fun for us, and you'll agree, in the end, that it was worth it."
"What's going to happen?"
"Should we tell her?" she asked Joe before smiling mischievously. "Alright… there's a new spa place that's opened just outside Pyrus, and I thought that we- you, me as well as a few others- could spend the day there and then, like, have dinner or something."
"That sounds wonderful, but what about…" she looked over at a grinning Joseph.
"It's YOUR day, but if there's any spare time, you're mind, and…" he leaned over and whispered into her ear. "At night, I'm kidnapping you early!" and she laughed out loud, more than a little touched that they had got together to plan something for her birthday…
00000
The morning of Clarisse's birthday, she woke early and stretched-it was her birthday and, for the second time in years, she was happy that it was her birthday… When she had been married to Rupert, there had been the usual silk scarf and expensive piece of jewellery from him, as well as dinner with a few friends (his, never hers), but it had always been treated like a normal day, although Phillipe usually surprised her… But now, with Mia and Joseph in her life, her birthday had become special again.
Just then, she heard noise in the doorway and she looked up see Joseph walking in, carrying the breakfast tray.
"Well, well… the birthday girl is awake," he smiled, setting the tray down on her bedside table, and sitting down next to her on the bed.
"I'm hardly a girl, Joseph," she laughed.
"Well, you're awake, and that's what counts… happy birthday, sweetheart," he leaned over and kissed her sweetly.
"Thank you," she blushed before Joseph set the tray on her lap, and she saw Joseph's usual bouquet of roses- something she had always appreciated even when she didn't know who was giving them to her. "The flowers are beautiful."
"It's only the beginning," he smiled mysteriously, reaching into his bathrobe pocket and handing her a small, gift wrapped package. "Open it," he encouraged as she stared at it. "It's not going to bite."
To her surprise, it was box of her once favourite chocolates, and she didn't hesitate to open it immediately and, after offering one to him, ate one.
"Mmmm," she murmured with pleasure. "I haven't had one of these in years- where on earth did you find them?"
"I have my ways," he smiled coyly. "By the way, there's a Clarisse retrospect on tv at the moment."
"Probably because it's my birthday- but there's nothing more boring than seeing one's life in pictures… So, what are you boys doing today?"
Apart from Clarisse and Mia, the other guests going to the spa were Lily, Lisa, Marion, Charlotte, Sheila Motez and a few of Mia's friends, thus leaving the men behind, to their disgust.
"I don't know," Joseph said thoughtfully. "Probably golf and more golf…"
"Then going down town to the nearest bar?" she teased.
"I don't think so… the others might want to go, but I won't."
"Nonsense- you won't get like you got last time, and I trust you… but, I must warn you that if it does happen again, I might not come and rescue you."
"What kind of wife are you?" he complained, before they burst out laughing.
Clarisse was due to meet the others downstairs at nine, and she was looking forward to the day, but still… it was almost a shame to get out of bed, and Joseph laughed.
"I know you would rather spend the day here with me," he teased as she rummaged through her wardrobe. "But you're going to having just as lazy a day at the spa with friends…. I know I would prefer my company."
The others were already waiting downstairs when they came down, and Mia beamed happily.
"Happy birthday Grandma!" she said, throwing her arms around Clarisse as the other women added their birthday wishes. "The other guys are in the kitchen trying to decide what to do today," she added to Joe.
"Have fun, and see you later," he kissed Clarisse goodbye, before heading towards the kitchen.
"Now… "Mia said with a smile. "Let's go and have some fun!"
000
"Good morning, and welcome to Pyrus Spas," the girl greeted them at the door. "You have the entire facilities at your disposal…" At this, Clarisse turned to look at Mia in astonishment, but Mia only grinned. "…and I encourage you to sample as many of our treatments as possible- we offer massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, spars, as well as drinks and lunch- we want you to enjoy your time here."
"Great," Mia said cheerfully. "A round of cocktails for everyone… I'm off to the spa- what are you going to do, Grandma?"
"I might have a massage, and relax a little," she said calmly, and Mia giggled.
"I didn't know you needed to relax, Grandma. I would have thought you would have been sooo relaxed with Joe… unless…"
"Amelia, you cheeky…" Clarisse chided with a smile, before Mia and her friends disappeared towards the spa.
Marion and Lynn joined Clarisse on the massage tables, Sheila reassuring them 'they are so good, one almost made me go to sleep', while Sheila, Lisa and Charlotte opted for pedicures. The massage itself was wonderful, although Clarisse still preferred Joseph's massages, before settling down for both a manicure and a pedicure, sipping a glass of wine.
"I wonder what the men are doing." Lisa mused. "I read James the riot act before we left, so I'm sure that they won't go to the pub."
"It doesn't matter if they do," Clarisse said contentedly. "They're having fun… besides, I'm sure it hasn't been easy for Joseph to be married to a former Queen."
"But I know he thinks it's worth it- he absolutely adores you, which is more than I can say for Rupert," Marion said gently. "In fact, I can still recall the time I saw a moment between you…" Clarisse only groaned in response, and Marion continued. "Don't worry, we only saw the feelings…."
****************
Marion first met Clarisse at her wedding to Charlie, although she had heard all about her, and she knew that Charlie and his best friend James had befriended the Crown Prince's fiancée at a fancy dinner… still, she nearly died when she discovered that the young Queen, several years younger than herself, was planning on attending the wedding.
"She's very shy, and rather reserved, but she's really nice," Charlie said reassuringly, but Marion wasn't very sure until she met her (unaccompanied by the King) at the reception.
"Congratulations on your marriage," said the young woman with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes and a shy smile. "Charlie is very lucky to have you."
"Thank you," Marion managed to gasp out, stunned that she was talking to the glamorous Queen of Genovia- in fact, she was more than a little intimidated.
Thankfully, however, that changed as the five of them (Rupert rarely joined them) spent time together, their friendship strengthening over the years, and they always called her Clarisse, at her insistence, whenever they were alone. It didn't take Marion long to sense that Clarisse was very unhappy, although she never said anything, but Charlie confirmed her suspicions.
"Yes, His Majesty cheats on her regularly, never very discreetly, and it annoys me big time, especially when she always has to pretend it doesn't bother her at all… I wish I could knock him out… He really doesn't deserve her at all!"
"You can't do that, dear," Marion replied, but she was said that the beautiful, charming woman who seemed to have a charmed life, was very unhappy, and had a cad for a husband.
A few years later, she and Charlie were visiting the palace and, as per usual, Clarisse was alone, but her loyal Head of Security was with her, something that clearly made Clarisse very happy.
"You remember my Head of Security, Joseph, don't you?"
"Of course- good to see you again," Charlie said with a broad grin, shaking Joe's hand.
"Good to see you too," Joe replied politely before turning to his boss. "If you don't need me at the moment, Your Majesty, I'll leave you with your guests."
"But you'll be watching from the security room, won't you? You might as well stay," she said in a flirtatious tone, and Joe grinned as Charlie and Marion watched the intimate moment with sly smiles at each other.
"I would, madam, but I need to check on Scott… you know how dedicated these security agents are to their Queen," he smiled teasingly at her, his eyes almost caressing her, before bowing to Charlie and Marion, and disappearing out the door.
Marion couldn't help but notice that Clarisse's eyes remained on him until he left the room… she really did care for him, and maybe it was more…
**********************
"It was very endearing to see that," Marion teased gently as Clarisse went even redder. "After that, it was easier to see your relationship develop."
"Were you ever jealous of my friendship with your husband?"
"In the beginning I was, but Lisa and I soon realised that they thought of you as a sister."
Clarisse smiled at her words- James and Charlie had always been protective of her, like two older brothers, surpassed only but Joseph.
"I was always glad when you were around… my relationship with Joseph was always a secret, which was painful…" she trailed off.
The rest of the day passed quickly with the younger girls spending most of their time in the spa, although most agreed to a manicure or massage after lunch, which was, in itself, hilarious as they discreetly made fun of their men, Clarisse included, although Mia was very doubtful.
"I very much doubt Joe has too many eccentricities- he's too perfect for that!"
All in all, it was a fun day out, and Clarisse felt, if at all possible, more relaxed- a sentiment Mia echoed a moment later.
000
Back at the palace, Nicholas and his friends quickly got bored with golf so, while the older men continued to play, they went 'cruising' into Pyrus.
"I can remember doing stuff like that at their age," James said when they retired into the living room early in the afternoon.
"Including the time we got pulled up for speeding twice in one day!" Charlie joked. "Anyway, how about a drink to go with our lunch… Joe?"
"Are you trying to get me into trouble with my wife again?" he asked in an amused tone.
"Us… never!" Charlie replied in an innocent tone. "Besides, it's your wife's birthday, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we celebrated it a little early."
Before they had a chance to have a drink, there was the sounds of voices in the main hallway, and the men strolled out to discover that the women had returned, as had Nicholas and his crew.
"What was the point of going to the spa?" Charlie complained. "No one looks any different."
"Mia, you were right," Marion turned to the others. "They didn't notice anything."
"You do smell nice, though," Nicholas said quickly as Charlie muttered something under his breath.
"So, Your Majesty… Mia," Marion amended hastily when Mia frowned. "When would you like us back for dinner tonight?"
"About six, so we can have a few drinks… unless you boys have already started," Mia said with a cunning smile, and James pretended to look insulted.
"We would never do that… you're just like your grandmother!"
"So I've been told," Mia laughed, before everyone left, and Mia, Nicholas and their entourage suddenly disappeared, leaving Clarisse and Joe alone in the hallway.
"So, did you have a good morning?" he asked as they walked upstairs hand in hand.
"Yes- the massage was divine, but I still prefer yours," she said shyly, and he smiled, flattered, before he leaned over and breathed in her scent.
"You smell pretty good, though."
"So, I guess that means the trip was worth it," she teased as they walked into their suite.
"All that matters is that you had fun…" before Clarisse stopped and looked around- there were several bouquets of flowers on her desk, and scattered around the room.
"Who did you get them from?" Joe inquired as she collected the cards from the flowers, and read them.
"They're mostly from the ambassadors, as well as a few friends, but there's nothing from Pierre," she said, sounding slightly disappointed, before correcting herself. "But it's only mid afternoon…"
"Yes," he agreed, although he was secretly annoyed that Pierre had seemingly forgotten his mother's birthday. "Anyway, sit down- I've got another surprise."
"You've already done enough," she called as he disappeared into the bedroom, returning with two wrapped presents.
"I haven't even finished yet," he teased before handing them to her. She smiled radiantly at him for a moment before proceeding to open the larger package- inside the box it covered was a silky red dress.
"You may not think I know much about fashion- which I don't- but it doesn't mean I haven't noticed what you wear… Besides, this was bought before I knew you had bought most of London," he joked.
"I love it, and I love you," she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm definitely going to wear it tonight."
The other package turned out to be an expensive looking silver bracelet with tiny charms on it.
"All of them represent a significant moment or person in your life," he explained as she looked at it closely- there was a crown, a wedding ring, a rose, a dog and the letters J, M and P.
"I was only going to have the M and P, but BJ insisted that it needed a J."
"He was right- J is very important to me," she said seriously, replacing the bracelet in the box and cuddling up to him. "What are we going to do now?"
"I'm sure we'll think of something," he chuckled softly.
000
"Grandma, you look fantastic!" Mia almost shouted when Clarisse and Joe walked into the dining room where everyone else was waiting. "Is that another outfit you bought in London?"
"No, Joseph gave it to me, as well as this," she held out her arm, showing off the bracelet on her wrist.
"Wow," Mia squealed, Joseph being shunted to the side as the other women crowded around Clarisse. "It's so sweet- I take it that the charms are significant to you."
"They are," Clarisse said softly, pulling her hand away and tenderly stroking the bracelet.
"The birthday girl has finally arrived, now we can celebrate!" Charlie, already tipsy, boomed as Clarisse accepted a glass of wine from him.
"It looks like you've already started," she joked before Mia grabbed her arm and dragged her towards a table.
"It's time to open your presents!" Clarisse looked surprised, before she saw the small pile of presents on the table.
"You didn't!"
"We did," Mia confirmed as Clarisse looked around at her guests- she wasn't expecting any more presents.
"You didn't have to do this," she said modestly, very embarrassed.
Mia gave her a bottle of her favourite perfume, and a book she had wanted to read; James, Charlie, Marion and Lisa gave her a gift voucher for plants (knowing her dream of planting a garden at the beach house), as well as a bottle of wine, as did BJ and Lynn.
"It looks like Joe can look forward to plenty of digging!" Charlie chortled. Sheila and Sebastian, as well as Charlotte and Scott, gave wine, causing Mia to quip:
"Grandma's going to have fun drinking all that… although she will have help," she gave Joe a wink.
"Someone's got to do it," he said nonchalantly.
Charlotte also gave her a silver photo frame with a quote inscribed on it, while Julie and Annie had sent her several DVDs, including 'Gone with the Wind', causing Joe to groan and roll his eyes.
Dinner was, with James, Charlie and BJ as guests, was hilarious, particularly as they couldn't resist teasing Clarisse who, with a little wine in her, replied smartly.
"Joe, your wife's smart mouth hasn't improved since the last time we had dinner together," James mock complained.
"What can I say- I'm a bad influence!" Joe said lightly.
"It's so nice to be appreciated- especially on my birthday," Clarisse said sarcastically, mock glaring, before she heard a commotion behind her, and she turned to see Mia's two maids carrying a large cake, lit up with candles, and everyone starting singing 'Happy Birthday'.
"Make a wish?" Joe whispered in her ear, and she smiled over at him before taking a deep breath in and blowing out the candles, before slicing up the cake.
"What did you wish for?" Mia inquired.
"I'm not going to say, as it's bad luck, but I really don't need to wish for anything as I've got everything I want…. By the way, I would just like to thank everyone for being here tonight, and for the thoughtful gifts."
"I propose a toast to Clarisse!" Joe said suddenly, raising his glass as everyone followed suit, and Clarisse blushed.
As the evening wore on, everyone, especially Clarisse, were enjoying themselves, and getting more and more expansive, but she was only a little sorry when Joseph leaned over and whispered: "I'm kidnapping you now." She giggled, now rather tipsy, before they stood up together.
"If you'll excuse us," Joe began. "We're going to leave you to your own devices…" before his voice was drowned out by disappointed comments. "I might sound selfish, but I would like to have my wife to myself."
"Fair enough," Mia said over the good natured jeering of the men. "But, there's one thing I have to do," as she walked around to Clarisse's side. "Happy birthday, Grandma," she said, giving her a warm hug.
"Can we go for a walk outside?" she asked as they passed the doors leading out to the garden.
"Of course… it's still your birthday for another couple of hours," he teased.
The air was crisp when they stepped outside, but Joe quietly slipped his jacket around her shoulders. "Won't you get cold?"
"I'm tough," he said in a cavalier tone before she slipped her arms into the sleeves. They walked, hand in hand, down to the pagoda, the scents of the garden lingering in the air.
"Did you have a good day?" he murmured and she nodded eagerly.
"One of the best… and all thanks to you and Mia."
"It was our pleasure…by the way," he continued, reaching into the pocket of his jacket. "I have one more surprise for you…"
"You shouldn't spend all your money on me, Joseph!"
"I should, and I will," he said stubbornly, placing a slim jewellery case in her lap. "I just didn't have time to wrap it up."
"That's alright," Clarisse said before she opened the lid, and gasped at the stunning silvering sapphire necklace sitting there. "You didn't!"
"I did," he grinned as she looked from him to the necklace and back again.
"I can't accept this," she said, tears in her eyes, before she leaned over and kissed him.
"Yes you can, my darling, and you will… Let's see it on… Beautiful," he smiled after he fastened around her neck. "I can see you wearing that at the beach."
"Maybe I will," she said vaguely, touching the necklace. "But let's go inside so I can see it myself.
00000
The next two weeks passed quickly, and soon it was the evening of the engagement party, and everyone, in and outside the palace, was excited. The press announcement had been released, as Mia planned, after Clarisse's birthday, to both parliament and the press, both of whom asked two questions- when did they get engaged, and why did they keep it a secret for so long?
"A brave member of parliament asked me that, so I told them all it was none of their business," Mia said to Clarisse afterwards, then roared with laughter at Clarisse's look of horror. "I was just kidding!"
Now it was the evening of the party, guests were already arriving, but it was hardly an auspicious beginning to the night, as both royal couples weren't speaking to each other. Clarisse and Joe had had a spat over what Clarisse had been planning to wear, Joe insisting he didn't mind what she wore, to Clarisse's frustration; while Mia and Nicholas argued over his uncle- Nicholas didn't understand why he was coming.
Thus, the atmosphere was rather strained when the two couples, the men in tuxedos, Mia in a pale pink dress, and Clarisse in a silver strapless dress with matching sheath over the top (as well as Joseph's necklace and bracelet), met in Mia's suite to walk down to the party together. Mia had asked them to greet guests with her and Nicholas.
"Men," Mia muttered as she and Clarisse walked ahead of Joe and Nicholas down the hallway. "Honestly, they can be so stubborn!"
"They can be that," Clarisse agreed while, behind them, Nicholas sighed.
"Honestly, sometimes I don't understand Mia at all!"
"As I told you before, the Renaldi women can get fiery," was all Joe said- he was still annoyed that Clarisse had gotten so mad- he had told her over and over again he knew nothing about clothes.
When they arrived at the closed ballroom doors, Joe and Nicholas stepped forward, Clarisse and Mia accepted their arms, and they smiled as they waited for the doors to open, determined that no one would know that they were fighting..
The ballroom was full of people eager to talk to them, and the four of them split up almost immediately.
"Hello Joe," James beamed wickedly as he walked over to him and Charlie. "Are you and your lovely lady on the outs?"
"No…Why?" Joe was surprised and grumpy that James was that intuitive.
"Because you're usually glued to each other, but you're here, and she's over there… so, was the argument over what she was going to wear?"
"How did you know?" Joe's jaw dropped slightly.
"Because I have had the same argument time and time again with Lisa… and again tonight," he nodded over to where Lisa and Marion were chatting with a group of women. "Why can't women understand that we men know less than nothing about fashion?"
Joe smiled, feeling a little better, before he moved on to greet more guests. Parliament was clearly delighted to be at another party at the palace as they simpered to their hosts- more so to Mia and Clarisse.
It wasn't long before Clarisse found herself face to face with Viscount Mabrey but, before he could say anything, Joe, who had been keeping an eye on Clarisse as he greeted guests, appeared at her side, holding two champagne glasses.
"Here's your champagne, darling," he said coolly as, for a moment, Mabrey looked venomous- Joe was making it perfectly clear that Clarisse was his.
"Thank you, Joseph," she accepted the drink gratefully, her eyes saying more, before they both turned to Viscount Mabrey. None of them could forget what had happened between them the last time they met, but Clarisse was still determined to be pleasant.
"Good evening, Viscount Mabrey, thank you for joining us tonight," she said calmly as, beside her, she felt Joseph tense up and, despite the fact that they hadn't spoken to each other all day, she placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Thank you, ma'am… Joseph…" he nodded curtly, before walking away. They smiled at each other for a moment, before returning to the task at hand.
All the guests were finally greeted, Joseph and Clarisse on either side of the room, when Mia tapped gently on her glass, and the room was instantly silent.
"I just want to thank you all for coming to celebrate our engagement, and we hope that you all enjoy yourselves."
After a pause, music began playing, and Nicholas didn't hesitate to sweep his fiancée onto the dance floor. Clarisse smiled as she watched them chuckle together- they had obviously made up- before she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, and she turned to see her husband standing there.
"Care to dance, madam?" he smiled.
"Of course," she replied, happy again as he led her out onto the floor. "I promise I will never ask you for fashion advice again," she said after a moment, and he laughed.
"It's not that I don't appreciate and enjoy seeing all your outfits… but I can't give you a really unbiased opinion- you look beautiful in anything you wear…" and, with that, he leaned over and kissed her- something he hadn't done publicly since their first wedding. He was instantly aware of it, and he was a little worried when they broke apart that she would be upset, but she was smiling, before noting that everyone, including Mia and Nicholas, were beaming at them.
"That was lovely, Joseph, but aren't we detracting the attention away from the newly engaged couple?"
"Who cares? I don't… in fact, I don't care if people see that I love my wife!" but he didn't kiss her again- she was a good sport the first time, but she still preferred to keep their relationship private.
000
The rest of the evening progressed smoothingly, now that the warring couples had made up, and even Viscount Mabrey seemed to be enjoying himself, although Joe was still suspicious and keeping a close eye on him, as he knew the others were as well. The drinks kept flowing very well, but Viscount Mabrey was abstaining, looking dour, before speech time arrived. After the usual words from Sebastian (on behalf of parliament) and Nicholas, Joe stepped forward, Clarisse having insisted on him making the speech on behalf of Mia's family.
"I'm not used to speaking in public," he began as, in a corner, James and Charlie exploded into laughter. "I would just like to propose a toast to Amelia and Nicholas… I can't believe that this lovely, graceful and mature young woman standing in front of me is the same shy, awkward but still lovely girl who, almost 7 years ago, debated whether she could handle being a princess… and now she's been Queen for 15 months!"
All I can say is that her grandmother and I are prouder of her than we can ever say, and that we wish you both the best for a happy life with Nicholas, which I'm sure you will… To Mia and Nicholas!"
After the toast, there was a silence before Viscount Mabrey stepped forward, the tension rising in the room.
"I too would like to offer my congratulations… congratulations for a disaster in the making."
The smiles that had slowly been appearing on guests' faces, most of whom were convinced that the Viscount was finally coming around, disappeared quickly as Nicholas and Joe stiffened. "A disaster I wouldn't mind seeing explode at the altar… and, you have to admit, that's likely given Her Majesty's track record with me."
"I thought you had changed," Nicholas finally said. "I suspected you hadn't, but… inviting you was clearly a big mistake."
"No, young man, I came to tell you that you are making the biggest mistake of your life… you're never going to be a leader- you're always going to be in the shadow, as Joseph has been all his life, and I suspect he still is now…" his tone was contemptuous as he threw another venomous look at Clarisse and Joe.
"I'm sorry if you feel like that," Nicholas said calmly. "You can feel like that, but I know I'm not making a mistake- I want to marry Mia, and that's it… I cannot possibly do the job she does, but I'm going to support her always, as Joe has always done for Clarisse."
There was a pause as everyone waited for the Viscount's reaction- his face, initially conciliatory, was now turning into a sneer.
"You're stupid, and I wash my hands of you completely," he spat, before roughly pushing people aside, and storming out.
"We tried," Clarisse heard Mia sigh, placing a gentle hand on Nicholas's arm, as Joe stared after him, tempted to follow him, but when he looked at Clarisse, she shook her head, and he decided to leave it alone.
The evening finally wound down at midnight, and Joseph and Clarisse slipped away quietly, leaving Mia and Nicholas still dancing.
"I'm so glad that evening is over," Clarisse said with a heavy sigh as she sat down on the bed. "It was a lovely evening, but….I'm glad it's over… particularly as we're speaking again," she turned to smile at Joseph, who was getting out of his tuxedo. "Anxious to get to bed, are we?"
"No, I'm just changing my clothes, and you had better, too."
"Why?"
"Because we have a car waiting to take us back to the beach house."
"But why tonight?"
"Much as I like living here, it's driving me crazy at the moment, and we haven't been at the beach house for over two months, so I figured…"
"We go back the sooner the better," she concluded, standing up and facing him. "So that's why you were missing for most of the day!"
"Yes, and everything's ready- your tonne and a half of clothes are packed, Mia knows we're going, and I've got a couple of guys driving us down… Come on, don't tell me you wouldn't like to wake up at the beach tomorrow morning?"
"Yes…" Clarisse admitted slowly- it did sound appealing. "It would be nice…"
"So… hurry up!" he said affectionately, disappearing out into the living room.
Clarisse stood there for a moment, unable to believe it, but then she smiled- it would be wonderful to wake up at the beach house again... their home...