By The Lake
by Rhonda*
Part 1
It had been Clarisse�s suggestion to take a trip, but with all that was going on around them at the moment Joseph never dreamed she would tear herself away from her duties. So it was with a steady smile that he nodded his appreciation to her suggestion they take a honeymoon, fully expecting the idea to have slipped from her mind in the following days.
Yet the next morning, over breakfast in the garden, she�d raised the subject again. So serene in the mid-morning sun, more than once he�d found himself staring at her and she�d smiled warmly, shook her head and refilled his tea cup or squeezed his hand across the table. Still discreet under the gaze of the staff but one step at a time. After all they�d not even been married twenty-four hours yet, he may have to pinch himself again later just to make sure it really did happen. That yesterday wasn�t a product of his imagination, that last night wasn�t a remnant of one of his many dreams about her.
No it couldn�t have been a dream, he knew the feel of her skin, the curve of her waist in his arms, the smoothness of her back as she lay against him, the incomparable scent of her skin. He�d hardly slept last night; it was late when he�d gone to her room anyway, they�d made love � though he had to admit that first time was something of a rush, frantic and full of nerves. After they�d lain wrapped together, speaking in hushed tones of their love, want, need � Clarisse desperate to make-up for the pain of the previous week. But he silenced her with kisses and they�d made love again, this time slower, deeper, and that was it, that was when it became real for him.
�Joseph, are you listening to me?�
He shook his head to disperse the reverie. �Of course, we have a statement to write.�
�Oh, not that.� She put down her teacup agitated. �Honeymoon, any ideas?�
�I thought you might have, well, conveniently forgotten.�
�Forgotten? What do you take me for,� she took his hand and folded her fingers with his. �It might take a couple of weeks but we will have time, alone, together. Even if it�s only for a few days.�
Hearing a polite cough behind her she released his hand and turned her head slightly, holding up her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. �Good morning Charlotte.�
�Good morning your Majesty, Joe.� She nodded towards him.
�Charlotte, how you feeling this morning?� He asked.
�Very well, thank you.� She smiled at him.
�Always the diplomat, I bet you�ve been up since the crack of dawn fending off journalists and press calls.� He laughed.
�Not to mention organising the tidy up after last night�s events.� She quickly added then remembered it wasn�t just Joe she was talking to and straightened her shoulders again. �Erm, your Majesty I was just wondering, how would you like to handle today?�
�Dear Charlotte.� She stood and took the young woman�s arm. �I think we should sit down and plan this one together, don�t you. Let�s go have tea in the office and talk it through. Tell me, is Mia awake yet?�
�I doubt that very much.� Joe said to himself as he watched the two ladies walk away.
* * *
�How do you do that?�
�It�s simple really.�
�Tell me, a trick right.�
�Not really, I�m just a better player.�
Mia giggled and playfully hit Joe�s arm.
�Another game Princess?�
She bit her lip, he only ever used her title to tease, he knew she hated the formality. �Yes. Only if you teach me how to win.�
He scooped the cards up from the table and swiftly shuffled them. �You know after tomorrow they�ll be no time for playing games.� He smiled.
�Don�t tell her things like that.� Clarisse glided into the room carrying a large file under her arm, Joseph stood immediately and caught her arm as she passed kissing her cheek.
�Do you want to join the game?�
�I think not, you know I�m not very good at it.� She settled herself in a chair nearby the pair.
�Good then play, he�s been winning all evening. I think he cheats.�
�Most probably he does.� Clarisse slid her glasses on and began flicking through a file of letters Charlotte had handed her earlier that day.
�I resent the implication.�
Mia laughed and shuffled through the cards in her hand, watching as Joseph laid his first card down on the table.
�Perhaps we should start playing Monopoly or something instead, I�m good at that.� She complained hesitantly choosing a card to place atop of his.
Clarisse laughed across the room. �He�d still win. Must be a gift.�
�Hmm, we�ll see.�
All three were silent for a while, Clarisse engrossed in her letters and Mia and Joseph in their game. The silence was broken by a shriek from Mia.
�I�ve won, haven�t I, I�ve won!!�
Joseph shook his head and dropped his remaining cards on to the table. �Yes I suppose you have.�
�You see, Grandma see, I told you I�d get him � gift or not.�
�Alright, no need to rub it in.�
�Ha!�
�Well done dear.� Clarisse smiled removing her glasses and indicating the seat next to her. �Mia, I wanted to say, tomorrow��
�It�s alright Grandma, I�m fine really. Terrified but fine.� She laughed folding her legs beneath her as she sat down. �It�s not as if I�ll be alone, you�re here.�
�I am, but if at anytime you feel I�m doing too much or stepping on your toes you will say.�
She kissed her Grandmother�s forehead. �Yes, but I don�t think that will be for many years yet.�
�And you really don�t mind my,� she looked toward Joseph. �Our, disappearing next week?�
�No, you should have a honeymoon, everybody does. It�ll be cool.�
�Well, I�m not quite sure how �cool� it will be, but it will certainly be a surprise.� She shot Joseph a harsh look.
He held up his hands innocently. �You said I could choose, you never said I had to tell you the destination.�
�As long as you call me sometime, just in case.� Mia said getting up.
�I will, there are telephones right?�
�Of course, and if you really need it, use of the Internet.� He decked the cards and replaced them in their box.
�You know I loathe using those machines. They don�t like me.�
Mia giggled. �How can they not like you, they�re machines?�
�Machines or not, we don�t get on.�
�But if you used it I could e-mail you.�
�And I�ll show her how to reply.� Joseph said patting Mia�s shoulder.
�Excellent, I�m off to bed.�
�It�s not even 10.� Clarisse said.
�I know, but I want to get comfy and watch a movie. It might help me sleep.�
�Order warm milk.� Clarisse put the letters on one side and got up taking hold of Mia�s hands. �Do try and sleep dear.�
�I will.�
�You do know how proud I am of you don�t you.� She said bringing her close for a hug.
�Yes Grandma, I know.� Lately her Grandmother seemed to be getting more and more sentimental, it was either a result of stepping down as Queen or marrying Joseph, though she suspected the latter was more likely the cause of her now permanent smile.
�Now let me go to bed.�
�Alright, goodnight, I�ll see you bright and early in the morning.� Back to business Clarisse returned to her chair and replaced her glasses.
�Oh thank you for that. Night Joe. Another game soon, so I can kick your ass again.�
�Hmm, we�ll see about that.� He waved her off, giving the guard outside the door instructions then returning to Clarisse.
She watched over the rim of her glasses as he removed his tie and shoes then settled across from her on the couch. After almost two weeks of marriage she was beginning to get his routine down.
�You let her win didn�t you?�
�Maybe�� he smiled. �Call it a morale building exercise.�
�I call it kindness.�
She leant across and kissed him.
�I�m still going to tell you where we�re going next week.�
�Oh�� She sat down with a huff and ignored his wicked smile.
Part 2
It was her eyes, he�d been thinking about it for days now, what it was that drew him to her, the eyes. Such warmth, such sincerity and beauty. The way they sparkled when she laughed, crinkled up at the sides when she smiled at him. How they looked when they filled with tears, how it broke his heart to see it. How she would look at him now they were married, late at night, after whatever trials and ordeals of the day had passed and they were alone. The silence of their room, the stillness, and she seemed to have a thousand questions for him on every subject, and they would lay side by side and she�d stare at him, into him, with those gorgeous eyes and listen so intently. And he loved each second of it.
�I�m growing selfish.�
�How do you mean?� Clarisse glanced across at him over her desk.
Joseph leant forward and rested his elbows on her desk, watching her work wasn�t an altogether exciting pastime but he was near her nevertheless. �I said, I�m growing more and more selfish by the day.�
Clarisse bit her lip in an attempt to suppress her smile, dropped her pen and slipped her glasses off her nose. �And why do you think that?� She leant forward towards him.
�Because I�m spending more time with you now than I ever have and yet somehow it�s still not enough.�
She reached out and brushed his face with her fingers. �And you�re such a romantic.�
He shrugged. �I can but try.�
�Well, I have to say,� she leant back in her chair. �I�m enjoying the attention.�
He laughed. �Good. So are you ready for tomorrow?�
�I certainly hope so, though I was little stumped on what to pack.�
�Ahh but I�ve taken care of that, besides its five days if worse comes to worse I�m sure we can make do.�
�Make do � a Queen never�� She stopped herself and took a breath shrugging. �Former Queen.�
Joseph moved behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. �Queen to me.�
�Thank you.� She touched his hand briefly. �But if we�re going to leave tomorrow I really must get through this.�
�I know, I know. I�ll leave you alone, don�t forget dinner this evening, just the four of us.�
�Four?� She queried looking up from her work.
�Mia is bringing a guest.�
�Ahh and I wonder who that might be.� She chuckled as he winked and closed her office door behind him leaving her to her work.
* *
It was still dark when Joseph took Clarisse�s hand and led her through the back corridors of the castle; she�d barely had time to dress but refused to leave without applying at least a little make-up.
�Tell me again why we�re doing this.�
�It�s a surprise remember, trust me.� He squeezed her fingers.
�I do, but it�s not even 5:30.� She laughed trailing behind him.
�Shhh, you�ll wake everybody.�
�Aren�t there things we have to do before we leave?�
�Taken care of, relax, enjoy this.� He slowed his walk and turned to her briefly before sliding a door back that she never even knew existed. �After you.� He held back a curtain to allow her access.
She glared at him but walked through anyway into a totally dark room, the faint light of the hallway offering the only guidance. Joseph closed the door and replaced the curtain.
�Joseph I can�t see a thing is this some cruel game.�
�Not at all, come on.� He took hold of her hand again and led her through the room as sure of his steps as if he were walking in bright sunlight.
�I take it this route is used regularly.�
�Fairly. It�s proved useful over the years.�
�Hmm, should I be aware of any other secret passages?�
He laughed. �Not just yet�� He dropped her hand and typed a code into the console on the wall then pressed both hands flat against the surface of the door and pushed hard. �Here we are.�
Clarisse felt the cool rush of the morning air tickle her ankles, and squinted at the early dawn light. �The courtyard?�
�The back of it.� She followed him out and watched as he closed the door that seemed to disappear into the wall.
�Clever. How do you remember where it is?�
�Practice. Well shall we.� He indicated the car behind her a sleek black Porsche.
�Elegant.� She praised as he held the door for her.
Settling in Clarisse stretched her legs out and fastened her seatbelt waiting for Joseph to get in next to her. �But Joseph, where is my luggage?�
�Taken care of.� He started the engine.
�Everything, my creams and make-up and��
�Charlotte assures me everything is accounted for.�
�Alright.� She smiled coyly watching him.
�So shall we go?�
She waved a hand toward him. �Drive on. Do I get any clues yet?�
�Now what would be the fun in that, we have hours to kill with you questioning me on the subject.�
�You mean with you teasing me on the subject.�
�Exactly.�
Joseph slowed as they approached the back entrance to the grounds and waited as the guards unlocked the gates for him. He waved his thanks, everybody involved had been part of a good briefing session the day before and were well aware of Joseph�s �surprise.�
As the car turned Clarisse glanced back at the castle. �Tell me why we had to leave so early?�
�Because my dear I wanted to make sure we would make the most of our five days. And because I wanted our leaving to be kept simple and secret. No security detail following us around.�
�No, I don�t suppose armed guards make for a romantic setting really.� She added. �But I have you to protect me don�t I.�
�As always, though my plan is to not even see another person for the rest of the week.�
Clarisse laughed and shifted in her seat. �How do you do this thing?�
�Are you uncomfortable?�
�Not enough room for my legs, do I press something?�
�There should be a catch on the side there, one for moving the seat the other for the back rest� you see it?�
�I think so�ahh.� She slid back and Joseph couldn�t help but laugh at her shocked expression.
�That�s hardly fair.� She complained sliding the chair forward again and gripping the dashboard for leverage.
�Do you want me to help?�
�I can do it.� She struggled on. �There we go, I did it. Not all that technically challenged.�
�We�ll have you e-mailing before you know it.�
�We�ll see�� She rested her head back and closed her eyes.
* * *
�Clarisse, sweetheart, are you hungry?�
Joseph gently rubbed her shoulder. �Would you like some breakfast?�
�Hmm, are we there, did I fall to sleep?�
�You did, and no we�re not there, but I packed breakfast.�
�So thoughtful.� She took his offered hand and climbed out of the car. �That looks good but isn�t easy for an old lady to get out of.� She admonished.
�Come and stretch your legs old lady.�
She tucked his hand into hers as he led her away from the car down a short pathway until they were on the beach. A blanket was laid out with flasks of tea and various croissants and fruit.
�You�re so good.� She smiled sitting down and looking down the beach to the shoreline.
�If I were that good I would have arranged for the tide to be in.�
She laughed. �Can�t plan for nature.�
�Apparently not.� He poured the tea. �Shouldn�t be much longer now, another hour or so.�
�Alright. I�m quite enjoying the drive.� She sipped her tea and looked up at the sun as it began its steady crawl across the sky.
�You slept for most of it.� Joseph laughed. �You missed the sunrise.�
�Oh dear, did you plan for that too?�
�Yes, and it cost me fortune to arrange.�
�Joseph.� She shook her head in amusement. �Eat something. I have plans for you this holiday.� She said wryly, it was fun to flirt openly with him; she�d forgotten just how much fun.
�Clarisse!� He hid his smile with a shocked expression. �In that case, I would say the same to you.�
She giggled, put her tea on one side and moved across to him, laying back and resting her head in his lap. The air was cool, autumn was coming, she could even smell it in the breeze. A few weeks from now there would be no lazing on the beach, the leaves would have turned and the mornings would be frosty.
She opened her eyes as she felt Joseph�s fingers gently lift a stray lock of hair from her forehead and smiled up at him.
�I was just thinking it will be autumn soon.�
�It will.�
�And how much I love it, my favourite season. And how much�� She smiled warmly. �And how happy I am right now.�
* * *
�Alright then, which film featured �People�?�
�Oh that�s easy. Funny Girl.�
�Will I ever win anything? It�s like being on a car journey with a Quiz show host. You know everything.� Clarisse laughed twisting in her seat to watch Joseph.
�I can�t help it, I used to have a lot of time on my hands, plenty of free evenings.�
Clarisse couldn�t help but wince at his meaning. �Now I refuse to believe you never had, well, you know��
It was Joseph�s turn to laugh at her discomfort. �Never had what dear, lovers?�
�Lady friends.�
�Ha! I had plenty of those, but they never seemed particularly interested in any kind of relationship, not after the first few dates anyhow.�
�Why? You�re a fairly intelligent man.� She smiled.
�Thanks.�
�Seriously, you�re kind and thoughtful, and attractive.�
�Flatterer.�
�Joseph I�m being serious. All these years, you�ve never married before, I never even heard of you having dates.�
�I never wanted them, after a certain point you just accept the inevitable.�
�Which is?�
�That it didn�t matter who I dated or how beautiful and funny she was, she simply wasn�t you.�
�Oh.�
�And of course when they got to know me and realised my heart wasn�t entirely in the matter of dating them,� he shrugged. �Well they soon lost interest.�
�We�ve known each other for the past fifteen plus years.�
�I know. I never said I was a monk, I just never could commit. Even though my head was telling me you were married, and not just to anybody but to a King, to the very man I was sworn to protect. I couldn�t stop myself feeling, just feeling so much more for you than patriotism or a sense of duty.�
�We never spoke about this.�
�What was I going to do, corner you in your office one day and break the news to you, �Your majesty I�m hopelessly in love with you�.�
�In love with me? All this time?�
�For a long time� you must have realised.� He took his eyes off the road for a second to look at her.
She rested back in her chair re-arranging her scarf. �I guess I must have, to some degree. The odd glance my way, a look that lingered a second too long. Yes, yes I knew. But I always assumed that at some point you would get over it, so to speak, and find somebody. And then Rupert�s death and that whole time, you were such a constant companion to me. It got harder to ignore that spark between us.�
He inwardly sighed, it was good to hear her admit the attraction out loud.
�But I just can�t, I mean it�s such a long time, why did you wait so long with no real guarantee anything could or would ever happen?�
�Because I adore you, I always did, I always will.�
She smiled and turned to look out the window at the view, there was nothing more to say, she didn�t need any more explanations right now, though she suspected the next few days were going to hold some real soul searching. Just when had she realised their �friendship� was more than simple affection? When had she admitted it to herself and ignored it and blocked it away because of the guilt over loving somebody else when your husband had just died? He deserved to know these things, and perhaps on some level it would do her good to finally discuss it with him.
�I know where we are.� Clarisse exclaimed as the lake came into view. �I love this place.�
�I know.� Joseph winded the car down the uneven road that lay adjacent to the lake and toward the private cottage hidden away from prying eyes.
Part 3
�I�m not saying no, I�m just saying not now.� Joseph wandered from the kitchen into the lounge carrying blankets beneath his arm. �It�s late, it�s cold and I�m tired.� He explained dropping the blankets onto the old couch and fussing with the fire.
He turned his head sensing her behind him and regarded her as she sulked by the door. Arms folded, eyes downcast, forehead resting on the doorframe.
�And don�t pout.�
�Why not?� She teased.
�Clarisse�it�s almost midnight.�
�I�m wide awake.�
�I�m not, we�ve been driving all day, I was up early and I just need to rest.� He fell back onto the couch.
�But we could just take a short walk, down to the lake,� she moved to stand in front of him, resting her hands on his knees. �And look at the stars and get some air.� She leant forward rubbing her hands along his legs. �Wouldn�t that be good?�
�It would. You always get what you want?�
�Don�t say it like that.�
He laughed and circled her waist with his hands. �Spoilt.�
�Hey!� She struggled to pull free from his grasp.
He laughed even harder and pulled her into his lap. �Tomorrow my dear I will walk with you down to the lake as many times as you want but right now, right now I just want to close my eyes and rest.�
She ran a finger along the side of his face, under his jaw. �I�m sorry, you rest. I�m going to wander around for a while.�
�Not too far?�
�No, not too far.�
�You�re sure?�
�Yes. I�m sure.� She drew herself up from his lap, and watched as he almost fell back onto the couch with exhaustion.
�Here let me help.� She whispered, gently arranging cushions for his head and pulling a blanket over his body.
�Thank you.� He murmured.
She kissed his head, �you�re very welcome.�
* *
Clarisse pulled a sweater on over her dress and slipped her shoes back on. It had been years since she was here, too long, yet it remained so familiar. She used to come here when she was young, when she and Rupert had first married, it was her escapism. Rupert would be off on some political trip and she would spend a couple of days here, just reading and having some quiet time. That was until she became Queen of course, no time for relaxing then.
She took the path at the back of the cottage, through the woods until she came out at the lakeside. Joseph was right it had turned cold, yet somehow it felt good.
She couldn�t recall the last time she�d walked alone, absolutely alone, no guard watching over her, no security trained and armed and ready to defend. She couldn�t quite remember how to feel; afraid perhaps because here she was vulnerable, right now anybody had access to her. Yet despite that she felt relieved, free.
The duty that she had clung to so severely over the past 35 years hadn�t slipped nor dissipated but gradually it was shifting as the top priority. There was a window opening up that offered some kind of future to her, a future where she remembered who she really was.
She turned and walked right down to the water�s edge, bent forward and trailed a finger over the water. �Oh dear�� she whispered into the air then quickly wiped at her face and stood up straight and tall. �Not the way to spend your honeymoon Clarisse, not at all.� She laughed at herself. �And now you�re talking to yourself which is always a bad sign.�
�Ohhh�� She took a deep shuddering breath and looked up at the night sky. �So this is some kind of life changing moment then I expect.� She snuffled back her tears and wiped angrily at her face again, it wasn�t like her to cry let alone to cry about nothing in particular. She ran a hand through her hair and turned back to look up the hill.
The faint lights of the cottage slanted through the trees down towards her, she thought of Joseph sleeping on the couch, no, no he wouldn�t be sleeping. He�d be wondering where she was, in fact he was probably pacing around waiting for her to return safe and sound. She took another deep steadying breath of the cool air and set off back up the path.
* *
Joseph folded his fingers together and glanced again at the clock, wondering just how much longer he should give her. She needed time alone at some point, real time alone but after fifteen years of watching her every move like a hawk it was with some difficulty that he simply sat there and waited for her return � no matter how tired he felt.
His heart steadied as he heard her footsteps outside and the door open.
�Hello.� She called.
�Hi� he replied calmly. �Nice walk?� He arched his neck up to look at her.
Her face looked red, flushed but she smiled warmly at him. �Very nice, thank you. I�m going to change, and then�� she bent and kissed him. �I�m going to spoil you. So stay there and just, well, relax.�
�I thought I was the one spoiling you.�
�You�ve done that for quite long enough.�
�Alright.� He got up from the couch anyway as she disappeared upstairs and checked the windows and doors were secure before placing a brief call through to the Castle to confirm their safe arrival. He knew Clarisse would wish to call Mia tomorrow, but it was late now, gone 1a.m. � God he was tired.
He folded the blanket up that had been covering him and started to straighten the cushions on the couch.
�Now didn�t I tell you to relax?� Clarisse moved up behind him. �Hmm.�
�You did, I didn�t think it was an order.�
�It wasn�t, but this is, go change.�
�Yes boss.� He smiled insolently and clipped his heels.
�Oh charming�� she turned on her heel and headed for the kitchen. �Simply charming.�
When Joseph made his way back downstairs he found cushions and blankets laid out in front of the fire, candles lit.
�Do sit.� Clarisse instructed as she glided into the room, elegant even in pyjamas Joseph thought wryly.
She placed two large brandy glasses down on the hearth and handed him the bottle. �Do pour.�
�So we�re resorting to drink, at this time in the morning aswell.�
�I thought it might help loosen my tongue.�
He raised an eyebrow. �You have things to say?�
�There are things I suspect you need to hear.�
She returned to the kitchen then reappeared with a tray bearing fine chocolates and strawberries, biscuits and sugared almonds.
�I see you found my goodies.�
�I thought we might aswell spoil ourselves.�
�I agree. But you missed one thing.� He jumped up and dashed into the kitchen returning with a small bowl of sugar cubes. �If we�re having Brandy, then we really need to do it right.�
He sat down across from her arranging cushions behind him and watching as she sipped the deep silky liquid.
�I thought you didn�t like �strong� alcohol.� He teased taking her glass from her and moving closer. �Now, this is spoiling yourself.�
�A-ha�� she smiled timidly.
�You take your Brandy in this hand.�
�Okay.�
�And a sugar cube in this one.�
�So I see.�
�And then slowly submerge it in the liquid and then�� He put the glass down and lifted her chin with his finger indicating for her to open her mouth. �And then you place it lightly on the tongue and enjoy.�
She closed her eyes and smile broadly. �It�s still not caviar and salmon.�
He rested his hands on her shoulders moving his face closer to hers.
�But I suppose under the circumstances it will have to do.�
He kissed her, slowly, tasting her and dragging his hand down her spine until she shivered against him.
�But it tastes so good on your lips.�
She laid a hand on his face and kissed him again. �After waiting so long for this I still can�t believe how good it feels to kiss you.�
�And all these years I wondered if the attraction was one-sided.� He commented.
�Oh never, never.� She dropped her hand to the tray and chose a chocolate for him, lovingly repeating his gesture and feeding him. �I just never quite knew how to show you, truth be told I�m still not sure.�
He swallowed, somewhat surprised. �Is this the alcohol loosening your tongue?�
�Perhaps to some extent but I had quite a thoughtful walk this evening.�
�I thought you might have. Are there things you want to tell me?�
�Partly, partly things I want to know.�
�Ask away�� He smiled resting back on the cushions.
* *
�What time is it?�
�Almost three, are you giving up?�
�Never� though my head is starting to feel heavy.� Clarisse turned onto her stomach and closed her eyes. They had been continuing their Quiz Questions that had started on the car journey earlier in the day. The candles had long since faded but the firelight still glowed. Joseph traced a hand down her smooth back, taking in each freckle and curve. Each inch that appeared to him perfect and unique.
�I�m fairly ticklish you know.� She whispered.
�I didn�t know that.�
�I hide it well. One learns how too. So tell me something I don�t know about you.�
�Something you don�t know� erm, I like to dance.�
Clarisse laughed into her pillow. �You think I hadn�t noticed that!� She exclaimed.
�Ahh but I hadn�t finished. I like to dance in my room to the Rolling Stones.�
At this she laughed heartily and lifted her head up to look at him. �Are you teasing me?�
�Only if you want me to.�
She smiled and placed a hand on his chest. �You see that�s what I mean� I�m not sure I know how to do that.�
�I don�t understand.� He lowered himself back down to the pillows and pulled her body closer to him.
�Joseph I�m not very, I mean I never have been� I was a, I hate doing this.�
�You don�t have to explain, I understand. You were a virgin when you married.�
�Yes, I mean, obviously, it was expected, demanded even � back then. And I never� I never really considered passion and lust until you.�
�And you think that bothers me? Clarisse I�m flattered, more than flattered.� He smiled broadly.
�That was hardly what I meant.� She playfully tugged on his hand. �What I meant was you are an attractive man, you know that so don�t look at me that way. You�re charming and you admitted yourself, you�ve hardly been a monk.�
�True, is this leading somewhere?� He shifted uncomfortably under her steady gaze.
�Yes, what I�m trying to say is that I�m worried that somehow along the way you�ve �� she waved a hand in mid-air embarrassed. �Had all these experiences and I well, plainly haven�t. And I don�t wish to disappoint.�
�Oh god Clarisse never,� he gripped her hands in his. �Never, never.� He kissed her fingers. �Being with you is a thousand, a million times more meaningful than anybody else.�
�I just don�t want you to think � I mean I�ve never done this. When you�re young you�re supposed to do the whole days in bed thing, I�m old.�
�Not that old, and so you missed out on it in your twenties, so do it now. Besides Clarisse this isn�t just sex.�
She sat up directly reaching for her glass. �Girls like me don�t discuss sex.�
He laughed as she drained her glass.
�Then we won�t discuss it � though I must point out you brought the subject up, so to speak.�
She swallowed her drink and threw her head back. �I do believe I�m drunk.�
�I believe you are too, or at least partly.� He reached for her hand and threaded his fingers with hers. �You are the most beautiful and sexy��
�Oh don�t.� She dropped his hand and turned her head away but he sat up and gripped her arms.
�Yes you are, the most amazing woman I have ever known and I�ve never loved anybody but you.�
�Joseph, you embarrass me.�
�Then enjoy it, I�ve wanted to say these things to you for so long now. So let me.�
�Alright.� She said gently.
Her eyes sparkled in the firelight as she dropped her head to kiss him and the clock struck four.
�Do you think perhaps we should try to sleep?� Joseph asked, a sudden wave of exhaustion rushing over him. �I�ve been up almost twenty four hours straight.�
Clarisse laughed. �And I haven�t seen this hour for many years so yes, we should. There were so many other things I wanted to say though��
�We have the rest of the week.�
�We do.�
Joseph lay down and she rested next to him, pulling his arm over her waist and folding his hand in hers.
She was silent for a few minutes before speaking up. �Quiz question.�
�Go on�� He murmured, eyes closed but a smile playing upon his lips.
�Which Rolling Stones song was also covered by Aretha Franklin?�
�Easy � Jumpin� Jack Flash.�
�I�ll never win.� She shrugged closing her eyes.
�You�ll always win.�
Parts 4 & 5