by Rhonda*
�Boys!!!!�
Joseph heard the screech of a woman�s voice and turned away from his horse towards the direction it came from.
�Boys, please, Pierre that�s no way���
Now he heard a scream and quickly raced through the trees just in time to witness a fully dressed Philippe jump into the river to join his brother.
Joseph stopped immediately and smiled, kids having fun.
�Now if your father finds out.�
Now he directed his gaze towards the woman who had been screaming. Clarisse. Queen Clarisse to be precise. She was dressed exquisitely as usual, a long smart spring fresh dress, hardly appropriate for an afternoon walk through the woods.
She hated to be disturbed but well he couldn�t simply turn around and pretend not to be there. Taking a deep breath he stepped towards her from his hiding place.
�Afternoon your majesty.� He said politely.
�Oh, hello Joseph.� She hesitated then smiled. �As you can see, the boys are having fun.�
�So I see.� He glanced down to the river as Pierre grabbed his brother�s leg and dragged him through the water.
�Now don�t hurt each other.�
Joseph stifled a laugh and moved closer to Clarisse.
�I suggest we take a walk after lunch, just the three of us and it descends into chaos.�
�Well they�re young.�
�I suppose�� her voice drifted off and she sat down on the grass.
�Oh your majesty, the ground will be damp.�
�Oh,� Frustrated she stood up again.
�I have a blanket, let me go grab it for you.�
�You don�t have to really.�
�It�s fine really� I should probably check Alice hasn�t run away anyhow.�
She raised an eyebrow.
�The new mare.�
�Oh, oh I see�� She felt a blush rising on her cheeks.
He smiled. �I�ll just be a second.�
Clarisse moved closer to the river and slipped her shoe off discreetly dipping her bare toe into the water. She quickly pulled it out again, how the children could bear to swim in water of that temperature she had no idea, she would much prefer a soak in the bath tub.
�Here you go.�
She turned around quickly. �Thank you Joseph, really I should come prepared.�
�My mother always told me that where children are involved you could never be prepared.� He said as he spread the blanket out for her.
�I second her sentiments.� She sat down placing the basket in her hands to one side of her. �But they aren�t really children anymore, not really.� She glanced up at him, raising her hand to shield her eyes from the afternoon sunlight splintering in through the trees.
�Oh, are you leaving?� She said abruptly.
�Well, I could stay, if you wanted��
�I�d like that.� She said gently.
He nodded, settled Alice then sat down next to her.
�Tell me, why aren�t they children anymore?�
�Well, at almost sixteen and fourteen they�re growing up too quickly. They don�t want to spend time with mama anymore.� She smiled.
�That phase will pass believe me, as soon as the teenage years have passed, and the hormones have settled.�
She looked sideways at him almost laughing.
�It�s true believe me, I still miss my mother, every day.�
She touched his hand, fleetingly, he felt his heart jump.
�Well, I thought it would be nice for us to take a walk after that heavy lunch. Only, well Rupert is busy.�
Joseph said nothing just stared at the boys racing in the river.
�I wonder��
Now he directed his attention towards her, she was staring blind, unseeing, at her folded hands.
�Sometimes I wonder.� She shook her head and regained her composure. �Anyway, you have no plans today?�
�Not really, other than riding, there�s a bit of a thing later for the staff.� He shrugged. �I might go.�
She nudged his shoulder with hers. �Melanie will be there.� There was a slight teasing element to her voice.
�Hmm, don�t. I get enough of that from the guys.�
�The guys?�
�Security guys, I can�t help being irresistible.� He held his hands up innocently.
�Of course.� She grinned.
�How did you hear about it anyway?�
�It wasn�t difficult to miss her flirtation at the Christmas Ball.�
�Ahh.� He nodded his head. �Did you mind?� He whispered and she didn�t answer merely waved at the boys splashing in the river.
�So, would like an egg?�
�A, uhm, what?�
She smiled warmly, her beautiful eyes never leaving his, sparkling with joy. �An egg?� She lifted up the basket. �Treats, chocolate treats.�
�Well, thank you very much.� He dipped his hand into the basket and selected a small gold wrapped egg.
She chose one for herself then replaced the basket on the floor. She leaned closer to him for a split second and knocked her egg against his.
�Happy Easter Joseph.�
�Happy Easter Cla� your majesty.� He corrected himself and watched her closely as she sat back and bit into the chocolate, he could watch her forever.
�So nice to have an afternoon of peace.� She sighed closing her eyes and lifting her face to the sun. �No expectations, no duties. Sometimes I wish it could be�� She looked at him. �Don�t you?�
He shook his head swallowing the chocolate. �The expectations upon me are slightly less.�
�You know what I mean.�
�Yes I know what you mean. But don�t.�
She dropped the foil wrapper from her egg into the basket and glanced at her watch.
�It�s getting late?� He inquired.
�A little, I suppose we should go back, they need to change before church. Will you be there?�
�No, I don�t think so, I�ll visit the chapel this evening.�
�Oh�� She stretched her legs out. �Pierre, come now it�s time to go back.�
Joseph stood ready to assist the boys if they needed a hand but they were far more agile than him and easily climbed the bank and scampered across the grass chasing each other.
�Don�t run too fast�� Clarisse called after them.
He glanced down at her.
�They go so fast, I can�t keep up.�
He held a hand down to her and she gratefully took it and stood up; he loved the feel of her hand in his, how silky her skin was, how elegant. He loathed to let go and clung on for a second too long.
She stood so close to him, the boys were practically out of sight.
�What time do you plan to visit the chapel?�
�I�m not sure� late.�
�Rupert leaves for France at 8p.m.�
�I know.�
�So, cocoa?�
�As usual, 10:30, your suite.�
�Yes.� She smiled slightly, leaning forward but he stepped back enough to resist the urge to kiss her.
�Yes.� He said simply.
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