Thirty Seven Part Four

Violet's one simple idea ended up mushrooming into many, after all began sharing their own thoughts with one another.

Violet rode into town to consult with Damien and Amelia, who then added their two pence, and slowly but surely, Violet's idea snowballed into many more good ideas, once everyone had collectively, and enthusiastically, given their own advice.

Amelia shredded the invitations she had written, invites that had been written out to a stuffy, formal, private dinner.

After some discussion between the three of them, she made new, lively invitations to a weekend affair, all of them written out in the form of treasure maps, leading to Shelly Hall.

This idea also widened the guest list, every Duke, Earl, and Marquess, would receive a personal invitation to bring his family to a 'swashbuckling' weekend of entertainments.

Damien decided to put up notices at the gentlemen's clubs that made it clear 'twas a family event.

Violet thought, mayhap, seeing their own well cared for children, next to the recently homeless, may help to soften the men's hearts, and open their purses.

They thought to have contests of skills, assorted races for all ages, and booths set up with games of chance.

There would be much to do to prepare for such a festival, and Violet knew he would need quite a bit of help. He decided to check in with the crew upon leaving his uncle's residence, then he planned to stop by and inform the King of their improved upon plans.

Once he arrived at the Wench, Violet knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had the good Lord on his side. He just happened to find Brutus being informed that the Wench had lost her claim for dry dock, she would not be able to be accommodated for the following fortnight, at the least.

A ship had come limping into harbor overnight. She had taken the hard impact of a reef, damaging her hull, and was in dire need of repair. If they had not docked her immediately, she would have been sitting at the bottom of the Thames, come this morn.

Brutus took the news well, but really, how could he not, when he had received so many of his own blessings of late? He was merely experiencing a minor setback.

Violet stood to the side, patiently waiting, until the man speaking to Brutus took his leave. Vi stood tall, rocking back upon his heels, wearing a most satisfied smile.

Brutus frowned slightly at his friend. "Why are ye lookin' so smug, Captain?" Brutus eyed Violet suspiciously.

Violet grinned wider, "Welcome to the world of being a ship's captain, my friend. You are experiencing your first frustration it seems."

"Aye," Brutus nodded, smiling slightly at the thought of his new position, "I have been anxious to get started, but unless I receive a miracle, it seems I must cool my heels." Brutus also realized, quite happily, that this would allow him to pursue his shy maid, Margaret, with a bit more leisure.

Violet laughed lightheartedly, feeling he had just received the miracle Brutus spoke of, "I have need of some help, Brutus, and I believe I just found it." Violet clapped Brutus on the shoulder, "Gather the men, I haves some plans I needs ta share with ye."

Brutus raised a brow, chuckling, "Aye, aye, Captain." Brutus shook his head slightly in amusement, as he went below to hail the men topside.

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Betsy went about the manse, familiarizing herself more fully, with the layout, and the housing opportunities provided to them, within the home.

Violet had asked her to make a list, encompassing all the things she imagined they would need, and all the changes she would like to make, had they twenty children to care for.

Sleeping, eating, bathing, and learning, were the basic concerns she felt she would first need to accommodate.

Betsy stood in the dining room and wrinkled her nose distastefully at the table and chairs residing there.

They were gaudy and ostentatious, scrolled and carved, bowed legs, gold leaf and inlays, 'twas a bit much for small children. The chairs were deep and cushioned with velvet, they were completely unnecessary for her and Violet.

They would simply have to go.

The best thing to do, Betsy thought, would be to empty the room of the big, bulky, finely wrought furniture. To replace it all, table and chairs, buffets, and china cabinets. It should all be replaced by galley style seating, as they had used aboard the ship.

The galley tables aboard the Wench had worked perfectly fine for the children, and had also accommodated their lessons.

She now had the beginning to her list. Three to four galley tables, along with accompanying benches.

That would take care of dining and lessons. Sleeping and bathing needs were addressed next.

Betsy made her way up to the old nursery upon the third floor. Upon gaining the landing, she knew the boys' room was to the left, she turned to the right, following a wide hallway and coming quickly to a set of double doors.

Opening them, she found the room dark, tiny slices of sunlight shining through where the heavy drapes had not been closed completely.

Letting her eyes adjust for a moment, saving her shins any unnecessary damage, she then carefully weaved her way around shadowy objects, making her way to the draperies and pulling them wide.

Moving to the next window she did the same. All along the wall she went, until the room was lit almost as brightly as the outdoors.

Her eyes adjusting once more, Betsy turned, to gasp aloud with pleasure.

Alfred's old nursery had not been touched in many years. All of his childhood belongings remained. Except for cleaning, which had been done recently by an expectant staff, all of the many things Gwendolyn had provided for Alfred as a small boy, still remained.

Betsy could see the thick rugs had been beaten and brushed, toys were artfully arranged about the room to catch a child's interest. A rocking horse and building blocks sat upon the floor. A small table and chairs took up a corner of the large room. Wooden, carved animals and other fanciful objects sat upon shelves lining the wall opposite the windows.

A reading seat occupied the wall under the widow casings.

Betsy walked to the other side of the room and lifted a carved ship from it's shelf. She smiled wistfully, as she placed it back carefully, between a box of toy soldiers and a friendly looking, stuffed bear.

Turning about the room, Betsy thought that three beds in this room, in addition to the crib and bassinet that sat in another corner, should suffice for now.

A couple of bunks could be fit in with the boys in their own room, as their beds hung out of the way in the corners. That would still leave one wall free in there for the weapons, mounted over a few dressers to house their clothing.

All Betsy should now need, was a room for girls.

Betsy pulled the bell to summon Sadie or Nora. They had both been very helpful and informative so far. Betsy hoped they could help lead her in the right direction.

Sadie answered her summons, "I was just about to come and find you, Mistress Petals, I have something to show ye." Sadie's visage was pleasurably expectant, she and Nora had spent the better part of the morning anticipating their Mistress's needs.

They had overheard the conversation between Betsy, and Violet, at breakfast, and had moved ahead of their own accord.

"Please, Sadie, I beg of you, do not Mistress Petals me, I was a maid exactly as you are before I wed, and I would have you use my given name if it is only me and you. Please, I implore you." Betsy begged Sadie for her own comfort.

"Fine, Miss Elizabeth," Sadie held up a hand as Betsy began to speak, "I shall only accede to what the others call ye, and ye shall get no more from me." Sadie knew the boys called the Mistress, Miss Elizabeth, and Master Violet called her by Elizabeth and the Duke had also.

"Well, at least that is somewhat better, I guess." Betsy gave in, and remembered why she summoned the maid in the first place.

"I need a room for girls. This will work for toddlers, yet we need a room for young ladies also." Betsy followed Sadie, as she crossed the room to an adjoining door.

"That is why I was downstairs looking for you, Miss Elizabeth, I must have missed you when you came up." Sadie opened the door to reveal pink, papered walls, surrounding a huge pink and white striped bed. A feminine sitting area and a private bathing suite adjoined the large room.

"This was the governesses room when Alfred was small. I never met her myself, but I have heard she was a very large woman." Sadie's eyes crinkled with pleasure, as she saw that Betsy was pleased.

Once the huge bed was removed, they could sleep a good many young girls in here. The girls could using the bathing room for themselves, and also it could be used for the babes.

Betsy knew how most young girls loved to coddle babies, to play 'little mothers', having their room next to the nursery would be ideal for some little ladies of certain ages and interests.

Betsy knew there were additional bedrooms in the manse, also, she just needed to investigate more.

"Until some smaller beds are found, or fashioned, we could sleep six small ones together there." Betsy giggled at the monstrous bed, whose headboard took up half the long wall.

"Ten, if they be small enough." Sadie laughed along with her mistress, it indeed, was a large bed. "If ye would like, I shall take you around quickly, and we can take notes of what ye would like to do with what."

Betsy smiled widely, glad to have Sadie's help, and her bright personality to guide her.

"Lead the way, Miss Sadie." Betsy checked another item or two off of her list, adding in what they should need, as she went along behind the efficient maid.

Finding a smaller, more suitable room for a governess on the other side of the nursery, Betsy knew the wee babes could be well cared for.

They continued their trek through the manse, Betsy jotting down notes at every pass.

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The thing that tickled Violet's funny bone, as he watched the bee hive from his veranda, was that his idea had been so small. A simple recruiting of Brutus for a sword fight after the fundraising dinner for entertainment, had led to a discussion of a costume party where all could dress as pirates. That had led to a discussion of a treasure hunt and it had simply taken off from there. Being the manse was not so very far out of town, it had been deemed wise to let people see the orphanage for themselves. A simple trek up the back hill and one could see the foundations being laid for the expansion.

All of the crew had realized that God cleared their path to help Violet. For days now, wagons filled with hewn lumber, and other supplies, made their way out to Shelly hall.

The manor was a hive of activity, men sawed and hammered throughout the next sennight, construction that began after breaking their fast, that did not cease until it was too dark to work any longer.

Michaels had men building bunk beds to line the walls, tables had already been built and installed in the dining area, and they had already been broken in by the crew soundly.

Violet had made two more forays into town. Taking along Davey, they rode atop a wagon while garnering more supplies, and they just happened to visit the poor side of town, both trips in, before their return. Violet and Davey had procured what supplies were needed, also managing to bring seven children home with them.

Orphaned and hungry, the children had awaited Violet's return. When he had continued to show up with food, blankets, and kind words, they slowly began to trust him.

These children were not abused, they had simply been neglected. Neglected by a society that turned a blind eye to those in need. If one did not seek them out the children faded into the background, they did not draw attention to themselves, as they did not want to be recruited to work in the factories.

The cabin boys now had two more roommates of their same ages, and the girl's room now housed four, shy, adorable imps that ranged from five years to eight.

Another boy, aged thirteen years, had been caring for the other children to the very best of his abilities, while they all lived in the alleyways behind the shops and markets. He was the last one to give in and admit he might could have a better life with Violet. Yet, Davey had finally convinced him, and Robby had been their last hold out in that part of town.

Robby had already been recruited by Michaels as an apprentice. He had shown an interest, Michaels had tutored him quickly, and then given him the task of helping to nail the bedsteads together. The other boys worked alongside him, sanding the rough wood to a smooth finish.

Michaels' services were required all the day long. He had several different projects going on at the same time, three different crews were working from his sketches.

The beds were being turned out fairly quickly, a simple design requiring cutting, assembling, and smoothing.

Simple, rough hewn booths were constructed. Violet had asked for a design that would fold flat, so they could be stored away easily, to be reused in the future.

If the idea of a fair bore fruit, and was well received, Violet did not see why it could not bear repetition.

Several fundraisers throughout the year would be worth the effort, especially if they already had all they needed on hand.

Michaels had an additional, special project. It lay on the lawn, situated between the manse and the lake. Violet had asked if it could be done, and Michaels had rubbed his hands together in pleasure.

"Indeed, we could." Michaels had agreed. "Just leave it to me, I already have ideas, and I would take great pleasure in the building."

He and Violet had shaken hands, exchanging excited smiles, they could already imagine the children's pleasure once the project was complete.

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thank you all for your lovely comments and for pushing me to continue, this has been altogether too much fun!