Thirty Nine

Betsy and Arianna looked upon the massive blade that hung on the back of Violet and Betsy's bedchamber door.

Arianna's eyes were wide with disbelief as she looked to Betsy. "He could not," Arianna whispered, "why, the thing is as tall as I."

"He does." Betsy replied softly, smitten with pride.

"My goodness." Arianna breathed.

'You do not have to tell me." Betsy whispered, her voice carrying assurances that she at one point had doubted it also.

The girls were whispering quietly, attempting to keep their discussion low, and private.

"Do not have to tell you what, Kitten?" Violet's head came around the door, as he had caught that last part.

"Nothing, my love." Betsy moved to take Violet's arm as he entered and passed Arianna. Betsy rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek, as Violet leaned down to receive her affection.

"Just girl talk, that is all." Betsy assured him, as Drake came into the room to stand next to Arianna.

Arianna took Drake's arm, while sending Betsy a conspiratorial smile.

"Aye, just girl talk." Arianna nodded, as she felt Drake's bicep.

Drake looked down upon her questioningly, as Arianna smiled up at him confidently.

If Violet could wield that giant sword, then surely, Drake could also. Arianna thought this, as she appreciated her husband's fine muscles.

Drake continued to look down at Arianna, more than a bit amused, while she kneaded his arm as a cat would were it working its claws at a piece of wool. It did not get past him that his little wife was apprising herself of his strength. Drake began chuckling, as he admired the two fisted sword. 'Twas the ancient Claymore that had her curious, Drake correctly assumed.

" 'Tis a fine piece, Cousin, I can surely see why you would gift it to the King." Drake nodded, and reached out to touch the centuries old steel.

"But we got it back." Betsy stated with pride, her eyes shining up at Violet, while an impish countenance resided upon her visage. "Violet won myself, and the blade, in that contest."

Violet chuckled down at his life's reward, "Indeed I did, though I believe he gave you up willingly."

Betsy laughed, a bit of outrage upon her face, as she swatted at Violet's shoulder, "Of course, he did! He knows how I feel about thee."

Violet placed a kiss upon Betsy's brow, "Aye, kitten, I feels the same for ye."

Betsy smiled brightly at her lady.

Arianna returned Betsy's warm look, happy that her maid had found love, even if 'twas with Violet Petals.

"I believe you owe me a fencing lesson." Arianna looked up at her own husband.

"God forbid!" Drake joked with her, "One day you may decide I am no longer worthy of you, and I will not give you the weapons with which to do away with me." Drake feigned seriousness.

"Silly man," Arianna scoffed, "I have other ways of dealing with you." She smiled coquettishly up at him.

Violet decided to help the lady, "I shall teach you, if you would like, my lady." Violet offered.

"Even better." Arianna smiled gorgeously at the pirate, knowing her husband would now be willing to teach her himself.

Drake glared at a grinning Violet, "Damned pirate." Drake then glared down upon his wife. "Saucy, impertinent wench." He finished.

Violet grinned at Arianna, as she puffed up with indignation.

"And you had best not forget that." Arianna informed Drake.

The men chuckled, while Violet led Betsy, then held the door wide, gesturing for the other couple to proceed them from the room.

Arianna lifted her nose, then led her husband, Violet and Betsy exchanging an amused look while following them out.

The men held their practice blades at their sides as the couples made their way down the staircase.

Gaining the foyer, they could all hear the raised voices of children coming from the dining room.

"Hold up a moment." Violet told Drake and Arianna, before he sauntered into the dining room brandishing his sword.

"What have we here?" Violet addressed the children.

One and all hushed and turned bright eyes his direction.

"Vittles? And no one told me." Violet whined.

Merry and Sadie watched over the children. Merry moved about the room, pouring milk, as Sadie delivered baskets to each table.

The kitchen staff had prepared a cold supper, biscuits with slices of ham and cheese were piled one atop another inside the woven vessels.

Having already sudsed their hands clean, the children reached in the baskets to avail themselves of their meal.

Violet approached Davey and Elias, noticing that Davey, alone, had taken two biscuits from the basket centered on the table.

Violet began smacking his lips. "Mmm hmm, that smells mighty tasty." He reached out and plucked the extra biscuit from Davey's plate, taking a big bite, making sure to mind his manners and chew with his mouth closed. "Mmm hmmm."

Violet rolled his eyes with pleasure and kept walking, leaving Davey sputtering behind him.

Sadie giggled behind a hand as she made her way to the kitchen for another basket. The children were being given their supper now. Since the adult guests now numbered so many, the adults would then be given their repast once the children had retired upstairs for the evening.

Violet noticed that his boys had dispersed themselves evenly amongst the tables with his newly acquired orphans. He could not be more proud of the youths were they his own sons. He sent each of them a look; showing his pride in their thoughtfulness.

Violet roamed the aisles between the galley tables, finishing his biscuit, and eyeing the children's plates as he passed. He would reach a hand out to a child's plate, only to have one after the other, cover their dish with their hands, while laughing at his over exaggerated attempts, and his feigned disappointments.

Violet grumbled to himself as he passed through the room, every eye was upon him, keeping track of his progress as he continued eyeing their dinners.

"What good is a pirate if he can not even steal a few morsels to sustain him?" Violet grumbled. "Ah.... A trade, mayhap, a trade would gain what I seek."

Violet came to the doorway, where he winked at Betsy, before turning to address the room.

"Who will trade me their supper for.... Hmmm, what do I have to trade?" He looked around his person and acted as if he just realized he carried the sword. "Nay, I can not trades me sword." He shook his head dejectedly, as the children chewed and watched him, their eyes lit with pleasure at his self debate.

He checked his pockets with his free hand, finding nothing in them.

Sadie returned with more baskets of food, gaining Violet's attention.

The children's gazes swung to Sadie, then back to Violet, as he smacked his lips again and weaved his way to Sadie.

Violet began following Sadie about the room, looking over her shoulder, growing concerned as she handed out more biscuits to the babes. At one point, Violet looked over her shoulder into the baskets, he made to reach a hand over, just as she turned, and the children drew breath to warn her.

Violet immediately turned away and acted uninterested in her and her efforts. The children began laughing, as he whistled and exaggerated his disinterest.

Sadie chuckled, and Merry watched with twinkling eyes, as Violet entertained the children.

After giving each child additional sustenance, Sadie turned and handed Violet the basket, three biscuits left resting in the bottom.

"Thank ye kindly, Miss Sadie." Violet took the basket and swept a bow, careful not to spill the contents.

He looked upon the children pointedly, as they all spoke up with their thanks to Miss Sadie, also.

Violet straightened and eyed Davey, the boy coming to attention, swallowing what had been in his mouth.

"Did ye say grace, Harp?" Violet asked the youth.

"Miss Sadie said it for us before we began." Davey assured him, nodding in the affirmative.

Violet eyed the maid appreciatively, "Again, thank you, Miss Sadie."

Sadie blushed and dipped a shallow curtsy, before heading back to kitchens, ruffling a few heads along the way.

"Eat up, me hearties, we shall awaits ye upon the deck." Violet raised his sword, then spun and quit the room, holding the basket out to his wife and his cousins.

Drake, Arianna, and Betsy, each availed themselves of the snack. Betsy thanked Violet, then she called into the room to thank Sadie also.

Drake and Arianna followed suit.

Arianna had found herself enchanted by Violet's act he put on for the children's entertainment. She smiled at him brightly, as she thanked him for her share.

They ate their portions as Violet made a request of the butler to bring chairs and blankets out to the lawn.

It was a good thing Violet had acquired them some food, as neither of the couples would end up getting their own supper this eve.

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