Chapter Forty One Part Three

The bonfire on the sands crackled and snapped, sending multicoloured sparks floating up towards the heavens. The sparks reflected on the still waters of the lake, creating a colourful light show that mesmerised the exhausted, yet, satisfied group that lazed on the lakeshore. Blankets were spread on the sand for the younger folk to sit upon, while chairs had been brought down for the elder couple, Gabriel and the Lady Eleanor.

The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough had decided to join the blanket dwellers, as did the Marquess and Marchioness of Moonhurst. Both couples sharing a blanket with their children, Drake and Arianna.

"Well, Violet," the Duchess ruminated, "I would say that went very well, indeed."

Amelia agreed in a slightly hoarse voice, "I do believe we have accomplished what we set out to do."

Both ladies nodded at one another, receiving affectionate looks from their husbands for the parts they played in assuring the day's success. Damien brushed a strand of hair from Amelia's forehead, "You should try not to speak too much, my love, while you gained the prize for the sow calling contest, I am afraid you lost part of your voice at the activity."

Amelia dipped her head, a bit embarrassed, as she had completely forgotten herself in the excitement to win the contest, she had given it her all.

"I wanted the pearl handled pistol, you see, and now, 'tis mine!" Amelia squeaked, looking down at the pistol in her lap, her hard won prize. She had not even known she wanted one until Elizabeth won the shooting contest. But after watching Betsy shoot, Amelia had warmed to the idea of having one of her own.

"You were the best," Violet ceded, "and your treasure maps were superb, my lady." Violet gave Amelia credit for her diligent work and ink stained fingers.

"Thank you, Violet. I could not have done it so well without Miss Merry's help." Amelia smiled as Damien rubbed her shoulder. She recalled her time spent with the artistic young woman, Miss Merry. Miss Merry had asked right away if Amelia would ever consider allowing Merry to paint a portrait of her. Miss Merry had called her beauty ethereal. Amelia had taken to the friendly, young woman immediately.

Betsy agreed, "Miss Merry is indeed a treasure, one we shall be very blessed to have among us."

Violet lay back, reposing on an elbow, his ankles crossed out in front of him, as he partially lay in Betsy's lap where she sat behind him. Davey had followed Vi's lead and reclined on the blanket beside him.

"Speaking of treasures, my lady," Violet looked behind, and a bit to the side, to address Lady Eleanor, "I hope you had a safe trip home from Marlborough with no untoward happenings?"

Eleanor laughed while placing Gabriel's hand back upon his own chair's armrest. He had been trying to take her hand within his all evening. Lady Eleanor had arrived and spent a lovely day with the children, young and not so young alike. She was blessed to have arrived in time to see Violet and Betsy's celebration, a sweeter moment she could not imagine, and now, to know a babe was on the way, what joy! Eleanor could only imagine how widely Bernard must be smiling down from heaven at present, right along with Elizabeth's mother and father. Bernard would have loved everything about this place. He would have heartily approved of everything they were doing here. Eleanor smiled wistfully as she thought upon how pleased Alexander must be with his friend, the King. Even Eleanor had been surprised at the extent her cousin had gone to for his subjects, masquerading as a pirate, just so he could spend the day with them all, as one of them. Mother. Eleanor chortled, thinking upon the King's inking. She found herself hoping the ink would stain his skin and her cousin would be stuck with it for a while.

Eleanor had found out over the course of the day, that Paulie seemed to be more than happy with his present situation. She could not even think to ask him to leave and come home with her. He seemed more than content to stay with Rebecca and be Jonah's 'paw paw'. And after speaking to Rebecca, it seemed this was what Rebecca wanted also. It seemed Rebecca had grown quite fond of the old man, missing her own father and brother a wee bit less, as Rebecca's home was now overflowing with love and laughter.

It did turn out , however, that Eleanor would not be going home tomorrow alone. The orphaned girls that Violet brought to the estate a week ago would be going home with her, and all were pleased by the prospect. The girls had taken to Eleanor right away, and she to them. Eleanor did not mind so much about Paulie's defection, as long as Paulie and Jonah were happy, that was all that really mattered. As it was, Eleanor had caught the eye of a certain distinguished gentleman. One that shivered with pleasure whenever she lay her hand upon his arm.

She darted a glance to her side, and sure enough, the elderly Duke's sharp, honey coloured eyes were focused upon her. Smirking coquettishly at Betsy's great grandfather, Eleanor averted her gaze and returned to playing hard to get. "My trip was long, boring, and uneventful, thank you for asking, Violet." Eleanor smacked Gabriel's hand again, lightly, as it encroached upon her space once more.

"What was your favorite part of the day?" Violet asked of Brutus, who lay back also, one blanket over.

Brutus had spent a fine day, if one did not count complete and utter frustration as anything to bring one down. Margaret had eluded him all the day long, either by spending her time in the nursery, or quickly heading the other direction if he attempted an approach.

Brutus had finally been able to vent most of his pent up fury with the swords. He had beaten every opponent who stood against him, one right after the other. He had been announced the champion, receiving a bottle of fine brandy as his prize. Now... As tempting as that bottle was, Brutus was determined to not open it as long as any trace of his foul mood lingered.

Answering Violet, a small, satisfied smile came over Brutus's face as he looked to Davey, while placing a hand upon Elias's knee beside him. "Mine would have to be watching the boys run about all day, seeing them enjoy themselves, and not hiding belowdecks. To see you boys helping today, with so many strangers, in so many ways..." Brutus shook his head slightly, moisture rising in his eyes, "'Twas a sight I have often prayed for."

Violet nodded, agreeing with Brutus wholeheartedly. Violet rubbed Davey's crown, leaving his hand there, he sifted the boy's hair between his fingertips, as Davey smiled contentedly at the affection in Violet's touch. "What was your favorite part, Davey?" Violet asked the boy, moving his hand to Davey's shoulder and squeezing it lightly.

"Well..." Davey's grin shone in the darkness, "I have to say 'twas when I won the slinging contest."

All nodded and agreed that would have to be his favorite part. He had even beaten grown men to then win the prize.

Davey was still a bit puffed up over his victory. Especially, as the prizes had been awarded considering the winner in mind. Violet had approached the prize table, Davey's eyes never leaving Violet's hand, as Violet had passed his hand over liquor, weapons, and other fine goodies. Violet's hand had almost settled upon a small, fragile lamp, one any lady would covet for her parlour, as the boy held his breath and prayed Violet would not jestingly choose that for him. Violet had turned to Davey and grinned, raising his eyebrows, he had then reached behind the lamp, bringing forth a small pellet rifle. Davey had smiled so wide you could count just how many teeth the fairy had taken from him so far. All had known immediately he had been more than happy with his reward when he began shrieking his jubilation and pumping his prize in the air.

Violet's head lolled to his other side and his eyes slanted upward to see Betsy's adoring face looking down upon him.

Betsy softly stroked back strands of long, satiny hair from Violet's forehead that had fallen across his eye.

"Did you have a favorite part to your day, Kitten?"

"As if ye did not know." Betsy lovingly smirked down at him. All laughed, having been given the blessed news once the townsfolk were ferried back home. "Truly, I have too many, Violet. It was a wonderful, magical, tiring day, and we get to do it all over again tomorrow." She said with mock enthusiasm.

"Pick one, Kitten, just one, to have been your favorite part." Violet wheedled, as he chuckled at her dramatics.

Betsy scrunched her nose slightly, thinking back over the day. He already knew her very favorite part. So... She finally settled with, "When the King 'saved' Lord Ashton's cousin, the Lady Christine, from the other pirates." She nodded once to emphasize her decision, "Lord Ashton was a very good pirate, by the by." Betsy looked around, as all either nodded or chuckled in agreement.

"'Twas mine also." Arianna agreed. It had been fun to covertly watch the Monarch. "He was so amusing with his costume, after a while I believe he took it to heart, becoming very convincing." Arianna laughed, remembering their Monarch's actions over the day.

Violet grinned, he also had noted the interested glances the Monarch had been sending the Lady Christine all the afternoon long. The King had even gone so far as to entertain Ashton's six children, just so he could be near to the woman.

"What was your favorite part, Grandfather?" Betsy looked to Gabriel and caught the elderly man reaching for Eleanor's hand, which Eleanor deftly removed from his reach.

Betsy giggled, as Gabriel, being caught, snatched his hand back to rest on his own chair's arm and cleared his throat.

Gabriel thought a moment, "Other than finding out I shall be a great, great grandfather, it would have to be..." He looked to Betsy and spoke with candor, "When Lady Eleanor arrived."

Lady Eleanor whipped her head to the side and reproached him with a tsk. "Ye daft old man, do you not know better than to just go about, speaking your mind aloud?"

Gabriel chuckled at her outrage.

As did all the others.

"When you get to be my age, woman, you do not dilly dally about! Why, I could be dead tomorrow!" Gabriel found humor in his own statement, chortling, as did everyone else. Even Lady Eleanor scoffed at him, and then he saw her chest shaking with restrained laughter.

"Ye might not want ta dilly dally about, yer own fine self." Gabriel said to her out the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, hush!" Ellie reproached him. "Senile old man." She grumbled to herself, as he continued chortling beside her.

"And your favorite part, your grace?" Violet looked behind him, over his shoulder to the Duchess. Vi smiled, seeing the possessive way the Duke kept the small woman tucked up beside him.

"I must say 'twas when my own son beat you at the swords." The Duchess raised her nose and feigned superiority gained with her own son's victory.

"Will cheated." Violet stated.

"He would never!" The Duchess stated in mock affront.

"Yes, he would." Arianna laughed.

All began laughing at that.

"And just how did Will cheat?" The Duchess asked, her brow raised, using her mocking, offended voice.

"He questioned the paternity of my child, and took advantage of my bewilderment. He lied, Madam, right before he disarmed me, and then as soon as he had, he told me he was only jesting with me." Violet used a pathetic, sad voice, gaining a kiss upon his brow from Betsy.

"He beat you, Violet, fair and square, just admit it." Drake harassed his cousin.

"He cheated, and you are only saying that because he beat you also." Violet harassed the Earl right back.

Arianna and Betsy giggled, both thinking that Will had been quite good.

The only one to beat Will, had been Brutus in the final match. 'Twas after that Will took himself off home, mentioning something about business needing tended to.

"Well, I do not know about all of you," Violet looked around him at the others, "but Elizabeth is right, we have it all to do over again on the morrow. I, for one, am ready to retire."

Betsy agreed, leaning back and allowing Violet to rise, then taking his hand when he held it out to her.

"Can we stay a bit longer?" Davey asked hopefully.

"Aye, but not too long, lad, we have a long day ahead tomorrow." Violet spoke to Davey and Elias as he helped Betsy up.

"Aye, aye, Cap'n." Both boys replied.

"A good night to all." Violet's look encompassed the entire group. "My thanks, for everything."

All murmured their your welcomes and good eve's, as Violet walked Betsy to her grandfather.

Gabriel took Betsy's hand in his palsied one, gripping it tightly, he pulled her down to kiss her brow.

Betsy smiled sweetly, looking into the old man's eyes, she kissed his cheek and suggested he behave himself.

"Och, I am too old for such things." He scoffed.

"One of these days, that excuse shall get ye into trouble." Betsy warned, her face mockingly serious.

"I surely hope so." Gabriel caused more chuckling, as Betsy stood, laughing at him.

"Well, grandfather, I do hope to see you upon the morrow, that is, if you make it through the night." Betsy teased.

"You think you are funny, ye saucy wench?" Gabriel pretended affront.

"I know I am." Betsy laughed, dragging Violet the first few feet, until they were far enough away to not be overheard.

Violet and Betsy headed for the manse, speaking softly, smiling widely at one another, she swinging their hands joyfully between them.

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