Forty Three

Violet and Marcus discussed livestock and crops, while Katherine and Betsy put the finishing touches on their costumes for the masquerade that evening.

The hour long carriage ride into town passed quickly, amid tasks and good conversation.

"I believe we did it." Katherine folded the last item, tucking it down in the bag by her feet as they rolled into town.

"I could not have done so well without you." Betsy assured her as she looked up from her beadwork.

"You were doing just fine, dear, I only helped in making it easier." Katherine demurred.

"I am just glad you came back when you did." Betsy admitted.

"We are too," Katherine looked at Marcus, they exchanged a warm smile, as both were pleased to be back with the children. "we did not want to miss the ball." Katherine admitted.

"It is most exciting, is it not?" Betsy looked up from her beadwork, excitement shining in her eyes.

Violet looked down upon Betsy beside him, feeling her pent up excitement, understanding this was to be her first ball, thus making it extra special. Gracing her with an indulgent smile, Violet stilled her hand and took it in his own.

"I have to finish my beads, Violet, we are almost there." Betsy admonished him, a slight frown upon her brow, as she wanted to be done. Her fingers were sore from pushing a needle, she praised God that at least Marcus had brought Katherine back to help her.

Violet lifted Betsy's hand, kissing her fingertips, he then took the item from her hand. "Allow me, Madame, I believe I have watched you long enough to know what to do."

Betsy looked at him curiously as he bent to the task, plucking beads from her lap one by one before stringing them as he had seen her do. Betsy's eyes met Katherine's, and Marcus's, all of them amused watching the pirate captain stringing beads. Violet's frown of concentration amused them to no end.

Betsy began handing Violet the beads as he needed them, the task was finished quickly, and put away gratefully soon after.

Lynwood delivered them directly to Eleanor's townhouse, where they would dine before then readying themselves for the ball.

They gathered up their things, as Lynwood set the step and opened the carriage door, Marcus alighting first, then handing his Katy down. He then took their bags in hand and waited as Violet did the same with Betsy.

Lynwood rapped upon the portal of the townhouse and Brady was there in an instant to allow them entrance.

"Miss Elizabeth." Brady acknowledged his young mistress, then welcoming them all, he stood aside and gestured that they should enter at will.

Violet entered with a large gunny sack, holding the cord that drew the bag closed, he looked for a place to set it.

"I shall take that to your rooms if you would like, Sir." Brady offered.

"Thank you, we will not be needing these until later." Violet gave the bag over as Betsy peeked into the parlour, finding it empty. "I will go see what Lady Eleanor is up to."

Brady stowed Violet's bag under the staircase for a few moments, while he settled the guests, and then rang for tea.

Betsy bounded up the staircase, hoping Eleanor would be in her rooms, or mayhap in the sitting room at the top of the stairs.

"Dagnappit, woman! I will not be coerced into wearing a damn sheet!"

Betsy heard her great grandfather's exclamations before she was half way up the staircase. Giggling to herself, she swept through the doorway, wondering what she would find him up to this time.

Gabriel stood in the middle of the room, a sheet draped over his shirt and pants, while Eleanor fussed and fidgeted with his costume.

"Only a few more adjustments and we shall be finished." Eleanor spoke to the elderly duke as though he be a child. Her tone implying his patience would be rewarded, if he would only comply.

"I told you I do not participate in such things." Gabriel pouted.

Betsy saw her grandfather frowning down upon Eleanor's head, then he bent over a bit further and Betsy caught him looking down Eleanor's gown. His face changed to interest, as Eleanor's bodice gapped, revealing skin and curves he could appreciate. Mayhap, he thought, this was not so bad after all.

"Hello grandfather," Betsy laughed at the old man, reassured he lived yet another day to harass Eleanor. "I was hoping you would change your mind." Betsy tittered slightly at his renewed frown.

"I did not change my mind, I still refuse to be trussed up as a character, and then to be forced to parade around as such all eve!" Gabrielle's mutiny was voiced and exclaimed upon, Eleanor tsking and sweeping the sheet from his body.

"If you plan on escorting me, old man, you had best behave yourself!" Eleanor passed Betsy and leaned down for a kiss upon her cheek.

Betsy obliged, as Gabriel huffed and straightened his attire, "Where is mine?" He asked petulantly.

Betsy laughed while approaching to kiss him too, whereupon he grabbed her and embraced her for a moment.

"How are you, my dearest?" Gabriel leaned back to cup Betsy's cheek and look into her eyes.

"I am perfect, grandfather, did you not know?" Betsy laughed, as he did too. Patting her cheek fondly, he then found Eleanor with his piercing gaze.

"I too, would be perfect, if that she devil did not make me stand as a pincushion every hour on the hour." He complained.

Betsy took a page from Eleanor and tsked at him also. "Do not be a wet blanket, grandfather, I am sure you shall survive just fine."

Eleanor spoke up from where she was placing his sheet on a side chair, " Not to hear him tell it. My dear, 'tis torture, through and through."

Gabriel snorted,"Tis' torture indeed."

Ellie came and stood in front of him, crossing her arms unyieldingly, she raised a brow and humored him, "Oh you poor dear," She began sarcastically, "Shall ye be hot?"

Gabriel sulked a mite, "Nay."

Eleanor continued, "Shall you be uncomfortable?"

"Hell, yes, woman, what man wearing a sheet would not be?!" Gabrielle's visage turned ornery, "Unless I can convince you to stay home in the sheets, that is." Gabrielle chuckled as Eleanor feigned affront.

"Dirty, old man." Eleanor shook her head, as Betsy tsked at his candor.

"I bathed only this morning." Gabriel rejoined confidently.

"Thick skulled, obnoxious, old man." Eleanor continued as she put away thread and pins.

Gabriel grinned at Betsy, he was wearing Eleanor down, and the way he figured it, he was pretty close to achieving his goal.

"The others are downstairs if you two are finished here." Betsy laughingly remarked as she made for the doorway.

"Oh, I am most definitely finished." Gabriel followed his granddaughter, waiting at the door for Eleanor so he could escort her down. "I am only doing this for her, you know." Gabriel slanted his gaze at the elderly woman.

"Mmm hmm, I know, my lord." Eleanor allowed him to lead her after Betsy so they could go join the others in a light repast.

At the bottom of the stairs, Gabriel lowered his hand and stole a feel of Eleanor's backside.

"Oh!" Eleanor jumped, swatting at his arm as he chuckled at how quickly she moved.

Gabriel had not had this much entertainment at a woman's expense, well, since Elizabeth's great grandmother had still been alive. He had not realized how much he missed a relationship, he had not even considered it until he ran into the Lady Eleanor at Shelly.  Now he could think of no better way to spend his last days, than with a feisty woman who kept him on his toes.

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I have to wait on Jaidesmama to have the time to work with me as the ball will once again cross over with her book. Her work has kept her busier than a one legged ... Well, ya'll know, lol, and also she is taking more time to plan this one, as the last had minimal to no planning at all, lol. (Guilty) Haha!

Have patience loveys, I promise it WILL come! :) In the meantime, The Harlot's Daughter has begun, I have five parts up at least, adding more every few days. Come along with Brutus on the Wench!