Forty Four Part Four

The majority of invited were in attendance, save those who would arrive fashionably late. The sound of kind natured chatter and polite laughter drifted up to the top of the grand staircase where the king's man called his announcement out, gaining the attention of all. "The honourable, Violet and Elizabeth Petals." All eyes turned their way, and Betsy, too full of joy to be timid, smiled widely at the sea of faces before her, noting more than a few of her and Violet's acquaintances. Betsy beamed as her gaze caught the glad visages of Damien and Amelia Mederios, pleased to acknowledge they regarded her and Violet with affection and acceptance. Betsy turned and lifted her glowing face to her husband's, seeing that he also had noted his uncle's attendance. Holding to his bared arm, Betsy allowed Violet to escort her down the stairway while Drake and Arianna were announced behind her. Will's announcement followed, and Betsy chortled, taking note of a group of young debutantes gathered together, their interest keen upon this latest arrival. The mate-seeking ladies' attention was brief; however, as the King came into view seeming to have an announcement of his own to deliver. The guests, as a whole, pressed forward, wanting to be sure to hear what the King would say.

Betsy found the crush suddenly was such, that they could not descend fully to the floor, leaving her and Violet to await the king's announcement on the fourth step up. Pleased with the advantage, she scanned the crowd for more familiar faces. Spotting Violet's mother and father, Betsy laid a hand upon Violet's arm. As inconspicuously as she could, Betsy pointed him in their direction when he bestowed his questioning gaze upon her. Betsy's heart swelled with emotion as she looked back up to see his pleased visage, knowing how much it meant to him to see his parents reconciled. Seeing the amusement that lit Violet's features, Betsy knew that Katherine had hit her mark, fashioning Marcus a costume that left no doubt he was a horned bovine creature. Holding a leash that fastened around his belled neck, Katherine resembled a pretty milkmaid. Betsy waved a tiny little wave at them before finding Lady Eleanor and her grandfather to the rear of the crowd. Betsy chuckled softly as her grandfather caught her eye, his ire evident upon his visage. The duke's greying brows were drawn down into a deep frown, his nose wrinkled as his mouth pursed with displeasure. Betsy was sure his disgruntled state stemmed from his forced attire. Laughing silently, shaking her head a small bit, Betsy teasingly wrinkled her nose back at him, acknowledging the only blood relation she had left in this world.

"I thought he refused to dress for these things." Violet teased, seeing the exchange betwixt the two. Betsy's uncontrollable mirth quietly escaped her, and she hugged Violet's arm to her tightly as all felt wondrously right in her world.

Drake and Arianna joined them, awaiting Will as he descended alone. Spying Lord Ashton in the crowd, Betsy easily found Lady Christine standing beside him, taller than the buxom Lady Ashton who stood to the lord's other side. Betsy noticed Christine was glaring up at the top of the staircase and, with a now furrowed brow, Betsy turned her gaze to see their magnificent Monarch beckoning the Duke and Duchess to come forward to stand on either side of him. Betsy looked back at Lady Christine, who was obviously upset. Betsy prayed the King could make amends as the pair had gotten along famously at the festival. She could well understand the lady's chagrin; however, as Lady Christine most definitely had been left in the dark as to the King's true identity. Refusing to fret, Betsy hoped all would go well, and she even ventured to guess that this would be grandly entertaining to watch play out. Raising her gaze to give her attention to the King, the crowd behind them stilled when the Monarch began to speak.

"Welcome creatures, one and all, to our enchanted forest." The King graciously began, his eyes and his arm sweeping to encompass the room while subdued laughter lifted in appreciation of his jest. His hand then lifted towards Kathleen, who took it with her own before he continued, "I have waited sometime now to honour one of our own." The King's regard then transferred to the Duke as his other hand came to rest upon the man's shoulder, "Yet I cannot imagine the wait this man has endured, not to mention his fine children." The King inclined his head down at Will and Arianna. "I am honoured, beyond measure, to present the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. May you all welcome the duchess home as enthusiastically I have," the King turned his head, speaking directly to Kathleen. "It is our most esteemed privilege to have you back among us, Your Grace."

Cheers and applause rose from the gathering at the bottom of the staircase as Kathleen curtsied deeply, tugging at the side of her breeches, stretching the material to its full potential. "'Tis most assuredly my pleasure to be here, My Liege." As she rose, the King spotted the moisture gathering in her eyes, accompanying the dazzling smile that bespoke her honesty. He took her hand between both of his and turned his attention to her husband.

"Do not let this treasure escape thee again, Your Grace." The King admonished, his tone full of care for the man who had loved and lost, a man who now blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to possess her again.

The duke's eyes mirrored the emotion seen in those of his wife as he vowed to his King, "Upon my life, Sire, I swear not to let her be retaken."

"Very good." The King smiled affectionately at one, then the other, before stepping back as he joined their hands together. He clapped his paws as he turned his attention back to his guests, announcing, "Let the ball begin!"

Amid a reborn raucous of applause and most appreciative whistles and calls, the duke and duchess made their way humbly down the stairs. At first, their eyes were only for one another; then their gazes ranged to take in their children first, then their dear friends.

Betsy swiped at the happy tears that had come to her eyes. Attempting to hold her composure in check, Betsy then felt it crumble anew, as Arianna turned from gazing at her parents and she and Betsy's eyes met. Betsy placed a hand on Arianna's arm and squeezed gently, even as Drake rubbed affectionately at his wife's lower back. Arianna's trembling smile amid her flowing tears, revealing the depth of emotion she felt having her parents reunited with one another. Overcome with the same sentiment; Will turned to gently pull his sister into his strong embrace, both of them remembering the years they had spent without their mother, both celebrating with one another her return. Betsy had been present for quite a few of those years, though she could only imagine how difficult it had been to endure the pain of their loss, the hopelessness, as their father had seemed somewhat lost to them too. The small group standing to the bottom of the staircase, all looked up as one, as the duke and duchess came down together amid the crowd's chants of 'hear hear' and 'well done'. Smiles replaced tears, joy replaced sadness, as William lifted Kathleen's hand and kissed the back of it most fondly before holding it aloft.

"A fitting tribute to a fine family." Violet was heard to say.

Arianna smiled fondly at Violet, glad they had made amends, before she turned to embrace her parents in turn, then turned back to her husband's side, allowing Will his turn at the esteemed couple. The crowd at the foot of the stairs began to part, as the King joined them, leading the group through the opening that naturally occurred. Swags of fabric to one side of the room parted, revealing the ballroom floor and orchestra, many gasps of pleasure heard as the starry skied night extended. The King's throne was against the far wall, upon a raised dais. Yet, when the King reached the middle of the ballroom floor, he turned and held his hand out to Kathleen, "Your Grace, if I may have the honour?"

Kathleen smiled at her husband before taking the King's hand and lowering into a courtesy as the orchestra began to play. The crowd moved in to line the walls to watch the dancing commence, The King only held onto the duchess for a respectable amount of time, then he led her to her husband, allowing William the honour of continuing the dance with his wife. Moving to the dais, the King nodded to Drake, who then gave his attention to Arianna, making a show of bowing and offering her his hand. Arianna, managing a slight dip, followed Drake to join her parents on the ballroom floor as the King swept an arm out to encompass all, his guests taking the cue that all were now welcome to dance.

Violet executed a curt bow before his wife, Betsy bobbed a short curtsy when he took her hand, laughing aloud as he grinned and swept her up and off for their very first dance as an esteemed couple of the peerage. Marcus and Katherine watched all from their place at the outer edge of the floor. Marcus squeezed Katherine's hand, "Shall we, Katy, girl?"

"Aye, Marcus, I would love to." Katherine's joy was complete, Marcus could see that in the contented glow that resided upon her face. They joined those already dancing, sweeping past Gabriel and Eleanor, exchanging familial nods with the elderly couple.

Lord Ashton, Sassy, and Christine had moved into the room with the flow of peers.

The King craned his neck until he spied Ashton, then upon locating Christine, he began his approach.

"I do hope you do not expect me to dance in this sheet." Gabriel imparted grumpily to Eleanor.

Lady Eleanor did not mince words, "Of course not. I do not expect anything, Your Grace." Eleanor replied flippantly, as her cousin came closer. Eleanor assumed the King was approaching to give Gabriel his due as a patriarch of the court. Unaware, was she, that the Lady Christine, positioned behind her, was his true aim. Eleanor stepped forward to smile at her cousin, as the royal man allowed himself to be waylaid momentarily.

"Cousin," The King greeted Eleanor fondly, his eyes regretfully leaving the pretty brunette behind her, "it is a pleasure to have you both here, Your Grace." the King addressed the duke as well, attempted a joining of the two, but Eleanor would have none of it.

"Why, I would adore a dance, Cousin, thank you so much for asking." Eleanor took the King's arm, giving Gabriel a most pointed stare. "I shall return, Your Grace," she said saccharine sweetly, "when I am sure to have had my fill of dancing, that is." Attempting to drag the King away, thus giving her point some form of drama, she frowned at finding that man's paws planted firmly to the floor. Eleanor looked up at her cousin, following his stare, she then waited, batting her eyes at Gabriel innocently, as the King spoke to a lovely, golden-eyed woman who stood past her.

"If I may request the honour, I shall return for ewe momentarily," He chuckled briefly at his play on words while Christine raised a haughty brow and huffed at him. Turning slightly away, Christine folded her arms tightly in front of her, absorbing more of the moisture with her under blouse, while giving Sassy a most desperate look before turning her head slightly to glare at Ashton.

The King found Lady Christine's behaviour a bit strange, and with a slightly perplexed look at the lady's turned back, he moved away with Eleanor not a small bit confused. He shook his mane slightly, wondering why the lady was displeased it was he, before giving Lady Eleanor his full attention. After all, he did have the entire evening to figure the minx out. Having caught on to her game, he danced most attentively with Eleanor, sweeping her about, delighting her, causing her to laugh aloud. He was to make a show of her youth and vitality, apparently to teach the old dodger a lesson. The King gave her his all, before handing the winded woman off to Damien, assured she would go down the line of available men until the old duke could take it no longer.

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Blessings to all