Chapter Sixteen Part Two

Marcus had been disappointed, when after a short, yet very enjoyable conversation, Alfred's horse had lost a shoe. Marcus had voiced his disappointment at seeing Alfred have to turn back. He had offered to return with the young man, to retrieve yet another steed, but Alfred had wished him safe passage, and sent him on his way.

Marcus had traveled on to town to meet with Damien. His brother had been, as usual lately, a bit sullen. His own son, Drake, had not shown himself, to at the very least, vent his anger at the betrothal Damien had arranged for him. Damien had not seen his son going on eight years now. He had been hard and unbendable and had driven his son away. He now regretted that more than he could say.

Marcus had commiserated and tried to lift Damien's spirits, but to no avail. He could understand, as only getting to see Vi once a year pained his own heart. Yet, at least Marcus had been able to lay his eyes upon Violet, unlike Damien, who had only the word of others that his own son was well.

Damien was in an unhappy marriage himself. Though he loved his wife, Amelia, he derived no comfort from the bitterly complaining woman. She was beautiful as a goddess, yet cold as ice. Marcus felt for his brother, as he knew living with an unhappy woman made life miserable. Amelia blamed Damien for their son Drake's absence and made no secret of her feelings. That was the main reason why Marcus and Damien met at the gentlemen's club for their luncheons, as Amelia did not care to whom she vented her displeasure, and Damien tended to avoid any opportunity when she would put him down.

They had parted company after their meal, a brotherly hug and some back patting, as Damien had wished him well on his journey.

Marcus had been glad to be able to secure all the items on his list that afternoon.

Gwendolyn had been a thorn in his side ever since that evening, upon his arriving home. As if she were trying to push him out the door, knowing he had men to handle his affairs around the estate, she did all she could to hurry him on his way.

Marcus had previously arranged the sale of three of his breeding cattle, in addition to a young bull he had allowed to come to maturity, that he had delivered the afternoon of his first day on the road south to Katherine's.

Marcus had given himself a birthday gift, in that he had left a few days earlier than he usually did. For some reason he could not rationally explain, he just needed to be on his way. And Gwendolyn's harping had sealed the deal.

He had dreamed of Violet the night before last. He had seen his eldest son aboard his ship, staring into black, brooding clouds, while overwhelming fear consumed his visage.

Marcus had tried to get to Violet in the dream and he could not. He called to him and called to him but Violet had not been able to hear him and Marcus' feet had been weighted down as if with lead. Marcus had felt such a feeling of helplessness as his son feared .....for what? His life? Marcus did not know, he had woken in a cold, drenching sweat, and he had decided not to put his trip off any longer. He had left that morning as soon as he was able.

Every fibre of his being just wanted to get to them. He realized the fear was irrational, yet he just needed to arrive at the cottage and find Violet and Katherine happy and well. A grain of worry still resided in his chest, and he knew it would not depart from him, until he saw them once again.

Marcus had left the estate in the capable hands of his foreman Jordy, content that his men would carry on just fine without him, as he was staying gone a bit longer this time.

Marcus had brought with him a few lambs this trip. One for Katherine, he felt she would enjoy the company, as he did when they followed him around the meadow, and two more for Sissy and Josh.

Sissy had loved when he brought her the milk cows, and she had expressed a desire for any and all farm animals she could have. Marcus understood she missed the farm over the hill where her parents raised poultry, pigs and goats. He would be taking her a breeding pair of lambs so she could enlarge her flock in the future, if she wanted to.

He looked up at the clear blue sky as he rode next to the wagon, the three small lambs curled up in the bed. He had opted to ride his steed alongside and had stayed at an inn last eve. He had been back on the road early this morn, chaffing at his impatience to be able to simply gaze upon his Katherine, and to reassure himself that Violet was safe.

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Gwen penned a note to Jude quickly, Alfred would be going into town this eve, as he had every single eve for the last few weeks. She would ask him to swing around and leave her missive with Jude.

My dearest cousin,

I hope this finds you in the best of health, as I have a favour to ask of you. I have been left all alone, as my husband had to sojourn south on some business matters. It would gladden me to not have to be alone, to have some family to visit with, and to be a comfort to me in his absence. If you are available, please feel free to come ruminate in the country for a week, as the hunting around the estate has been especially bountiful of late. I know how you enjoy to do so and I will have the lodge prepared especially for you. I eagerly await your reply,

Gwendolyn

She sealed the missive and tucked it into her pocket. She would entrust it to Alfred after supper.

Hopefully Jude would come and her evenings could be spent with pleasure. She smiled as she went to her wardrobe to choose a few dresses to wear while Jude was here with her, one or two that he may like to see upon her trim form, which he told her quite often, he adored.

Hopefully soon, she would be rid of Marcus for good, then most all her days could be spent, enjoying the company of a man, who made her tremble with passion and need.

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Violet jumped ship before the gig even reached the sand, Josh bailed out the other side, sloshing his way to his wife and son.

Violet turned and plucked Betsy from the bow, carrying her ashore as quickly as the water that was resisting his efforts allowed.

He smiled at his mother as he waded onto the beach, letting Betsy slide down his side, to stay tucked under his arm.

Katherine smiled warmly at the girl by his side, before placing her hands on Violet's cheeks, and pressing a motherly kiss upon his lips. She drew back to soak in his sparkling violet eyes, as he did the same with her own. "I have been waiting for you, 'tis so glad I am you are finally here."

He took his arm from Betsy and folded his mother in his arms quickly. He knew the tears that had come to her eyes were from joy, and also relief, that he was home and well.

Katherine squeezed him tightly, she had the hardest time letting him go, but she could still see the girl he had brought ashore behind her eyelids, as she dammed her tears, opened her eyes and smiled tremulously, withdrawing from his embrace. She kept her palm on Violet's cheek as he returned her gladness with a grin on his face. Katherine looked to Betsy as she let her hand slide down Violet's neck, then shoulder, her palm coming to rest upon his heart.

"It looks as if you come bearing gifts, Violet." Her smiling eyes were taking in this adorable girl he had carried to shore.

"Only the one gift you have been asking for the last few years,..... well, nagging for, I might say." Violet chuckled as Katherine's eyes flew back and forth between him and his bride. Finally, her own violet eyes settled on him, and they narrowed menacingly, "Ye be wed?"

"Yes, ma'am, we be wed." He could not even finish his sentence before his mother was shouting 'hallelujah' throwing her hands in the air and then had grabbed Betsy in a hug.

She pulled back and held the girl at arms length, "Let me look at you girl, will you just look at you, are you not just the sweetest thing I have ever seen in all my days on earth! Sissy! Violet's married!" Katherine laughed with glee, as she pulled Betsy in close, to hug her yet again.

Betsy laughed and hugged her back, grinning at Violet over his mother's shoulder.

"Can I have her back now, Mama?" Violet joked with Katherine.

As she said, "No." She continued to pull back and look, then hug Betsy tight again a few times, as every time she looked at the nymph, she grew lovelier in her eyes.

"I am sorry," She finally pulled back, yet still held Betsy's arms as she smiled widely, "I am Violet's mother, Katherine, Katy, Mama."

Betsy laughed at Katherine's enthusiasm, "I am Elizabeth, mum, and I, am very pleased to meet you." Betsy smiled, the joy at her reception shining in her sparkling, honey eyes.

"Give her back, Mama!" Violet protested.

Betsy laughed at him and kissed his mother on the cheek, "I think he needs me back now." She whispered seriously to Katherine, as her eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Well that is just too bad for him." Katherine smiled at her son. "Because 'tis his turn now." She threw herself at Violet and he wrapped her in his arms.

"I missed you too, Mama." He held and lifted her, closing his eyes, swinging her side to side, as he often did Betsy.

Betsy stood back and smiled, as Katherine's feet did not touch the ground either.

"You have made me so very happy, Violet!" Katherine was set down and she started immediately, "How did this happen? Where did you meet? How long have you been married?" She looked at Betsy's stomach, then back to her face, and realised it could not have been very long.

Violet laughed, "Will you please greet the others? They have missed you too!" He pushed his mama toward Samson, who had Lila beside him, who also had been waiting patiently, smiling through the entire exchange between Katherine and the two of them.

Katherine did not want to be distracted from her new daughter in law at all, yet her eyes softened and her voice grew incredibly warm, as she saw another she loved with her whole heart, "Samson, what have you brought me this time?" She looked upon Lila, who already liked this lady that had been so silly with Sir Violet and Miss Elizabeth.

"I am Lila and I am five years old. And I like to stay with Samson, thank you very much." Lila smiled at Samson, as he smiled back down at her, amused with her statements of fact.

"Well Lila, since Samson is such a wonderful fellow, I can well understand that." She looked at Samson with humor, "Stealing hearts and collecting young maidens are you?"

He stepped forward and picked her up much as Violet had, "Every chance I have Katy, you know me so well." Samson laughed at her, as she struggled in his embrace.

"Let me down you great oaf, I have a new daughter and I am not finished with her yet." Katherine laughed, as she kissed Samson on his bristled cheek.

"Ut, I think she got away from you." Samson teased, as Katherine's head whipped around to find Violet and Betsy now greeting Sissy and Jake.

"Let me go!" She cried.

"Nay, not until you give my little maiden a proper greeting." He still held her in his arms, her feet waving around as she tried to find some footing.

"You should just do what he says, it is much easier that way." Lila suggested.

Katherine and Samson laughed, as he set her to her feet. She reached up and kissed his cheek, then she cupped it in her palm. "'Tis glad I am to have you all back safe and sound, Samson."

"Miss Katy?" Chauncey tried waiting patiently for his turn, but this was usually the highlight of his homecoming.

"My my, Chauncey, I did not see ye hiding there behind the mountain." She pushed Samson to the side, and took Chauncey's hands into her own. "'Tis very good to see ye, my fine friend."

Chauncey grinned, and close up he could see Katy just fine. "Yer lookin' purty as alsways, Miss Katy." She rubbed his arm and took it in her own, winking at Samson. "Alright now, who did you bring with you this time Samson?" All the excitement was not helping her memory any.

"I...am...Lila. I...am...five...years....old." Lila explained to the nice lady who must be just a wee bit slow.

Katherine's eyes widened and she trilled with laughter. "Oh you have your hands full this time, my friend." She could recognise precociousness a mile away. "'Tis lovely to meet you Lila, I am sorry, in the excitement, I must have forgotten for a moment." Katherine's eyes seeked her son and his little bride. "Come along, Chauncey," She still held his arm, "I need to see Violet again."

Chauncey minced along beside her, more than happy to be her escort, as she dragged him toward her goal.

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Marcus heard the cannon shot and looked to his wagon driver, "Follow the road to town then head west at the crossroads, I need to ride ahead." Marcus spurred his steed on, he would not feel right until he could see if that was Violet, signaling his arrival home.

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Pete and Bart rowed the boys to the beach, they piled out of the skiff and Davey pushed Pete back out, as others still waited to be brought ashore.

Davey and the other cabin boys ran up the shore, Davey screeching for Katherine to stop her determined stride. "Mama Katy! Wait for us!" The boys catching up to her and Chauncey.

Katherine loved these boys as her own and allowed herself to be waylaid once more. Inside, she was chomping at the bit to get back to Vi and Betsy, yet rudeness was not in her nature. She took the time to hug and ruffle heads, searching each boys eyes to assure herself all was well with each and every one. My, my, they had grown so in the last half year, each of them adding an inch or two in height, along with a slight maturing in their faces. It was then she noticed Timothy holding Jonah, and Johnny standing next to him a bit shyly.

Davey grabbed her hand and pulled her back down the beach, "We has some new friends ye needs ta meet." Davey's grammar flying out the window in his excitement to be back with her.

Katherine gazed over her shoulder, wanting to cry at her impatience to be with Vi and Betsy, yet, this was her calling and she could not just abandon these children for her own selfish pleasure. Chauncey still minced along beside her, holding her other hand tightly upon his arm as he was want to do whenever he was around her lovely presence.

Davey stopped pulling her as they approached the two boys standing upon the shore. The youngest, in his brother's arms, was an angel, but it was Timothy that squeezed her heart. She had seen that look before, he had been through hell, but lived to tell about it, and she saw his need in his eyes. He would need to purge the poison yet. That was where she was always drawn to. The other young boy, she could tell, was alright once the boys crowded in around them.

"This is Tim, Johnny and Jonah." Violet was back beside her, and she reached her hand out to hold his arm, seeing Betsy on his other side. She smiled at them and then the boys, expressing her pleasure at meeting them. Timothy would get her undivided attentions, at a later, more peaceful time.

"May I?" She looked into Timothy's eyes and he saw the kindness and love in her own.

He nodded and handed her Jonah, then let the other boys lead him and Johnny away to meet Jake. Katherine saw Tim glance back twice, he had a very strong attachment to his sibling, she could tell.

She stroked Jonah's curls as Chauncey danced beside her and Violet rubbed her shoulder. "We came across these and were blessed to get them." Vi held on to Betsy's hand tightly, she returning the slight squeeze at his words, knowing he was remembering this precious child being tossed to him so carelessly.

When she squeezed his hand, he looked to her and they shared a sad smile, glad they had saved these precious souls, yet both knowing more children out there suffered.

They were joined by an elderly grey haired man, his kind blue eyes shining under bushy grey brows. "Violet Petals, 'tis glad I am to see you, your mother has been worrying at your delay."

"Pastor Fielding, 'tis glad I am to return and lay her worries to rest. Ye be just the man I need to speak with." Violet kissed his mother on the cheek, as she was gazing between Betsy and wee Jonah.

"I shall remain with your mother." Betsy told him with a smile, she could see that Katherine did not want to let her go again yet.

Violet kissed Betsy upon the lips as the Pastor raised his brows and allowed Violet to lead him a short ways down the shore.

Katherine turned to Betsy and smiled gloriously. She loved this tiny girl already, she had seen the love and care in the girl's eyes for her son, and she could not ask for more.

"I believe they are discussing the vows ceremony that Violet wants performed in his church." Betsy reached out to wind one of Jonah's curls around her finger as Katherine's smile widened at the thought.

"Oh yes, nothing could make me happier." Katherine felt a tear welling up in her eye as she held the cherubic child and stroked his back.

"I wan Timmy!" Jonah had seen the boys running around on the beach and had had enough of being loved on. Katherine laughed and set him down, letting him run to join the other boys, as he called to his brother the whole way.

Katherine took Betsy's hand and Chauncey followed them to sit quietly a pace away, as the two women sat on the shore, to await Pete with the next boat full, which included Paulie and Sarah. They both looked to Violet and the pastor before smiling at one another again.

Katherine reached up and held Betsy's cheek in her palm. "I have never seen him happier in all my days." Her eyes teared just remembering the look that had passed between the two, happiness for her son shooting a pain through her heart.

Elizabeth placed her hand over Katherine's and spoke with honesty and candor.

"I too have never been happier, we were very blessed when God lead us to one another. He is all to me, and I love him more than I could ever say."

For Katherine to hear these words from Elizabeth, warmed her heart. It was what every mother wanted for her child. For them to be loved and treasured by the one they chose to partner them through life. She squeezed Betsy's hand and brought it to rest in her lap.

"I too, love him so," Katherine saw Pete heading their way, as Bart had taken the second boat to ferry the remaining crew members to shore. "I guess I will have to be patient to hear all, as we shall be descended upon once again." Katherine patted Betsy's hand and they once again looked to Violet, the man that had brought them together, and whom they both loved with all their hearts.

They saw Pastor Fielding questioning Vi, as Violet nodded, and the pastor looked out to sea. He looked back to Violet and nodded, patting him upon the shoulder. Violet and the elderly pastor walked down to the water's edge, sat and removed their shoes. They then stood and entered the water.

"Whatever are they doing?" Katherine watched the men, her eyes then shooting to Betsy, before looking upon them again.

Betsy was taken aback for a moment, until she realized Violet's intentions. "I believe he is being baptized, Mama Katherine." As she started grinning and could not stop.

Katherine's eyes flew back to hers. "He is what?!"

"I believe, my lovely Katherine, she said, he is being baptized." Marcus spoke from behind and above them, his voice filled with surprise, and joy, at finding his loved ones safe and well.

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