Twenty Six Part Three

James and Ruthe Ferguson made Alfred feel at ease from the moment he arrived at their estate.

Terese had not been quite ready yet, when Alfred was allowed entry by a stoic Patrick.

Even Patrick had treated him respectfully, welcoming him gruffly then ushering him in.

Alfred was brought to the parlour, where Ruthe greeted him warmly, before plying him with desserts, while James offered him a brandy.

Alfred declined the offer and chose coffee instead.

"Good choice, young man. I, too should leave off and join you in a brew." James was glad that Alfred was not a man who needed libation to calm his nerves. And James could see the poor boy was nervous.

James picked up the papers he had been working on earlier, "I put this together for you, Alfred. It is a rough outline of my holdings, what they encompass, and how they profit me."

Alfred gave James all of his attention, though it was hard not to look at Ruthe and return her smile.

"I made these up so you can see where I started, how I progressed, and exactly what I have now. Keep in mind, this is many years of diligently minding my assets while acquiring more."

James sat in a chair next to his wife, he took Ruthe's hand in his, "My lovely ladies deserve no less, would you not agree?"

Terese chose that moment to join them. Alfred looked up at her in appreciation. He rose from his chair while nodding at James' question.

Yes, she definitely deserved the best of everything.

Alfred was struck again by her beauty. Struck again by the fact that he was the lucky man who would have this stunning beauty on his arm this eve.

Alfred murmured, "Excuse me." To her parents, as he made his way gallantly to Terese.

He bowed before her and took the hand she offered, placing a kiss upon the back of it, his eyes rose and met the sparkling pools of blue.

The gown Terese wore matched her eyes, her burgundy tresses were drawn back from her brow, gathered up in a clip, so that loose curls fell over her shoulder to cascade past her breast.

Alfred's eyes were drawn there as he straightened, his gaze moving upward as he did.

The gown's neckline was modest, one's gaze was drawn to the gorgeous jewels around her neck, rather than any cleavage.

Alfred knew exactly what James was talking about. This lovely woman, who smiled upon him confidently, deserved his very best.

She was also smiling in a way that conveyed her confidence in him. That was the look that gave Alfred wings.

Alfred held Terese's small, smooth hand in his, as he brought her over to join James and Ruthe.

"Laird Ferguson, I could not agree with you more." Alfred's smile was reminiscent of one he had worn in his youth, before he had been poisoned, before he had allowed himself to believe his mother's lies.

"When at home, it is James, please, Alfred." James encouraged the familiarity, which Alfred then inclined his head to agree.

"Please, go on James, am I to be allowed to look at your papers?" He smirked conspiratorially at James.

Alfred and Terese had taken the settee, he still held her hand, their joined hands resting on the couch between them.

"Yes, my boy, I am giving them to you to look over at your leisure. You know, you cannot simply walk in the garden with my daughter all day." James laughed.

Alfred snapped his fingers, murmured a joking, "Darn." Lamenting James' statement, as he smiled at Terese.

"Believe me son, if I could, I would," James looked lovingly at his wife, "Yet it does not pay the bills."

They all laughed at James and Alfred's wit.

"There will be time for that later, Alfred." James leaned forward, his bushy brows raising in interest, "Business aside, what have you two planned for the morrow?" James had seen Alfred and Terese earlier, pouring over the sights brochure Alfred had brought.

Terese smiled and squeezed Alfred's hand. "We have decided upon a museum tour. Finally, I have someone who would like to pursue them with me." Terese teased her parents, as neither enjoyed the museums. She had prodded them through one, only to find it was not as enjoyable if they did not enjoy it as much as she.

"Thank God, I do not think I could withstand another, the first one was bad enough." James acted as though the experience had taxed his being.

After more shared laughter, it was decided they could leave, they would still have a little time to get settled before the opening act.

Later in the evening, after Alfred kissed Terese chastely goodnight, they shared an intimate smile and agreed upon a time for the morrow. Alfred would come to the estate, they would then take her father's carriage about to the museums.

Alfred rode home that night feeling content. He had James' papers in his coat, he could not wait to read them and see what had made the simple man into a mogul.

That James was showing such confidence and acceptance of him, made Alfred sit a little taller in the saddle as he rode.

He left his horse and walked to the apartment he was sharing with Merry. The lights were still on in her parlour.

Alfred found her asleep on her chaise, art supplies spread out all around her, a pad and a piece charcoal in her hands.

Alfred chuckled and set her things aside, then he lifted her, noticing she barely weighed a thing. He took her small frame to bed and tucked her in.

Alfred then went to his own room to sleep. He would start reading James' reports over breakfast, but for now he needed rest.

Alfred went to bed and recalled his evening with the Ferguson's. It had felt like he was part of a family, and Alfred had never had that before.

Then Alfred remembered his meeting with Jude. Hopefully, he could arrange a meeting with Damien that would not interfere with his time planned for Terese.

******************************************

Had she breathed?

Jude pulled his feet free of the landing and raced down the stairs.

What in the hell was she doing here?

Jude's brain spun as he leapt over her body. He turned and bent over her, searching for her face under the thin veil of hair that had fallen across it.

Good God, what if she is dead? Here, in his townhouse, in the middle of the night, by his own hand, dead?

Jude furtively scanned her white, slack face for movement, for breath, for anything.

He looked down Gwen's body, where one arm was twisted, bent under her body in a direction one's arm normally did not bend.

Jude cringed.

His eyes traveled lower, to her legs, where one of them had obviously been pulled from her hip socket, as her heel faced up, when it should be facing down.

Jude's eyes were huge as he took in the extent of her injuries. But had they killed her?

Jude put his hand against Gwen's warm neck and felt around for a beat.

************************************************

Violet and Betsy had come together, joining their hearts and bodies, making up for the time they had missed one another's attentions.

They both slept restfully for a short time before Betsy woke and needed to use the privy.

She hurried, as it was a bit chilly, and then she slid back under the blankets to cuddle up to Violet.

She felt him chuckle as she shimmied in as close to him as she could get. "What?"

"Your toes are freezing!" Violet chuckled and shivered at the same time.

"Well if that old man would have let me......" She decided not to argue about that thorn in her side any longer, "I need clean socks." She stated.

"In the bag, I know how you love your socks, and I brought you three pair to choose from."

Violet had not finished speaking, when Betsy sat up and reached to the table, dragging the bag down onto the floor next to the bed.

She rummaged around until locating her socks.

Plucking two pair from the bag, she then lifted her legs under the covers, one at a time, doubling up on each foot.

When she finished, she turned into Violet's arms and ran her foot up and down his leg, "Better?"

"Much," Violet held her and rubbed her, warming her back up, "Much better."

"Yes, well.....for me too, thank you." Betsy buried her nose in his chest, her own breath warming her face.

Violet continued to rub her warm, becoming aroused with the friction they were creating. "I told you all you needed was me."

"You, and my socks." Betsy giggled.

Violet laughed and turned her so she was lying under him, "I could have warmed you without them, Vixen."

"Mmm hmmm, show me." Betsy looked up into his smiling eyes, as he lowered his head to kiss her and make her forget all about her blessed socks.

*****************************************

Jude could not feel anything pulsing in Gwen's neck, however, he did notice that it was bent at an odd angle also.

Jude brought his hand back and rested it on his knee as he sat on the heels of his boots next to her.

What to do now?

"Well, Gwen.....and here I thought I had you bound for the hangman's noose."

Jude shook his head, "This is a fine spot you have put me in."

Jude's eyes traversed her broken body once more, as he tried to think of a way out of this.

"I wish I had no qualms about dumping a body, I can think of a few good places for yours, Madame."

Gwen's eyes opened and looked at him, recognition, but no pain evident in the beady orbs.

"Oh damn." Jude stood and stumbled back, he had been sure she was dead. "I suppose I should.....get some help...." Jude then stumbled to the back of the house, waking Charles, and sending him to find a physician.

Jude returned to Gwen and she had not moved. Her eyes followed him as he stepped over her carefully then flew up the stairs.

Jude still needed to use the privy, so he made quick work of that.

An idea had sprung to his mind and he made his way to his room where he gathered up Gwen's things.

He took them to his guest room and laid her dress and underthings on a chair. He mussed the bed and looked around. He retrieved a periodical and opened it, lying it face down upon the other side of the bed. He looked around once more, that should suffice.

Jude went back down, stepping over Gwen carefully, he sat on the floor next to her, to await the doctor's arrival.

Just stick as close to the truth as you possibly can, that way there is less to lie about. Jude thought this, as he looked into Gwen's eyes that never wavered from his.

How much had she heard? Did it matter? She had not spoken yet, but even with the crippling injuries she had, she did not seem to be in any pain.

"Can you hear me Gwen?" He ventured.

She looked at him, not a muscle moving, except her eyelids after a moment.

"Do not try to move, I have called for a physician, I think it would be best if we wait for him." Jude realized she was not dressed, her night rail had come away from her body and she was nude.

"Wait here." Jude realized the asininity of his words as soon as he uttered them. "Sorry." He mumbled, as he rose and went to the parlour for a light throw.

He covered Gwen carefully and sat again beside her. He felt as if he should take her hand, but at the same time, he was afraid to touch her.

*********************************************************

:)