Twenty Nine Part Three

Lynwood was waiting out front with the carriage, as the relieved, yet, somewhat somber group left the King's castle.

Brutus and Sam were being filled in on the proceedings by Violet, while Elizabeth held onto his hand.

She swung their hands back and forth, gazing up at him, listening, as he shared his encounter with the King.

He noticed his arm was being swung, and he smiled down at her beaming face, feeling how happy she was to be with him.

She had been worried the King would keep him and lock him away in a cell.

She gazed adoringly up at Violet, as he gave his men the news that they should be receiving their pardons.

"He had no consequences at all?" Brutus asked, amazed at their luck.

"He wants the Wench, Brutus. I tried to keep her for you. However, he wants her in payment of what he feels we owe him."

Brutus nodded, a regretful face telling how he felt about that. He would be sad to see her go, in spite of her handicaps, she had been home to them for almost the last decade of their lives.

Brutus thought, he should be focusing on the fact that he was not sitting in a cell awaiting a trial of his own, and be grateful for such.

"If that be the price we pay, then so be it, Vi. I am just glad to not have a rope around my neck!"

Sam agreed, "Aye, even though that leaves us wondering what we will be doing next."

Brutus felt the same, "I am sure the good Lord will figure some way to keep us out of trouble, Sam."

Sam hooked an arm around Brutus' shoulders. They walked behind the laughing newlyweds, whose arms were still swinging, as Betsy sashayed along, animatedly talking to Violet.

They continued walking, making their way over to join Katy and Eleanor who were chatting by the carriage.

Lynwood had pulled Marcus aside.

Violet noticed that his father had gone pale, and he wore a strange, stricken look upon his face, one that had not been there before.

Violet grew concerned as he saw Marcus frowning and shaking his head. Vi kept an eye on his father, hoping whatever was wrong, would not be too bad.

Violet turned to see that Brutus was frowning, looking Marcus' way also, he too was concerned.

"He told me he is my father." Violet spoke softly, as Betsy had come around to Violet's frontside, to hold him around the waist.

"What?" Elizabeth looked up at Violet, surprise written all over her face, "Marcus?....... He is?"

Elizabeth looked over at Marcus, then immediately returned her gaze to Violet's face.

"It is about time." Brutus smiled wryly at Violet. "I was not sure when he was going to finally tell you."

Sam laughed, as he had it figured out long ago also, "'Tis good you finally know, Vi." Sam squeezed Vi's shoulder, "He is a good man, I have always thought so."

Elizabeth was still trying to absorb this new information, looking upon her sheepishly, smiling husband, when Eleanor came and pulled her aside for a moment.

Eleanor held Betsy gently around her upper arms and looked into her eyes, "Did my cousin behave himself?"

Elizabeth smiled at her Lady, "He did, other than leaving me to rot in that room forever, he was perfectly lovely."

Eleanor laughed, she had never heard the King referred to as perfectly lovely before, but she was glad that is how Elizabeth felt about him.

"About this evening......" Eleanor looked Elizabeth up and down, "I must insist on a gown, Elizabeth, 'tis not negotiable, you will thank me later, my dear." Ellie patted Elizabeth's cheek, before she turned and put a hand upon Violet's chest. "I think he liked your gifts, Violet."

"I believe he did, my Lady." Violet thought the King had been more than pleased.

Marcus left Lynwood and came to Katy, taking her hand, he lifted it and kissed the back of her fingers, bowing and asking her forgiveness, "I am sorry, I need to go, Lynwood has informed me there is something that I need attend to."

She smiled slightly, and nodded to him. "I hope all turns out well, Marcus."

Marcus then turned to the group as a whole, "If we can all fit in my carriage, I can take you back to the wharf."

Eleanor spoke up, "I have my carriage, Marcus." She pointed to a large, elaborate carriage that sat in front of his own. "Go on with yourself, I will return them to the ship." Eleanor looked upon Marcus kindly. She could tell something was bothering him, just as everyone else could.

"I hope I shall not be too long. If I do not return before dusk, I will meet you back here." Marcus told them.

Violet embraced his father quickly, "Thank you for what you did in there." Vi pulled back, and looked into his father's eyes, his gratitude shining forth from his own.

"I just hope it was enough, son. I will see you as soon as I can return."

"You need no help or support yourself, Marcus?" Violet looked at his father questioningly.

Marcus rubbed Violet's shoulder. "Nay, I should be fine, but thank you for offering." He patted Vi's shoulder twice, then waved at the others, before ascending into his carriage to be driven off by Lynwood.

Eleanor gave her driver their destination, she wanted to stop by the Duke's residence and have Betsy procure presentable evening wear. It just happened, that thankfully, most of Betsy's things had been left there. Eleanor hoped they could find something appropriate for supper with the King.

Once all who would fit were ensconced inside Lady Eleanor's carriage, Sam climbed up top with the driver, and they were on their way.

They all sat comfortably in the well appointed coach, as Betsy lauded the King's exceptional chocolate, all the way there.

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The nurse was settling into Jude's guest room as Jude sat in the study with Gwendolyn.

Her eyes were drowsily open, as Jude recalled things from their childhood. "What was that dog's name again?" Jude tried to remember, "Drat, I know you probably recall, but I am having difficulty, it is floating around in my head,.......Bonnie? Bronny? It is right on the tip of my tongue..."

Benny

"Well, sometimes if you leave a thing alone for a while, it just comes to you, I will try to remember......And every time cousin Gertie was there that dog would try to bite her, remember Gwenny?"

I remember, Jude.

"You could not blame the dog, the way Gertie was always screaming whenever she saw the mutt."

Gertie was a pain, I never did like her.

Jude was interrupted by a tapping on the door, as Charles would no longer enter the room.

There was a nurse for the Lady now, Charles did not see why he should have to.

"I shall be right back, Gwenny." Jude went to the door as Charles waved him out into the hall. Closing the door behind himself, Jude turned to his man, "What is it Charles?"

"The Lady's husband be in the parlour." Charles had admitted Marcus, and put him there.

Jude ran a hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh, as he stared past Charles.

He had not been expecting this so soon, he would have thought he had a day or two, at least.....well, it would be best to get it over with, he supposed.

"Thank you, Charles. If the nurse comes down, send her in with Gwendolyn, please." Jude turned and went back into the room with Gwen. He went straight to her side and perched on the edge of the chaise beside her broken body.

Jude had been sitting where she could see him, he assumed that is what she wanted, as her eyes never left his face once, if he was within her sight.

"Your husband has come, sweetheart. I need to tell him you are hurt, he may want to see you, so I thought I should tell you he is here." Jude stroked her hair back from her cheek, as she closed her eyes, wishing that she could feel him.

Jude rose and left the room, closing the door quietly behind himself.

Charles stood by the door to the kitchens.

"Coffee please, Charles." Jude turned to the parlour door. He took in a deep breath, let it back out, and then forced himself to face Marcus.

Entering the room, Jude left the door ajar for Charles, and approached Marcus.

Marcus was standing by the window looking out at the street.

"Marcus." Jude put out his hand.

"Jude." Marcus took Jude's hand in both of his.

From what Lynwood had told him, Marcus gathered this man had been through hell ever since last night. "Lynwood told me what happened," Marcus said, as they moved to a pair of chairs. "I am so sorry you have had to deal with this."

"I had no idea she was even here, Marcus. I came home and she spooked me at the top of the staircase. I swung, and down she went. It all happened so quickly, there was nothing I could do." Jude begged him to understand.

"I can not even imagine, Jude, it must have been just horrible for you." Marcus could tell that Jude was telling the truth, the man was visibly upset by what had happened.

"All I can come up with, is that she must have become bored with both you, and Alfred gone. She must have come into town to shop or visit friends, and decided to stay here overnight." Jude was glad he was an accomplished liar, as Marcus did not need to know why Gwen would really be here.

"And the doctor said that she will never walk again?" Marcus asked.

"Or talk, or move, or anything else, Marcus. She will slowly die of malnutrition or dehydration, she cannot swallow anything. She can not do anything yet gaze when awake, and blessedly she sleeps."

Marcus tried to process this as he also tried to think of what to do. "I will have her moved out of your way, Jude, as soon as I can arrange to do so." Marcus assured him.

"You cannot move her, Marcus." Jude shook his head slowly, as he resigned himself to his fate. "The doctor who came said it could kill her if we do. I have agreed to keep her here, and have procured a nurse for her who will be staying also."

Marcus looked at Jude skeptically, "You can not be responsible for her Jude, she is my wife, I should be able to somehow get her out of your way." Marcus could not see Jude being saddled with the woman, just because she had infiltrated his domain and managed to be struck low.

"It is fine, Marcus." Jude patted Marcus' hand. "The doctor said she will not last too long, and I have been spending time when she is awake, reminiscing over our childhood, she seems content and 'tis the least I can do. 'Twas my arm that pushed her." Jude looked at Marcus sadly.

Charles bustled in with the coffee tray, leaving the men to pour their own cups, he left, closing the door behind him.

Marcus sat back in his chair as Jude poured both cups with the brew.

"I should find Alfred." Marcus said.

Jude lifted his coffee, "He has been here already, he has not seen her though, she was asleep. But Alfred met and spoke with the doctor. He will most likely return later."

"I will pay the nursing bill and give you information for where I will be. I will be staying in town, and if you need me for anything, anything at all." Marcus did not know what else to do, it seemed Jude had all well in hand. "Please do not hesitate to contact me, for even the smallest thing." Marcus' eyes pleaded with Jude to take him at his word.

"I will, Marcus. I will if need be. I have an address for Alfred if you would let me write it down for you, and if her condition should change at all, I will send word to you immediately." Jude assured him. "She is awake, if you would like to see her." Jude offered him the opportunity.

"Of course." Marcus' reply was automatic, yet he found he really had no desire to, whatsoever.

Marcus rose without drinking any of his coffee, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

Jude led him to the study. As Marcus approached his wife's broken form, Jude closed the door, leaving Marcus alone with his dying wife.

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Paulie sat on the helm deck steps and cried his heart out. He had held himself together as long as he could, but now that wee Jonah was gone, his arms were empty, and his poor old heart was breaking.

He could not deny that the child belonged with his aunt. As soon as Jonah had seen Rebecca, he had recognised a bond with her, even though it had yet to be firmly established.

When Paulie had seen them together, he had known he would have to let the child go.

If one did not know better, Rebecca could easily pass as the children's mother. They simply looked as if they belonged together.

Paulie stared at the boards under his feet, as he put a hand to his heart. It was hurting, and badly.

All that Paulie could think of were the hours he had spent with the sweet boy. The beautiful child who had looked up at him trustingly, and called him Paw Paw.

Paulie looked up to the sky and prayed. He prayed that God would take away the pain Jonah's loss was causing him.

When he lowered his gaze, he saw Jonah's sweet face, and he blinked away his tears as Pete came back, the wee boy upon his shoulders.

"We needs ye to come too, Paulie, he says he will not go with out his Paw." Pete grinned, as he did not know why they had not asked Paulie to walk with them in the first place.

Paulie jumped up, he rubbed his face against his shoulders to wipe away his tears, as he held his arms out.

Jonah just about vaulted out of Pete's arms to get to his Paw Paw.

Pete continued grinning, as Paulie now cried tears of joy, and smiled tremulously at the lad. "Ye want me to go with ye, Jonah?"

"O course, Paw Paw, you need to come wiff us and aunt Webecca." Jonah lay his small, perfect hand upon Paulie's cheek, as the man carried him down the gangplank and up the dock.

Pete followed, as Rebecca and Timothy waited at the end for them.

Paulie would gladly walk half the day long, if he could still be with Jonah by doing so.

When they reached Rebecca and Timothy, Rebecca smiled sweetly at Paulie, "I do not think he is going to let you go that easily, Mister Paulie."

"There be nothing easy about it, Miss, I can tell you that." Paulie told her seriously.

He then began pointing things out to Jonah as they made their way into town.

Pete hoped once they got the boys to Rebecca's, and they spent some time familiarising themselves with their aunt, they would feel more secure, and more readily accept their new home.

Rebecca and Timothy led the way, Paulie walked with Jonah behind them, and Pete followed.

It was not long before Jonah was back upon Pete's shoulder's, too heavy for Paulie to carry the entire way. Yet Paulie walked beside Pete, still chatting with the wee boy about the things they saw.

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Eleanor knocked upon the door of her brother's home.

Bentley answered her summons, "My Lady, 'tis good to see you. The Duke is not in residence, however." He informed her, as he opened the door wide to allow her entry.

"I am not here to see him, Bentley, I just need to gather a few things and I shall be on my way."

The butler stood aside and allowed her to pass, as two men followed her in. He followed the men into the long entry with his eyes, not noticing Elizabeth behind them, until he almost closed the door upon her.

"Miss Betsy! 'Tis good to see you......" Whatever was the Miss wearing? Bentley had never seen her wear men's britches and boots before, and he was not sure how he felt about it.

She was so sweet and kind, yet this, this was very unexpected of her.

"Come along Elizabeth, we do not have all day." Eleanor called, as she made her way upstairs.

Violet and Brutus had come inside, as Eleanor thought they may need a trunk or two carried back out.

Elizabeth ran up the stairs behind Eleanor, as Violet and Brutus waited below until they were needed.

Violet looked around himself at the Duke's grand entry, as Bentley stood by, ready if he was needed.

Brutus observed his surroundings also, he looked to the end of the hall and he saw Margaret peeking around a doorway.

His eyes lit up as he recognised the small maid from the island. He smiled as she crooked a finger at him, beckoning him to come closer.

Brutus walked the ten steps it took to reach her, as she stood upright in the doorway, returning his smile shyly.

"Margaret," Brutus took her hand and bowed over it, as she blushed and tried to take it back. She could not, as he held on to it firmly, "How is the wee boy doing?"

"Brutus," She acknowledged remembering his name, though they had only spoken a couple of times before.

The conversations they had engaged in, however, had been personal and painful, she would never forget his kind eyes and kind words. "He is well, growing bigger everyday."

Her eyes shined with pride when she spoke of the babe.

Brutus had forgotten how blue her eyes were. They reminded him of the island waters on a clear, sunny day. A bonny blue, and if he remembered correctly, they had turned to a blue green when she had spoken of her trials.

"And you? How have you fared?" Brutus asked her.

"I have been well, Brutus, I did not expect to see you again, what are you doing, here of all places?" Her face was questioning, yet he could tell she was pleased to see him, also.

"We came to seek pardons from the King. However, that leads to a very, long story." He smiled kindly at her and then tilted his head inquiringly, "Are you staying here and working for the Duchess?"

"The Duchess has gone to the country, but yes, I will stay here for now, while Daniel is still so small. I did not want to travel with him again quite yet." She realized she had better quit chatting and go upstairs, as the ladies may need her help. "I should go." She smiled shyly at him, and moved to pass him so she could ascend the staircase.

Brutus stopped her with a hand on her arm.

She looked down at his hand and he removed it.

"I just wanted to say how nice it is to see you again." Brutus let her go as she smiled and tilted her head, her eyes crinkling with pleasure.

"And to see you too, Brutus, I had wondered how you fared, also." She left him standing there, as he watched her fly up the stairs away from him.

"She was the hurt one upon the island, was she not?" Violet asked his friend.

"Yes, she had worn faint bruises from her trials, but she looks much improved now, I was glad to see it." Brutus looked upwards again, he wished he could have seen her babe. He had been such a sweet babe from what Brutus remembered.

Violet stood to the side of Brutus and wondered just how glad Brutus had been to see the maid. He seemed a bit more invested than just idle curiosity.

"She does not look like a penguin." Violet mused.

Brutus snorted and hit Violet upon the arm.

"Ow, what was that for?" Vi rubbed at his arm in feigned pain.

"Shut up, Violet." Brutus growled, as he paced the hallway, glaring at Vi.

Violet laughed, and struck Brutus back on his next pass.

"Nay, she did not remind me of a penguin a'tall." Violet dodged the next blow, laughing as he weaved away from Brutus' fist.

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Eleanor had raided Arianna's armoire.

The ladies worked diligently in the galley, barely taking in seams in the waist, letting them out slightly in the bust.

Betsy had let them take her measurements, then she had sequestered herself in the Captain's cabin with Violet, until she was needed for the final fittings.

They were altering two dresses for her, so Elizabeth would have a choice.

Arianna had so many gowns, she would never miss a couple of her older ones, ones that she had left behind.

Betsy had been disappointed that Arianna had left for Trent already, but now that they were staying on land, she had a much better chance of seeing her Lady sooner, rather than later.

Violet and Betsy were relaxing in their cabin, spending as much time together as they could, not knowing if the King would eventually make him serve time in a cell.

Betsy told Violet about her time with the King, how he did indeed love her father, and in turn, he had been very kind to her.

Violet had been very glad to hear that.

He sat in the overstuffed chair in the outer cabin, his wife was comfortably ensconced on his lap. He thought of how he would miss this ship, and how he would have to remember the memories they had already made here, even as they made new ones in the years to come.

He knew he would never forget his wife's shooting gallery, or seeing her at the children's lessons in the galley, but most of all, he thought, he would miss their time spent alone together in the wind, manning the helm.

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Marcus had returned to the ship, a bit dazed and confused.

Eleanor and Katy were readying Elizabeth, so Violet was the first to hear his father's news.

Telling Violet about Gwen, helped to clear Marcus' mind, to the point where he could also tell him about Alfred.

They sat atop the water barrels, conversing and waiting, as it was almost time to go, to return to the castle.

"So now I have a brother, also." Violet had not thought about that when Marcus had told him. He had been a little overwhelmed by the knowledge Marcus had given him, that he had not yet expanded his thinking.

"He does not know about you, Violet. I will tell him the first chance I get. You two will have to meet and we shall pray Alfred handles it well." Marcus was not sure about that, but one could still hope.

They heard the ladies coming up from below decks and they hopped down from their perches.

The ladies let Elizabeth precede them, she came up first, and when Vi first saw her, she took Violet's breath away.

Her hair had been styled up by Eleanor, a few long pieces left to trail down her back and bodice. The dusky rose gown fit her snugly to her waist where it then flared out around her.

A deeply scooped neckline showed off her natural voluptuousness, as Violet's eyes about popped out of his head.

Elizabeth blushed as her husband's jaw almost hit the floor, she held her skirts and approached him, sinking into a deep curtsy, that gave him an even better view of her assets.

"My..........Lord." That was all Vi could think to say at that moment.

All the others stood by grinning, as Violet closed his mouth and tried to find something more worthy to say.

For once in his life, Violet was speechless, his wife was absolutely stunning, as he had known she would be, he just had not realized how her beauty would affect him.

Betsy wrinkled her nose at him and it broke the trance he had been spellbound by.

"You do not like it." She looked down at the dress, she had never worn anything like it before, and she had not been sure about this from the start.........

"Good God, woman, you are stunning!" Violet grinned at her, his eyes warmed considerably as Betsy was now the one stunned.

"You really think so?" She asked tentatively.

"I know so, Kitten. You have surpassed my most vivid imaginings!" He grinned at her swarthily, before he took her into his arms. He whispered, for her ears only, "I find I am not hungry for supper at all." He nibbled her neck as she giggled and pushed him away.

"Behave thyself husband, we have a date with the King." Her eyes teased him as she danced out of his embrace, he following, not letting her go too far.

"Enough, you two, we must be going now." Eleanor started pushing everyone towards the gangplank. Violet offered his wife his arm most gallantly, as she raised her nose in the air, as her Lady Arianna had been want to do, and allowed him to escort her to the carriage.

He could not take his eyes from her, she was a chameleon, sassy and bold in her breeches, every inch the Lady in her gown. He mentally rubbed his hands together as he thought of removing everything from her later and having her all to himself.

She in turn, knew that the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her life, wanted her desperately. It felt nice to have him admiring her still, his sidelong glances telling her exactly how he felt.

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The King was impressed. He thought Elizabeth had been cute as a button before, but to see her morph into the beautiful butterfly she now reminded him of, made him proud for his friend Alexander. He wished Alex could see her, he could imagine the pride that would have been evident upon his friend's face, had Alex still lived.

The King wanted to spend time with her, to hear her life's story, and he had hit upon a plan to get her husband out of the way, for a week at least.

Violet would now become his courier and deliver the papers he needed signed by the Duke of Marlborough.

He would also be escorting Eleanor to see her sister in law, the Duchess, as Ellie had not had that pleasure yet.

"When do you want me to leave?" Violet asked the King.

They sat at the King's table, enjoying their wine, as Violet was filled in on his punishment. He had a feeling the King wanted him out of the way, he did not like it, yet it would be better than being locked up in a cell for a time.

"Tomorrow, as soon as Eleanor is ready to leave." The King watched Violet's face for any balking, but none was to be had.

Violet knew he must do whatever it was the King wanted if his men were to receive their pardons.

"And Elizabeth?" Violet knew what he was going to say before he even opened his mouth.

"Shall stay with me." The King replied.

Violet nodded, then looked to his wife.

The King saw the love shining in Vi's violet orbs, the pain he would feel upon leaving her, evident there also. The King refused to feel guilty, it was only one week out of their lives, and they would have many years together in the future.

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And now, what we have been waiting for. Jaidesmama is back and feeling ornery, she made me rush to get here, and you shall reap the rewards! ;)