Thirty Two Part Three

Marcus was glad he would be introducing Katherine to a new Alfred, a kinder, more genuine Alfred and not the male version of Gwendolyn that Alfred seemed to have successfully shed. Marcus was amazed at the changes that had come over the young man, where before Alfred's eyes had appeared beady and calculating, they now shone with intelligence, hope, and joy. Where before, Alfred had seemed scrawny and petulant, he now seemed lean, healthy, and matured. Marcus did not know what exactly had brought about these changes, however, Marcus thanked the Lord greatly that he had two sons he could be most proud of.

Alfred asked once again before taking his leave, "You are sure you have all you need, Merry?"

Merry was in heaven. Being surrounded by the joyful chatter of the children, while watching the men with their lines in the water, had her laughing her answer, "I have more than I need, Alfred. I am sorry I was so nervous before, this is absolutely wonderful!"

Alfred sensed that she could not wait to get to work. He chuckled at her enthusiasm, as she had already begun sketching the hard lines of the lake and meadows. Alfred looked out the direction she was gazing, seeing things differently than he had before. Having read James' business reports, Alfred could now appreciate Marcus' endeavors. Looking out at the meadow, Alfred saw the sheep grazing contentedly, and rather than being disgusted by them he could now appreciate the peace and beauty they lent to the land. "Enjoy yourself, Merry. I am almost sorry I have to go." Alfred admitted.

"No you are not," Merry teased him, "Have a wonderful day with Terese, Alfred." Merry's eyes sparkled up at him encouragingly before she bent once again to her drawing.

"I believe I shall, Merry." A smile lit his face as he searched the shoreline for his father.

Marcus had been waiting for Alfred to get Merry settled before approaching him. Marcus went to meet Alfred half of the way seeing Alfred seek him out. Marcus met Alfred, then turned to walk back with him, placing his arm around Alfred's shoulder, "Katherine is here and I would like you to meet her, if that is all right with you, son."

Alfred placed his arm around the back of Marcus and squeezed his shoulder, "It is more than all right with me father, I have looked forward to this ever since your telling me about her."

Marcus felt a weight fall from his shoulders with Alfred's sincere words, "Come along then." They approached the group on the shoreline, amusement marking their features as the boys argued over who had caught the largest fish so far. "Katherine, I have brought someone I would like you to meet."

Katherine stood from bending over the catch of the day, and saw that Marcus had brought his son with him. Katherine smiled a little shyly, yet the joy in the young man's eyes did much to dispell her nervousness. She was replacing this young man's mother. I do hope he will not resent me. "Yes, Marcus?" She humbly asked, as she came to stand in front of the two men.

The men had let their arms drop from one another. Marcus took Katherine's hand, moving to stand next to her, his other hand gestured towards his son. "This is Alfred, Baron of Nimford, my son beget of his mother, Gwendolyn."

"Please, father, do not remind me," Alfred scowled for a mere second, "and there is no need for formalities," Alfred took Katherine's hand, bowing over it, "I am charmed Katherine, please, call me Alfred."

"Equally charmed, Alfred." Katherine said earnestly, "Marcus has told me about you, and I am very pleased to finally meet you." Katherine smiled more confidently, as the young man seemed to have a very pleasing personality.

"And I you," Alfred agreed. "Would the two of you walk with me to my hack, I cannot be late, as my lovely Terese expects me by noon." The three turned to walk in the direction of  the carriages, Katherine sandwiched between the two men.

"What do you mean bringing the King out for the day, father? How in the world did this come about?" Alfred was highly bemused by the whole situation, "I swear, I thought poor Merry would faint of embarrassment."

"Who is Merry?" Katherine asked curiously, looking over to where the pretty maid sat drawing.

"A friend." Both Marcus and Alfred laughed together, after spitting that out at the same time.

Katherine laughed herself, and raised a brow, "I feel there is more to her story, but I will leave you men to your secrets." Katherine had herself been a secret, Marcus' secret, for many, many years, and she did not judge others as she did not want to be judged herself.

"I give you leave to tell her, father, as you probably would anyway," Alfred winked at Katherine, "But as for me, I must be off. As I said, I do not want to keep my intended waiting."

"You are engaged?" Katherine asked.

"Almost, I am working on it most diligently." Alfred made a very serious face, causing Katherine to laugh at his attempt at humor.

"I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor." Katherine assured him.

"Any advice?" Alfred asked of the older couple.

"Hold on to her, and never let her go." Marcus imparted, as he gazed down at his Katy. "Do not be a fool as I was, be honest and forthcoming, thank God for her everyday, and tell her that you do."

"Oh my, I do like that advice, Marcus." Katy teased him with her eyes, as she conveyed he had best be taking his own advice now that he had given it.

"As do I," Alfred grinned, "and I cannot wait to get about it."

Marcus laughed aloud, he could tell Alfred was keen to be off, "Have a wonderful day, son. And do not forget you need to go through your mother's things to secure what you intend to keep." Marcus did not say so, however, he wanted Gwen's things gone from the manse just as quickly as possible.

"I may be able to come back tomorrow, I shall see what comes up in the meantime, but I will just as soon as I am able." Alfred embraced his father, gracing Katherine with a kiss upon her cheek, "He deserves you, I hope you know that." Alfred whispered by her ear.

Katy looked to Marcus with love, before turning her sparkling violet eyes to Alfred, nodding once in agreement.

Alfred swung up into the hired hack, waving out the window as it rolled away down the drive.

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Brutus allowed the others to leave the coach first, until only he, Margaret, and her babe remained. "Be ye ready?" At Margaret's shy nod, Brutus handed her Daniel gently, as the babe had slept contentedly in Brutus' arms the entire last half of the journey.

"You should have told me the King would be here, Brutus." Margaret, in her quiet way, admonished him. She had found out the monarch would be present, after getting in the coach and being introduced to everyone. Elizabeth, she had known, all the others were strangers, which had made Margaret a bit shy. The babe had proven an excellent diversion, as Rebecca had begged to hold him, imparting to Margaret how sweet a babe he was.

Brutus felt a strange pride looking down at the small bundle, 'twas a feeling he could not explain, he only knew it had been there from the start. Brutus attempted to ease Margaret's trepidation about being around the monarch. "Just watch him with Elizabeth, you will find he is quite human, Margaret."

"You still should have told me." She glared at Brutus, he realized she was chiding him playfully, before she took a deep breath, "I suppose I am as ready as I shall ever be."

"Do not worry, I promise to not leave your side." Brutus assured her, he swung out of the carriage, holding his arms out for the babe. Margaret handed Daniel back into Brutus' arms, and turned to gather the blankets and bag of swaddling she had brought with her. Brutus adjusted his warm bundle into the crook of one arm before assisting Margaret as she exited the coach. He took the bag from her, leaving her clutching the blankets in front of her tightly, as her arms seemed empty without the babe. The blankets became her soft shield, she almost wished she could hide underneath them.

"Shall we find a nice spot on the grass?" Brutus asked, as she watched the ground in front of her feet. Brutus noticed her downcast vision, "I cannot see your beautiful eyes when you walk like that, you know."

Margaret shot a swift look at him, not able to see herself beautiful in any way, as she knew the truth about herself, and he did not.

"You do not believe me?" Brutus was astounded by the look upon her face.

"There is nothing beautiful about me, Brutus, it would be best for you to know that now." She replied.

Brutus hated that she felt that way, did she not have a mirror with which to see herself? Brutus realized her mirror was distorted, it was warped and grainy from years of abuse. Brutus stopped dead in his tracks.

Margaret took another step before realizing he was no longer walking beside her.

She turned and waited, while Brutus frowned angrily, "I am a God fearing man, Margaret, but I would gladly kill each and every man who ever touched you, I would have them tied to my mast and hand you the cat, and when your strength gave out and you could not whip them any longer, I would finish them off one by one just for your pleasure." Brutus had never known such frustration and anger in his life. He had seen things before that had curdled his blood, he had seen children starving on the docks, he had seen the lowest of the low in dark alleyways and seedy taverns, but he had never felt the anger he felt at this moment. Pity, yes, a need to help, certainly. But all consuming rage and devastation had just hit him and he did not know what to do. He willed the tears of frustration he felt to stay hidden and not fall from his eyes.

Margaret was taken aback. He reminded her of when the duchess had taken the barbed whip to flay Marcus Bailey. She knew that while it had provided temporary satisfaction, it had still not changed what had come before. "It would do no good to do so, Brutus. What has been done, has been done." Margaret placed her hand upon Brutus' forearm that held her babe, "Unless killing them would keep them from harming others, I would agree with you, yet, it is simply too late for me."

Brutus searched her eyes, his heart hurting, for her, for the babe, for her past. He could do nothing to change the terrors she had endured. He only wished she were open to letting him help her to have a better future. "It is too late to change what happened before, Margaret. But only look with open eyes into a mirror and you will see," He all but begged of her, "the bruises have gone, the scars have healed, you must allow yourself to now heal on the inside also."

Margaret frowned, knowing that he was only trying to be kind she softened her countenance quickly and attempted to placate him, "I will try, Brutus, can we please leave this behind and enjoy the day?" She was willing to pretend if it would make him feel better. This man touched her heart as an arrow pierces a hide, she just could not do this right now and remain in one piece. It would be easy to let his charm and warmth sway her, but he deserved so much more than she. He deserved a woman who was not broken, one who could give him the love he deserved, one who could give him his own children someday. As she could not. She knew that ship had sailed with the last session Admiral Miser had forced her to endure, and while she had made peace with the fact within herself, to subject a beautiful man such as this one to never have his own children was just wrong, she knew that for certain, weather he would accept it or not. It was because of this that she must remain strong, guarding her heart, saving Brutus from himself and what he thought he wanted. "Please, Brutus," she begged, "I am nervous enough as it is."

"Of course..... I am sorry," Brutus had not meant to rise to anger, he calmed himself, burying his face deeply in the swaddling that lay in his arms for a moment. Breathing in the sweet baby smell worked to clear his anger, yet it did nothing to dispel the unbidden moisture from clinging to his eyes. He lifted his head away from the babe, to look at Daniel's sweet mother and swiftly blinked the moisture back. "Please know that you can trust me to be kind to you," Brutus' eyes pleaded, as did his voice, "I came to care for you both, back there on the island, and I would have you know that I believe in you Margaret." Brutus hoped she would accept his feelings and soften towards him a mite.

"I too, care for you, Brutus." She stuck out a hand, "Friends?" She felt she could give him that.

"Absolutely," Brutus took her hand, but he gently kissed the back of it. "Very good friends, I hope." His eyes crinkled into a smile, hope residing there. Brutus kept hold of her hand, squeezing it gently before they proceeded to join the others gathered on the far side of the lake. Passing Marcus, Katherine, and Alfred as they walked, Brutus nodded at the trio, as Margaret smiled shyly before ducking her head.

She had not met them yet, she would later, but for now, Margaret wanted a quiet spot in the shade for her to sit quietly and let Daniel finish his nap. She could use some time to build the walls around her heart a little bit thicker and higher.

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Marcus and Katherine waved Alfred off then turned into one another's arms.

"Would you like a quick tour of the grounds?" Marcus' eyes shined with pride and Katherine was more than happy to be shown about.

"Please." She moved back and took the hand he offered, allowing him to lead her towards the barn. Katherine could hear the horses blowing, stomping and whickering in their stalls as they approached the stables.

Her eyes grew rounder as she saw the seemingly endless rows of horseflesh lining the perimeter of the huge building. "You have this many steeds, Marcus?" She asked in wonder.

"The six stalls at the end are mama cows ready to calve, we like to keep them close as they get ready to deliver. Sometimes our assistance is needed." They walked up the row, Katherine pausing when they came to one paddock outside the barn on the far end.

A mare with her new filly eyed them as they paused to do the same.

"Oh Marcus, it is precious!" Katy held onto the rail as she admired the tiny horse. It was standing on it's too long of legs, a bit of a wobble still in it's knees.

"She is our latest addition, she will need a name, Katy girl, would you like to do the honors?" Marcus grinned upon Katherine's wonder filled face.

"Hope." Katy stated, as she came away from the fence and was immediately wrapped in Marcus' arms.

"Aye, Hope is a good name for her, as we should never give up hope, should we, Katy girl?"

"Never, Marcus, not ever." She smiled against his chest as he held her tightly, intending to never let her go again.

"Have I told you that I thanked God for you today?" Marcus smiled down at her.

"I believe you had, though I could never get tired of hearing so." Katy raised up on her toes and kissed him, "I thank Him for you also, Marcus, everyday."

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