Thirty Four Part Four

Alfred let himself out the garden doors. Closing them softly behind him, he turned towards the garden, catching a glimpse of Terese's sky blue gown through the sculpted hedges.

He smiled mischievously and sauntered slowly forward. He began humming a waltz tune they had danced to at Lady Harrison's ball, as he made his way towards her, stopping only when he felt that Terese would bolt if he came any closer.

"I know you are there, my beauty. And I know I have vexed you," Alfred said softly, "I have come to beg your forgiveness."

Terese scoffed, turning away from spying upon him and his slow approach, she crossed her arms tightly and glared at the solid bench that sat off to the side of the curved path.

"I have been teasing you, and I would have you know, 'tis only that I am feeling somewhat mischievous this eve, as I came here with every intention of making you mine."

Terese attempted to harden her resolve until 'twas as solid as the stone bench she levelled her eyes upon.

But Alfred spoke softly, his voice exuding a warm timbre that physically swept through Terese, pulling at her, even as she fought against it.

"I am not as thick headed as you may believe." Alfred chuckled softly.

"However, I do have an awful tendency to tease those I love, and I have found myself to be very much in love with you." Alfred came around the bushes and placed a hand upon the tree bough above Terese's head, standing very close to her.

She slowly raised her eyes from his shirtfront to his face.

Terese gave him a scornful glare before she turned away once more and began walking away from him.

She did so slowly, however, as she did not want to miss his next words.

"I lost my mother today." Alfred spoke to her back as she meandered out in front of him.

Terese whirled upon him at his words. "You lost....?"

"My mother..... A cold, horrible, bitter woman....with whom this world is a much better place for being without."

Terese looked upon him with furrowed brow. Is that why he had never spoken of his mother? "I am sorry, none the less," Terese breathed the words, "I am sure it can not be easy to lose a parent, even one that caused grief while living." Her eyes searched Alfred's own, seeing that he appreciated her condolences.

"Thank you." Alfred bowed his head, "I was lucky enough to have been blessed with a good father, however. He has asked me to care for her things she left behind, so I must be gone to the family estate tomorrow."

"I can well understand the need to be with your family at a time such as this, Alfred." Terese attempted to be politely aloof, as though he were only a friendly acquaintance she may miss upon occasion in the future.

"I do have hopes to begin my own family," Alfred continued, leaning in even closer to her, as she seemed rooted to the spot for a moment, "I came here this evening hoping to gain a bride."

Terese looked into Alfred's eyes. She could see that he loved her, she also saw that his future hope and happiness resided in her answer.

She turned away from him again, strolling deeper into the garden. She longed to be truthful and tell him what was in her heart, yet, she also felt he was enjoying this game of trying to win her over.

Alfred followed her and with his long strides he quickly came up to walk beside her.

She turned her head to give him a questioningly, uncaring look, "Are you hoping to gain any bride in particular? Someone I may know, perhaps?"

Alfred quirked a smile at her effort to be flippant, "Perchance, you do..... She is a fair beauty, her locks the color of fine burgundy wine, and her eyes are as polished jade. I believe you gaze upon her likeness every morn in your looking glass."

Terese snapped her gaze forward again, harrumphing a slight snort upon his words, "A serious suitor would come with sweet words and attentiveness, while you talk about business and make dates with my father."

"Only so that I can assure myself I will be able to provide for your future." Alfred rejoined in an informative tone, "I want to ensure I can give you all you could ever want."

Alfred stepped around in front of her, as she maintained her icy demeanor. "I know how important money and things are to a woman. I would do my utmost to care for you in the manner you deserve." Alfred looked into her eyes honestly, as she thought upon his words.

There was something in his eyes when he had spoken, some pain along with a deep purpose resided there. Terese thought she might have a clue to it's origination.

"Money and things were important to your mother?" She asked him consolingly, as she lightly placed her hand upon his forearm.

Alfred looked down to where Terese touched him.

He closed his eyes for a second, taking in the warm feeling that filled his being. He was still unused to Terese's touching him simply because she cared for him.

"Well, yes..... Those things were most important to her." Alfred agreed.

Did not all women place great value on living and dressing well? Did all women not want to be given more and more until they had attained everything they desired? It was what Alfred knew from his own experience, he would hate for Terese to come to resent him as his mother had resented Marcus.

"I assume you like having nice things, and I am sure you would not want to continue living with your parents once you are wed?" Alfred lifted a brow in question, as Terese began laughing softly.

"Oh Alfred, you have no idea, do you?" Terese laughed her words, as she realized Alfred did not know the magnitude of her father's wealth.

Nor was Alfred aware of the whole of her own.

Being the only child of James Ferguson, Terese had been schooled upon his knee since she could understand his words.

James had not cared one whit that she be a girl. Terese was his heir, and in her resided James' hopes for the future.

Terese possessed a quick mind and a curious nature, which had led James to take her along with him to conduct business at a very young age.

She had accompanied him to factories and railroad meetings. He brought her along to the Tontine Coffee House, where he kept abreast of the current trades, as she in turn, soaked it all in.

In the evenings around the supper table, James argued with his daughter, as she made intellectual arguments for or against investments.

Terese had many 'uncles' in the business world, many important men had indulgently humoured her young presence as her father's pet, only to now find her a force to be reckoned with.

Terese had learned to use her own funds to invest for a greater yield, her father being her tutor and mentor, she had grown her own assets to the point that she need never worry about funds for the rest of her life.

She now managed her own investments, as well as a good amount of her father's, as she actively traded upon the exchange her own self.

Terese had never shared this side of herself with Alfred, she had become so used to men believing a woman could have no mind, she had learned to guard her secret well.

She grinned at Alfred, knowing she looked forward to sharing this information with him, then she offered him a little help getting back to the conversation at hand, "And you love me?"

Her mouth quirked up in a half smile, as his own gaze warmed, and fairly glowed at her.

He took her fingertips in his own, joining his hand to hers, "As the stars love the moon, and as the fish love the sea. I find you are the air I breathe, Terese. You are the one thought that consumes my mind all the day long and causes me to grin as a fool at strange times. I am sure people must think me mad of late." He grinned thusly at present, she noticed.

"I only wait to be with you again when I am away from you." Alfred went on, "I......"

Terese wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him silent.

It was difficult, as she found herself smiling so widely, yet, kiss him she did.

Not one of the chaste, courting kisses he had been used to with her, but a joyful celebration of two lovers, who, out of the many people that populated this world, had found the one they could truly care for.

Alfred finally came up for air, gazing beseechingly into her joyful face, "Is that a yes?" Alfred traced a path down her neck with his fingertips, as Terese shivered with pleasure at his touch.

"You must ask my father, but my answer would be...." Terese paused as if thinking very deliberately.

Alfred's hopeful face beseeched her, "I have a ring for you, you could be my intended tonight." He wheedled and begged.

"You do? May I see it, so I know you are not once again teasing me?" She raised a brow as she awaited his answer.

"I was teasing you before, and you have my permission to get back at me whenever you like, but for now I would beg an answer, I did promise your parents to return before their supper grew cold." Alfred beseeched her in his best begging tone.

"The ring?" Terese raised her face royally, and ignored his begging.

Alfred withdrew the bands from his pocket, tucking the wedding band back inside, he presented the engagement ring for her perusal.

Terese bent her head over his hand and inspected the ring, she peeked up through the wisps of hair that fell across her brow, seeing his fervently hopeful expression.

She quirked a smile at how much an expectant boy he looked, then held out her hand regally towards him, "Do you believe it will fit?"

Her smile widened, as he jumped at the chance to slide it upon her hand. The band fitting perfectly and gleaming in it's newly polished state.

"It seems to." Alfred looked to her shining eyes, pure pleasure filling his own at the love he saw there.

Terese placed a hand upon Alfred's cheek before she raised up to kiss him, "Perfectly." She murmured against his lips, she would worry about getting him back for his teasing at a later date.

But...... This much Terese did know, pay for it he would.

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Unbeknownst to his guests, the King had asked Brutus to also join them for supper, his arrival following on the heels of Marcus and Katy's own.

Katherine glowed this eve, her eyes rested upon her son and his best friend, as they stood conversing with the King and Elizabeth.

"You are happy, Mama Katy?" Marcus smiled down upon her, as she lifted her joyful iris eyes to his.

"Very happy, Marcus. I have gained you and my son, a new daughter, and soon we shall be blessed with grandchildren. I could not ask for more." Her gratefulness shone upon her face.

"I know of only one thing that could make you even happier." Marcus turned away from her questioning look and addressed his King.

"Sire, If you could convince these two to bear arms," Marcus pointed at Vi and Brutus, "I believe you may find yourself quite entertained."

The King bowed his head slightly at the two men, tossing Brutus his sword, he took Elizabeth's arm and led her back to observe them from the davenport.

Violet grinned at Brutus, "I shall miss this while you are gone to sea."

"You had best keep your blade honed, Petals, as I will return often to see how soft you will have become, land dweller."

"Have no fear, Captain Marks," Violet bowed as he used Brutus' new title, "I shall continue to hand you your...." Violet remembered there were ladies present, as his face reddened a mite.

The King guffawed, as he sat down next to Elizabeth, feeling the production had already begun.

"A cockier man I have yet to come across." Brutus held his sword aloft as Violet set his own against it.

"With good reason," Violet assured him. "At your ready, Marcus."

Violet and Brutus grinned at one another, right up until Marcus announced 'en guarde'.

Immediately the grins were replaced with amused concentration, as the two men engaged in a rout such as the King had never seen before.

He could not keep track of the blades, he could not believe the acrobatics. He found his eyes glued to the two as they made their way around the room, using every piece of furniture and every square inch of the polished floor.

Elizabeth sat beside her King, her eyes aglow, not a sound issued forth from her as she watched them with pride, stealing glances occasionally at the King's profile.

Brutus drove Violet towards them, Violet stepping up and back upon the low table front of their viewers.

Vi made his way along the length of the table, Brutus following him up and across, before Violet unarmed Brutus, sending his blade up and backwards through the air.

Brutus lunged to catch his blade as it fell. This gave Violet the few seconds he needed, to flip off of the table, head over heels, regaining his stance, as Brutus gained his blade.

The King laughed and slapped his hands against his knees, looking to Betsy and sharing a grin, before riveting his attention upon the two men once more.

"'Tis even better aboard the ship." Elizabeth told the King, as he wondered, what could be better than this?

Katherine clasped her hands together as Violet gained a point on Brutus, bringing the bout to an end.

Brutus bowed to Violet, his wide grin back upon his face. "I allowed you to win, you know. One last victory, before you go soft."

"You, my friend, are full of horse manure." Violet rejoined.

"From what I saw today at your father's estate, ye shall know more about that commodity than ye could ever have wished." Brutus laughed at his own humour.

"From what Elizabeth told me earlier, ye shall stay at sea until barnacles have attached themselves to your..." Violet again remembered there were ladies present, as he reddened once more and glanced to his mother apologetically.

Katherine laughed at Violet, he was acting as if she were not used to their verbal sparring by now.

'Twas then Violet noticed the ring upon his mother's hand. His eyes shot to his father, who stood smiling and raising his brows.

Marcus saw the look Violet gave to his mother's hand. He awaited Violet's reaction.

Violet's gaze warmed upon his father, "You are free to wed my mother?" He certainly hoped that was the case, and that she was not being given false hope.

"I am, she has consented to be my wife just as soon as we can manage it." Marcus placed his hand upon Katherine's shoulder, as she looked up to him with joy.

Katherine could not possibly be happier than she was this evening, she was quite sure of that. She could not believe how swiftly her life had changed upon one cannon shot, one fine autumn day.

Grateful to the tips of her toes, she rose and kissed Marcus' cheek, before approaching Violet for an embrace.

Her hand came up from behind Violet to lay upon Brutus' cheek, "I am very proud of you both." She moved back a bit and looked at her beautiful son and his best friend. "I just know God has used you two all this time, and I am overjoyed that He will continue to do so."

"It seems we all get to share in His blessings, Mama. I am happy for you and Marcus......" Violet glared jokingly at his father. "It certainly took him long enough."

Katherine wrinkled her nose at Violet, as Marcus and the King laughed.

Elizabeth was lost, her gaze roaming back and forth between Katy and Marcus, and now the King also.

Katherine noticed and went to Elizabeth, holding her hand aloft.

"Ooooooooo....." Betsy admired the fragile amethyst flower, smiling up at Katherine, knowing she must be extremely pleased. "Congratulations, Mama Katy, Marcus."

Elizabeth included them both in her warm gaze.

"Do we have a date?" The King asked the newly engaged couple.

Marcus placed his arm around Katherine's shoulders, "Tomorrow could not be soon enough for me." He teased.

"Done!" The King grinned widely, as Katy gasped and Marcus sputtered.

"But, my liege, we can not be ready by then." Marcus already knew his words fell upon deaf ears.

Katherine laughed nervously, "We could not possibly....."

"We shall prepare for a wedding while you take Violet to your estate, Marcus. Yes, a late afternoon wedding with a celebratory supper to follow." The King nodded, as Katherine's panicked eyes flew to Marcus' face.

"Do not worry, Katy girl, he is as good as his word." Marcus voice was resigned.

Violet and Brutus laughed at Katy's face.

Lost, bewildered and flummoxed, she gasped and gaped at Marcus, much as a fish out of water.

The King being as good as his word was exactly what Katherine was afraid of.

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Sorry my lovely readers, the trip wore me out more than I knew. I needed a vacation from the vacation, lol

Thank you for your patience :)