Thirty Six Part Two

Marcus and Katherine did not leave for her cottage until a full sennight had passed.

The King was insisting that his men could start work on the estate immediately. "My men are being paid, Marcus, they have no builds going on at this time, they may as well put their knowledge and their skills to use for a worthy cause."

So Marcus stayed as long as he was needed, meeting with the King's men daily, to discuss exactly what they would need. The plans were drafted up, then approved by Violet, the King, and himself. There were many minor decisions to be made, and Marcus wanted himself, and Violet, to make them together.

Marcus knew that his family was being incredibly blessed. The enthusiasm he had felt before more than doubled. Marcus saw their boon as nothing less than God's favor being poured out upon their endeavor.

Katherine did not mind putting off their trip south in the least. She spent part of her days visiting with Violet, Elizabeth, or the boys. When Marcus was sequestered with the King's men, making their plans, Katherine found time to visit the King's seamstresses and learn some new stitches.

While Katherine could make most anything from leather, she realized she would need to practice stitching lighter fabrics as well. There would be a good number of children that would be coming to them, children of all shapes and sizes. Katherine knew children grew quickly and they would need to have new clothing fairly often.

In the afternoons, Katherine always returned to the suite in plenty of time before supper. She made sure she was there to greet her husband, knowing how Marcus liked to find her there awaiting him.

Katherine and Marcus's nights were filled with rediscovering each other. Katherine came to find that her husband had a wicked sense of humour in the bedroom that kept her quite enthralled.

Katherine and Marcus occupied the sumptuous suite of rooms that Katherine had been given to prepare herself to wed. Katherine found herself luxuriating in the royal treatment that the stay at the castle was affording her. She was waited upon hand and foot, breakfast was delivered to her room every morning, and she had a personal maid to help her dress, who also her would do her hair. There was nothing that Katherine was required to do all the day long.

She thought back to just a short time ago. Her baking, the milking, the wash, and the gardening, all was but a distant memory at the moment.

Katherine tried to fully enjoy this time of leisure, knowing they would certainly have their work cut out for them in the future. She looked forward to the rewards their work would bring, the reward of happy, healthy children. She also found that Marcus's enthusiasm for their new home was contagious.

But that would not be for a while yet, it would take months to build, and her input was not necessary at this point.

Katherine was more than happy to have absolutely nothing to worry over for a while.

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The Wench was scheduled to be in dry dock before the sennight had passed. The crew had been busy stripping her of all they could. Pete had reported back for duty, as Sam and he were both needed for the heavier lifting.

Rebecca and the boys walked to the docks everyday at noon, having walked the dog, they would then bring Pete his lunch.

Rebecca and the boys enjoyed the meandering, daily walk down to the harbor, while little Petie tried out the boundaries of her new leash. Petie never lasted the entire distance with her short little legs, Timmy would usually end up carrying the tiny pup well over half the way, his cheeks and chin being licked almost the entire time.

Rebecca carried a quilt over her arm and a basket of bread, meats, and cheese for Pete's meal.

Pete stopped his work upon hearing Timothy call out to him. Waving the group aboard, Pete took the basket Rebecca carried as soon as he met her on deck. They took their picnic to the helm deck and Rebecca spread the quilt.

Pete was glad they came to see him and bring his dinner, as lately, he found himself thoroughly exhausted by the end of day. He found he needed to hit his bunk earlier than he had been before.

"Will you stay in the guest room when she goes to dry dock, Pete?" Rebecca looked to him hopefully, as she sat next to him, her legs tucked beneath her. She prayed they would still have Pete around the house, even as she knew he must help with the ship during the daylight hours.

"I would appreciate that greatly, Becca." Pete made a move to wipe his mouth, just as Rebecca reached over, brushing the crumbs from his lip with her thumb.

Pete's eyes warmed, as he took her wrist in his hand, kissing her thumb, then nipping upon it lightly. He grinned lustily, as she snatched her hand back, glaring at him playfully, before looking to see if the boys had noticed.

Pete continued his earlier thought, "I know the other men plan to rent rooms near the docks. Yet, I could more readily see you and the boys for a bit in the evenings, if I were to rent a room from you."

"You do not need to pay rent, Pete, you brought me my boys, and that is a debt I could never repay." Rebecca fluffed Jonah's curls, as she slanted her glance at Pete appreciatively to assure him he would be welcome.

"Paulie is quite comfortable in his room," Rebecca smiled down at the boys, knowing that if Pete were in the house at night, she would sleep easier. "I am sure you shall be comfortable also."

Rebecca had eliminated the need for Paulie to travel back and forth to the ship. Paulie now spent most of his day with Jonah, he was a great help to Rebecca in that capacity. She told Paulie, the help he was to her, more than covered any rent she could charge him.

Paulie had jumped at the chance to be man about the house, as Rebecca had put it. Paulie puffing right up with pleasure to be of some use.

Pete found himself missing Rebecca and the boys the last few days, especially in the evening, while lying in his lonely bed before falling asleep.

Pete would be glad to move his things in, to at least have a chance to see Becca and the boys, here and there, once the refurbishment of the Wench was truly underway. He would be needed most of the days through, just as he had been the last few.

It was decided then, between them. Once the Wench pulled out of the water, Pete and his things would be found down the hallway from the boys and Paulie. Pete's things, and he, would be ensconced in his own room at Rebecca's.

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Gwendolyn was laid to rest one morn, Jude and Alfred stood side by side in the early morning mist to watch her be buried.

Alfred's departure with the Ferguson's was scheduled for the next afternoon, and Jude gave him a tearful, heartfelt goodbye, truly meaning every word. Jude was glad for his son, and the life he would make for himself, Jude did not feel the need to burden Alfred with the truth of his paternity. It just did not feel right to do so at this point.

Jude knew Alfred was extremely happy, and he did not want to be the cause for that to end. It was a difficult decision for Jude, as he wanted to tell Alfred the truth, yet then again, he did not.

Alfred thanked Jude for all his help with Gwen. Alfred felt indebted to this man, his cousin, who had been so helpful in successfully dealing with the nastiness his mother had brought on herself.

Jude assured him it had not been a trouble to him, that it had actually helped him to learn some things about himself he had needed to know.

Alfred could understand, as that was how he felt his mother's prodding had affected him. It had changed his perspective completely, for him to let her, and her aspirations go.

Marcus had forgone the burial, washing his hands of the wretched woman the very moment he heard she wanted him dead.

Marcus did, along with Violet, see Alfred off at the docks the next day. Hopeful promises were exchanged on both sides, promises to try to visit in the future.

Marcus was very glad to see Alfred self confident and smiling. Alfred seemed more than eager to depart, excited to begin his new life with the lovely Terese.

"I shall expect to see you up and running next time we are here." James unnecessarily harangued Marcus, and Violet, before boarding the ship.

"I shall not disappoint, my lord, you have my word." Violet assured the man, as Marcus nodded beside him.

Violet had been able to speak to Terese's father at Marcus and Katherine's small reception supper. Terese's parents had been invited to the celebration, after the wedding ceremony, as Marcus thought it a good opportunity for them all to meet.

Marcus and Katherine both found they enjoyed James and Ruthe's company very much, finding them a down to earth, humorous, and witty couple. Marcus could see from where Terese had gained her spunk.

Violet made his plea to James, unwittingly gaining a healthy donation, but most important, Violet received a promise from James.

James promised to lean upon his fellow factory owners that employed children. James would try to pressure them to raise their standards on how the children were cared for, protected, and most of all, overworked. James could easily see how a sixteen hour work day could be cause for needless accidents. Even grown men grew tired before less time had elapsed than that, and tired workers were prone to carelessness and casualties.

James himself, did not hire, nor work, children. James felt if you paid a man well enough, he could support an entire family. Also, James, being an immigrant to America himself, had usually tended to hire immigrants to work for him.

But if James applied enough pressure, refusing to do business with factory owners who did use babes, mayhap there could be a small amount of reform in some of the factories.

Violet had to believe that anything was better than nothing.

It had meant the world to Violet to have the man's weight and promise behind the effort.

Taking Terese's hand, Marcus looked to Alfred before he bowed over it, "Take care of him, I implore you." His eyes humorously begged her compliance.

"Oh I shall, my lord, I most certainly shall." Terese gave Alfred a look that he could only interpret to mean he had best stay in line, and he grinned widely.

"I sort of look forward to it, if I must be truthful." Alfred found the humour in Terese's passive aggressive attitude something he was beginning to appreciate and relish. As long as she ended her teasing by coming into his arms willingly, at any point, Alfred had not a worry in the world.

Marcus and Terese's faces reflected their shared amusement at Alfred's confession, before Marcus moved to embrace Alfred tightly, knowing he would miss him terribly once he was gone.

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I will have more in a day or two, it is written, just need to pretty it up :)