Thirty Eight Part Two

Violet stood and walked to the edge of the veranda. Leaning over the railing, he listened past the children's voices and those of the men sitting behind him. He thought he heard a carriage approaching, and indeed, the sound grew louder as a team and coach appeared from the forest lined road that ran in from London.

As the conveyance swung around the drive, a predatory gleam lit Violet's visage. He recognized the crest that announced 'twas his cousin, the privateer Earl, and his obnoxious Countess.

Violet chuckled to himself. This should be interesting, he thought.

What brought the true gleam to Violet's eye was his anticipation of seeing Lady Arianna now that they were all aware that he and Drake were related. For some self satisfying reason, the thought of her possible discomfiture thrilled Violet to no end.

Violet knew it all would have to end in a truce, in light of his commitment to be a man for God, not to mention, his great love for his wife. Yet, his manly pride had been wounded by the haughty Countess once too many times in the past, and he would take a small bit of fleshly pleasure in her temporary discomfort, should she feel any.

Damien rose and came to stand next to Violet, "Play nice..... You hear me, boy?" Damien's hand came to rest upon Violet's shoulder, as Violet shot his uncle a grin.

Violet raised his brows in innocence, this was going to be better than he could have ever imagined. "But of course, Uncle, let us go greet them together."

The men smiled at one another, Violet innocently, Damien suspiciously, as they made their way to the carriage, while the Earl's footman climbed down.

Opening the door, the man dropped the step and stood aside. Violet and Damien came to a halt, side by side, a meter away.

Drake ducked out in a crouch from the coach, his eyes full of pleasure at seeing his father, before turning to assist his wife down.

"Play nice, Ari." Drake suggested quietly, as he handed her down from the coach.

Arianna looked down to the step, lifting her skirts aside, she descended to the ground, then lifted her eyes.

Damien stepped forward and bussed her cheek, "Arianna, you are more lovely than when I saw you last."

Arianna blushed prettily, murmuring nonsense, as Violet rolled his eyes to the sky and waited for her to get over her pretty self.

"Captain Petals...... Violet." Drake stuck out his hand in a timely manner, just barely tapping, not quite punching Violet in the gut.

Violet stepped back shortly, grinning widely, he started laughing his words, as he took Drake's hand, "Cousin, I was not sure you would come."

"You got my letter, yes?" Damien placed a hand upon Drake's arm taking him from Violet, enfolding him into his arms, clapping him upon the back. Damien then drew back to see Drake's face, to assure himself all was well, also to affirm that his missive had been received.

"I did," Drake answered his father, then looked to his wife, "We did." Drake moved to Arianna, she took his arm, they both standing united for a moment. "We were both very glad to hear that Betsy was well, and that Violet had been taking good care of her." Drake narrowed his eyes slightly, as he looked down at Arianna, as this was the consensus they had finally agreed upon. That for Betsy's sake, Arianna would be civil to the pirate, who now, also happened to be his cousin.

That still boggled Drake's mind. Though he had recognized something long ago, Marcus had never, not once come to his mind. Drake needed to hear more of this, and of just how his uncle, Marcus, had managed that.

Arianna stepped away from Drake, towards Violet. Stopping in front of him, they raised brows at one another. A staring contest of sorts occurred for a moment. Violet's brow was raised in humor, Arianna's in haughtiness.

"Pirate." Arianna stated.

"My lady." Violet replied, sweeping her his flamboyant bow.

Arianna nodded slightly, accepting his greeting with a small smirk, " 'Tis reassuring to hear you have cared well for my maid." Arianna lifted her nose the tiniest bit.

"I care well and truly for my wife, my lady, I always shall. Would you care to see her?" Violet knew this would be the quickest way to keep himself from trouble, especially when he saw Arianna's obnoxious brother riding up the lane behind her.

Arianna saw Violet look past her and she turned, seeing her brother riding up the road, she began smiling widely.

" 'Tis Will, Drake!" She looked at her husband with pleasure, before walking forward to meet with her brother upon the drive.

Violet chuckled, this just kept getting better by the moment, quite honestly. All they needed now was the feisty duchess, and Elizabeth, to make it truly memorable.

The feral gleam came back into Violet's eyes as Will rode closer. Violet had yet to deal with both Ravenwood and the Countess at the same time, Vi turned his gaze curiously, to see if he could tell what his cousin, Drake, thought of Lord Ravenwood.

Violet saw that Drake had actually dismissed his wife and her brother, in favor of his father. Drake and Damien stood, speaking familiarly, just as Elizabeth slipped up behind Violet and raised up on her toes to whisper by his ear.

"Play nice, husband." Betsy smacked Violet's arm lightly as she passed him, gaining Arianna's side, just before Will dismounted.

Violet did not think he could smile any wider, he knew what this meant to his wife, it was as if her own family were arriving. He truly was happy for her as he followed behind her to share in her joy.

Betsy and Arianna hugged, and laughed, then pulled away from one another so Betsy could see Arianna's little growing belly. Then they hugged once more. In a moment they both were being enfolded in Will's arms.

Will spoke over the ladies heads, his arms around them collectively, "A fine day for a reunion, Petals."

"Agreed, Ravenwood, it surely is." Violet shook the lord's hand firmly, behind Arianna's back, she and Betsy both noting that these men liked and respected one another.

The men began discussing Will's journey. It had been a fine day for a ride, no, no word yet on the highwaymen.

"He is a smooth one, is he not?" Arianna narrowed her eyes upon Violet, feeling slightly betrayed by her brother.

"You have no idea." Betsy smiled adoringly at her pirate husband, knowing she had made the best decision of her entire life when agreeing to wed with him. "There is a lot to share with you, Ari, I just can not wait to tell you all that has happened."

Arianna smirked at the handsome, charming pirate, she could only imagine the gushing she would have to listen to of Betsy's love. She sighed and resigned herself to it as she happened to glance towards the manor.

"This is where you will now live?" Arianna was impressed, looking about, the ship shooting out into the lake did much to add to her amazement.

"It is ours, Ari, Violet's father is building anew over the rise." Betsy began leading her lady towards the manor as Amelia came out to greet Drake, stopping quickly to greet Arianna first.

Arianna greeted her mother in law cordially, not quite sure what to expect from this woman who had previously ran hot and cold towards her.

Amelia reached for Arianna's hand and held onto it while noting Ari's growing waistline. Her eyes were warm, her visage accepting.

"How have you been feeling, my dear?" Amelia queried with concern.

"Better, thank you, my lady. Once the sickness subsided I have felt right as rain." Arianna beamed, as the sickness was a thing of the past. That had been most dreadful, and it was something she would not be willingly volunteering for again. Drake had laughed heartily when she had stated that fact.

Amelia patted Arianna's hand, "Wonderful, my dear. If you feel as well as you look we have nothing to worry about." Looking back down to Arianna's waist, Amelia felt a small thrill, there was still a bit of a wait but it would be worth it in the end.

"I am off to see Drake." She smiled at the two young ladies, then passed them to greet her son.

Arianna began to walk with Betsy again, then stopped dead in her tracks. She whispered furtively, "What is HE doing here?"

Betsy looked up to the veranda and smiled warmly at the King, as he stood stoically, his brandy atop the rail. He was looking out past them, watching the men, as Damien, Will, Drake, and Violet conversed.

Gabriel leaned upon his cane, coming up beside the King, the men spoke to one another.

"He is one of my husband's supporters." Betsy spoke proudly.

The King set his glass aside, and began assisting Gabriel down the wide steps, they passed by the ladies with a respectful nod.

Betsy saw the slight wink the King sent her way when Arianna's eyes darted to Betsy's great grandfather.

"Ladies." Both the King, and Gabriel, addressed them shortly as they passed by.

Betsy giggled, as Arianna stood there aghast and confused.

"Come, let me get you some chocolate like you have never had before. The King brings me more every time he visits." Betsy giggled again at Arianna's bewildered face.

"Every time he visits....." Arianna stared after the tall, noble man, as he and Gabriel joined the group of gentlemen upon the drive.

"At least once a sennight, so far. He hunts his falcon o'er the hill." Betsy looked over towards the stables and the hill beyond.

"Well, I'll be...." Arianna shook her head, then looked at Betsy, more than a bit amazed.

"Who built the ship?" Arianna asked, the elephant in the room, finally being addressed.

"The crew did, is it not wonderful? One day our children may play here together." Betsy said excitedly.

"Are you....?" Arianna looked from the ship to Betsy, thinking mayhap she was alluding that she also was with child.

"Oh no," Betsy assured her quickly, "Not that I am aware of, anyway."

"Do you know how to be aware?" Arianna asked her friend, as 'twas not so long ago that she had no clue herself.

"Violet will tell me." Betsy laughed. "He has been giving me lessons." She admitted.

"Well," Arianna began, "first you are sick. Really sick. Truly, deathly, evilly, wish you could die, sick."

Betsy laughed, she knew her lady well. A cold had her upon her deathbed every single time. A virus, and Arianna was already flying away with the angels.

"Yes, well, I should not wish it upon anyone." Arianna said with conviction.

The ladies were once again forestalled from entering the manse, as another carriage came around the bend and into view.

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"Oh look, William, the children are here already!" The duchess exclaimed. Kathleen was beyond thrilled to finally have arrived at their destination. She had already vowed not to get back into the coach for at least another two days.

Now, seeing that her children were here, you could not drag her away should you try.

"What is heaven's name is that?" The Duchess saw the ship rising from the ground, and found herself as awed and impressed as the children had first been.

"Look, William!" Kathleen crowed.

"Would if I could, my love." William chuckled at her exuberance, and his view of her backside, though he could see nothing past her skirts.

She pulled herself back to her seat, smirking at her husband, as she tried to comb her fingers through her hair.

"My word! 'Tis a ship!" William exclaimed.

"And a fine one from the look of it, how do I look?" Kathleen smoothed her skirts, and looked to her husband hopefully.

"Divine, my dear, as always." William smiled adoringly at his windswept wife. Her cheeks glowed pink, from the fresh air she had been subjecting them to for the last hour, her ebony hair was windswept and charming.

Kathleen could barely contain herself waiting for them to stop, she jiggled her legs in excitement.

William chuckled, reaching for her hand, he pulled her forward to meet him in the middle for a kiss. He knew once they disembarked, she would be lost to him for a short while.

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It was Arianna's turn to roll her eyes, as the pirate picked her mother up and swung her around familiarly upon their greeting.

The duchess kissed Violet's handsome cheek, then stepped back, so the Duke could shake Violet's hand and hold his shoulder firmly.

"Is that what my funds bought?" The Duke laughed towards the ship, as Violet's eyes shifted to it with pride.

"Actually, that was a gift from the Duke of Rawlings, your funds are being put to use over yon rise, I look forward to showing you the foundations, your grace." Violet looked to Kathleen as she stood on Vi's other side.

"A fine beginning, Violet, I am impressed." Kathleen patted his arm fondly.

"I have children already, your grace." Violet told her gladly.

"I knew you would find a way, young man, I never doubted it." Her eyes shone upon him admiringly, before she then saw Arianna coming towards her, and she left Violet to meet her daughter halfway.

The women laughingly embraced, pulling back to search one another's face.

"You are feeling better?" Mother asked her daughter.

"Yes, mother. Much!" Arianna was very enthusiastic in stating her happiness of that fact.

"Good, I have been praying it would pass, as mine always did early on also. A few weeks at most, and then the rest was a breeze." The duchess assured her.

"I am glad to hear that, as I am not caring for the stories the maids at Trent are telling me of childbirth." Arianna frowned, trying to forget the stories of excruciating pain for ongoing hours.

"You seem to be progressing as I did, and the sickness was the worst part. I had an easy time bearing both your brother and you. We shall pray you are the same."

"Amen!" Both Betsy and Arianna agreed.

Betsy could only imagine the trauma, or should she say drama, should worse come to pass? Arianna's personal angel would be coming down from heaven to collect her, should Ari be unfortunate enough to feel anything more than a little uncomfortable.

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I hope you enjoyed, I love all of these characters so, I could go on and on!!!

I am having a ball, almost half a million reads, how cool is that? I am thrilled beyond measure! I have the best readers ever! I cannot say how much I appreciate you all!