Forty Four Part Two

Making no attempt to keep up with Betsy, the King and Violet lagged a short distance behind, as Betsy's excitement seemed to give wings to her feet.

"We are to meet the Kent's in the formal parlor, my dear." The King spoke to Betsy's back. "You know where to turn, correct?" The King saw Betsy's enthusiastic nod, and when she did not slow her pace one whit, seeming to only hurry more, his deep chortle could be easily heard by Violet walking beside him.

"She is a bit excited to see her lady, I believe." Violet surmised.

"I would say, more than just a small bit." The King agreed humorously, realizing he may just have enough time for a private word with Violet before they joined the others. "Petals..."

"My liege?" Violet queried.

"You remember the breach on the night of your parent's wedding?" The King gave Violet a sidelong glance, noting his nod before turning to face forward again. "You think you could manage to keep and eye out for anything untoward this evening, without her knowing?" The King jerked his head up a bit, signaling Betsy's direction.

"Most assuredly, Sire." Violet's curiosity was aroused. "Has anything happened since, Sire?" Violet watched the King's features, noting the faint frown that came and went quickly from his Monarch's face.

"No. No, all is well, for now." The King replied. "However, I have been thinking..." Seeing Betsy round the corner ahead, the King put out an arm to stop Violet, to better speak to the man. "Let her go ahead, we shall catch up in a moment."

Violet could see the royal man was weighing something in his mind. More than willing to help with whatever it was, Violet waited patiently while the King seemed to cement his course of action.

" 'Tis the pawn, Petals. I need your help." The King suddenly felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, confirmation enough to him that he was doing the right thing.

"Anything, Sire." Violet replied with conviction. Though concerned with the King's problem, Violet also felt honored that the King, it seemed, now trusted him enough to share his secret.

" 'Tis a boy." The King began, "Not exactly a boy, I suppose, but a young man." The King reached a paw to unconsciously scratch at an ear, the fuzz tickling his lobe a little, despite his focus on the subject at hand.

"The pawn is a young man?" Violet meant to keep this straight.

"Yes. Tomas, to be exact, he is the future heir to a title of some consequence."

"I see." Violet willed the man to go on, hoping Betsy would not turn back realizing they no longer followed her.

"Tomas has been here with me since shortly after his father passed, being tutored, taking instruction, learning his duties and all that they will entail. However, he comes of age before too long now and I see as the time approaches, his enemies grow bold." The King's piercing eyes darkened as his frustration was revealed. "They will kill him if they can, Petals, to take the title from him, you see?"

Violet nodded, and though he did not know all the details, he now knew enough, his concern most evident upon his features, as though he already sought an invisible foe.

The King suddenly chuckled, a bit evilly, upon seeing bloodlust in the pirate's eyes. "Nay, Violet, I would not have you defeat his foe..." The King looped an arm about Violet's shoulders and led him onward down the hall. "That pleasure will hopefully be mine. However, I would have you think on whether you believe Tomas would do well with you and Elizabeth at the orphanage."

Violet was surprised by the King's request, for usually when one strove to keep something safe, they also tended to kept it close. "You do not believe he will be safer here under your guard?" Violet turned to assess the King's response, the furry arm dropped from around his neck as they walked side by side making progress towards the parlor door.

" 'Tis not his safety that has brought me to request this." The King admitted, "It is what he has become, for I have noticed lately, he is much too serious for one so young. It took spending time with your boys for me to realize that Tomas needs companionship, as he could only benefit from being in a more social setting, yet he does need to be kept safe at the same time. You are the only one I feel I can trust to make sure he has both of those things."

Violet opened his mouth to speak, however the King held up a paw as they neared the door they sought.

"Do not answer me now, Violet, talk it over with Elizabeth first." The King insisted, "He is not going anywhere for the time being, 'tis only for his benefit I ask you to consider my request at all. If you have any doubts whatsoever, we can always figure something else out. Mayhap, have one or two of the older boys come and stay here to be his companions. That was the thought that came to me firstly, I must admit. But then, after spending time in the country myself I could only imagine how he would enjoy such freedom after being sequestered within these walls for so long."

"I shall speak to Elizabeth on the morrow." Violet vowed, as they reached their destination. Turning to the King, Violet expressed his feelings, "I am honored, Sire, truly honored, that you would trust me with his life."

The King could not help his puzzlement, "Why, Violet Petals, I trust you with my life, why would I not trust you with his?"

Violet suddenly felt the full weight of the King's request. He vowed to take some time to consider it well, rather than to make a hasty decision simply to please the King.

"Do I trust you?" The King scoffed at the idiocy of the question. "Good Lord, man, I trust you to care for Elizabeth, do I not?"

"Elizabeth's life is not in question, Sire." Violet pointed out.

"True, but yours will be if she ever becomes unhappy with you, Petals." The King amused himself with some pointed banter.

"I pray that never comes to pass, Sire." Violet assured him.

"As well you should." The King chortled, as his man reached for handle on the parlor door.

"I shall also pray for guidance when it comes to the boy, Sire." Violet added.

"A wise thing on your part, pirate, for your life would also be in question should harm come to him."

Violet nodded, only slightly amused, as he was not sure how much the King jested.

The King looked to the doorway they stood in front of, "Shall we?" He asked, tipping his head slightly as he looked back at Vi.

"Please Sire, let us go on, as surely, I can endure only so many threats within so many moments." Violet rejoined dryly.

The King barked with laughter, nodding to his man who then opened the door for them.

"Well, well," The King gaily observed the whole of the Duke's party, merriment dancing in his eyes as he found that which he sought, "and what have we here?" Approaching his guest of honor, the King took the duchess' hand into his paw. "Been pilfering from the pirate's sea chest, I gather."

Kathleen remembered well the day she met the pirate, Violet Petals. She slipped her hand from the King's grasp and stepped back, removing her plumed hat, she gave the King a most flamboyant bow, her plumed hat swooping across her body. "Aye, though I did ask his permission." An attractive giggle came forth as Violet winked at her collusion. "May I compliment you on your costume, my liege, it is exemplary!" Kathleen gushed.

The King ran his hands over his furry belly,  looking down at his costume in appreciation. " 'Tis a marvelous thing, is it not?" He beamed at the duchess in response to her compliment before moving on to greet the duke.

"How did I do?" Kathleen wheedled a compliment from Violet as she replaced the tricorn at a saucy angle upon her dark tresses.

"Simply stunning, lovey. Ne'er have I seen such a fearsome sight." Mischief shone in Violet's eyes as he shivered for effect before taking the petite hand the duchess offered, Violet making a great show of twirling her about to see the full effect.

Kathleen's musical laughter set the tone for the evening, Violet joined in, chuckling at her before turning to greet the men.

"Good Lord, she is at it again, and directly in front of father, no less." Arianna joked dryly.

Betsy could not contain the grin that Arianna's words brought forth, "He has that effect on most women, Ari. Though we all know you are immune, some of us are definitely not." Betsy's sultry laugh floated across the room, gaining Violet's attention. Her reward was a conspiratorial wink from her gorgeous husband, as he exchanged pleasantries with the noblemen, before then joining her and Arianna.

"You found your lady, I see." Violet sidled up to Betsy, his arm going around her waist as he inclined his head in deference to the Marchioness of Trent. "My Lady, I pray you are as well as you are beautiful this evening."

"Oh bosh, pirate, I am huge, and unsightly, though it is kind of you to say otherwise." Arianna made a wry face, looking down to her growing waistline, she wished she could have it disappear if only for this one evening.

"I believe it lends authenticity to your costume, my lady." Betsy made an attempt to diminish Arianna's displeasure.

Arianna scoffed, "Mayhap, if gypsy's carried their crystal balls beneath their skirts." Arianna rubbed under her tight, little, round belly, hoping the kicking would be kept to a minimum this eve. Violet's appreciative laughter spurred Arianna's wry smile, taking his offered arm, she allowed him to escort her, along with Betsy, to join the others across the room.

Violet handed Arianna off to Trent, holding his laughter in this time, as Arianna held fast to Drake's hand while attempting a deep curtsy for the King.

"Please, my lady, I give you leave to remain upright." The King however, made no attempt to keep the amusement from his speech.

Arianna turned a scathing look to her husband, you did this to me, written all over her face.

Drake stepped back a half step, as though murder lurked in the emerald depths of her eyes. "What in heaven's name have I done now?" He insisted.

The laughter that ensued at her expense caused Arianna to huff in feigned annoyance at her brother, Will, who laughed loudest of all, before a genuine smile came forth to belie Arianna's displeasure.

The King's man entered the room, standing by, waiting until the King acknowledged his nod.

"I hope you do not mind, Marlborough," The King began, "I would have the honor of announcing the duchess myself, if you would accompany us?"

"Aye, aye, my liege. I only live to serve." The Duke of Marlborough was a sight, a very amusing sight, for he was outfitted as his own wife's first mate. His hair stuck out every which way as though wind blown, his whiskers must have been a full three day's growth to appear as scruffy as they did. The knotted neckerchief he wore bore the only bright color on his person, the crimson color standing out from the tan, homespun shirt worn atop black breeches and boots.

"I would have you all go first, if you would, saving the duchess for last." The King explained.

Everyone else moved towards the doorway at once, more laughter ensued as a bottleneck threatened to occur in the portal.

Will stepped to the side, allowing Violet and Betsy to go first, as their stations were least, they would naturally be announced before the gentry. "After you, Bitsy." Will winked at the former maid, as Violet reached out to lightly punch him in a friendly manner upon his arm. "Ow." Will complained, "Lighten up, Violet. She was mine before she was yours, you know."

Violet raised a brow, as Will raised both his hands, stepping back a step, "I kid with you, Petals, tell him, Bitsy, tell him I jest before he lays me low."

Betsy laughed at their antics, "Enough, I would dance this evening, if you do not mind, you dirty dog." Betsy poked none too lightly at Will's chest before flouncing past him. "Your nose has rubbed off, by the way." She gave a parting shot.

Worry overcame Will's face as Betsy floated past him. Turning quickly to Arianna, Will whined, "Is my nose gone, Ari?"

"She lies, Will, your nose is fine." Arianna laughed at her brother, moving past him on her husband's arm, as they would be announced after Violet and Betsy.

"Mean spirited gutter snipe." Will grumbled, making his way out the door, tagging along behind Drake.

****************************************************************************

I know, I know, it has been forever and a day. I only pray you haven't lost interest, my lovely readers. I had my own Barbary ship to deal with, and rather than lasting an afternoon as Violet's, mine hovered for weeks, the residual effects lasting for months. The doctors told us that my William should have gone home to be with the Lord, as a 98 percentile of those with his diagnosis do not make it. I AM BLESSED! He is now back to work and right as rain after a long, difficult, but nonetheless, miraculous recovery. I cannot thank those of you who prayed with us enough, the prayer circle we had going was beyond belief . I want you all to know that I appreciate each and every one of you for encouraging me to write what would prove to be my strength during the hardest thing I have ever faced. His blessings to you, loveys, I am so grateful to be back!