Thirteen Part Two

Marcus was making a trip into town. He was anxious to be on his way as he awaited his steed to be brought around by the groomsman. He was meeting his brother Damien for the noon meal, and he had some personal business to attend to afterwards.

He paced from one end of the entry that fronted his home, to the other. There were columns at either side, supporting an overhanging to protect one from the weather. Marcus came to a halt at one end of the stone entry, next to one of these columns. Resting his hand up upon it, squinting against the sun, he saw Alfred approaching on his own horse. Alfred was still a little ways up the road that led to the house.

The estate covered a good sized area, there were roughly a thousand and eight hundred acres of meadow and woods, surrounding the main residence.

The home itself was large, needing the full support of the thirty odd servants they retained. Those of whom, Gwen kept hard at work at all times during the day, and into the evening. The land itself required another ten and six men, Gwendolyn had three men to tend her gardens, a groomsmen and two underlings to keep the stables, and Marcus had men to help with his husbandry.

Marcus hired more men as they were needed, and over the last few years, he had steadily added quite a few hands to help him in his endeavor.

Marcus looked from Alfred upon his steed, to the emerald, green meadow lying left of the road. The road winding it's way in, to end at the front of the estate.

A very large pasture had been fenced off, it held Marcus' many sheep, and lambs, that grazed the meadow. The small, white, fluffy clouds of animals dotting the rich, green grass. The sheep were Marcus' own addition to the estate, as he loved the way they added to the view. Gwendolyn hated them.

There were some things that Marcus did for his own pleasure, that he enjoyed just a little bit more, due to Gwendolyn's intense displeasure.

His sheep were one of them. He had a lovely view of the pasture from his study window, he enjoyed watching the sheep graze and the lambs frolic, while he was working at his accounts. He kept his own personal and business accounts. Gwendolyn had a man who kept her's, and the accounts of the amounts she spent keeping up 'her' manse.

Marcus also took pleasure in reminding her, once in a great while, t'was his estate, not her's, and he could damn well have sheep if he wanted them.

He bred them and he sold the wool for a tidy profit. He had close to two hundred head of the gentle creatures. He also had cattle that roamed the wood and pasture behind the estate, but only one hundred and twenty three head of those.

Marcus loved his livestock, he especially took great pleasure in putting on a pair of coveralls and boots, and getting outside taking in the glory of nature. He was involved in the calving, he helped mend the fences, and he took great pride in the milk that was produced from his herd. Three of his men were hired to milk the dairy animals, then take the wagons of milk produced to town daily. Marcus had a contract with two hotels and several eating establishments, to have the fresh milk delivered early, every morn. The milk was carried in large, tin, lidded containers by the wagonful. The hired men delivered the milk and retrieved the vessels from the day before, bringing them back to the estate to be sterilized with boiling water, and used again the day after.

Marcus had bought ten cows to begin with, along with a great beast of a bull, which had it's own pasture to roam, until it came time to oversee the breeding process. Marcus had borrowed the funds for the cattle from his brother, and now had grown the animals in number, and paid Damien back with interest.

He had done the same with the sheep, he had originally purchased twelve, and now his fields were flooded with the wooly creatures.

He turned his gaze back to the road, which meandered along to his right, skirting a large fishing pond, with willows gracing it's banks, ducks sliding across it's surface.

Alfred quickened his steed's pace as he saw his father standing at the front of the house. Marcus watched as his son approached the house and lifted his arm in greeting.

"Father, what luck, I was just coming to find you." Alfred drew his horse up in front of Marcus. Turning to lean his forearm on the pommel of his saddle, as he addressed him. "What are you about on this glorious day? You are not dressed for the fields." Alfred himself was dressed finely, his mother kept him very nattily attired. Even out riding, Alfred wore a fine grey tweed, that kept the early morning dew from chilling his bones.

He had just ridden in from town, after an eve at the gaming hell and a night with his mistress, where he had managed to snatch a few hours sleep. His father did not need to know he had not been home all night. That he had not just gone out for an early morning ride.

Alfred's attention was diverted momentarily, as a number of the sheep became agitated over something and they began bleating in the meadow. He turned his head that direction and took in the pastoral view.

Alfred found the animals disgusting, as his mother did. Smelly, dirty, layman's creatures, that no gentleman should ever get his hands dirty tending, that was of a certain. They were just another example of his father's commonness, of how Alfred felt Marcus was beneath him. Real gentlemen did not toil with their hands, they had others to do it for them. Marcus actually mucked around out there with the beasts, and seemed to enjoy it. Alfred repressed a shudder at the thought, as Marcus answered his query.

"I am headed into town, I have some purchases to make, and a meeting with your uncle at noon." Marcus answered him truthfully. He was a bit surprised to be asked, as Alfred rarely took an interest in his doings, much less was he known to seek him out. The young man usually went straight to his mother for anything he should want or need.

Marcus did not know if he should be glad for the attention, as he wanted to pick up his gifts before any of the shops closed for the day. Several were out of the way of each other, and it would take time at each one to secure his orders.

He could always go back if need be, he supposed, he did still have three sennights until he was due to leave. He was already running a bit late today, as Gwen had found something to nag about while he had tried to get out the door. But he would always try to be available, should Alfred want him for anything.

Alfred straightened in the saddle, smiling down upon his father, "I have put this one through it's paces already this morn, yet I would not be disagreeable to changing my mount and accompanying you into town. I was planning on riding out later, as it was. Would you like the company? I have been meaning to visit Uncle Damien myself, to discuss the possibilities of staying in town to seek the bride mother has been harping about. I would like his opinion on a few of the families she has been adamant about wanting to see joined to ours."

Marcus was a bit taken aback. Here was an opportunity to spend time with Alfred, without the impediment of Gwen constantly cutting in, berating him in front of the boy. This sudden change in Alfred's demeanour had him curious enough to accede.

"I would welcome your company immensely, Alfred. 'Tis glad I am you found me before I departed." Marcus smiled, as he saw his own mount being led from the stables. "I shall await you here while you acquire a fresh steed."

Alfred smiled back at Marcus and nodded, before riding to the stables and barking at the groom's underling to saddle him another horse. He dismounted and paced the interior of the stable, as he tapped his riding crop against his leg. The tap, tap, tapping, keeping time with the thoughts that ran through his mind. This had been altogether too easy. He had not even had to broach the subject of visiting his uncle, it had just fallen into his lap. He grimaced in pleasure, as he saw things falling right into place, right into his well thought out future.

He walked out into the sunshine and decided it really was a glorious day after all. He waved at Marcus across the lawns, letting him know he only awaited his mount, then Alfred scanned the land around him. All this, every acre, would soon be his, and hopefully he could acquire his Uncle Damien, and his Cousin Trent's vast holdings as well. He would be a very rich young man if he could only bring these things to pass. His eye was drawn to the snowy, white sheep in the meadow.

They would be one of the very first things to go, when he took possession of the estate of his father.

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Betsy was thinking, although she had smoothed Violet's ruffled feathers the eve before, after trouncing him at his own game, she needed to do a bit more, just to assure him he was still the king of the roost.

After the children's lessons, and once the wee ones were down in their own cabin for their nap, she went to join Violet at the helm. He smiled at her as she made her way to him. The sea was quite a bit calmer today, so her idea might just work out.

"Hello, my love." She approached Vi, stood up on her toes to kiss him, as she ran her small hands up his chest muscles slowly, making sure that she highlighted his muscle definitions under her fingertips, making him feel the big, strong man that he was.

Violet raised a brow, wondering what she was up to, as usually he was the one to accost her at the helm. She had always seemed a bit shy with the other men around deck, so this was out of character for his kitten's usually subdued behaviour.

"I was wondering..." Betsy kept outlining his muscles, moving on to his biceps and lowering her eyelids in pleasure, as she bit her bottom lip on one side.

He felt his body stirring at her attentions, regardless of her motives, as she moved around the back of him to wrap her arms around and up, her hands holding onto his wide, sturdy shoulders.

He hoped she was wondering if Pete could take the wheel, until Brutus awoke from his sleeping to take over the helm.

He tilted his head to hear her better, as she purred behind him. "Would you teach me to fence, my love? 'Tis not so very rough on the sea today, and you said I could learn."

She ran her hands down to his abs and lightly ran her fingertips back and forth from the middle, to his sides, then back in again.

He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feel of her hands on his body, as his brain registered her words.

"Swordplay?.........Hmmm Madame? If you keep this up I will be hard pressed not to accommodate you." He chuckled at his own humor, thinking she was innocent of his insinuation. "I do not see why we could not, my sweet." He looked into her smirking face as she came around the front of him and shielded his body from the other men's view.

She glanced down his body pointedly, in a way that had him smirking also, as she replied, "T'was not that sword I was referring to, my love." She winked at him, then slid her arms around his body and held him tight, swaying from side to side, as he chuckled at her boldness.

She was a fast learner, he had been right about that. He had also been very right in asking her to marry him. He could not remember ever being so happy in a woman's company before. This saucy, little vixen was all he had ever wanted in a mate, and more.

"Please Violet? I have been wanting to learn ever since I saw the fine pieces, and even more so, after watching you and Brutus. You make it seem so effortless, such a wonderful, highly skilled dance as I witnessed, should only be taught by a master such as you." She gazed up at him as if he were the only thing that existed in her world, and he liked it. He liked it a lot.

"There are men better at it than I, but .........I am pretty good." He nodded as he said it, gazing at the top of her head, as she hid a small smile against his shirtfront.

"Oh Violet, I would just adore if you would teach me, even just the tiniest bit." She squeezed him hard as she took up swaying again. Hoping she had not overplayed her oozing of enthusiasm, she stopped there.

"Well then I shall, yes, I could teach you a bit,... Pete! Come spell me at the helm, my wife needs me for a lesson." He smiled down at her, as she stepped back and clasped her hands together in front of her heart.

"Oh thank you, my love, I cannot wait!" She turned to smile at Pete gloriously, as he approached the steps, which made Pete return the gesture.

He then looked to Violet, who was frowning upon him for stealing any of her attention from himself, and Pete quit smiling and frowned back at Vi.

Betsy watched this exchange, looking back and forth between them, then she laughed at them both, grabbing Violet's arm and pulling him away with her the moment Pete was close enough to grab the wheel.

Violet let himself be lead away, and looked back at Pete to grin, as Pete did the same to him, chuckling under his breath.

Oh yes, the Captain had it bad for the young Miss, and Pete would not have it any other way.

He admired and respected the young captain, and would only see him happy, if he could. They had been through enough together in the last handful of years, and the Captain had always kept them safe. He had treated each and every man aboard ship with the utmost respect, never flaunting his authority, or doling out punishment as other ship's captains would do.

Just the fact that Violet was disappointed in you, had usually done the trick.

Such as the first time a man had been late returning to the ship when in port. Or falling asleep on your watch, it usually only happened once, and the Captain never said a word. His look of disappointment had been enough.

He could have only told the man they may have had to leave without him, or upon awakening the offending watchman, told him they all could have been attacked in their sleep, while the offender dozed away. But the men already knew this, and no words were needed. Violet would just wait patiently, or tap the sleeping man upon the shoulder, if he caught one napping when they shouldn't.

Pete had never met a more kind and patient soul than Violet, and he would protect him with all he had. He knew Violet would do the same, as he had done just that, on quite a few occasions in the past.

Pete looked down on the boys gathered on the main deck, the ship barely rolled, they had hit a large patch of smooth water that swirled loosely around them, and then kept swirling out out as far as he could see.

The boys had gathered their slings and were practicing their shots, taking time in between to tell each other things that might improve their aim.

"Ye seem to be lowerin' yer wrist too much when ye release, 'tis why ye hit the deck 'alf the time." Davey was trying to help Jesse get his stones up higher, but at least when Jesse hit the deck with them, they could retrieve the stone. Davey always missed high, if he missed at all, as he was a pretty good shot with the strap of leather, but this caused the stone to be lost.

"Watch my wrist through the motion." Davey twirled the ends clasped in his hand, releasing the one to sling the stone at the wooden target strapped to the rail.

It made a solid thunking noise and the stone came back upon the deck.

"I see, I see!" Jesse ran to get the stone and try again, first practicing the motion a few times for his own benefit.

"Keep yer wrist up." Davey said, as Jesse loaded the stone in the middle of the sling.

Jesse held it out to his side, it only took one wacking themself in the head one time, and they did not do that again. Jesse spun the sling, concentrating on his wrist placement as he flung the stone, hitting the very bottom of the target.

"Ye got it up a might, nice one, Jesse!" Davey praised Jesse, as Jesse puffed up his chest with his accomplishment.

They went off to the rail on the port side, there to discuss what Jesse had done differently to achieve his improved results.

Elias stepped up to try his skill.

Pete smiled at the boys before him. Such a good group of boys, he thought, as his gaze returned to the compass to keep them them on course.

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

Down in the captain's cabin, Vi selected a foil from the collection mounted on the wall.

He handed it to Betsy, showing her how to place her hand, to best balance the light blade in her grip.

"You first should become comfortable with your grip and the weight of the weapon in your hand." Vi moved around behind her and placed his hand over her own, demonstrating several movements that she could use to familiarize herself with it's weight and range.

Vi then stepped back, sitting back upon the window seat to give her room, and watch her acquaint herself with the blade. "Try to control your movements at all times, not letting it swing wide, as your target is only the width of my chest, from neck to waist. The sword is used for slashing, the foil is a more controlled instrument."

Betsy wielded the blade, looking to him after each attempt to make a figure eight, keeping her foil in the area he instructed. She smiled when he nodded to her after a few attempts, seeing that she was becoming more comfortable with the slim blade.

He stood, and she waited, as he pulled another down from the wall for himself.

She stayed center of the room as he walked back to the other end, the bedroom cabin at his back.

"We shall engage slowly, as I will show you how to defend yourself, then you will learn to parry and come back with your own attack upon your aggressor."

They used the foils that had been dulled for he and Brutus' practice, Betsy receiving instruction as they went along. He was a good instructor, patient and kind, yet determined she should learn this skill she desired.

She had a few of the defensive moves down, and did fairly well in keeping control of her blade, when her arm began to tire.

Violet could see her blade dipping down below the target area and knew she would not be effective in continuing.

"I think, mayhap, we should call that good for now. You will most likely feel the soreness in your arm later, but if you take a while each day to practice what you have learned, you will feel the arm strengthening over time."

Betsy's arm already was sore, but she nodded to him, and vowed to herself to practice again as soon as she could.

"I did not realize the strength needed to maintain the blade for a good amount of time." She flexed her fingers and stretched her arm up over her head, then back behind herself as she felt the muscles she had used most, twinge in complaint.

Vi replaced the blades and came to her side, he took her arm in his hands and rubbed the sore muscles, working his way up to her shoulder.

"Tis the same as anything else, practice and time spent strengthening the arm, will yield ye better results."

Betsy accepted his ministrations, wincing and making little noises as he would hit on a particular spot that would need more strength, if she wanted to continue for longer than she had this time.

"Fencing is actually not a time consuming sport, yes, there are many hours of practice, but in a bout there is a time limit and 'tis very short. You saw how quickly Brutus and I tired, that is because it is an intense competition which involves your entire body and a lot of movement in a short span of time."

"I will practice with the blade until my arm is stronger, then you could help me some more?" She looked up into his gorgeous, amethyst eyes, as he continued rubbing the back of her arm, seeming to know right where to massage, to keep her small muscles from cramping.

"I will be happy to help whenever you say the word, my love." He gazed down into her own soft, brown eyes. His crinkling at the corners, as she brought her free hand up to stroke his cheek.

"Have I told you today that I love you?" She asked him, her voice soft and sweet upon his ears.

"I love you too,......... Vixen." He smiled conspiratorially at her, as he was not as dense as she must think him. He knew she was trying to assuage his feined offense at being stripped of his clothing the eve before. But he gotten what he had been after in the end, and the way her eyes had roamed his body as they played the game, had shown in her attention's later. Even more so probably, than if he had stripped her.

He pulled her into his arms and held her, his hand coming around and continuing to knead her muscles on her shoulder.

"Can I have another game of noddy this eve?" He drew back and wiggled his brows at her, as she snorted, then chuckled at him.

"Anything your heart desires, my husband." She laughingly agreed, as he lifted her up into his arms, kissing her, until she knew he was, and would always be, the perfect man for her.

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I hope you're having as much fun as I am!