Chapter Nineteen

Gwen had been an absolute tyrant with her servants right up until Jude's arrival. She could not understand what was taking him so long to act upon her summons, and she took her frustrations out on her staff.

When he did finally arrive, her demeanour changed, at least while he was present, she oozed graciousness and sweetness. The servants rolled their eyes and knew they were in for a Jekyll and Hyde performance from their employer. Sickly sweet in front of this man, short and ill tempered when not.

"Tis been hard waiting for your arrival, whatever could have kept you, Jude?" Gwen led Jude into her parlour, he waited until she sat on the settee, then he took the seat across from her.

"I had to take care of a few things so I could be all yours, my dear, with no unfinished distractions." Jude was only partially lying, his heiress slipping away would still be a distraction for him, and he hoped to think of a reason to not stay the entire sennight Gwen had asked for. "I came the very moment I could get away."

Gwen pouted a bit while her housemaid Sadie brought them refreshments, as dinnertime had come and gone.

Jude had lingered at his townhouse as long as he possibly could before heading out to Marcus' estate. He was not comfortable here, and never would be.

When Sadie departed, Gwen poured their tea, leaning forward to hand him a cup, she spoke softly but firmly, "I am just happy you are here finally, 'twas driving me mad waiting for Marcus to leave so I could have some semblance of peace and see you, darling." Gwen sat back and gave Jude her most charming smile.

Jude hated that smile, it reminded him of a cat with a bowlful, and he was the cream that filled it.

"Where is Alfred?" Jude looked to the doorway, and beyond into the hall.

"He returned early this morn from town and has not come down yet, it is his way, and also why I tend to get so lonely. I am just so pleased you are finally here. We will walk up to the lodge after tea, and get you all settled in before supper." She gave him a suggestive look as she brought her cup to her mouth and sipped her tea.

Jude smiled blandly back at her, "Do you not worry about the servants, my dear Gwen?"

"Why should I, you are family, Jude, I will merely see my dear cousin comfortable and make sure that you have all that you need." Her voice a carrying a myriad of insinuations.

Jude resigned himself to catering to his cousin as he had his own ends to meet here. "Will Alfred be joining us this eve?"

"Of course, he is always here for supper, 'tis one of my requests that he abides to religiously." Gwen wore a smug, satisfied smile.

Now that Jude was here, they could start planning how to raise their son in society, and herself as well.

"Good, good, I have not had much opportunity lately to appreciate the young man." Jude gave Gwen a pointed look, as if to remind her Alfred was his son also.

"Exactly, another reason I asked you to come." Gwen leaned forward and patted his knee. "A cake, cousin? I would have you keep your strength you know." She smiled a satisfied smile as she imagined where they would be in an hours time.

"Thank you, I did miss dinner on the ride out, I shall probably need the sustenance." He took the plate from her, smiling falsely and falling back into the old routine.

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Violet dressed and went top deck to welcome Marcus and Katherine aboard. Davey and Elias took their bags, as Violet led them to the galley to leave the basket Marcus carried.

"Elizabeth would appreciate if we joined her in our cabin for a while before retiring, would you like some coffee or tea?" Violet asked as he poured himself a cup of brew, and made a cup of tea for Betsy.

"Coffee." Marcus and Katherine both chimed. They smiled at one another as their grown son poured them each a mug.

Violet looped an arm around his mother's shoulders, leading them around to a table while Betsy's tea steeped. "I know you have not been aboard in a very long while, but I think you will notice some changes, if you have not already."

Katherine did indeed, from the moment she came aboard, the change in the ship was apparent.

The last time Violet was home she had not even gone aboard, she had simply given the men the provisions she had made them as they stocked the ship.

The ship had taken on a new shine that she appreciated and could be comfortable traveling in. "It is most assuredly improved, Violet. Is this an improvement for Elizabeth's sake?" Katherine was suitably impressed with the gleaming galley, and no sign of rodents so far.

"She has not told you of the shooting gallery she indulged in upon boarding?" Violet raised a brow in question.

"Whatever do you mean, shooting gallery?" This from Marcus.

"I told you she has a way with the weapons, when I first brought her aboard, I honestly cannot tell you why I forgot what shape the ship was in. She saw a rat, hopped upon a barrel and proceeded to use a pistol to rid us of them. From any distance she never missed Marcus, 'twas amazing. I still do not understand it, yet we are now rodent free." Violet grinned. "I could never figure out how to be rid of them all, but after going through everything and sending them her way, they be gone."

"Praise the Lord, I do not know if I could have done this, if I would have had to put up with that." Katherine replied with relief.

"I believe Elizabeth felt the same." Violet continued grinning as he rose to fetch the tea.

He lifted the lid on the basket Marcus had carried in, and pulled a few scones out to set on a tray, "Marcus?"

The men had missed their dessert while fencing and Marcus nodded, he would not mind one himself.

"Come along, she is waiting for us." Violet led the way, standing aside as Davey and Elias went running down the hall to join their brothers in their cabin. Betsy had come up with a new card game and they were obsessed with trouncing one another.

"The boys look wonderful Violet, I was so glad to see them so full of life and seemingly at peace." Katherine had spent a lot of time talking with, and trying to help the young men when time and circumstances allowed.

"That too is Elizabeth, she mothers them and tutors them daily when we are at sea. She makes them wash and care for their teeth, she praises them and gives them a sense of belonging to a family, even more than we were able to. She has given them structure and they have responded very well."

Betsy heard their voices in the hallway and opened the door in her nightgown and socks. Smiling sheepishly, she bade them enter, then apologised for her dress as she went to the window seat and invited Katherine to join her there.

Tucking her feet underneath her, she encouraged Katherine to be comfortable.

Violet set the tray on the table and brought her tea.

Bending to kiss her cheek, she turned her head and caught his lips instead. "Thank you, my love." She smiled sweetly up at her gorgeous man.

He winked at her, then turned to join Marcus at the table to indulge in their scones.

Katherine saw the pleasure in his face when he had straightened, she sighed at how sweet they were with one another. What more could a mother ask for?

"Have you been to London, Mama Katherine?" Betsy asked, before testing the heat of her tea.

"Never, I have never left home before. It will be a new adventure completely." Katherine answered before sipping from her own mug.

"It would be nice if we could take you around to see the sights, but I believe Violet wants to keep a tight schedule." Betsy smiled Violet's direction, "Mayhap when all this is behind us we can take a trip for simply pleasure. I have heard from my Lady of the theatres and have seen the parks myself. Window shopping is always fun also, seeing the latest fashions, and the bookstores, I adore browsing through them. There are gardens and the churches, it is quite a sight to behold, just the architecture alone could keep you gawking all the day long." Betsy remembered life with Lady Arianna fondly, she had been blessed to be part of the Duke's household and to experience what she had.

"It is all foreign to me, but I would love to see these things also given the chance." Katherine could see the wistful remembrances upon Elizabeth's face. She began to wonder if the couple would be residing in Violet's hometown or not. If not she would have to learn to spread her wings, mayhap even move from there herself, to be closer to them and her grandchildren.

"Have you given any thought to where you may settle after this business with the King is finished?" She was truly hoping they would settle at home, yet Violet had seen the world, and it may not be enough to keep his interest or a livelihood.

"Not yet, Mama, we just need this and the vows done first. I promise we will not just leave ye and never return." Violet smiled at his mother, knowing her heart and loving her for it.

They conversed for a while longer until Marcus asked Katy if she would like to go up and see the stars with him.

She had had her time with the young couple and been reassured this would be a lovely voyage for all of them to come to know one another better. She accepted Marcus' offer and they left Vi and Betsy to spend a quiet eve alone.

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Marcus told Katy about the records the pastor had given him. "I did not know there were so many." He admitted. "It is a fine thing he has done with his life so far, and he is still a young man. Given the King's ear, I wonder just how much more he could accomplish. I feel guilty, to be sure, as I have not done anything near as well meaning with my own existence." Marcus was a little ashamed of himself in the face of his own son's dedication to those unfortunate children he had given hope to.

"I have often wondered if Violet would have gone this route with his life if he had not thought himself fatherless, Marcus. I am not sure he would have accomplished any of this, had he been given a commission or trade when he came of age. I do believe the Lord will create good things out of hardships if we allow him to, and I think that is what happened with Violet. I do not believe he is unhappy, and that life he leads also led him to Elizabeth." She tried to help him see that their own actions had not stopped Violet from thriving and doing good. "And you were there for him Marcus, as much as you were able, and even that small amount of time gave him enough that he spoke of you all the time." She reached over and took Marcus' hand as it rested upon the top rail.

"I do know the time has come to tell him soon, yet I fear his turning away from us for the lie we have allowed to go on for so long." Marcus looked at his Katy with tortured eyes.

"I know, believe me, if anyone knows what you fear 'tis I." She agreed. She lifted her hand to his cheek and ran the back of her fingers down it, "I too fear that initial revelation, but I have faith in our son, because of the man he has become, that forgiveness would come with time."

"I surely hope so. Any time being separated from him is hard, yet if it be because of hurt I cause him, t'would be so much more hard to bear." Marcus shook his head at his own mistakes.

"I will be praying when the time comes he knows the truth, Elizabeth will give him peace, and hopefully we can give him understanding." Trying to reassure him was hard, as she had her own fears to contend with. "Let us just have this time with them and enjoy being with them, I know it fills my heart with joy to see them with one another." She smiled at this man, who was such a large part of her life, and yet, not her's at all.

"Ah Katy, I have really made a mess of things, have I not? I am more sorry than you will ever know." Marcus held her hand tightly, willing her to understand his regrets.

"I do know Marcus, I've seen it upon your face for far too many years now." They would have to tell Violet soon, this man needed to free himself of the chains that bound him, even as Violet was doing the same.

"Is it not a beautiful night tonight, Marcus? The moon is so bright, it makes such a beautiful picture across the water."

The moon was rising, just enough to reflect off the surface of the water between the ship and land.

"It is very beautiful, my Katy girl." Marcus was not looking at, nor speaking of the moon, he was gazing upon the face he dreamed about, at home in his lonely bed, night after night.

He decided to make this memorable for them both, to put his regrets aside for a bit, there was plenty of time for that when he was not with these ones that he loved and pined for.

"Come with me." He held out his hand to her.

A memory flashed through her mind, a déjà vu of him saying and doing this very same thing, all those years ago, when she thought they would be together the rest of their lives. She smiled winsomely and allowed him to have her hand.

He tucked it around his arm and led her to the helm. They climbed to the deck and he took the wheel in his hands. "Where would you like to go, my Katy girl?" He grinned at her.

"To the stars, Marcus, and around the moon." She wrapped her arms around his middle and tucked her head on his shoulder. He held her tight and rocked her from side to side.

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