Thirty Four Part Three

Alfred was announced at the Ferguson's parlor door, Patrick blocking the doorway, until James nodded his acceptance of the young baron's arrival.

Alfred had become amused himself by now with this ritual of Patrick's, just as Ruthe and Terese were amused by the way Alfred always went to his toes, trying to catch a glimpse of Terese over Patrick's shoulder.

Terese smiled glowingly, as Alfred bounced slightly, finding her with his eyes, before again disappearing behind James' overly large bodyguard.

No, Alfred would certainly not be letting her go that easily, she thought confidently.

Alfred always appeared eager to see her, she sincerely hoped he would hurry his suit, as Terese knew what it was that she wanted.

The afternoons spent with Alfred had been the most enjoyable she had passed since arriving upon these shores.

Alfred was exactly what she had been hoping to find in a man, though she had almost given up hope of ever finding one such as he.

The men who had shown interest in her, before Alfred had come along, had all been very full of themselves. Only really seeming to care for her because her father was wealthy and she was polite enough to let them go on and on about themselves.

None had shown any real interest in her or her desires..... And when they had asked her her preferences, it was as if they did not even hear her answers. Having already made their own decision, then holding to it, mindless of her reply. Her opinion was usually ignored or patronised, then blown away as dandelion seeds upon their own next thoughts.

It was not so with Alfred. He actually listened, respecting her opinions and views. They agreed on many topics, disagreeing rarely. Yet, when they did disagree, he at least took the time to hear her out and consider her point of view.

He took her to museums, and shopping for books. He insisted on familiarizing her with where the best tea shops were, knowing her craving for tea and cakes was hardly ever satisfied. It seemed to please him to spoil her a little when he learned of her favourite things, and what woman did not enjoy that?

He was a gracious gentleman, caring for her needs when out and about, his manners were impeccable, his wit was sharp. He intrigued her, as she never quite knew what he would do next. He teased her lightly and treated her fondly, always making her feel precious and beautiful.

He listened when she spoke and did not talk down to her as men were wont to do sometimes. He appreciated her mind and she could tell that he appreciated her face and form.

He had grown nothing but more attractive to her as she came to know him well. His personality bringing out something that made him intriguing and appealing.

She stood now, as he approached, tulips in hand, adoration in his eyes.

She smiled brightly at him as she accepted the flowers. He was the first man to ever ask what her favorite blooms were, and then provide them for her everyday since.

Today's were as a stunning sunset. The bottoms starting out yellow, turning to a soft orange, then to a bright scarlet near the edges of the petals.

"These are the most beautiful I have ever beheld, thank you, Alfred." She graciously accepted the bouquet, admiring their beauty before going up on her toes to kiss his cheek, as he preened under her praise of the gift.

"I am hard pressed to find any quite as lovely as you, Terese." He replied honestly.

Alfred then turned to her parents, "My laird, and lady." He bowed his head, and straightened, a serious mien overcoming him.

"I wonder if I could beg a few moments of your time, Laird Ferguson, after we have dined. I have a very weighty decision on my hands..... I could certainly use your advice, if I may be so bold as to ask for your help." Alfred entreated.

"Of course, Alfred, I would be glad to lend any assistance I can." James wondered at the topic the young man desired to discuss. Would it be an entreaty for his daughter's hand or was there something else weighing on the serious fellow's shoulders?

"Coffee, Alfred?" Ruthe offered and then poured, Alfred accepting the cup from her hand with his thanks.

Terese also wondered what Alfred wanted to speak to her father about, as a weighty decision did not sound like an offer for her hand. She frowned slightly as Alfred sipped from his brew.

James waited patiently as his wife carried out her hostessing duties, then he addressed Alfred in a no nonsense manner, "You have heard we must be leaving sooner than anticipated?"

"I have, my lord," Alfred looked to Terese dismally, "I shall be simply bereft without your lovely daughter's company." Alfred's eyes then sparked conspiratorially at James.

James knew Alfred was teasing the girl, as her own eyes narrowed upon her suitor, hoping he could not possibly be so dense as to not propose his suit before she had to leave him.

"Ach, well, it can not be helped, my young man, business and all...." James left his words hanging.

"Yes, I understand, business...... And all." Alfred nodded at James solemnly. He was teasing Terese and, as he had her betrothal ring in his pocket, he sought to push her a mite. He was curious to see how she would react if she thought he would simply let her go home at the end of the week, with him making no plea for her hand before it happened.

Alfred could not look at Terese and lie, jest or otherwise, so he avoided her eyes altogether and spoke to James instead, "Is all well, that you have to leave so abruptly?"

James frowned the littlest bit, "Nothing that a little investigating will not straighten out."

"Nothing too troubling, I hope." Alfred commiserated with James, darting a quick glance at the stunning, young woman sitting beside him. His lips smirked puckishly for just a second, before he returned his eyes to her father, as he saw her visage was perplexed.

Terese sat next to him in mutinous silence. She stared at the buttons on her father's waistcoat, wondering at this game Alfred played. He had teased her fondly, and often in the past, it seemed to be a great part of his nature. Yet, surely he would not tease her about something such as this....... Her eyes narrowed menacingly, as she shot a quick slide glance at him........ Would he?

James knew exactly what was going on in front of him, the young baron's eyes held a spot of mischief as his hand kept lifting and rubbing his coat pocket. James would bet half his holdings the young man was planning on proposing, the band to secure her hand residing in said pocket.

James noted his daughter's frustration and thought to enter the game himself, "No trouble that I can not take care of. 'Tis a newly acquired factory that has a problem in accounting. They have been losing money when they should not be." James continued as though Alfred were interested, "I need to go and personally attend to getting at the root of the problem before it becomes a bleeding artery."

There it was. James looked upon Terese and saw the change in her expression. That is my girl, James thought with pride.

Terese decided if Alfred were teasing her, two could play that game. And if he were not, and he really was so dense as to let her go, she would make sure he knew what he would be missing. Her thoughts showed upon her face as her eyes narrowed, her father watched as the confidence and spark rose to the surface.

Ruthe sat across from the couple, sipping her tea, pretending all was well. She, as well as her husband, found the exchange highly entertaining.

Knowing their daughter as they did, and as Alfred did not quite yet, they knew the young man played with fire. He had not seen the side of Terese that glinted in her eyes of a sudden.

Alfred rubbed at the band in his coat absentmindedly as he kept up his ruse, "I was hoping to have more time to discuss business with you before you left, my lord, I am disappointed that our time has been cut short." Alfred gave every indication that he had accepted their departure, but regrettably.

James' eyes sparkled as Terese's grew calculating, "I too, Baron Nimford, am sorry...........I did promise to instruct you if I could......." James rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Were you able to read over the papers I gave you to study?"

"All but the last few," Alfred imparted. "I shall return them to you on the morrow. I found it all to be most intriguing. It is also the basis of what I would care to discuss with you when we have dined."

"Good, good," James nodded agreeably, "May chance, we can spend some time these remaining days discussing your future prospects."

"I would be most grateful to you, Laird Ferguson, for any amount of time you can spare." Alfred felt Terese stiffen beside him.

He felt they had mere days left together and he wanted to spend them with her father? Discussing business? Really......... Really?

"There also will be another matter we shall have to discuss, Laird Ferguson." Alfred saw the glint appear in Terese's eyes, as she twitched of a sudden upon his words.

"Mayhap, there is no need." She stated flippantly, rising and going to the parlour door, "Excuse me for a few moments would you, please, I have a sudden need for some clear air." Terese walked spryly out of the room to the entry way closet, snatching a shawl from it's hook, she threw it around her shoulders as she made her way to the garden doors.

Closing the door behind her, she hurried down the path to a spot where she could covertly watch Alfred when he followed her. She would turn away quickly, giving him no mind was what she had decided. She would play his game and keep her distance, she would even go so far as to refuse him if he did ask for her hand.

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Ruthe and James found the exchange entertaining, sharing a grin between them. They both saw that Terese had met her match. Their daughter needed someone who would challenge her, as they both knew she would soon become bored with a man who gave in to her every wish.

They had not a doubt the Baron Nimford would win, yet they wished they could follow and watch, as Alfred stood and bowed slightly at them.

"I shall return with your daughter shortly," Alfred assured them, a touch of humour in his voice as his eyes sparkled merrily, "I am sure supper is not far off. If you will excuse me, I will try not to keep you waiting unnecessarily."

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The King was holding his own respectively, though he knew Violet Petals merely toyed with him.

He was allowed to back the pirate up across the length of the polished wood floor, then he would be driven back across it just as easily.

Whenever he did to try to gain an advantage, Violet merely flicked his wrist, rendering whatever move the King executed ineffective.

Katherine had joined Betsy upon the davenport, seated upon the very edge, she was watching her son with admiration as he sparred with their King.

Katherine loved watching Violet fence, she always had. She adored watching he and Marcus cross blades, but most especially, she enjoyed watching Vi and Brutus bout, as they had a way about them that was breathtaking. Their swords flew so fast at times one could barely follow them.

The King was doing well, yet Katy could see that Vi easily had the upper hand.

Elizabeth still bounced on her knees upon her cushion, her skirts bunched up in her hands upon her thighs, calling out 'well done's' and 'watch out's'.

Marcus sat upon the arm of the sofa next to Katy, his visage was filled with pride as he watched the match carried out before him, the swords crossing in lightning quick flashes of steel.

Violet's amethyst eyes shone with pleasure as he took full measure of his foe. He noted the King's strengths, his weaknesses, and his endurance.

Having let the King back him up against the length of the room once more, Violet now brought his arm around and over, a different gleam in his eyes as he ferociously drove the King back.

Not stopping at the edge of the court, Violet backed the King up to the far wall and flipped the King's weapon upward. Holding the King's sword arm up against the wall with his free hand, he became the pirate the King had yet to meet.

Vi held the King's arm aloft, the blunted blade of his weapon he held against the King's throat.

Gasps came from both the women, as Katherine was shockingly taken aback by Violet's aggression.

Betsy was enthralled with this side of Violet she had not seen before.

Elizabeth had already thought Violet amazing in every way, but this..... This thrilled her beyond measure, her eyes followed her gorgeous husband as he took complete control. 'Twas not a friendly match any longer, but a calculated attack to one's submission.

Betsy could only imagine the damage Violet could do if he but held his Claymore. And, my goodness, what she would give to see that!

There was no doubt in Elizabeth's mind that her man was the most splendid man in the entire world.

"Aye, ye have now met the pirate, Violet Petals." Vi grinned boldly, raising his brow, as the King became used to the idea he had been rendered helpless. "I would have a few of yer belongings, seeing ye be at my mercy."

The King recovered quickly, grinning widely, he thought upon this for a second, "If it pleases you, Pirate Petals, you may have the girl, the loud, bouncy one over there."

Violet looked to Betsy, raking her with his eyes appreciatively, then turned back to answer, "I shall take her and gladly, what else do ye have I might find fetching?" Violet set the blunt tip of the blade against the King's heart, stepping back, his arm fully extended.

The King looked down at the tip of the sword upon his chest, then his piercing eyes lifted to meet Violet's, "What kind of thing would you be after?"

"The Claymore!" Betsy yelled out. "I want my sword back, Violet!"

The King and Violet erupted into laughter, both of them looking to her, her face entreating Violet to ask for his battle sword.

"My Lady wants the blade returned to her so it seems, what shall we do?" Violet inquired of his liege.

"She can have the blasted blade back, if she can convince you to build your dwelling upon your father's land."

The King then raised a royal brow back at Violet, "I would keep the blade, the girl, and you close, should I have need of you in the future."

Violet's head turned to his father, his sword arm dropped to his side, he then turned fully around to ask Marcus with a furrowed brow, "This is your wish?"

Violet had not thought Marcus would want him that close. Marcus did have another son's feelings he must consider, after all.

Marcus nodded, however, smiling widely, as Katherine begged Violet with her own eyes.

Violet felt his spirit lift, "Would this be pleasing to you?" Violet inquired of Betsy, his face filled with hope.

Betsy hopped up from her perch and ran into Violet's arms, holding him tightly as she assured him, "As long as I can have my sword back, wherever you are is home."

Violet had caught Elizabeth up with his free arm. He leaned down, kissing her soundly, before pulling back a mite and looking into her eyes.

"Aye, wench, I hear ye, I shall have to be askin' ye first before giving yer belongings away to a King again."

"You did say everything aboard ship was mine also. The good, the bad and everything else." She smiled up joyfully at him, as he acknowledged her words as truth.

His hand came up to caress her cheek lightly with the back of his fingertips, "That I did, Kitten, and I meant every word. Now, however, it shall have to be our home, our staff and our children. Will that be pleasing to you as well?" His eyes sparkled with the knowledge that it would be, even as she nodded vigorously at him.

Marcus broke into their moment, "Shall we go out to the estate tomorrow? 'Tis only an hour's ride, I can then show you the spot I imagine you to build on?" Marcus could not wait to show Violet and Elizabeth the peaceful valley where he hoped they would dwell.

It was Marcus' favourite part of the estate. There was a serenity lent to the land by the ribbon of mature willow trees that flanked a running stream.

Marcus hoped that they would both find it as serene and beautiful as he always had.

Elizabeth raised her arms to twine them around Violet's neck, "We were there today, Violet. The estate is lovely," She assured him, "I believe we could be very happy there."

"Ah...... But my love, I am happy wherever it is you are." His iris eyes twinkled with love and adoration as he bent his knees, scooping her up to kiss her again, her toes suspended above the ground.

The King, Marcus, and Katy all smiled satisfactorily, upon the pair of them, Marcus and the King feeling as proud Papa's, Katy seeing her life's desires coming to fruition.

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Hope you like it :) until next time!

Blessings to you all!