Thirty Six Part Three

Violet met with his uncle, Damien, the Marquess of Moonhurst, at the Marquess's home.

Damien invited Violet into his study, where his wife, Amelia, sat at a small desk with pen and parchment in front of her.

Rising to join her husband, and Violet, Amelia offered Violet her hand.

"My lady," Violet took the offered appendage, and kissed the back of her hand lightly.

Amelia blushed slightly, she still was not used to Violet's extraordinary good looks.

"Violet, 'tis a pleasure to see you again so soon." Amelia wanted to hear Violet's story just as much as Damien did, she had made several cancellations to her calendar today to do so.

Though Marcus had told Damien about Violet long ago, Damien had not had the chance to meet Vi since he learned of him, as Violet was so often at sea. Yet Damien had been curious about this nephew of his, and having now met him, Damien saw similarities between Violet and his own son, Drake.

Damien considered Violet's handsome face critically. After meeting the lovely Katherine, Damien could now see that Violet had been blessed with the best attributes of both his parents.

As Damien and Violet familiarised themselves more with one another, they discussed a mutual subject, being what Marcus was up to.

Amelia rang for refreshments before taking a seat next to her husband, across from Violet.

"I hope you do not mind if I stay, Violet. It will save Damien having to tell me all later." Amelia smiled graciously at Violet, before looking conspiratorially at her husband.

Damien looked to Violet and shrugged his shoulders, giving him a 'what can you do?' look, indicating to Violet that she spoke the truth. It gave Violet a small insight into the relationship between his aunt and uncle.

Amelia reached over, giving Damien her hand to hold, his thumb lightly stroking hers, as Violet smiled, and nodded, assuring her he was more than glad to have her stay.

The coffee arrived, Amelia serving them, before relaxing back in her seat to hear Violet's tale.

Damien and Amelia both leaned forward, in suspense, as Violet began telling of trying to steal cargo from their son, Drake, the Earl of Trent.

Violet told of Drake and Pedro's resourcefulness, how Vi and his crew had been counter attacked, by Pedro's intuition.

Damien and Amelia found humorous relief in the way their son had bested Violet and his crew of pirates, beating them at their own game, with a crafty surprise defense.

"And here you two are cousins, and did not even know." Damien found amusement in this fact.

"And that is the truth of it." Violet agreed. " 'Tis a small world sometimes, my lord, is it not?" Violet's visage held humor and irony, his eyes shone with it.

"And the reason you resorted to piracy?" Amelia asked.

Violet told his story, of he and Brutus wanting to sail, not truly realizing what they had signed up for.

Violet then told them of the first children he and his crew had come across. How that had inspired his plan to use piracy to their advantage.

Once Violet explained it all, Amelia could then see why he had continued on in the way he had.

"I received a missive from Kathleen yesterday, she asked me to do all I could to help you." Amelia waved her hand in the direction of her secretary, where she had been when Violet arrived. "I have been writing out invitations to a soirée, however, I need a date. I shall invite those with plenty of funds to invest, we shall see if we can not get you a list of benefactors that would be willing to commit to ongoing giving. However....." Amelia looked to her husband, then Violet, "I must tell you..... They will want the pirate."

"What do you mean?" Violet asked, as his uncle chuckled, allowing Amelia to do her work.

"They will want the pirate, 'tis simply a fact, these people are bored, Violet, our season has ended until spring, and there is nothing to occupy them at the moment. They are also of a different breed than you are used to. They crave entertainment and a relief for their boredom." Amelia tried to explain as best she could.

Violet narrowed his eyes at her, getting the gist of what she was trying to say, "So you think I should act the pirate for these people?" Violet was not sure how comfortable he was with this, as he was trying to leave that life behind.

Yet, Vi remembered how entertained his liege had been, upon meeting his pirate persona, so he could grasp Amelia's point.

" 'Twas Kathleen who suggested it," Amelia imparted, "And I thoroughly agree." Amelia leaned forward to explain, "There must be a draw, other than to help the children, though 'tis a good enough reason for Damien and I, the people I shall invite, tend to place unpleasant things far from their minds. The thought of cold and starving, not to mention, abused children, would fall under the category of such." Amelia pointed out. "Yet, if a man can walk into his club, and share that he is in business with a pirate.... That is what they want, Violet, to be entertained, and also, to be able to entertain."

Violet nodded, accepting her words held merit.

"I can do that." Violet agreed, his uncle still chuckling across from him.

"I know it sounds ridiculous and shallow, Violet." Damien imparted, "But we must face reality when dealing with the ton. They are, for the most part, a most shallow and ridiculous breed."

Violet was amused at his uncle's confession, "Not like yourself, then?"

"Oh, do not get me wrong,"

Damien laughed aloud, "We, also, love to be entertained. Things can get quite boring this time of year, but it may just be an excellent opportunity to strike, while there is nothing else to amuse them."

"Agreed," Violet would take any and all advice he received, knowing their help was invaluable.

Violet was able to understand Kathleen and Amelia's point and would act accordingly.

"So I am to wear my sword, my hat, and my attitude?" Violet summarized.

"Oh yes, most assuredly the attitude." Damien laughed.

"Set the date, my lady, anytime. I am currently moving our things from the ship, but will accommodate any date you set." Violet stood, and took Amelia's hand again, as she and Damien stood also.

"I look forward to it, immensely." Amelia's light, attractive laugh, followed him from the room.

"I shall see you soon." Violet shook his uncle's hand, yet was drawn into an embrace just the same.

"I have waited a long time to meet you, son." Damien's eyes shone with pride for his brother's boy.

"I, also, would say the same, had I known of you, my lord." Violet's honesty shone in his eyes.

"I can not wait to tell Drake..... You have no idea." Damien chuckled anew.

Coming to know his uncle a small bit, Violet could imagine his glee when that happened. "Oh no, I can imagine, my lord." Violet smiled wryly.

"Well, I shall let you be about your business then, Violet, and please call me Uncle, or Damien, or whatever pleases you." Damien begged. The my lord business got old very quickly in his estimation.

"I shall see you soon, Uncle, and thank you, please thank your wife for me also as it means the world to me, Sir."

"Damien."

"It means the world to me, Uncle Damien." Violet's eyes held gratitude and love for the man he recognized as family in his heart.

"I know it does, Violet. I can see that. We shall do all we can." Damien felt the kinship also, patting Vi upon the shoulder before he departed. "Come to me with any needs you have while your father is away."

"I shall Uncle, and I also am here if you have need of me." Violet assured him.

Violet left his uncle's home, climbing up into the carriage the King had provided. He wanted to do something before returning to the castle and directed the driver to one of the seedier parts of town.

Violet had already made time to find the hungry children. He was hard pressed, not to begin inquiring immediately whether they had roofs over their heads, or someone that cared for them.

Violet had handed out fruit and loaves of bread he bought at the corner market, a few mornings ago.

Two overflowing baskets had been gone within moments. Vi had broken the loaves in pieces, giving each child an apple along with a piece of bread.

Violet had given the children all he had, dividing it between those youngsters who braved coming up to him.

Violet hoped the children had run off to share with others. But he would be back, often, he found. He had begun to stop daily on his rides out to the estate.

Violet was becoming familiar with their small faces, and he had even coaxed a few names from the dirty, frightened urchins.

These forays, into the wretched part of town, convinced Violet that haste was necessary in setting up the estate. These children needed a roof over their heads, if they did not have one. They needed warm clothing, as winter was coming on. They also needed nutritious food to keep them strong and healthy.

These daily treks he made only burned the fire brighter within him, as Violet found it hard to stay away. He could see their sweet faces when he closed his eyes at night. Until Vi

could do what he needed to do to help them, that is what he dealt with on a nightly basis. They occupied his thoughts and his dreams, hurrying him along.

Violet had taken the children the food as he took he and Betsy's things out to Shelly Hall. A wagon at a time, for two days, Violet brought their things from the ship.

Marcus had given his staff instructions, to empty, and thoroughly clean out, he and Gwendolyn's bedrooms, dressing rooms, and the bathing chamber.

Marcus wanted Violet and Betsy to have a clean slate to start with. He gave them leave to use or store away, anything that was currently in the home, in any way they desired.

Marcus's clothing and personal items were taken to the hunting lodge.

Gwendolyn's things were packed up and stored in the attic for the time being.

Once Violet arrived with their own things, he set to work, making a home for himself and his new wife.

Violet directed the staff to lay out one of the larger rooms for the boys. They would bunk together for the time being, until he and Elizabeth had time to figure everything out.

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When the day came, that Marcus and Katherine were ready to leave for the cottage, Violet and Betsy were prepared to move into their new home.

"We shall be back in time for the masquerade." Marcus assured his monarch, as he shook the King's hand. Marcus then turned, embracing Violet, a few fatherly pats being bestowed, before Marcus handed Vi off to Katherine for her turn at their boy. "I can not wait to see what has been accomplished by the time we return."

Marcus was going to have a hard time staying away for the length of time they planned. But he owed it to himself, and Katherine, to go. The building would commence in the meantime, and he would just have to wait until his return to see the progress.

The King, Violet, Betsy and the boys, all waved them off, as Lynwood sat proudly atop the carriage, thrilled to be driving his Lord, and Lady, to their honeymoon destination.

Lynwood's grin lasted for miles, until he had to consciously stop himself, as his cheeks began cramping a little. He found he had to stretch his jaw this way and that, before keeping his face schooled in a small, satisfied smile that did not pain him.

Marcus and Katherine made the most of their first, long, secluded carriage ride south.

Marcus held Katy closely, tucked in next to his side, "Do you know how I would occupy myself these many miles on my way to see you in the past?"

"Appreciating the scenery?" Katherine asked bewilderedly.

Marcus chuckled beside her, as his fingertips trailed up and down her trim waist. "Not hardly, madam."

"Then how?" Katherine asked, as she saw his eyes warm to his subject.

"My thought were filled with the wish you were my wife, and that you occupied the carriage with me." Marcus admitted.

"And now I am, and I do." Katherine answered proudly.

"Yes," Marcus laughed low and lustily. "Now you are. And now I can do all the things I imagined doing with you, had you been my wife, and riding along with me." His eyes swept her form as his hand trailed along her skirt to begin hiking it up.

"What kind of things are you alluding to, husband?" Katherine blushed, as she had not considered that he would want to exercise his marital rights in a moving carriage.

Yet, she soon found that she was wrong, as he definitely did want to.

Marcus leaned to each side, deftly drawing the window coverings closed, then he proceeded to exercise those rights.

Katherine could only willingly participate, as Marcus was quite determined to enlighten her of his previous musings..... And they definitely involved being inside a moving coach.

It was a self conscious, mussed couple that arrived at the coaching inn that eve. Their clothes were wrinkled, their hair was untamed. They straightened and smoothed upon exiting the conveyance, to no avail. Yet, their smiles were sultry and incredibly satisfied as they gained their room that eve.

They both enjoyed the evening together, dining and bathing, stretching out on the bed to retire early.

Marcus and Katherine still had almost another full day in the carriage ahead of them before they would arrive at their destination. They did not mind, as they had found a mutually agreeable way to relieve the boredom of a long trip.

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Enjoy loveys! 'Twas my pleasure to post this for your entertainment ;)