Thirty Seven

Violet and Betsy christened their lair with passion.

Both replete with gratefulness to be in their familiar bed, they lay entwined in their furs, enjoying the closeness that their loving brought to them.

"Ye thinks ye shall be happy here, wench?" Violet teased, his voice a husky whisper, his fingertips lightly stroking up and down the velvety soft skin of her lower back.

She chuckled softly, "Aye, Captain, I believe we shall get on here just fine." She, in turn, drew hearts upon his chest and belly, as she lay tucked up against his side.

" 'Tis fortuitous ye feel that way, as ye have no choice now." Violet chuckled along with her.

"Oh," She laughed softly, "I could always go back to the castle, I am sure the King would not mind." She held her breath and prepared for his onslaught, which indeed, came very quickly.

Violet flipped her over upon her back, coming over her, pinning her in place, "Oh ho, ye thinks so do ye? An' how will ye manage that, Kitten, if I keeps ye here in me bed and I never let ye go?" Violet raised a brow, as he growled at her.

Dipping his head, he kissed her neck and shoulder, as she giggled her pleasure, her hands running down his back to rest upon his buttocks.

She raised her own brow back at him, "Ye be a fool, Violet, if you think I would ever leave you for any reason. I told you I would be happy wherever you are, and I shall be." She lifted her head to peck him upon the lips, her eyes glittering with love as she squeezed his bum.

Violet laughed lustily, then kissed Betsy thoroughly, his hand holding the back of her head gently, keeping her right where he wanted her.

When he withdrew his face from hers, her love was reflected in the violet orbs shining down upon her.

"I love you more than life itself, Elizabeth." He said passionately, "If you did not care to be here, I would truly not expect us to stay." Violet was serious in his assurances, even as he hoped she could find it in her heart to be happy here.

"It was the ship. That was the only reason I felt as I did, Violet. I shall miss the Wench, and the crew, but not as much as I would miss you if you sailed away without me." She held his head also, and pulled him down for another kiss.

He obliged heartily, then pulled back to search her guileless eyes, "You do not believe I could have done so, do you?" Violet now knew she was definitely the spark in his life he needed, that he indeed, would feel empty and dead inside if she were not by his side.

"I know the cause is a worthy one, and I know what it means to you." Betsy stroked his cheek softly as she answered him.

"Just know, my love, as worthy a cause as it is, I have found God will find a way to accomplish his ends no matter what we humans decide to do. I have found that my place is with you. To leave you, love, would be to leave my heart behind." Violet meant his words with all of his heart.

"We can not have that, now can we?" Betsy's stomach chose that moment to growl against his.

"Not any more than we can have ye starvin' ta death, wench." Violet laughed.

Betsy ducked her chin, embarrassed at her body's announcement of her hunger, "Mayhap, I am a tiny bit hungry." Her belly roiling yet again.

"Come on," Violet rolled off her, coming to his feet at the side of the bed, holding his hand out to her.

Betsy let her eyes roam his perfect form for a moment, loving every inch of Violet's body that she now knew so well.

"Do we have to?" She whined at him, as he walked to bottom of the bed and grabbed her foot.

" 'Tis not my stomach deciding for us," Violet began pulling her across the sheets as she laughed. "And you no longer reside in a castle where the pull of a bell brings you sustenance."

"Fine, feed me..... There is always tonight." She said saucily, jumping up and tossing her head, making her way to the bathing chamber.

Aye, there was tonight, and tomorrow, and every day after that God graces us with breath.

Violet sat upon the edge of the bed, looking into the bathing chamber, as Betsy poured water into a basin to freshen herself after his loving.

Vi's heart swelled for this little maid, his gift from God, his true soulmate for his lifetime. She had no idea how very beautiful she was to him, nor how wonderful he found her to be.

He took a moment to say a prayer of thanks. For her, for their family, and for their abundant blessings.

Smiling in wonder at just how incredibly blessed he felt, Violet rose and went to her. Kissing Betsy softly on her shoulder, "I love you." He whispered, as his iris eyes found hers in the looking glass.

"And I love you, Violet, so, so much." She smiled wistfully, reaching to touch his cheek, as he kissed her other shoulder, his fingers trailing lightly upon her waist as he turned away.

"Damned glad I tried to take my cousin's cargo that fine morn." She heard him mutter as he went to fetch his clothing from the next room.

"As am I, husband," She whispered fervently, "As am I!" She let her eyes once again rove over him, seeing his lovely backside in the mirror, as he walked away from her.

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Violet and Betsy held hands, descending the stairs, finding the receiving room door open, they could hear the boy's voices raised excitedly.

"I wonder what they are about?" Violet looked down at Betsy, amusement lighting his visage.

"With them, Violet, one can never tell." She laughed softly, her heart warming at the sound of their beloved boys.

Of course, Davey's voice could be determined easily, rising above all the others, they could tell he was excited about something.

Violet and Betsy winced, and then grinned at one another, before crossing the foyer to see who the boys were entertaining.

Violet placed his hand upon the small of Betsy's back, letting her precede him into the room.

The boys were seated upon two settees, a very old and wizened man sat across from them.

The elderly man stood shakily, assisted by his cane, as he saw Betsy enter the room.

"I apologize," Violet began, "We did not know we had a visitor." Violet and Betsy both wondered who the man was.

The old man's eyes had not left Betsy, and they did not now, as he came forward on shaky legs.

"Elizabeth?" The elderly man inquired.

"Yes, I am Elizabeth." She smiled kindly at the old man, as he reached for her hand.

She gave him her hand, both of their hands shaking slightly, as his hand's tremors affected her own, while he raised it to his lips.

Betsy looked to Violet, amused at the old man's decorum, as she still did not know who he was.

Her eyes grazed over the boys, who now sat silently, each looking as a cat that ate the canary, their eyes sparkling, as they already knew who the man was.

The old man held onto her hand, his eyes delving into her own, his other hand coming up to cup her cheek before he smiled widely, "I received a message from the King asking me to visit him this morning. He told me of you, and that I could find you here."

"And you most assuredly have." Betsy looked slightly confused, yet, amused just the same.

The elderly man was thin and taller than she, not quite as tall as Violet, but that may be because he was stooped over a bit. His hair had been brown, but now three quarters grey, 'twas hard to imagine him younger.

While his body may be fragile and traitorous, his mind was still fully about him, "Ah, I beg your forgiveness, child, Here I am, just soaking you in, and you have not a clue who I am." His ice blue eyes were red rimmed, but still sharp as an eagle's, missing no detail, "I am your great grandfather, Gabriel Rutherford Hastings, Duke of Rawlings," The Duke smiled conspiratorially at Betsy, "And a hell of a lot of other nonsensical titles," The Duke then looked to Violet, "And you, my good man....... " The Duke chuckled a bit, "You must be the damned pirate that Elizabeth is married to."

The boys sat nodding their heads, as Betsy stood in shock, while Violet laughed, welcoming the Duke to their new home.

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It was too fun not to share, even though I had wanted to give more, this is what I have now. Mayhap, I shall have more tomorrow ;)