"Ravenwood!" The Duke of Ashton declared, genuinely pleased to see the ton's most notorious bachelor joining in on the pleasantries to be had at the King's court. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this evening?" It was no secret that the young Marquess preferred his clubs or country weekend parties over the rigid formality found in the Monarch's palace.

"Boredom, I suppose, your Grace." William Kent, the Marquess of Ravenwood, replied with a grin. "Whites was positively dull this evening. Feeling no desire to sit through the opera, I thought to investigate a rumor that is floating about." Will's grin turned positively lecherous, "I have heard it told that the King has a lovely new pet on display."

The Duke leaned back, bringing his hands to rest on his midsection as he chortled with amusement. "That he does, my friend, that he does. And lovely she is, though I doubt this one will interest you much. Rumor has it she's the wife of a pirate seeking pardon. A pirate with the most unusual name. Violet... Violet Leaves, or some poetic thing such as that."

Will's brow twitched with the Duke's butchering of the pirate's name. He knew who Violet Petals was, and if it was his wife on display, then she was none other than his sister's former companion, Elizabeth. Or Bitsy, as Will had always called her. Will turned his attention towards the throne where Elizabeth perched on a stool next to the king. Keen interest shone in his eyes as he took in her appearance. No more was she the shy, plain girl he used to tease. She had blossomed into a most lovely woman. Her mousey brown hair was even different, now a smooth chestnut with golden strands reflecting the light.

"On the contrary, your Grace." Will's gaze left Elizabeth reluctantly to return to Ashton, "I am much interested, for she and I are old friends. She was raised in our household, my sister's companion, as it were."

"Truly?" Ashton mused, "It makes one wonder how such a person could meet and marry a pirate." 

"From what my mother has told me about the man, he assisted my brother in law in lifting his ship from a reef, taking the girl's hand in marriage as payment. My brother in law married them himself." Will also wondered how Elizabeth could have done such a thing, however, feeling no need to discuss the topic with Ashton, Will knew he would save that inquiry for the lady in question.

"Well, now, how peculiar." Ashton's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the Marquess, "Speaking of your mother, Ravenwood, how is she? Your family must be extremely pleased to have her back; I'd wager. Whatever will you do with yourself now that you won't have to scramble to fill your family's coffers faster than your father can empty them?"

Will knew Ashton well enough not to take offense, smiling confidently, Will assured him, "I've acquired a few hobbies along the way despite my family's affairs, your Grace. I suppose I may even venture into a new trade or two to combat the boredom." Will could not keep his eyes from drifting back to the small brunette beside the King. "Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to request a dance with the guest of honor."

Ashton chuckled at Will's reply, "Of course, be on your way then. Perhaps I will see you in the card room later, and we may play a few hands."

Will nodded graciously, "Most likely so, your Grace."

Will left Ashton's company and began to move through the crush of the crowd towards the dais where Elizabeth sat with the King. Ashton's query concerning his mother still lingered in Will's mind. His mother had been taken from their family when Will was still a child, and she had only returned to them two months ago. While she was gone, his father had done everything he could to find her, pouring the families fortune out to follow every lead. Will did not resent his father's efforts in the least. However, once coming of age, Will could easily see that his family's fortune that had grown from generation to generation, was in serious jeopardy. Will had turned first to their holdings, reviewing and personally visiting each estate they owned. He brought in new equipment to sow the fields and reap their harvests. He introduced new bloodlines into the stables and hired new knowledgeable staff to oversee each venture, cutting them in at a healthy commission. Once their properties were in line, Will had turned his attention to the family's shipping fleet. His father had owned three ships when Will began, within five years they had eight. Today they had fourteen. And when the King had summoned Will to do his bidding, the real adventures had begun.

Will lifted his eyes as he reached the bottom of the dais and found the King regarding him over the heads of those gathered around him. The corner of the King's lip twitched in what was to be understood as a smile, nodding to Will he silently bid him join them.

Elizabeth's attention was focused on the King as he leaned down to whisper in her ear and her laughter at the King's anecdotes brought a smile to Will's face. A serving man stepped forward to offer Elizabeth a glass of champagne as Will bowed deeply to his Monarch.

"I would beg permission to dance with your lady, Sire."

The King seemed quite amused, "You, by all means, have my permission. It is hers you shall have to obtain, my lord."

The servant moved aside, and Will grinned as Elizabeth's eyes found him.

"Will!" She exclaimed in disbelief, then remembered her company and corrected herself, "My Lord, 'Tis genuinely wonderful to see you!"

Will extended his hand to her, and she happily took it, allowing him to lead her out into the dance. Will wrapped his arms around her, bringing her much closer than the dance technically called for.

Elizabeth peered at him from the corner of her narrowed eyes as she corrected her position in his arms to one well within proprieties standards. "Mind yourself, my Lord, I am a married woman now."

He intentionally revealed the dimples in his cheeks as he teased her, "I have heard that bit of news. That you married a pirate, one by the name of Violet Leaves, if I am not mistaken."

Will silently thanked Lord Ashton when Elizabeth's eyes widened for a second before they narrowed to impale him. Her small, pert nose lifted high as she shifted her eyes past his shoulder, "'Tis Violet Petals, and you may call me Mistress Petals, you knave!"

"I have no issues with married women..." Will quipped as he leaned down and nuzzled Elizabeth's shoulder. Teasing Elizabeth was second nature to him; having done it zealously for years. He did wonder, however, just how far he could rattle her before she gave in to her old habit of firmly boxing his ears.

"I shall leave you standing here alone if you insist on continuing in this manner, William." Elizabeth scrunched her shoulder up to her ear, but her eyes lent truth to her words.

Will laughed off his teasing, "Well, I do not have problems with married women, usually."

Elizabeth gave him a stern, reproving look, "So I have heard, though it seems you do not discriminate amongst the ladies very much at all." Her nose lifted in the air with pride at her jibe.

Will feigned injury for her benefit, "Oh, that hurts, Bitsy, I am definitely most discriminating in whom I take to my bed."

Elizabeth moved to make good on her threat and walk away from him. However, he deftly twirled her about before again holding her firmly within his arms.

"You will behave?" She asked tentatively.

"I shall. I promise." Will's eyes lifted to the King, noting the Monarch's proud gaze upon them as he felt Elizabeth relax in his embrace.

"So you have seen your mother?" She asked, finding a neutral subject.

"I have, and my God, what a shock that was," Will answered her honestly, feeling slightly exposed discussing the intimate subject with one who knew how his mother's absence had affected the family, and Will personally. "It was beyond anything I had imagined, to have mother and father together once more." Will checked his emotions before they become apparent to anyone other than Elizabeth. He did not mind that she knew the depth of his feelings, for she was as a surrogate sister to him, though one who was much more fun than his actual sister, as he could tease Bitsy on an entirely different level.

"And my Lady? Have you seen Arianna?" Elizabeth's excitement was apparent.

"Yes, she and Trent were quite happy, the last I saw of them."

"Good." She merely replied, suddenly noting the King's watchful eye upon them.

"About your husband..." Will began.

Her attention snapping back to Will, Elizabeth defensively asked, "What about him?"

"Where is he?" Will asked conspiratorially, his eyes darting about as if the pirate would appear from thin air..

Elizabeth swatted his chest with indignation, "He would be here if he could, however, he is about business for the King. He is delivering your Aunt and some papers to your father." She watched him warily, ready to defend the man further if Will pressed on.

She does love him, Will thought. He was now adamant to know that this girl he cared so much for was loved in return. "Ah, well, mayhap I shall have the pleasure then, as I am leaving for Marlborough myself upon the morrow." Will suddenly decided.

Elizabeth's glare returned, but this time it was directed at the King. Sensing his words made her question the motives for the Monarch's removal of her husband from her side, Will changed the subject.

"So tell me how you came to be the King's new pet, Bitsy." Will attempted to distract her.

She took a moment to finish staring down their King, then looked back to him with a shrug, "I guess I am Alex Hastings daughter."

Will physically had to keep his jaw from dropping. "You guess you are... Alex Hastings daughter?" He repeated in disbelief. Alex Hastings had been the Kings most trusted man, nay, not just his man, from what Will knew the men had been as close as brothers. Hastings was a legend for his skill with weapons and his position with the King. "I see." Will nodded in appreciation. "That is quite amazing, Bitsy."

Will continued to turn Elizabeth in his arms as the waltz came to a close and another started. They shared stories of their childhood, attempting to embarrass the other, both laughing heartily at the distant memories they had not thought of in years. When the set came to a close, Will returned Elizabeth to the King and placed a kiss upon the back on her hand, thanking her for the dance.

Will made his way back across the ballroom, amused by the whispers from the ton's gossips as he passed. If Elizabeth's favor with the King had not already secured her place as the talk of the ton, their dance certainly had.

Entering the card room, Will moved to the bar where he asked for a brandy. He surveyed the tables, noting the games played and the players seated when the Duke of Ashton seated at a faro table in the far corner of the room caught his eye. Brandy in hand, Will made his way over and took the seat next to the man. They were in the middle of a deck and with a wave to the banker Will elected to wait until the next started before joining in.

"How is the family, your Grace?" Will asked Ashton, thinking of Sassy, his duchess, and their brood of six.

A smile lit the Duke's face as he collected his winnings and placed new bets between turns. "Healthy and happy as ever. Sassy took the children to visit her mother for the week, and I expect them back tomorrow." The Duke's love for his wife was evident when he spoke her name.

Love.

His parents had it. Ashton and his wife had it. His sister had found it. Elizabeth loved her pirate, and Will intended to be sure her pirate returned it.

It wasn't that Will did not believe in love. It was evident in so many examples around him. Despite the many women Will had known, liked, cared for, and had relationships with, there had never been one he could not live without. "Remember me to Sassy when you see her on the morrow, your Grace."

"I will, Ravenwood. She has always had a soft spot for you, you know. I hear more gossip about you than anyone else in all of the Kingdom." Ashton clapped Will on the back as he chuckled.

"Oh? Not many are willing to share how far rumors of me go. Feed my vanity, and recant the most recent for me, if you will, your Grace."

Ashton did. He and Will sat through two more decks while Ashton recounted the gossip Sassy had shared with him. Will found every tale amusing. A few of the rumors had little truths within them, but the majority were pure fabrication.

After two decks and four more brandys, Will was done for the night and bid Ashton farewell before requesting his coach.

Will donned his coat and made his way outside where his footman held the door to his carriage open. It wasn't until he found himself grasping the door to keep his balance that he stopped to appreciate the fine liquor the King served. With an indulgent grin, he gave the footman his destination and sat back upon the plush seats while the door closed behind him.

He would stay the night in his townhouse where his mistress, Scarlet, resided.