Chapter 64 - The Bow And The Bird

The next morning Vincent had Harris wake him early, careful not to wake Delaney too. He slipped from her bed and followed his valet to his own bedroom where he washed and dressed, going to join Miles.

When Delaney woke some time later, she got ready for the day and, since the men had already eaten, had breakfast in her room.  She sat at her small table and looked out the window at the forest outside, going on as far as she could see.

Vincent and Miles would be going into those woods later to go hunting. She didn't particularly like the idea of her husband going off into a forest that had so recently proven itself to be swarming with wolves.

Vincent had assured her though that the two of them had done it all their lives and they would be safe. Harris was also going which did make her feel a bit better. At least they would have someone with some medical skills.

Once she was done with her breakfast and going over some lists Mrs. Crouch had left for her, she decided she would go see what her husband and his brother were up to.

Delaney found them around behind the manor. Targets were set up at varying distances and the brothers stood with their bows and arrows, practicing. She felt her heart leap when she saw Vincent, as was becoming its habit.

A smile pulled on her lips as she walked towards him and when he saw her he grinned.

"Good morning my Lady," he gave a playful bow, "I didn't expect to see you this morning."

"I thought I would come see if you were as good of a shot as you say you are."

"He's not," Miles cut in, nodding to Delaney, "Good morning."

Delaney laughed at his words and Vincent rolled his eyes.

"I am very good," he insisted, "Although admittedly not as good as Miles."

Miles smirked and pulled back, aiming, then sent an arrow buzzing through the air. Delaney watched as it hit the center of the target dead on.

"That is very impressive," she smiled at her brother-in-law, "Do you work with the bow often?"

"Not since the war actually," Miles pulled another arrow from the quiver and took his aim, "The last thing I shot was a dragon."

The arrow flew and hit the target only a bit away from the first one.

"Same for me," Vincent nodded, looking down at his bow in his hands, lost in thought. Delaney reached out and lightly touched his arm. He turned to look at her and shook his head as if clearing away the memories.

Reaching around his neck she pulled his scarred face down until she could kiss him. When she let go again he grinned and stood back. He pulled out an arrow of his own and she watched as he lined it up, taking aim.

His shot wasn't quite as good as Miles's but it was still fairly close to the very center. Delaney beamed proudly at him when he looked her way.

Vincent had a chair brought out for her and Delaney sat for a time, watching them shoot and being impressed with their accuracy. Vincent was good but Miles was faster and never missed his mark.

A small table was brought out and two more chairs. They ate their lunch outside in the warm, early summer sunshine. Delaney felt her heart swell, watching the brothers tease one another, laugh and talk. She loved seeing Vincent as happy as he had been before the war.

It was also strange to see the normally sullen Miles laughing and enjoying himself. In his current mood he could be quite charming. She saw then why Cora must have fallen for him.

Thinking of Cora made sadness tug at her heart. She missed the woman, missed all her friends. She hadn't heard from them since her wedding. Soon she would have to talk to Vincent about having them come to visit.

They finished their meal and got up. Vincent took her on his arm to walk her to the manor door before heading out to hunt with Miles.

"Please be safe," Delaney said seriously to him, taking his face in her hands before kissing him, "Please don't do anything wreckless or dangerous. Watch for wolves and bears and whatever else might be out there."

He chuckled and kissed her again, "I promise I will be safe and I will return to you unharmed. And for an extra treat I'll even make sure my brother and Harris get back safe and sound too."

She looked at him in disapproval over his joke but couldn't keep a smile from pulling at her lips. Seeing it there he grinned and pulled her to his chest in a hug, kissing the top of her head.

"Stay inside while I'm gone please," he said seriously then as he stepped back, "I don't want anything to happen to you either."

She nodded and watched him as he turned to go. At the bottom of the stairs, Miles and Harris waited with horses ready. Vincent climbed up onto his mount and looked back at her once more before they rode off down the gravel drive and into the woods beyond.

Delaney stood at the door watching after them, long after she could no longer see them. When she finally turned to go inside she found Mrs. Crouch hovering not far away.

"Excuse me my Lady," she smiled when she noticed Delaney had caught sight of her, "I didn't want to interrupt you but I have some good news."

"Do tell me," Delaney sighed, "I'm in need of good news."

"We haven't had many responses to the opening of ladies maid... well... we haven't had any... Until today that is! I met with a woman who I think will be just perfect for you."

"Really?" this was good news, "When could I meet with her?

"I do feel it will be a good fit so I actually asked her if she could wait downstairs until you had a chance to talk with her."

"That's perfect," Delaney smiled, "Have her come up and the three of us can have tea in the sitting room."

Mrs. Crouch balked at that for a moment, never having been invited to sit and have tea with a duchess before, but she quickly agreed and said they would be right up after she went to fetch the woman.

Delaney was sitting on a couch some minutes later when Mrs. Crouch returned. Delaney was surprised when she saw the woman with her.

"Lady Adair I would like to introduce Ms. Abigail Bird. Ms. Bird this is Lady Delaney Adair, wife of Lord Vincent Adair, Duke of Edgewood." Mrs. Crouch stepped back after her introductions, looking quite pleased with herself.

Ms. Bird wasn't like any other ladies maid Delaney had ever seen. She was older and heavyset with carrot colored hair, sprinkled now with white. She curtsied to Delaney, an excited smile dominating her face.

"Lady Adair I'm so glad to meet you," she said breathlessly, taking her seat on the couch across from Delaney's as a server placed a tea tray in between them on the small table, "Thank you for taking the time to meet me."

"Of course," Delaney couldn't stop herself from smiling, the woman's happiness was contagious, "What's brought you to Edgewood Ms. Bird? Are you employed elsewhere?"

"I was a ladies maid nearly all my life but then about seven years ago my niece started having babies and she's never really stopped since," Ms. Bird chuckled, "My sister passed away when the girl was young so she didn't have anyone else to help her."

"Oh well that was kind of you," Delaney nodded, "And she doesn't need you anymore then?"

"Well now her oldest is able to help her and she's gotten the hang of managing so many little ones. I figured she didn't need me there anymore and I'd be more use to her if I was working and sending a bit of the money back to her to help out."

Delaney already felt herself liking this woman. She was very sweet and seemed so excited just to be there. "Can you tell me some of the households you've worked for before? And some things about yourself?"

Ms. Bird rattled through a few homes she had worked in, including, to Delaney's surprise, Constance's home when her friend was a child. Delaney knew then she could trust this woman. Constance's mother was incredibly synical and if Ms. Bird managed to take care of her for so many years then she must have proven her worth.

The plump maid then told Delaney she'd been a twin but her sister had passed away. She said she liked blueberries and reading a good book by the fire. She listed off other things as well. She was a talker.

"I think Mrs. Crouch is correct and we will make a good match," she smiled when the woman had finished, "When can you start?"

Ms. Bird looked like she might pop from excitement, "Oh right away my Lady! I brought a trunk with me just in case, since Edgewood is so far from the village."

"Perfect," Delaney giggled, "Then Mrs. Crouch can get you settled in and you can meet me in my bedroom. I'll need something to distract me from my husband being out in the dangerous forest."

Delaney had said the last part as a half joke but Ms. Bird looked at her with an understanding smile.

"Oh, my Lady I've heard of how your wonderful husband conquered the dragons and saved everyone from a terrifying future. What ever could be in those woods, I have no doubt he'll be able to handle with ease."

Delaney looked at the woman fondly.

"Besides," Ms. Bird continued with knowing grin, "Men tend to make sure they get home in one piece when they know they have a beautiful wife waiting for them."

Delaney blushed but chuckled and thanked her. "Go get your things settled in and I will see you shortly in my room."

Ms. Bird and Mrs. Crouch left her then and Delaney turned and walked to one of the tall windows. Looking out at the forest she imagined Vincent enjoying himself with his brother and his friend. She also couldn't keep from worrying something might happen.

Later she showed Ms. Bird her room, dresses, and jewelry, some of which she actually hadn't seen herself since they were the Adair jewels. Trying to keep herself distracted, she even took the time to give her maid a tour of the manor which wasn't the normal.

Ms. Bird was so happy and talkative, Delaney was able to forget her worry for a while. By the time she got back to her room though the sun was starting to set and Delaney stood twisting her ring and watching out the window until she heard the bell announcing dinner.

Not knowing what else to do, Delaney went to the dining room where the servers had still set up a full meal. Her worry for Vincent was growing and she found she couldn't eat more than a few bites.

Finally she gave up and asked the servers to apologize to Mrs. King for her. She didn't want the cook to think the problem was with her delicious food.

Delaney paced in the entryway, watching out the windows, praying to see Vincent come riding up the drive.

At last even the butler began to look nervous and Delaney couldn't take it any longer. She ordered a group of the men from the stables to ride out and find them.

The torches were lit in front of the manor and she stood at the top of the stairs and watched as the men galloped off into the night carrying torches of their own.

Where was her husband? What if something had happened to him?