Chapter 98 - A Stranger In The Night

Delaney sat at a card table next to her husband. The other men around the table looked up and upon seeing Vincent, shifted back a bit in their seats. Win sat down in the last open seat and smiled around at all of them with his big rosy cheeks. He waved to the man behind the bar to bring them all a drink.

"Well gentlemen," he grinned, "I believe most of you may remember Lady Delaney but I don't know that you've had the pleasure of meeting her husband, Lord Vincent Adair, Duke of Edgewood."

All around the table were mumbles of hellos and nods in his direction, none meeting his eyes. Vincent's eyes flashed around at the other faces before they dropped to the table in front of him,

"I'll tell you all an interesting fact about our Lord Adair," Win spoke as he dealt the cards out, "He is the very one that killed the last male dragon and ended the war. Shoved his sword straight up into the beast's brain in fact. That's how he got those marks you see? He dove into its mouth to kill it because there was no other way."

The other men around the table looked up at Vincent with wide eyes now. Delaney looked at Win with a confused frown, not sure why he was drawing even more attention to her already self-conscious husband. Vincent's cheeks were starting to redden already. The old man winked at her though, the corners of his mouth turning up just a bit.

"So gentlemen," he continued as he picked up his cards, "Now that we all know he knows how to beat a dragon, let's see how he fares against his wife at cards. I think this will turn out to be a much riskier challenge."

The men around the table laughed at this and even Vincent smirked as Delaney rolled her eyes. Just like that, Win had done something like magic. Delaney had not expected it but she was thankful. Vincent and the other men were all at ease and there was no more staring.

Time ticked by as they all settled, their attention solely on their cards now. Delaney wondered if it would make her a better wife to let her husband win but she knew she couldn't. Her pride wouldn't allow it. So on the very first hand, she beat them all, sliding the pile of money to her side of the table.

The men teased Vincent and they all roared with laughter. Another hand was dealt but this time, Vincent won. With a frown, Delaney picked up the cards in the new hand that had been dealt to her. She looked at her husband who was smiling as he looked at his own hand.

She was determined not to lose again and she didn't. Their third game went to her and she smirked at Vincent when he looked at her. He sat back in his seat, laughing and shaking his head. The other men laughed and teased him again. Vincent smiled and made the excuse that he was just too distracted by his wife's beauty.

Seeing her husband having such a good time, Delaney decided to slip away from the table, making the excuse of getting some air. It was hot and stuffy in the club after all. Vincent moved to go with her but she urged him to stay, assuring him Cecil would keep an eye on her at the door.

Stepping out into the night, Delaney fanned her warm face. The air outside was just as hot as it was inside but at least outside there was a breeze. A lantern hung beside the door and another on a signpost by the street lighting the space around the front of the club.

Delaney stepped down the stone steps and leaned against the signpost. She knew Cecil was watching her through the little sliding window so she relaxed. He wouldn't let anyone bother her.

Fanning her face, she closed her eyes, smiling as she heard laughter coming from inside the club, hoping her husband's laughter was among it.

She had been so surprised when Vincent had agreed to come to Win's club for the evening, not needing any convincing. She knew he hated being around people so he was only doing it to make her happy.

Her sweet, handsome husband knew it meant a lot to her so he'd agreed to face the stares and whispers for her. She loved him so much. Delaney sighed and thought about Vincent, not noticing the person quickly approaching her from behind.

"Well, hello there."

Delaney snapped upright at the sudden voice, spinning around to see who it was coming from.

Walking towards her with a sparkling smile was a handsome man with wavy golden hair and deep blue eyes.

"Oh I'm sorry to have startled you," the man apologized sincerely, holding up his hands, "I thought you would've heard me coming."

Delaney looked at him seriously as she worked to calm her startled, racing heart, " Of course I didn't hear you! You scared me half to death!"

The man worked to keep from laughing, "I am truly sorry for that."

"Who are you?" Delaney demanded in annoyance.

"Mason Gilbert," he bowed now, "But most people call me Mace. And what do people call you? Other than beautiful that is."

"Well Mr. Gilbert," she frowned and crossed her arms, "I am Lady Delaney Adair, Duchess of Edgewood."

"You don't say?" the man grinned, "What an honor it is to meet you, your grace. I've heard a lot about you."

Delaney's frown deepened then, "What do you mean? What have you heard about me?"

"Ah good things... mostly," the man winked at her, "We're family you see Lady Adair. I'll be happy to tell you all about it but here might not be the place."

The man tilted his head towards the door to Win's club and Delaney looked up to see Cecil had stepped outside and was looming above them on the stairs. He didn't look amused by Mason Gilbert.

"He's here to watch out for me and make sure strange men don't try anything," she said, giving Mason a pointed look, "And you can tell me how we're related right here. My husband is inside so I won't be going anywhere and especially not with a stranger."

"Vincent? Is he really inside? Well, I'll go in with you then!"

Before Delaney could say anything else, Mason Gilbert linked his arm through hers and headed up the stairs practically dragging her with him. Cecil frowned and stepped forward to block the man but after a pause, Delaney shook her head so he stepped back to let them in.

Stepping inside the club, her unwelcome escort scanned the room until he spotted her husband and swept forward to their table behind him.

"Well now! I thought this stunning young woman might have been telling stories to get rid of me when she said my cousin Vincent Adair was in here but here he sits, right before my eyes!"

Vincent looked up in surprise when his eyes landed on the man at her side. Her husband got to his feet and with a grin and a laugh, both men embraced, clapping one another on the back. They separated but Mason kept his hands on Vincent's shoulders as he looked him over.

"Mace!" Vincent grinned, "What are you doing here? How did you find us?"

"Ah well, I'm up to no good. As usual," the other man laughed too, " And it was just a coincidence. I was walking along outside and came upon this ravishing creature and she told me she was your wife. How is it you managed to snag a better marriage contract than me too?"

Vincent chuckled and rolled his eyes, "Well you broke your contract cousin or you'd be pretty lucky yourself. I've met the woman you were supposed to marry."

"Ah no, she was nothing compared to your gem. You should introduce me to her now though because I think she thought I was going to try to abduct her when we met outside."

Vincent shook his head at the blonde man before turning to his wife with a smile, "My love this is my cousin Lord Mason Renald, Duke of Ainsberry. Mace, this is my wife Delaney."

Delaney's mouth fell open as she turned back to the blonde man who bowed low in front of her, taking her hand and placing a kiss on top of it. When he righted himself he was smiling at her with mischievous eyes.

"But-but you said your name was Mason Gilbert," Delaney spoke in confusion, looking from him to her husband.

Vincent rolled his eyes, "Ah yes he goes by his mother's last name when he's out of the castle trying to get away with shenanigans but Renald is his true last name. Phillip Mason Gilbert Renald."

Delaney blinked, trying to wrap her mind around this new discovery as she looked back at the man.

"You're... You're the prince!"