Chapter 100 - Memories

After their night playing cards with a prince, Delaney hugged Win goodbye, thanking him for the good time. He laughed and thanked her and Vincent, saying they hadn't ever had such an exciting night at the club and the Duke and Duchess should come back often.

Curled up in the tiny bed in their tiny room in the inn, Delaney and Vincent slept late the next morning. When they finally woke up it was to the sound of people down in the restaurant laughing and talking.

Delaney groaned and buried her head against her husband's chest, not ready to wake up yet. Vincent stretched, his muscles growing taut before he rolled over and hugged her to him, chuckling as he kissed her all over her face, making her wake up.

Because of the limited space, Vincent dressed without Harris's help. Delaney smiled at her husband, helping him pull back his black locks and tie them at the nape of this neck. She stood back and looked at him, admiring his dark beauty.

"Make sure you let Harris look you over before you go very far," Delaney smirked at her husband, "I think you look handsome no matter what but others may not agree."

Ms. Bird came in once Vincent had left and helped Delaney get ready. She put on a light blue dress and Ms. Bird insisted she pin some pearls into her hair saying she was a duchess after all.

Downstairs in the restaurant, Vincent sat at a table with Harris and the head of their guards. When he saw Delaney he smiled and stood, pulling back her chair for her. The other men saw her a moment later and stood as well.

Delaney ate next to her husband and listened as he talked to the men about their plan for the day. She liked hearing him talk like this. He was so decisive and in control. He was so sure of himself and his decisions.

This would be the shortest section of their journey and she was thankful for that. Vincent looked tired. He would never admit it but she could tell he needed to rest and recover.

If he hadn't told the prince they would be leaving that day she might have considered asking him to stay another night. They would be in the King's City for at least two nights though so she hoped that would give him the time he needed.

By the time Delaney and Vincent had finished eating, most of their guards had already cleared out of the restaurant. When they went outside they found the carriage ready and waiting. All their guards were on horseback ready to escort them as well.

Riding in the carriage, Vincent read through ledgers and accounts and scribbled notes on the sides. Delaney pulled out the familiar red bound book full of the Adair History. She had taken it on their trip, using the hours in the carriage to read it and get to know the past of the family she was now a part of.

The couple was quiet as they rode along and by the time they began to draw close to the city, it was late afternoon. It was only then that Delaney sat aside her book and looked up to see her husband staring out the window towards the mountains.

Looking out the window as well, Delaney was reminded of the last time she'd come to this city. It had been cold, dark, and snowy. Miles and Cora had been with her and Vincent had been in the hospital only a short time.

Back then, there had been dark smoke still rising from the mountains where the dragons were burning themselves out, the females fighting to death once all the males were gone. Miles had looked to those mountains with such anger.

Vincent looked there now, lost in thought. How different things were today with the heat, green trees of the forests, and bright summer sun. They hit a bump and Vincent winced, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again though they went right back to staring at the mountains.

When the carriage came to a stop in front of the city house, Delaney saw it looked much prettier now that she was visiting under better circumstances. Vincent helped her out and together they walked inside. The trip had been short enough he was barely limping.

Delaney felt a sense of relief knowing they were at a house that belonged to them. They would have all their servants and their own things and could do as they pleased. She smiled at all of their people waiting just inside the doors to greet she and Vincent. It was a much different welcoming than her first visit here.

They got settled in and ate lunch in the dining room. Again, Delaney's mind drifted back to the last time she'd sat in the very same seat. Miles had apologized to her on Vincent's behalf and asked her to give him another chance. She'd said no and he really hadn't argued. She had been so sure that day that Vincent shouldn't be in her future.

She looked over at her husband now as he ate, his scars a bit redder from the effort. She couldn't imagine life without him now.  She would never dream of not going to him if he was injured. There was a pain her heart as she thought about the fact she had left him there alone and not gone back. Then, on top of it, she'd hurried home to try to break their marriage contract.

Vincent looked up and caught her eye, smiling at her fondly. Delaney forced a little smile to her lips before looking back down at her plate, pushing the food around.

"Is everything alright my Lady?" he asked quietly.

Delaney looked up again and met concerned green eyes, "Of course my Lord. I'm just tired is all."

"How about after we finish we go to our bedroom to rest for a while. I didn't plan for us to go to court until tomorrow anyway"

"That sounds lovely," Delaney smiled at him before taking a bite.

Upstairs, Vincent took her to the bedroom of the duke and duchess. Their bedroom. It was almost as large as their room at home but much more modern, with wooden floors and walls and a few paintings.

Ms. Bird came and helped Delaney out of her dress and undid her hair. Once the old maid was gone, Delaney brushed her hair while Vincent undressed and got in their bed, tossing the blankets aside because it was so hot and leaving only the sheet thrown across his hips.

Walking to her side of the bed, Delaney paused as she looked down at her lean, muscular, husband's scar covered body. Laying here as he was he looked exactly as he had the night she visited him in the hospital.

As she stood there, memories flashed into her mind of him covered in sweat and writhing in pain. She remembered how angry he had been and how he'd yelled at Miles and threw something at him. He hadn't wanted her to see him and he was angry that she had. In her memory, she heard the sounds of him crying out in agony as the poison pumped through his body.

Closing her eyes, Delaney felt stinging tears. She didn't want to think of this man that she loved in so much pain. She didn't want to think of the fact she'd left him behind to go through it without her.

"My love, what is it?" Vincent sat up and reached for her, "What's wrong?"

Delaney let him pull her down into the bed beside him and hug her to his chest.

"I know something is wrong. You've been quiet since we arrived here. What is it?"

"I just... I just keep remembering the night I came here with Miles. I remember seeing you in the hospital and... and how much pain you were in... Vincent you were in so so much pain. It was awful!"

"Shh shh," he tried to comfort her, "It's alright love. I got through it. I'm alright now."

"But I left you! I gave you that one chance and I left and didn't come back. I should have come back to be with you."

"No you shouldn't have Delaney," Vincent said seriously, "I'm very glad you didn't come back. Even now, I love you too much and I know it would hurt you to see me like that. I never wanted you to come there in the first place."

"You were so angry at Miles for bringing me," she said quietly.

Vincent rubbed the back of his neck, "I was but I know he was just trying to help. I just didn't see that then."

Delaney looked up and met his deep, green eyes. She reached out and traced his scars on his cheek lightly and he watched her. When she slid over the one the ran onto his chin he caught her finger between his teeth for a moment before letting go and placing a kiss on it.

"I love you," he said quietly, "Try to forget about that night. Try to just think of us as we are now."

"I don't know how," she shook her head, "I've only been to this place once and it was for such a horrible reason. The memories keep playing in my head."

"Well I have an idea for how we can try to fix that," he grinned as he leaned down before kissing her so slowly and deeply.

"How?" she asked breathlessly once they'd come apart. Her head spinning from the kiss.

"We'll just have to make new memories."