Chapter 109 - Captain

The ballroom of the castle was covered in white and gold. The floor was made of a stone that was nearly white and the walls had been painted white as well. There were columns all around the walls that were painted gold and all the moldings matched. From the ceilings hung big chandeliers.

The floor was nearly filled with people. In the middle, there were some dancing but most stood around the edges talking and laughing. The crowd didn't seem to be the usual nobles. There were many men and a few women dressed in unusual clothing. The men wore cloths wrapped around the crowns of their heads. They also had sun-baked skin.

Delaney immediately looked at her husband and saw him stiffen. His eyes scanned the room and he looked as if he might bolt back to the carriage. She squeezed his arm and he turned to look down at her, revealing the scarred side of his face.

"We're alright," she whispered, trying to will him to believe her, "We don't have to stay for long. We can go home once we've worked our way around the room once."

Vincent swallowed but didn't respond as he turned back to face the crowd. His eyes immediately dropped to the floor in front of him.

They were at the top of the small flight of stairs that led down into the ballroom which meant they had a view of the entire room. Unfortunately, it also meant nearly the entire room could see them as well.

Looking out again now, Delaney noticed most of the eyes in the room had turned to them and now whispers were flying. Vincent clenched and unclenched his fists, his mood making his scars deepen in color. Delaney knew her husband looked very intimidating. She needed to get him out of the view of everyone.

Turning, Delaney walked down the few steps pulling her husband with her. Mason had gone this way and now she was eager to find him. They worked their way through the strange but brightly dressed crowd. Eyes studied the two of them as they passed.

They found Mason at a table that was loaded with wine and cups. He beamed when he saw them coming and poured each of them a drink as well.

"There you are!" he announced when they got to the table, "Take a drink! I was just about to."

"Mace who are all these people?" Vincent hissed before taking his cup and downing half of the contents in a few gulps.

"Oh these people?" he gestured out to the room around them with a laugh, "These are some very good friends I made recently."

"Who are they?" Vincent repeated his question.

"Ah well, there is one who is my partner in a little business venture I've gotten into. Then nearly all the rest are his men and their wives. I've been looking for a reason to have them here for some fun and I figured tonight would be perfect for it."

Delaney and Vincent were both frowning now. Delaney took a sip of her wine but her eyes didn't fall from him.

"What is this business venture you're needing all this help with?" Vincent questioned.

"Yes and where is your partner so we can meet him?" Delaney added.

"Ah don't worry," Mason smiled, "He's around somewhere. His name is Captain Luke Black. Just look around for a while and I'm betting you'll find him on your own. You can ask him about the business venture."

"I'm asking you, Mason," Vincent growled in annoyance as he stepped closer.

"Vincent stop," Delaney whispered to him quickly as she pulled him back from the Prince.

"Did I hear my name?" came low a voice with a strange accent.

The three turned to face a very tall man, taller than even Vincent. He had very curly black-brown hair that hung down to his shoulders and chocolate brown eyes. The stranger wore a pair of black breeches and a red vest with no shirt under it, leaving it unbuttoned so anyone might see his chest if they looked. His skin was all tanned from lots of time in the sun.

"Good evening," the very tall man smiled down at them but it was more like a smirk, "Mace I believe you were just about to tell your friends about me. Is that correct?"

Delaney looked down and saw the man had a giant sword hanging on his hip and another strapped to the opposite thigh. She wished more than anything that Vincent might have brought his sword but when she looked she saw he hadn't.

"I told them you were my partner in a business venture. I figured anything else you wanted them to know you could tell them on your own. This is my cousin Lord Vincent Adair, Duke of Edgewood, and his wife, the Duchess Lady Delaney Adair."

"Hmm," the man looked away from Mason and back to Vincent and Delaney. He stepped back so he could bow low to them, one arm out for flare. "Good evening Lord and Lady Adair. I am Captain Black. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you both."

Delaney and Vincent glanced at the handsome Mason where he now stood leaning against the table the drinks were on. He simply shrugged at them without commenting.

"Hopefully good things," Delaney replied first with a nervous giggle.

"Only good things," the man grinned down at her, "I assure you."

"Well, we appreciate that," Vincent spoke up, "But it seems we haven't heard anything about you. What kind of a business venture do you have with my cousin?"

"I must say Lord Adair I'm a bit surprised you haven't heard of me... but that's alright. My people and I have a special talent for acquiring things. Then we either give them to the Prince or sell them. Sometimes the Prince sells them for us."

Vincent looked at the man with a frown but nodded, "I see. So you're a trader?" 

"Of sorts," the man smiled, "Now if you'll excuse me I think I'll go for a dance. Lord Adair, might I ask if I can have this dance with your lovely wife? I imagine the Prince can explain everything to you once we're out on the floor."

Vincent hesitated, looking from this extremely tall and strangely dressed man to his wife. He studied her carefully. When he met her eyes, Delaney gave a quick nod.

"Alright then," Vincent sighed, "She agrees. Have your dance."

Delaney leaned up to kiss her husband's scarred face before turning to Captain Black. He held out his arm and she took it. He escorted her towards the dance floor and to Delaney's surprise, the crowd cleared the way, stepping aside to let them pass. She had never seen a group part like that other than when they were with one of the royals.

"Who are you?" she asked Captain Back again, looking up at him.

"I am but a man Lady Adair," he smiled.

"Clearly you aren't. Your people clear the way for you like you're a King. Are you a King?"

"Of sorts," the man chuckled, as they took their positions and the music started.

On the dance floor, swirling around as they danced to the quicker paced music, Delaney was reminded of her days of dancing with Vincent and how perfect he had been. She glanced at him when they turned and saw him deep in conversation with Mason.

"Is your presence going to cause my husband and his family to argue?" she asked the tall captain Black as they twirled.

He smirked down at her, "I don't believe so. It shouldn't. Most people don't know who we are by looking at us and your husband didn't recognize my name."

Delaney nodded, "And what sorts of things do you trade?"

"All sorts of things," he chuckled, "But we are particularly good at finding things no one else can find."

"Like what kind of things?"

"You're going to the ocean with your husband tomorrow, aren't you? "

"I hope to," she nodded.

"Well good. I have a house not too far from yours there. Once you've been at your home a few days come and visit me and I will show you some of the amazing things we've found."

"I will," she smiled, "And I assume I can bring my husband, Lord Adair as well?"

"I would hope you would bring him," the man chuckled again.

Finally, they moved from the dancefloor and back to the side. The crowds continued to part for them.

"You should tell me who you are," she said to Captain Black, "Vincent has probably already been told by Mason anyways and he will tell me no matter what."

"Alright then I suppose you're right," Captain Black came to a stop and turned to face her, "Once I tell you though you must swear not to tell another soul without my permission."

"I promise," Delaney smiled.

"Alright," he sighed, "I am Captain Luke Black. King of Pirates!"