Chapter 111 - Ian

Vincent chuckled as he led his wife down the corridors of the castle towards where their carriage would be brought around. He had sent a servant ahead to tell their men they were ready to leave. 

Delaney leaned heavily on her husband's arm. She felt warm and tingly and her head was fuzzy. She giggled and told Vincent about dancing with Ian. How he was very serious but also one of the best dancers she'd ever partnered with. Vincent smiled lovingly at his wife and listened to her.

"I wish I could've danced with you," she sighed when they got to the courtyard as their carriage came to a stop in its place.

"I don't know that I could keep up with you anymore anyway love."

"I'm sure you could," she protested, "We danced with the fairies."

Vincent glanced around to make sure no one had heard her and it was then that his eyes landed on Ian standing a few steps behind them.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise as one of their servants opened the door to their carriage.

"My father told me I'm to guard Lady Adair until he tells me otherwise."

"I'm sure he only meant while we were at the castle and I was discussing business with him. I release you from your duties now. You can be on your way."

Vincent helped Delaney towards the carriage but when he looked back Ian hadn't moved and had instead sent a servant to fetch his horse. Vincent stopped and frowned now.

"Look I thank you for taking care of my wife and assuring she was safe but we don't need your services any longer."

Ian stood with the same expressionless face he had had before.

"Go speak to your father," Vincent insisted, "I'm sure he will release you from his orders."

"My father always makes sure his orders are worded clearly Lord Adair," Ian spoke simply, "If Captain Black had only intended me to guard your wife while she was at the dance he would have specified that."

"Well this is his problem then," Vincent frowned, "We're leaving and you're not coming with us."

"I won't ride in your carriage but I will be going with you. I will ride my own horse."

"You're not staying on my estates then," Vincent snapped.

"I will sleep on the streets in front of your house if I must," Ian spoke simply, "Although I would think if you loved your wife as much as you seem to you wouldn't protest any extra protection for her. Especially not in a time when the King's heirs and their families are at risk."

Vincent stiffened and glared at the young pirate, the muscles in his jaw twitching and his scars deepening red in his growing anger. Delaney looked between her husband and Ian. Her head may have been spinning just a bit but that didn't stop her from seeing what was going on.

"My love," she spoke hesitantly to her husband as Ian took the reins of his horse from a servant, "We were talking about things not being safe here. One extra guard wouldn't really hurt anything, would it? Having Ian might give you some peace of mind when you have to be away from me."

Vincent frowned at her but she saw his anger begin to recede. He turned to look back at the pirate, studying him.

"Fine. You may come tonight if you insist. I'm sure your father will send for you by the time we leave tomorrow anyway."

Delaney felt relief and turned to get in the carriage. Ian bowed quickly to Vincent before pulling himself up onto his horse. Vincent helped his wife into the carriage and got in behind her. Sitting, he crossed his arms, not completely past his annoyance.

Delaney smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek, "Having him will be good my husband. I promise. He will look after us both."

"I don't need any looking after," Vincent grumbled.

"Maybe not," Delaney sighed, "But I will feel better knowing we have someone close at hand if we need it."

"Don't get used to it wife. I'm sure the pirate king won't simply let one of his sons ride off to protect a duke and duchess from a land that is not their own."

Delaney didn't argue. She rested her spinning head on her husband's shoulder and closed her eyes as the carriage headed for their home.

Having dozed off on the ride home, the next thing Delaney knew, she was being woken up gently by Vincent. He kissed her head and helped her from the carriage. Ian was there and dropped down from his horse, handing the reins to one of their servants. Delaney felt so tired and now a bit sick.

"He'll need a place to sleep," she murmured to Vincent.

"He can sleep in the stables."

"I'm not a servant," Ian argued defensively, "I'm the son of Captain Luke Black. He's considered the pirate king."

"Oh, so do you think you're a prince then?" Vincent chuckled.

"I didn't say that," Ian frowned, "But I am more than a servant. I deserve better than sleeping in a stable. I'm not being paid by you."

"He's right love," Delaney managed, swaying on her feet, "He can stay in the small room a bit down and across the hall from ours. At least for now. If he ends up with us after tomorrow we can see what we think then."

Vincent frowned at the younger man but nodded, "Very well. I'll have the servants prepare it for you."

Ian nodded and said a quick thanks. Vincent gave the orders to one of their people before helping Delaney inside.

In their bedroom sometime later, Vincent smiled lovingly at his wife as he gently helped her undress, only pausing to give her deep, slow kisses. Delaney's head was still fuzzy but she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and smiled up at his scarred face.

"I wish I could've danced with you," she said quietly again.

Vincent put his hands on her waist, "I'm sorry my love. Maybe one day we could dance together again like we did before we were married."

Delaney kissed him and he picked her up, carrying her to their bed. He pulled off his own clothes before sliding under the sheets with her.

The next morning Delaney was sick, a punishment for her evening of drinking. Vincent chuckled and kissed her forehead before he got out of bed and got dressed.

"Where are you going?" she mumbled against her pillow.

"I'm going to speak to Mace and the Captain. There are a few details I want to work out with them before we leave."

"You made a deal with them?" Delaney asked in surprise, "What kind of deal?"

"The Captain is going to acquire things from other lands. Some of the lands he goes to we don't trade with and there are more we've never even heard of. He is going to start trading with them. Mace and I are investing and he's also going to trade some of the harvests from our estates."

Delaney's head was pounding but she sat up now and looked at him, "What kinds of things is he going to bring back?"

"All kinds of things," Vincent smiled as he headed for the door, "He has a small estate not far from our ocean house. He's invited us there in a few days to see some of what he has to offer."

Delaney was still surprised by this but watched her husband leave. Once the door was closed she groaned and dropped back to her pillow, falling asleep once more.

It was getting close to midday when Delaney finally woke, dressed, and had her hair done. While she'd slept, the servants had packed up the house and prepared for their leaving again. Only a few would be left behind to manage the city house until they returned, the majority having already left that morning headed for the ocean house.

Coming downstairs, Delaney was surprised to see Ian was still there. While she still had shadows under her eyes and was pale, Ian was a picture of health. All his drinking the night before having apparently not affected him.

"So are you returning to your father's side?" she asked coming to stand before him.

"I am not," he answered, expressionless as always, "While you and Lord Adair were sleeping this morning I went to speak with my father. He has decided I should stay here and keep you safe."

"My husband keeps me safe."

"I don't doubt that he does Lady Adair but he cannot be with you all the time. I will keep you safe when he can't be by your side."

Delaney was surprised to hear the young pirate acknowledge that her husband was perfectly capable of keeping her safe. He was right as well. Vincent couldn't be with her always. The last time he'd left her at Edgewood to see to the other estates a witch had come into their woods and gotten very close to her.

Besides, if Ian was her personal guard that would mean she would have an excuse to have him with her at all times, including any times she was ever asked to come to the castle without Vincent again. Her mind flashed back to the barely covered witch. Sophia would never dare to take her there again while Ian was with her.

"Have you spoken to Lord Adair about your staying? He wasn't very pleased last night."

"Captain Black said he would speak to him this morning when they met."

As if on queue, Vincent came riding up on horseback outside. He handed the reins to a servant and headed inside.

As always, Delaney's heart fluttered when she saw her handsome husband. She smiled and hurried to him. Vincent grinned and pulled his wife into his arms, kissing her deeply. When they were finished he stepped back and looked at Ian.

"Your father says you are to stay with us but he is still your master. He wants you to stay at Delaney's side at all times."

Ian nodded, his face still blank like a statue.

"Did you pack your things?"

"I did your grace. I have a small trunk that was packed on the carriages with the rest."

"Alright then," Vincent looked around the room once more, "Let's be on our way."

Delaney got in the carriage and Vincent sat next to her, taking her hand in his. They sat together watching out the window as the carriage drove away. They watched until the city disappeared behind them while they headed for the ocean.