Chapter 114 - A Storm On The Ocean

Neither Delaney nor Vincent had ever felt so free before than they felt now at the ocean house. It was as if the real world was just a memory and they could stay where they were forever.

The real world couldn't be avoided though and men rode to the ocean house to bring the duke of Edgewood word from his various estates as well as from the King himself. In the evenings Delaney would keep herself busy while Vincent retired to his study to work before dinner.

Having Ian around turned out to be an unexpected gift. When her husband locked himself away to work and she was left on her own, she coerced him into keeping her company.

Delaney was surprised to find her young pirate guard was actually quite a skilled card player. They would sit and play cards and occasionally Delaney could convince him to talk about himself some.  When the bell rang to announce dinner Ian would disappear back up to his room not to be seen again until the next morning.

Then something happened that Delaney had been dreading.

She woke up early one morning and rolled over, reaching out and discovering her husband wasn't in bed. She sat up, holding the sheet to her chest, and looked around. Outside on the balcony, Vincent stood in his breeches with a bare chest, staring hard out at the ocean in front of him.

Delaney got up and looked out as well and saw what he was staring at. The sky was grey and far out over the ocean, dark clouds were rolling forward towards them. As she watched, a tiny flash of lighting shot downward, showing this storm was serious. Down on the ground, the limbs of the fruit trees were already waving in the strong breeze.

Pulling on her robe, Delaney stepped out to join her husband. Vincent didn't turn to look at her although she knew he'd heard her come out. His knuckles were white as he gripped the railing and his scars were dark red. The expression he wore was very serious.

"It will be alright love," Delaney said to him quietly as she wrapped her arms around him, "You'll be better this time."

Vincent didn't reply. He continued to stare forward without even a glance at her.

"We knew it would rain soon," Delaney tried again, "We've been lucky because it's been a hot summer with only little showers but it wasn't as if we could outrun storms forever."

Again he stayed quiet, the frown in place. Delaney felt her heart aching for her husband. She leaned up and kissed him softly on his scarred cheek.

"I love you."

Vincent seemed to break from his trance at those words, looking down at his wife. The frown remained in place and Delaney was reminded of when they'd first been married and he'd looked unhappy all the time.

"I love you," he said quietly.

"Come inside," Delaney suggested gently, "Let's get dressed and have breakfast."

Vincent stared at her for a moment before nodding and following her inside. Just before he closed the door he paused to look out at the storm again as it grew closer.

Delaney dressed in a simple dress and braided her hair over her shoulder. She ate breakfast with Vincent who didn't speak and mostly just pushed his food around. Her worry for him grew as the sky turned darker.

The servants were tense now too, all knowing what a storm meant for their master. Ms. Bird had apparently heard the stories from the sad glances she had cast at Vincent while dressing Delaney that morning. Thankfully, she hadn't mentioned anything.

Once they'd finished eating Vincent made a quick mumbled excuse and vanished to his study. Delaney watched sadly after him.

"What is happening in this house today?" Ian asked her as he walked into the sitting room where Delaney was watching out the windows.

She turned to study him, trying to see if this was a joke.

"So the servants haven't told you about the storms then?" she asked curiously.

Ian frowned in confusion, "Storms? No, they haven't told me anything. They don't speak to me."

"Really?" Delaney asked in surprise now, taking a seat on a couch, "None of them?"

"They're polite but no they don't lower themselves to talking to a pirate."

Delaney frowned, "That's not acceptable. Maybe I could..."

"It's fine," he interrupted shaking his head, "What have they not told me about storms?"

She hesitated, looking down at her thin hands folded in her lap. Vincent wouldn't like her discussing his problem with anyone but if Ian was going to be right down the hall she felt he needed to know.

Ian walked over and sat in the seat across from hers, looking at her expectantly, "What is it, Lady Adair?"

"I've told you to call me Delaney," she said quietly, turning her ring round and round on her finger as the rain began tapping on the windows.

"Delaney," he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"It's Vincent," she said, not meeting Ian's eyes, "He has... he has trouble with storms."

"What kind of trouble?"

"The war was really hard for him and sometimes the thunder and hard rain it just... it just makes his mind think he's back there again. If he falls asleep he will wake up and he doesn't know quite where he is or what's going on. He's just... he's just scared."

Ian sat back in his seat and folded his arms over his chest as he considered her words. Delaney waited anxiously expecting him to say he thought Vincent was crazy or something else like that.

"I've seen this before," he sighed then, "A few of my father's men he's fought in battles with. Loud noises and things made them panic and think they were back in battle."

Delaney stared at the man in surprise. She had never heard of someone else having the same issues as Vincent. It was a sort of odd relief to hear it.

"What was done for them? The men?"

"We have something we give them that helps them stay calm and sometimes would just make them fall asleep."

"Really?" Delaney looked at him with hope, "Could we get some for Vincent?"

Ian shook his head, "I'm sorry Delaney but it was made by my father's personal doctor. If he's still in the King's City his doctor will be there too."

Delaney felt her heart drop. She would have loved to have told her husband that he didn't have to worry anymore and they had found something to help him. Since Ian didn't have the medicine though she questioned if she should even mention it to her husband. He would be disappointed as well.

"My father has invited you and Lord Adair to his home once he returns. When we go there I will find his doctor and have him make more of the mixture. Maybe he'll be willing to tell me how to make it too so we can find someone else to make more later if we need it."

"Thank you so much Ian that would be wonderful," Delaney smiled at the man, "I'll tell Vincent. It might give him some hope."

A rare tiny smile flickered across Ian's lips before it was gone again. "You're welcome."

Delaney stood to leave, wanting to tell Vincent that, although they couldn't help him tonight, at least they would have something for the future. She walked towards the door but then thought of something and turned back.

"How long do you think he will have to take the medicine? Any time there's a storm for... for the rest of his life?"

"My father's men eventually didn't have to take it anymore. I would think Vincent wouldn't have to either."

Delaney grinned and clapped her hands together with excitement before hurrying out of the room. She headed for her husband's study.

Vincent was pacing behind his desk, running his hands through his hair. Delaney watched him as he paused to stare out the window at the rain and the wind blowing the trees. Even now she couldn't help but admire the striking figure he made.

"My Love?" she called gently.

Vincent jumped and spun to face her. "Oh Delaney," he forced a smile, "I didn't hear you come in."

"I'm sorry," she smiled as she walked to his side and took his hand in hers, "But I have good news for you."

Delaney told Vincent what Ian had told her of the medicine that would help him. For the first time that day, she saw her husband visibly relax. A handsome smile graced his rosy lips.

"Thank you my love," he kissed her sweetly, "That is good news."

"I was hoping it might lift your spirits," she smiled in relief, "Now all we need to do is get through tonight and..."

"I've actually come up with an idea for tonight," he interrupted, looking away from her.

Delaney felt worried when he wouldn't meet her eyes, "What is your idea?"

Vincent swallowed hard and finally looked back at her, "I'm going to sleep in a different bedroom tonight. I'm going to have everything but the bed cleared out of one."

"No," Delaney shook her head quickly, "No you're my husband and you're going to stay with me."

"I can't love," he sighed, "It's not safe for you. I could hurt you. I almost did last time."

"But you won't! I know you won't hurt me!"

"You don't know that."

"I do Vincent. I'm your wife and you love me. You won't hurt me and I won't have you gone from our bed."

He kissed her forehead and stepped back, "I won't take that risk, Delaney. If it's still storming tonight I'll be sleeping in the other room."

Delaney stared at her husband and felt her anger flare-up, "We are husband and wife Vincent. We make decisions like these together!"

"We make decisions together but when it comes down to your safety we're going to do what I think is best... Even if you don't agree."

Anger boiling, Delaney couldn't be there a minute longer. She turned and stormed from the room, leaving Vincent staring sadly after her.