Chapter 121 - Changing Tides

When Vincent saw Delaney walking up the beach arm in arm with Mason the happy expression slipped from his face. Delaney smiled lovingly at her husband and excused herself from Mason to hurry to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss her.

"What's going on?" he murmured the question against her lips.

"Something shocking," she whispered back, "Be nice to Mace. I'll tell you everything as soon as we're alone."

"Alright then," he chuckled and his handsome smile was back on his lips once more.

Vincent straightened and called for the others to come on so they could all head back up to the house together. Delaney had no doubt that dinner would be a bit late with the surprise guests, especially a royal one. She chuckled to herself as she imagined the panicked chaos that must be going on up the house. The poor servants.

Mason seemed a bit more at ease now as they walked, his usual twinkle in his eye having now returned. He was quiet though and Delaney thought that was probably for the best. Everyone was still unhappy with him for the moment.

At the house, the servants were waiting to take all the guests to their rooms. Delaney and Vincent walked along with Mason. The Prince smirked when he saw his bedroom was directly across the hall from theirs.

"Make sure you don't wander into the wrong room in the middle of the night Lady Adair," he winked and Delaney rolled her eyes. She may have seen the softer side of him earlier but he was still the same man after all.

With everyone going to clean up and change for dinner, Delaney took Vincent's hand and nearly dragged him into their bedroom. As soon as the door was closed he grabbed her and pressed her back to the door. Delaney giggled as he kissed her deeply, picking her up off the ground.

She hooked one leg around him and a groan escaped his lips. Delaney felt her head spin with his kisses. When they stopped they were breathless and she giggled as he carried her to the couch with him, sitting down with her on his lap.

"Now," he said, "Tell me why I have to be nice to my cousin? Because I am growing tired of his flirtation with my wife."

Delaney gave her husband an apologetic smile and told him of her conversation with the crown Prince. She told how he felt hated and as if he was unwanted everywhere. Vincent was surprised to hear that his cousin felt he had no friends and that his bullying of Miles had only been to try to save himself from the same fate.

"I told him to stay," Delaney wrapped up her story after saying how the Prince had intended to leave, "Was that alright? I know you're not thrilled he's here but I felt so sorry for him and he isn't all bad."

"Of course that's alright," Vincent said, bringing her hand to his lips and brushing a kiss over it, "He's my cousin. I'm glad you insisted he stay. Maybe I can find a chance to talk to him about all this."

"You are very sweet my love but please don't," Delaney said taking his scarred cheek in her hand, "He sort of just spilled these feelings and he was embarrassed after. He would be humiliated if he knew I'd told you."

Vincent sighed, "I suppose... But what should I do then?"

"I don't know," Delaney considered this, "Maybe we should all just try to be patient with him. Maybe tell him when he's doing things that bother us instead of just letting it happen."

"He's still the Prince darling," Vincent chuckled, "We shouldn't push our luck."

Delaney giggled and rolled her eyes, "He may be the prince but he's also your cousin and he's told me he feels this way so I think he might be a bit more accepting of... gentle push back."

"Alright well, when he's had us both thrown in the King's prison I will remind you this was your idea."

They laughed together as Delaney rang for Ms. Bird to come to straighten her hair and dress. Harris showed up with her so he went ahead and fixed Vincent's hair back again from where the breeze on the beach had blown it free of its little tie at the nape of his neck.

Delaney felt lighter as she walked down to the dining room on her handsome husband's arm. Surely things would be better with Mason now. At least she hoped.

By the time the bell rang to announce dinner, they had all gathered already anyway. Vincent sat at his normal place at the head of the table and Mason sat beside him, across from Delaney. Miles sat on her other side and she hoped he and Mason sitting so close wouldn't cause any arguments.

Dinner was a pleasant surprise though with no one getting angry or arguing. Vincent ate slowly and Delaney knew was uncomfortable eating in front of so many people but he didn't say anything. His scars deepened in color and she knew the others noticed but thankfully they didn't say anything either.

Even Mason only chatted lightly about the nice weather and swimming in the ocean with King Daniel as children. He seemed embarrassed to meet Delaney's eyes and she guessed it was because of their conversation earlier.

After dinner, they all moved to the sitting room for drinks and Vincent pulled out his wife's playing cards for her. The girls were excited about this and even Mason lit up at the idea. Vincent and Bernard were quick to bow out of the game, knowing better than to try to take on all the women at once. Miles frowned, never liking being beaten by anyone at anything, and said he was too tired for cards.

"So it is just you and the three of us your majesty," Delaney smirked at Mason, "Do you think you're up to it?"

"I've played against you before Lady Adair," he chuckled, "If your friends are half as good as you, then I stand no chance but I will give it my best."

"You've played Delaney before?" Constance asked in surprise, "Where?"

"At Win's club," Mason smiled at her.

"What on earth," Constance looked shocked as did most of the room, "How did you all end up at Win's?"

Mason grinned as he dealt the cards out to them, "It is a good story actually. Our Lady Adair was not at all impressed the first time we crossed paths."

Delaney felt a blush and looked at him in disapproval but the smile behind it gave her away. While they played Mason told the story of coming across Delaney in the streets and how she'd thought he was up to no good. Then he took great pleasure in telling how embarrassed she was once Vincent told her Mason was the prince.

The others laughed at the story and then laughed again when the Prince told of her stealing his money at the card table afterward. Delaney saw even Miles was chuckling at this and when she looked over her shoulder and met Vincent's gaze he gave her a knowing smile.

By the time they'd played a few rounds, the girls each winning at least once and Mason winning none at all, Delaney felt confident that at least her friends could relax and be more friendly with him now.

The men finished their drinks and they decided to go to bed so they would have plenty of energy for swimming all day the next day. Vincent walked with Delaney to their bedroom, his limp playing up because of their busy day.

They waited until they were sure Mason had already gone into his room before they went into theirs. Inside they changed for the night and Delaney brushed and braided her long hair. When Ms. Bird left Delaney turned to see her husband had gone out onto their balcony and was now standing, watching the sunset.

She joined him, taking his hand in hers and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I love you," she said quietly.

"I love you my lady."

They were quiet then as the fiery sun sank into the ocean. Once it was gone and they could hear the song of the nighttime insects starting up, Vincent took her hand and led her back inside.

They climbed into bed and Vincent held her close. As always, Delaney took comfort in his warmth.

"Did you find out why Mace came here today?" she asked as the thought came to her mind.

"I did not," Vincent answered as his fingertips drifted up and down her arm that was across his chest, "He's very bored I suppose."

Delaney was quiet for a little while as she thought about this. She wondered if his coming had anything to do with all the things he had told her when they were sitting out on the rock. Maybe he was trying to make friends with his cousins again.

"Can I admit something to you?" she asked quietly.

Vincent chuckled, "You can tell me anything my love."

"I'm happy to see Miles and our friends but I think I am going to miss the time we've spent here alone."

His chest rumbled with gentle laughter, "It was quite wonderful wasn't it?"

"It was."

"Should I demand they all leave?"

Now Delaney laughed, "You wouldn't dare."

Vincent grinned as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Don't tempt me."