Chapter 124 - A Pirate's Life

The next morning Vincent announced at breakfast that they had received the invitation from Captain Black. Instantly, the room was filled with excited chatter. Even Mason had never seen the Pirate King's estate before. They all wondered what treasures the home of a pirate might hold.

There was only one person in the house that did know and had been there so they had blankets laid out in the grass and Delaney asked Ian to come down and speak with them. 

Outside in the warm sun with the ocean breeze, Vincent sat behind Delaney and she reclined back against his chest. The friends sat in a half-circle facing the uncomfortable Ian. He had to take off his swords to sit with them and they rested in the grass beside him.

"Well Ian first, I would like to know, what does one wear to a party held by the King of Pirates?" Delaney asked with sparkling eyes, making her friends chuckle and Ian smirk.

"The women where I'm from usually dress in bright colors. They wear whatever jewels their husbands have brought home for them. You will all be my father's guests though. You can wear whatever you like."

"What is it like being a pirate?" Constance asked curiously, "Have you spent your life on ships?"

Ian shifted awkwardly, "My father has always been a captain but as I grew up he gained more and more ships until he had what I suppose you would consider as a fleet. My brothers and I were all taken aboard his ships around nine usually. Some of my sisters too."

"Your sisters?" Miles repeated in surprise, "Wouldn't they have been in danger surrounded by a crew of men?"

"We are all a family. My father's men have been our uncles, grandfathers, cousins, or brothers. The women that choose to sail with him are no different. Besides, no one would dare touch one of the daughters of the captain."

Delaney felt the warmth of Vincent against her back and his hand in her lap. She lazily ran her fingertips up and down his arm as she listened. She had spent a lot of time with Ian playing cards in the evenings but he had never wanted to speak about himself much. She knew he was only here now as a favor to she and Vincent.

His life sounded fascinating and she wondered what it would have been like to grow up on a pirate ship, especially as a girl. She had never had to do much hard work as a child but she imagined being a member of the crew of a ship meant a lot of work.

She wanted to ask about what work they did but she knew nothing of ships. Even if Ian answered she wouldn't know what he was talking about. She had never stepped aboard a ship.

Hearing women were allowed to be on pirate ships too reminded her of her conversation with the man about asking Vincent to teach her to defend herself. She felt the desire to do so growing.

"Do you miss that life Ian?" Delaney asked thoughtfully, "Your life aboard a ship, sailing the world, and being a pirate?"

Ian considered this, his face reverting to its unreadable state as he did so. At last, he nodded.

"I do miss it. I miss the smell and sound of the ocean. I miss the waves rocking me to sleep at night. I miss my men and my family. But my father is the captain and whatever role he gives me is because he believes I'm the best one for it. If he thought I should come home and someone else should be here then that is what would have happened."

"That is loyalty," Mason commented, "A King is lucky to have people so loyal to him. Especially his sons."

Delaney looked at Mason and wondered what he thought of that. The people of their kingdom loved King Daniel but she wondered how deep their loyalty ran. And if Daniel didn't have children and Mason became the next King, what loyalty would he be able to gather to himself?

Delaney sat back and listened then as her friends asked more questions about life on a ship and the types of music and dancing they might expect to see. Ian answered them all fairly well but in the end, it seemed clear there was a lot they were just going to have to see for themselves.

They had their lunch on the blankets, inviting Ian to stay and eat with them which he did somewhat reluctantly. Afterward, they all stood to go to get ready to go to the party.

Delaney waited until the others had gone in, catching Ian's arm lightly, causing him to pause and turn back to her. Vincent stood behind her, one hand lightly on her waist.

"Do you think when you return home tonight you will stay there?"

"I don't know," Ian answered, "It is likely my father might be ready for me to come back and go to my ship. I don't know his plans though."

"What if he doesn't have you go back? Will you continue with us?"

"If that is what he wants me to do."

Delaney studied the young man, "Would you like us to ask Captain Black to relieve you of your duty to guard me?"

Ian shook his head, "No my Lady. Not unless you want me gone. If not, your asking for my sake will make it seem like I don't respect his orders or I am questioning them. I'm not. I will stay your guard for as long as my father wishes it."

Delaney thanked him and excused him to go get ready for the party. She walked in slowly with Vincent, her arm linked through his.

"You are worried about him," Vincent commented as they walked into the house.

"I am," she sighed, "He is young and could be doing so many other things. It feels like sort of a waste for him to stay here with us being my guard when I don't need one. I have you and our guards."

"He is extremely skilled though in a way none of our guards could be. He may even be more skilled than me. He is a good man and I have faith he would absolutely keep you safe if I wasn't able to."

"I know," she sighed, "But is it fair we keep him here to protect my life even if it means giving up all the chances in his own?"

Vincent smiled lovingly down at her as they reached the door to their bedroom.

"You are very sweet," he said, "And you are right. He deserves to be out making the most of himself. He is also right though that it won't look good for him if we ask that he be removed. We must leave things as they are for now and trust his father will have him return for the same reasons we are wanting him to leave."

Delaney nodded and quietly agreed he was right. Vincent smiled at her and told her, her kind heart made him love her all the more. She kissed her husband deeply before they rang for Ms. Bird and Harris.

Knowing what Ian had said about the women wearing bright colors, Delaney took advantage of the chance and had Ms. Bird bring out her new and never yet worn, blood-red dress. It had a deep neckline and hung off her shoulders. It was corseted in the back with a black ribbon. It was beautiful but a little too flashy to wear to just any day out.

Ms, Bird did Delaney's hair up in a fancy mass of twists which she then pinned in all Delaney's diamond-studded hairpins. From the jewels they had brought, Delaney chose one of Vincent's great-great grandmother's necklaces she had never worn yet. It had a large red ruby surrounded by tiny diamonds and hung perfectly on her chest.

Once she was ready Ms. Bird and Harris went back to their other duties, leaving Vincent and Delaney alone. The duchess stood in front of a tall mirror in their bedroom and turned this way and that, studying her appearance. Vincent walked up and watched her with an amused smirk. Delaney grinned and grabbed him around the waist, pulling him into the reflection with her.

She hugged him and then stood back a bit so they could study themselves together in the mirror. Vincent was a handsome, striking figure beside her and together they were a beautiful couple. He was tall, strong, and powerful. She was elegant, bold, and stunning.

Delaney bit her lip to keep from giggling. Vincent leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You, my wife, are an absolute beauty. All the pirate men will dream of you after this night."

"And you are so very handsome," she replied, "All the women are going to swoon when they see you."

He chuckled and took her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss it. "You are the only woman my eyes will be on, I assure you."

They headed downstairs then and met their friends outside right as the carriages pulled up. They would not all fit in one, no matter how big the grand Adair carriage was, so they also hooked up the royal carriage Mason had arrived with as well.

They all loaded up, surrounded by guards. Ian was on his own horse and rode to the front to lead the others to the party. In the carriage with Miles, Cora, and Vincent, Delaney could have popped with excitement.

They were on their way to the home of the Pirate King himself.