Chapter 131 - All She Learned Today

They packed into the carriage, Delaney sitting between Mason and Vincent with very little space. She scooted over closer to Vincent, preferring to be pressed up against her husband than the prince. Vincent wrapped his arm around her and she snuggled into the warmth of him. It was only now that they were out of the rain and the excitement was over that she realized how cold she was.

They rode home and she thought about what Captain Black had said. A witch had told him Delaney was important to his future with Vincent. She wondered what that meant.

The carriage hit a bump and Vincent inhaled sharply. Her husband's pain brought her out of her thoughts of the pirate king. She looked up and saw he had his jaw clenched. Delaney realized then he must be in quite a lot of pain after all the walking and dancing and now riding in the carriage.

She leaned up and kissed his jaw. He looked down at her with a tight-lipped smile before closing his eyes as they hit another bump. Delaney glanced at the others to see if they'd noticed but thankfully they were talking amongst themselves. Vincent wouldn't be happy if there was a lot of attention to his pain.

They arrived at the ocean house and being the closest to the door, Vincent was first to get out. He held out his hand to help down Delaney and she saw his face was pale. He didn't move though and helped down Constance as well before stepping back so Mason and Bernard could get out.

They stood back as the carriage rolled away towards the stables. Delaney took her husband's arm and together they walked inside behind the others. Their servants were rushing about inside and came to the duke and duchess as soon as they saw them. They paused for a moment in surprise when they saw that Delaney and Vincent looked drenched and dripping.

The servants told their master and mistress about not having time to make one of the grander rooms ready and how Miles had simply swept in and pulled Cora into his bedroom with him. Apparently, they hadn't been seen since.

Feeling chilled and tired now, Delaney ordered that everyone would take their dinners in their rooms. She also asked that the cook made them something like soups to warm their chilled bones from the day out in the rain.

Thankfully, Bernard and Constance excused themselves to go change and check on baby Benjamin. Mason headed for his room as well looking just as tired as Delaney felt. Left alone, once the servants were on their way, Delaney and Vincent made their way up the stairs to their room slowly. She watched her husband lock his jaw against his pain.

Safely behind the closed door in their room, Delaney rang the bell for Ms. Bird and Harris. When their servants stepped inside they both gawked at their rain-soaked charges.

"My god the two of you look like drowned rats," Harris chuckled coming forward to help Vincent out of his over clothes.

"Oh my Lady you need to get right in bed so you don't catch cold," Ms. Bird shook her head diasapprovingly, "I'm sure the two of you had a lovely time but did the pirates not have somewhere inside to have their guests?"

Delaney and Vincent both smiled in amusement. Harris looked intrigued as he set up the screen for Ms. Bird to help Delaney undress behind.

The wet fabric clung to her skin and Ms. Bird had to work at getting the many layers undone and off. When she was free, Delaney worked to dry herself with a towel as best she could and Ms. Bird helped her dry her hair before braiding it down over her shoulder. She still felt quite chilled once it was done.

Stepping out from behind the screen she found Vincent had changed out of his wet clothes as well and now sat propped up in their bed looking over a bundle of papers. Delaney crawled into bed on her side and pulled the blankets up around her.

Ms. Bird opened the door to allow in a pair of servers carrying trays with little legs on them. One was placed on Delaney's lap, held up by the legs, and the other was placed on Vincent's lap. On the trays were their dinner. Vincent started to argue that they could eat at the table but Delaney was quick to interrupt and say the trays would be fine.

They had soup and bread and Delaney felt the warmth settle in her stomach but she was mostly still cold. Her eyes began to feel heavy and she sniffled, coughing lightly.

"Are you alright love?" Vincent asked in concern once he'd finished his meal.

"I'm still quite cold and I don't feel completely well."

"Well," he smiled fondly, "I can help with at least one of those things."

Vincent stood and moved his tray to the floor before doing the same with hers. Limping as he walked he blew out the candles even though it was still early in the evening. He slid under the blankets and reached out for Delaney, pulling her in against him. She was thankful for the unusual warmth of his skin against hers.

"What did you learn from the captain today?" Delaney asked him remembering the meeting.

Vincent told her he had made the deal with the captain and it looked to be quite lucrative. He went over the details with her and answered any questions she had. When they were finished he asked her about what he had learned from Ian.

Delaney giggled, "You will never believe this but Captain Black has a wife, and two mistresses! One is younger than Ian. He's had children with all of them! There are more than twenty all together."

Vincent chuckled in surprise and Delaney told him all about the Pirate King's women and how they had come to be. She told him of Ian's place in the story and how the King's wife seemed to dislike him. She also told him how strange it was that the captain hadn't said a word to Ian other than when the young man asked his father about the wedding.

"There is something else he said," Delaney spoke up after a bit of hesitation, "The captain said he would keep Ian with me because there was no one he trusted more to keep me safe."

"Well that is kind of him I suppose... To send his best to look out for you."

"He said it was in his best interest," Delaney continued, "He has a witch who has told him his future working with you depends on me... so that is why he sends Ian to protect me."

Vincent was quiet then as he thought over her words. Delaney rolled over to face him and found him frowning.

"Was there anything else?" he asked seriously, "Any other details?"

"No," she answered quietly, "He said only that the witch had said those things. When I asked him for more he told me I knew the cost of knowing the future."

"The cost is knowing it," Vincent said in annoyance, "I am realizing that is a steep price indeed. The unsettling feelings you have to live with and the questioning of every move you make all to try to prevent or secure some unknown future."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I shouldn't have brought up Ian or... or I at least should have gotten more information about what the witch said...."

"No love," he cut her off, "No we don't need to know anymore than we do and it was right of you to question him about Ian. You did nothing wrong."

"But what the witch said..."

"What the witch told the captain sounds like it is much more important to his future than ours. If you ever told me not to deal with the Captain it would be because it is not in our best interest and in that case I would agree with you. If you told me you wanted me to deal with him I would still do extensive research first."

"I know. I don't know how I could be expected to sway you one way or another."

"That is why it is of no consequence to us and we need not worry about it. Ian can remain and be one more person around to ensure your safety. That is for our own good though and nothing to do with the captain."

"You're right," Delaney agreed, "I feel better now. Talk of the witches predictions always makes me nervous."

"Another part of the cost I imagine," Vincent sighed and kissed her forehead.

Delaney moved and caught his lips against hers and kissed him tenderly. She felt relieved having told him. It was even more of a relief hearing her husband say they shouldn't worry about the prediction. He made good points.

She curled up against him, her head feeling heavy and her nose itchy. She rolled over to face away from him again when she felt she might cough.

"I'm afraid a day out in the rain may not have been the best idea for me," she chuckled sadly.

"I was worried about that. Do you feel like you might be getting sick?"

"I'm afraid I do," she sighed.

"It's alright," he kissed her bare shoulder, "I will keep you warm and take care of you."