Chapter 136 - The Servant's Party

When they were finished with dinner Delaney hooked her arm through her husband's and together they all went down the hall to the ballroom. It was only a fraction of the size of the ballroom at Edgewood but it was still lovely. It had high ceilings that were painted to look like a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The walls were cream-colored with golden trim.

When the servant waiting at the door opened it for them, Delaney was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with music floating through the air. In one corner there were a few musicians playing that Delaney recognized from their time at the estate of Captain Black. She stepped into the ballroom and someone cleared their throat to the side of her.

"Oh thank you so much Ian," she gave the young pirate a quick embrace before stepping back to her husband's side, "The music makes the night even better!"

"Yes well they appreciate the chance to earn a bit of extra money," Ian replied, "and my father didn't have a need for them this evening."

"We are pleased to have them," Delaney smiled before heading on to check that everything else was ready.

There were tables spread out around the room and on a majority of them there were decks of cards. Others had plates of finger foods for everyone to enjoy while they played. A table at the side of the room had wines and glasses ready.

Delaney didn't know how many of their servants would be interested in joining them this evening but she had insisted that Ms. Bird make it abundantly clear to them that it was not required. She knew at least Penelope would come to see Ian and that made her happy. She noticed the pirate had cleaned himself up nicely for the occasion.

"When did you tell them to join us?" Vincent asked, looking around the room that was empty except for the musicians and the other nobles.

"I just said as soon as they were able after dinner," Delaney said before biting her lip, "What if none of them come?"

"Well, that won't happen. You're their mistress and you invited them. They would make sure at least some people came so as not to insult you."

"I told them it wasn't required."

"I'm sure none of them believed that," he chuckled, "Besides they know the work you put in here so they'll come."

No sooner had her husband finished his sentence than the door opened and revealed Penelope and a couple of the other young maids. Delaney was quick to tell them to come in and look around. She said they could eat and drink whatever they would like.

The young maids looked around in awe and seemed very nervous. Constance, Cora, and Mason had already taken up seats at separate tables to help divide out the number of teachers amongst the groups.

Just as Delaney finished setting the girls at random tables, another group of servants entered anxiously together. She was quick to grab Ian and place him down firmly across from Penelope, at a table where Cora sat, ready to deal them in.

Like the first girls, Delaney divided up the next group of servants to sit at separate tables. They all went willingly but seemed very on edge to be sitting while their mistress was not.

"I can't believe it," one of the older men whispered under his breath in awe just before Delaney sat him down at a table with Mace.

"Well good evening sir," Mason flashed his handsome smile, "It looks like you and I will be sharing a table this evening. Thank you for joining me."

"Oh no sir," the man shook his head with wide eyes, a big grey mustache completely covering his top lip, "Thank you for letting me sit here. I never would have dreamed in my life I would sit at a table with the crown prince!"

Mason grinned, "It's my brother people usually dream to share a table with. I'll say though I'm honored to be able to sit with a loyal, hardworking man like yourself. Would you like some wine?"

"I'll get it, your majesty," the man moved to get up from his seat but Mason was younger and to his feet quicker.

"Nonsense," he chuckled, "I am quite capable of pouring us each a glass."

The man looked truly flabbergasted as the prince went and poured them both a drink and brought it back to the table with him. Mason then went back and poured glasses for the other man and woman who'd been seated with them now as well.

Delaney stood near the door still overseeing everything as everyone came in. Vincent stood beside her with a little smile on his lips.

"Mason is making himself friends," Delaney commented looking fondly at her husband's cousin.

"Mace is good at being charming," Vincent chuckled, "Why don't you go take your seat, my love? I can manage things from here?"

"Are you sure?"

"I am. Go on and enjoy your party."

Delaney smiled and leaned up to kiss her husband on his scarred cheek. He caught her chin then and gave her a true kiss on her lips before she went off to find the table she had assigned herself to.

Passing the small table where Cora was teaching and dealing, Delaney was pleased to see Ian talking to Penelope who was giggling and holding her cards close. One of the older servers was there with them and even he seemed amused by watching the young pair.

She took her seat at her table which was one of the largest. Ms. Bird had taken a seat close to her mistress and Delaney was glad. The chatty old maid could help the others learn to be at ease with the duchess. Most of them would have never spoken to Delaney if not for this opportunity.

Dealing the cards and explaining the game came back to Delaney as if it was only yesterday she and Constance had been teaching the servants in the stables at her Aunt and Uncle's home. She sat with a kitchen maid, a man who worked with the horses, and a footman. They all appeared nervous but eager to learn.

With Ms. Bird's help, it wasn't awkward for too very long. Soon not just their table but the whole room was filled with laughter and talking and it was exactly as Delaney had hoped it would be.

She was looking at her cards sometime later when a shadow passed over them and a warm hand brushed against her cheek before settling on her shoulder. Turning to look up, she saw her handsome husband looking lovingly down at her.

"Are you enjoying yourself, wife?"

"I am husband," she smiled, "Will you join us? We have an open seat."

Vincent nodded and the footman sitting closest to Delaney moved to jump up and give his master his seat.

"No need to do that," Vincent said, raising his hand to put a stop to the man's efforts, "I am just fine sitting in the seat that is already open. Finish your hand and I will join on the next."

He moved away and came back with the bottle of wine which he used to pour and refill the glasses of everyone at the table. He then went to a different table and retrieved a plate of small cakes and placed one beside each person.

The servants all stopped to watch as the Duke of Edgewood poured them drinks and served them cakes. They knew their master was kind but this was something unexpected. Just as it had been with Mason bringing his tablemates drinks, the servants at Delaney's table would never in their wildest dreams have expected a day like this to come.

Vincent took his seat between Ms. Bird and the footman. He smiled at his wife as she dealt out a new hand of cards to everyone. Delaney won the next two games which was no surprise because the servants were distracted by Vincent's presence and Vincent was distracted by her presence.

It was getting late so Delaney left her table after that, leaving Vincent in charge of the dealing and helping if needed. Like any party she would be the hostess of, she took up her place by the door again, overseeing things and also able to say good night to anyone who was ready to leave.

The talking began to wind down and soon the first servant, a kitchen maid, stood taking her glass and plate with her and headed towards the doors. She stopped when she got to Delaney and nervously thanked her for the night and told her she had had a wonderful time.

"Maybe we can have another night like this soon," Delaney smiled at the young girl, "Perhaps when we get back to Edgewood."

"I will look forward to it my Lady," the maid smiled sheepishly and curtsied before going out the doors.

The rest of the servants slowly began to gather their dishes then and head for the doors. With their last hand done, Vincent took up a place beside Delaney. Every servant to leave made sure to stop and thank the Duke and Duchess and tell them how much they had enjoyed the evening.

Ian sent the musicians on their way after Vincent paid them. With them gone and the servants off to bed as well, that left only the nobles in the ballroom.

"Well Lady Adair it does appear that your night was a success," Mason smiled.

"It wasn't just my night," Delaney corrected, "Cora and Constance did just as much work as I did."

"It was a wonderful evening either way," he bowed to her, "Thank you for letting me be a part of it."

"Mace I have no doubt that your being here was one of the biggest draws of the night," Vincent chuckled.

The friends put out the candles and together, all headed to their beds. Delaney and Vincent had sent Harris and Ms. Bird on to sleep so they helped one another undress which they weren't at all bothered about. 

When they, at last, curled up in bed together, Delaney closed her eyes and fell asleep with a smile on her face, listening to the gentle lull of the ocean through their windows.