Chapter 137 - Another Adair

Delaney and Vincent slept late the next morning, as did the other nobles. Delaney had had the thought the day before and told the kitchen not to worry about preparing breakfast for them all. She had guessed they would sleep late. When they woke up they ate and decided to go down to swim in the ocean again.

That was how they spent the next weeks, swimming in the ocean, exploring the beach, and having fun together. When they decided they needed a day away from the water they would go together to have tea in the fishing village or play cards and read on blankets out under the citrus trees.

Because baby Benjamin was growing quickly, most days Constance or Bernard would take him along with them to enjoy the sunshine. Delaney loved playing with the little boy but it was somewhat bittersweet when she learned again that she was still not pregnant.

With Vincent downstairs, Delaney slipped the little bottle of potion from its hiding place behind the books and held it in her hands. She again considered taking it. They had been married for over four months now which was not a long time except for the fact their one-year mark was ever-growing closer.

Delaney loved Vincent deeply and she knew he loved her just as much. She wondered if that love would keep him from following through with their foolish arrangement. She was terribly afraid it might have the opposite effect and he would love her so much he would insist on her finding someone else she could have a family with.

She put the bottle back in its place and set the books back in front of it. It was still early. She wouldn't risk it yet. But it was growing increasingly harder to say no to it.

-

Late one afternoon all the friends were out on blankets under the citrus trees in front of the house when in the distance, they saw a small cloud of dust rise of the road. Vincent stood and shaded his eyes with one hand to try to see what it was from.

"There's a carriage coming," he informed them.

He held out his hand to help Delaney to her feet. Bernard and Miles did the same for Constance and Cora.

"Can you recognize the carriage?" Mason asked as he got to his feet as well and strained his eyes to try to make out any details.

"Not yet," Vincent shook his head, "It's still too far away."

Mason sighed, "I've been gone quite a long time. It might be some of my brother's men coming to get me."

"We'd better go in and straighten up a bit," Delaney suggested anxiously, "Just in case."

They hurried inside, calling for their servants as they went. Delaney and Vincent got to their bedroom and were quick to begin undressing before Harris and Ms. Bird could get there to assist. Delaney moved behind the screen when they entered and Ms. Bird brought her deep purple gown for her to wear.

Delaney had just managed to shimmy into the dress and Ms. Bird was tying it when a quick rap came on the door. Harris opened it and a servant said something to him before hurrying away.

"They said it's an Adair carriage," he said in confusion.

"An Adair carriage?" Delaney frowned, "But all of the Adairs are already here."

Vincent sighed, "Not all of them."

-

Delaney's hair was finished just in time for her to rush into the hall and down the stairs. Constance and Cora were right behind her. The men were all waiting outside by the drive when the carriage rolled up and came to a stop in front of them.

Miles and Vincent both wore matching looks of unhappiness. The rest of them were uneasy but forced their expressions to look neutral.

A footman hurried to open the door to the carriage and hold out his hand to help it's occupant down. Delaney recognized the woman before she was even out in the sunlight.

"So this is where all of you have been hiding," Violet Adair spoke cooly with a look of disapproval, "Did none of you think I should be made aware of your plans?"

"Hello mother," Vincent greeted her, "What has brought you to my home unannounced today?"

"That does not answer my question."

"I do not need to answer your questions. But as for that one, it should be obvious to you. We are all adults with our own titles and lives. Why would we need to let our mother know our plans?"

"Out of respect," she snapped, glaring at him.

"Is this why you came mother?" Miles asked then with a sigh, "You came all the way here to scold us and start arguments?"

"No my son," her glare turned to Miles now, "I am here because you made an extremely foolish decision that has brought nothing but embarrassment on our family!"

Miles frowned in confusion, "I brought our family embarrassment? How?"

"Do not pretend you are stupid! We have been trying to get you to plan a wedding for months and then in less than a month here with your brother and his wife, you ran off and got married by a pirate on a ship! Is that marriage even binding in our land?"

"It is indeed cousin Violet," Mason cut in from his place, "I witnessed it anyway so it is a binding marriage as you wanted."

"I most certainly did not want it like this! We all wanted them to get married like normal people!"

The servants standing around them shifted uncomfortably and some slipped away to do a different task.

"Many people are married on ships by the captain of the ship mother," Miles sighed, "We are good friends with Captain Black and we were happy so we decided there was no reason to wait any longer and have a big wedding."

"No reason?" she gasped, "No reason! Her family loves her very much and they wanted to see her get married. This wedding wasn't at all proper and there was no announcement. You just did it and didn't stop to think what gossip might arise about the two of you and your families!"

Delaney glanced over at Cora and saw the woman looking sad with downcast eyes.

"We don't care what other people think..." Miles started before he was cut off.

"You are not the only ones affected by it," Violet shook her head, "How could you be so selfish and reckless?"

"Mother they have had this marriage contract since Cora was an infant," Vincent interrupted, "They may not have had the grand wedding you wanted them to have but they got married and that was all that was truly required."

"I don't want to speak to you on the subject Vincent. You are his older brother and a Duke. You should never have let them go through with this. Your own wedding was an embarrassment and it would have been just as bad as Miles's if I had let you have your way and had no one there to witness it."

Vincent stiffened and his eyes narrowed on his mother. Delaney felt her cheeks warm and she looked away from her mother-in-law.

"We are not children and you do not get to rule our lives anymore," Vincent spoke in an icy tone that very much matched his mother's, "Now, this conversation is finished and you can be on your way."

Violet's eyebrows raised, "On top of everything else you are now going to send me away? There is no way to reach the King's City before nightfall."

"Then I suggest you find an inn," Miles smirked.

"Vincent," Delaney said quietly touching her husband's muscled arm. He turned and looked down at her and she saw the anger flashing in his green eyes. His scars were a deep red as well making him an intimidating figure.

"You can't send her away tonight," Delaney continued softly as she shifted uncomfortably, "If something happened to her you and Miles would never forgive yourselves."

"She will do nothing but cause arguments," he countered seriously.

"I know... But we will just have to do our best to ignore her."

Vincent stared down at his wife as he considered this. He looked over her shoulder and met Miles's eyes as well. After a moment he turned back to Violet.

"You may thank my merciful wife for allowing you to stay here tonight," he said coldly, "Because if it were up to me you would be on your way and taking your chances."

With those words Vincent turned and walked back inside, leaving Delaney to face her mother-in-law. Luckily Miles stayed even though he sent Cora and the others inside.

"I suppose he expects me to actually thank you for letting me stay here," Violet said with a slight sneer, "Even though this house was mine long before it was yours."

"You are mistaken Violet," Delaney stated in a brisk tone, "This house isn't mine. Just like it was never yours. It belongs to my husband and before him it belonged to his father. None of the estates are or ever were yours. My husband allows you to stay in a house he owns and he pays for your lifestyle. I advise you remember that while you are here so you don't find yourself walking back to the King's City and begging them to stay the night instead of us."

Delaney turned her back to the woman before anything else could be said. She found Miles with a smirk of pride on his face as he held his arm out to escort her inside. Delaney took his arm and walked inside, leaving her mother-in-law behind.