Chapter 150 - Exciting Plans

Delaney tried to put thoughts of the potion from her mind for the day. Since Vincent was working she decided to do a walk-through of the house to check for any repairs or updates that might need to be done before they left back to Edgewood. The ocean house had been lovely but since they had spoken about returning home Delaney was starting to look forward to it.

It was strange for the house to be so quiet and to not have their friends around. Delaney found herself hoping that soon she and Vincent would be able to fill the house with children and then it wouldn't be so quiet anymore. She fluctuated between being excited about taking the potion and being anxious.

Around midday, she went down to find her husband. She brought him the list of the repairs and improvements that he read over, glancing up at her now and then with a smile of admiration. Once he was finished they headed to lunch together, sitting alone in the large dining room again.

"We should have picnic lunches for the next days before we leave," Delaney suggested to him, "And dinners and breakfasts out on the balcony. We aren't going to be here much longer so we should make the most of it."

Vincent nodded in agreement, "That sounds lovely my Lady. Just tell the servants."

"Alright," she smiled at him, "And you should finish up your work today so we can spend tomorrow together enjoying ourselves."

He smirked, "I'll see what I can do."

-

That night they ate dinner on the balcony outside of the ballroom. Delaney had gotten over her worry about the potion and was now just left with excitement and hope. She felt sure they would have a baby soon now.

Vincent chuckled as he watched her sitting across from him, nearly bubbling with her excitement.

"It looks like you're in quite a good mood. What's happened?"

"Nothing yet," Delaney grinned mischievously, "But hopefully soon."

"Oh? And what are you thinking will happen soon?"

She blushed and bit her lip for a moment. She didn't want to tell him and have him get upset again. They were having a good evening and she didn't want to ruin it. She loved her husband though and she felt so hopeful she wanted to share it with him.

"I think we will have a baby soon," she answered, smiling sheepishly up at him through her long dark lashes.

Vincent's smile faltered and grew smaller but she saw him working to keep it in place.

"You think we will have a baby soon," he repeated back, his gaze slipping away from hers, "What uh... what has you thinking that now?"

"Well, I always think that," she admitted, "But... I don't know... I'm just feeling more hopeful today I guess. We are alone again so we can sneak away together whenever we want and I love you so much. It just feels like things will work out for us soon."

Vincent's smile grew as he looked at her lovingly. He relaxed back in his seat and the breeze tousled his black locks.

Delaney had considered telling him about the potion for a moment but she didn't want him to get angry with her for taking it or worry that something would happen to her. She especially didn't want him to insist she threw it out and she felt like he might. She wanted to give this potion a chance. Once they had their first baby she wouldn't use it again or at least not without talking to him first.

Vincent dismissed the servants for the night and soon the house was quiet, evidence that most of them went to bed early. He and Delaney stayed up very late after they ate, drinking wine, playing cards, and just talking. When they went to bed at last they had decided they would head home to Edgewood in two days.

-

During their late-night talk, Delaney had decided to do one more thing to celebrate the end of their little vacation and for their servants to get a special break as well. The next morning when they woke up, she called for Ms. Bird to help her dress. She excitedly told her maid her plan and soon Ms. Bird was thrilled as well. Vincent smiled fondly at his beautiful, sweet wife as he watched her.

Once they were dressed, Delaney and Vincent followed Harris and Ms. Bird all the way downstairs to the servant's hall. They stepped into a frenzy of activity as each man and woman went about their day's work. Harris and Ms. Bird looked unsure of what to do as they watched their colleagues hurrying about and not noticing the Duke and Duchess.

At last, Vincent cleared his throat, standing up straight with his hands clasped behind his back. The handful of people closest to them turned curiously and when their eyes landed on their Master and Mistress standing before them, they came to an immediate halt. Their stopping caused others to take notice and soon everyone had stopped and turned to stare.

"Can you ask everyone to come in here please?" Vincent asked Harris.

The red-headed valet was quick to do as he was asked. In only a few minutes, the hall was packed full with all of the house servants. Delaney wore a huge grin and Vincent smiled softly down at her.

"Well Lady Adair," he gestured to the room, "Go ahead."

Delaney turned to them and clasped her hands together, "The Duke and I are going to spend our day in the village today. I want you all to finish up what you're doing and anything that can't wait. Once that's done though I give everyone that wants it, permission to spend the afternoon down on the beach!"

Gasps and murmurs of enthusiasm filled the room. The servants looked to one another with excitement.

"And then tonight," Delaney continued, "We will have a big bonfire by the cliff and everyone can come and eat, drink wine, and play cards. We'll make it like a party just for all of us!"

The level of excitement rose once more and Vincent chuckled quietly as he watched his wife's excitement be reflected on the faces of their people.

"Be on your way now," he said to the room, "The sooner your work is done the sooner you can get down to the beach and enjoy yourselves."

There was a rush of bows and curtsies then before the servants began to hurry to get their tasks finished. Delaney spoke to their head cook, telling her to make whatever was easiest for dinner for all of them and to make sure she got time to herself as well. Vincent felt his heart warm as he watched his duchess.

-

After their announcement, Delaney and Vincent called for a carriage to be made ready for them. Delaney found Ian waiting by the door to leave as well. She took her husband with her for support and walked up to her personal guard with determination.

"You're not going with us," she announced to him without preamble.

Ian frowned, "I'm your guard. Where you go, I go."

"Usually. But not today."

Ian crossed his arms, "The last time I left you alone you rode off in a carriage and no one knew where you'd went."

Delaney blushed and dropped her eyes for a moment, "Well that won't be happening this time. I'm going to the village with my husband and I want a day alone with him."

Ian opened his mouth to argue but Vincent reached out and put a hand on his shoulder, looking at him with a smirk.

"You may be the only one who can swim so make sure the others don't drown. I would appreciate your help with that. I can keep my wife safe on my own for the day."

Ian hesitated, looking back and forth between them, clearly not liking the idea.

"Go on Ian," Vincent chuckled, "Spend the afternoon with that girl you're fond of."

Now it was Ian who blushed but at last, gave in and nodded. Delaney grabbed him and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before excusing herself to dash back up to their bedroom and get something she'd forgotten.

Leaving Vincent to assure her friend that she would be alright, Delaney used the distraction to escape to her room alone, lightly locking the door behind her just in case. She went quickly to her dressing table and found the spoon she had purposely hidden beneath a handkerchief.

The little bottle was in its place on the shelf when she pulled the books away and she felt relieved. It wasn't logical but she had feared the potion would somehow disappear in the night.

Less nervous today, she quickly poured a spoonful of the mixture and took a deep breath before choking it down. Feeling a little thrill of excitement come with the knowledge she might soon find out she was pregnant, Delaney stuck the stopper back in and returned the bottle to its hiding place.

Back downstairs, Vincent smiled at her when he saw the pure happiness written on her face, making her all the more beautiful. She slipped her arm through his and together they walked out to the carriage and got in.

It was going to be a good day.