Chapter 154 - Ilona Black

Delaney's eyes moved back and forth between Ian and the woman before him.

"Ian what's going on?" she whispered, "Who is this?"

He sighed, looking at the woman with disapproval, "This is my older sister, Ilona Black."

Delaney reached a hand up to Ian and he took it, helping her to her feet as she stared at the newcomer in surprise. He stepped past her to Vincent and helped him up as well. Delaney was distracted by her husband.

Vincent wasn't quite steady on his feet and he winced when he put weight on his bad leg. Delaney couldn't wait though and she rushed past Ian to get to him. She threw her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly as tears flowed down her cheeks and relief washed over her. Vincent held tightly to her too, kissing the top of her head.

"Ilona these people you and your men terrified and battered are the Duke and Duchess of Edgewood, Vincent, and Delaney Adair. He's what? Third in line to the throne now? And maybe most importantly to you, he's our father's business partner."

The woman frowned and folded her arms over her chest as she looked over at them.  Delaney and Vincent both turned now to look at the person responsible for their terror and pain.

Ilona wasn't overly tall like her brother and especially her father but she had the same chocolate-colored eyes they had and sun-tanned skin.  Her hair was long and a lovely dark brown but not as curly as her father's.  She was beautiful with lush red lips, long black lashes, and a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

With the expression of displeasure she wore now she looked especially like Ian.

"Well how was I supposed to know who they were?" she demanded of her brother, "We have been away for months and it hasn't been a profitable few months I'll have you know."

"So you decided to raid a manorhouse so close to home?"

Ilona shrugged, "The ship is damaged and we saw the bonfire from sea.  We could make out the big house it lit up and we decided to take a chance.  We never would have attacked it if it hadn't been lit up.  And we never would have attacked it in broad daylight either.  This was just the perfect chance for us."

"Where is our mother?" Ian questioned, "Did she agree to your plan?"

"Of course she did," Ilona raised her chin defiantly, "She's been letting me make more decisions now so I'll be ready when I have my own ship soon."

"Decisions like these are exactly why you don't already have it," Ian snapped in annoyance.

Delaney watched his older sister almost shrivel with his chastising as her eyes shot to the men surrounding her.  Pierce wore a smirk as he watched the exchange.

Ian turned away from his sister now and looked back to Delaney and Vincent.

"Are you both alright?  Why was your mouth bleeding Delaney?"

"I'm alright," she answered hurriedly, eyes glancing quickly past him to his pirate captain sister before returning to his face, "I just fell when I was running.  I'll have some bruises I imagine but nothing serious."

Ian looked back over his shoulder at Ilona.  "Father has me here specifically to keep her safe."

The woman shrunk back a bit further.

"And you Lord Adair?" he asked, "How badly are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," Vincent shook his head, "It's just my leg giving me trouble is all."

Delaney knew it wasn't true but her husband was too proud to ever admit more than that.  Obviously, he didn't willing let the pirates take him hostage so something must have happened.  His bleeding lip and pain when he moved too much proved that.  Thankfully Ian understood and didn't push the matter.

"Wait a moment," Ilona spoke up from behind them then, "Wait did you say he was Lord Adair?  Are you... Are you the Duke that killed the giant dragon in the war?"

Vincent dropped his eyes and swallowed, "I am."

The woman's mouth fell open then and she shook her head.

"We've heard so much about you," she said, "Some of my men actually fought the dragons in the war with you."

"I'm sure they were invaluable to us," Vincent said quickly with an awkward sort of bow, "Please thank them for their service for me."

"Don't try to change the subject, Ilona," Ian frowned, "I will be telling our father what happened here and you will have to answer for it."

His sister turned to frown at him and lifted her chin, "We are pirates.  I was doing what pirates do.  Father will understand that."

"We'll see about that," Ian laughed coldly, "Now take your men and leave this place and these people alone to recover from all the trouble you've caused."

Ilona stood very still, glaring at her brother.  Delaney worried she would refuse to leave.

"Return to the ship," she calmly gave her men the order.

There was a moment's hesitation before all the pirates turned and headed back down the stairs.  Once they had all reached the sand below, Ilona turned and followed them.  Ian watched them until they were all in their boats and pushing off back out into the water.

"Return to your posts," Vincent quietly gave their guards an order.  Soon they stood alone with Ian.  He turned to them with a look of anguish.

"I'm so sorry about this," he said sincerely, "Ilona can be very headstrong and reckless.  She doesn't think about the consequences of her actions and that's why our father won't let her be a captain of her own ship.  She goes out with my mother but she's really captain in name only.  My mother usually makes all the important decisions but it sounds like she must be giving her more power."

"You don't owe us an apology Ian we owe you our gratitude," Vincent shook his head, "If you hadn't come when you did then they might have killed me."

"Ah well thank Delaney for that.  She had the sense to go for me.  I don't think any of the guards would have done that."

Delaney blushed and dropped her eyes, "I was desperate to save my husband.  I knew you were our only real hope."

"I'm just glad I was here," he sighed, looking back out to where the boats were rowing across the water towards the ship, "My father will be very angry with her.  She won't get away with this."

Delaney swallowed, imaging the punishment from a pirate king would not be a pleasant thing.  She buried her face in her husband's chest again and reveled in the feel of him with his arms around her.  She had never been more afraid that she would lose him.

"I want to see you both to the house if that's alright?" Ian asked, "I understand after an experience like this you won't want me around as a reminder so I will pack up my things and be gone before you rise in the morning."

"What?" Delaney turned to him in surprise, "You're leaving us?"

Ian hesitated, "It was my sister and her pirates that caused you this night of terror. I wouldn't want to stay here and just cause you more pain."

"Ian you fool you saved us," Vincent chuckled, "Besides, you're my wife's best friend.  You're practically family at this point."

The young pirate looked at them in surprise for a moment before clearing his throat and dropping his gaze.

"Well... I suppose if you want me to stay then there's no reason I should go.  It's my job to look after you anyway..."

Delaney smiled at him.  He might not admit it but she knew he didn't want to leave any more than she wanted him to.

He wasn't completely wrong though.  After this night and seeing the awful side of pirating Delaney felt a little uneasy with him.  It wasn't his fault she knew but now she couldn't help it.  Between having him as her dearest friend and his charming father sweeping them all away with a grand party and adorable pets she had all but forgotten the darker side of pirates existed at all.  Now she couldn't ignore it.

"We should get to bed," she said quietly, "This has been an awful night."

"Yes," Ian agreed and stepped back out of their way.

Vincent had pushed his poor body to its limits so when he tried to step onto his bad leg he choked back a yelp.  He stumbled forward, nearly taking Delaney with him but Ian was quick to catch him.

"I'm alright," Vincent said quickly in annoyance, not wanting to look weak, but the pain was clear on his face.

Ian didn't say anything but nudged Delaney out of the way so he could support Vincent's side with the bad leg.  Her husband looked irritated but he couldn't argue.  He needed Ian's help or he wouldn't be able to get inside.

Delaney's heart ached.  She knew it was killing his pride to have to be helped inside but there wasn't anything else they could do.

-

It was slow progress but at last, they made it inside.  The stairs were a challenge but Ian was patient and didn't react when Vincent got angry and swore.  He helped him all the way to the door of their bedroom and it was there that Vincent insisted he go the rest of the way on his own.  Ian nodded and didn't push the matter, stepping back so he could get to the door.

"Thank you," Vincent said without meeting his eyes, "We owe you much after tonight."

"Not at all," Ian was quick to object, "Everything bad that happened was because of my sister.  You owe me nothing."

Vincent didn't say anything but went on into their bedroom.  Delaney moved to follow him and Ian turned to leave but Delaney hesitated at the door.

"Ian," she said quietly.  He turned and looked back at her.  "Can we talk tomorrow?"

His gaze fell and she realized he must have guessed what it was she wanted to talk about.

"Of course," he agreed, "We can talk about anything you'd like."

"Thank you."

He nodded and left for his bedroom.

Delaney went into their room and gently closed the door behind her.

Closing the door on a truly terrible night.