Chapter 160 - To The City

The next morning things moved quickly. The servants were all loaded up and headed out with the guards. Delaney and Vincent had kept quiet about what their plans were for themselves and their servants knew better than to question them. At last, all that was left was Delaney, Vincent, and the few servants who lived at the ocean house year-round and kept it up.

Ms. Bird had helped Delaney get ready that morning and Delaney had been able to sneak in her dose of potion before tucking it in the bottom of her trunk. She hoped the maid wouldn't find it before they got to the city house that evening.

Delaney walked with Vincent through the ocean house one last time to say goodbye to it. Like leaving Edgewood, it hurt Delaney's heart to leave this house. The only thing that made it easier was the terrible memory of the pirates coming and the knowledge that soon they would be safely home in Edgewood again and that was where she truly felt at home.

Ian had barely slept since learning about his younger siblings and now he was waiting outside, watching for Ilona and her men. Delaney's heart ached for him but there was nothing anyone could do for now. They would take Daniel the letter as soon as they were able to and Vincent would help her talk to the King about agreeing to the terms, whatever they may be. They just all had to hope the King of the Red Lands hadn't asked for something too impossible.

Delaney and Vincent finished their walk through the house so they walked out to the cliff edge and looked out at the ocean beyond. He wrapped his arms around her and she leaned back into his warm chest.

"I'm going to miss the ocean," she said quietly to her husband, "It's been such a wonderful summer here."

"It has," he agreed, "But we will be happy home again at Edgewood too."

"I know. I'm looking forward to getting home again. I really hope we can wrap up this business in the city quickly."

"I hope so too," he sighed, "I don't know what it will take though. I can't think of anything the King would want from Daniel other than purely a guarantee the pirates would leave his ships alone. But then what would he offer in return? Surely he couldn't expect Daniel to do that simply to get back two of the pirate king's children."

"I don't know," she shook her head, "But I'm afraid Ian is going to go mad waiting to find out."

"Poor Ian... His siblings showed up and brought his life crashing down in only a few days."

Delaney turned to Vincent and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was moving a little easier that day but she knew his ribs were still sore. She leaned up and gently kissed his lips, enjoying the taste of him.

"Once we're home in Edgewood I'm going to lock us away in our room for a few days," she whispered to him, making him smile, "It seems like we haven't been alone in ages."

"I know," he rested his forehead against hers, "But soon we will be. I promise. As soon as I can make it happen."

Delaney smiled and kissed him once more until they heard Ian calling for them. They looked up and in the distance, they could see horses approaching. She took Vincent's arm and together they headed back towards the house where they said goodbye to the servants that would remain there. By the time they made it to the front where their carriage was waiting, an intimidating pirate crew surrounded it.

Ilona Black nodded to them from where she sat on her horse with Jamie and Nick on either side of her on mounts of their own. Ian walked to Delaney and Vincent looking serious.

"We will ride straight through, "he said looking at each of them, "If you need to stop of course we can but it will be safer and faster if we don't."

Delaney glanced at her husband. It was going to be a hard ride for him and there was nothing she could do to make it better. Vincent didn't look worried though so she tried to hide her own concern.

"Ian try to stay calm," Delaney said to her friend, taking his hand for a moment, "If we rush and something happens it will be even longer before we can help your siblings."

He dropped his gaze and nodded. Delaney stood on her toes to lean up and kiss his cheek. He blushed and quickly said goodbye before going and climbing up onto his horse. Vincent smirked at the other man's awkwardness as he helped his wife into their carriage. He climbed in himself and the footman closed the door behind them.

Delaney watched the ocean out the window as they drove away. Soon she was no longer able to hear it and then finally she lost sight of it as well. She leaned back in the carriage then and settled in for the long ride.

-

By midday they had not eased up on their steady pace and Vincent was starting to sweat from fighting the pain. He kept his eyes closed almost constantly now and when they hit a bump he groaned and clenched his jaw. Delaney wanted so badly to help him but she knew there was nothing anyone could do for him now.

As the hours ticked by he gripped the handles on the carriage so tight his knuckles turned white. Occasionally a tear would escape his eye and Delaney would want to wipe it away but the first time she had done so he had barked at her not to touch him. He had apologized immediately after and she had assured him that it was fine. She didn't dare try to do it again though.

"My Love why don't we stop?" she asked gently, "Just for a little bit?"

"Not yet," he managed through his clenched jaw, his voice sounding hoarse, "Not yet."

At last, he couldn't stand it any longer though. He swore loudly and banged on the top of the carriage harder than he needed to. His breath was coming quick and as soon as the carriage came to a stop he flung the door open and almost fell to the ground.

Holding onto the doorframe for a moment while he steadied himself, Delaney could only watch. She looked past him and saw Ian ride up and slide down off his horse. He saw Vincent and looked past him to her in confusion. He didn't wait for an answer though and instead ordered the men to spread out and look around for threats.

Delaney was thankful for Ian's thoughtfulness. He knew Vincent would be embarrassed to be seen like this by others so he had sent them away. As soon as they were all gone he stepped up to Vincent and eased him away from the carriage and out into the grass beyond.

"I'm sorry," her husband croaked to the pirate as stepped away, "I'm sorry I'm slowing us down."

"Don't be sorry," Ian chuckled quietly, "Half the men were complaining about needing to stop. I was going to have us stop you just beat me to it."

Delaney didn't know if that was true but her heart swelled hearing him say it. Once Vincent was resting against a tree Ian came back and helped her from the carriage. His expression was expectant.

"What's going on?" he asked, "Why is he in so much pain?"

"It's the carriage ride," Delaney explained quietly, "all the jostling seems to agitate his injuries until the pain is unbearable."

"God Delaney, why didn't you tell me?" Ian hissed, "I would have stopped us to take a break ages ago!"

"I didn't get a chance," she sighed, "Besides he hates pity. He would have guessed you were stopping for him and been angry."

Ian groaned, "Yes well now I feel truly awful for putting him through this."

"What are you talking about? We had to go back to the city either way."

"Yes, but he wouldn't have felt the need to push himself to this point."

"It's alright," she assured the pirate, "Just give him a little time for the pain to ease away, and then we can go again."

Ian nodded, looking past her to where her husband was starting to breathe normally again already. Delaney turned and went to Vincent then. She used her handkerchief to pat the sweat from his face and then she lightly kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly to her, "You deserve better than this."

"Shhh stop it," she hushed him, "You are the best man I've ever met and the only man I ever want to be with. I deserve you and you deserve me."

A while later his eyes fluttered open and he turned to look at her, his breathing even now.

"Alright," he said quietly and pushed himself off the tree.

"Vincent it hasn't been enough time," she argued as he limped hard towards the carriage.

He got to the door and held out a hand to her to help her inside. Delaney stood staring at him.

"Let's go," he said quietly to her, "I'm fine."

She knew she couldn't argue. She took his hand and got inside the carriage. Vincent called out to Ian to tell him they were ready.

Then they were on their way again.