Chapter 173 - A Plan For The Prince

Vincent walked inside quickly with his wife on his arm. Delaney had to step fast to keep up with him. He swept her into his office and closed the door behind them.

"Vincent," she looked up at him with worry, "What's going..."

Her husband pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick kiss. "I'm sorry," he said quietly but trailed off before dropping his lips to hers again and kissing her with an almost hunger. He held her pressed to his body and she wrapped her arms around his neck, happy to kiss him back although she didn't understand his unexpected intensity.

When his lips finally left hers Delaney kept her eyes closed for a moment as her head spun and she rested it against his chest.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, his voice hoarse now, "I just... God Delaney if Ian hadn't had that blade and his aim hadn't been true when he threw it... That idiot guard could have hurt you or..."

"Shhh," she smiled lovingly up at him. He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers for a moment before giving her another deep kiss.

"I'm alright love," she said breathlessly once he'd finished, "I promise."

Vincent shook his head and didn't open his eyes. His face scrunched up in a frown.

"I... I thought of that night at the beach when I had to send you ahead on your own and I couldn't protect you. If Ian hadn't been there that night... and if he hadn't been here today I..."

"Don't say these things," she argued, "You do protect me. You always keep me safe. Choosing to have Ian around as my guard is you doing something to keep me safe, even if it isn't what you wish it was."

She took his scarred face in her hands and leaned up to gently kiss his lips. "Don't worry. I'm safe and I will always be safe because you will make sure of it. I have no doubt about that at all. You will always protect me just like you promised."

Vincent opened his eyes at last and met her gaze, holding it for a moment. Delaney's eyes floated over his face, tracing the scars that were so familiar to her now. Her eyes moved to his mouth and she lightly brushed her thumb over his bottom lip. He moved and caught it gently between his teeth, making her giggle before he let it go again.

"I love you husband," she whispered to him.

"I love you wife."

"Are you alright now?" she asked, letting her hands fall away from his face and he nodded. "Good. Now tell me what is going on? Why are all the royal guards here?"

Vincent sighed and took her hand in his, telling her to follow him. They left the office, finding Ian and Ilona hovering nearby waiting for them. The Duke was quick to tell them he'd call for them to come in in a moment. They nodded and he walked across to the sitting room, opening the door and standing back so Delaney could walk in.

With the large number of guards outside, Delaney had expected to see Sophia or Daniel waiting for her so she was quite surprised when an exhausted-looking Mason got up from the couch and turned to give her a smile.

"Good afternoon beautiful," he grinned, making her roll her eyes at his flirting, "I was wondering if you would be home anytime soon."

"Well, she would have been in here sooner if one of your guards hadn't told her to leave then drawn a sword on her when she refused," Vincent snipped, frowning at his cousin.

"What are you talking about?" Mason looked from him to Delaney with concern, "What happened?"

"Exactly what I said," Vincent took a seat on a couch, "Luckily Ian threw a knife and hit the man perfectly in the shoulder so he couldn't raise the blade."

Mason dropped onto his couch, groaning and running his hands slowly over his face. "I'm so sorry Delaney."

"I'm alright but what are you doing here Mace?" she questioned, "And why on earth are there so many guards out there in the first place?"

When he looked up at her again she noticed how tired he was. Although he was dressed as a prince should be and looking much cleaner than he had the day before, he still looked as if he'd been drinking too much and not getting enough sleep.

"My wicked sister-in-law has insisted on me having this many guards with me at all times now," he sighed, "She seems to think I will be so against this marriage to her sister that I will run away so I don't have to go through with it."

"Where on earth did she get that idea?" Delaney demanded in surprise.

"That's exactly what he did the last time he was supposed to be marrying her," Vincent informed his wife with a smirk.

"Oh Mace," she sighed.

"I know it wasn't the best course of action," he smiled, "But it still saved me in the end. Can't make someone get married if you can't find them."

Delaney giggled but shook her head, "You're ridiculous."

Mason grinned bashfully, "I suppose I am."

"You still haven't told her why you're here Mace," Vincent reminded him.

Mason nodded but didn't hurry to speak. He clasped his hands together and stared hard at the ground. At last, he nodded, more to himself than anyone else, and looked up, meeting her eyes.

"I've decided I want to run off again," he announced, "I just can't stand to marry that horrible woman. I don't care if Danny disowns me and takes away all my titles and lands. I would be poor but happy."

Delaney was shocked to hear that and her face showed it. She looked to Vincent to see if this was a joke but his face was gravely serious.

"Where... Where would you go?"

"I have an idea," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I figure they would look for me at any of my estates and then at Edgewood or here, thinking you and Vince were harboring me. I probably couldn't stay with any nobles or people from the court. Danny would look there."

"So where would you go then?" Vincent repeated his wife's question.

"I think it would be best if I didn't tell you."

"What about money?" Delaney questioned after a moment, "How would you pay for things?"

"I have a good amount of money I've kept tucked away. I will take it with me."

"Surely we could help you with money too couldn't we?" she turned to look at her husband, "Even if we can't give you a place to stay."

"Thank you Delaney but I wouldn't take your money," he shook his head, "I wouldn't want either of you to get pulled into the middle of it when it becomes a fight between Danny and I."

"You think it will come to that?"

"I know it will," he smiled sadly, "I will have disobeyed the King. He can't simply ignore that. I'll be punished."

"Punished?" she whispered with fear, "Punished how?"

"I'll be alright," he assured her, "Don't worry about that."

Tears came to Delaney's eyes as she suddenly realized the magnitude of what he was saying. Mason would be gone, a fugitive, and they would have no idea where he was or when they would be able to see him again. He would have to be in hiding to avoid being found by his brother and dragged back to the castle to marry the horrible Anna.

She dropped her face into her hands and felt the warm tears on her palms. Vincent pulled her in against his chest and lightly kissed her head.

"Come now," Mason moved quickly to kneel in front of her, taking one of her hands, "None of this. There's no need to cry. I promise I'll be alright and I'll send word to you as soon as I can to tell you so."

"I care about you so much Mace," Delaney managed through her tears.

A handsome smile filled his face and Vincent let go of his wife so his cousin could hug her to him.

"You're very dear to me as well Lady Adair," he chuckled, "So is your noble husband. That's why I can't tell you both anything but you have to trust me. I'll keep myself safe."

Delaney hugged him close a moment longer before nodding and letting him go.

"So is this goodbye then?" 

"Not yet," he shook his head, "But in a few days. I can't tell you more but I promise before I go I'll find you both to give you proper goodbyes.

Delaney nodded again and worked to wipe the tears away from her cheeks.

"I'd better be going," Mason stood, "I've been in here so long I'm surprised they haven't burst in the door to confirm I haven't escaped."

Delaney and Vincent got to their feet to walk him out. In the entry, they stopped and he gave them both his dazzling smile again.

"Don't worry about me," he chuckled before looking past them, "Ian can you come outside with me? I forgot I have a letter for your father but I left it in the saddlebag. I didn't want to chance it falling out in the street."

"Of course," Ian gave a slight bow before following Mason outside to the horse that was waiting for him.

Mason looked back and smiled and waved to Delaney and Vincent. He then turned and got a folded paper from the saddle and held it out to Ian. When Ian went to take it though Mason didn't let go. Ian looked at him in confusion and found the Prince's serious blue eyes on him.

"Bring your sister to the castle tomorrow night once Delaney and Vincent have gone to bed," he said urgently, "Don't tell anyone where you're going."