Chapter 174 - We Are Ready

Delaney drifted through the rest of the day feeling her heart ache for their prince Mason who had become such a close friend to her. Not to mention he was now her family as well since she was married to his cousin. Being someone with almost no family she realized she had come to care deeply about the family she had gained through her husband.

Vincent was quieter than usual as well. When she wandered down to look in on him in his office later she found him standing still, staring out the window with his hands clasped behind his back. He turned when he noticed her and gave her a small smile. Delaney walked to him and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. He held her there, gently kissing her brow.

No one spoke much at dinner. Jamie and Nick still hadn't returned from their search for their father so it was only Ian, Ilona, Delaney, and Vincent together at the table. Delaney found it a bit surprising that Ilona hadn't left yet even just to join her men but she didn't bring it up. She had enjoyed shopping with the woman and thought they might even be becoming friends.

After dinner, Vincent walked Delaney to their room but he wanted to speak to their guards so he went back downstairs after. Ms. Bird helped her undress while talking away steadily about how brave Delaney and Ilona were to stand up to the guards and how horrible the man had been who had threatened them.

The old maid had had things to pick up at a different shop so she hadn't walked home with her mistress and now Delaney knew she was feeling guilty for not being there when the bad thing had happened. The duchess had assured the woman that there was nothing she could have done and that she was actually thankful Ms. Bird hadn't been there. There was no convincing the maid that Delaney wasn't upset with her though.

"I heard Lord Adair was quite impressive," she commented as she brushed Delaney's long, lovely hair, smiling at her knowingly when their eyes met in the mirror.

"He was," Delaney dropped her gaze as her cheeks warmed, "I forget sometimes how strong and skilled he is."

"Oh I heard all about it downstairs," the maid chuckled, "Everyone's been talking about how he fought some dozen royal guards all on his own to save you."

Delaney giggled, "Well it wasn't quite so dramatic but my husband is definitely impressive."

"Well, I won't be correcting the story. I see no harm in letting the younger ones believe their master is unstoppable."

When Ms. Bird left some time later Delaney went to bed but didn't try to sleep. Instead, she sat up, waiting for her husband to come back to her. When he finally did return, he caught sight of her as he closed their door and smiled warmly.

"I thought you might be asleep," he said quietly as he walked to her and gave her a gentle kiss.

"I wanted to wait up for you," she replied as she watched him walk a few steps away and begin pulling his shirt from the top of his breeches.

She watched the thick muscles of his back move in fluid motions as he pulled the shirt over his head. He removed his sword, with his back still to her so she watched his body shift. Vincent was so kind she sometimes forgot how powerful he was until things like the run-in with the guards happened.

He moved to return to their bed but caught sight of her gazing at him with longing, biting her lip. He grinned wickedly and came to a stop a bit in front of her. Delaney's eyes swept over the muscles in his chest and arms moving together like he were some perfect statue come to life.

She looked at the scars on his abdomen and face and wondered how she had ever been so afraid of something that was a part of this man she loved. Something about the scars only added to Vincent's intimidating appearance. Knowing he was all hers secretly thrilled her.

Her body didn't move but her heart fluttered when she watched him untie his breaches and slip the last layers of clothing away. When he straightened and looked at her she could see the sparks in his eyes and it only served to stoke the heat already growing in her as she watched him.

Delaney stood and untied the nightgown, not taking her eyes from his. When she stepped forward it slid off her body and joined her husband's clothes on the floor.

She walked to him and he pulled her in against his chest, lifting her up so he could kiss her hungrily. She wrapped her arms around his neck and twisted her fingers into his lovely black locks. Nipping lightly at his bottom lip she heard him groan loudly. A sort of snarl escaped him and he abruptly scooped her up into his strong arms and carried her to their bed.

-

The next morning Delaney sat in their sitting room looking over menus the cooks had given her to approve. She read over the meals they wanted to make while at the city house and what would be required for each. She was just finishing when the door opened and she looked up to find Ilona standing there.

"I'm sorry," the woman apologized quickly, "I was just looking for my brother."

Turning, Ilona moved to leave but Delaney called out for her to stop.

"You won't find him here," she explained, "He and Vincent went out together to speak to men about being our new guards. I suppose my husband valued his opinion on the matter."

Ilona nodded, looking down at the table where a stack of cards sat. Delaney followed her gaze and smiled.

"Do you play cards?"

"I'm a pirate," Ilona smirked, "Do you play cards?"

"I do," Delaney smiled proudly, "When I was a girl, a few of my friends and I would sneak out to a card club where the owner let us in and taught us all how to play. He says I'm fairly good." 

Ilona nodded, "There have always been cards aboard my parents' ships. That's where I learned to play. My brothers and I would try to beat one another."

"Come sit and play a hand with me!"

Ilona hesitated, considering the invitation. In only a moment though she smiled and moved to join the lovely duchess at the table and watched as she dealt them hands of cards.

The women ended up playing for more than an hour and were happy to find they were pretty evenly matched. As they played Ilona told Delaney about each of her siblings and she listened intently, laughing when she heard about the silly things they did.

Delaney told Ilona the story of what had happened with her parents and then how her relationship with Vincent had started. Ilona chuckled quietly about some of the foolish decisions her host had made but liked hearing how they had come to love one another so deeply now.

They were just finishing up their game when a knock came at the door and Delaney called for the person to come in. She turned and saw their butler who bowed and announced the seamstresses were here with one of Ilona's new dresses. He said he had sent them ahead to Ilona's bedroom.

Delaney turned with a big pearly grin and wide excited eyes to the other woman at her table. Ilona groaned in annoyance, dropping her face into her hands for a moment before she stood, and looked unhappily towards the duchess.

"I'm so excited!" Delaney burst out, "You will be too once we get up there and get you into your beautiful new dress!"

"A new dress?" another voice came from the doorway then and they both turned to see Ian looking at them curiously.

"We ordered a few for your sister, " Delaney informed him with a smile, "And now one is ready and waiting for her to try on."

Ian chuckled, "I still can't believe you've convinced her to put on a dress again. I thought that day in the royal court would be the last time I would ever see that."

Delaney hooked her arm through the other woman's and together they went upstairs for her to try on the new dress, sending the butler to fetch Ms. Bird for them.

The dress that had been made for Ilona was a rose pink which only seemed to make her suntanned skin look all the more beautiful. It fit like a glove, tight in all the right places to accentuate her curves. The bodice was low cut and framing some of her best curves.

Ilona looked at herself in the mirror, turning slowly so she could see every inch. It was an absolutely beautiful dress and looking at it made her smile.

Delaney caught her eye in the mirror and Ilona blushed and dropped her gaze.

"I'm glad you like it," Delaney said knowingly, "Now we are ready to face the Queen."