Chapter 175 - The Lion's Den

Delaney sent word to the Queen that evening asking if she would want to have tea the following afternoon. Before they had gone to bed a messenger had already arrived with her answer. Delaney and Ilona would be joining the Queen and her sister for tea the next afternoon.

The next morning Delaney and Vincent had their breakfast alone. Ian had told her the day before that he and Ilona had some business to take care of in the city. From what Ms. Bird had been told by the guards, they had ended up being out very late.

She and Vincent were quite happy to have their meal to themselves. Vincent commented that it reminded him of the beginning back at Edgewood and Delaney agreed. They had enjoyed their summer but now they were both ready to be home again.

Once they had finished, Vincent kissed her goodbye. He had some things to see to in the city he wanted to take care of so they would be able to leave as soon as they had finished their business here. Delaney had a bath drawn for herself and washed and dried her hair. By the time she was done, it was time for her to get ready for their afternoon at the castle.

Ms. Bird was so excited to dress the women she was nearly floating. She dressed Delaney and did her hair first. She knew her mistress well so it was easier to plan for her. Delaney doned a blue dress that would compliment Ilona's dress as well as her own eyes. Her hair was done up into an intricate web of braids and curls were left to frame her face. Lastly, Ms. Bird pinned pearls into her hair and clasped a pearl choker around her neck.

Next, it was on to the pirate captain. Ilona was dressed in her new beautiful dress and sat down in front of the mirror. Ms. Bird decided to leave most of her lovely coffee-colored curls down but pulled back the parts around her face. She then used some of the Adair pearls and pinned them into Ilona's hair as well.

Once she was finished, Ilona stood in front of the large mirror with Delaney and they both smiled at the transformation.

The carriage was brought around to the front of the house just as the women walked together down the stairs. Ian was waiting for them and when he looked up he went slackjawed for a moment. Ilona frowned and Delaney laughed, making him hurry to return to his unreadable expression.

"You both look beautiful," he complimented them as he held out his arms to take one on each side.

The women thanked him and together they all went out and got in the carriage. Delaney felt nervous now as she had the first time she'd gone to court. Anna would be there and the woman had already proven herself to be quite awful. Not to mention spending time with the Queen herself always felt like walking on ice, waiting for it to crack and plunge the duchess into the deadly depths below.

She looked towards Ilona and saw her hands were tightly clasped in her lap. She was just as nervous. Ian was the only one who seemed at least somewhat at ease. Delaney wished Vincent was with her. She never felt completely safe without him at her side and even less so when she was at the royal court.

They arrived at the castle and the door to the carriage was opened for them. Ian got out and helped both women out. He then took up a place behind Delaney. Once at court it was up to the Duchess to lead the way, being the highest-ranking one among them. Luckily she remembered the way to the Queen's rooms.

Delaney walked down the hallways with her chin held high. She refused to let the other nobles intimidate her anymore. After watching her husband brave the walk alone she knew she couldn't let them make her cower either.

Outside of Queen Sophia's rooms, a servant opened the door and stepped back to let Delaney and Ilona enter as a man inside announced them. Delaney looked back just before the door closed and saw Ian take up his post leaning against the far wall facing the rooms. He would hear them if they needed him she hoped.

"Delaney!" Sophia gushed, "How lovely it is that you've come. You remember my sister Anna?"

"Of course," Delaney forced a smile and curtsied to them both, "And this is Ilona Black. I don't know that you were ever properly introduced."

The lovely Queen gave a stiff bow but her twin looked intrigued.

"The pirate correct? Your father works with my soon-to-be husband?"

"Yes," Ilona answered evenly, "They have worked together for a year or so now."

"How fascinating," Anna smirked.

"Come and sit," Sophia cut off talk of the subject, "We can have the tea before it gets cold."

Delaney was thankful for the Queen's interruption, not sure discussing Ilona's pirate heritage was a good idea. It also made her cringe hearing Anna refer to Mason as her "soon-to-be-husband". For the first time since he had told them, Delaney actually felt relieved Mace planned to run away before he was forced to marry this woman. Even if she didn't see him for a very long time she thought it would be worth it.

"I thought it would be good for you to get to know Anna," Sophia said to Delaney after a while as they sipped their tea, "Since she's going to be Mason's wife. I know you and Vince are very close with Mason. I imagine you'll be seeing much more of Anna when you see him."

Delaney swallowed and forced a smile to her lips, "We would be happy to have you, Anna. Mason is fond of staying with us when he can."

"Well, we won't be staying at your country home," Anna commented, "But your house by the ocean sounded much better. I couldn't imagine spending much time so far from society."

"I'm sure it's very relaxing," Sophia added quickly, smiling at Delaney.

"It's our home," Delaney commented, again forcing herself to smile back.

"Have you ever been there Ilona?" Anna cut in, staring at the woman.

"I have not."

"But you've been to their ocean house?"

Ilona nodded and everyone watched them suspiciously.

"I understand you arrived after Mason had already left. Is that true?"

"It is."

Anna paused, looking Ilona over before a smile graced her lips.

"My sister tells me two of your young siblings have been abducted. How terrible."

"Thank you," Ilona replied quietly but there was no mistaking the edge in her voice. The tension had grown thick in the room.

"And that's why you came here then? To seduce my husband into fixing your mistake and get back the pirate children you lost?"

"Anna!" Sophia gasped and Delaney's eyes went wide. She turned to look at the woman next to her but Ilona was already primed to reply.

"I don't believe he is your husband yet is he?" she questioned with a look of feigned innocence, "You might be careful using the term too much until after you've gotten him."

"I will be getting him," the twin snapped, "We are to be married very soon."

"Ah well that's what you hope. You thought you were getting married last time as well and what was it that happened? Oh yes. He ran away to get out of being stuck with you."

Anna's eyes flashed with her anger and she jumped to her feet storming forward. Ilona got to her feet and instinctively reached to her sides for her swords but nothing was there. Delaney saw something like fear flicker across her face for an instant before the angry Anna slapped it hard. 

Ilona stumbled back a step and before she could right herself, Anna was on her again. She grabbed the pirate's hair, yanking it so Ilona fell forward onto her knees, smacking her head into the table that had been holding the tea.

Delaney and Sophia had been standing frozen in shock but when Ilona's angry eyes snapped up and there was blood spilling from her forehead, the Queen and the Duchess jumped into action. Ilona sprung for Anna but Delaney stepped between them, grabbing her friend and pushing her back as she yelled for Ian.

The Queen didn't hesitate in shoving her twin backward as Delaney imagined they had probably done many times as children. Anna stumbled but lunged forward again. Her hand shot over Delaney's shoulder in an attempt to get to Ilona's hair but when she couldn't she resorted to scratching the woman's face with her nails.

The door to the Queen's rooms burst open and Ian swept in despite the guards shouting for him to stop. His eyes scanned over the scene and when he saw the blood on his sister's face and the fury in her eyes he moved quickly to grab her around the waist and lift her up off the ground.

"Let me go!" Ilona shouted, kicking and beating her fists against Ian's arms, "Do you see what that bitch did to my face?"

"Let's go," Ian barked, meeting Delaney's eyes.

The duchess nodded, still in shock about what had happened. She glanced back at the pair of women behind her. One was breathing hard, a cruel smirk across her face. The other actually looked sorry. Delaney didn't say anything.

Together with the pirates, she left the room, hoping to never see either of the women again.