Chapter 187 - Changing

Their first night at Felicia and Rose's home, Delaney went to bed with Vincent in the room they had stayed in their first visit. She had hoped he might be in a better mood tonight after playing with May and visiting with his cousin. Instead, though he seemed to fold back into himself again.

When they got in bed he didn't really speak but made love to her anyway. Although Delaney loved this with her husband she couldn't help feeling something was different about it this time. When he brought their bodies together and even when he was simply kissing her there was something else there... a feeling of urgency... or perhaps desperation?

Once they'd finished he pulled her in against his chest and held her tightly there, her head tucked under his chin. He kissed her hair and whispered to her that he loved her so much.

"Are you alright love?" she asked quietly.

"Yes," he answered although his voice was hoarse, "I'm just very tired."

"Get some sleep," she said, moving so she could kiss him.

Again, she felt the same strange difference when he kissed her.

-

Later, when he was sound asleep, Delaney found herself still awake and unsettled by this difference in him. She got up and pulled on her robe, slipping from the room and down the stairs.

She was surprised to see candlelight coming from the sitting room and when she peeked in the room she found Rose sitting alone on a couch with one of May's little dresses in her lap, stitching something along the hems.

Delaney cleared her throat and the woman looked up and smiled.

"Come in and join me," Rose smiled, "Felicia always goes to bed early so I find myself sitting up alone most nights. Sometimes she keeps herself awake long enough to sit with me a while though."

Delaney thanked her and took a seat on the other end of the couch where she could watch the woman stitching little white roses along the hems of the dress. Rose saw her studying the work and smiled fondly at it.

"She's not my daughter exactly but she's the closest thing to one I'll ever have. I like to add little things like this to her gowns to make them prettier and so she'll know how much I love her."

Delaney's heart warmed hearing that and she looked at the quiet blonde woman with admiration.

"You could still end up having children of your own one day," she tried, "You're still young."

Rose chuckled at this, "I am not so young anymore. Besides, I will never have a husband so I will never have children."

"Do you really think you couldn't find a husband?"

"Oh no I'm sure I could," Rose smiled, "But I wouldn't ever leave Felicia and the children. They are my family now."

Delaney nodded, "Since marrying Vincent I've found myself with more family than I ever could have imagined. Now, I know I wouldn't trade them for anything."

"Yes," Rose smiled, "And soon you will have children of your own to make everything complete."

Delaney's gaze dropped to her lap. She pretended she was sure they would have a baby and she put on the brave face for Vincent but every time it turned out they weren't pregnant she felt her confidence rattled a little more.

"You shouldn't worry," Rose said, seeing it clear on her face, "You haven't been married for long. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you both have babies of your own underfoot."

Delaney looked up at her and smiled, "I hope you're right."

"I am," Rose smiled, "Anyone can see how much you both love one another. A baby is bound to come from so much love."

"We shall see I suppose," Delaney sighed, "I just hope it happens soon."

"Don't rush it," the other woman laughed, "Once you have a baby things will never be the same. Enjoy your time with just the two of you. A baby will come soon enough."

Delaney nodded and looked down at her hands. That's what everyone thought. Everyone thought it wasn't important that they weren't pregnant yet because they would be soon enough. They thought she had plenty of time. They didn't know about the foolish deal she had made with Vincent though or his determination to uphold it.

"Tell me what's happened since you were here last," Rose requested now, looking intrigued, "If there are any interesting bits I will enjoy holding it over Felicia that I knew them first."

Delaney laughed, "Oh there are plenty of interesting bits. The trouble is where to begin."

The women stayed up late into the night and Delaney told Rose everything. She told her of her meeting with the Queen when she had said not to trust Mason to Mason becoming one of her closest friends. She told of Captain Black assigning Ian to watch over her and how he was now her very best friend. Rose had already heard about Miles and Cora being married aboard the pirate ship from Violet so they had a good laugh at this.

Then Delaney told her of the pirates attacking their beach and meeting Ilona and everything that had come after. All the way to Vincent and Daniel arguing and Vincent leaving. Rose had put down her work when she had heard that. Mason and Daniel were Vincent's cousins through their father but they were Rose's cousins through their mother.

She was shocked to hear about the behavior of both of her cousins, but the King more than the Prince. She wasn't surprised to hear Daniel had tried to marry Mason off to someone though as he tended to try to marry her off any time she had to go to court for anything.

"You are better off avoiding court anyway," Rose sighed, "Nothing good can come from that place. Especially not now it seems."

"I know," Delaney agreed, "But I know Vincent is going to miss his cousins."

"I'm sure he will. But he has you to think about now and your future together. They may just have to be part of his past."

Delaney thanked the other woman for talking with her and excused herself to go back to bed. It was very late and when she crept into her room she was relieved to see her husband still sound asleep. She got in under the blanket and scooted up next to him. With a quiet sound, he rolled over and pulled her into his arms again.

-

The days at Felicia and Rose's home passed in a blur. Every day they were up early, playing with the children, talking, playing cards, and going on walks. The women of the house loved going on long walks through the woods and Delaney found she enjoyed it too although she had to be careful to turn back before it started to wear on her husband.

Vincent was still quiet and withdrawn, only really coming out of it if he was playing with the children. Every night he would make love to his wife and the same strange feeling was there. Delaney thought it felt like he was trying to hold on to her. Like he thought he was going to lose her.

Whenever she asked him if he was alright though he would answer that he was fine and have some excuse such as being tired or sore. He never talked to her about what was really wrong and she was afraid to push him to find out. What if she didn't like the answer?

-

As the weather grew cooler and they moved towards fall, Vincent announced at breakfast one morning that they would have to be on their way because he would need to be home to oversee the harvests on his estates.

The following day they said a tearful goodbye to Rose, Felicia, May, and the boys after making the women promise they would bring the children to Edgewood soon for a visit.

"Take care of him, Delaney," Felicia whispered in her ear when she hugged her goodbye, "He seems like he needs it."

Delaney didn't have a chance to ask her what she meant before the woman had moved to hug her husband goodbye. Vincent helped Delaney into the carriage and climbed in behind her. They waved goodbye to the others as they drove away. She would be left to wonder what her in-law had been referring to.

-

The trip to her Aunt and Uncles was a slow journey. Delaney made the carriage stop once so her husband could get out and take a break. He didn't try to hide his annoyance at her for doing so but she didn't care. It was more important to her to try to ease his pain than to stay in his good graces. He would be thankful when they arrived at their destination and he could still walk in on his own. Ian watched them both anxiously from atop his horse.

Vincent's limp was still there when they arrived even if it was better than it might have been. Delaney's Uncle Felix and Aunt Flora were happy to see them and greeted them warmly. Like Rose and Felicia though their happiness was quickly replaced with worry as they watched the Duke walk inside with his wife. They met one another's gaze but didn't say anything. They knew better than to bring it up to Delaney too after everything that had happened the last time their niece had stayed.

That night, in her old bedroom, when Vincent moved to make love to her as he had been every night since they left the city, she stopped him.

"What is it?" he asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing at all," she answered quickly, "I just thought tonight we could just lay together? I want you to hold me and talk to me."

Vincent frowned slightly, "Do you have something you need to talk to me about?"

"Well, no..."

"Wasn't it you who said we needed to keep trying to have a baby and not give up?"

"I-I did..."

"Then why are you stopping me now? We can talk any time."

Delaney felt her cheeks warm hearing him reprimand her like a child.

"I simply thought we could take a break from working on that and enjoy just being together tonight."

"Forget it," he snapped, rolling away from her, "We have less than 6 months left to try to have a child but if you want to waste a chance then so be it."

"Vincent I don't I..."

"Goodnight Delaney."