Chapter 194 - Again

She wasn't pregnant. Again, she wasn't pregnant. Thankfully Vincent had left their bedroom early that morning to go talk to their groundskeeper about something so he wouldn't be able to see her disappointment. Ms. Bird was there however and she fluttered around her mistress with worry.

"My niece and her husband didn't have their first child for nearly two years after they were married," she told Delaney, "And now look at them! They have more than they can handle! I know you and Lord Adair will be the same way. It may take some time but then you'll have plenty of little ones to fill this great house."

Delaney smiled sadly and thanked her for her encouragement. She sat down and Ms. Bird continued to rattle on about different family members and how long they had taken to have children and how now each and every one of them was happy. Delaney knew her maid was trying to be kind but she wished she would stop talking about it. She wished she could crawl back into her bed and cry.

Their time was nearly up. She knew Vincent would stay firm on his word. He would go to Daniel and ask him to release them from their marriage. After what Daniel had done to him Delaney knew the King would give his cousin whatever he asked for to try to make up for his mistakes. She could try to go to Daniel and argue for herself but there would be no point. He would do what Vincent wanted.

Ms. Bird finished and hesitated before leaving the room but Delaney assured her she was fine. Once the maid was gone she went to her writing-table and took out her bottle of potion. There was such a small amount left she knew it wouldn't last much longer. Of course, it hadn't helped her yet it seemed. Then again, maybe her doctor had been wrong and she simply couldn't have children.

Or maybe Vincent was right and he couldn't.

-

Delaney was hoping to avoid telling her husband the news for as long as she could and she was thankful when she walked into the dining room for breakfast and he was already distracted. He stood at the windows with his arms folded and a frown on his face, watching outside as the drizzle made the ground muddy.

She walked to his side and gently touched his arm. Vincent looked down at her and forced a small smile but she could see he was tense.

"What's wrong?"

Ian walked into the room at that moment and paused when he saw the Duke and Duchess looking very serious.

"Should I eat elsewhere this morning?" he asked.

"No," Vincent shook his head, "I'll tell you both at the same time."

They took their seats at the table and their food was served. Vincent dismissed their servers as soon as they were finished placing everything in front of them. Once it was just he, Ian, and Delaney in the room again he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I received word from the King's City this morning... Another heir has been murdered..."

Both Ian and Delaney looked at him in shock.

"Another?" Ian shook his head, "Was it the boy or his father?"

"His father thankfully," Vincent answered, "And with Mason gone he won't be able to be considered for King. Not unless they can find him that is."

"So without Mason," Delaney whispered, "You're... You're second in line to inherit the throne?"

Vincent swallowed hard and nodded, "I will be next in line after the boy."

"Oh my God," Delaney dropped her face into her hands.

"How did it happen?" Ian asked, "I thought they were being guarded?"

"Poison."

Ian swore and leaned back in his seat.

"They've sent the boy away and apparently very few people know where. Daniel was sending word because he wants Miles and I to be on guard."

"Your people are extremely loyal," Ian commented, "I can't imagine they would let anything get into your food to hurt you or even access your things."

"It could happen before things even get to us though," Delaney said quietly, "Someone could do something to the food in the village."

Vincent reached across the table and took her hand, "Don't worry yourself my love I'll be fine. My mother was right about what she said. I can't imagine they would ever let me be King with... with all of my problems. Miles is likely in more danger than me."

"Send for him!" Delaney insisted seriously then, "Send for him and Cora. They can come to stay here for a time until the King is able to find out who is doing this."

"Alright," Vincent nodded, "I will travel to his estates tomorrow and convince him to come here. I'm not sure he will be easily swayed but maybe if I can convince Cora I will have better luck."

"And what of your visits to the other estates?" Ian asked, "I don't believe you can leave them unattended any longer."

"No," Vincent shook his head, "No I'll leave tomorrow so I can get done quickly before the snow begins."

"What?" Delaney demanded, "Vincent you can't possibly still go. It's too dangerous!"

"I have to my love," he sighed, "I can't leave our people to starve."

Delaney pulled her hand from his, "And what will happen to them if you're killed? What happens to all of us?"

Vincent sighed, and shook his head, "I won't be killed. I'm not a real threat for the throne. I can't..."

"You're second in line! They could have you killed just so they don't have to worry about fighting your claim!"

"Delaney..."

"I'll go with him," Ian interrupted, looking between the Duke and Duchess, "I'll go with Vince on his tour of the estates. It has to be done. And you trust me to keep him safe don't you Delaney?"

"I..."

"You can't go with me Ian what about her?" Vincent demanded, "With you gone who am I entrusting with the safety of my wife?"

"Every one of your people adores their mistress," Ian said seriously, "They won't let anything happen to her. Not ever. And you have your guards who served in the war with you who would die before disappointing you. Trust them with her. They will keep her safe until we return."

Vincent was quiet as met the gaze of their friend. He frowned but the fact he wasn't arguing showed he didn't completely disagree with Ian's words.

"What about Miles?" the idea came to Delaney then, "If you go to Miles and send him here then he will protect me. You trust your brother to keep me safe. I know you do."

Vincent groaned as if exhausted and dropped his head into his hands. Delaney glanced at Ian and they met one another's gaze for a moment before turning back to the one that had to make the decision. The Pirate and the Duchess may completely agree but in the end, the decision had to be made by the Duke and he didn't have to agree with them.

"I would really rather Ian be here with you," Vincent sighed, "But I know you would never forgive me if I didn't take him now."

"Good," Delaney sighed in relief, "So I will only be on my own for a night or two and then Miles will be here. You won't have to worry at all."

"I will still worry," Vincent looked at her seriously, "I will worry about you every single day I am not here with you."

-

The three of them ate then but none had much of an appetite after their conversation and mostly just picked at the food until they gave up. Vincent went to talk to his men about their plans and Delaney went to speak to the cooks about keeping their food safe. Ian went with her and leaned against the wall while she talked, careful not to interrupt but also studying the faces of the servants as she spoke.

The man had been right. The cooks were shocked to hear about the threat to their Master's life and assured Delaney repeatedly they wouldn't let anything happen to him.

"I'll taste everything myself before sending it up my Lady," Mrs. King, the head cook promised her, "After all my years in the kitchen I would be able to taste if anything was even a bit off."

Delaney smiled and thanked her before turning to wave to little William who was listening wide-eyed from a corner.

"Hello Will," she smiled, leaning down, "How are you?"

"Vvvvery w-well my Lady," the boy managed, "Th-Th-Thank you."

"I am going to take you to buy you new clothes soon. Did Mrs. Crouch tell you?"

The boy bobbed his head eagerly but looked past her to where the cooks were preparing to bake bread. His eyes were worried.

"W-w-why would someone w-want to kill Lord Adair?"

Delaney sighed, "I don't know Will. He is in line to be King one day if Prince Mason doesn't return and if another one of the King's cousins is unable to. I think they want to kill him to make sure he can never become King."

B-But Lord Adair is a g-good Master. He would be a g-great K-King wouldn't he?"

Delaney smiled fondly at the young boy, "I think so."

"It d-doesn't make s-sense," the boy looked down, "I-It doesn't make s-sense to k-kill him."

"It's alright William," Delaney took his little hands in hers, "Don't worry. We will keep Lord Adair safe. And King Daniel will punish anyone who tries to hurt him."

"He w-w-will?" the boy met her gaze again now with eyes like saucers.

"He will."