Chapter 202 - A Mother's Truth

Violet Adair looked at Delaney with a serious but sad expression. She took a deep breath before breaking the news that she knew would hurt the younger woman.

"I was told that Cora and Miles were going to be coming to stay with you for a time," Violet spoke and Delaney wondered how on earth the dowager already knew this. It had only been decided days ago and Vincent had left only yesterday to go to them.

"I wanted to come to speak to you before they arrived because I recently received some news about them," she paused before continuing, "Delaney... Cora is pregnant."

Delaney swallowed hard and immediately dropped her gaze. The news hit her like a punch to the gut.

"They only just found out but I know they're excited. Cora is your best friend and Miles thinks of you as a sister so I knew if they came here they would want to tell you. They wouldn't mean to be insensitive but I know the news might upset you. I wish I could have come in time to tell Vincent as well but I'm hoping this might at least spare you a bit of pain."

Delaney stared hard at her hands in her lap and felt as if all emotions had been pulled out of her. She felt strangely... hollow.

Cora was pregnant.

She loved her sweet sister-in-law and Miles was the best brother she could ask for. She couldn't manage to feel happy for them though. She wanted to be. But at that moment she couldn't make herself feel anything at all. Nothing except a steadily building dull pain in her heart.

"Delaney?" Violet spoke gently, "I know you and Vincent haven't had much luck yet but I do believe that will change. You love one another very much and..."

"Love doesn't mean anything," Delaney interrupted her with a hoarse voice, "My parents loved one another and they were only able to have me. My Aunt and Uncle never had any children at all. Even our King and Queen have been unable to have a child despite receiving all the very best care. There is nothing that makes Vincent and I different from any of them."

"That's not true," Violet shook her head, "You were very young when she died so you won't remember this but Delaney your mother was always very ill. Yes, she was beautiful but part of that came from her very thin figure, pale skin, and cheeks that were always flushed. It was a miracle she was able to have even one child. Everyone thought she wouldn't be able to manage even that."

Delaney looked at her mother-in-law in surprise. No one had ever told her her mother had been so unwell. She had only ever heard how the woman was young, sweet, and beautiful. Her father had spoken of her as if she was an angel.

"You aren't like your mother," Violet continued, "You are young and healthy. As for your Aunt, she may not like to admit it but she didn't love your uncle for many years. By the time they actually began trying for a baby consistently, she was already older. I think they were disappointed but not surprised that they never had a child of their own."

"Why has no one ever told me these things?"

The dowager sighed and shook her head. She leaned forward to take a cup of tea and hand it to Delaney.

"I suppose everyone wanted you to only remember the good things about your mother once she was gone. And I believe the truth of your Aunt and Uncle's marriage is a secret to almost everyone."

"Except you," Delaney smirked at the dark-haired woman, "You managed to find out."

Violet chuckled, "I make it my business to know things."

Delaney smiled and a little giggle escaped her. Her mother-in-law gave her hand an encouraging squeeze and Delaney realized that the pain in her heart was still there but already a bit less. Violet had somehow managed to deliver news that broke her heart, but then right away, begin putting the same heart back together again.

The woman may be a harsh critic but Delaney saw now she was still the same deeply loyal and protective mother she had always been. Delaney was simply lucky enough to now be one of the few people Violet cared for and wanted to protect from pain.

"Thank you," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes, "Thank you for coming to tell me yourself. You were right. The news would have been very hard to hear from two excited new parents. This way I will at least get a chance to process it before they tell me themselves. I will be able to be happy for them then, even if I haven't completely gotten over my own disappointment."

Violet Adair gave her a sad smile, "I understand dear. I knew I wouldn't be able to save you from the heart ache but I hoped to at least lessen the blow."

"Thank you," Delaney said again, smiling now.

"Well," Violet stood, "My work here is done. I will leave you in peace to do your sewing while you wait for Cora and Miles."

"Wait!" Delaney stood quickly, "Violet you could... you could stay if you like. I'm here alone until they get here. The company would be nice."

Violet looked taken aback but pleased, "I would be happy to stay until they arrive... if you're sure."

"I am," Delaney nodded, "We will have a meal soon. It will be nice not to sit in that enormous dining room all alone."

"Every room in this place is enormous," Violet chuckled, "When I first married Vincent's father I was afraid to walk around here alone. I was convinced it was haunted."

Delaney laughed at this and Violet picked up the piece she had been sewing on and began again. Together, the women sat talking and laughing, exchanging stories about their times at Edgewood as new wives.

The time passed quickly and Delaney was surprised to find herself enjoying so much time with Violet. The woman still made little remarks here and there about things the new duchess could do better but she was mostly just good conversation. Delaney wondered if this was what it would be like if her own mother was still alive. Would the two of them have sat and talked for hours like this?

-

When the bell rang to announce their midday meal, Delaney and Violet went together to the dining room. The servants seemed to be more at ease around the dowager now that the duchess was relaxed around her. They seemed less afraid she would snap at them if they made mistakes and because of this they actually made fewer mistakes.

Shortly after they had finished eating the butler announced another Adair carriage was arriving. Delaney and Violet went together to greet the pair. Both Cora and Miles looked surprised to see the women together and even more surprised to see they were getting along.

"What is this witchcraft?" Miles whispered to Delaney when he hugged her, only half teasing.

Delaney giggled at her brother and smiled up at his green eyes. "She's trying."

Miles raised his eyebrows but nodded and turned to greet his mother, even going so far as to give her a quick embrace.

Cora hugged Delaney tightly as soon as Miles had released her and Delaney couldn't help but smile fondly at her sweet sister-in-law. When she hugged her she could have sworn she was already able to feel the curve of the younger woman's belly but she didn't say anything. She would let Miles and Cora make this announcement when they were ready.

It turned out they didn't have to wait for long though. The couple was practically glowing and their expressions barely wavered from their excited smiles. They lasted until dinner when Miles said he was glad Violet and Delaney were both there because he and Cora had something they wanted to tell them. Under the table, Delaney felt her mother-in-law take her hand and she was thankful for the extra strength it gave her.

When Cora told them she was pregnant both Violet and Delaney reacted with surprise and joy, neither giving away they had already known.

Miles hugged Delaney close and didn't let her go for a moment. It was only then that Delaney felt tears of pain, at last, make their way to her eyes. She hadn't cried when Violet had told her the news but now, missing Vincent terribly and in his brother's arms, hot tears managed to slide down her cheeks. He didn't let go of her, resting his cheek against her hair.

"Oh Delaney," Cora whispered quietly, tears falling down her cheeks now as well, "I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to upset you."

"No," Delaney managed, gently easing herself from Miles's arms now, "No don't apologize Cora you did absolutely nothing wrong! I'm not-I'm not upset. I'm just so happy for you!"

Delaney managed a laugh through her tears, hating lying to her best friend but not wanting to take away any of the other woman's happiness. Cora hugged her tightly and Delaney could definitely feel a round belly beneath the dress the woman wore.

-

Late that night after staying up for a little celebration, Delaney again crawled into her bed alone. She pulled the blankets up around her and wished so badly that her husband could be there to wrap his strong arms around her and comfort her. She was happy for her friends but her heart ached and jealousy nipped at the edges of her emotions.

Pushing it away, she reminded herself again that this was good news. Cora and Miles loved one another and were now going to have a baby. She would be an Aunt and Vincent would be an Uncle. Their family was growing.

The hated thought never left the back of her mind though. She might be an Aunt. This might remain her family.

But she would lose it all if she and Vincent weren't able to have a baby of their own.