Chapter 204 - Do Not Go To The Woods Alone

"Miles!" Delaney gasped, "What are you doing outside my bedroom?"

Miles frowned at her in disapproval, "I was coming to make sure you were alright. Where are you going?"

"Oh, I... I'm just going outside," she stammered, put on the spot, "Outside for some fresh air."

"And you need a basket and a lantern to just step outside for fresh air then?"

Delaney blushed and now frowned back at him, knowing she was caught.

"It doesn't matter," she said quietly, not wanting to be overheard, "I will be back before morning. No one will even know that I was gone."

"Except me," Miles shook his head, "I'm not letting you go somewhere alone in the middle of the night."

"I'm not going anywhere," she snapped, "I'm not even leaving the estate."

"So where are you going then? The stables? Because you won't need a lantern in the stables. And why do you have that basket with blankets?" Suddenly his eyes went wide and he looked at her with fear. "Delaney, you're not sneaking out to meet someone, are you? Another man?"

"What?" Delaney asked in confusion before snorting a laugh that she tried to muffle, "No of course not, you fool. You know I am madly in love with your brother. I don't even notice other men."

"Well you must be going to meet someone," he frowned and crossed his arms while his cheeks reddened in embarrassment, "You wouldn't have blankets and food to just go sit out somewhere in the snow alone."

Delaney's eyes narrowed on her brother-in-law. She had planned to tell him about this meeting but after the day they'd had she hadn't felt interested in even talking to him much. It was strange though to find him here now, outside her room. She hesitated, now not sure if she wanted to tell him or not.

"Why are you here?" she asked again, "Why did you come to see if I was alright?"

"Because Delaney I knew you didn't have a headache earlier," he rolled his eyes, "And you're never as quiet as you were at dinner. You always have plenty to say."

"Maybe I just didn't have anything to say tonight," she glared at him, "You don't know everything Miles."

"No but I know you," he sighed, "Cora may be too tired and excited and... and just distracted to notice you are upset but I noticed. I know we upset you today with all our talk about the baby so I waited until she'd fallen asleep to come and talk to you."

Delaney looked away from him now, feeling tears sting in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"I'm sorry," he continued quietly, "I'm sorry we talked about it so much. It's still new and exciting and we just got carried away. We love you and want to share our happiness with you. It's just... It's just hard that we can't do that without hurting you."

Feeling a tear betray her and slip down her cheek, Delaney quickly dashed it away.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for," she spoke with a hoarse voice, "Something wonderful has happened for the two of you and you should be very excited and happy. I'm sorry I... I'm sorry I can't be there for you and be happy with you just yet."

"Oh Delaney," Miles took the lantern from her and then the basket, setting them on the floor before he pulled her into a warm hug, "You have nothing to be sorry about either. I wish there was something I could do to help you and Vince. I would do anything to help you both escape this pain."

"I know," she whispered against his chest as her tears continued to escape.

-

Miles held Delaney in a hug until she managed to stop her tears. Taking a deep breath now, Delaney realized the conversation with her brother had made her late and she now needed to hurry or chance the witch grow tired of waiting and leave without giving her the potion.

"I have to go," she spoke as she stepped back from Miles and hurried to pick up her lantern and basket.

"Go where Delaney?"

"I have to go meet someone in the woods... you won't like it."

"What are you talking about?" he frowned, "Who are you meeting in the woods?"

"I'll be alright Miles I promise," she said and hurried towards the stairs. Her long-legged brother-in-law easily kept up with her though.

"Don't be ridiculous," Miles argued, "I'm not letting you go out into the woods alone."

"You won't like who I'm going to meet," she tried.

They had come to the main doors now so Miles reached out and caught her arm, stopping her.

"Tell me who it is you're going to meet Delaney. If I wouldn't approve then I doubt my brother would approve. Or he at least wouldn't approve of you going alone."

Delaney sighed and met his gaze with her frowning one, "I'm going to meet a witch. I don't have time to argue with you about it but if you're so concerned you can come as well."

Miles grabbed his cloak from a hook and quickly worked to fasten it as he rushed out after her into the night.

"A witch?" he hissed as they hurried through the snow towards the stables, "Does Vince know you're going to meet a witch in the woods?"

"Well, not tonight obviously but he knows she lives in the woods. He's the one that told her she could stay here."

As the men in the stables rushed to saddle horses for them Delaney quickly explained to Miles how the creature he and Bernard had tried to find had actually been a witch named Opal. She told about how the woman had come to she and Vincent and the Duke had given her permission to stay.

Biting her lip, Delaney hesitated before continuing by telling Miles she had been taking doses of a potion that was supposed to help her get pregnant. She told him she couldn't tell him who she had gotten it from but assured him it wasn't a random person on the streets. Explaining that Opal was making her more of the potion made Miles at last able to understand the purpose of this trip.

They rode off into the snow towards the lake. This time the guards saw their mistress was with the Duke's younger brother so they let them pass without trying to stop them.

Delaney hurried her horse forward to their destination and slid from the saddle without waiting for Miles's help. They tied the horses' reins to a tree and together walked quickly into the woods. This time Delaney was prepared for the sloping ground and took Miles's hand so he could help her down.

Finally, they were in the clearing and Delaney raised her lantern higher, scanning the woods for any sight of the little witch. Miles was tense beside her, looking around too although he didn't know what he was looking for.

Time ticked by and still, no witch arrived. Delaney was beginning to get nervous that they had missed her when Miles suddenly gasped and jumped back, nearly slamming into her. The duchess was quick to turn and see what he was looking at and felt relief wash over her when she saw a pair of piercing blue eyes staring at her.

"Oh good evening Opal," Delaney smiled at the witch, "Thank you for meeting me."

"This is not the Duke," Opal commented, studying the man, "This is the Duke's brother. Why is he here?"

"He was worried about me going into the woods alone," she smiled at the other woman, "Opal let me introduce you to Miles Adair, my brother-in-law."

Despite his fear and general disapproval of witches, Miles gave a respectful low bow to the woman and told her it was very nice to meet her. Delaney bit her lip to keep from giggling at the man. She knew he was uncomfortable just as she had said he would be.

"I've brought you this," Delaney came forward then with her basket, "I thought you might like some extra food and a blanket."

The witch looked down at the basket, clearly in shock, "You brought all of that for me?"

"Yes. It's not much but I thought it might help you."

"It's wonderful!" the witch exclaimed, tearing up as she had last time, "You are wonderful my Lady."

"Oh, you don't have to say that," Delaney chuckled, "I'm thankful for your help with the potion."

The witch suddenly lit up.

"The potion!" She dug around inside her animal furs and cloak until she pulled out not one, but two glass bottles. Delaney recognized one as the potion bottle she had given the witch but the other she had never seen."

"You remember I told you what you brought me wasn't a potion because it had no magic?" the witch wheezed, "But I said it could be medicine instead?"

"I do remember you saying that," Delaney said quietly, nodding.

"Well," light blue eyes stared at her seriously, "I have figured out what it is!"