My Once Handsome Husband

Delaney sat anxiously in a light blue high-back chair in Vincent's office turning her wedding ring around and around on her finger. With the large stone, it didn't turn as easily and she found herself missing the little ring he had given her first. It was a small comfort knowing it was Cora's wedding ring though and her friend loved it.

Vincent paced back and forth in front of her between the door and the desk, his boots thudding on the floor. His anger was palpable in the room and written all over his face. With his brows drawn together, scars deep red, and the muscles twitching in his jaw, Delaney knew he was bubbling quite close to the explosive anger she had not seen since the beginning of their marriage.

"She came all the way here just to reprimand us," he spat as he walked, "She had to travel for at least a week, probably more, just to come here and tell us we are bringing shame on our family."

"We knew she wasn't going to be happy," Delaney said quietly, "We knew she and Cora's parents would not be pleased they had gotten married like that without the big wedding."

"I don't care if she is happy about it or not. It is not her place to come here like this and talk to us in such a manner in front of others. She could have met with Miles in private and let him know she wasn't pleased."

Delaney couldn't help but smile, "Doing things in private has never been your mother's style."

Vincent slowed and looked at her now with a smile tugging at his lips, "I suppose not."

He ran his hands over his face and up through his hair.

"I don't know how she's able to make me so angry," he shook his head, "She never used to make me so angry. She never talked to me like this."

"I don't know," Delaney sighed, looking down at her hands in her lap, "She always seemed to dote on you and Miles when we were children. I don't know what's happened."

Vincent paused in his pacing then and looked over at his wife. He closed the distance between them and kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"I want to ask you something my love and I want you to tell me the truth. You must promise you'll be honest even if you think it might hurt me. Do you promise?"

Delaney nodded.

Vincent hesitated, looking down at their hands. He swallowed hard and was quiet for a moment.

"We never had these problems and she never talked to me like this before the war. Do you think... do you think it's my fault we have these problems? I struggle with my anger now. Is it because of me that my mother and I are ever at odds?"

"No," Delaney answered quickly, reaching out to tilt his chin up so he would look at her, "No my darling it is not your fault. You may be less patient with her now but the cruel things she says are still her own. You are not responsible for that."

He nodded sadly, looking back down. "Something happened after the war," he said quietly, "I changed but maybe she did too."

"I think we all changed after the war," Delaney kissed his scarred forehead.

A knock came at the door then and Vincent leaned on the desk to help him get back to his feet, wincing with the motion. Once he was standing and had straightened his hair he called for the person to enter.

Miles and Cora came in, both grim-faced. The butler closed the door behind them and Vincent offered them a seat. Cora sat lightly across from Delaney in a matching chair but like his brother, Miles chose to remain standing.

"We wanted to apologize to you both," Miles began, "Mother is only here because of our actions. We wanted to get married that night but we know we had been enjoying the wine so it was a rash decision. We didn't think it through and now you are both dealing with consequences you don't deserve."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Delaney was quick to say, "You love one another and wanted to be together. If Vincent and I had been in your position I'm sure we would have made the same decision or possibly one that was even more rash."

"Well be that as it may," Cora sighed, "The two of you did not deserve her words against you."

"I'm sure it won't be the last time," Vincent smirked, leaning against his desk, "Delaney is letting her stay the night here so there are still many more hours and chances for her to say something else nasty to each of us."

Miles groaned and rubbed the back of his neck just the way his older brother did it. "Will she be having dinner with us?"

"I imagine so," Delaney answered, "I don't think we can leave her locked in her room the entire time she's here."

"Well we could," Miles smirked and the others laughed.

-

Delaney had Ms. Bird do her hair into an intricate style and pin some of the Adair diamonds into it. She knew Vincent was her husband and this was their home now so there was no reason for her to try to impress her mother-in-law. She still couldn't manage to keep from striving for Violet Adair's acceptance.

Vincent took his lovely wife on his arm and together they descended the stairs to the dining room when dinner was announced. Stepping inside they found Mason, Miles, Bernard, Cora, and Constance but Violet was nowhere to be seen.

"Maybe she's decided to take her dinner in her room after all," Delaney said with hope.

Everyone was seated and the servers were about to begin when the door opened again and in walked their new guest in an emerald green dress that matched the eyes of her and her sons.

"Do forgive my lateness," Violet spoke with a smile as all the men stood, "I'm not used to staying in a guest room quite so close to the back of the house."

Vincent opened his mouth to reply to her jab but Delaney cleared her throat lightly and when he looked at her she gave a slight shake of her head.

Violet took a seat next to Mason and all the men sat again.

Delaney noticed the servers did not seem particularly pleased to be in the company of their previous mistress. She secretly hoped Violet had been a bad one and now they all liked Delaney better.

They were all quiet for a time as they ate, everyone tense and waiting. Delaney found herself longing for Mason's teasing and silly stories. She looked across the table and met the man's eyes. He gave her a crooked smile as he chewed. With a tilt of her head in his direction, Delaney tried to signal for him to say something.

Mason frowned in confusion but after a moment realization dawned on him.

"Well," he cleared his throat, "I've been considering it and I think in the next day or so I might go ahead and return home to the castle. I think I've used up about all the hospitality I feel comfortable with."

Delaney smiled at him, "Well we have plenty more to offer but I wouldn't blame you for missing your own home. We will miss you."

"It's undoubtedly for the best," Violet spoke up, "It really isn't safe right now for you and Vincent and Miles to be together in one place for such a long time."

Delaney stiffened and her eyes shot to her husband who was staring seriously at his mother.

"What are you talking about?" Constance asked with confusion, "Why would it not be safe for the three of them to be together right now?"

Violet raised her eyebrows, "Well because of the murders of course. Surely Mason or one of my sons told you about them. The murders of the men in line to inherit the throne between Mason and Vincent."

"Mother!" Miles snapped.

Constance paled and looked back down at her plate. Bernard glanced around the table at his friends before he too lowered his gaze uncomfortably.

Delaney looked at Mason across from her and saw he was annoyed but when she turned to Vincent there was only anger flashing in his eyes.

"That isn't a subject we've felt the need to discuss," he spoke evenly, "In fact, the King himself asked that we tell no one about this until they were able to investigate further."

"Well, the Queen told me," Violet said matter-of-factly, "I suppose she thought I should know since it involves the lives of my sons being in danger."

"We aren't in danger," Miles said simply, "Vince practically has his own army guarding us."

"I'm sure those men had guards too," she countered before taking a sip of her drink, "Besides Miles what will you do once you leave your older brother's protection? It is really you who needs to be more concerned than him I would think."

Frowns of confusion covered the faces of the others at the table.

"What are you talking about?" Miles demanded, "Why should I be more concerned than Vince? He's in line to inherit the throne before I am."

"I suppose," Violet spoke in a calculating tone, "but it's not as if he would ever be king."

"And why is that?" Mason asked now, "If my brother and I both die as well as my cousin who's in line before Vince, he would be the next king. What makes you think it would be otherwise?"

Now it was Violet who frowned at them, "Oh come now. We all know the answer to that."

"No," Mason replied cooly, "I don't think we do."

Violet put her silverware down and looked at them seriously.

"Fine if you insist on making me the villain I will spell it out. I love my son but even I know the people would never allow him to be king. They want a strong king they can love. With his appearance and his impairments, they would never allow him to rule our kingdom. Miles would be their next choice."

Delaney's eyes shot to her husband and she saw his own gaze was turned away, staring hard at the corner of the table. He was reddening in embarrassment causing his scars to darken even more.

Around the table, the others looked shocked to hear her words.

"That's it," Mason said shaking his head and standing. He turned to glare down at Violet. "My cousins may have to put up with you because you are their mother but I am the crown prince and I do not."

Violet looked up at him in surprise.

"Since you arrived you have done nothing but insult Lord Adair in his own home and I will not stand for it. Leave this table immediately."

"I have only spoken the truth," Violet argued, "He could never be king."

"Vince led an army in a war and killed a beast that would have killed us all," Mason barked at her, "If he can do that he can rule the land as well. Now leave my sight before I call for my own guards to drag you out."

Violet looked furious but slowly she got up from her seat. She looked around the table at each of them once more before lifting her chin and walking from the room.

Mason continued to stand for a moment, glaring after her. A server hurried forward to clear her dishes and once he was done the prince sat again. They all looked at him in surprise.

He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then his usual toothy grin returned to his face.

"Well," he said nonchalantly, "shall we finish our dinner?"