My Once Handsome Husband

Back in her bedroom with her husband, Delaney felt oddly lighter after her conversation with Violet Adair. Vincent opened a window to let the cool ocean breeze in before pulling off his clothes again and climbing in bed.

Delaney got back in bed at last too and Vincent pulled her in against his warm chest where she belonged. She rested her head on him and he wrapped an arm around her.

"I was worried when I woke up and you weren't here," he murmured, "I thought for a moment that you had run away again."

"I'm sorry love," she said sincerely, "I just couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wake you. You don't have to worry about me running away ever again. I promise."

He leaned over and kissed her head lightly. Delaney smiled and snuggled in closer against his soothingly warm body.

"What were you and my mother talking about?" he asked quietly, rubbing her arm lightly with his thumb.

"A lot of things actually," she answered, "She told me about her mother wanting her to have skills in case she ever needed to find work. We talked some about arguments she and I have had in the past..."

"What arguments?" he cut in.

"Well... I suppose it was more about arguments between the two of you. Talking to her so much though I think I sort of see now why she says some of the things she says."

"Because she wants to hurt me. She hates it that I'm so ugly now."

"Stop it. You're not ugly," Delaney said quickly and propped herself up so she could look down at his scarred face in the moonlight. "I think in her own backward way Vincent, that she says the things she says because she loves you. She wants to keep you from ever being hurt by cruel things other people say."

"So what then? She just says them to me herself?"

Delaney hesitated. She didn't want to break Violet's trust by telling Vincent the exact details of their conversation. She had promised her however that she would help with their relationship if she could.

"I don't understand her completely. But my love please, for me, try to give her another chance. After our talk tonight I think I've opened her eyes to some things and I think she might even be a bit better after this. Or I think she will try at least."

Vincent studied Delaney seriously as his mind worked over the things she'd said. She could tell he didn't agree with her or maybe he just didn't believe her but at last, he sighed loudly and nodded.

"Alright I will try to give her another chance but only because you asked me to and I love you."

"Thank you," Delaney giggled, "I love you too."

"Kiss me like you love me then," he smirked, raising his eyebrows.

Delaney bit her lip as she looked down into his smoldering green eyes. He had to be the most handsome man she'd ever known. She leaned down then and met his soft, hot, lips with her own. Kissing him deeply, she heard a groan escape him and it made her smile as a tingle traveled over her. A moment later he moved until she was underneath him and he was kissing her hungrily.

She giggled breathlessly when he paused in his kissing to pull off her nightgown.

"My Lord isn't it very late?" she teased.

"Ah yes my lady, it is," he grinned mischievously, "But you see, I made a promise that I wouldn't give up trying to have a baby with my wife and I am a man of my word."

Delaney laughed before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down to kiss her again.

-

The next morning Delaney woke and dressed early, feeling oddly energized despite her lack of sleep. As she got ready she kept catching her husband's eye and they would both smile at each other. Ms. Bird saw this and smiled fondly at her mistress, happy to see her happy again.

Delaney and Vincent were up earlier than the others and when they went downstairs they were surprised to find Violet waiting by the door. She was wearing a very elegant soft grey dress that somehow made her hair with its greying pieces look regal. Men were taking her things outside and loading them onto her carriage while she watched.

"I thought I would leave before you were all up," she explained when she saw them looking at her, "We're less likely to have any arguments this way."

Delaney glanced up at her husband and gave him a pointed look as she lightly nudged him. She knew he wasn't eager to work on his relationship with his mother but he had agreed to try.

"Won't you... Won't you say and have breakfast with us mother?"

Violet smiled warmly and actually did look pleased to hear him offer. To Delaney's surprise however, the older woman shook her head.

"No my son but thank you," she sighed, "I don't think any of your guests would appreciate it and I know this is your last day together. You should all enjoy it."

"Oh, are you sure?" Delaney asked, doing her part, "I'm sure no one would mind. They will probably want to say goodbye as well."

Violet chuckled, "I don't think any of them care to speak to me at the moment. It's alright. We will have plenty of time to eat together in the future anyway."

"Alright," Vincent agreed with a nod.

Delaney could see her husband was surprised by his mother being thoughtful and she hoped that would help start the healing of their relationship. When he looked down at his wife Delaney saw there was happiness in his green eyes. Before, talking to his mother would have left only anger or pain there.

Delaney had hoped Violet and Vincent might have time to speak more but at that moment Violet's man announced that the carriage was ready to leave. Vincent said he would go out and check it over himself as was his habit. He headed outside with the man and as soon as he was out of earshot, Violet grabbed Delaney's hand.

"Are those marks getting worse?" she asked seriously, "I have studied them while we were together and I thought they were but I couldn't be sure. I was going to ask him but after the talk you and I had, I thought it might be best to speak to you about them instead."

Delaney swallowed and glanced outside where her handsome, scarred husband was talking to the driver of the carriage. It was nice hearing that Violet was already working to stop saying things that would hurt him.

She wasn't sure how to answer. Vincent had a few scars she had noticed were growing, like the one by his navel, but Vincent had not been happy when she had mentioned them growing last time. He would probably be even less happy if he heard her discussing his scars with his mother or anyone for that matter.

"Um maybe a few of them are getting worse," she spoke quietly at last, glancing outside again to make sure Vincent was still far away, "But... But he doesn't like to talk about them. He gets upset with me if I bring them up. I've tried before."

"Try harder Delaney," Violet whispered urgently as Vincent turned to walk back towards them, "If the marks are getting worse you have to make him talk to you about them. You're his wife and you need to make sure nothing is wrong."

Delaney felt worry fill her but she didn't have a chance to say anything else. Vincent joined them again and held out his arm to escort his mother to the carriage. Violet took it and looked up at him lovingly. Delaney thought that was the happiest she'd seen the older woman in ages.

They came to a stop beside one of the smaller Adair carriages with a team of white and grey horses anxiously waiting to be on their way. Vincent had also called for some of his guards to escort his mother on her journey home so they had gathered around now as well.

Violet looked at Vincent for a long moment and then gave him a firm hug. She turned to Delaney as well and smiled at her encouragingly before giving her a hug goodbye.

"Don't ignore his scars," Violet whispered in her ear before letting her go and stepping back to meet her gaze.

Delaney watched as Vincent helped her up into the carriage and closed the door behind her. He stepped back and slipped an arm around his wife's waist as they watched the carriage drive away.

"Today mother leaves and tomorrow the others do," Vincent said quietly, looking down at her, "Then we will be alone together again."

Distracted, Delaney let her eyes move quickly over the scars on his face, finding others now that seemed to have grown. Her worry made her stomach turn.

"What's wrong?" Vincent asked, a frown creasing his brow.

"Nothing," Delaney shook her head lightly and forced a smile to her lips again, "I'm just looking forward to it."

She leaned up to kiss him then and he pulled her in against his chest. She wouldn't bring up the scars today while everyone was here but she knew Violet was right and she needed to ask.

His marks were getting worse.