My Once Handsome Husband

The young Duke and Duchess rode in the carriage together to the fishing village. Once they were there, Vincent took Delaney on his arm, helping her down from their ride. She smiled, happy to be out for the day with just her husband.

They strolled through the streets together, stopping at every shop they passed. Vincent was a good man and purchased something at each place, even the millinery though he rarely wore hats himself. Delaney would smile and watch the shop owners look thrilled as they bargained with the Duke of Edgewood himself. She was sure they would talk about the interaction amongst themselves for days.

Vincent bought her bolts of a fabric she liked and she picked out others to be made into new clothes for him as well. She picked out ribbons to trim dresses and colored threads she could use to embroider little designs on some of her older dresses to bring new life to them. They had lunch at the little tea shop, eating mostly biscuits and cakes since the shop didn't serve actual meals.

Once they were finished, Vincent strolled down to the docks with her, pointing out which boats belonged to the Adair family. When they came across one of the fishermen he employed, the duke stopped to introduce his wife to the man.

The little boney man seemed thrilled and offered to show her around his boat. Smelling the powerful fish scent even from the safety of the dock, Delaney politely declined saying they had just eaten and she was worried the movement from the water would upset her stomach.

The little man wasn't hurt at all by this and chuckled, letting them go on their way. Vincent and Delaney walked to the very end of the dock where they were out over fairly deep water. She held tight to her husband's arm, worrying she might fall in and the weight of her dress would pull her under. Vincent chuckled and held her close, assuring her he wouldn't let her fall.

They kept themselves busy in the village until it was getting late in the afternoon. At last, Vincent called for their carriage so they could head home. Delaney was sad for their time alone to be done so soon. She had loved the chance to be with Vincent without interruptions.

Together with all their purchases, Lord and Lady Adair climbed into their carriage and said goodbye to the little fishing village until next summer. Delaney watched it out the window as they drove away until she couldn't see it anymore.

Driving along the cliffs towards home, Delaney watched out her window, waiting to see their beach. When they, at last, coasted over a hill, she and Vincent looked down to see at least a dozen of their people still enjoying the summer sun, warm sand, and cool water of the ocean. She wondered if Ian was down there wooing Penelope.

At the house, Delaney could hardly contain her excitement, pulling Vincent along with her to make sure all the preparations were done for their little party that evening. She was thrilled when she saw the huge pile of wood and brush that had been gathered for their bonfire. Tables were set up for the card games and some blankets were spread out for others to sit and enjoy the evening together. One long table had been brought out and was now being laden down with all kinds of finger foods and drinks.

"I don't know if there is anything my wife loves more than a good party," Vincent teased.

Delaney giggled, "Well you've always known that about me. All the way back to the birthday balls my aunt and uncle would throw."

"Very true," he smiled, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her slowly and gently.

"Thank you for letting me do all this," she whispered up to him once they'd come apart.

"Of course love," he shook his head lightly, "You are the duchess now and mistress of all my estates and lands. I love that you want to make sure our people are happy and that you like giving them special nights like tonight."

"I just feel like I've grown closer to them now," she commented, looking out across the yard where people were gathering as the sun began to set, "I feel like we are all one family and I so appreciate how they accepted me as their mistress. I feel like they all only want good things for us."

"Well, I think they appreciate a mistress who cares about them and wants to make sure they get chances to enjoy themselves. My mother never did anything like this. At least not after my father died."

"Really?" Delaney asked curiously, "I thought all Lords and Ladies were supposed to do things from time to time to show their appreciation of their people?"

"She did things when we were children but nothing like this. At Edgewood, once a month as long as the weather was nice, she would pick a day and everyone would have a picnic lunch outside and the servants would play games. When my father was alive he would join in and play with them. Miles and I always did too. Those were always good days."

Delaney looked lovingly up at her husband, "Well maybe next year we can start the tradition again. Then you can join in the games and when we have children they can too."

Vincent leaned down and kissed her forehead, brushing the back of his hand along her cheek, "That would be a wonderful thing. I hope we will get a chance to do it."

Delaney felt a stab of sadness at his words but quickly forced it from her mind, reminding herself she was taking doses of the potion now. Surely she would be pregnant before the year was up. Then they could make all the plans they wanted and not have to worry about being apart again.

"Come on," she said, pushing a smile back to her lips, "As the master of the house you need to light the bonfire and I'm sure they're all waiting."

-

All of their servants were out in the yard that evening. Everyone gathered around as one of the guards handed a burning torch to Vincent. He took it and turned to the servants with a smile. He gave a quick little speech thanking them for all their hard work and wishing them all the best for their futures.

With those words, he lit the pile of wood and brush. For a moment it only sparked and smoked but then the flames rose to life and everyone cheered.

When Vincent walked back to her Delaney smiled and took his face in her hands, pulling him down and kissing him deeply. He pulled her in against him and she felt the warmth of him. 

Delaney took her husband's hand and together they went and got some food and drinks. As they stood eating, she spotted her young pirate sitting on a blanket laughing and talking to the lovely little maid.

"I think we may have been onto something with the two of them," Vincent said quietly to her, following her gaze.

"I hope so," she agreed, biting her lip, "But I worry I only want it for selfish reasons."

"What?" Vincent looked confused, "How could it be selfish that you're happy he seems to have found love."

"Because," Delaney giggled, "He's fallen in love with one of our maids so now I don't have to worry about him ever leaving us."

Vincent chuckled at that and shook his head, "Well, no harm in wanting a friend to stay around I suppose. Besides you never know. Penelope could decide to run off with him and become a pirate."

They both laughed at that and servants that were close enough to hear it, turned and smiled fondly at their kind and generous master and mistress.

-

Delaney left Vincent to talk with the men about horses and crops and things while she found a table with an open seat and joined a game of cards. She felt secretly proud that so many of their people seemed to enjoy the game she had taught them. Even Ian and Penelope had managed to pull themselves apart so she could go join a game as well.

The men from the stables kept the bonfire burning, adding more wood every so often when it began to get low. The wine was flowing and the cooks had been smart enough to prepare plenty of food so they still hadn't run out.

Smiling as she looked around, Delaney felt her heart warm, seeing all the happy, smiling faces around her. Everyone was talking and laughing and having a good time. One of the footmen had even surprised them all by coming out with a sort of violin that he was now playing beautifully for everyone to hear.

As it grew late, Delaney left her card game and went to find her husband. She was a bit fuzzy from the drink and when he grinned almost sleepily at her she giggled realizing he was too.

Looking at her handsome husband while the firelight danced over him, she suddenly had an idea come to her. She went to Vincent, slid her arm through his, and tugged gently for him to follow her. He finished what he was saying to their butler before excusing himself. Delaney giggled and pulled him along to the outside of the group and snatched up an abandoned blanket from the ground, nearly losing her balance and falling forward.

"Woah," Vincent chuckled, catching her and keeping her upright, "What are you up to?"

Delaney flashed him a mischievous grin, blue-green eyes sparkling as they continued towards the cliff.

"It's a surprise."