My Once Handsome Husband

"Ian, may I speak to you a moment?" Vincent asked as everyone moved to leave the dining room after breakfast.

The pirate looked at him curiously but nodded.

No one had eaten much and they had decided they would spend the rest of the day on their own. Everyone was tired and wanted time to process what had happened and what was going to happen.

Vincent stole a kiss from his wife before sending her ahead of him up to their room, saying he had some plans for the trip he wanted to discuss with Ian. Delaney had seemed wary of this but agreed and walked up the stairs with Violet. Once Cora and Miles were gone it left Ian and Vincent alone.

"Come with me to my study," he said and headed that way, trying to walk carefully on his leg. It had yet to recover from the day before and now every time he put any weight on it, the pain would spike up and down that side of his body. He worked to keep his expression even and not give away the pain he was in. He didn't want anyone to worry.

In Vincent's study, Ian closed the door behind them. Vincent took his seat behind his large, ornate desk before gesturing for Ian to take a seat across from him. The pirate did so, unsure what the reason was for this meeting and a bit uneasy. Sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs, he waited for the Duke to explain.

"I know there is no point in trying to keep Delaney from coming to the city with us," he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "But it will be dangerous taking this information to the King. He may not be in love with Sophia as I am in love with my wife but he does care for her deeply. They have been together for many years."

Ian nodded in agreement.

"After the last time we were in the city, after Daniel... after the King had us dragged into court and accused us of abducting the Prince... I've been thinking a lot about what I would want to happen to Delaney if something like that happened again. If something ever put us in danger where I felt she wouldn't be safe even here at Edgewood."

"And you think that might happen after this meeting with the King?" Ian asked, "You think she might end up not being safe to even return to her home?"

"I think it's possible," Vincent sighed, "If we accuse the Queen, the King won't want any of us left around to tell the other nobles what she had done and what he let her get away with, assuming he takes her side. I will be the first one he will see to being taken care of... to be put to death.. whether by his hand or by someone else's. But Delaney may still have a chance to get away. That is what I have asked you here for."

Ian frowned, leaning forward, "You want to discuss a plan with me for what to do with your wife in case you're dead?"

"Yes," Vincent nodded before meeting the other man's gaze with his own very serious one, "Ian I know you love her."

Ian shifted, sitting back again.

"Of course," he said quickly, shaking his head and shrugging, "She has come to be my most valued friend and..."

"You're in love with her," Vincent cut him off, "You've been in love with her since the ocean house."

Ian's eyes met his for only a moment before he looked away frowning and shaking his head. "I don't know what you're talking about. Delaney is a friend."

"That may be but that's not all she is to you and we both know that. That is why you protect her as fiercely as you do."

"My father told me to protect her," Ian argued, "He made it my job. My duty."

"But that could have ended back in the King's City when he came for you. The two of you talked in his carriage for a long time. I have a feeling it was something to do with this."

"My father... he... he gave me a choice to return with him and leave someone else to protect her but I..."

"But you couldn't leave her. You gave up the chance to return to your ship and being a pirate captain to come here, far, far away from the ocean just to ensure Delaney was safe. You did that because you love her."

The frown stayed on Ian's face but he still refused to meet Vincent's eyes, choosing instead to stare hard at a spot on the floor.

"Why did you allow me to come back here with you then? Why not send me away if you knew I was in love with your wife?"

"Because you have also come to be a very dear friend to me as well," Vincent sighed, "And I know my wife loves only me. No matter how much you love her or how good you are to her, her heart is mine just as mine is hers."

Ian's eyes shot to his for an instant and Vincent saw the cold anger and jealousy there before the other man looked away again. He had also seen the hurt though and knew Ian knew that he spoke the truth. The pirate's love for Delaney would never be returned.

"What do you want from me?" he asked quietly after a moment.

Vincent didn't reply right away. He braced himself for his next words, knowing what he would ask of Ian would be hard for them both. This would be the end of the friendship they had grown and it would never be the same again. It was a painful thing.

"If something happens to me," he said seriously, "I want you to take Delaney away with you. Don't come back here. Don't let her stay and fight for me or put herself at risk. You are the captain of a grand ship. Take her away to sea with you and don't ever bring her back."

Ian looked up at him in shock, "What?"

"Even if you have to tie her up and kidnap her Ian I want you to take her with you. You can take her away from here and all the pain. Then one day, once she's moved past her grieving, maybe you can give her the love and the family I never could."

"Vincent, what are you talking about?" Ian hissed, "You can't say things like this..."

"She trusts you and so do I. You will protect her with your life. No matter what happens to me, I will feel so much relief knowing that. Knowing the woman I love will still have a good life once I'm gone... That you, who I value so much as a man and as a friend, will give it to her."

"I can't listen to this anymore," Ian snapped in anger, getting to his feet.

"Ian stop!" Vincent shouted, "Stop or I will go upstairs right now and tell her the truth of your feelings. She would never be able to look at you again. You would lose everything you have with her."

Ian hesitated, his hand on the door. He took a deep breath before turning to glare at Vincent. Relief washed over Vincent that the other man hadn't left.

"I'm sorry I had to do this," he apologized, "I know we won't be able to remain friends after this... But Ian you know how much I love my wife. I will do anything to ensure her safety. As much as it pains you and I both... I must ask you to swear to me that you'll do this. Swear that if something happens to me you will fight with your life to get her out of the King's City, away from danger and out to sea and never bring her back here. Even if she fights you on it at first. Swear to me you will do this. That you will keep Delaney safe."

Staring at the Duke, the pirate didn't reply.

"Please Ian," Vincent pleaded, anger and pain causing his heart to break in his chest, "Please swear to me you'll do this."

Ian looked at him for a moment longer, pained tears in his eyes making them glisten but he refused to let them escape.

"Alright," he agreed with a hoarse voice, "I swear to you Vincent I will do everything I possibly can to keep Delaney safe and to ensure her happiness. You have my word."

Hearing his words, Vincent felt his knees buckle beneath him and he dropped back down into his seat.

"Th-Thank you," he stammered, feeling a burning pain in his heart, "Thank you. I... I'm sorry."

Ian stared at him hard as he stood with his hand on the door. Before he turned to leave he said one last thing.

"Just so you know Vince... I didn't come here just for her..."

Vincent looked up in time to see the other man's back as he disappeared through the door.