My Once Handsome Husband

Vincent was shocked after Delaney's revelation.

"Are you sure?" he asked her quietly. When she nodded his face broke into a huge grin and he laughed before pulling her in against his chest and kissing her lovingly.

"I love you," she giggled, happy to see him so happy.

"And I love you," he beamed, "Tonight we will have a romantic night together."

Delaney smiled and leaned up to kiss him again. Behind them, someone quietly cleared their throat.

"I apologize my Lady," the butler spoke when they turned to look at him, "My Lord we just received word that Lord Duncan and Lord Gregory will be arriving within the hour for the horse sales."

"Today?" Vincent questioned, "They were supposed to come next week."

"Yes from what I understand, they're coming earlier so Lord Duncan will have the money for his upcoming wedding."

"Duncan and Selina are finally getting married?" Delaney asked excitedly and the butler smiled

"That's what the messenger said my Lady."

"Thank you," Vincent said to the butler, dismissing the man before he turned back to Delaney, "I'll have to go handle this. It will probably take up most of the day but I'll make sure I'm here for dinner with you and then we can still have our night."

"That's alright. Do you think Duncan will bring Selina?"

"I'm sorry my love but I doubt it. Duncan and his brother make a lot of their money off horse sales and trading. They're probably going to be at this for days."

Delaney felt little butterflies in her stomach at him calling her "my love". "That's alright I just miss her... and my other friends."

"I'm sorry," he kissed her forehead, "Soon you can go visit them though I promise."

"Do you need to go on to the stables now?" she asked.

"I do I'm afraid."

"Come here first then," Delaney took his hand and pulled him into the random empty bedroom they were outside of.

Once the door was closed behind them she pushed him up against it and took his face in her hands, pulling him down so she could kiss him. She slid one arm around his neck and she felt his hands on her hips, the heat touching her skin even through her dress.

Biting lightly on his lip she heard a groan rumble from his chest and his hands slid down lower. He kissed her hungrily, tasting her and wanting more. Delaney slid her other hand around and let her fingers twist in his black locks.

"Oh my Lady," he whispered, his voice rough. His hands slid around to cup her backside and he picked her up, holding her against him.

Delaney gasped as she felt the heat of him. She hooked one leg around him, pressing herself closer to him and feeling him through the fabric of their clothing.

With her eyes closed, her head fell back as a moan of wanting escaped her lips. He kissed over her jaw and down her neck, lifting her higher until her hips were against his and there was no mistaking he wanted her too.

His kisses moved lower than they had before and she felt one land atop her chest. She whispered his name and he moved back to her mouth, locking it against his with a hungry kiss. She felt as if her insides had twisted up into tight knots that only he could release.

"I want you wife," he almost growled against her lips.

Her heart leaped and she felt a flash of fear. Not fear of Vincent but fear going to bed with a man at all. She worried if she was ready.

Vincent stopped himself, and slowly put her down before leaning back against the doors with his eyes closed, his breaths coming quick. Delaney's knees were weak from the kisses so she leaned against him, her forehead rested against his chest.

"I want you more than I think I've ever wanted anything," he chuckled breathlessly, "But I want your first time to be perfect."

Delaney smiled and leaned up to kiss his chin, "Thank you for that. To be honest, I'm very nervous about it."

He looked down at her and smiled fondly, "I assumed you would be. I promise though I will be as slow and gentle as you need me to be. I want you to be happy and enjoy it my love."

"I hope you enjoy it too," Delaney bit her lip nervously, having not considered before that he could be the one to end up unhappy with their love making.

Vincent laughed out loud at that, "Oh my Lady I will assure you now that I will enjoy it. I have a beautiful wife who I love deeply. There is no way making love to you won't make me happy."

Delaney blushed and looked down, smiling, "Well now you have something to think about while you're out with the horses. Hopefully it will hurry you to get back to me."

Vicent chuckled and brought her hand to his lips, kissing it, "It definitely will."

She stepped back from Vincent so that they could leave the bedroom. He took her arm in his and escorted her to her room.

He gave her one more kiss before promising her to be back as soon as he could be.

Alone in her room, Delaney was quick to ring for Ms. Bird. When the maid arrived Delaney asked that a bath be drawn for her and the maid was quick to oblige.

Some time later, Delaney sank into a deep tub of warm, soapy water mixed with rose petals and other oils and scents. Ms. Bird came and washed her mistresses long hair before wrapping it up in cloth to dry.

Delaney washed her body with the soft soap before sitting back to relax in the water. She closed her eyes and thought of the day she had gotten into Vincent's bath with him. She wondered if next time they might take their bath together.

She imagined the relaxing back against his hot chest instead of the cold sides of the tub. He would wrap his arms around her and kiss her neck.

The idea made Delaney smile and bite her lip. After tonight, who knew what they might do.

She was a virgin but after tonight she would be no longer. She wondered what it would be like.

Girls grew up knowing they would marry and have babies but Delaney herself had never given much thought to the idea of children before. Now, relaxing in her tub she imagined what children might look like for she and Vincent.

How many children would they have? She was an only child and Vincent was one of two but other than Selina, their other friends all had multiple siblings. How many children did Vincent want?

Her mind floated along picturing dream children until her water started to get cold. Rinsing off one last time, Delaney stepped out of the bath now in an even better mood than before.

Ms. Bird came to help her dress and give her a plate of food she had set aside from the lunch Vincent had had downstairs in the dining room with Duncan and his brother Gregory.

Once Delaney was dressed and had her hair done again, she decided she would go out and look at the horses herself.

Outside, she was surprised to see the dozens of horses that Vincent had had taken out and were now out on display in one of the corrals. She was even more surprised to see Vincent himself was in with the horses, despite how crowded it was.

With him was the redheaded Duncan and his older brother who looked much the same.

Delaney stepped closer and watched her tall, strong husband walking amongst the trotting horses with his friend. If they came to a horse Duncan or his brother was interested in, Vincent would negotiate prices with them.

A few of the horses seemed to be agitated by the situation and were snorting with their ears pinned back. Delaney watched as a particularly wound up grey kicked it's back legs, hitting the horses behind her and sending a wave of movement through the heard.

It was so tightly packed in the corral that Delaney watched in worry when Vincent was pushed into Duncan by the horse beside him. He called some command at the heard and the men from the stable moved in closer in case they were needed.

One by one, horses were bridled and led out of the gates. A man with parchment on a board would scribble down the horses name and price that had been agreed upon. Once there were nine horses tied to the outside of the fence, Vincent waived to have the rest gathered up.

Delaney watched as the stable men moved towards the agitated grey who had, unsurprisingly, not been picked. Vincent and Duncan had their backs turned, laughing at something Gregory had said, when the horse rose up on her back legs before jumping over the man in front of her and heading for the others.

"Look out!" was yelled by several of the men and Vincent turned just in time to see the horse barreling towards them. He shoved Duncan backwards hard before leaping out of the way himself and falling to the ground.

The horses were tied together and tied on to a wagon that Duncan and Gregory would ride home in. They left before dinner so as to get to the village before nightfall and the wolves coming out.

Vincent had still been sore that morning from his hunt the night before and now, after walking around all day topped with falling, his leg was giving him a lot of trouble.

Delaney sat at dinner with him and watched as he chewed slowly, his scars darker now. When they were finished and he stood, he hissed through his teeth at the pain in his leg. He took his wife on his arm and slowly escorted her up to her room.

Inside, he sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the back of his neck while Ms. Bird helped Delaney out of her dress behind a screen. Once the maid was gone, Delaney went to her husband and pulled off his shirt, watching him wince when lifting the arm with the scarred shoulder.

"I know we were going to have our romantic night," she said quietly, crawling into bed beside him, "But I'm so tired now I think it might be better if we wait."

Vincent looked at her, his expression showing he knew that wasn't true. He didn't argue though, knowing she was saying it for his sake.

"Alright," he sighed, "But tomorrow night. I promise."

Delaney kissed him and smiled.

"Tomorrow night."