My Once Handsome Husband - Chapter 256
Ms. Bird had the kitchen send any food they had up to Delaney’s room for she and Miles. Sitting with this man who was like her brother at the small table in her bedroom, they ate their fill of cakes and meats and fruits. Miles would tell her to try things after he tried them and so he managed to get her to eat more in one sitting than she had in weeks. By the time they were done, Delaney thought she might pop.
Having eaten his fill, Miles dropped onto her bed, laying back with his arms folded under his head. Delaney smiled and came to sit beside him crossing her legs beneath the skirt of her undress and the robe she wore over it. He yawned and closed his eyes.
“After all that, I think it might be time for a little nap.”
Delaney giggled and shook her head, “What about all your plans?”
“Ah yes… the plans,” he opened his eyes and looked up at her, “I could nap while you get ready I suppose.”
“How long do you think it will take me to get ready?” she laughed.
Miles grinned, “If you’re anything like my wife I’ll have plenty of time for a nap.”
Delaney rolled her eyes, “I’m sure Cora doesn’t take that long. How is she anyway?”
Miles told her his wife was fine, just tired and a bit more temperamental. He began talking about the baby and how excited they both were and all they had done to the nursery but trailed off before attempting to change the subject.
“It’s alright,” Delaney dropped her gaze, “You don’t have to hide your happiness. I’m happy for you both. You’re… You’re going to have such a wonderful life together.”
Miles sat up then and studied her.
“You know…. you could still have a happy life of your own… Even if it’s not with Vince.”
“I don’t want to talk about that,” she said quickly, even his name making her heart hurt, “I don’t ever want to be with anyone else. If I can’t be with the man I love then I just want to be on my own.”
Miles nodded, looking away. He fell quiet. His face was serious and she could see he was lost in his own thoughts now. She waited a moment before clearing her throat.
“What is it?” she asked when his eyes met hers again, “You look like something is bothering you.”
“Oh, I was just thinking about something… I’m fine. Do you want to get ready?”
Delaney frowned, “What were you thinking about?”
Miles looked at her in disapproval, reminding her of when he was younger. “Don’t push. I said I was fine.”
“I’m fine too then,” she pursed her lips and looked at him in annoyance.
He frowned, “You’re exactly like Cora sometimes.”
Now Delaney couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at her lips, “I suppose that’s probably part of the reason you like me.”
Miles sighed and rolled his eyes. He got to his feet and walked over to the window, looking out. After a moment he turned back.
“Get ready,” he said as he headed towards the door, “We’re going out tonight.”
–
Ms. Bird came and was thrilled to hear Delaney was going out. She wished she had sent Miles the letter instead of his brother. At least the younger Adair seemed to care.
When she helped Delaney into a lovely lavender dress she wasn’t surprised to see it no longer fit the woman. It hung loosely around her waist and even her chest was a bit smaller. Delaney looked anxiously at herself with the gown hanging off her appearing baggy.
Ms. Bird assured her things would be alright and rushed off to find another dress that would be the solution. She came back sometime later with a dress Delaney used to wear when she was still at school with her friends. It had been stored away and thankfully was still in good shape.
“I’ll work on taking in some of your other dresses,” Ms. Bird assured her as she helped her into a pale blue dress that fit but now looked a bit childish on her.
Delaney sighed. There was nothing else she could do. The dress would have to work for this evening.
Ms. Bird did her hair into a beautiful style except now there were no pearls or jewels to pin in it. Vincent had tried to convince Delaney to take some of the Adair jewels but she had refused. If she wasn’t going to be an Adair anymore then those should be left to someone in his family. Vincent had looked sad but didn’t push the matter.
The only piece of jewelry Delaney had taken with her was her wedding ring. Now, standing before the large mirror in her bedroom checking her appearance, her eyes drifted down to where it sparkled on her finger. She absently twisted it and thought about the day it had been given to her. She thought about who had given it to her.
Not wanting the night to be ruined, Delaney hurried to push thoughts of Vincent from her mind. She felt tears in her eyes but refused to let them fall. This was going to be her night out with Miles and she was determined to enjoy it. Taking one last look at herself, she headed for the door.
Stepping out into the hallway felt almost like stepping out into a different world. She had spent so long in her room and hadn’t left no matter how much anyone had begged. Now Miles had come and told her they were going out and she hadn’t questioned it. Something about having him there just made her feel better.
Walking down the tall staircase, she saw her Aunt and Uncle were waiting with Miles. They were all talking but when they noticed her coming they stopped. Big smiles of relief filled her Aunt and Uncle’s faces. Miles looked pleased as he crossed to the stairs and held out his arm to her. Delaney took it but couldn’t manage to make herself give him more than a flash of a smile back. She felt suddenly nervous. She didn’t even know what his plan was for their night.
“You look terrified,” he chuckled, “Are you going to faint?”
“No,” she whispered, “I just… I just haven’t been out of the house since I arrived from Edgewood. Should I even be going out? My marriage contract isn’t officially dissolved by the King yet.”
Miles turned to look at her seriously, “We don’t have to go anywhere if you feel like you’re not ready. But… I think it would do you a lot of good to get out and try to enjoy yourself.”
Delaney bit her lip for a moment but nodded, “Alright.”
“Oh my Dear you look lovely,” her Aunt Flora gushed, coming to stand by them now.
“Much better looking than your escort to be sure,” her Uncle Felix teased, winking at Miles.
The younger man grinned, “My wife is much better looking than me too. I’ve gotten used to not being the prettiest one in the room.”
The group laughed and Delaney felt herself starting to relax. She and Miles said goodbye to her Aunt and Uncle who made them promise to be safe. Walking outside, Delaney saw one of the smaller Adair carriages waiting and felt relieved that it wasn’t the same one she always traveled in with Vincent. Climbing inside, she saw even the seat cushions were a different color and that somehow made it even better.
Miles got in and settled into the seat across from her, knocking on the roof to signal the driver to go. He sat back then and studied Delaney.
“Do you feel better now?”
“I think I do,” she answered quietly, “But I would feel even better if you would tell me where we were going.”
Miles smirked, “Ah but that would ruin the surprise wouldn’t it?”
Delaney sighed, “I suppose but it would likely help ease my nerves a bit more.”
“Or it might make you more nervous,” Miles shrugged, “I think I’ll take my chances and not tell you.”
Delaney frowned at him as he gave her a wicked grin.
“You seem in a much better mood than normal,” she commented.
“Ah well, I figure if I’m in a very good mood it might rub off on you and help cheer you up. We both know I’m not normally a… peppy… person.”
Delaney smiled fondly at this man who was like a brother to her. Her heart warmed as she realized now how much trouble he really was going to in order to make her feel better. All day he had been acting more cheerful than he normally would have and it had all been for her benefit. Not to mention he could have been home with his pregnant wife who he was madly in love with but instead, he was here taking her out.
“Miles… I adore you you know.”
He smirked, green eyes twinkling with mischief, “I know.”