41

"She will never have you," The bearded man spat wrathfully as if summoning the ability to maim with a look. His hands and feet were bound making escape virtually impossible but he still possessed the ability to wound with his tongue.

"You, of all the people, should know you are in no position to prophesize," The fair headed one hid his shaking hands. Whether it was to hide his weakness or reduce the temptation to wring his enemy's neck, it was not clear.

"It would hardly need a fortune teller to see the fate of your miserable romance. The irony makes me laugh. You always thought there was no one in this forsaken kingdom who could be your match but you found just the girl who might be too good for you."

"SHUT UP!" His companion roared abruptly giving up the pretence of a cool head. The guards around him shared panicked looks.

"Is that not right? Is that not what you feared the most? She is too good for you and she will never think you worthy of her company. Oh, what was her name, yes, sweet Delilah; The Lady who refused to be the future queen of this kingdom."

"Take him away before I commit fratricide with my bare hands." The other one grumbled and the guards did not need to be told twice.

__________________________

There was something stifling about the air. It was so thick and cloying that she feared her outreaching hand would touch the nauseating presence. It consumed her attention so much that she once again missed a good portion of the conversation occurring in front of her. And it was with shame Delilah turned her attention back to her rapturous brother who had not ceased to converse. Thankfully Cecilia was never bereft of her ability to speak when fully awake.

Delilah adjusted her travelling cap morosely unable to settle comfortably while she tried not to think about this morning's events.

They had left the rickety old inn as soon as the sun peaked out from behind the smooth curves of the hillside with her concerned brother by her side. The Prince had returned to whatever was left of the treacherous matter but not before handing over his responsibility to the older Winsham sibling. Delilah had not witnessed the exchange between her brother and the Prince so she was not privy to any explanations that might have been given. Her brother had as of yet not demanded any clarification but only shown concern over their welfare which was characteristic of Edward's good nature. He was pre-disposed to wait for as long as possible to hear her side of the story.

Cecilia's gwaffs of laughter, which had been carefully concealed during the month long sojourn, filled the carriage. All her lady like elegance had been a carefully constructed front and the former Cecilia's appearance made Delilah feel glad she was going home.

"She sounds so beautiful," Cecelia chirped, still not done laughing.

"She is the most precious being," Edward's eyes gleamed while talking about his newborn daughter.

"I cannot wait until I get her in my arms and twirl her around forever."

"And then she'll be sick, Cissy, all over you," Edward stated dryly.

"Disgusting, Ed," Cecilia wrinkled her nose and pouted.

"You're quiet?" Edward asked Delilah with a confused smile. He could read her like a book sometimes but after a month of separation her demeanour was undecipherable. It was understandable that the shock of being accosted by robbers would make her retreat into a quieter shell.

"You know me well enough," Delilah shrugged, tongue tied, "I am hardly the chatterbox."

"I have so many questions," Edward halted and waited for Delilah's nod, "The man who saved you did not say much but he seemed honourable and steadfast. I was just so grateful he found you when he did."

"Oh, he was! He singled handily took down all the henchmen and fought a glorious battle against the ringleader. It was a sight to behold," Cecilia bragged wildly flinging her hands exuberantly, "The blood, the drama!"

"You were not even conscious, Cissy," Her cousin smirked at the wild exaggerations.

"I saw the aftermath when we hobbled out of the cave. The place was littered with disarmed men. Damian was terribly heroic."

"Cissy," Delilah hissed, "Some manners would be nice. The genteel effect of the palace shouldn't wear off that easily."

"He asked me call him by his name and unlike you I cannot be bothered with being all proper. A friend is a friend and denying them the privilege is also bad manners."

"Oho, a friend, eh? Is there somebody's honour I should be fighting for?" Edward responded wickedly.

"Oh, please as if I would give Damian the time of day. Besides he could take you down in a heartbeat," Cecilia grinned at the face Delilah was making.

"Damian, hmm... Is he a lord because I don't seem to recall anyone in particular..." Edward asked with a small frown.

"He's very rich," Cecilia waggled her eyebrows, "And we met at the palace."

"Well, it is fortunate, indeed, the townsfolk say he came to the rescue after he found the footman and followed you two into the cave," Edward recalled the deluge of information half the town had thrown at him, "I was even given a guided tour by the imperial guards of the caves while you two prepared yourself for the journey. Strange that the imperial guards were involved but like I said very fortunate."

"Yes, fortunate..." Delilah mumbled to herself.

"And if there was anyone's honour you should be fighting for then that person is in the carriage but it certainly is not me, although, I did have a string of admirers but I fended them off easily," Cecilia boasted making Delilah smack her forehead and Edward raise his eyebrows.

"I know where you sleep, Cissy," Delilah threatened but her cousin only winked back.

"It's a shame Damian had to leave so soon," Cecilia suppressed a giggle.

"I did offer him an invitation to our village. He would have been given a hero's welcome but he has deferred it to another time," Edward caught Delilah's expression and the more answers he was getting the more puzzled he got.

By the time they arrived at the grand Thorton Manor the sun has already disappeared beneath the curved horizon. The manor was tucked away in the folds of the green hills a small distance away from the town that took their ancestor's name. The town itself was the largest one for many acres but after living in the lights and sounds of Fronton Palace it looked dark and gloomy.

"How will we ever get used to this dismal place," Cecilia peered out of her window with a distressed frown, "No daily soirees, no musical nights, no ballroom dances, I fear I shall wither away."

"Life at the palace sounds mighty tiresome," Edward imagined the hordes of inhabitants with a shudder. He like his sister was not too keen on mingling with strange crowds.

"I'm sure you would say no to archery and bouts of sword fighting," Cecilia huffed with a pout.

"Of course not but there seems to be too much focus on trivial socializing. Is there nothing for the solitary soul?"

"There was a hugggge library. And so many gardens to explore. Fronton Palace had everything for everyone," The younger girl's arms flailed, "Even Delilah was content."

"Why didn't you entrap this Prince if you were that attached to the place?" Edward snickered not noticing how still his own sister had become or how quickly his cousin's mouth snapped shut.

"Because the Prince is an idiot and I am not one to come between him and his one true love," Cecilia couldn't meet his eyes as she spoke.

"Odd, there have been no banns about a royal marriage," Ed scratched his hair speckled chin.

"Of course there isn't considering he was soundly rejected," Cecilia explained dully.

"Cissy!" Delilah threatened shrilly wondering why her secret was in the hands of the one determined to blurt it out.

"The rumours are bound to spread anyway. It's only a matter of time," The redhead shrugged.

"It is hardly necessary the rumours should stem from us. Gossip is vulgar and it does no one good, not even the spreader," Delilah answered decisively.

"We'll be reaching home soon. I can see the lights from here," Edward, baffled by the confrontation, pointed out as if both his companions weren't aware of the terrain as much as he was. His strategy of course did not work as a good diversion.

"Get ready to be verbally annihilated," Cissy grumbled after a few silent moments.

"Indeed," Delilah agreed much to the surprise of her relatives. It was extremely rare to see her even speak bitterly about the treatment that was meted out to them from time to time. Both Cecilia and Edward shared a worried look.

The carriage took a familiar dip and turn and finally creaked to a halt in front of the limestone manor that was their home. Delilah gingerly stepped out onto the dewy grass path that led to the dark wood doors and felt no relief. It should have been a balm to her sore eyes but there was something missing.

The trio walked into the entrance hall and were quickly disrobed from their travel wear by eager servants.

"Sir and Ladies, your parents await you in the dining hall," Delilah's hand maiden curtsied and walked away with a peculiar look on her face. It was a sign that the whole family was waiting for them to make their entry with dinner the last thing on their mind. Steadying her nerves Delilah entered the dining room behind her brother.

"You are safe," Delilah's mother was the first to reach them and she held her face, trying to discern any injuries.

"I am fine mama," Delilah tried to back away gently but her father too had enveloped her, preventing any movement.

"As you know it was an attempted robbery and kidnapping but the matter was handled swiftly. The culprits were caught before they could even attempt to hurt them," Edward explained in a rush placing a hand on his sister's shoulder, "A gentleman was successful in helping the girls escape."

"That missive we received that evening was so brief. I was imagining the worst. And I was right in my presumption," Cecilia's mother wiped away errant tears.

"It was not as serious as you're imagining, mother," Cecilia tried to allay the panic.

"What if there was no honourable man waiting for the rescue. Two girls alone, what were you thinking, Sir," Delilah's mother berated her husband.

"What if talk of this incident spreads? The next moment we shall be have half a dozen women folk visiting trying to sully our reputations. These girls were kidnapped. It does not matter for how long but their reputations are all but gone," Cecilia's mother gestured frantically.

"They will talk, of course they will talk. These simple creatures have nothing better to do," Lord Winsham sighed.

"We should not be giving them a reason to. This damnable Ball has already destroyed my daughter's life once before. I cannot see the ruin once again."

"Oh for goodness sake, it was just a robbery. If our reputations were that flimsy then I see no point in having one," Cecilia spat out.

"You know nothing, Cecilia, nothing at all. You should have listened before cajoling everyone into your selfish schemes. A girl's reputation is not something to be trifled with," Delilah's mother was unrelenting.

"It's so unfair. And don't accuse me of ignorance, I now know so much more," Cecilia couldn't stop from blurting, "Much more then you ever will."

"Cecilia. That's quite enough," Delilah cautioned sternly, "There is nothing to be gained from this kind of talk."

"What do you know, Cecilia, what is your cousin hiding?" Delilah's mother's grey eyes turned flinty.

"There is nothing to tell," Delilah spoke with unflinching conviction.

"This is what happens when you allow unmarried girls to move about with independence. Each step they take away from home is a dangerous one," Delilah's mother prattled on, "And obviously they have failed even to find a good husband which was the whole point."

"No, this is what happens when you push people to the brink. You want to know why I come baring no rings. I rejected all of them, all four proposals," Cecilia bared her teeth triumphantly.

"What in the name of all things holy possessed you to do something so foolish? And why did you not stop your cousin from committing such folly," Cecilia's mother addressed Delilah.

"Because I did not love them!" The younger girl cried out.

"Cecilia should not have to marry the first person who proposes," Delilah shook her head sadly, "Society has no right to determine what makes one happy and what doesn't. She is old enough and certainly sensible enough."

"I cannot make heads or tails of this conversation," Cecilia's clueless father was bewildered. Cecilia gave him a small hug and took her leave.

"There is so much we need to discuss," Delilah's mother called out, "We need to determine a plan of action. You cannot have forgotten what happened the last time. "

"No, father, mother, there is nothing to discuss. My matters are my own and I do not believe discussing them like common gossip will help my cause," Delilah held her cousin's hand.

"Your marriage is a family matter," Cecilia's mother said furiously.

"I respectfully disagree," Delilah calmly stated and walked out of her room with her cousin in tow, "It's been a tiring journey so I hope you understand our need to depart to our rooms."

_____________

Delilah was awake once again feeling unsettled but her argument with her parents was not the cause. The fight with her parents was hardly a new occurrence so her thoughts barely turned to the matter. The only novel aspect about it was that she had spoken up instead of listening silently.

The two girls had fallen asleep the moment they had arrived in their shared rooms but even the exhaustion was not enough to keep Delilah's eyes closed for long. As soon as she sunk into the familiar comforts of her bed the feeling of nausea overtook her. Trying to find relief in slumber was useless because the strange pressure on her chest increased and increased like a demon sitting on her chest, right where her heart was, with its thin, scaly hands wrapped around her throat. She would wake up every single time gasping for air with fright.

But the real world was no better escape from her nightmares either. "I promise," He would say over and over again but she couldn't believe him. He was not coming back no matter what pretty words he spoke to her in the middle of the night.

"Awake again?" Her cousin called out from her bed. The room was shrouded in darkness meaning dawn was nowhere near close enough for an excuse to be up.

"I'm sorry," Delilah mumbled faintly.

"I know it is must be hard to fight off the nightmares after such a terrible fright. I was not even conscious for most of our cave visit and it still disturbs my sleep. He was such a horrible man."

"I wish I could have protected you better," The dark haired girl let the guilt wash over her.

"Ah, but your Prince did the job just fine," Cecilia murmured with a smile.

"He is not mine," Delilah answered resolutely.

"We talked after you fell asleep," She did not need to be told names, "Is it not obvious what he wants from you? He is a good man. I know what happened three years ago. He told me his perspective, his follies and his fears. I wish you had heard the depth of his sorrow," Cecilia revealed after a pause.

"Why would he want anything with me, now? I know him and I hurt him so publically. Why would he want anything to do with me?" Delilah could not control her pitch as it rose with her emotions.

"Do you want him to want something from you?" Cecilia whispered.

"I don't know," Delilah answered with a frown mulling over the question quite serious, "I think so."

"Well that's a promising start," Cecilia let her head hit the soft pillows.

______________

Of course rumours spread like wild fire the very next day. Half the valley had woken up to see the young Winsham heir's hurried departure from the manor in the middle of the night. The servants had added to the tale with much relish.

It was then quite puzzling to see the two ladies of whom the talk was about strolling casually in the farmers market four afternoons later without a hair disturbed.

"Haven't you bought enough ribbons to last us a lifetime?" Lady Delilah uttered with abject misery ignoring the blatant looks being sent her way. Unlike before she could not be bothered to hide behind doors and curtains watching people remark about her abysmal luck and misfortune. She was nothing to be pitied.

"No, no, no, I can never have enough ribbons," Cecilia was enjoying herself too much. They were not even the richest family in the area but being nobility brought attention to their town visits. Today even the usual amount of pandering merchants could only stare at them agape.

The man selling the ribbons eyed his stall neighbour sideways and leaned forward, "Terrible business I've been hearing."

Cecilia's smile was saccharine sweet, "Oh, no, the ball was quite the success. I must have gained a few pounds but it was far from a disaster."

"No, no, I meant about the highway robbery. Loads of talk, there has been," He whispered and his neighbouring stall holders all leaned in, trying to eavesdrop.

"Oh, that! It was a proper adventure. We were saved by the most dashing creature. It was terribly heroic. A girl needs to be saved by good looking men at least once in her life. A brilliant ending to a wonderful month," Cecilia was the cat licking away the last bowl of cream.

Delilah hid a smile behind her gloved hand. If there was anyone who could tell the most alarming tales it was her cousin. The man scratched his head in confusion.

"How was it dears, we haven't heard much talk from the manor except for the new baby," Mrs. Garnett who had been eyeing them from a few paces away now hurried behind the pair.

Delilah mind instantly wandered knowing full well that Cecilia was capable of handling the conversation without her input. They steadily meandered through the dirt roads until they came to the town square. The fountain in the centre of the marketplace was covered under a large piece of canvas making Delilah pause.

"What's going on?" She asked curiously.

"They say the plans for the East road have been passed in the capital," Their companion explained with a grin.

"Finally! Though I didn't think he would take my suggestion so fast. I know I only strongly hinted at it..." Cecilia trailed away realizing she was on the verge of revealing something very private.

"They must be sending someone important since for the past three days all the town committee has been doing is sprucing the place up," Mrs. Garnett continued, "The fountain will be revealed soon. The masons have been hard at work. They've been getting stone sculptures from all over the country."

The revelation of the fountain was not something Delilah found interesting or cared about and in the next couple of minutes she forgot about its existence. Her days were spent in a flurry of guests coming in to meet them and the new arrival in their house. Her brother's wife's extended family took up most of her time and energy.

_______________

"Henry, No!" Cecilia tugged at her younger brother while trying to keep up with the picnic party but her brother was made of the off the same clay as her and could not stay still.

"Now you know what your mother went through when you were young," Zartashia, her sister in law, beamed from behind her. Edward carrying his daughter grinned and wriggled his eyebrows. His daughter was her mother's replica including her dark skin but she had her father's grey eyes and when she opened them people swore they could see Delilah looking back at them.

"You two had better watch your words. I can still add a lot of interesting responsibilities to my aunt duties if you two aren't careful."

"Ooh, best be cautious, Ed," Zartashia laughed and promptly took their child to follow the rest of the party while the youngest members hung back. Delilah was currently lost in her own world a few yards away from them staring into the oblivion of the hilly country side.

Edward watched his sister carefully and sighed.

"Who is she waiting for?" He asked Cecilia. There was a subtle tinge of impatience in his sister's silence. The ability to sit oh so very still was something his sister had been blessed with all her life but she now had none of the serenity. It seemed as if Fronton palace had not only taken away her timidity but also the peace in her life.

"You met him, Edward," Cecilia worried her lip feeling the weight on her heart diminishing even though she was breaking her cousin's confidence. She didn't even notice when her brother broke away from her hold.

Edward's reaction was as expected. His head sharply turned in Cecilia's direction, eyes pleading for more information.

"She loves him and he loves her but they had a terrible misunderstanding and I don't know what to do," She wrung her hands in confusion.