Chapter 313: Chapter Three Hundred And Thirteen
The grand foyer of Hamilton House was filled with the busy, loud sounds of a noble family preparing for a long journey. The heavy leather traveling trunks belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Carleton had all been carefully packed, strapped with strong ropes, and carried down the wide stairs by the busy footmen. Outside the open front doors, the grand traveling carriage stood waiting on the cobblestone driveway. The four powerful horses snorted loudly in the cool morning air, their dark leather harnesses rattling slightly as they waited for the driver’s command.
The busy bustle of the servants was nearly finished. Everything was packed and completely ready for their departure back to the Anderson estate in the country.
The Anderson family came down the grand staircase together.
Ines walked down first, her bright yellow traveling pelisse rustling softly against the steps. Her hair was neatly tucked beneath a beautiful matching bonnet. Behind her walked the Duke of Carleton, looking tall, calm, and perfectly composed in his dark riding coat.
Edith followed closely behind them. She was holding baby Harry securely in her arms. The young lad was dressed in a thick, warm white woolen coat to protect him from the morning wind.
Delaney stood near the bottom of the staircase, her hands folded neatly over her peach morning gown. When baby Harry caught sight of her, his small, round face instantly lit up with delight. He completely abandoned his toy horse.
Baby Harry squirmed eagerly in Edith’s arms. He stretched out his small, chubby hands directly toward Delaney, his tiny fingers wiggling in the air as he practically demanded to be held by her.
Delaney smiled a wide, deeply affectionate smile. She immediately took a step forward, reached out her arms, and carefully carried him into her embrace. The baby felt heavy and delightfully warm against her chest. He immediately rested his soft, chubby cheek against her shoulder, letting out a happy, contented sigh.
Carcel stopped at the foot of the stairs. He watched his son’s affectionate actions and let out a soft, amused chuckle. He adjusted the leather gloves in his hand.
"Looks like Harry doesn’t want to part with his new aunt yet," Carcel spoke with a warm smile, his deep voice filled with fatherly pride.
Rowan was standing right beside Delaney. He reached out and gently stroked the baby’s soft hair with his long finger. Then, he looked up at Carcel and Ines. His expression was serious, but his brown eyes held a genuine warmth.
"You know you can stay a little longer," Rowan spoke, his deep voice steady and entirely sincere. He looked at his sister and his best friend. "The house is massive, and we have plenty of room. It is not like I am chasing you two to leave so soon after the wedding."
Carcel replied with a loud, hearty laughter that echoed off the walls. He shook his head slowly.
"I have a duchy to run, Rowan," Carcel explained, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I have been away from my estate for over months now. My aide, Lloyd, must have been dead from all those heavy work by now. The estate papers are likely piled as high as the ceiling. I must return before he completely loses his mind."
Ines stepped forward, standing right beside her husband. She raised a brow and smirked a wicked mischievous smirk at her older brother.
"We came to London specifically for your grand wedding, brother," Ines replied smoothly, her voice full of playful teasing. "And now, it is completely over. You are safely married, the villains are fully defeated, and you no longer need us to guard your virtue. We truly need to leave."
She took a small step closer to Rowan, her eyes sparkling with glee.
"Or are you missing me already, Rowan?" Ines asked boldly, tilting her head to the side to see his reaction.
Rowan scoffed loudly. He crossed his arms tightly over his chest and tilted his chin up in a highly defensive gesture. His cheeks turned just a tiny bit pink, but his expression remained completely stubborn.
"Miss you?" Rowan replied sharply, his voice full of mock disbelief. "Why on earth would I miss you, Ines? You have done nothing but pester me and interrogate me since you walked through the door. I am incredibly glad you are finally leaving. The house will finally be quiet and peaceful at last."
He paused for a brief second, shifting his eyes quickly toward Delaney, who was still happily bouncing Harry in her arms.
"It is just that Delaney will be thinking of you," Rowan added quickly, trying to deflect the attention away from his own feelings. "She will be lonely without another lady in the house. That is all I meant. I am merely thinking of my wife’s comfort."
Delaney held Harry securely against her shoulder. She looked sideways at Rowan’s stubborn, defensive face. She knew him entirely too well by now. She saw right through his proud mask.
She leaned her head slightly closer to his shoulder. She whispered to him in a very low, highly amused voice.
"Just admit that you miss her, Rowan," Delaney whispered softly, a beautiful smile touching her lips.
Rowan lowered his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as he whispered back to her, making sure his sister could not hear his words.
"Never," Rowan whispered back with absolute, stubborn certainty. "If I do that, she will gloat about it for years. She will never let me live it down until we are old and gray. I will not give her the satisfaction."
Delaney shook her head slowly, a soft, silent chuckle escaping her throat. She looked between the brother and sister, entirely amused by their constant bickering.
"Siblings," Delaney whispered quietly to herself, feeling a deep sense of warmth. It was wonderful to see a family that loved each other enough to argue so safely.
Baby Harry suddenly moved his head. He looked directly at Delaney’s face. He reached out his chubby hand and patted her cheek with his small, soft fingers. He opened his small mouth and managed to say her name in his clumsy, sweet baby words.
"Del... Del-nee!" Harry babbled happily, a tiny string of drool escaping his chin.
Delaney’s heart completely melted. Her hazel eyes filled with bright, happy affection. She smiled a wide joyful smile at the sweet child.
She leaned down and gave Harry a very warm, lingering kiss directly on his forehead, and then another soft kiss on his chubby cheek.
"Goodbye, my love," Delaney spoke softly to the baby, her voice thick with emotion. "I will miss you so very much. You must grow big and strong before I see you again."
She carefully handed the baby back to Edith. Edith stepped forward with a polite, respectful curtsy, taking the child safely into her arms.
Harry let out a small whine of protest, but Edith quickly gave him his toy horse to distract him.
With her arms free, Ines stepped forward immediately. She threw her arms completely around Delaney’s neck, pulling her into a very tight emotional hug. The fine silk of her bonnet ribbons brushed against Delaney’s cheek.
"I will miss you so much, Delaney," Ines whispered sincerely against her ear, breaking the playful attitude for a brief second to show her true affection.
She broke the hug slightly but kept her hands resting firmly on Delaney’s shoulders.
"You must promise to pay us a visit at the Anderson estate very soon," Ines demanded happily, her eyes shining. "Oh, we will have a truly great time together. We can go riding in the valley, shop for the latest country silks, and leave the men completely behind in their work."
Rowan immediately stepped forward. He placed his large hand firmly on the back of Delaney’s waist, drawing a clear line of possession. He puffed his chest out slightly.
"If she is coming to visit, I will come with her," Rowan spoke up loudly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Ines turned her head sharply. She looked at her older brother with a challenging playful glare. She snapped her fingers.
"No, you will not, brother," Ines replied flatly, her voice full of mock severity. "You are absolutely not welcomed in my home. This is a ladies’ visit. You will only stay in London and work on your boring work."
Rowan narrowed his eyes at his sister. The sibling competition for Delaney’s attention was entirely on.
"I know your secret plans, Ines," Rowan replied, his voice a low suspicious growl. "You want to steal her away from me. You want to take my new wife to the country and keep her there so I am left alone in this big house."
Ines raised her chin proudly. A wide victorious smirk covered her face.
"I am glad you finally found out about it so quickly," Ines replied happily, completely enjoying his jealousy.
Rowan stepped a tiny bit closer to Delaney, his hand tightening slightly on her waist.
"She is my wife," Rowan stated firmly, as if that single fact settled the entire argument forever.
Ines took a step closer on the opposite side of Delaney, matching his posture perfectly.
"She is my sister," Ines countered proudly, crossing her arms.
