Chapter 323: Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Three
Delaney stared at Rowan, her heart aching deeply for the kind older woman who had welcomed her into the family so warmly.
"She had to leave immediately," Rowan continued his explanation. "She wanted to be by his side before he closes his eyes. I ordered the fastest carriage for her. I am completely sure she has arrived by now, or she is very close to the estate."
He thought about his older cousins, Aunt Margery’s grown children, who lived in different parts of England.
"Her children are also there," Rowan added softly. "Messages were sent to them as well. They need to be with him during this highly difficult time. They need to say their final goodbyes as a family."
Rowan leaned his head forward. He pressed a very long gentle kiss directly to her forehead. He pulled her tightly against his solid chest, holding her securely in his strong arms.
Delaney rested her cheek against his bare chest. She felt a deep sadness for Aunt Margery. She remembered the way the older woman always smiled, and the way she fussed over the wedding details simply to make everything perfect.
"She must really love him," Delaney spoke in a quiet whisper. Her voice was thick with emotion. She could not imagine the terrible pain of losing a husband you loved so deeply.
Rowan rested his chin gently on the very top of her head. He stared at the dying fire in the hearth.
"Yes, she does," Rowan nodded slowly. "They have been married for a very long time. It is a true, deep love."
He stayed quiet for a moment. A very old memory surfaced in his mind. It was a painful memory, but he wanted to share it with his wife. He wanted her to know absolutely everything about him.
"I understand exactly how it feels to watch someone go through that," Rowan spoke softly. His voice was very quiet and vulnerable.
Delaney remained completely still, listening carefully to every single word he said.
"My mother too was terribly ill before she died," Rowan explained quietly. "I was much younger then. It was a very long, painful illness. And I remember watching my father."
Rowan let out a soft, sad chuckle. It was a sound devoid of any humor. It was simply a sound of old, lingering grief.
"My father was a really powerful man," Rowan continued, remembering the late Duke. "He commanded the entire room when he walked in. But when my mother fell ill, he was a complete wreck. He stopped going to Parliament. He stopped caring about the estate. He spent every single waking moment simply sitting by her bed, holding her hand, staying with her in her absolute last moments. When she died, a very large part of him died exactly with her. It took him years before he went back to serve the Crown in a war that took his life."
Delaney felt her own eyes fill with sudden tears. Hearing about his parents’ deep, tragic love made her heart ache. It showed her exactly where Rowan had learned to love so fiercely and protect so strongly.
"Aunt Margery and her children must be feeling the exact same way tonight," Rowan said quietly, finishing his sad thought.
Delaney slowly raised her head from his chest. She looked up at him in the dim, golden light of the bedroom. She saw the deep empathy and the quiet sadness shining in his eyes.
Rowan lowered his head to look at her. He saw the tears shining in her eyes.
"Why didn’t she say goodbye to me?" Delaney asked softly. "I would have hugged her. I would have told her how sorry I am."
Rowan reached out his hand again. He gently wiped a single tear that had escaped from the corner of her eye.
"She didn’t tell you," Rowan explained softly, "because she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to keep her heavy emotions in check if she saw you. She was crying terribly in my study."
He looked at her innocent face.
"She completely refused to tell you," Rowan continued, his voice filled with deep respect for his aunt. "She didn’t want your happy, perfect day to be entirely ruined by such terrible, dark news. She wanted you to smile. She told me specifically to wait and tell you only after she had already gone."
Delaney felt a massive profound wave of gratitude wash over her entire body. Aunt Margery was completely broken and facing the worst moment of her life, but the older woman had still thought entirely about Delaney’s happiness. The Hamilton family truly loved her. They protected her exactly like a true daughter.
Delaney reached her small hand out from beneath the duvet. She gently touched Rowan’s cheek. Her fingers were warm against his skin.
"I understand," Delaney said softly. A very small understanding smile touched her lips. "She is a very brave, very wonderful woman."
Rowan completely agreed. He turned his head slightly. He gently caught her small hand in his large one. He brought her palm to his lips. He pressed a very warm tender kiss directly to the soft center of her palm.
He held her hand gently against his chest, right over his beating heart.
"Tomorrow," Rowan spoke softly. His deep voice changed slightly.
Delaney looked at him, waiting for his words.
"Tomorrow, I will take you somewhere," Rowan promised her. His eyes were entirely sincere. "I need to introduce you to some people who are very important to me."
Delaney knew exactly who he meant. She knew they would not be traveling to a grand ballroom or a wealthy lord’s house. She knew they would be visiting the quiet, peaceful resting place of the late Duke and Duchess of Ford. He wanted to formally introduce his new bride to his beloved parents.
It was the highest honor he could possibly give her.
Delaney nodded her head slowly. Her heart felt incredibly full.
"I would be deeply honored, Rowan," Delaney replied softly.
Rowan smiled. He moved his arms. He hugged her tightly, pulling her soft body completely against his solid frame. He wanted to hold her exactly as close as physically possible.
Rowan leaned his head down. He buried his face in her dark hair. He pressed a long affectionate kiss exactly to the very top of her head.
"Go to sleep, my Duchess," Rowan whispered softly into her hair. "Tomorrow is a new day."
Delaney closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms securely around his waist.
