Chapter 324: Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Four
The bright morning sun slowly climbed higher into the clear London sky. Warm, golden light streamed freely through the tall glass windows of the master bedroom. The light gently touched the large, messy four-poster bed.
Rowan woke up. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the cheerful sunlight. He did not move his body right away. He simply lay still against the soft white pillows and looked down.
He saw Delaney sleeping soundly in his strong arms.
Her soft cheek was pressed flat against his bare chest. Her dark curls were spread across his skin. She was breathing in a very slow, steady rhythm. She looked peaceful, safe, and perfectly content.
Rowan smiled. It was a very soft loving smile. He shifted his arm slightly and held her tight, pulling her warm body just a little bit closer to him.
The gentle movement stirred her from her sleep.
Delaney fluttered her eyelashes. She opened her hazel eyes slowly. Because she was resting on his chest, the very first image she saw was his handsome face looking down at her.
She let out a small affectionate smile. Her heart felt completely full of joy.
"Good morning," Delaney said softly. Her sweet voice was slightly raspy from sleep.
Rowan reached his free hand up. He gently brushed a loose curl away from her forehead.
"Good morning, Duchess," Rowan replied, his deep voice a warm, low rumble. "Did you sleep well?"
Delaney nodded her head. She placed her hands flat on the mattress and sat up.
As she sat up, the bedsheet fell off her chest. The fabric slipped down her bare skin and pooled neatly at her waist, leaving her upper body entirely naked in the bright morning light.
Delaney stretched her arms gracefully. She let out a soft, quiet yawn. She did not feel the need to hide herself from him anymore. She felt completely secure in his presence.
"Yes, I did," Delaney answered truthfully, looking down at him. She tilted her head slightly. "Did you?" she returned his polite question.
Rowan did not answer immediately. His eyes slowly dropped from her face, taking in the beautiful curve of her shoulders and her breast. A wicked mischievous light danced in his eyes.
"Better than last night," Rowan replied smoothly. He let out a soft, amused chuckle. "It seems every night is better from the last."
Delaney felt a sudden, bright pink flush cover her cheeks. She remembered exactly how wild and passionate their previous night had been. She quickly reached her hand out.
She hit him squarely on his chest with her open palm.
"You are such a tease, Rowan," Delaney scolded him lightly, though she was smiling brightly.
Rowan laughed a deep joyous laugh. He moved with sudden speed. He reached up and easily caught her small hand in his large one before she could pull it away. He gave her an arrogant smirk.
He pulled her hand, gently forcing her to lean down toward him. He closed the small distance between them and gave her a deep, warm passionate kiss.
Delaney melted completely against him, kissing him back happily.
Suddenly, a soft polite knock came on the door of the bedroom.
"Your Grace, are you awake?" a female voice called out clearly from behind the closed door. It was Mrs. Briggs, the efficient head maid of Hamilton House. "We are here to get you ready for the day."
Delaney broke the deep kiss immediately. She pulled her head back, her cheeks turning even redder. She quickly reached down to pull the white bedsheet back up to cover her bare chest.
"Yes, we are," Delaney replied, raising her voice slightly so the maid could hear her through the thick wood.
The head maid replied promptly. "We are coming in now."
Hearing the warning, Delaney quickly tried to give a respectable, proper distance between herself and her husband. She tried to slide across the mattress to her own side of the large bed.
But Rowan decided that this quiet morning was the absolute best time to be clingy.
As Delaney tried to move away, Rowan reached his strong arms out. He wrapped his arms completely around her narrow waist. He pulled her firmly backward, trapping her securely against his side. He buried his face happily in her dark hair, refusing to let her go.
"Rowan," Delaney whispered frantically, trying to pry his strong fingers loose. "The maids are coming inside!"
"Let them come," Rowan mumbled against her neck, entirely unbothered.
The door opened with a soft click. The head maid entered the room, followed closely by two younger maids carrying fresh towels and warm water.
The maids kept their eyes respectfully lowered to the floor, but they clearly saw the Duke refusing to let his blushing Duchess out of his arms.
"We will prepare your bath immediately, Your Grace," the head maid said politely, her voice completely professional as one of the younger maids walked into the attached bathing room.
As the other maid was about to open the large wardrobes to prepare their daytime clothes, Rowan finally lifted his head.
"Mrs. Briggs," Rowan spoke clearly, his deep voice returning to its usual, commanding tone.
The head maid stopped and bowed. "Yes, Your Grace?"
"Pick a very beautiful, elegant dress for my wife today," Rowan instructed firmly. He looked at Delaney, his eyes softening. "We are going to see our parents."
The head maid understood the serious nature of the request perfectly. She nodded her head respectfully.
"We will have it done, Your Grace," the head maid promised. She turned to the wardrobes, ready to select the perfect, respectful day dress for such an important family visit.
An hour later, the Duke and Duchess were completely dressed and ready to leave.
Delaney wore a beautiful, elegant day dress made of navy blue silk. The dress had a high, modest lace collar and long, graceful sleeves. She wore a matching blue bonnet over her neatly pinned dark hair. She looked exactly like a true Duchess.
Rowan held Delaney’s gloved hand firmly in his own as they walked slowly down the grand marble stairs to the foyer. He wore a sharp, formal black coat and a crisp white cravat.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Rowan stopped walking. He looked around the bright foyer and immediately spotted his loyal butler.
Rowan walked directly towards Mr. Simmons, pulling Delaney gently alongside him.
"Any news yet, Simmons?" Rowan asked quietly. He kept his voice low so the other passing footmen could not hear his secret plans.
Mr. Simmons stopped his work and bowed deeply. He knew exactly what the Duke was asking about. The butler had already sent three urgent messages to the best property agents in London regarding the secret country cottage for the honeymoon.
Mr. Simmons shook his head slightly.
"No, Your Grace," Mr. Simmons replied smoothly. "Not yet. The agents are currently searching the outer districts, but I expect a proper reply by this evening."
Rowan nodded his head. He was a patient man when he needed to be.
"Very well then," Rowan accepted the answer. "We are leaving for the morning."
He turned back to Delaney and gently guided her toward the open front doors. They walked out of the house and stepped directly into the waiting Hamilton carriage. The driver closed the door, and the carriage began to roll smoothly over the cobblestone streets of London.
The carriage ride was quiet and peaceful. They did not need to speak. Rowan simply kept his hand firmly over hers, his thumb gently stroking her knuckles.
After a short while, the carriage slowed down on a busy commercial street.
"Stop here for a moment," Rowan called out to the driver.
The carriage halted smoothly in front of a small colorful flower shop. Delaney looked out the glass window in surprise.
Rowan opened the door and stepped out. He turned and helped Delaney down to the sidewalk.
"We cannot visit them empty-handed," Rowan said softly, offering her a kind smile.
They walked into the bright, sweet-smelling shop. Delaney carefully looked at the many different buckets of fresh, blooming flowers. She wanted her gift to be completely perfect.
After a few moments, Delaney bought a very beautiful bouquet of pure white lilies and soft pink roses.
They returned to the carriage with the fresh flowers. The driver flicked the reins, and they continued their journey toward the quiet outskirts of the city.
Finally, they arrived at their destination.
It was a private peaceful green estate graveyard reserved only for the highest members of the noble families. Tall oak trees provided cool, dark shade over the perfectly manicured grass. The air was entirely quiet, filled only with the soft singing of small birds.
Rowan helped Delaney out of the carriage. He placed her hand securely on his arm.
They walked slowly down a narrow, clean gravel path. Delaney held the beautiful bouquet of flowers tightly in her free hand. She felt a deep sense of respect and slight nervousness. She wanted his parents to approve of her, even though they were no longer living.
They both reached the very end of the gravel path.
Standing quietly under the sweeping branches of a massive willow tree were two grand, polished white marble tombstones. The stones were carved with beautiful, elegant letters, displaying the proud names of the late Duke and Duchess of Ford.
They stopped walking. Rowan stood perfectly still, looking at the two stones.
Suddenly, Rowan noticed something resting at the very base of his mother’s tombstone.
There was already a fresh colorful bouquet of bright yellow daisies laid carefully against the white marble.
Rowan looked at the yellow flowers. The serious expression on his face slowly melted away. He smiled a very soft emotional smile.
He knew exactly who had left those flowers.
He knew Ines had stopped by the graveyard yesterday. She had come here alone, right before she packed her bags and left for the Carleton. She had come to pay her respects to their parents, to tell them about the wedding, and to say her own private goodbye.
Rowan felt a wave of love for his wild, annoying, entirely wonderful little sister.
Delaney saw the yellow flowers as well. She looked up at Rowan’s soft smile and understood perfectly.
Delaney stepped forward slowly. She gently lowered herself into a respectful, very graceful curtsy before the two grand tombstones. She laid her own beautiful bouquet of white lilies and pink roses right next to Ines’s yellow daisies.
She stood back up and stepped back to Rowan’s side.
Rowan reached out and took her hand again. He held her fingers very tightly. He stood tall, his broad shoulders pulled back proudly. He looked directly at the white marble stones.
The situation was serious, but his heart was full of joy.
"Father. Mother," Rowan spoke clearly. His voice echoed softly.
He paused for a brief second. He turned his head and looked down at the beautiful woman standing right beside him.
He turned his eyes back to the tombstones.
"I am here," Rowan continued, his voice completely steady and entirely proud. "And I brought someone very special for you two to meet today."
He gently squeezed Delaney’s hand, bringing her slightly forward so she stood entirely beside him in the sunlight.
"My wife," Rowan announced to the quiet trees and the white marble. "Your wonderful daughter-in-law. Delaney Hamilton."
