Chapter 325: Chapter Three Hundred And Twenty Five
Delaney let go of Rowan’s arm. She took one small step closer to the graves. She looked at the carved names of the late Duke and Duchess of Hamilton.
Delaney spoke to the tombstones. Her sweet voice was soft, clear, and sincere.
"Father, Mother," Delaney said gently, addressing them with the proper family titles. "Please, do not worry about Rowan. I will take care of him every single day. I will love him devotedly for the rest of my life. I promise you that."
She paused for a brief moment, her eyes shining with genuine emotion.
"I just need you both to give us your blessings," Delaney whispered softly to the quiet wind.
Rowan stood right beside her. Hearing her beautiful promise completely melted his heart. He felt incredibly proud to call her his wife. He reached out his large hand and gently took her small, gloved hand in his again. He lifted her hand and squeezed her fingers firmly.
Rowan leaned his head down. He pressed a very warm kiss directly to her soft cheek.
"They had already given it to you since the very beginning," Rowan assured her softly. His voice was full of absolute certainty. "They would have loved you completely, Delaney. You are exactly the woman they would have chosen for me."
Delaney smiled. A warm feeling of peace settled into her chest.
Rowan turned his head and looked directly at the two white tombstones. He stood tall and proud.
"We will be going now," Rowan spoke to his parents, his voice carrying a calm, happy strength. "Continue being in peace. We will soon visit you again with your grandchildren."
As soon as the word grandchildren left his lips, Delaney gasped softly. A bright, sudden flush of deep red completely covered her cheeks. She lowered her eyelashes quickly, blushing heavily at the intimate thought of having his children.
Rowan saw her deep blush. He smiled a wide satisfied smile. He gently tugged her hand.
"Come, my Duchess," Rowan teased her softly. "Let us go home."
They turned away from the quiet graves. They walked slowly back down the gravel path, leaving the peaceful garden behind. They reached the waiting carriage, and Rowan carefully helped her step inside.
The carriage ride back to Mayfair was smooth and comfortable. When they finally arrived at the Hamilton House, the tall footmen immediately opened the front doors for them.
Rowan and Delaney walked into the bright foyer together.
As soon as they stepped inside, Aunt Renee came walking toward them. She was wearing a simple, elegant dark purple morning dress. Her face was completely serious, and she held her hands neatly folded in front of her waist.
Aunt Renee stopped in front of her niece.
"Delaney, je veux te parler" (Delaney, I want to talk to you,) Aunt Renee said gently. Her French accent was soft, but her tone showed that the matter was highly important.
Delaney stopped walking. She looked at her aunt’s serious face. Then, she turned her head and looked up at Rowan, silently asking for his permission to leave his side.
Rowan nodded his head smoothly, offering her a reassuring smile. He let go of her arm.
Delaney turned back to her aunt.
"Let’s go to the drawing room, Aunt," Delaney suggested politely.
Aunt Renee nodded. The two women turned and walked away, heading toward the quiet, sunny drawing room at the end of the hallway.
Rowan watched them leave. As he stood alone in the foyer, Mr. Simmons came walking quickly toward him.
Mr. Simmons stopped and bowed deeply. He reached out his hands to collect the Duke’s hat and his dark leather gloves.
As Rowan pulled off his gloves and handed them to the butler, Mr. Simmons leaned forward just an inch. The butler kept his voice very low, ensuring the nearby footmen could not hear his secret words.
"Your Grace," Mr. Simmons whispered respectfully. "I have excellent news. We have found a good cottage for your honeymoon."
Rowan froze. Then, an incredibly bright smile broke across his face. He absolutely beamed with pure joy.
"Splendid," Rowan replied quietly, his eyes shining with eager excitement.
Rowan clapped his hands together once. He looked around the foyer.
"Come with me to the study immediately, Simmons," Rowan instructed, his voice low but highly energetic. "We have a lot of planning and renovations to do before we leave. I want new furniture, fresh paint, and the gardens completely cleaned. It must be absolutely perfect for her."
"Yes, Your Grace," Mr. Simmons bowed again.
The butler followed the Duke quickly down the opposite hallway. They walked into the study and closed the door firmly behind them, entirely ready to plan the secret romantic getaway.
Inside the bright, sunny drawing room, the atmosphere was much quieter and very serious.
Delaney sat down on a comfortable sofa. Aunt Renee sat down in the armchair directly across from her. A young maid quickly brought in a silver tray with warm tea and biscuits. The maid set the tray down and left the room, closing the door.
Delaney looked at her aunt. "What did you want to talk about, Aunt Renee?"
Aunt Renee sighed softly. She looked down at her hands for a moment before looking up into Delaney’s bright hazel eyes.
"The wedding is over, my dear," Aunt Renee began gently. "You are safely married to a wonderful, powerful man. You are the Duchess of Ford now. You have a beautiful new life ahead of you."
Delaney nodded her head, waiting for her aunt to continue.
"Because you are safe and happy," Aunt Renee said, her voice carrying a small hint of sadness, "I have decided that it is time for me to leave. I am going back to France."
Delaney’s eyes widened in shock. Her heart dropped heavily in her chest.
"France?" Delaney repeated, her voice shaking slightly. "But... but you just arrived. You cannot leave so soon."
Delaney felt a sudden, deep panic. For twenty years, she had lived entirely alone, surrounded only by cruel people. Just a few weeks ago, she had finally met her mother’s sister. She had finally found a true, loving family member. The thought of losing her aunt so quickly was incredibly painful.
Delaney leaned forward on the sofa. She reached her hands out across the small table and gently grasped Aunt Renee’s hands.
"Please, Aunt Renee," Delaney pleaded softly. Her eyes filled with tears. "Please stay here in London."
Aunt Renee looked at her niece with deep sympathy. "Delaney, my dear. I live in France. My home is there."
"But I need you here," Delaney continued to plead, squeezing her aunt’s hands tightly. "I have no other relatives in London. If you leave, I will have no older woman to guide me. I want you to stay."
Delaney’s mind worked quickly. She needed to give her aunt a logical reason to stay in England. She suddenly remembered the large country estate she had inherited from her late father.
"Oakridge Manor," Delaney said quickly. "That estate in the country. It belongs to me now."
Aunt Renee nodded. "Yes, it does."
"I cannot manage Oakridge Manor from London," Delaney explained, her voice growing stronger with her new idea. "Rowan has his own massive estates to run. Oakridge needs someone to watch over the staff, to manage the house, and to ensure the lands are properly cared for. I need someone I can completely trust."
Delaney looked deeply into Aunt Renee’s eyes.
"Stay and help me take care of Oakridge Manor, Aunt Renee," Delaney asked sincerely. "Live there. It is a beautiful house. You can visit me in London whenever you wish, and I will visit you in the country. Just please, do not go back across the sea. I need you near me."
Aunt Renee sat perfectly still. She listened carefully to her niece’s desperate loving plea.
Aunt Renee thought about her quiet life back in France. Her husband had been dead for many years. She had been lonely for so long. The rest of her French family members were all doing very well; they were grown, married, and did not truly need her daily presence anymore.
She looked at Delaney. She saw the young woman who looked exactly like her late sister, Genevieve. She saw how much Delaney truly loved her and needed a mother figure in her life. She realized she had absolutely nothing holding her back in France.
Aunt Renee smiled a very slow warm smile. She turned her hands over and gently squeezed Delaney’s fingers.
"You are absolutely right, my dear," Aunt Renee agreed softly. Her voice was full of gentle peace. "I have nothing back in France that truly needs my attention. My husband is dead, and my family is doing well without me. But you... you need me more here."
Delaney let out a sudden, loud gasp of relief. A bright, happy smile broke across her face.
"You will stay?" Delaney asked, her voice filled with wonderful hope.
Aunt Renee nodded her head firmly. The decision was already made.
"I will stay," Aunt Renee confirmed proudly. "I will gladly help you manage your father’s estate. It will be an honor."
Aunt Renee picked up her warm teacup. She took a slow, elegant sip of her tea, already planning her new duties in her mind.
"I will be leaving for Oakridge Manor this week then," Aunt Renee spoke clearly, setting her teacup back down onto the silver tray. "I must travel to the country quickly."
Delaney nodded her head rapidly. Her heart was completely full of joy. She was not going to lose her family.
"Thank you, Aunt Renee," Delaney smiled brightly, her eyes shining with happy tears. "Thank you so much."
Delaney stood up from the sofa. She walked around the small wooden table and threw her arms around her aunt’s neck, hugging her tightly. Aunt Renee laughed a soft laughter and hugged her niece back warmly.
