Delia's Debt

by Allison West

  “No.” Delia shook her head. “He can not leave!” She dropped hold of Edward and clung to Charles, her hands gripping the lapels of his jacket. “Please, you must do something!”

  “There is nothing that I or anyone else can do. If the sentencing has already happened, his fate is written,” Charles said. He tried to be comforting and as reassuring to Delia as possible, but what he could not fathom was why her father would rob a bank. Certainly it was no secret to him there had been some issues with money, but had he no other choice?

  “You will not help me?” Delia asked, taking a step back from Charles.

  “I do not know how. Perhaps we shall pay your father a visit. Maybe it is not him at all?” Charles said, trying to be as hopeful as possible, for both of their sakes. The wedding it seemed would not be happening today, if Jack Amor did not show up to walk his daughter down the aisle. “Edward, could you give us access to see the prisoner onboard the ship?”

  Shifting anxiously upon his feet, he grumbled under his breath. “I am not supposed to, but I could grant you five minutes, no more.”

  “That is all I shall need, to know if it is him,” Delia said. Her eyes did not betray her in the concern she obviously felt for her father’s well-being.

  If he was not arrested and sentenced, then where else would he be? Could he be at home, protesting the marriage? At least he would be safe and Delia would see him again, after a reconciliation. Hoping for what they wanted would not change the fact of what had happened. They needed to get to the docks at once.

  “I will delay the wedding.” Charles did not wish to tell the guests to leave and that the wedding had been called off. Perhaps he was still acting with a hopeful nature, that Delia would still marry him before the noon hour. After that, the church would not see to the wedding until another day.

  * * * * *

  “Come this way,” Edward said, directing them onboard the ship.

  Charles followed his cousin and clung tight to Delia’s hand as he led her further on the vessel. Momentarily he held his breath, hoping his cousin would not betray him, setting him up for further trouble. Citizens were not allowed on deck, only guards and prisoners, neither of which Charles desired to be at the moment.

  “Are you sure we will not get caught?” Delia asked, keeping her voice hardly above a whisper.

  “Leave the exchanges to me,” Edward said, taking charge as he unlocked the first section to keep any escaped prisoners from getting off the vessel. Once down below the deck, the three of them wandered through the empty halls of the ship where convicted felons were locked up. To the left and right, the cells were silent, a glimpse of light poking in revealing the empty cages yet to be used.

  “Peter, it is good to see you.” Edward kept his tone cheery and his steps light as he accompanied two guests on the ship.

  “What have we here?” Peter asked, his dark brown eyes matched the thick waves of dark hair that hung low, nearly covering his eyes.

  “You remember my cousin Charles, do you not? He wanted to take his new bride on the ship, remind her who is in charge and what will become of her if she steps out of line.”

  Peter’s eyes twinkled. “It would be against the rules, but I am feeling in the mood to be swayed by generosity.”

  Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out several shillings, placing them at the desk where the guard sat.

  Peter fingered through each shilling, before nodding and gesturing for the door. “Seven minutes and if you get caught, I will insist I do not know who you are.”

  “It would not be a lie,” Edward said in agreement. “They will be out in five.” He unlocked the hall and let them wander through the small confined space, searching for the cell that housed Delia’s father.

  Edward remained at the desk, chatting with Peter while they headed deeper into the darkness of the prison system. Unlike the earlier empty gaol cells, these blocks housed dozens of men, confined to a small space.

  “Father?” Delia called, her voice carrying softly like the wind, difficult to hear among the chatter of men and hiss of threats. Her grip tightened around Charles’s hand.

  “We will find him, if he is here,” Charles said. He had hoped that the guard would have led them to the proper cell for the money he had paid so easily.

  She drew closer to the cages of men who acted like wild beasts, growling and fighting, throwing punches and wrestling for dominance. Delia took a tentative step back. Was she afraid to find her father or did her fear stem from the men locked up behind the iron bars? The stench was quite awful, the air stale and thick. He did not envy Edward and the work he had to do daily.

  “Jack!” Charles gasped, catching sight of a man sitting on the floor in the corner, keeping to himself. His left eye had been gashed and a bruise had begun to form over his right cheek.

  Jack was not the only man in the gaol cell. The moment Delia stepped closer to speak with her father, a man twice her size approached the bars, his hands snaking out as he tried to touch her. She jumped back, her reflexes worked fast and her hands trembled as she stared at him wordlessly.

  “How would you like to get locked up in here with me? We could make it a party.”

  Charles stepped between Delia and the prisoner with a lewd tongue. “I am sorry, but you are not either of our type.” He nodded toward Jack Amor, praying that he would find the strength to come closer. Neither of them had the key or ability to step into the cell. Charles also did not desire to chance letting the man standing just a few feet away, come anywhere near Delia.

  “Delia?” Jack rubbed at his eyes and stood, coughing as he approached the bars, standing beside the leering felon who would not take his eyes off his daughter.

  “Father! What happened? Tell me what we must do to fix this wrong.” Her hand let go of Charles and grasped at the bars, trying desperately to touch him again. “Please. I cannot let you leave me.”

  Charles wished that she had felt that way about him. He knew they were not marrying solely for love, that came after the wedding when they had the opportunity to further explore every ounce of one another.

  “I made a grave mistake,” Jack said. He coughed yet again, this time covering his lips with a handkerchief as a small stain of blood coated the fresh white linen. “I thought I could secure you a dowry, one that would give you more opportunities for marriage. I am sure Mr. Hayward is a fine gentleman but he has two children. Perhaps someone younger would be better suited for you.”

  Delia pulled her hand back abruptly from the metal, as if his words had the power to burn her. She had not thought about Charles’s age at all. He had a few years on her, but what did it matter? “I want to marry Charles, father. He is kind, protective, and loyal. I did not come here to argue, only to find you so that you could walk me down the aisle.”

  The reality of her words must have set in as she glanced down at her feet and then spun around to stare at Charles. “I have made a mess of a perfect Wednesday morning for a wedding.”

  “You have done nothing of the sort,” he said, staring at her perfectly plump cherry red lips. Charles wanted to cease the moment and kiss her but he did not. There were felons watching and he did not wish to entertain them with a show.

  Her eyes stayed locked on Charles’s lips. “We should go.” Her words were soft and tranquil, filled with a sadness and longing that he could not fix.

  “Delia,” Jack said, trying again to get her attention. “I only stole from the bank so that I could give you a dowry that you deserved. I am sorry I have failed you. I never intended for any of this to happen.”

  Charles made certain to hold his tongue. His heart pumped loudly, the dull throbbing rang in his ears with each beat. How had Jack thought stealing would do his daughter any good? Charles had been plenty able to provide for her, care for Delia, and had feelings for her. Was that not more than any father could ask for? Certainly the arrangement had been quick but many did not see their betrothed until the wedding day, at the very last moment, d
uring the ceremony.

  “You did not think!” Delia spun around on her feet, staring at the cage, her hands balled into fists and her cheeks heated and red. “All I wanted was for your blessing and to give me away on my wedding day, a father’s rightful duty. It seems as though I had neither.”

  “I did not know he meant that much to you,” Jack said. His eyes locked on Charles.

  Charles nodded and wrapped an arm around Delia’s shoulders. “She means the world to me, sir. It is unfortunate you will not be able to attend our wedding, but your blessing would be a beautiful gift for your daughter.”

  “Of course,” Jack said. He coughed again, covering his lips with the dirty, now red rag. Delia’s father retreated slowly, likely needing to sit down.

  When had Jack grown ill? Charles had not seen any indication of his ill health until today. Had he hid it well? Delia had made no mention of it either. He could no longer worry himself about Jack. He was a grown man and had made a costly mistake. There was nothing left for Charles to do to help. Hopefully Delia had found the closure she needed to accept what happened to her father and why he had left.

  “We must be on our way.” Charles kept his voice low, so only Delia could hear him. Their time had to be up and it was imperative that they manage to escape without issue and find their way back to the church before the noon bells announced it was too late to wed. Assuming she would still have him.

  “Yes.” Delia nodded in agreement. Her cheeks were red and a thin sheen of sweat coated her brow. “To the church?”

  “Only if you will do the honors of being my wife?” Charles had no desire to face his friends and family if the wedding would not take place. Already the guests had been left waiting with no indication of what happened, only that there was a delay and not to leave.

  “I shall have it no other way.”

  She did not have to tell him that she missed her father and regretted that he could not walk her down the aisle. Charles would do everything in his power to help but it was too late for money to ease the suffering of grown men who could find forgiveness in wealth. The sentencing and verdict had been completed.

  * * * * *

  The wedding had been simple yet elegant. A few invited guests had departed before the ceremony, perhaps expecting the wedding had been called off without a formal announcement.

  Charles could not stop the errant beat of his heart as he watched Delia walk down the aisle.

  His girls cheered and grinned, Alice the least of all capable of keeping quiet. Emma constantly tried to silence her sister, but it did little to matter, every word could be heard in the small church. The ceilings though high produced an echo and did nothing to muffle the sound.

  The kiss exchanged had been simple yet elegant. He may have desired to ravish her but now was not the time or place. No one needed to know of their heated cravings and carnal lust.

  The festivities trailed into the afternoon and then the evening hour as the excitement bubbled down. Together they put the girls to bed, their girls, and Charles took Delia’s hand, leading her to the bedroom.

  Her blue eyes were wide, doe-like, and he felt her hand tremble in his.

  “Do not be afraid,” Charles said, his voice soft and as reassuring as possible. “Nothing changes, my little Lia.”

  She silently nodded and he closed the door behind them, trapping her against the door.

  “Tell me what you are thinking.” Charles wanted to know if she was nervous or locked up in her head, because of her father’s crimes.

  “My stomach is a symphony of butterflies that cannot be contained.” She moved to sit at the edge of the bed. “I think I am going to be sick.”

  Her cheeks were flushed and he moved to stand in front of her, his hands on her shoulders. Her entire body trembled under his touch. “Lie back,” he said, guiding her further onto the mattress. “Your nerves seem to have you under their control. We must change that.”

  “How?” Her voice squeaked and Charles climbed beside her on the mattress.

  “Close your eyes.” His words came out soft spoken and though he desired to dominate her, he did not intend to scare her. The day had been trying and yes it was their wedding night, but she had a lot on her mind.

  Delia listened to him and did as he told her. Slowly her eyelids fluttered shut. “Okay. Now what?”

  He grabbed a quilt at the bottom of the bed and pulled it up around her. “Nothing we do tonight will be any different than what we have been experiencing together.” Did she fear that everything would suddenly change because they were wed?

  Her body appeared to relax under the warmth and comfort of the blanket around her. “I cannot stop thinking about it,” she said. Her eyelids fluttered slowly open, staring at him lying beside her on the bed. “How could he do something so foolish, Charles?”

  “You mean your father?” Charles suspected her anxiety had been due to the fact of her father’s imprisonment and transport to the penal colony. “Perhaps there is still time to plea for his release.”

  “I do not believe that will work. You said as much yourself earlier this morning.”

  “Yes, but I know the magistrate. Perhaps if I spoke with him, we might convince him that sending your father away would be ill advised. Leaving him among healthy guards may prove fatal for everyone.” Had Delia not recognized the signs of consumption? “How long has your father had that ailing cough?”

  “I do not recall it,” Delia said. “He was in good health when we both paid him a visit with the girls just over a week ago.”

  She had been correct. He had seen no signs of the disease until today, or perhaps he had learned to hide it well. Worry plagued his mind for the health of his children who he had brought into her childhood home. There was little he could do to protect Emma and Alice. The exposure had already occurred. Now he would have to wait, same as Delia, to ensure they did not share consumption with her father.

  “I am sorry I have spoiled our wedding night,” Delia said, quick to apologize. “I am sure you were looking forward to tonight. I know I had been excited for what it would bring.” She reached for his hand.

  “We have the rest of our lives to enjoy one another’s company,” Charles said. He desired his new wife, Delia, but would do everything to protect her, even from his own carnal urges. Gently he leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek. “Goodnight, my little Lia.”

  “Goodnight, Charles.” Her eyes shut and she shifted beneath the covers, curling up against his body.

  He envied her ability to sleep. Even after a harsh and exhausting day, he did not think he would find the comfort of slumber for some time. Charles waited until her breathing had evened and she had fallen into a deep peaceful sleep before untangling himself from her embrace. With careful and quiet footsteps, he headed out of the bedroom and down the stairs for the study. He would draft a letter and have a courier deliver it to the magistrate first thing tomorrow morning.

  Chapter 11

  Delia awoke with a start. The night had turned to day but it was still dark. However, it would not be long before the children would awaken and she would have to tend to them and begin another day of their studies.

  “Good morning,” Charles said, stirring as she sat up in bed.

  She had not intended to wake him. “Sorry,” she said, quick to apologize. “Go back to sleep.”

  “Not without you.” He reached for her arm, pulling her back down under the covers.

  “Alice will be up soon.” She had discovered that the youngest girl had been the reason both children were always awake at dawn. Alice had a knack for waking her sleeping sister before finding their nanny or in this case, Delia.

  “I know, which is why we must hire a nanny,” Charles said. “For both of your sakes.”

  Delia frowned. “Do you not trust me with your girls?” She had done everything she could to treat them as she would her own children, should she ever have the opportunity to become a mother.

  “They are our childr
en now,” he said, sitting up as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “You do good with them, but sometimes I feel you could use a break. As it is, you have your hands full with being the governess and Alice should not spend all her days in school. She is much too young.”

  “That is not true,” Delia said, countering him. “She is bright and full of passion. I have already taught her to write the alphabet and she knows her numbers through twenty. Give me time with her and she will be the brightest in all of Windsor.”

  “Tempting, but I am going to have to demand you take care of yourself too. You are my wife and my little Lia. I do not wish you to be taxed by the end of the night. If you desire, we can interview nannies together and choose one that we both agree will be a good influence upon the girls.”

  Delia did not want another repeat of Nanny Ida that may have been polite to the children but had also lost her cool, stealing them from their father. “Are you sure that is what you want?” How could he be so calm about hiring a nanny? Perhaps he trusted Delia’s opinion in choosing a caretaker for the girls, or he knew that whomever he hired would hold no torch, with the desire to meddle in his relationships.

  “Your debt to me is absolved, Delia. You have proven your loyalty and your passion to please me. I have no doubt that we will spend many years delighted with each other’s company. I do believe that if you wish to be the children’s nanny, then we shall hire a governess. Requesting you to do both is more than just a great challenge but I wish my wife to have some time to relax at night with me.”

  She smiled, understanding his concern. “We shall put out an ad for a nanny for the children.”

  “Good,” Charles said, nodding pleased with her response. “If you shall like the nanny for Alice and Emma, then perhaps we could work something out for her to look after my little Lia at night as well.”

  Her stomach tensed at the mere thought of someone other than her husband seeing her naked and tending to her needs. What they shared was between them. “Are you sure that is such a good idea?” Had he not learned anything from the threats of his cousin?