Season's Feather

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Delilah was with Daphne at her new residence. She was staying through to the fair and then would head back home to London. She had just arrived that day when Daphne quickly snagged her off through to the grounds of the estate.

Delilah knew it all though, everything was so familiar. The smell, the hallways, even the old duke's office. Everything was from her childhood visits when the duchess was still alive. And when her mother was in better health.

"So, how much are you changing?" Delilah asked.

Daphne looked at her friend, "It's quite interesting. He told me to change it all. And, when I asked if he had any fond memories he said only when you and Mary would come."

Delilah nodded her head, "It does sound about right. But, that is not a topic for now, how are your activities."

"Delilah!"

"What, we are best friends, I should know all of this."

"Well, our activities are quite...spirited. I admit. I didn't even know it was possible. I believed his physical inability to have children would preclude him from..causing such entanglements?" Daphne said with a laugh.

"Is it everything you every dreamed of?" Delilah asked.

Daphne smiled, "Oh you have no idea, Delilah, it is love."

Delilah only giggled at her friend. She could see the love forming and growing between them. Is this how it was with her and Anthony? Oh, Anthony. He was very sad to see her go, but with one kiss and a promise to return soon, he forbade her a goodbye.

"Yes." Daphne sighed happily, "I am quite glad to say I was wrong."

The two swung their arms happily together.

"Oh," Delilah said, "Colin is engaged."

"What?" Daphne said.

Delilah smiled sarcastically at her friend, "Miss Marina Thompson. He announced it in the garden before I left."

"Good heavens," Daphne spoke.

"Good heavens, indeed, 'Daph."

— & —

That weekend at the fair Delilah was running through with the children. She was the unguarded spectacle of the fair. The duchesses best friend, the dukes younger sister, but they didn't see her like that. She was the mysterious beauty who was kind and fair.

Delilah had known these people since she were young, they were happy to see her back in town. The duke was happy she visited. Watching her run with the children, just like when they were just children running in the halls of the Hastings estate.

"What is the prize for the winner?" Daphne asked. They were standing around a pig pen. Delilah was still off in the field running and playing with the children.

"Why, slaughter, of course." A man said. Daphne did not look happy with that as she looked back down at the pigs circling the pen in high screeches.

"Ahem..." Daphne started after a moment, "As the duke has granted me the honor of opening the village fair with this contest, it is after careful consideration that I have decided...that all three pigs have tied!"

Daphne did not realize it, but the people had begun to murmur in confusion. "I hereby decree every pig such a winner that none should be slaughtered."

The towns folk hesitantly clapped.

Later the duke and Daphne watched as Delilah was still running around with the children.

"She has so much energy, I don't know how she has yet to stop." Daphne said, watching as her friend tripped over her dress. But Delilah got up laughing as she began to be pulled by the children once more. Daphne could even hear the laughter of parents as they watched her.

"Delilah came frequently, The townspeople watched her grow. To them, she is not a child anymore, she is a woman who they admire greatly. She is my sister." The duke explained.

"She came that often?" Daphne asked, "She mentioned it briefly, she has always talked about it I suppose."

"Oh yes, her mother and mine were close, so they made trips frequently and stayed for long periods of time." Simon said watching Deliah pick up a little girl and swing her playfully in the air.

Daphne watched as Delilah walked back over with joy evident in her face. "Oh Daphne!" She laughed as she approached. "They are so much fun."

"Of course, Lilah." Daphne giggled.

The three began walking, Simon and Delilah telling stories around the many areas they used to play as children. Delilah was listening to Simon tell Daphne about the time she got shoved into dress up with all the mothers in the town when a small child ran up with tears in her eyes.

Delilah turned around quickly and picked the small girl up holding her to her chest, "Oh my dear, do not cry. All is well, though you do have a very strong set of lungs. My mother should hear you all the way in London."

"If not all the way to France."

The trio turned to the mother of the child. A very pregnant woman with two other children playing around her. She looked at her youngest, "I must apologize, Miss Delilah, Your Graces'. Little Ada has just discovered her own voice and likes to use it as often and loudly as she can."

Delilah smiled, "Well a beautiful girl she is."

Daphne watched as her friend held the child, her own heart softly breaking inside. Delilah looked so natural with children. Despite being an only child, she had an affinity for them that even Daphne couldn't pertain to. She would be able to have children with Anthony. Delilah would make Daphne an aunt. And yet, she was still dreaming of children herself. For her own child. Her own daughter to hold and love.

"It was lovely to make your acquaintance." Daphne smiled.

Delilah let the little girl out of her arms and stood back next to her friend.

— & —

Delilah had left that afternoon. She wanted to make it back in time for dinner with the Bridgertons and tell Anthony about the fair. With sad eyes however, she left the house where most of her childhood was spent.

The many weeks at a time her and her mother would spend there after the passing of Simon's mother. And with her own fathers death it was a place of refuge.

But she would be back, now that her best friend was living there as a duchess she could go and visit the many residents there who had watched Delilah grow from a child to woman. Infact, many of them had been there to see her off, just like when she was a child riding a carriage with her mother home.

Arriving back at the Bridgerton household she was immediately greeted by Anthony.

"Delilah!" He called. His face lit in a smile as he saw her. She was pulled into his arms with a strong hug.

"Hello, darling. How is everything?" Delilah asked.

"Well. Colin is still in his mindset that he will be marrying Mrs. Thompson." Anthony sighed. Delilah frowned, Anthony had felt that Colin was rushing into a marriage. And Delilah agreed, but at the same time Anthony was taking his anger out in the wrong way.

Delilah sighed, the season was far from over.