A Scandal By Any Other Name-Chapter 181 - Hundred And Eighty One

The next morning, the sun rose brightly, casting a warm, golden glow through the tall glass windows of Hamilton House. The heavy, frightening shadows of the past three days had finally lifted.

Inside the master bedchamber, the atmosphere was completely transformed. The quiet, anxious silence was gone, replaced by the joyful sounds of a reunited family.

Aunt Margery and Ines were really happy to see Rowan awake.

When Ines first walked into the room and saw her brother sitting up against the white linen pillows, her eyes immediately filled with tears. She abandoned all the strict rules of a proper Duchess and rushed to the side of the bed.

She carefully wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, being mindful of his bandaged head, and let out a long breath of pure relief.

Aunt Margery followed closely behind, leaning heavily on her walking stick. A wide, genuine smile stretched across her wrinkled face as she looked at her stubborn nephew.

Ines pulled back slightly, her hands resting gently on Rowan’s arms. She searched his pale face, noting the dark bruises that still marked his jawline.

"Does it hurt?" Ines asked, her voice trembling slightly with lingering worry.

Rowan offered his sister a small, comforting smile. He did not want her to fret over him.

"Just a little," Rowan replied. His voice was still a bit rough and raspy, but it carried its usual calm strength. "It is mostly a dull ache now. You do not need to cry, Ines. I have a very hard headache."

Ines let out a watery laugh and wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief.

Just then, Edith stepped into the room carrying young Harry. The little boy was wide awake, his bright eyes taking in the busy room. When Harry saw his uncle sitting on the bed, he immediately started to bounce in Edith’s arms.

Harry babbled loudly and stretched his small, chubby hands out, demanding for Rowan to carry him.

Ines took the baby from Edith. She hesitated for a moment, looking at Rowan. "Are you sure you are strong enough?" she asked.

Rowan nodded firmly. He reached his large hands out. "Bring him here."

Rowan lifted him gently from his mother’s arms. He settled the warm, heavy weight of the baby onto his lap, carefully supporting Harry’s back.

"Hello there, champ," Rowan said, his voice softening into a deep, affectionate rumble. He looked down at his nephew with a bright smile. "Missed me?" he asked.

Harry babbled a happy, meaningless response. Then, with the sudden, unpredictable speed of a young child, Harry reached up with his tiny fist. He grabbed a thick handful of Rowan’s blond hair, right near the edge of the white bandage, and pulled hard.

Rowan winced sharply.

Ines gasped. She immediately leaned forward, her hands hovering over her son. She and Rowan tried to pry his tiny, strong hand out of the hair.

"No, no, Harry, let go of your uncle," Ines scolded gently, trying to unfold the tiny fingers one by one.

Rowan let out a low, painful groan as the baby tugged again.

"I can tell he really missed me," Rowan joked, his eyes crinkling at the corners despite the sharp sting on his scalp. "He is trying to ensure I never leave my bed again."

Delaney stood quietly near the fireplace, watching the beautiful family scene. Her heart swelled with a massive, overwhelming love. This was the warm, loving family she had always dreamed of.

Finally, Ines managed to free Rowan’s hair from the baby’s tight grip.

Aunt Margery turned away from the bed. She walked over to where Delaney was standing. The older woman’s sharp eyes looked at Delaney’s simple dark traveling dress.

"Have you packed?" Aunt Margery asked softly, keeping her voice low so as not to disturb the playful moment on the bed.

Delaney nodded her head. "Yes, Aunt Margery. My trunk is ready, and it has been brought down to the foyer."

Aunt Margery did not offer a formal handshake. She reached out and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around Delaney, pulling her into a warm, maternal embrace.

"My brave child," Aunt Margery whispered against her hair. "We will see you very soon."

When Aunt Margery pulled away, Ines walked over. Ines hugged her too. The Duchess squeezed Delaney tightly, showing her immense, unspoken gratitude for saving her brother’s life and his heart.

"Thank you, Delaney," Ines said softly. "For everything."

Even Harry wanted to say goodbye. Delaney carried him for a brief moment. She held the warm baby against her chest, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his plump cheek. He smelled of sweet milk and lavender soap. She handed him gently back to his mother.

Aunt Margery clapped her hands together lightly. "Come now, Ines. The doctor will be here soon to change the bandages, and we have much to prepare downstairs."

Aunt Margery and Ines left the room, closing the door softly behind them. They deliberately gave Rowan and Delaney the quiet time they needed to say their proper goodbyes.

Meanwhile, on the ground floor of Hamilton House, the grand foyer was peaceful. The house was still officially closed to all visitors due to the Duke’s accident.

Suddenly, a loud, sharp knock came on the heavy front door.

Mr. Simmons straightened his dark coat. He walked with slow, measured steps across the marble floor. He unlocked the brass latch and pulled the heavy door open just a few inches, fully intending to turn away whatever merchant or gossiping neighbor had come to pry.

A man stood on the stone steps.

He was a middle-aged man wearing a fine coat, but the fabric looked slightly worn at the edges. His face was sharp, and his eyes darted around the grand entrance with a greedy, calculating gleam.

The man tipped his hat, offering a smooth, overly polite smile.

"Good morning, sir," the man said.

Mr. Simmons did not open the door any further. He maintained his perfect, blank professional expression.

Mr. Simmons answered, his tone completely firm and dismissive. "The Hamilton family isn’t available to visitors. The Duke is still indisposed due to his accident. Please return at a later date."

Simmons began to push the heavy door closed.

The man quickly raised his hand, placing it flat against the thick wood to stop the door from shutting.

"I’m sorry," the man replied, his smooth smile completely vanishing. He puffed out his chest, trying to look important and demanding. "Let me introduce myself. I am Baron Cole Kingsley. And I am here for my niece, Miss Delaney Kingsley."

Inside the grand foyer, Aunt Margery was just walking down the final steps of the main staircase. She heard the man’s raised voice echoing through the open crack of the door.

She stopped on the bottom step. Her eyebrows drew together in a sharp, dangerous frown.

"Who is that, Simmons?" Aunt Margery asked loudly, stepping off the stairs.

Mr. Simmons turned his head slightly. "A gentleman claiming to be a Baron, my lady."

Aunt Margery walked directly to the door. She pulled it open wider, her sharp eyes fixing coldly on the man standing on her front steps.

Cole Kingsley saw the rich silk of her morning gown and immediately recognized the authority of a high-ranking noblewoman. He bowed deeply, showing entirely too much deference.

"Good morning, my lady," Cole said smoothly. "I apologize for the intrusion during such a difficult time for your family. I am here for my niece, Miss Delaney Kingsley. I have been looking for her for three years. I was informed she has been residing here, and I have come to take her home."