On the way home, Delilah considered everything that had happened. Henry would be glad that she hadn't truly betrayed her father. Things would be fine between them - judging by that kiss, better than fine!
"Miss Busk?" Are there usually vehicles so far from the house?" asked one of the guards, interrupting her thoughts.
"No... This isn't normal." she replied, frowning as she put Jet into a canter.
The guard who had spoken to her stayed close, but motioned his men to keep their distance. The two of them would be less of a threat, therefore less likely to receive a violent welcome.
"This is my father's car! His guards' cars are all here too!" she exclaimed. While Delilah had known that her father had been captured, she hadn't been told the details. The wreckage brought it home, hard.
Nobody was around, so they motioned the rest of the group forward. "I'll have to make sure someone comes for the cars." thought Delilah, knowing that they were her parents prized possessions.
"Please stay here, or better yet go back a ways." she instructed the guard next to her, right before coming in sight of the house.
"Miss, we were told to see you safely home." he replied.
"And you have. If I show up alone there will be few if any questions. But if they see you, I might not even be able to get the information." Delilah said firmly.
"Very well. Just shout if you need us." he said uncertainly. Immediately he was rewarded with Delilah's confident smile.
Soon the house was in sight. A lump formed in her throat. Honestly she had resigned herself to never seeing it again. In her spare moments she had been plotting ways to get Mirabel. Most involved Henry smuggling her out.
Now she would be able to walk in and get her. ""From now on, where I go, she goes." vowed Delilah, realizing just how close she had been to losing her. Whatever the future might hold, they would face it together.
She took Jet to the stable first. "Cool him off Rick, and give him a little water. But keep him saddled and ready. I think I will be going back out soon." she told the young man, whom had been trained by Henry. He knew how to rest a horse without making the animal unable to travel.
Then she steeled herself and walked to her home, if indeed it was to remain so. The future was still uncertain. "Welcome home, Miss." beamed an older woman with rough hands and a thin, muscular body.
"Thank you, Sheila. Could you please ask the cook to make some vegetable soup?"
"Of course! I know he will be pleased." she said, still smiling
"I know she was worried. Thankfully she's too much of a stickler for manners to ask questions." thought Delilah to herself.
Once Sheila was gone, she went straight to the attic. Surprisingly her father hadn't hidden the proof in his quarters. "Perhaps he wanted to make sure Mother didn't stumble across it." she mused.
"Mother... I would like to see her, but she would ask questions! No, it's better to get in and out as fast as I can. Get the proof and Mirabel, then leave." she resolved.
The small package was exactly where it was supposed to be. She sighed with relief. "Now for Mirabel." This was easier than she had dared to hope.
Delilah then went to her quarters. Shedding a few tears, she remembered many happy times. Would she be able to go home as if nothing happened when this was finally over, or would the truth come out? If it did, would Father forgive her?
"Mirabel! I'm home." she announced. No reply, so she did a quick search. Of course, she had been gone too long. Mirabel would have left to find a meal.
"Maybe she's in the kitchen." thought Delilah. Thinking about her own soup waiting, she smiled. A few extra minutes wouldn't hurt.
"Ah, hello Miss Delilah! Your soup is ready." exclaimed a somewhat plump young man in his twenties.
"Thank you, George. I'll just eat it here." she replied, smiling. "Have you seen Mirabel?" she asked after a couple of bites.
"Why yes, she came in for breakfast. Had two scrambled eggs, and a nice piece of turkey."
"Do you know where she is now?" asked Delilah hopefully.
"No Miss, sorry. She left right after she ate."
"That's alright, George. Thanks for taking such good care of her." she said, thankful to be surrounded by kind people. She finished her soup happily and in good company.
"Mirabel? I'm back, where are you?" she called, walking through the luxurious home. Everything was oddly quiet. She had only seen three staff so far, George, Sheila, and Rick. Where was everyone?
She turned the corner, and opened the door to the living room. Inside, she saw Mother stroking a purring Mirabel.
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