As soon as Miles said go, Delaney pushed off, running as hard as she could. Beside her, Vincent had taken off as well and she panicked seeing the tall boy quickly pull ahead of her. She pushed her legs harder as the ran uphill towards the tree where she had been sitting earlier.
Behind the racing pair, the other children cheered. The girls jumped and called for Delaney to run faster. The boys shouted and whistled as Vincent pulled into the lead. The girls were nervous but Delaney was the tallest of them all and had always been very fast. She wasn't too far behind Vincent. She could still win.
Vincent ran as hard as he could and was actually pleased to see the girl he was promised to wasn't far behind him. He had never known girls to race. Surely they all didn't. His Mother would have been very unhappy to see the girl behaving so unladylike. She was to be the next Lady Adair one day. For twelve year old Vincent though this was a relief. Maybe she would be some fun after all.
As they neared the tree, Delaney's lungs burned from the exertion. Worse than that, Vincent was still ahead of her. This made her angry and she found herself wishing he would trip. She had to win. She couldn't bear the thought of ever seeing these boys again if she lost and she had to see them for the rest of her life. It would embarrass her terribly. She would one day marry the boy she lost to. Would he even want to marry her if she lost? Who would want to marry a loser? He could demand their contract be broken and then she would be husband-less just like Constance.
With this terrifying thought, Delaney pushed herself as hard as she could. They were almost to the tree.
Just before Vincent reached the old oak tree, something came to his mind his father had once said to him. His parents had just argued about something and in the end, his Mother had won. When she left the room, Vincent had hurried to his father and suggested other points he could make so he could go after his wife and win the argument. His father had chuckled had mussed his black hair.
"My boy let me teach you one of the most important things about being married," his eyes gleamed looking down at his son as if this was the deepest secret he had, "It is very important to make sure your wife wins just as many arguments as you. Maybe even more. If something is truly important to you then you'll be able to show that to her. If it's not, let her have her way. I can promise you she'll love you for it. It will give you a happy home. It's more important to be happy as much as you can than to be right as much as you can."
As soon as that came to his mind, Vincent thought about Delaney. She wasn't his wife yet but he figured he should still care if she was happy or not. He could tell it was important to her to win this race. Was it important to him? If he won, the girls would be upset and he would have embarrassed Delaney. No doubt Miles would taunt her. If he lost though all it meant is the boys would have to play with the girls. If the other girls were at all like Delaney it might even make things more fun.
Delaney pushed hard and her heart could've burst with excitement as she pulled ahead of Vincent right before she touched the oak tree. She met his dark green eyes for just a second as they passed one another and she saw he had just the slightest smile. She frowned. Maybe he was trying to trick her. She wouldn't let him make a fool of her and win now.
Running downhill, gravity pulled Delaney faster than she'd ever ran before. The girls were going mad cheering for her and the boys were yelling in panic for Vincent to hurry. Delaney's chestnut waves came free of their ribbons and streamed behind her like a banner. At last she came up to the finish line and burst through, breaking her friends clasped hands. She cried out in excitement.
Trying to stop herself, Delaney realized coming down the hill she had been more falling than running. As she tried to slow down, she lost her balance and fell forward into the grass, rolling a little ways before coming to a stop.
All of the children stared in shock. Vincent broke through them, his expression filled with worry as he ran to her. "Delaney are you alright?" he demanded, helping her to sit up as the other children gathered around them, looking on in fear.
Delaney pushed her wild locks out of her face and beamed up at Vincent, "I beat you."
Vincent blinked. The girl sat in a torn and stained dress with grass and leaves in her hair and her feet filthy with mud, smiling the biggest smile he'd ever seen. He smiled back down at her then, raising his eyebrows and shrugging a shoulder, "You did."
The children cheered as Vincent helped Delaney to her feet. When he let go of her hand she was immediately enveloped in a group hug from her friends. He laughed at the sight of it.
"How did you lose?" Miles whined beside him, "You're faster than her!"
"I guess not," Vincent grinned, patting his brother on the head.
"Delaney Simms!" came a shout from behind them then and the group turned together to see Delaney's parents as well as some of the other adults come marching down the hill.
"Uh oh," Miles whispered, seeing their mother was among the group.
Delaney came forward, eyes cast to the ground, hands behind her back. "What on earth do you think you're doing?" her mother demanded, "Just look at you!"
"This is not the way proper girls behave young lady," her father scolded.
Vincent glanced at Delaney and saw her sorry expression. His own mother was looking at her quite coldly. She hated things not being proper and following rules. Before he could give it more thought, Vincent stepped forward. "It was my fault," he declared, "I told her she had to race me. I said she had to listen to me because I was going to be her husband one day."
Delaney's blue-green eyes shot to Vincent who didn't dare look her way.
"Is that true Delaney?" Vincent's mother Violet asked with an eyebrow raised, "Did my son tell you you had to race him?"
"I..." Delaney looked from Violet to her son and back, "I didn't want to race at first but..."
"There you are Mother," Vincent cut her off and gave his Mother a convincing smile, "It was my fault." He turned to Delaney's parents then and gave them a little bow, "I apologize for the trouble and upsetting you. I just thought it would be a bit of fun."
The adults looked from one child to the other. Delaney was quiet, waiting to hear if she would be in trouble. Perhaps Vincent's mother would be the one to want their marriage contract broken. She wouldn't want her son marrying a girl who behaved so badly. Maybe she would end up alone like Constance after all.
"Alright, well we need to be leaving now Delaney you've ruined your dress and your hair is unsightly." Delaney visibly relaxed at her Mothers words, as her parents turned to head back to the house. Violet stood for a moment, studying her son. Vincent was pretty sure she didn't believe him. At last though she turned and followed the rest.
"Thank you," Delaney whispered looking up at Vincent with apologetic eyes.
Vincent smiled, "Of course my Lady."
Delaney blushed red, eyes going wide, before Selina grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the house.
"Vince why did you do that?" Miles demanded, his expression astounded.
Vincent smiled and threw his arm around Miles' shoulders, "Come on little brother. I need to tell you one of our Father's most important secrets."