Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Bennett stood in front of the parlor window, watching Delphine in the gardens. She sat on a bench, gently stroking Matilda, her expression one of sadness and pensiveness. He felt the need to go to her, to offer his support, but he had convinced himself not to do so.

His mother's voice came from the doorway. "You should go to her," she said.

"And say what exactly?" Bennett asked as he turned to face her. "She just finished conversing with her husband."

She walked further into the room. "I have no doubt that Delphine is scared, and she needs a friend."

"Friendship is not what I am seeking," Bennett admitted.

His mother did not look the least bit surprised by his declaration. "Perhaps not, but that is what she needs right now," she said as she came to stand beside him. "Winston informed me about what Delphine intends to do with her marriage. Voiding a marriage is not an easy path."

Bennett understood this all too well. He did not need reminders of the difficulty involved. It was weighing heavily on his mind. "I know, but Delphine wants to go forward with it. "

"She is a brave young woman," his mother acknowledged. "If she is successful, her reputation will be in tatters."

"I do not think she has even considered that," he said as he dropped down onto a chair.

His mother lowered herself down into a chair next to him. "What is it that you want?" she asked.

"I don't rightly know," he confessed.

"That is not the answer I was hoping for," she said.

Bennett didn't have time for this. He wanted nothing more than to be alone so he could wallow in his self-misery. "What is it that you want from me, Mother?"

His mother regarded him with a compassionate gaze. "As a mother, I want you to have everything your heart desires. I want to take away every pain, every heartache and only allow you to experience joy. But that is impossible. You must experience each if you want to appreciate the other." She paused. "How you respond to your suffering is what will define you."

"That is easier said than done," Bennett remarked.

Rising, his mother said, "Right now, more than anything, Delphine needs a friend. Can you be that for her?"

"I want to, but I'm afraid that I won't be able to set aside my feelings for her," Bennett replied.

"If you can't be with her during the bad times, what makes you think you deserve to be with her through the good?"

Bennett knew his mother made a very good point. He had been so consumed with his own thoughts and feelings that he hadn't considered what Delphine was truly going through. And that ended now. He would be a friend to her- the greatest of all friends.

He jumped up from his seat. "I can be her friend."

His mother gave him a knowing smile. "I know you can, my dear," she said. "Now, go before I give you even more unsolicited advice."

"Thank you," Bennett said before he hurried out the door. He knew the odds were stacked against Delphine, but he refused to give up. Not on her. Or himself. They might not have a future together, but all he wanted was for her to be happy.

As he passed by the drawing room, he heard giggling coming from within. He came to a stop, wondering what was so amusing.

Bennett stepped into the room and saw Mr. Simpkin and Miss Eden sitting on the settee, engaged in a conversation. By the looks of it, they were both rather enjoying themselves.

He cleared his throat, wanting to make his presence known.

Miss Eden's eyes went wide at the sight of him and she quickly rose. "Lord Dunsby," she said as she moved to create more distance between herself and Mr. Simpkin.

Mr. Simpkin did not look the least bit ashamed and simply asked, "My lord, is there something we can help you with?" His words were curt, despite the awkward situation.

"No," Bennett replied, his response blunt and to the point.

With a glance at Mr. Simpkin, Miss Eden said, "Excuse me. I think it would be best if I go rest before supper."

Bennett stood to the side as Miss Eden departed from the drawing room.

Mr. Simpkin stood and regarded him with disdain. "Now that Miss Eden is gone, I was hoping we could speak for a moment."

"What is it that you wish to speak about?" Bennett asked as he walked further into the room. He had a feeling that this conversation was meant to be private.

"I know what you are trying to do with my wife, and it ends now," Mr. Simpkin asserted. "I refuse to go along with voiding our marriage. We are legally wed, and I will not lose her."

Bennett could hear the determination in Mr. Simpkin's voice but if he wanted to have a frank conversation, so be it. "Do you love her?"

Mr. Simpkin huffed. "Love?" he asked. "What does love have to do with marriage? Delphine and I agreed to wed in name only. It was a strategic move on both our parts."

"What does Lady Dunrobin get out of the marriage?"

"She has the protection of my name," Mr. Simpkin stated.

Bennett lifted his brow. "What kind of protection is that?" he asked. "You are only gentry and I doubt that you have made any mark in Society."

Mr. Simpkin bristled. "With Delphine's lands, I am one of the largest landowners in all of England."

"All I am hearing is that you benefit greatly from the marriage," Bennett responded. "Lady Dunrobin is a clever young woman. Why would she have gone along willingly with this marriage when it is so clearly not in her favor?"

With narrowed eyes, Mr. Simpkin asked, "Are you accusing me of forcing Delphine into this marriage?"

Bennett shrugged. "I suppose I am."

"That is preposterous!" Mr. Simpkin exclaimed. "We eloped to Gretna Green and even Charlotte was there to witness the happy occasion."

"Miss Eden was there?" Bennett asked. "At your anvil wedding?"

Mr. Simpkin gave him a decisive nod. "Yes, she was one of the witnesses."

That revelation did not sit well with Bennett. If they had truly eloped, why would they go through the trouble of bringing someone with them? None of that made any sense. And why was this the first time he was hearing that Miss Eden had accompanied them

Bennett took a step closer to Mr. Simpkin and crossed his arms over his chest. "Was Miss Eden injured in the carriage accident? "

"No. Thankfully she was spared of all harm," Mr. Simpkin said.

"Then how was it that you came to lose Lady Dunrobin, considering Miss Eden hadn't been ‘disoriented'?" Bennett asked. "She could have helped look for her friend."

Mr. Simpkin's expression grew guarded. "Have you been in a carriage accident, my lord?" he drawled. "The aftermath is one of chaos and everyone is just grateful to have survived the ordeal."

"That didn't answer my question."

Taking a purposeful step towards Bennett, Mr. Simpkin said, "I don't answer to you. All you need to know is that my wife was thrown out of the carriage and we did everything in our power to find her."

"I'm beginning to suspect that wasn't true," Bennett responded, challenging him.

Mr. Simpkin pursed his lips. "You know nothing about me and yet you stand here, judging me."

Bennett uncrossed his arms and held Mr. Simpkin's gaze. "If you had cared at all for Lady Dunrobin, you wouldn't have left the woodlands until you had found her. That is what an honorable gentleman would have done."

"You are lecturing me on honor now?" Mr. Simpkin scoffed. "I have seen the way you look at Delphine. You care for her."

"My feelings are irrelevant," Bennett responded.

Mr. Simpkin moved to stand in front of him. "That is why you want to void my marriage. You want Delphine for yourself!"

Bennett stood his ground, not the least bit cowed by Mr. Simpkin's attempt to intimidate him. "I want Lady Dunrobin to be happy."

"With you?" Mr. Simpkin demanded.

Leaning closer, Bennett replied, "What I want is not important. I just want to ensure that Lady Dunrobin has been treated fairly."

Mr. Simpkin's nostrils flared. "I am warning you to stay out of our lives."

"Is that a threat?"

At those words, the tall, broad-shouldered footman that had been standing guard out in the entry hall stepped into the drawing room.

Mr. Simpkin's eyes shifted towards the footman. "At least I can fight my own battles, my lord," he mocked.

Bennett chuckled dryly. "Yet you can't seem to keep track of your wife."

"I should challenge you to a duel for saying such a thing," Mr. Simpkin stated.

"Name the time and your seconds," Bennett responded.

Mr. Simpkin took a few deep breaths, his eyes narrowing with each inhalation, before stepping back. "You are not worth my time or notice," he grumbled.

"And I contend that you are not worthy of Lady Dunrobin's notice, considering she is far too good for you," Bennett declared.

Mr. Simpkin glared at him, the tension in the room becoming palpable. "Consider yourself warned," he spat as he stormed out of the room.

Bennett found that the more he learned of Mr. Simpkin, the less he liked him. He was beginning to wonder if Mr. Simpkin had spent any time looking for Delphine after this supposed carriage accident.

And some things were not making sense.

Winston entered the room and asked, "Is there a reason why Mr. Simpkin just snapped at me?"

"It might have to do with the fact that I asked him a few questions about his so-called wedding," Bennett said. "Mr. Simpkin revealed that Miss Eden accompanied them to Gretna Green. "

Winston grew thoughtful. "That is odd."

"I thought so as well," Bennett responded. "And why had no one mentioned it until now? It just seems like something one would share."

"Perhaps our rider can provide some insight when he returns from Gretna Green," Winston said.

Bennett bobbed his head. "You were wise to send someone to ask questions surrounding their marriage."

Winston smirked. "I am not wholly incompetent at my job."

"I never implied you were," Bennett said. "I know of your reputation and how hard you work as a barrister."

The smirk faded from Winston's lips. "Yes, well, no amount of hard work will make up for what I have done."

Bennett eyed his brother curiously. "What have you done?"

Winston visibly tensed. "It is in the past, where I wish it to remain."

"Winston…" Bennett started.

Putting his hand up in front of him, Winston said, "Leave it alone, Bennett. We have more important matters at hand." He dropped his hand to his side. "I am calling in every favor that I have to help Delphine."

"Thank you," Bennett said, not knowing what else he could say. He was truly grateful for his brother's help.

Winston acknowledged Bennett's words with a tip of his head. "Have you spoken to Delphine about whether or not Mr. Simpkin will assist with voiding their marriage?"

"There is no need. Mr. Simpkin was rather clear that he intends to remain married to Delphine," Bennett shared.

"That is what I had assumed would happen, considering Mr. Simpkin stands to lose a great deal if the marriage is voided," Winston said.

Bennett glanced over at the window and saw that Delphine was no longer on the bench with Matilda. He wondered where she had gone.

Winston's voice drew back his attention. "In case you were wondering, I saw Delphine walking to the stables."

"Why would I wonder such a thing?" Bennett asked, wondering how his brother had been able to see right through him.

Winston grinned. "You are a terrible liar, Brother," he said before departing from the room.

It only took Bennett a moment to realize that he needed to go after Delphine. He told himself that it was only to ensure she was well, but he wanted to see her. Even if it was for a moment.

Delphine leaned against the fence as she watched Hercules gallop back and forth, appearing to not have a care in the world.

She would miss this place. She had greatly enjoyed her time at Brockhall Manor and she didn't want it to come to an end.

But all good things must come to an end.

Even if she was successful in getting her marriage voided, she still had her own estate and business to run. And she took her responsibilities most seriously. She always had. However, could she just walk away from Bennett, the only man that she had ever loved?

Life had not always been kind to her, but what if the universe was correcting a wrong? What if this was her chance to be happy? The kind of happiness that she had only read about in books. The kind of happiness that she never thought she deserved .

Bennett came to stand next to her. "There you are," he said. "I have been looking for you."

Delphine's heart leapt at the sight of him, knowing she would never tire of being in his presence. She smiled. "Well, here I am."

"Yes, you are," he replied as he returned her smile.

She turned her gaze back towards Hercules. "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a horse?"

"No, not once, actually," Bennett responded, his words light.

"I just wonder what it would be like to be able to run free and to not feel the crushing weight of responsibilities that we inevitably must bear," Delphine said.

Bennett glanced over at her. "You are being rather cheerful this afternoon," he teased.

A laugh escaped Delphine's lips. "I suppose I am," she replied. "I was born into this life, and I have never thought to question it. But what if there is more to life?"

"Now that is a question that I have asked myself often," Bennett said, growing solemn. "What have you deduced?"

Delphine shrugged one shoulder. "Frankly, I am still trying to figure it out, but it has been a nice reprieve to be here at Brockhall Manor. With you."

Bennett's lips twitched. "It is a good thing I saved you then."

In her heart, she knew that Bennett had saved her in more ways than one, but she wasn't strong enough to admit such a thing. Not under these circumstances.

Hercules wandered over to where she was standing and whinnied.

"What is it that you want?" Delphine asked the horse.

Bennett chuckled. "I don't know why you ask such questions. Hercules is a horse. He is not going to answer you."

"He answers in his own way, and in his own time," Delphine said. "One should not force such things. "

"I had not taken you for a horse expert."

"No, you misunderstood me. I do not claim to be a horse expert, but I see a kindred soul in Hercules."

Bennett grew silent. "If that is the case, I want you to have him."

Her eyes went wide. "You cannot be in earnest," she said. "I know Hercules reminds you of your uncle."

He turned to face her, a solemn look on his face. "He does, but Hercules seemed to come alive again when you came around. I want you to have something that will remind you of your time at Brockhall Manor." He paused. "And me."

"I don't need a horse to remind me of you," she admitted softly.

"Perhaps you might even be able to ride Hercules one day," Bennett said.

It was a tempting thought as her gaze drifted towards Hercules. She did admire this horse greatly, but could she do such a thing? "Are you truly in earnest because…"

He spoke over her. "I insist."

"Should you not at least speak to your father first?" Delphine asked.

Bennett gave her a pointed look. "My father has wanted to sell Hercules for a long time now and make him someone else's problem."

"At least let me buy Hercules from you."

He put his hand up in front of him. "I do not want your money, Delphie."

Delphine resisted the urge to smile at the use of his nickname for her. He had been so formal since Mr. Simpkin had arrived, and she understood his reasonings for it. One cannot be too familiar with another man's wife.

She knew there was only one thing she could say right now, and she hoped it expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Bennett. I accept your gift. "

"Good, because I do believe Hercules will be much happier with you," Bennett said.

"I hope so," she murmured.

A comfortable silence descended over them as Bennett leaned his forearms on the fence and stared out towards the fields.

Delphine felt no words needed to be said and she just enjoyed being near Bennett. He made her feel content in a way that no one else ever had.

After a long moment, Bennett asked, "Do you remember Miss Eden accompanying you to Gretna Green?"

"No, I do not recall that, but surely you are mistaken," Delphine replied. "Why would she travel with us to Scotland?"

"Mr. Simpkin informed me of this," Bennett said.

Delphine furrowed her brows. "If that is the case, I am sure there was a perfectly acceptable reason why she came along."

"Perhaps you could ask her," Bennett proposed.

"I will," Delphine said. "I just wish I could force myself to remember."

Bennett removed his arms from the fence and turned to face her. "I know you think Mr. Simpkin is not capable of nefarious intentions, but I do not trust that man. He had too much to gain by marrying you."

Delphine winced as she admitted, "He does not want to void our marriage."

"I know," Bennett said. "He told me as much when we spoke earlier in the drawing room."

"He wants our union to be a love match," Delphine shared.

Bennett eyed her curiously. "Is that what you want?"

With a huff, Delphine asked, "How could you ask such a thing? I thought I made it very clear that I wish to void this marriage. "

"I just wanted to make sure. I don't want to make you do anything that you do not wish to do," Bennett said.

As Delphine went to respond, she saw Charlotte approaching them with a blue bonnet in her hand.

She put her hand up in greeting. "Charlotte."

Charlotte stopped in front of Delphine and extended her the bonnet. "I saw that you weren't wearing a hat and I thought you might like one."

"Thank you," Delphine said as she accepted the bonnet.

Bennett bowed. "Miss Eden."

With a tip of her head, Charlotte acknowledged Bennett but she didn't look pleased to see him by the small frown that played on her lips.

"If you will excuse me, I have work that I must see to," Bennett said before he started to walk off towards the manor.

Charlotte's gaze followed Bennett. "I do not know why you insist on spending time with Lord Dunsby."

"We are friends," Delphine replied.

"You are a married woman. Your friendship with Lord Dunsby could get the gossips' tongues wagging," Charlotte pointed out.

Delphine shook her head. "Lord Dunsby saved my life. I will forever be in his debt."

"It just seems like you two are rather close, and I am worried about you," Charlotte remarked.

"There is no reason to worry about me," Delphine assured her friend. "We are just friends, nothing more."

Charlotte gave her a knowing look. "I have known you a long time, and I have never seen you so smitten. You can hardly keep your eyes off Lord Dunsby when you two are in the same room."

"Nothing untoward has happened between us."

"I am not implying that it has, but I just want you to be careful," Charlotte said. "You are a wife to Mr. Simpkin now."

Delphine did not need to be reminded of that fact. She just wished that she could close her eyes and end this nightmare.

Charlotte's next words were gentle. "I am sorry. I am being a terrible friend right now."

"No, you aren't," Delphine responded. "Everything you are saying is true, but I just wish I could remember."

"You will," Charlotte encouraged.

Delphine offered her a weak smile. "The doctor said my memories might never return."

Charlotte seemed to consider her words before asking, "Do you remember anything about traveling to Gretna Green?"

"Not a thing," Delphine responded. "Lord Dunsby claims that you accompanied us to Scotland. Was that true?"

"Yes, you asked me to come and be a witness," Charlotte replied.

Delphine pressed her lips together before asking, "I did?"

Charlotte's eyes held understanding. "It was a whirlwind decision on your part, and I was not about to question it," she said. "Besides, I wanted to be there for you, especially after everything you have done for me over the years."

Delphine let out a frustrated sigh. Why couldn't she just remember? She glanced up at the position of the sun. "I am surprised you are not resting right now."

"As am I," Charlotte replied. "Naps are the most important part of the day, but I saw you out here hatless. And being the good friend that I am, I knew I had to remedy that."

"You are a good friend," Delphine said.

Charlotte glanced over her shoulder before she lowered her voice. "I can see why you have been taken with Lord Dunsby. He is rather handsome."

"I have not been taken with him," Delphine lied.

"No, of course not," Charlotte rushed out with an exaggerated wink.

Delphine shot her friend a frustrated look. "You are not being the least bit helpful right now," she stated. "Lord Dunsby and I are just?—"

"Friends," Charlotte said, cutting her off. "I wouldn't mind being friends with him, too."

The thought of Charlotte flirting with Bennett did not sit well with her. Rather than engage her friend, she asked, "Shall we return to the manor so we can rest before dinner?"

"I think that is a fine idea since I was considering laying on this grass and taking a nap," Charlotte said.

"I am sure your bed is far more comfortable than the ground."

As they walked back towards the manor, Charlotte asked, "Do you think if I wander around the woodlands, a handsome lord will rescue me, as well?" Her eyes held a mischievous glint.

Delphine rolled her eyes. "You are awful," she said, her words light.

Charlotte grinned. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't joke about such things, especially after I lectured you so thoroughly, but I am in need of a husband. A handsome, wealthy husband."

"What of love?"

Her friend's smile dimmed. "What of it?"

"Do you not want to marry for love?" Delphine asked.

Charlotte looked away, but not before Delphine saw a pained look on her face. "Love is of little consequence for me."

Delphine came to a stop on the path and turned to face her friend. "Where is this coming from?" she asked. "You have always spoken of love as a requirement for marriage."

"I suppose we all have to grow up at some point," Charlotte said dejectedly before she continued walking towards the manor.

Remaining rooted in her spot, Delphine wasn't quite sure what to make of Charlotte's thoughts on marriage. Her friend had always encouraged her to marry for love, insisting they both deserved love matches.

What had changed in Charlotte to cause her views to radically shift?

Delphine would drop it… for now. But she could tell her friend was hurting and she refused to do nothing to help her.