Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Dressed in his finery, Bennett stood in the parlor as he waited for his family's arrival so they could join the soiree. His thoughts wandered to Delphine. He hadn't seen her since breakfast.

As if his thoughts had conjured up Delphine, she stepped into the room wearing a green gown with an intricate net overlay. Her hair was piled atop her head and two long curls framed her face.

Her beauty never failed to captivate him, leaving him to wonder how she managed to grow more enchanting with each passing day.

Delphine smiled and held out the folds of her gown. "How do I look?" she asked.

How was he supposed to answer such a question? He didn't dare tell her the truth for fear that she would see right through him and know that he cared for her. He decided to tell a halfway truth. "You look lovely, as always," he said. That was safe and did not lay his heart bare.

"This is one of Melody's new gowns that your mother had altered for me," Delphine said, dropping her hands.

"It does you justice," Bennett said .

Delphine walked closer to him but stopped a short distance away. "Your family has been so kind to me. How do you suppose I can repay them?"

Marry me .

That is what Bennett wanted to say, but she was still a married woman… for now. He would have to wait and bide his time.

Bennett clasped his hands behind his back so he wouldn't risk reaching out to touch her. "There is no need to repay them. We are just glad that we were able to help you during a difficult time."

The smile on Delphine's lips faded. "You were right about Charlotte and Mr. Simpkin. There is something going on between them."

"I'm sorry," Bennett said, unsure of what else to say.

"There is no reason to apologize," Delphine responded. "It is not as if I hold any affection towards Mr. Simpkin."

Bennett nodded. "True, but you are still married to him and he has no right to be having an affair with Miss Eden."

Delphine sighed. "I had hoped you were wrong."

"As did I," Bennett admitted.

After he said his words, Mr. Simpkin stepped into the room with Miss Eden on his arm. He cast Bennett an annoyed glance before his eyes settled on Delphine. "You look beautiful," he praised.

Delphine seemed to muster up a smile. "Thank you."

Charlotte removed her arm from Mr. Simpkin and hurried over to Delphine. "You look radiant," she declared. "I have no doubt that I will pale in comparison to you."

"You do not give yourself enough credit, my de…" Mr. Simpkin's words came to an abrupt halt and he shifted uncomfortably in his stance.

Charlotte did not acknowledge Mr. Simpkin's words, but instead, turned back to Delphine. "Are you nervous?"

"What do I have to be nervous about?" Delphine asked .

"All eyes will be on you," Charlotte replied.

Mr. Simpkin stepped forward and said, "If Delphine has no objections, I hope to leave at first light tomorrow so we can return home at a reasonable hour."

Delphine exchanged a glance with Bennett before saying, "Actually, I intend to extend my visit at Brockhall Manor."

"Whatever for?" Mr. Simpkin asked. "You and I both have responsibilities back home."

"Yes, we do, but my responsibilities are my own, not yours," Delphine responded.

Mr. Simpkin furrowed his brow. "I don't understand what you are saying."

Delphine squared her shoulders before saying, "I do not think it is prudent to spend time with you since I am seeking to void our marriage."

"Do you now?" Mr. Simpkin demanded.

"I'm sorry, but I do not wish to remain married to you, assuming I have the choice," Delphine replied.

Mr. Simpkin clenched his jaw. "I had hoped that this was just a passing whim, but I do not think you have thought this decision through."

"I have, and Lord Winston has already heard from the judge who will preside over our case," Delphine said. "He feels confident that the judge will rule in my favor."

Scoffing, Mr. Simpkin asked, "So that is it? You made the decision for us."

"There is no ‘us,'" Delphine stated. "There was never an ‘us.'"

Mr. Simpkin took a commanding step towards Delphine and Bennett moved to step in front of her. "Get out of my way, my lord," he demanded. "I need to speak to my wife."

Bennett stood his ground. "Not like this," he said. "You are angry."

"Now you are offering up advice on my marriage?" Mr. Simpkin asked. "You just want Delphine for yourself. How do I know this isn't your doing?"

Delphine stepped out from behind Bennett. "Lord Dunsby has been nothing but a friend to me. I came to the decision on my own."

Mr. Simpkin's eyes narrowed. "Do you truly think I will just walk away and let you void our marriage?"

"It is the right thing to do since I do not remember anything about it," Delphine replied.

"I care for you, Delphine!" Mr. Simpkin exclaimed.

Bennett clenched his hands into balls at his side, knowing Mr. Simpkin was just grasping at straws now. But it was not his place to say so.

Delphine lifted her brow. "You have a funny way of showing that, considering I know about you and Charlotte."

Miss Eden's mouth dropped. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I know you two care for one another," Delphine replied.

"No, no, no, you have it all wrong," Miss Eden rushed out. "I have been trying to help George… er… Mr. Simpkin…"

Delphine put her hand up. "You can stop with the lies. I overheard you two in the library earlier today."

Miss Eden's shoulders slumped. "We didn't want this to happen, but it just did," she revealed. "I'm sorry."

Mr. Simpkin waved his hand in front of him. "We do not owe Delphine an explanation."

Bennett spoke up. "You might be interested to know that a woman can petition for divorce from a husband in cases of adultery in Scotland."

"This was your plan all along!" Mr. Simpkin shouted. "You tricked us."

"You will have to be a little more convincing when you appear before the judge," Bennett mocked.

Miss Eden's eyes grew panicked. "Delphine, you must believe me that I didn't plan this," she insisted.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth?" Delphine asked .

"I don't know, but I was wrong not to do so," Miss Eden said.

Mr. Simpkin came to stand by Miss Eden. "Enough talking, Charlotte!" he ordered as he reached for her arm. "Come along. There is no point in staying here a moment longer since we are no longer welcome."

Miss Eden yanked her arm back. "I am not going anywhere yet. I want to explain myself to Delphine."

In a low growl, Mr. Simpkin said, "You are making a fool of yourself."

Turning back towards Delphine, Miss Eden clasped her hands in front of her and winced. "I do not want to lose you over this," she stated dejectedly.

Delphine regarded Miss Eden with wariness in her eyes. "I just do not understand why you didn't tell me the truth when you first arrived."

"I wanted to, but I was scared," Miss Eden admitted. "I hadn't planned on falling in love with Mr. Simpkin."

"Charlotte! You must stop talking!" Mr. Simpkin shouted.

Lady Dallington's concerned voice came from the doorway. "Dear heavens, what is all the shouting about?"

Mr. Simpkin reached for Miss Eden's arm as he addressed Lady Dallington. "Thank you for your hospitality, but I am afraid Miss Eden and I will take our leave now."

"Now?" his mother asked. "It is dark outside and our guests have already started to arrive."

"Then we shall stay at the boarding house in the village," Mr. Simpkin stated before he led Miss Eden out of the room.

His mother turned her questioning glance towards Bennett. "Do you care to explain what just happened?"

No.

But did he have a choice?

Bennett opened his mouth to explain but Delphine spoke first. "I'm afraid Mr. Simpkin and Charlotte were displeased that I would not be traveling home with them. "

Elodie entered the room and muttered, "Good riddance."

"Precisely," Delphine responded. "Let's not have their outburst take away from our fun this evening."

His mother looked conflicted. "Very well, but I will expect to hear all about what truly happened tomorrow."

Bennett walked over to Delphine and asked in a hushed voice, "Are you all right?"

"I am," she replied.

"There is no shame in not being all right with all of this," he assured her.

She met his gaze. "For what purpose?" she asked. "I wish things had been different but I do not harbor any ill-will towards Charlotte. I am glad that she found love, and I hope she finds happiness with Mr. Simpkin."

"You are truly extraordinary," Bennett said, knowing he had spoken no truer words.

Delphine's lips twitched. "You are being far too complimentary of me this evening."

"I'm afraid I merely speak the truth."

His mother cleared her throat. "Are you two quite done?" she asked. "I merely ask because we have a house full of guests and they are all waiting to meet Delphine."

Knowing his mother made a valid point, he offered his arm to Delphine and said, "I hope you are ready for this."

"It will be much easier now that Mr. Simpkin is not present," Delphine stated. "He truly vexed me."

Bennett chuckled. "You said it, not me."

Stepping into the room, Melody announced, "I am here."

"Good, and just in time to go to the ballroom," Lady Dallington said.

Melody's eyes roamed the room. "Should we not wait for everyone else?"

Elodie leaned closer to her sister and whispered something into her ear .

Melody seemed to nod her understanding before saying, "I agree. I never did particularly like Mr. Simpkin."

"No one did, but he was a guest in our home," his mother expressed, turning her head towards the corridor. "Ah, your father has just arrived. Let us go now."

While Bennett led Delphine out of the room, he said, "I am glad that you are here… with me."

"As am I," she responded.

Delphine was tired of smiling. She had been standing in the receiving line for what felt like hours as Lady Dallington introduced her to her guests. If this was what the Season would be like, she wanted nothing to do with it.

Perhaps the reason why she felt such discomfort was because of how she had left things with Charlotte. She truly wasn't angry at her friend, but why had she kept her feelings for Mr. Simpkin from her? And why had Charlotte pushed her to remain married to him, despite being in love with him? None of that made any sense.

But she truly didn't wish to ruin Charlotte by petitioning for divorce on the grounds of adultery. She hoped that Mr. Simpkin wouldn't fight the marriage being voided, knowing the dire consequences for Charlotte.

Delphine glanced down the line and saw Bennett. He was speaking to an older woman and a smile was on his face. She didn't think she would ever tire of being in his presence. The way he made her feel was something she would never take for granted. She felt safe. Loved. But she didn't presume that he loved her. Cared for her, maybe, but not loved.

But she loved him.

Before she had arrived, she had an unfavorable view on marriage, but everything changed when Bennett had saved her.

He had saved her in more ways than one.

And now she wasn't afraid of marriage, at least not to him.

She was rather saddened that she wouldn't be dancing the first set with Bennett. But it would be entirely inappropriate for them to do so since she was still married to Mr. Simpkin.

Lady Dallington turned towards her and asked, "Shall we adjourn to the ballroom for the dancing?"

Delphine let out a sigh of relief that this was finally over. "Yes, I think that is a brilliant idea."

"You did well, Dear," Lady Dallington praised.

"All I did was smile and curtsy when directed. It was hardly praiseworthy," Delphine responded.

Lady Dallington gave her an understanding look. "That is what one does in your position. You are to ensure that your guests feel welcome."

Elodie spoke up from next to them. "Whoever came up with the idea of having a receiving line should be drawn and quartered."

"It isn't that bad," Lady Dallington argued.

"It is exhausting, considering no one cares if I am here to greet them," Elodie said.

Lady Dallington placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I care," she assured her.

Elodie huffed. "Then you are the only one." She turned her head towards the crowd. "Where did Melody wander off to?"

"I don't know, but she has seemed rather preoccupied as of late," Lady Dallington responded.

"That is just Melody," Elodie said. "She has always preferred to be alone, but it has only gotten worse since we returned from boarding school."

"Well, that won't do when we go to London for the Season," Lady Dallington stated. "She needs to be seen by the ton , as do you."

Elodie clapped her hands together. "Oh, hooray!" she exclaimed. "I love nothing more than being on display for strangers."

Lady Dallington shook her head. "You are impossible, Child."

Winston came to a stop next to them and asked, "Why is Melody speaking to Lord Emberly?"

"She is?" Elodie asked as her eyes roamed over the room. "That man is far too serious for my liking. He once told me that I was being utterly ridiculous."

"That was not very nice of him," Delphine said.

Elodie shrugged. "I was speaking of the war and expressed my opinion that if Wellington was a woman then we would have already declared victory."

Winston chuckled. "I agree with Lord Emberly. That is a ridiculous notion."

"Is it?" Elodie asked. "Why can't women serve in the military? We would bring unique perspectives to the war."

"War is a serious endeavor, and you are hardly serious," Winston said, giving her a knowing look.

Delphine had to admit that Winston did have a point, but she refrained from mentioning it to Elodie.

"Regardless, Lord Emberly would make a fine husband for Melody," Lady Dallington stated. "He is wealthy and lives in the next county over."

Elodie made a face. "Surely she could marry someone else. Anyone else, really. He is far too dull for my tastes."

The sound of the half-orchestra warming up could be heard in the ballroom, drawing everyone's attention.

"It is time," Lady Dallington said as she gestured towards the ballroom.

As Delphine turned to follow Lady Dallington, a tap came at her shoulder and it was followed by, "My lady. "

Delphine shifted her gaze and saw a young maid was holding a note up to her. "Miss Eden asked for me to deliver this note at once," the maid informed her.

"Thank you," Delphine acknowledged as she accepted the note.

She opened the note and read:

I am truly sorry for what transpired between us and I don't wish to leave until I have a chance to apologize… again. Please meet me in the gardens.

Bennett's voice came from next to her. "What is wrong?"

Delphine handed him the note. "Charlotte wants to make amends before she returns home."

"Now?" Bennett asked as his eyes perused the note.

"Apparently so," Delphine replied. "I should go and speak to her."

Bennett gave her a look of disbelief. "What of the soiree? After all, it is being held in your honor."

"I shouldn't be long," Delphine said. "But Charlotte is right. I am not quite ready to say goodbye to her, or our friendship."

Bennett looked conflicted but thankfully he didn't press her. "Very well. I shall make excuses for you, but you must strive to hurry."

"Thank you," Delphine responded. "You are a true friend."

Friend .

That is not what she wanted him to be.

Bennett brought a smile to his face, but it appeared forced. "Yes, I am a good friend," he said, his voice tripping on the last word.

Why had she gone and said something that had made it awkward between them? She wished she could take back her words, but it was too late.

In an encouraging voice, Bennett said, "You should go and speak to Charlotte before anyone notices your absence."

"I will, and I appreciate your understanding that this is something I need to do," Delphine remarked.

Bennett's smile no longer seemed forced. It appeared to be genuine. "I will do anything to ensure your happiness," he declared.

The way he said his words, she believed him.

Delphine returned his smile before she headed down the corridor that led to the gardens. She wasn't quite sure where she was to meet Charlotte, but she doubted her friend was hiding from her. Most likely, she would be out in the open.

Stepping onto the veranda, she saw Charlotte standing by the tall hedges that led into a garden maze.

Charlotte's face held a look of relief when her eyes landed on Delphine.

Delphine approached her friend and said, "I received your note."

"Thank you for coming," Charlotte said as she started fidgeting with her hands in front of her. "I felt awful for how we left things and I wanted to apologize before we departed for the boarding house."

"Does Mr. Simpkin know you came here to apologize?" Delphine asked.

Charlotte winced. "I told him that I was saying goodbye, but I left out the other part," she admitted. "I just…" Her voice trailed off as she glanced at the veranda. "I would prefer if we had this conversation in private."

"No one can overhear us," Delphine assured her.

"Perhaps. But I would feel better if we moved to the maze," Charlotte said.

Delphine didn't think that was necessary, but she saw no reason to argue with Charlotte on this. "All right, but we must make this conversation quick. I do not think my absence will go unnoticed for long."

Charlotte nodded her understanding as she turned to enter the maze. Delphine followed her and it wasn't long before they reached the center. But when they arrived, she saw that they weren't alone.

Mr. Simpkin.

Why was Mr. Simpkin here? And why had Charlotte kept that detail from her?

Delphine turned her questioning gaze towards Charlotte. "What is this?"

Charlotte approached Mr. Simpkin and he slipped his arm around her waist. "Mr. Simpkin also wanted to say goodbye," she said.

"But you said…" Delphine started.

Her friend spoke over her. "I know what I said, but that was to ensure you would leave the soiree to meet me."

"Well, here I am. What do you truly want?" Delphine asked.

A smirk crept onto Charlotte's face, her expression turning steely. "It is not about what I want, but what Mr. Simpkin desires."

With trepidation in her voice, Delphine inquired, "Which is?"

In a swift movement, Mr. Simpkin retrieved a pistol from the waistband of his trousers and pointed it at Delphine. "I want you to die," he sneered.