Chapter 4

Chapter Four

The sound of the dinner bell could be heard echoing throughout the main level as Bennett stepped into the drawing room. His brother, Winston, stood by the mantel, his expression distant as he cradled a drink in his hand.

Approaching Winston, Bennett ventured, "Dare I ask as to what's occupying your thoughts?"

Winston met his gaze, a crease of concern etched upon his brow. "I'm afraid there's much weighing on my mind."

"Is it related to the case you're currently working on?" Bennett inquired.

"That, and other matters," Winston admitted with a hint of discomfort. "I find myself grappling with a sense of uncertainty about my future."

Bennett's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand. Are you not established as a barrister?"

"I am, but the process is slow, far slower than I would like to admit," Winston shared. "I have only been working as a barrister for a year now and my cases are far and few between. I have a winning record but what does that even mean when I have so few cases?"

"You must be patient with yourself," Bennett encouraged .

"I know, but it is hard when I am working so hard to get out of Father's shadow," Winston said, bringing the glass up to his lips. "It was much easier when he wasn't a marquess."

Bennett leaned against the mantel, a flicker of surprise causing his brows to raise as he registered his brother's hidden struggles. He had assumed all was well with Winston, having read about his cases in the newssheets.

"It will get easier with time," Bennett offered, attempting to provide reassurance.

"Says the earl who is the heir to a marquessate," Winston grumbled. "I am just the second son, the spare."

"You are so much more than that," Bennett pressed.

Winston placed his glass onto the mantel and sighed. "I know, but what if I can't prove myself? Will I be forced to return home to help with the estate?"

"There is no shame in coming home. You must know that, especially since we could always use your help," Bennett said. "Father has only just started letting me help with the accounts and there is much work that needs to be done."

"No, thank you. I have no desire to help build your legacy and not mine," Winston responded. "I need to do this on my own."

Bennett offered a firm nod, his confidence in his brother's abilities unwavering. While Winston might not see it himself, Bennett had full faith in his potential. "And you will," he reassured his brother, understanding how one's worries could overshadow their own capabilities.

Winston raised an eyebrow. "When did you get so blasted optimistic?" he asked.

"One of us has to be," Bennett replied.

Casting a brief glance towards the door, Winston lowered his voice, his demeanor growing solemn. "We do have a problem, though," he admitted.

Sensing the gravity of Winston's words, Bennett straightened up. "What is it?" he inquired, his tone reflecting concern .

"Father asked me to look into the situation with our aunt, Sarah, and her son," Winston started. "There is no chance that Parliament will grant a divorce in her case so I hired a Bow Street Runner to keep an eye on her abusive husband. However, I just received word that Isaac managed to elude the Runner."

"How competent is this Bow Street Runner if he was eluded so easily?" Bennett asked skeptically.

"I assure you he is very competent," Winston replied. "I have used Jasper on a few of my cases and he has never let me down before."

Concern welled up inside of him as he crossed his arms over his chest, worried for his aunt's wellbeing. Though he had never met Isaac, he had heard unsettling rumors about his violent tendencies towards his wife and son.

"Do you suppose Isaac has discovered that Sarah is here?" Bennett asked, his voice laced with apprehension.

"That is my fear. So I asked Jasper to come keep a watchful eye on Sarah, at least from a distance," Winston explained.

Bennett paused to reflect on his aunt's plight. She had only mustered the courage to flee when her husband's abuse extended to their son. Now, she remained hidden in a cottage near their village, her safety paramount. To minimize the risk, they had maintained minimal contact with her.

As Bennett dwelled on his aunt, he noticed his mother leading Lady Dunrobin into the room. He had to look twice to confirm it was truly her. Gone was the white bandage that once adorned her head. Instead, she wore a pink gown, her dark hair elegantly styled atop her head. Tendrils framed her face, accentuating her beauty to a degree that left him enchanted. Her beauty stole his breath and he wasn't sure if he wanted it back.

Winston leaned closer to him and whispered, "You are staring, Brother." His words held amusement .

Bennett blinked and shifted his gaze towards his mother. "Good evening, Mother," he greeted.

His mother smiled. "Good evening, Bennett." She turned towards Lady Dunrobin. "Does Lady Dunrobin not look lovely this evening?"

No.

She didn't just look lovely, but rather her beauty seemed to make the room brighter somehow.

But he couldn't say that. Instead, he bowed. "Yes, she does," he replied.

Lady Dunrobin went to drop into a curtsy, but his mother reached out and stopped her. "We do not stand on formalities here and I think it would be best if you avoided curtsying for now, given your condition."

"You may be right," Lady Dunrobin said.

Bennett chuckled. "You need to be careful saying those words around my mother, my lady. She tends to think she is right about most things."

Lady Dunrobin seemed to visibly relax, which had been his intention. "I shall keep that in mind," she said. "Since your family does not stand on formalities here, I would prefer to be called Delphine. I feel that it is only proper considering how kind everyone has been to me."

"You are easy to be kind to," Bennett remarked, holding her gaze. Why had he admitted such a thing?

Delphine ducked her head, but not before he saw a blush stain her cheeks. "That is kind of you to say so, my lord."

"Bennett," he corrected. "If I am to call you by your given name, it is only fair if you call me by mine as well."

Bringing her gaze back up, Delphine said, "I would like that."

As they held each other's gaze, something passed between them. Something he didn't quite understand. They were two strangers, yet in her eyes, he saw himself. In her future.

That was impossible .

He broke his gaze and turned away, embarrassed by his own thoughts. Delphine was a guest in their home, and she would leave as soon as she was able. So why was he acting like a love-craved fool? He had been around beautiful women before but none of them had ever affected him like Delphine had.

He needed a drink.

Bennett walked over to the drink cart and poured himself a drink. He took a sip and hoped to calm his wandering thoughts. For that is just what they were. His thoughts. He had no intention of acting on them.

But his mother had other ideas.

"Dear," his mother said, addressing Bennett, "would you mind showing Delphine the library after dinner?"

Botheration.

He wanted to say no, but propriety won out.

Bennett mustered up a smile to his face. "I would be honored," he said, hoping his words sounded genuine enough.

Delphine smiled, and he had to force himself to look away, as if he had encountered that smile before in his dreams. What was wrong with him?

Fortunately, before he could delve much deeper into that question, his sisters stepped into the room.

Elodie gasped when her eyes landed on Delphine. "You look radiant," she announced.

Melody nodded her agreement. "I must agree with Elodie, and that pink dress suits you rather nicely."

Delphine held out the folds of her gown. "I do appreciate Elodie letting me borrow one of her gowns. It is nice not being in my wrapper."

"I shall have my lady's maid bring more gowns to your bedchamber," Elodie said. "It is the least we could do."

"That is most kind of you, but I am hoping to leave tomorrow once I speak to the doctor," Delphine responded.

Lady Dallington interjected, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You are still recovering from a brain injury, and we do not want you to be jostled about in the coach on your journey home."

Delphine reached up and touched her bruised forehead. "With every moment, every step, I feel my strength returning to me."

"That is good, but before we make any plans, let us confer with the doctor," his mother advised.

Winston stepped forward and bowed in Delphine's direction. "Forgive my family's manners, my lady, but they have failed to introduce us. I am Winston, the younger son, the spare." He paused, a mischievous grin spreading across his lips. "Or, as some would say, the more handsome son."

Delphine went to drop into a curtsy but stopped herself. "It is a pleasure to meet you," she said. "I understand that you are a barrister."

"I am," Winston responded.

"Bennett told me a bit about your family when I first woke up and was trying to remember my memories," Delphine shared.

A faint smirk played at the corners of Winston's lips. "I shudder to think what Bennett told you about us."

Delphine returned his smile with one of her own. "It was all good… well, mostly good," she joked.

Bennett did not like the way that Winston was watching Delphine. An unfamiliar, and unwelcome, pang of jealousy surged through him. Clearing his throat, he redirected everyone's attention. "Is Father joining us for dinner?" He already knew the answer to that question, but he asked it anyways.

"He is," his mother confirmed. "He is in the study, finishing up working on the accounts."

"Perhaps Winston should go inform him that dinner is ready," Bennett suggested. "After all, he might not have heard the dinner bell. "

Elodie chimed in, "Everyone in the whole manor can hear the dinner bell. White makes sure of that."

Bennett returned his attention to his drink, knowing how foolish he sounded. Why did he care that his brother was acting like a fool by smiling at Delphine like that? He shouldn't. Winston could flirt with whomever he pleased. Delphine wasn't his to claim, and he had already decided he had no intention of pursuing her.

Fortunately, his father entered the room and announced, "I apologize for being late but I assure you that it couldn't be helped."

"Of course not, my love," his mother responded, exchanging a look of love with her husband. "But now that you are here, I can introduce you to our guest, Lady Dunrobin."

His father's eyes shifted towards Delphine and his eyes crinkled around the edges. "So you are the countess that I have been hearing about," he said in a kind voice. "You are most welcome here."

Delphine dropped down into a curtsy and wobbled on her feet, causing Bennett to hurry forward to steady her.

"My apologies," Delphine said with an apologetic look. "Perhaps I am not as sure-footed as I led myself to believe."

Bennett released his hold on her arm but remained close. "You must remember to be patient with yourself. Everyone recovers at their own pace."

His father spoke up. "Bennett is right- for once."

"Et tu, Father?" Bennett asked dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "I will have you know that I am right most of the time."

With a chuckle, his father replied, "I do have to get a jab in a time or two to keep you humble."

"I assure you that I am humble enough," Bennett said.

Melody giggled. "Says the man that can't pass by a mirror without sneaking a glance at himself. "

"That is emphatically not true," Bennett declared. "But if it were, would you blame me? Mirrors love me."

Reaching out, his father offered an arm to his mother. "And on that note, we should go eat dinner before it gets cold."

Bennett offered his arm to Delphine. "May I escort you into dinner?" he asked.

"Thank you, my lord," she replied as she placed her hand atop his sleeve. Despite her wearing gloves, he swore he felt the warmth of her hand, leaving an imprint.

Botheration.

He needed to collect his wits before he made a complete and utter fool of himself around Delphine.

Delphine settled into the chair that Bennett had courteously pulled out for her. Adjusting herself, she reached for a white linen napkin and draped it across her lap.

Bennett took a seat beside her on the left, while Winston occupied the spot to her right. Across from her sat Elodie and Melody, with Lord and Lady Dallington positioned at the ends of the long, rectangular table.

As the footmen served bowls of soup, Delphine delicately picked up her spoon and began to eat, aiming to remain a silent observer for the time being. However, luck seemed to be against her.

Lord Dallington directed his attention towards her. "I had the privilege of meeting your father once," he remarked. "He was just starting up his company and had sought the advice of my brother. I had no idea he would become such a successful goat cheese maker."

"It was his passion," Delphine shared, hoping to keep the bitterness out of her tone. Her father spent more time with the goats than he did with his own daughter. But then again, did she even want to spend time with him?

Winston leaned towards her and said, "What an interesting profession for an earl."

"It was, but I do not think he intended it to grow as big as it did," Delphine responded. "My hope is to expand it even further."

Lord Dallington furrowed his brow. "I do hope you have a good man of business to help you since your interests no doubt lie elsewhere."

Delphine felt her back grow rigid at that archaic remark. But it wasn't anything she hadn't heard before. "My interests are in ensuring that my company and estate are profitable," she asserted.

"Yes, but you are…" Lord Dallington started, waving his fork in the air.

"A woman?" Delphine asked as she finished his thought.

Lord Dallington looked at her thoughtfully. "Yes, a woman," he replied. "Surely you want to get married and have children. Not tend to goats."

Delphine shifted in her chair to face Lord Dallington. "What a keen observation, my lord. But, as a woman, I do not need a man to take care of me. I have my own funds available to me and my own title."

He chuckled, as if the mere thought was amusing. "Women are lonely creatures and require companionship."

Lady Dallington cleared her throat. "Lionel…" Her words carried a warning.

Putting his hand up, Lord Dallington said, "I apologize if what I said offended Lady Dunrobin, but it is no different than what any member of high Society would think."

Elodie spoke up. "Then the problem is with high Society and not Delphine. What would it benefit her if she were to wed? "

"She would have a husband to help her with the more serious matters," Lord Dallington stated plainly.

What an absurd thing to say, Delphine thought. But she needed to be careful and not insult her host. "I assure you that I am of a more serious nature," she settled on. "Marriage is not something that would benefit me at this time. I am content on my own, considering I spend all my time ensuring that my estate and business are thriving."

Bennett reached for his glass and interrupted. "Perhaps we could talk about something else and not interrogate our guest."

"I am not interrogating her," Lord Dallington defended.

Lady Dallington bobbed her head. "You are, my dear," she stated. "We could always go around the table and share one interesting fact that we have learned recently."

Melody let out a slight groan. "I hate this game. I never know what to say."

Shifting her gaze to Lord Dallington, his wife asked, "What tidbit do you wish to share with us?"

Lord Dallington considered her for a moment before saying, "I have recently discovered that if we invest in new farm equipment our profits could go up as much as ten percent."

"Well, that was not at all interesting," Lady Dallington remarked.

"I disagree," Lord Dallington stated.

Lady Dallington shifted her gaze towards Winston and gave him an expectant look. "Do try to do better than your father," she said lightly.

Winston placed his spoon down and shared, "If you see a sheep on its back then you should gently roll it back to its feet."

"How did you learn of this?" Elodie asked.

"I recently bought a sheep farm with some of my inheritance," Winston announced .

The clatter of Lord Dallington's dropped spoon echoed through the room. "You did what?" he exclaimed.

"Must I repeat myself?" Winston responded calmly, unperturbed by his father's outburst.

"But you are a barrister," Lord Dallington protested.

Winston remained composed, responding to his father's reaction with great poise. "I am. But being a barrister is not as lucrative as I would like. I thought I would branch out and try my hand at business."

Lord Dallington frowned. "Do you know anything about sheep?"

"Apparently, he knows enough to not let them sleep on their backs," Elodie quipped.

Delphine resisted the urge to laugh at Elodie's remark, despite wanting to very much. But it was neither the time nor the place to do so.

As Lord Dallington opened his mouth to no doubt continue the conversation, Lady Dallington spoke up. "Let's move on, shall we?" She met Delphine's gaze. "What say you?"

"I suppose an interesting fact would be that goat cheese has a tangy flavor and may turn slightly yellow as it ages," Delphine said. "Is that sufficient?"

Lady Dallington nodded in approval before moving on to Bennett. "Son?"

Bennett grinned. "I do not have anything as interesting as facts about goat cheese, but pigs are excellent swimmers."

"But they are so enormous," Melody said.

"I can't explain it, but my friend at Eton claims that he was saved from drowning by a pig," Bennett responded.

Delphine smiled at the thought of a pig swimming. "Now I almost want to toss a pig into a lake to see it swim. Although, I truly doubt I could even pick one up."

"What if that particular pig could not swim?" Elodie questioned. "You would have to jump in after it to save it. "

"That is all right. My mother taught me how to swim in the lake at our country estate," Delphine said.

Elodie cast a frustrated glance towards her parents. "I was not allowed to learn how to swim. My parents said it wasn't a skill that a genteel lady should possess."

"What if you are in a boat and it capsizes?" Delphine asked.

"I suppose I will sink to the bottom and die," Elodie responded in a dramatic voice. "It is a good thing that I am a twin so my parents will still have at least one daughter."

Lady Dallington shook her head. "What nonsense are you spewing?"

"Delphine is a countess and she can swim," Elodie said. "Maybe I can learn to walk along the bottom of a lake like a hippopotamus." Her face lit up. "That is my interesting anecdote."

"There we go," Lady Dallington said. "I knew that Elodie would eventually get there. Melody?"

Melody put her spoon down and made a face. "I hate this game. I never have anything interesting to say."

"Everything you say is interesting, Sister," Bennett joked.

Delphine brought her fingers up to her lips to hide her smile at Bennett's remark. Why did she find him so amusing?

"I was recently learning about the language of the fan and if you drop the fan in front of a gentleman it means you two are meant to be friends," Melody said.

Winston yawned. "That was rather boring."

"At least mine was practical," Melody remarked. "When am I ever going to see a sheep sleeping on its back?"

"Sheep don't sleep on their backs. That is how they suffocate to death," Winston responded.

Bennett turned towards his mother. "It is Mother's turn now. Although, another fun fact is that four of them have been about animals."

"Mine is not about an animal, but rather a book," Lady Dallington said. "The title of Sense and Sensibility was originally Elinor and Marianne but it was changed before being published."

Delphine reached for her glass before saying, "I did enjoy reading Sense and Sensibility . I loved the contrast between the two sisters and their different approaches to life and love."

"It is a shame that it was written by A Lady," Lord Dallington said.

Bennett looked heavenward, as if anticipating that his father's words would undoubtedly provoke a reaction from the women at the table. "Why, Father?" he sighed.

In response, Lord Dallington's lips curled slightly, making it appear that he knew precisely what he was doing.

"Some of the greatest books written have been by women," Delphine declared. "Eliza Haywood, Mary Wortley Montagu and Mary Astell- just to name a few."

"Yes, but there are more books written by men than women," Lord Dallington argued.

Delphine sucked in a breath, knowing it was not the time or place to release her sharp tongue. She was a guest in Lord Dallington's home, and although his opinions were offensive to her, they were not unfounded.

Lady Dallington gave her husband a pointed look. "Perhaps we should not say things that might offend our guest."

"I am merely stating a fact," Lord Dallington stated before turning his attention towards Delphine. "I am sorry if the truth offends you."

Bennett groaned. "That was hardly an apology, Father. People tend to be remorseful when they apologize."

"Why should I be remorseful?" Lord Dallington asked, his voice tinged with amusement, suggesting he was rather enjoying the debate. "Is it not true that more men have written books than women over the course of time?"

As Elodie leaned to the side to allow a footman to collect her bowl, she addressed her father. "You are being utterly ridiculous. Everyone knows why there are fewer women authors than men."

"Be that as it may, I cannot rewrite history," Lord Dallington said.

Lady Dallington caught everyone's attention by tapping her fork against her glass. "As Delphine is our guest, why don't we take this opportunity to learn more about her?" she suggested.

Bennett nodded in agreement. "Mother is right. I, for one, would like to learn more about Delphine."

A footman placed a plate of food in front of her as Delphine modestly protested, "I assure you that I am not that interesting."

"I beg to differ," Bennett responded. "I find you to be utterly captivating."

Meeting Bennett's gaze briefly, Delphine responded, "That is kind of you to say." She struggled to keep the blush from rising in her cheeks. Why did his words have such an effect on her?

Winston turned towards her. "I also find you to be quite fascinating. Probably even more so than my brother."

"Boys, please," Lady Dallington said. "I think we can all agree that Delphine is a remarkable young woman. Now perhaps we should eat before our food gets cold."

Delphine picked up her fork and knife to begin eating the mutton on her plate. As she took a bite, she was grateful for the silence so she could collect her thoughts.

But it didn't last long.

Elodie placed her fork down and asked, "Do you play pall-mall, Delphine?"

"I do," she confirmed.

"Wonderful, we shall have to play once you are feeling better," Elodie responded. "Although, our numbers are odd so we will have to ask Miss Bawden to play with us. "

Winston dropped his fork onto his plate and let out a sigh. "Must you bring up that infuriating woman?"

Elodie gave him an innocent look. "Do you take issue with Miss Bawden, Brother?"

"I do not take issue with her, but I assure you that she takes issue with me," Winston grumbled.

"Regardless, who else do you propose should come play with us?" Elodie asked.

"Miss Bawden is the obvious choice," Melody expressed. "She has been playing with us for years."

"Fine, invite Miss Bawden," Winston remarked.

Elodie smiled victoriously. "There is nothing more enjoyable than watching Winston and Miss Bawden battle it out on the lawn."

Delphine saw that Winston's jaw was clenched and he was taking deep breaths, no doubt in an attempt to calm himself. What was it about Miss Bawden that evoked such a reaction in Winston?

Bennett must have sensed her curiosity and leaned closer to her. "Miss Bawden and Winston have been at odds with one another since we used to visit Brockhall Manor as children."

"Dare I ask why?" Delphine asked.

"The story is too long and convoluted, I'm afraid," Bennett replied as he straightened in his chair.

Lady Dallington smiled brightly, as if she knew a secret that no one else was privy to. "I think Miss Bawden is a lovely young woman and she is always welcome here."

Winston reached for his napkin and tossed it onto his plate. "If you will excuse me, I have lost my appetite."

"Dear…" Lady Dallington started.

He put his hand up, stilling her words. "I have work that I must see to," he said, pushing back his chair. "Excuse me."

After Winston departed from the dining room, Lady Dallington cast a disapproving look at Elodie. "I do not know why you insist on antagonizing him."

Elodie's lips twitched. "I have a theory that those two secretly love one another and are both too stubborn to admit it."

Lady Dallington gave her a pointed look. "Do keep your opinions to yourself, Child."

"All right, then I won't say that this mutton is a little dry," Elodie said as she pushed the meat around her plate.

Shifting her gaze towards her husband, Lady Dallington declared, "I have failed as a mother."

Bennett smirked. "Or did Elodie fail you as a daughter?"

Delphine couldn't suppress a laugh at the unexpected remark, but to her dismay, a snort escaped her. She quickly brought her hand to her mouth, hoping to conceal the embarrassing sound.

Unfortunately, luck was not on her side.

"Did you just snort?" Bennett teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Feeling mortified, Delphine pressed her lips together as she tried to maintain her composure. "A true gentleman would not comment on such a thing."

"I have been known to snort a time or two, so you are in good company," Bennett remarked.

Delphine offered him a grateful look. "Thank you, but it is not something that I do on purpose."

"That is a shame," he said with a wink.

And with that simple gesture, she felt her face growing warm, finding it entirely unfair for a man to be as devilishly handsome as Bennett was.