“I have my own cook,” Delphine said.
“Not any longer,” Mr. Simpkin said. “I dismissed your household staff.”
Delphine’s mouth dropped open. “I beg your pardon?”
Mr. Simpkin waved a dismissive hand in front of him. “There was no need to employ two household staffs and I am partial to my own servants.”
“You had no right,” Delphine said, placing her spoon down. “Some of those people have been working for my family for generations.”
“Yes, and I fear that they have grown far too complacent,” Mr. Simpkin stated.
Delphine drew in a steadying breath, reminding herself to remain patient until her marriage was nullified. Once that happened, she could move on with her life, and Mr. Simpkin would be out of it.
Bennett caught her eye and winked, providing her with much needed reassurance. She could do this, and she knew she wasn’t doing it alone.
Melody interjected, “While we eat, I thought we could listen to the bagpipes.”
“That is a fine idea, Sister,” Elodie said enthusiastically.
The sound of bagpipes filled the air and Delphine found the familiar music to be rather soothing. She could almost forget that she was married to a jackanapes.
While Delphine ate her soup, she realized that she wasn’t being entirely fair to Mr. Simpkin. He wasn’t inherently awful,but she found his persistent attempts to win her affection to be increasingly tiresome.
As the footmen stepped forward to collect the bowls, Mr. Simpkin opened his mouth to no doubt say something that would irritate her. But as he started to speak, the sound of bagpipes filled the room, drowning out his words.
Mr. Simpkin closed his mouth and the bagpipes seemed to soften as if in response to his silence.
Bennett rose as a footman placed a tray of food in the center of the table. “I hope everyone enjoys haggis.”
Delphine heard Mr. Simpkin let out a groan and she was amused. It was evident that he was not a fan of haggis. She suspected that was the reason it was being served this evening.
Elodie picked up her plate and extended it towards Bennett. “I do love haggis. It is my favorite.”
Delphine was well aware that Elodie did not enjoy haggis but she was pretending to goad Mr. Simpkin. Which was fine by her.
Once everyone was served, Bennett returned to his seat and picked up his fork and knife. “I asked our cook to ensure there was plenty of sheep lung in this meal. I know that Delphine is especially partial to that ingredient.”
Mr. Simpkin looked down at his plate with disgust. “How can you eat this?” he asked.
“It is delicious,” Delphine said before taking a bite.
Pushing his plate away from him, Mr. Simpkin announced, “I’m afraid that I have lost my appetite.”
In a low voice, Delphine chided, “You are being rude to our hosts.”
Lord Dallington put his hand up. “We are not ones to take offense,” he said. “I am not fond of haggis either.”
Mr. Simpkin went to respond just as the bagpipes started growing louder.
Delphine saw Mr. Simpkin’s lips move but she didn’t hearthe words that he uttered. She was beginning to suspect that was the point of the bagpiper.
The music came to an end and Elodie and Melody started clapping.
“That was wonderful,” Elodie gushed. “Will you continue to play?”
The bagpiper nodded his head before he continued playing a traditional Scottish song.
Mr. Simpkin leaned towards Delphine and asked, “Would you care to take a turn around the gardens after dinner?”
