“Yes, I can only imagine,” Bennett muttered under his breath.
Mr. Simpkin did not react to Bennett’s remark but rather held Delphine’s gaze. “Mr. Paterson is here to confirm that you are indeed alive and well.”
Delphine wasn’t quite convinced that was all it was, but she should go greet her cousin. She shoved back her chair and said, “I suppose I should get this over with.”
Rising, Bennett asked, “Would you like me to accompany you?”
Before she could reply, Mr. Simpkin spoke on her behalf. “Need I remind you that I am Delphine’s husband, andIwill accompany her.”
“I find it odd that you are constantly reminding people that you are married to Delphine,” Bennett said dryly.
“I wouldn’t have to do so if you didn’t continually overstep your bounds,” Mr. Simpkin responded with a clenched jaw.
Delphine glanced between Mr. Simpkin and Bennett with a stern look. “Are you two quite finished?” she asked.
Mr. Simpkin placed his hand on her sleeve. “Come along, Dear,” he encouraged. “Let us go speak to Mr. Paterson.”
“I would like Lord Dunsby to join us as well,” Delphine said as she remained rooted in her spot.
Her husband looked displeased by her request but thankfully he didn’t question her decision. “If you insist,” he replied.
As they departed the dining room, Delphine didn’t quite know what to expect from Vincent. They had been at odds for so long, and he had never once shown any interest in her wellbeing. He only cared about taking her title.
So why was he here?
And what did he hope to gain?
For one thing she knew about Vincent, he did nothing by chance.
Chapter Seventeen
Bennett followed Delphine from the dining room and noticed that she was tense. Not that he blamed her. From what she had told him of Mr. Paterson, it was evident they held no real affection for one another, despite being cousins.
As they stepped into the entry hall, he saw a tall man with slicked back black hair and a crooked nose.
“Cousin,” Mr. Paterson exclaimed, his arms out wide. “It is so good to see you looking so well.”
Delphine came to a stop a short distance away from her cousin. “Is it?” she asked. “Dare I ask why you are truly here?”
Mr. Paterson shifted his gaze to Mr. Simpkin. “Did you not tell her that I was coming?”
“No, I’m afraid it slipped my mind,” Mr. Simpkin replied.
Turning back towards Delphine, Mr. Paterson said, “I was instructed by Mr. Shelden to confirm that you are indeed alive and well.”
Delphine held her hands out. “As you can see, I am alive,” she assured him. “You may return home now.”
Mr. Simpkin stepped forward. “Delphine, you are beingrude to your cousin,” he chided. “You should at least allow him to stay the night.”
“It isn’t my place to do so since we are guests in Lord Dunsby’s home,” Delphine remarked.
Mr. Paterson put his hand up. “It is no bother at all,” he said. “I have already retained a room at the boarding house in the village.”
“Very good,” Delphine responded as she turned to leave.
Reaching forward, Mr. Paterson gently grabbed her arm, stilling her. “I know that we have never seen eye to eye before, but I am glad that you are alive.”
Delphine pursed her lips before saying, “Eye to eye?” she questioned. “You have been trying to steal my title since I first inherited it.”
