Delphine shook her head. “No. He has never cared for my wellbeing before. Why start now?”
“Maybe he had a change of heart?” Charlotte suggested.
“I doubt that,” Delphine responded. “He has been a nuisance since the moment my father died. He does not think a woman should hold a title.”
Charlotte leaned back against the settee. “Well, you have certainly proved him wrong. Your estate is flourishing and you have a true knack for business.”
“That may be true, but Mr. Simpkin informed me that he dismissed my entire household staff,” Delphine said. “I need to go right his wrongs and hire them back.”
“Do you not intend to live with your husband?” Charlotte asked.
“No, because I am hopeful that a judge will void our marriage,” Delphine responded.
Charlotte sucked in a breath. “Have you thought through the repercussions of that decision? Your reputation would be ruined.”
“It is better than being married to Mr. Simpkin,” Delphine said.
“But you agreed to the marriage,” Charlotte pressed.
Rising, Delphine smoothed down her pale blue gown. “I do not have any such memories of that.”
Charlotte gave her a knowing look. “Is this because you care for Lord Dunsby?”
“My feelings for Lord Dunsby are inconsequential,” Delphine replied. “I do not wish to tie myself to Mr. Simpkin for the remainder of my days.”
“Why do you insist on calling him ‘Mr. Simpkin’?” Charlotte asked.
“That is his name, is it not?”
Charlotte frowned. “You may not remember wanting to marry Mr. Simpkin, but I do. It was not a passing whim for you.”
Delphine wanted to believe that was true, but it made no sense. How did she benefit from marrying Mr. Simpkin? She already had a title so she didn’t need the protection of his name. How she wished she could remember those memories.
“I just think you should give Mr. Simpkin a chance to prove himself,” Charlotte said. “He may not be an earl, but he is a good man.”
She cocked her head. “I hadn’t realized you were friends with Mr. Simpkin.”
Charlotte bristled. “We are merely acquaintances,” she asserted.
Delphine could tell that her friend was not telling the whole truth and she decided to press her. “Lord Dunsby claims a footman saw you enter Mr. Simpkin’s bedchamber yesterday. Is there any truth to that?”
Her friend blinked, looking stunned. “Someone witnessed that?” she groaned. “I thought I had been most careful.”
“So it is true?”
Her friend nodded. “Yes, but it is not what you think,” she said. “Mr. Simpkin asked to speak to me privately about what he could do to win your affections.”
Delphine lifted her brow in disbelief. “In his bedchamber?”
Charlotte winced slightly. “Yes, but it was because Mr. Simpkin didn’t want Lord Dunsby to overhear our conversation.”
“You could have spoken in the gardens or anywhere else for that matter,” Delphine said. “Do you not care for your reputation?”
“I do, but I suppose I got wrapped up in trying to help Mr. Simpkin win you over,” Charlotte remarked.
Delphine gave her friend an odd look. “Why is it so important to you that I remain married to Mr. Simpkin?”
Charlotte reached for a pillow and held it in front of her. “I just want you to be happy.”
