“And you think I would be happy with Mr. Simpkin?”
She shrugged. “I think you would have been very happy with Mr. Simpkin had you not met Lord Dunsby.”
Delphine walked over to the settee and sat down next to her friend. “I truly doubt that. Mr. Simpkin seems to want an obedient wife,” she said. “And that is something I never will be. I am far too headstrong to yield to my husband’s commands.”
“But if you are successful and void your marriage to Mr. Simpkin, then you will marry Lord Dunsby and move far away,” Charlotte remarked in a dejected voice. “What am I to do then?”
“That is assuming that Lord Dunsby offers for me.”
“He will,” Charlotte stated. “I can see in his eyes that he cares greatly for you. Just as you do for him.”
Delphine offered her a reassuring smile. “Whatever happens, we will always be friends,” she said.
Charlotte looked unsure. “You say that now, but things change. People change.”
“Not that much,” Delphine said.
A soft knock came at the door before it was opened, revealing a young maid. “Mr. Vincent Paterson has come to call for you, my lady,” she revealed.
Delphine felt dread wash over her at that news. She wondered what Vincent wanted now. “Inform him that I do not wish to see him.”
The maid’s eyes grew wide. “But he was rather adamant that he wished to speak to you. I do not think he will leave without seeing you.”
The last thing she wanted to do was speak to Vincent, but she didn’t wish to cause a commotion by having him removed from the manor.
“Very well,” Delphine conceded. “I shall be right down.”
After the maid departed, Delphine rose from her seat. “What fresh torment do you think Vincent wishes to speak about?”
Charlotte grinned. “Perhaps he might surprise you and speak of bunnies or whatnot.”
“I doubt that,” Delphine said.
“Would you care for me to accompany you?” Charlotte asked.
Delphine expressed her gratitude to her friend with a heartfelt glance. “That is kind of you, but Vincent is my cousin. No matter how annoying or obnoxious he is.”
Rising, Charlotte said, “Then I shall see you at breakfast, where I expect to hear all about your meeting.”
After they departed from her bedchamber, they walked towards the main level as they both seemed to retreat to their own thoughts.
Delphine stepped down onto the marble floor of the entry hall and turned towards Charlotte. “With any luck, this conversation will not go on for very long.”
Charlotte tipped her head. “For your sake, I hope so. But when in doubt, speak about bunnies.”
A laugh escaped Delphine’s lips. “What is it with you and bunnies this morning?”
“Bunnies are a safe topic and who doesn’t love those fluffy animals?” she asked. “They are so unpretentious.”
Delphine was grateful that her friend seemed to break some of the tension that she felt. “I am ready to face my cousin now.”
She spun on her heel and approached the drawing room. Once she stepped inside the small room, she saw Vincent sitting on the settee, sipping a cup of tea as if he had no care in the world.
He rose when he saw her. “Cousin,” he said as he kept hold of his teacup. “You certainly took your time coming down.”
“What is it that you want, Vincent?” she asked, forgoing pleasantries.
Vincent smiled at her, as if he found her directness to be amusing. “I have come to say goodbye.”
