“She left us with little choice,” Mr. Simpkin responded, dropping his hands to his sides. “Now run along before anyone notices your absence.”
Elodie placed a hand on Delphine’s arm and pointed towards the parlor, indicating they should hide, and quickly.
Delphine followed Elodie into the parlor and closed the door behind her. What had she just overheard? And who was the “she” that left them with little choice? Was it her?
Elodie’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Are you all right?”
“How much did you overhear?” Delphine asked.
“Most of it,” Elodie replied with a look of sympathy. “But you should know that Mr. Simpkin and Charlotte often speak to one another in private.”
Delphine pursed her lips together. “How have I been so blind?” she asked.
“Does it matter if they have formed an attachment?” Elodie asked. “After all, you intend to void the marriage.”
“That is true. I hold no affection for Mr. Simpkin but why didn’t Charlotte tell me that she held him in high regard?”
Elodie shrugged. “You are married to Mr. Simpkin.”
“Which is more perplexing,” Delphine remarked. “I would never have agreed to the marriage had I known Mr. Simpkin and Charlotte cared for one another.”
“What if you didn’t agree to it?” Elodie suggested.
Delphine shook her head. “No, Charlotte would never do such a thing to me. We have been friends for as long as I can remember.”
“People change.”
“Your brother said as much, but I do not believe Charlotte would go along with something so nefarious,” Delphine insisted.
Elodie didn’t look convinced. “Do you not find it odd thatMiss Eden accompanied you to Gretna Green?” she asked. “People usually do not bring friends along when they are eloping.”
Delphine had to recognize that Elodie did have a point, albeit reluctantly. “She said that I invited her along.”
“And you believe that?”
“I had no reason to question her,” Delphine replied. “She has never lied to me before.”
“Or at least you haven’t caught her in a lie,” Elodie said.
Delphine brought a hand up to her head as she tried to decide what she should do. Should she confront Charlotte with what she knew at once or wait until she returned home?
Elodie opened the door and peeked out into the corridor. “It is empty,” she revealed.
“You can go,” Delphine encouraged. “I am going to stay here for a while.”
With a knowing look, Elodie asked, “Are you hiding from Miss Eden?”
Delphine grimaced, wondering how Elodie had seen through her so easily. “Perhaps,” she admitted.
“I do not blame you,” Elodie said. “This is why I do not have very many friends. They will betray you at the drop of a hat.”
“Charlotte wouldn’t betray me,” Delphine said.
Elodie lifted her brow. “Did we not hear the same conversation?” she asked.
Delphine walked over to the settee and dropped down in the most unladylike fashion. None of this was making any sense. “Why did Mr. Simpkin want to marry me if he cares for Charlotte?”
“Greed. Power.” Elodie paused. “Do I need to go on?”
