As he opened the door to the stables, he stepped inside and saw his late uncle’s black stallion in the back stall. Hercules was an ornery thing, refusing to let anyone ride him, despite his many attempts at doing so.
Bennett reached for an apple in the bucket and held it up to the horse. “How are you, Hercules?”
The horse refused the offering and moved away from him.
He chuckled. “Not quite in the mood to talk, are we?”
The groom approached him and asked, “Do you want to have another go at riding Hercules?”
“No, Jack,” Bennett replied. “I think I have learned my lesson. Perhaps it is time that we sold him.”
Jack looked displeased. “Your uncle loved this horse. He would be mighty sad if you got rid of him.”
“I know, but what choice do we have?” Bennett asked. “Hercules barely seems to tolerate any of us.”
“Just give him more time, my lord,” Jack attempted.
Bennett nodded. “I am not sure if time is what is needed, but I am not in a rush to get rid of Hercules.”
Jack gestured towards his stallion in the stall over. “Would you care for me to saddle your horse?”
“No, I will do it,” he replied.
As he went about saddling his horse, Bennett knew this was a menial task, far below what an earl should do, but he enjoyed doing some things for himself. It was a refreshing change of pace.
Delphine sat propped up in her bed as the lady’s maid read from a book. She should be listening, but she found her mind was wandering. Now that she had her memories back, she was anxious to return home.
It had been such an unnerving experience to forget who she was, even for a short period of time. Her past, her memories, were what made her who she was. But the events of the last few days still eluded her, despite trying her best to remember. Why had she left the safety of her country home to go traipsing through the woodlands many miles away?
It would come back to her. She was sure of that.
A knock came at the door before it was pushed open, revealing two identical blonde-haired young women.
The lady’s maid stopped reading and rose. “My ladies,” she said with a brief curtsy before exiting the room.
The young women approached the bed with smiles on their faces.
“Good morning,” the first one greeted. “My name is Lady Melody.”
The other one spoke up. “And I am Lady Elodie.” She held up a pink dress that was draped over her arm. “We brought you a gown to wear tonight for dinner.”
Delphine returned their smiles, finding their kindness to be infectious. “That is kind of you. Thank you.”
A maid stepped forward to retrieve the dress from Elodie and she relinquished her hold on it.
“We came to see how you are faring,” Melody said.
“I am as well as can be expected,” Delphine remarked. “I want to leave my bed but the maids have discouraged me from doing so. At least, for now.”
Melody gave her an understanding look. “I am sure that they are just following the doctor’s orders.”
Delphine nodded her agreement. “Now that my memories have returned, I remember that patience is not one of my virtues,” she admitted.
Elodie giggled. “Mine either,” she said. “I am often getting in trouble because I want to do things for myself.”
“It is true,” Melody agreed.
Taking a step back, Elodie gestured towards the window and addressed Delphine. “Why don’t you try walking to the window and back?”
