“I suppose I don’t know any differently,” Delphine replied. “I have been given a great responsibility and I hope I prove myself worthy in time.”
With a curious look, Elodie asked, “If you are from Scotland, why do you not speak with a Scottish brogue?”
Delphine found the question to be fair. “My father was Scottish, but my mother was not, and she ensured I was educated by an English governess after my father died. But I sound plenty Scottish when Ah’m at oor country estate there.”
“Do you live in a castle?” Elodie pressed.
“I do, at least when I am in Scotland,” Delphine replied. “It was built in the late sixteenth century but underwent significant renovations before I was born.”
Elodie let out a wistful sigh. “I want to live in a castle and be a countess without a husband telling me what to do.”
Melody shook her head. “You must pardon my sister. She has seemingly developed an aversion to marriage.”
“I do not want a man controlling me,” Elodie said with a slight lift of her chin.
“Father doesn’t do that to Mother,” Melody contended. “And Uncle Richard loved his wife so much that he never even so much as looked at another woman.”
Elodie met Delphine’s gaze. “What are your thoughts on marriage?”
Delphine considered her next words carefully. “I have no intention of marrying, at least right now. Though I understand the necessity of securing an heir in due course, I see no urgency in hastening such matters.”
“I do not fault you for that,” Melody responded.
As she played with the strings of her dressing gown, Delphine shared, “I have had many gentlemen that have tried to woo me over the years, but I am not interested. I have too much at stake to throw it all away for a chance at love.”
“And if you fall in love?” Melody asked.
“My mother always told me that there is no room for love in marriage,” Delphine replied. “Marriage is a simple transaction between two people and emotions would just complicate that.”
Melody exchanged a look with her sister before saying, “I take it that there was no love lost between your mother and father.”
Delphine shook her head. “No. My father married my mother for the sole purpose of producing a male heir. And she failed. Instead of a boy, she conceived me and my father never let her live that down.”
“I’m sorry,” Elodie murmured.
“There is no reason to be sorry,” Delphine said. “My father was cantankerous and only seemed to get worse as he got older. I fully understood the reality of my situation. I was born a disappointment to my father, and nothing could change that.”
Elodie turned towards her sister. “Father does not look so bad anymore,” she said lightly, no doubt in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Delphine offered them a weak smile. “It is my turn to apologize. I do not wish to turn anyone away from marriage. To most women, it is of vital importance.”
“My cousin just married for love so I know it is possible to acquire a love match,” Melody shared.
“Yes, Edwina and Lord Hilgrove are madly in love,” Elodie confirmed. “I thought my brother, Winston, was going to escort them himself to Gretna Green to get married. He got tired of the blatant affection between them.”
There was a firm knock at the door, followed by the graceful entrance of Lady Dallington into the room. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of Delphine sitting on the settee. “What is Lady Dunrobin doing out of bed?” she asked. “She shouldn’t be walking about just yet.”
Elodie rose from her seat. “It was my idea. I thought a walk to the windows would do her some good.”
Delphine wasn’t about to let Elodie take the blame for her actions. “Elodie may have suggested such a thing, but I made the decision to do so.”
Lady Dallington’s eyes softened. “I understand that you intend to join us for dinner,” she said. “Are you sure you are up to it?”
“Oh, yes!” Delphine exclaimed. “I need to experience life out of these four walls. I daresay that I might go mad if I remain cooped up in here.”
“Very well, but we should let you rest so you can regain your strength,” Lady Dallington responded.
Delphine tipped her head. “Thank you, my lady.”
