“Says the earl who is the heir to a marquessate,” Winston grumbled. “I am just the second son, the spare.”
“You are so much more than that,” Bennett pressed.
Winston placed his glass onto the mantel and sighed. “I know, but what if I can’t prove myself? Will I be forced to return home to help with the estate?”
“There is no shame in coming home. You must know that, especially since we could always use your help,” Bennett said. “Father has only just started letting me help with the accounts and there is much work that needs to be done.”
“No, thank you. I have no desire to help buildyourlegacy and not mine,” Winston responded. “I need to do this on my own.”
Bennett offered a firm nod, his confidence in his brother’s abilities unwavering. While Winston might not see it himself, Bennett had full faith in his potential. “And you will,” he reassured his brother, understanding how one’s worries could overshadow their own capabilities.
Winston raised an eyebrow. “When did you get so blasted optimistic?” he asked.
“One of us has to be,” Bennett replied.
Casting a brief glance towards the door, Winston lowered his voice, his demeanor growing solemn. “We do have a problem, though,” he admitted.
Sensing the gravity of Winston’s words, Bennett straightened up. “What is it?” he inquired, his tone reflecting concern.
“Father asked me to look into the situation with our aunt, Sarah, and her son,” Winston started. “There is no chance that Parliament will grant a divorce in her case so I hired a Bow Street Runner to keep an eye on her abusive husband. However, I just received word that Isaac managed to elude the Runner.”
“How competent is this Bow Street Runner if he was eluded so easily?” Bennett asked skeptically.
“I assure you he is very competent,” Winston replied. “I have used Jasper on a few of my cases and he has never let me down before.”
Concern welled up inside of him as he crossed his arms over his chest, worried for his aunt’s wellbeing. Though he had never met Isaac, he had heard unsettling rumors about his violent tendencies towards his wife and son.
“Do you suppose Isaac has discovered that Sarah is here?” Bennett asked, his voice laced with apprehension.
“That is my fear. So I asked Jasper to come keep a watchful eye on Sarah, at least from a distance,” Winston explained.
Bennett paused to reflect on his aunt’s plight. She had only mustered the courage to flee when her husband’s abuse extended to their son. Now, she remained hidden in a cottage near their village, her safety paramount. To minimize the risk, they had maintained minimal contact with her.
As Bennett dwelled on his aunt, he noticed his mother leading Lady Dunrobin into the room. He had to look twice to confirm it was truly her. Gone was the white bandage that once adorned her head. Instead, she wore a pink gown, her dark hair elegantly styled atop her head. Tendrils framed her face, accentuating her beauty to a degree that left him enchanted. Her beauty stole his breath and he wasn’t sure if he wanted it back.
Winston leaned closer to him and whispered, “You are staring, Brother.” His words held amusement.
Bennett blinked and shifted his gaze towards his mother. “Good evening, Mother,” he greeted.
His mother smiled. “Good evening, Bennett.” She turned towards Lady Dunrobin. “Does Lady Dunrobin not look lovely this evening?”
No.
She didn’t just look lovely, but rather her beauty seemed to make the room brighter somehow.
But he couldn’t say that. Instead, he bowed. “Yes, she does,” he replied.
Lady Dunrobin went to drop into a curtsy, but his mother reached out and stopped her. “We do not stand on formalities here and I think it would be best if you avoided curtsying for now, given your condition.”
“You may be right,” Lady Dunrobin said.
Bennett chuckled. “You need to be careful saying those words around my mother, my lady. She tends to think she is right about most things.”
Lady Dunrobin seemed to visibly relax, which had been his intention. “I shall keep that in mind,” she said. “Since your family does not stand on formalities here, I would prefer to be called Delphine. I feel that it is only proper considering how kind everyone has been to me.”
“You are easy to be kind to,” Bennett remarked, holding her gaze. Why had he admitted such a thing?
Delphine ducked her head, but not before he saw a blush stain her cheeks. “That is kind of you to say so, my lord.”
