“Perhaps Winston should go inform him that dinner is ready,” Bennett suggested. “After all, he might not have heard the dinner bell.”
Elodie chimed in, “Everyone in the whole manor can hear the dinner bell. White makes sure of that.”
Bennett returned his attention to his drink, knowing how foolish he sounded. Why did he care that his brother was acting like a fool by smiling at Delphine like that? He shouldn’t. Winston could flirt with whomever he pleased. Delphine wasn’t his to claim, and he had already decided he had no intention of pursuing her.
Fortunately, his father entered the room and announced, “I apologize for being late but I assure you that it couldn’t be helped.”
“Of course not, my love,” his mother responded, exchanging a look of love with her husband. “But now that you are here, I can introduce you to our guest, Lady Dunrobin.”
His father’s eyes shifted towards Delphine and his eyes crinkled around the edges. “So you are the countess that I have been hearing about,” he said in a kind voice. “You are most welcome here.”
Delphine dropped down into a curtsy and wobbled on her feet, causing Bennett to hurry forward to steady her.
“My apologies,” Delphine said with an apologetic look. “Perhaps I am not as sure-footed as I led myself to believe.”
Bennett released his hold on her arm but remained close. “You must remember to be patient with yourself. Everyone recovers at their own pace.”
His father spoke up. “Bennett is right- for once.”
“Et tu, Father?” Bennett asked dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. “I will have you know that I am right most of the time.”
With a chuckle, his father replied, “I do have to get a jab in a time or two to keep you humble.”
“I assure you that I am humble enough,” Bennett said.
Melody giggled. “Says the man that can’t pass by a mirror without sneaking a glance at himself.”
“That is emphatically not true,” Bennett declared. “But if it were, would you blame me? Mirrors love me.”
Reaching out, his father offered an arm to his mother. “And on that note, we should go eat dinner before it gets cold.”
Bennett offered his arm to Delphine. “May I escort you into dinner?” he asked.
“Thank you, my lord,” she replied as she placed her hand atop his sleeve. Despite her wearing gloves, he swore he felt the warmth of her hand, leaving an imprint.
Botheration.
He needed to collect his wits before he made a complete and utter fool of himself around Delphine.
Delphine settled into the chair that Bennett had courteously pulled out for her. Adjusting herself, she reached for a white linen napkin and draped it across her lap.
Bennett took a seat beside her on the left, while Winston occupied the spot to her right. Across from her sat Elodie and Melody, with Lord and Lady Dallington positioned at the ends of the long, rectangular table.
As the footmen served bowls of soup, Delphine delicately picked up her spoon and began to eat, aiming to remain a silent observer for the time being. However, luck seemed to be against her.
Lord Dallington directed his attention towards her. “I had the privilege of meeting your father once,” he remarked. “He was just starting up his company and had sought the advice of my brother. I had no idea he would become such a successful goat cheese maker.”
“It was his passion,” Delphine shared, hoping to keep the bitterness out of her tone. Her father spent more time withthe goats than he did with his own daughter. But then again, did she even want to spend time with him?
Winston leaned towards her and said, “What an interesting profession for an earl.”
“It was, but I do not think he intended it to grow as big as it did,” Delphine responded. “My hope is to expand it even further.”
Lord Dallington furrowed his brow. “I do hope you have a good man of business to help you since your interests no doubt lie elsewhere.”
Delphine felt her back grow rigid at that archaic remark. But it wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard before. “Myinterestsare in ensuring that my company and estate are profitable,” she asserted.
“Yes, but you are…” Lord Dallington started, waving his fork in the air.
