A wistful look came to Delphine’s expression. “It must have been wonderful to be raised in a home full of love,” she murmured.
“It was.” Bennett was aware of his privileged upbringing and the warmth of familial love that surrounded him. Heunderstood that not everyone was as fortunate, particularly among the members of high Society.
“I know I must marry for the sake of an heir, but I won’t do it anytime soon. I have far too many things I need to do before I take a husband and lose some of the privileges that have been afforded to me,” Delphine said. “I have even compiled a list of the attributes that I expect my husband to have.”
“Dare I ask what is on that list?”
Delphine pressed her lips together. “Honorable, hard-working, honest- just to name a few,” she replied. “I know you must think I am foolish, but to me, a marriage is a business transaction. And I am far too young to even consider marrying.”
“Have you not reached your majority?”
“I have, but I need to prove to myself that I don’t need a husband, but rather, Iwanta husband. There is a difference between the two, and I do not wish to tie myself to anyone right now,” Delphine said, her tone resolute. “I have too much to accomplish.”
Bennett eyed her with compassion. “Are you not lonely?”
“I am well acquainted with loneliness,” she sighed. “Quite frankly, I wouldn’t even desire taking a husband if I didn’t require an heir. I just refuse to let my cousin inherit, not after everything he has done.”
Before he could respond, Delphine came to an abrupt stop and brought a hand up to her head. Her breathing grew labored, and her complexion visibly paled.
“What is wrong?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
“I am just feeling rather lightheaded,” she replied weakly.
Without asking for permission, he scooped her up in his arms and reassured her, “I have you.”
Delphine remained rigid in his arms for a moment before gradually relaxing against him. She slipped her arm around his neck and rested her head against his chest. “Thank you,” she murmured in such a soft voice that he almost missed it.
As he walked down the corridor with a purposeful stride, Elodie stepped out into the corridor and asked, “Is Delphine all right?”
“She will be,” Bennett replied. “She just needs to rest.”
Elodie looked unsure. “We could send someone to fetch the doctor.”
“At this hour?” he asked. “No, she will be fine until Doctor Anderson arrives tomorrow.”
“I am going to find Mother. She will know what to do,” Elodie asserted before she headed down the corridor at a clipped pace.
Delphine looked up at him, her face still far too pale for his liking. “I do not wish to be a burden,” she said.
“Too late,” he remarked with a smile. “Everyone will fuss over you now. It is too late to stop what has already been set into motion.”
“I’m sorry.”
Bennett tightened his hold on her as he started up the stairs. “You have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, it is I that should be apologizing to you. I should have insisted you rest after dinner rather than tour the library.”
“But I wanted to see the library,” Delphine said.
“It is nothing special,” Bennett responded. “It is a room full of books and two long windows along the back wall.”
Delphine gave him the briefest of smiles. “You would make a terrible tour guide,” she murmured.
“Indeed. I think I will stick with being an earl, considering the benefits are much better,” he joked.
As he approached the guest bedchamber that Delphine was residing in, his mother caught up with him, matching his stride.
“Allow me,” she said as she went to open the door.
Bennett stepped into the room and gently placed Delphinedown onto the bed. “Rest, my dear,” he encouraged before taking a step back.
