His mother moved closer to Delphine, and with concern in her voice, said, “I will take it from here, Bennett. You may go.”
With a parting glance at Delphine, he knew she was going to be all right. His mother would see to that. So why was he so worried about her?
He had no quick answer, but knew he was worried…
Desperately so.
As the morning sun streamed through the window of Delphine’s bedchamber, she sat propped up on her bed, finishing her breakfast. She wished she could claim she had a restless night’s sleep, but that would be a lie. All she dreamed about was being held in Bennett’s arms.
She knew she had to leave this place, and quickly. Staying here would only lead to developing feelings for a man she had no right to. He sought a love match, but she doubted she was capable of such vulnerability. Trusting a man with her heart seemed reckless.
So why did the mere thought of leaving Brockhall Manor leave her with a profound sense of sadness?
She should feel mortification that Bennett had cradled her in his arms the night before when she had grown lightheaded. But instead, she felt like she had found a home in his arms, a place that she never wanted to leave. Which was absurd. She hardly knew the man. Surely this must be because she’d hit her head and she had lost all rational sense.
A knock echoed throughout the room before the door was pushed open, revealing Doctor Anderson. He smiled warmly. “Good morning, my lady,” he greeted. “I understand that some of your memories have returned.”
“Most have, except for how I ended up in the woodlands,” Delphine replied.
Doctor Anderson approached the bed and came to a stop next to her. “That is not entirely unexpected, and you mustn’t try to force these memories to return. But I should warn you that they might never be recovered.”
“I need to know why I was in those woodlands,” Delphine said. “It wasn’t as if I could have walked from my country estate there. I must have been traveling in a carriage with someone.”
The doctor reached for a chair and positioned it next to the bed. “I do not doubt something traumatic happened, but you are safe now. It is important that you know that.”
Delphine did feel safe, safer than she had ever before. But that didn’t mean she wanted to give up hope she would recover these memories.
“You are young, and in good health, but the brain works in complex ways,” the doctor said. “Just try to rest up and recover your strength.”
She perked up. “May I go home?”
Doctor Anderson shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I would like you to remain at Brockhall Manor for at least another three days while you recuperate.”
“Three days?” she asked. A part of her wanted to return home, but another part of her wanted to stay. And it was that part of her that scared her. She needed to return home to her estate, her tenants and her business.
“I know this must be hard for you, but I do not feel it is safe for you to travel,” the doctor explained. “I spoke to Lady Dallington about this and she is in agreement.”
“So I am to impose on their hospitality even longer?” Delphine asked.
The doctor offered her a kind look. “I do not believe theyfeel like it is an imposition,” he said. “Lady Dallington seemed rather excited at the prospect that you will be staying longer.”
Delphine leaned her head back against the wall and stared up at the canopy above her bed. She didn’t wish to defy the doctor, but could she remain here for another three days, lounging in bed, knowing there was so much work to be done back at home?
A maid stepped closer to the bed and removed the breakfast tray. “Will there be anything else, my lady?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Not at this time,” Delphine replied.
As the maid left the room, the doctor leaned forward in his seat and studied her. “Your color looks much better, but it is what I can’t see that concerns me. I have seen a person’s whole demeanor change after an accident such as yours.”
“I assure you that I am fine,” she asserted.
“You say that, but one more hit to the head could be dire,” the doctor informed her.
Delphine shuddered at that thought. “I will be careful.”
The doctor looked as if he wanted to say more, but instead he sat back in his seat, giving her a concerned look. “I will not continue to lecture you, but I cannot stress enough the importance of listening to your body.”
“My body is telling me that I might go mad if I stay in this bed for another moment,” Delphine said, softening her words with a smile.
