He chuckled. “Go explore the gardens, but do not overly tax yourself,” he advised her.
As he uttered his words, Lady Dallington entered the room with a bright smile on her face. “Isn’t it wonderful, Dear?” she asked. “You will be staying with us longer.”
Delphine could hear the genuineness in the woman’s voice and she appreciated it. It made her feel less of a burden. “I do not wish to be an imposition…”
Lady Dallington waved her hand dismissively in front ofher. “Nonsense,” she declared. “It is our pleasure to have you here. We adore having house guests.”
“You are most kind and I hope to one day return the favor,” Delphine said.
Approaching the bed, Lady Dallington responded, “Having you in our home has been a privilege. There is no favor to return.”
Delphine appreciated Lady Dallington even more. She was taking this difficult situation for her and making it seem as if she was doing them a favor.
Doctor Anderson rose from his seat. “For now, I do not want Lady Dunrobin to venture anywhere farther than your gardens. I fear too much exertion would be detrimental in her delicate condition.”
“Understood, Doctor,” Lady Dallington said with a bob of her head.
“If you need me for any reason, please send word at once,” he responded with a bow.
Doctor Anderson turned to leave but Delphine spoke up, stopping him. “Thank you, Doctor.”
He turned back towards the bed. “You should know how lucky you truly are. If Lord Dunsby hadn’t found you when he did, you would have succumbed to your injuries. You have been given a second chance at life. I hope you do not waste it.”
Delphine considered the doctor’s words as he turned to leave, knowing they would remain with her for quite some time. She had come so close to death, but she had survived. Now she didn’t want to squander this opportunity.
Once the doctor departed from her bedchamber, Lady Dallington clasped her hands together. “What would you like to do today?” she asked.
“I want to get out of this bed,” Delphine replied.
“Good,” Lady Dallington said. “Bennett is rather eager to show you the library this morning.”
Delphine eyed her curiously. “Did Bennett say such a thing?”
“No, but a mother knows these types of things,” Lady Dallington replied. “I will send in a maid so she can assist you in dressing. I have even pulled a few gowns from Elodie and Melody’s wardrobes. I do believe these gowns will suit you nicely.”
“That is most generous of you,” Delphine stated. “And are you sure that they do not mind me borrowing their gowns?”
“Not in the least. Melody is practically counting down the moments until her Society gowns arrive.”
Delphine fingered the strings of her dressing gown as she shared, “I do wish I shared Melody’s enthusiasm about the Season. I find that I am dreading it.”
“You’ll change your mind,” Lady Dallington encouraged as she came to sit down on the chair. “Before my Lionel inherited his title, I worried for my daughters’ prospects. Our station did not allow me to hope for a titled gentleman for my daughters. But now…” She paused. “Now they could marry a prince if they so desired.”
“That sounds terrifying.”
Lady Dallington laughed. “I do not aspire for them to marry a prince either, but as a daughter of a marquess, it is not out of the realm of possibility for them. Or for you, for that matter.”
Delphine made a face. “Me, marry a prince? I think not. I would rather shoot myself in the foot,” she said. “I tend to avoid social events whenever possible. I am much happier at my country estate, ensuring it is profitable.”
“But don’t you get lonely?”
Delphine sighed. “I have been lonely for as long as I can remember,” she admitted. “But my dear friend, Charlotte, makes it tolerable.”
“I am glad that you have a friend in this girl, but what ofmarriage? Children? Surely, you want those?” Lady Dallington prodded.
“Eventually, I will need to take a husband, but it is not something that I will do on a whim,” Delphine said. “I will give it serious consideration, knowing I will lose some of the freedoms that have been afforded to me.”
Lady Dallington gave her an understanding look. “And what of love?”
