“You are far too cocky, my lord,” Delphine remarked.
“Am I?” Bennett asked. “I think I am the right amount of cockiness for an earl, especially one that is as handsome as me.”
Delphine rolled her eyes. “Now you have passed the cockiness threshold. I would curtail it a bit.”
Bennett held her gaze. “But you didn’t deny that I was handsome.”
“You are… adequate,” Delphine replied.
“Merely adequate?” Bennett asked. “I did save your life. Should that not count for something?”
Delphine pressed her lips together before saying, “Fine, my lord. Some might consider you handsome enough to tempt them.”
“Are you one of those people?”
An adorable blush came to Delphine’s cheeks as she ducked her head. “I would prefer if we spoke about books since we are in the library.”
Bennett decided to take pity on Delphine, even though he very much hoped that she found him attractive. For she had beguiled him by her beauty. But it wasn’t just her beauty that tempted him. No, it was much more than that. It was her kindness, her determination, and the way she made everything that much more enjoyable.
Remaining close, Bennett reached for a book and held it up. “What of this book?”
Delphine brought her gaze back up and studied it. “I do not think I should read a book on religion.”
“Whyever not?”
“Women are supposed to avoid certain topics…”
Bennett spoke over her. “Do you intend to obey all of the rules of high Society?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Read the book, Delphine,” Bennett urged. “Who cares what Society says is appropriate to read? The more you read, the more questions arise, encouraging you to seek out the truth.”
Delphine accepted the book with a thoughtful look. “Do you promise not to tell?”
“Who would I tell, Delphie?”
Her eyes widened. “My mother used to call me that,” she said softly.
“I could use another nickname,” Bennett suggested. “Lina, Phin, Delly, Fifi…”
Delphine put a hand on his sleeve, stilling his words. “I would prefer if you called me Delphie,” she said. “Besides, those other nicknames are awful, especially Fifi.”
“I know. I was trying too hard,” Bennett said.
“What of you?” Delphine asked. “Do you have a nickname?”
Bennett shrugged. “You could call me Ben, Bennie, or En.”
Delphine studied him for a moment as she removed her hand. “I think I shall keep calling you Bennett. It suits you.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Bennett said, “Good, because all of my suggestions of nicknames were awful.”
“Why did you suggest them then?”
“For fun,” Bennett replied with a smile. “You could always call me your hero. Or Lord of Handsomeness.”
Delphine let out a huff. “You are relentless, my lord.”
