Bennett came to a stop in the corridor and turned to face her. “I do not care if Elodie weds.”
“You don’t?” Delphine asked.
He shook his head. “I only care that my sister is happy. If she chooses to be a spinster, I shall support her decision.”
Delphine stared deep into Bennett’s eyes and saw that he was in earnest. “I believe you,” she said. “You are a good brother and so different than the other men of theton.”
“I am flattered that you think so,” he responded.
While they descended the stairs, Delphine shared, “My cousin, Vincent, is truly awful. He has been trying to contest my title for as long as I can remember, and before that, it was his father. He smiles to my face but would gladly put a dagger in my back if given the chance.”
“On what grounds does Vincent contest your position as heir?”
Delphine blew out a puff of air. “It is simply because I am a woman. No one has given them much heed, but they keep trying, nevertheless.”
“Well, if you require a barrister, I can highly recommend my brother,” Bennett said.
“It has not come to that… yet. But the future is uncertain.”
Bennett regarded her with a pensive expression. “Would it help if you secured an heir?”
Delphine’s lips formed a slight frown as she replied, “It would help, but I am not quite ready to marry. I have so much that I want to do with my life first. A husband, or child, would be an imposition at this point. Quite frankly, I am content on my own, at least for now.”
In a reflective tone, Bennett said, “I used to think that way- and still do, at times. But I do find myself feeling lonely on occasion. It would be nice to truly trust someone, to let them in, and be utterly devoted to one another.”
“I do not wish to offend you but that sounds like a fairy tale,” Delphine stated. “Love is easily corruptible.”
Bennett chuckled. “You are quite the naysayer.”
“No, I am a pragmatist.”
As he led her out the main door that was being held open by a footman, Bennett leaned closer and joked, “Perhaps you should write a book and use that line as the title.”
Delphine felt her lips curl into a smile. “I know you believe in the mystical force called love, but it is just that- ‘mystical.’”
“Love is real,” Bennett said firmly. “You just haven’t met the one you can’t live without.”
“I could not disagree with you more,” Delphine argued. “I have only seen unhappy marriages, including my parents’. The mere thought of love matches is utterly preposterous.”
Bennett seemed to consider her words thoughtfully before responding, “I want to marry my best friend. A woman who makes me want to be a better man. Someone who I can talk about my day and laugh with. An equal in every way.” He paused, his gaze piercing. “If you did have a chance at love, would you fight for it?”
Delphine was taken aback by the raw emotion that Bennett displayed, and she hoped that he would find someone who shared his passion and ideals about love. But it couldn’t be her. She didn’t believe in love- or at least that is what she kept telling herself.
Feeling a need to lighten the conversation, she patted Bennett’s sleeve gently. “Perhaps it is you that should write a book. I must say that your take on love would be much more appealing than mine.”
Bennett let out a heavy sigh. “If I did write a book, it would be extremely popular and I am not sure if I am ready for that type of notoriety.”
“Of course not, my lord,” Delphine said as her eyes scanned over the expansive lawn. True to Bennett’s word, there were chairs spread throughout the lawn, including one next to each arch that had been set up.
“Will that be enough chairs?” Bennett asked.
Delphine slipped her hand off his arm as she turned to face him. “It might be too many chairs.”
“One can never be too prepared,” Bennett said.
She couldn’t help but notice a red-haired young woman standing next to Elodie and Melody and she was stretching with a mallet in her hand.
Bennett followed her gaze. “That is Miss Bawden. She is the eldest daughter of our dear vicar.”
