Turning her head towards her mother, Elodie asked, “Can I learn how to play the bagpipes?”
“Absolutely not!” her father shouted, tossing down his napkin. “Did you not hear the man? A lady does not play the bagpipes.”
Appearing unperturbed by her father’s outburst, Elodie said, “I am proficient in the pianoforte, violin, and guitar. Why not the bagpipes?”
Delphine gave Elodie an amused look. “Bagpipes require a lot of physical energy to play. Furthermore, you would have to find someone to instruct you, which might be difficult outside of Scotland.”
“Mr. Campbell can instruct me,” Elodie attempted.
The bagpiper put his hand up. “I am no instructor,” he replied. “My father taught me, just as he learned from his.”
Her father shook his head. “You are not learning how to play the bagpipes, Elodie, and that is final.”
Bennett could see the disappointment in Elodie’s expression,but he had to agree with his father. A lady did not play the bagpipes, especially the daughter of a marquess.
“I assure you that playing the bagpipes is much harder than it looks,” Delphine said as she addressed Elodie. “It took me quite some time to learn.”
Elodie lifted her brow. “You know how to play the bagpipes?”
“I do,” Delphine replied. “My grandmother taught me, but I have only ever played it in the privacy of our music room.”
Bennett shifted in his chair to face Delphine. “What other talents are you hiding from us?” he asked with playful curiosity, though his question held a hint of sincerity.
Delphine shot him an amused glance. “I assure you that I am not hiding anything from you or your family.”
“Does eating haggis and hearing the bagpipes help recall any of your forgotten memories?” his mother asked.
“I’m afraid not,” Delphine replied. “Although, they do bring back pleasant memories for me. I haven’t thought of my grandmother in quite some time.”
“Then this dinner has been a success, at least in my opinion,” Bennett said.
Delphine reached out and placed a hand on his sleeve. “Thank you, Bennett,” she murmured. “I wish I could do something to repay your kindness.”
Bennett placed his hand over hers. “Just you being here with me…” He cleared his throat, wondering where that slip of the tongue had even come from. “I mean with us, is enough for me.”
“Well, I shall think of something,” Delphine said.
As she withdrew her hand from under his, Bennett found that he already missed the loss of contact. What was wrong with him? She was just a friend. So why was he already thinking of other ways to make her smile?
Winston placed his fork and knife onto his plate, indicating he was done. “That was delicious.”
“I am glad that you enjoyed haggis,” Delphine said.
“There is a Scottish pub near my office in London that serves haggis and I eat there quite frequently,” Winston admitted.
Delphine reached for her glass as she asked, “How do you enjoy being a barrister?”
“It is quite different than what I thought it would be,” Winston admitted in a solemn voice.
White approached Winston with a silver tray in his hand. “A note was delivered for you, my lord.”
Winston reached up and accepted it. He unfolded it and read the contents before crumpling the paper in his hand. “A word, Father.”
“Right at this very moment?” his father asked.
Pushing back his chair, Winston replied, “Yes, it is of the utmost importance.”
“Very well,” his father replied. “We shall discuss whatever this important matter is over a glass of port.”
