Lady Dallington gave her a pointed look. “Who says they are not?” she asked. “My son informed me that he found you in a ravine after searching through the woodlands for some time. You were even missing a shoe.”
While grateful for Lady Dallington’s optimism, Delphine couldn’t help but feel anxious at the thought of being lost and alone with no memory of who she was or where she belonged. Did she have a family? A home?
The doctor spoke up, breaking the tense silence. “We should let Miss Delphine rest. We do not wish to overwhelm her.”
“I understand,” Lady Dallington responded. “Do you like to read? We have a well-stocked library that you are welcome to use.”
Delphine scrunched her nose. “I think so.”
“Perhaps I shall select a few books for you and have them sent up,” Lady Dallington suggested.
“I would appreciate that, but I do not think I could read right now. My head hurts,” she admitted.
Lady Dallington acknowledged her words with a smile. “When you are up to it, you are welcome to leave your bedchamber and venture around our home. A change of scenery might do you some good.”
Delphine returned her smile. “Thank you, my lady,” she said. “I do hope to thank Lord Dunsby for saving me and bringing me here.”
“In due time, you will. For now, focus on resting and recovering,” Lady Dallington encouraged.
Doctor Anderson gestured towards the door and addressed Lady Dallington. “May I speak to you privately in the corridor?”
Lady Dallington tipped her head. “Of course, Doctor.”
Left alone in the room, Delphine’s gaze drifted up towards the intricately woven canopy above her. She let out a frustrated sigh, feeling overwhelmed by her situation. She yearned for her memories to return, to bring some sense of familiarity back into her life. Did this mean she wasn’t a patient person?
A wave of sadness washed over her. She hated the idea of relying on Lady Dallington and her family’s generosity, but she had no other options. She was trapped here, with no clear direction or purpose.
Tears welled up in Delphine’s eyes and she didn’t bother to fight them. In this moment, she allowed herself to feel scared and uncertain about what the future held. At least until breakfast arrived, she would allow herself this moment of weakness before putting on a brave face once again.
Chapter Two
Bennett stepped into the dining room and saw his sisters sitting at the long, rectangular table, their heads hunched over the newssheets.
Knowing no good could come out of this, he inquired, “What has caught your attention so intently?”
Elodie neatly folded the newssheets and placed them onto the table. “Nothing in particular. How was your ride this morning?” she asked innocently. Too innocently. His sisters were up to something. But what?
Bennett approached the table and extended his hand out. “May I see?”
With a flourish, Elodie handed him the newssheets. “You are making a big ado out of nothing.”
“Is that so?” Bennett scanned the pages for any hint of what had captured his sisters’ interest. “Perhaps you could save us a considerable amount of time and tell me what had you two so engrossed?”
Melody sipped her cup of chocolate as she informed him, “If you must know, it is the first article on the Society page.”
Bennett flipped to the back of the newssheets and perusedthe article. When he lowered it, he asked, “Why do either of you care about Lord Willowbrook and his latest exploits?”
“Well, he is quite handsome,” Melody said wistfully.
“But he is also a rake of the highest order, and you would be wise to avoid him this Season,” Bennett advised in the sternest voice he could muster up. He didn’t want his sisters anywhere near Lord Willowbrook- or any rake- when they arrived in London.
Melody smiled. “Very well, Brother,” she said quickly. He could tell that she was just appeasing him. Which infuriated him even more.
Bennett set the newssheets down with a heavy thud. “I am serious, Melody. Just being associated with Lord Willowbrook could ruin your reputation.”
And once again, a rapid reply followed. “I understand.” Melody even had the nerve to smile at him. As if he were the one acting irrational.
“No, you clearly do not understand,” Bennett pressed, his frustration mounting. “You must stay away from him at all costs.”
