Elodie’s laughter rang out. “That is just what a loser would say.”
Bennett looked heavenward. “My sister is…” His words trailed off.
“Delightful? Entertaining?” Delphine inquired.
“Those were not the words I was going to use,” Bennett said. “What if a potential suitor offers to take her on a boat ride? I have no doubt she would insist on rowing the boat.”
Delphine gave him a knowing look. “If a gentleman is so easily chased off by Elodie, was he truly the one for her?”
With a glance at his sisters, Bennett said, “I do hope my sisters choose well. I can’t abide the thought of either of them being miserable.”
“You must trust them to make the right decisions for themselves,” Delphine stated.
Bennett let out a sigh. “That did not work out in my Aunt Sarah’s case. She married someone far below her station and has dealt with the repercussions ever since. Her husband beat her, relentlessly in fact, and then turned his heavy hand onto their son. Fortunately, they were able to escape with their lives, but at what cost?”
“That is awful,” Delphine said. “Dare I ask what has become of them?”
Bennett felt his jaw tighten. “She is somewhere safe- for now. And I won’t let anything happen to her or her son.”
“I know you won’t,” Delphine said, her eyes filled with approval. “You are a good man, Bennett.”
“And you are a good woman, Delphine,” Bennett responded.
She laughed, but he was serious. “I’m being sincere.”
“As am I,” Bennett said. “I have never met someone quite like you.”
“I shall take that as a compliment.”
Bennett grinned. “You should.”
A silence descended over them as he rowed the boat and he realized that he felt a sense of contentment that he had never felt before. It was like everything he needed was in this boat. Which was absurd. Was it not?
Delphine turned her head towards his sisters and smiled. “I find it interesting just how truly unique Elodie and Melody are, despite being twins.”
“It is true,” Bennett said. “They both see the world very differently.”
“How do you see the world?”
Bennett furrowed his brow. “I must admit that I am more of a pessimist now,” he admitted. “But I do believe that people are inherently good and are searching to be loved and accepted.”
Delphine pressed her lips together. “How is it that you believe in love so freely?”
“I was fortunate that my parents showered love upon me from the day I was born,” Bennett replied.
“I envy you,” Delphine sighed. “I grew up in a very different environment.”
Bennett stopped rowing and met her gaze. “I’m sorry.”
She offered him a weak smile. “I have no right to complain. I had everything I ever wanted…” Her voice trailed off.
“But nothing that you truly needed,” Bennett said, finishing her thought. “But now you get to decide your own future.”
“For which I am most grateful”
Bennett grinned. “Do you truly live in a castle?”
“I do, at least when I am visiting Scotland,” she replied.
