Delphine couldn’t risk showing a crack in her façade. Her cousin was trying to take away her title and she had to be strong. All the time. She would not lose her legacy over a trifling thing such as love.
Love?
Did she love Bennett?
No.
She couldn’t.
She wouldn’t.
But she did.
Delphine leaned her shoulder against the window frame. Perhaps it was best that she leave Brockhall Manor soonerrather than later. The longer she stayed here, the longer she doubted her decision to remain alone.
A knock came at the door and her heart took flight. Had Bennett arrived to walk her down to the drawing room?
She straightened from the wall and rushed over to the mirror. Once she confirmed she looked presentable, she walked over to the door.
With a smile on her face, she opened the door, but it faltered when she saw Elodie. “Good evening,” she said as she attempted to hide her disappointment.
Elodie gave her a knowing look. “Were you expecting someone else?”
She was, but she didn’t dare admit that. Not to Elodie. “No, of course not,” she said, opening the door wide. “I am very happy that you are here.”
“May I come in?” Elodie asked.
“Yes, please do,” Delphine responded as she moved to the side.
Elodie stepped into the room and turned to face her. “I was hoping we could speak privately for a moment.”
Delphine eyed her curiously. “Is everything all right?”
“It is,” Elodie rushed to assure her.
After she closed the door, Delphine gestured towards the settee at the end of her bed. “Would you care to sit?”
Elodie sat down and clasped her hands in her lap. In a solemn voice, she asked, “What are your intentions towards my brother?”
Delphine reared back. She hadn’t expected that from Elodie. Although, in fairness, she never quite knew what to expect from her. “Pardon?”
“I have been watching you two and I suspect that you both have grown to care for one another,” Elodie responded. “Is it true?”
“I… um… I don’t know what to say,” Delphine replied.
“It is a simple enough question. Do you care for Bennett?”
Delphine pressed her lips together, unsure of how she wanted to answer. She didn’t want to lie, but she couldn’t afford to tell the truth. “I do care for Bennett but not in the way you are thinking. He is my friend.”
Elodie lifted her brow. “You two did not appear to be just friends when you were in that boat earlier.”
Coming to sit down next to Elodie on the settee, Delphine said, “I do not know what you are referring to.”
“You two acted very familiar with one another.”
“That is what friends do,” she attempted.
With a shake of her head, Elodie said, “I can’t tell if you are lying to me or actually believe what you are saying.”
