He couldn’t let her go. Not after what she had just revealed.
“Delphie…” he started.
She looked up at him, her eyes holding vulnerability.
What could he say that would keep her here? Did he confess his feelings and hope that he hadn’t misread the situation?
As he opened his mouth, Delphine spoke first, her words sounding rushed. “I… um… am very hungry. Starving, in fact.”
Sensing her discomfort, Bennett thought it was best not to tease her, but he did need to say a few things before she left.
“I shall join you, assuming you don’t mind,” Bennett said.
Delphine gave him a weak smile but she didn’t argue with him. “I would appreciate the company.”
He held his hand out, gesturing that she should walk down the aisle first. He followed her out of the stables and quickened his pace to match her stride.
Bennett clasped his hands behind his back so he wouldn’t do something foolish like reach for her hand.
Delphine’s eyes remained straight ahead. “You have a lovely manor.”
“That I do,” Bennett agreed. But he didn’t want to talk about Brockhall Manor. He wanted to talk about a possible future between them. “I do hope you have enjoyed your time here.”
That was the right thing to say because Delphine seemed to perk up. “That I did,” she responded enthusiastically. “I just adore your family.”
“They can be rather difficult to deal with,” Bennett said.
“Only to you,” Delphine responded. “To me, they showered kindness upon me.”
Bennett smirked. “Ah, so they have fooled you into thinking they are something that they are not.”
Delphine shook her head. “You are most fortunate. Family is not something that one should take for granted.”
“You are right,” Bennett said.
She stopped on the gravel path and stared up at him. “I know I am, but I rather like hearing you say that. I have a feeling that you don’t say those words very often.”
“It sounds like you have been talking to Elodie about me,” Bennett said.
Delphine shrugged. “Elodie does enjoy talking about you and whatever else comes to her mind.”
Bennett unclasped his hands, dropping them to his sides. “What has she told you about me?”
“Are you worried, my lord?” Delphine teased.
“Quite frankly, I never know what is going to come out of Elodie’s mouth.”
Delphine patted his arm. “Do not be concerned. Elodie only says good things about you. It is obvious that she loves you very much.”
“Yes, well, what is not to love?” Bennett quipped as he reached for the lapels of his jacket. “I am rather charming.”
She rolled her eyes, just as he had intended. “You are far too cocky.”
“No young lady has ever complained before.”
“Not this again,” Delphine sighed before she continued walking down the path.
He easily caught up to her and remarked, “It is perfectly acceptable to admit that I am charming.”
