He spoke over her. “Then let us resolve that issue, shall we?” he asked. “What do you wish to know about me?”
Delphine pressed her lips together before saying, “You are many years older than me and never once expressed a desire to court me. What changed?”
Mr. Simpkin grew solemn. “Before your father died, he came to me and proposed the idea of a marriage between you and me. He wanted to ensure you were taken care of, but he knew you would balk at the idea.”
“Which is true,” Delphine said. “I would have been furious had I known he had such a conversation with you.”
“That is precisely why he asked me to wait until youreached your majority before making his intentions known,” Mr. Simpkin shared.
Delphine had so many questions for him, but she asked the one that was most pressing for her. “And when you came to tell me of my father’s intentions, I just agreed to it?”
Mr. Simpkin chuckled. “Not at first,” he replied. “You reacted very similarly to how you are right now. In fact, you told me that you had no desire to marry- at least at this stage in life- and asked me to leave. But I was persistent.”
“I’m sorry. I just find it so hard to believe,” she admitted.
“That is why I brought Charlotte with me,” he said. “But it is true. All of it. You agreed to marry me in name only.”
Delphine lifted her brow. “In name only?” she repeated. That hardly rang true, considering she knew she needed an heir… eventually.
“Yes, this is merely a business transaction. At least, that is how you put it to me,” Mr. Simpkin said. “Although, I am hoping to convince you otherwise since I have admired you for many years. But in order to do so, you must give me a chance.” His eyes seemed to plead with her. “Will you, Delphine?”
She was at a loss for words. Mr. Simpkin’s plea was so heartfelt, but her heart had already been claimed by Bennett. She had no doubt that he would not be pleased with her response.
“I can’t,” Delphine said. “I’m sorry.”
Mr. Simpkin’s face fell. “I understand, but that doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying to win your affection.” He rose from his seat. “When I received word that you were safe at Brockhall Manor, I thought of little else but you. I feel as if we have been given a second chance and I intend to make the most of it.”
“Mr. Simpkin…”
“George,” he corrected.
“… I just don’t feel the same.”
He smiled warmly. “I know, and that is all right. I have a lifetime to convince you to fall in love with me.” He bowed. “My dear.”
As her eyes remained on Mr. Simpkin’s retreating figure, she knew if she continued down this path of voiding their marriage, it would be a fight. It was evident that he wasn’t about to let her go.
But didn’t she owe it to her heart to at least try?
Chapter Fifteen
Bennett stood in front of the parlor window, watching Delphine in the gardens. She sat on a bench, gently stroking Matilda, her expression one of sadness and pensiveness. He felt the need to go to her, to offer his support, but he had convinced himself not to do so.
His mother’s voice came from the doorway. “You should go to her,” she said.
“And say what exactly?” Bennett asked as he turned to face her. “She just finished conversing with her husband.”
She walked further into the room. “I have no doubt that Delphine is scared, and she needs a friend.”
“Friendship is not what I am seeking,” Bennett admitted.
His mother did not look the least bit surprised by his declaration. “Perhaps not, but that is what she needs right now,” she said as she came to stand beside him. “Winston informed me about what Delphine intends to do with her marriage. Voiding a marriage is not an easy path.”
Bennett understood this all too well. He did not need reminders of the difficulty involved. It was weighing heavily on his mind. “I know, but Delphine wants to go forward with it.”
“She is a brave young woman,” his mother acknowledged. “If she is successful, her reputation will be in tatters.”
“I do not think she has even considered that,” he said as he dropped down onto a chair.
