“All I am hearing is thatyoubenefit greatly from the marriage,” Bennett responded. “Lady Dunrobin is a clever young woman. Why would she have gone along willingly with this marriage when it is so clearly not in her favor?”
With narrowed eyes, Mr. Simpkin asked, “Are you accusing me of forcing Delphine into this marriage?”
Bennett shrugged. “I suppose I am.”
“That is preposterous!” Mr. Simpkin exclaimed. “We eloped to Gretna Green and even Charlotte was there to witness the happy occasion.”
“Miss Eden was there?” Bennett asked. “At your anvil wedding?”
Mr. Simpkin gave him a decisive nod. “Yes, she was one of the witnesses.”
That revelation did not sit well with Bennett. If they had truly eloped, why would they go through the trouble of bringing someone with them? None of that made any sense. And why was this the first time he was hearing that Miss Eden had accompanied them
Bennett took a step closer to Mr. Simpkin and crossed his arms over his chest. “Was Miss Eden injured in the carriage accident?”
“No. Thankfully she was spared of all harm,” Mr. Simpkin said.
“Then how was it that you came to lose Lady Dunrobin, considering Miss Eden hadn’t been ‘disoriented’?” Bennett asked. “She could have helped look for her friend.”
Mr. Simpkin’s expression grew guarded. “Have you been in a carriage accident, my lord?” he drawled. “The aftermath is one of chaos and everyone is just grateful to have survived the ordeal.”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
Taking a purposeful step towards Bennett, Mr. Simpkin said, “I don’t answer to you. All you need to know is that my wife was thrown out of the carriage and we did everything in our power to find her.”
“I’m beginning to suspect that wasn’t true,” Bennett responded, challenging him.
Mr. Simpkin pursed his lips. “You know nothing about me and yet you stand here, judging me.”
Bennett uncrossed his arms and held Mr. Simpkin’s gaze. “If you had cared at all for Lady Dunrobin, you wouldn’t have left the woodlands until you had found her. That is what an honorable gentleman would have done.”
“You are lecturing me on honor now?” Mr. Simpkin scoffed. “I have seen the way you look at Delphine. You care for her.”
“My feelings are irrelevant,” Bennett responded.
Mr. Simpkin moved to stand in front of him. “That is why you want to void my marriage. You want Delphine for yourself!”
Bennett stood his ground, not the least bit cowed by Mr. Simpkin’s attempt to intimidate him. “I want Lady Dunrobin to be happy.”
“With you?” Mr. Simpkin demanded.
Leaning closer, Bennett replied, “What I want is notimportant. I just want to ensure that Lady Dunrobin has been treated fairly.”
Mr. Simpkin’s nostrils flared. “I am warning you to stay out of our lives.”
“Is that a threat?”
At those words, the tall, broad-shouldered footman that had been standing guard out in the entry hall stepped into the drawing room.
Mr. Simpkin’s eyes shifted towards the footman. “At least I can fight my own battles, my lord,” he mocked.
Bennett chuckled dryly. “Yet you can’t seem to keep track of your wife.”
“I should challenge you to a duel for saying such a thing,” Mr. Simpkin stated.
“Name the time and your seconds,” Bennett responded.
Mr. Simpkin took a few deep breaths, his eyes narrowing with each inhalation, before stepping back. “You are not worth my time or notice,” he grumbled.
