Life had not always been kind to her, but what if the universe was correcting a wrong? What if this was her chance to be happy? The kind of happiness that she had only read about in books. The kind of happiness that she never thought she deserved.
Bennett came to stand next to her. “There you are,” he said. “I have been looking for you.”
Delphine’s heart leapt at the sight of him, knowing she would never tire of being in his presence. She smiled. “Well, here I am.”
“Yes, you are,” he replied as he returned her smile.
She turned her gaze back towards Hercules. “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a horse?”
“No, not once, actually,” Bennett responded, his words light.
“I just wonder what it would be like to be able to run free and to not feel the crushing weight of responsibilities that we inevitably must bear,” Delphine said.
Bennett glanced over at her. “You are being rather cheerful this afternoon,” he teased.
A laugh escaped Delphine’s lips. “I suppose I am,” she replied. “I was born into this life, and I have never thought to question it. But what if there is more to life?”
“Now that is a question that I have asked myself often,” Bennett said, growing solemn. “What have you deduced?”
Delphine shrugged one shoulder. “Frankly, I am still trying to figure it out, but it has been a nice reprieve to be here at Brockhall Manor. With you.”
Bennett’s lips twitched. “It is a good thing I saved you then.”
In her heart, she knew that Bennett had saved her in more ways than one, but she wasn’t strong enough to admit such a thing. Not under these circumstances.
Hercules wandered over to where she was standing and whinnied.
“What is it that you want?” Delphine asked the horse.
Bennett chuckled. “I don’t know why you ask such questions. Hercules is a horse. He is not going to answer you.”
“He answers in his own way, and in his own time,” Delphine said. “One should not force such things.”
“I had not taken you for a horse expert.”
“No, you misunderstood me. I do not claim to be a horse expert, but I see a kindred soul in Hercules.”
Bennett grew silent. “If that is the case, I want you to have him.”
Her eyes went wide. “You cannot be in earnest,” she said. “I know Hercules reminds you of your uncle.”
He turned to face her, a solemn look on his face. “He does, but Hercules seemed to come alive again when you came around. I want you to have something that will remind you of your time at Brockhall Manor.” He paused. “And me.”
“I don’t need a horse to remind me of you,” she admitted softly.
“Perhaps you might even be able to ride Hercules one day,” Bennett said.
It was a tempting thought as her gaze drifted towards Hercules. She did admire this horse greatly, but could she do such a thing? “Are you truly in earnest because…”
He spoke over her. “I insist.”
“Should you not at least speak to your father first?” Delphine asked.
Bennett gave her a pointed look. “My father has wanted to sell Hercules for a long time now and make him someone else’s problem.”
“At least let me buy Hercules from you.”
He put his hand up in front of him. “I do not want your money, Delphie.”
