Delphine resisted the urge to smile at the use of his nickname for her. He had been so formal since Mr. Simpkin had arrived, and she understood his reasonings for it. One cannot be too familiar with another man’s wife.
She knew there was only one thing she could say right now, and she hoped it expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, Bennett. I accept your gift.”
“Good, because I do believe Hercules will be much happier with you,” Bennett said.
“I hope so,” she murmured.
A comfortable silence descended over them as Bennett leaned his forearms on the fence and stared out towards the fields.
Delphine felt no words needed to be said and she just enjoyed being near Bennett. He made her feel content in a way that no one else ever had.
After a long moment, Bennett asked, “Do you remember Miss Eden accompanying you to Gretna Green?”
“No, I do not recall that, but surely you are mistaken,” Delphine replied. “Why would she travel with us to Scotland?”
“Mr. Simpkin informed me of this,” Bennett said.
Delphine furrowed her brows. “If that is the case, I am sure there was a perfectly acceptable reason why she came along.”
“Perhaps you could ask her,” Bennett proposed.
“I will,” Delphine said. “I just wish I could force myself to remember.”
Bennett removed his arms from the fence and turned to face her. “I know you think Mr. Simpkin is not capable of nefarious intentions, but I do not trust that man. He had too much to gain by marrying you.”
Delphine winced as she admitted, “He does not want to void our marriage.”
“I know,” Bennett said. “He told me as much when we spoke earlier in the drawing room.”
“He wants our union to be a love match,” Delphine shared.
Bennett eyed her curiously. “Is that what you want?”
With a huff, Delphine asked, “How could you ask such a thing? I thought I made it very clear that I wish to void this marriage.”
“I just wanted to make sure. I don’t want to make you do anything that you do not wish to do,” Bennett said.
As Delphine went to respond, she saw Charlotte approaching them with a blue bonnet in her hand.
She put her hand up in greeting. “Charlotte.”
Charlotte stopped in front of Delphine and extended her the bonnet. “I saw that you weren’t wearing a hat and I thought you might like one.”
“Thank you,” Delphine said as she accepted the bonnet.
Bennett bowed. “Miss Eden.”
With a tip of her head, Charlotte acknowledged Bennett but she didn’t look pleased to see him by the small frown that played on her lips.
“If you will excuse me, I have work that I must see to,” Bennett said before he started to walk off towards the manor.
Charlotte’s gaze followed Bennett. “I do not know why you insist on spending time with Lord Dunsby.”
“We are friends,” Delphine replied.
“You are a married woman. Your friendship with Lord Dunsby could get the gossips’ tongues wagging,” Charlotte pointed out.
Delphine shook her head. “Lord Dunsby saved my life. I will forever be in his debt.”
