Realization dawned on Bennett. “You are the Bow Street Runner that we were told was to watch over us.”
“That I am, and I did not intend to make my presence known, but I do believe I have some information that you might be interested in,” Grady said.
Winston spoke up. “What is it?”
Grady grew solemn. “I watched Miss Eden enter Mr. Simpkin’s room this afternoon and she remained there for well over an hour.”
Bennett lifted his brow. “Are you sure?”
“I know what I saw and I kept time on my pocket watch,” Grady replied firmly.
Winston’s expression grew thoughtful. “That is most helpful,” he said. “In Scotland, a woman can petition for divorce if her husband is found committing adultery.”
“Which will take the least amount of time in the Court? Voiding a marriage or divorce?” Bennett asked.
“Depends on the judge,” Winston replied before turning back towards Grady. “Did either of them see you?”
Grady shook his head. “I know how to be discreet.”
The sound of the dinner bell echoed throughout the main level.
“I should be returning to my post before anyone discovers that I am missing,” Grady said. “I hope for your discretion as well.”
After the Bow Street Runner departed from the study, Winston asked, “Shall we join everyone in the drawing room?”
“I suppose we must.”
Winston’s eyes held amusement. “It is fun seeing you this miserable.”
Bennett didn’t know if he should take offense to such a statement. “Why is that?”
“Everything has always come so easy to you, has it not?” Winston asked with a knowing look.
“That is not the least bit true,” Bennett defended.
Winston put his hands up. “You have always been the heir, the golden child, and I had the misfortune of being born after you.”
Bennett took a step closer to his brother. “I hope you know I don’t think that way. I am proud of everything that you have accomplished.”
“It is hard to be a second son,” Winston admitted. “We are pushed aside until we are needed.”
“I always need you, Brother,” Bennett stated.
Winston didn’t look convinced. “You and I are on very different paths, but that doesn’t mean I am envious of your position. I must work harder to make something of myself.”
“And you have.”
His brother huffed. “We should hurry. We don’t want to keep anyone waiting.”
As Bennett followed Winston from the study, he wondered- and not for the first time- how he could help his brother. But he didn’t even know what he was grappling with. He heard snippets of his pain, but his brother never explained the cause of it.
He had just arrived in the entry hall when he saw Delphine descend the stairs. She was dressed in a stunning blue gown adorned with a delicate white net overlay. Her hair was elegantly piled atop her head, and a coral necklace graced her neck.
In that moment, Bennett could not recall ever beholding a more breathtaking sight. But it wasn’t just her outward beauty that captivated him. It was something deeper, something intangible. Delphine possessed a charm and grace that transcended mere appearance. She was everything he desired in a companion, and he found himself hoping that he could be the man worthy of her affection.
Mr. Simpkin came to stand next to him and lowered his voice. “She is mine, all mine,” he taunted.
“Not for long,” Bennett asserted.
