Chapter 9

Chapter 9

As Rebecca watched the duke walk away from tea, her heart sank, disappointment and irritation gnawing at her. She had been so very close to winning him over. She already had his mother in the palm of her hand; it was only a matter of time before he proposed.

At least, it was until this Celestina woman came into their lives. She had ruined everything, and Rebecca had suspected something like this would happen ever since they met.

"I am sorry, Rebecca," Lady Kingsley said. "But you know how very busy he is. He doesn't mean to be cold. It's just a man's way, I suppose."

Rebecca turned to her and pasted her sweet smile back on her face. The duke's mother thought she was an innocent thing, not wise to the ways of the world. And she was, she supposed, in some ways. At least she was still pure. But with four sisters, all vying for the same attention, she had learned to be manipulative to get what she wanted. She couldn't rely on her looks like Henrietta or her musical prowess like Charlotte.

"It's not a problem, really. I admire a man dedicated to his work, and no one can deny that His Grace is dedicated."

Lady Kingsley grinned back her. The foolish woman was deliriously happy whenever anyone complimented her son or reminded her that he had risen the ranks to become a noble. She wasn't even a real lady, for goodness' sake, given the honorary title out of respect and nothing more. Rebecca, though, planned to become duchess in her own right.

I just need to find a way.

In her lap, she twisted the cotton napkin around and around her fingers, the fabric becoming tighter and tighter as she gritted her teeth. This was no good, no good at all. She would have to find a way of overcoming this little Celestina problem, but first, she needed more information.

She indicated that the maid should pour her another cup of tea—another benefit of being at Exeter House. At home in Darlington, the maids were always ‘too busy to waste their time pouring tea for the likes of you,' as her father so kindly put it. But Rebecca rather liked being waited on, so a wealthy man with a large staff was an absolute must in her search for a husband. All the more reason the duke suited her purposes.

"It's sweet to see the duke so concerned about his old childhood friend," she said, leaning forward to pluck a lump of sugar from the silver dish. She dropped it into the tea with an audible plop, then returned the sugar tongs to the bowl.

"He doesn't care about her ," she said quickly. "You have nothing to worry about in that department."

Rebecca narrowed her eyes in thought. The duke's mother was far too quick in her response, making Rebecca believe that perhaps she did have something to worry about after all.

"Were they very close as children?" she asked, eyeing Lady Kingsley carefully. The latter woman pursed her lips, a look of distaste washing over her.

"It was a childhood fancy, nothing more. Our estate backed onto the Thorpes' estate, and so the children found their way to playing with one another. I never approved, of course, fraternizing with the neighbours in such a way, but my late husband said it would come to nothing. That they were only children."

"And did it come to nothing?" Rebecca asked, carefully prying.

Lady Kingsley blinked but then shut down, blocking out whatever thought had occurred to her. "Of course." She forced a smile. "My husband was an intelligent man, Rebecca. He was right more often than he was not."

"I hope to one day find love like the one you shared," Rebecca said.

"You will find it," Lady Kingsley reassured her. "You and Richard are so perfectly well suited. Why, even your names match."

Rebecca giggled to show her amusement, though she didn't much care for their names. "You say the kindest things, My Lady."

The pair had grown close over the previous weeks, probably closer than Rebecca and the duke had. But Rebecca also knew the importance of having the mother on her side. She'd witnessed often enough in the ton what happened when the mother didn't agree with the choices made by their offspring. If anything, Lady Kingsley's opinion was even more important than the duke's own.

"It is good to see the duke so caring, though," she continued, forcing the issue to the forefront once more. "It rather tells me something about his nature. He's a loyal man. What was her name again? Christina?"

She knew full well it wasn't, but the test seemed too delectable.

"Celestina Courtenay, nee Thorpe," Lady Kingsley clarified. "And never a more boring woman have I met. I never did see what Richard saw in her."

She picked up her teacup and drank, her eyes fixed on the doorway as Rebecca stared at her. She had inadvertently let slip something that pinched at Rebecca's chest again. I never did see what Richard saw in her.

She ground her teeth. She had spent her entire life being overshadowed by her sisters and had no intention of being overshadowed by this woman now. The duke was hers, the deal was near enough done, and she vowed to herself that she would not let anyone come between her and His Grace.

"I couldn't help noticing how beautiful she is," Rebecca said. She wrapped her hands around the teacup, hoping for some comfort.

Lady Kingsley responded exactly as Rebecca had hoped. She leaned forward and touched Rebecca's hand. "Oh, but she's not a patch on you, my dear. Not with skin as clear as yours. And those steely grey eyes are enough to send any man into a spin. Fret not about that, regardless of what nonsense your sisters have told you."

Rebecca shifted in her seat. She'd never revealed that her sisters had always called her the Ugly Duckling, and the very fact that Lady Kingsley had picked up on it so easily made her wonder whether her sisters were right.

No. She wouldn't allow herself to believe it, and even if it were true, once she'd bagged herself a duke, all would be well in the world.

"Does Lady Celestina live in London?" Rebecca asked, the use of her given name an intentional slight.

Lady Kingsley scoffed. "Oh, she's not a lady . Quite the opposite."

Rebecca allowed herself a small victory smile. At least her status was something that would work in her favour.

"How so?" she asked.

"Why …" Lady Kingsley looked around to check that no one was listening, then leaned in and said, "Word is that she is destitute. Her late husband left her with nothing, and now any airs and graces she once had will be washed down the stream. Lord knows what she's going to do with herself."

Rebecca sat back, satisfied with the news. Perhaps she didn't have anything to worry about after all. Maybe the duke really was simply being kind. He had shown that kindness several times during their courtship, after all. She reached forward and plucked a piece of cake from the plate, threw it into her mouth, and chewed thoughtfully.

"I only hope Richard doesn't do anything stupid," Lady Kingsley said with a sigh, making Rebecca turn her eyes on her.

Perhaps not quite so safe after all.

"Such as?"

"Give her money?" Lady Kingsley said with a shrug. "I don't know. Offer her help, somehow. We must remind him that she is not worthy of his assistance, regardless of what he may have felt about her before. He has other responsibilities now."

Rebecca bit the inside of her cheek. "But they were merely friends, isn't that the case?"

"Yes, yes," Lady Kingsley replied, again a touch too quickly and this time with a shake of the head. "Merely friends."

She seethed inside. She wouldn't allow anyone—childhood friend or not—to ruin this for her.

"Well then," she replied as brightly as she could manage. "He is simply doing a good turn for old times' sake."