Chapter 11

Shaking her head and her disconcerting thoughts away, Rebecca made her way to the drawing room where the guests awaited dinner. It wouldn’t be long before they settled around the dining table, and by then, she would have made an excuse to leave.

Rebecca found the drawing room door wide open, so she entered, curtsying when everyone turned to her. The duke’s eyes briefly met hers, causing a flutter of movement in her belly. He looked away first, giving her a mixture of relief and disappointment. She felt a little dismissed, as though she wasn’t worth his time. Rebecca inwardly scolded herself for even caring, although she couldn’t help noticing he appeared tense. Perhaps he had something on his mind.

“Miss Barnes!” Lady Oakham exclaimed. “Please, come and sit. I was just talking about you.”

Rebecca did not wish to be the topic of discussion, but she had no say in the matter. She looked around the room, wondering where she should sit. Lady Hannah patted the space beside her on the settee, which would put Rebecca beside the duke and across from Lady Ruth and Lady Oakham.

“You already know Mr Bartlett,” Lady Oakham continued. “This is Lady Ruth and Mr Cruikshanks.”

Rebecca curtsied again before sitting down, mumbling a greeting. Everyone’s eyes were on her, making her a tad uneasy. It wasn’t her first time being the centre of attention, but something about this moment was unnerving.

Rebecca reminded herself that she would merely see this as part of her work in the house. Lady Ruth and Mr Bartlett frequented the Andrews’ house, so their impact on the family needed to be monitored. She was uncertain about Mr Cruikshanks’ influence, which would likely be through Lady Hannah, but she would observe him, nonetheless.

Rebecca was glad when everyone finally looked away from her and immersed themselves in conversation.

“I am glad to see how well you look, Lady Oakham,” Lady Ruth remarked. “I know I have already said this, but I cannot help saying it again. I could barely stand to see my friend in such a terrible state these past months, but now you’re better.”

Rebecca drew her eyebrows together, paying close attention to Lady Ruth’s words. It wasn’t necessarily what she said but how she said it that caught Rebecca’s attention. Her voice had no warmth, but perhaps Rebecca hadn’t heard right. It didn’t make any sense because the women were supposedly friends, so she shook the thought away and focused on the conversation.

“My improved condition is all thanks to Miss Barnes,” said the countess. “My son is much happier, which makes me happy, too.”

“So, his lordship is not fussing and screaming as much as before?” asked Lady Ruth.

Irritation—it was unmistakable in the young woman’s voice. She tried to mask it with her melodious voice, but Rebecca’s trained ear could not be fooled this time.

“Miss Barnes was able to soothe him,” said Lady Oakham. “I am not sure how she did it, but I am ever so grateful to her.”

The countess beamed at Rebecca, warming her heart. Once again, everyone turned to look at her. Everyone except the duke. A brief glance at him revealed he was looking at a painting. She didn’t know much about art, but the landscape painting was one of the most vibrant ones she had ever seen.

The artist managed to capture the beauty of spring after the snow had melted. The painting drew her in, making her wish for new flowers and the smell of wet, rich soil after spending hours in her garden.

A hand on her forearm startled her out of her thoughts. Rebecca looked at the pale hand resting on her arm before raising her eyes to the owner’s face.

“Yes, My Lady? Is there something you wish to tell me?”

Lady Hannah smiled. “Lady Ruth had a question for you. You must not have heard.”

Rebecca’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as she turned to Lady Ruth. “Forgive me, My Lady,” she apologized. “I was in my own mind preparing for the following day.”

It was a lie, but it seemed better than admitting she had been too busy staring at the painting to listen.

“You sound so dedicated, Miss Barnes,” Lady Ruth remarked. “You are quite the remarkable woman.”

Oddly, Rebecca didn’t feel complimented. Lady Ruth came across as someone who weighed her words before they left her mouth, and she was smiling, so perhaps Rebecca was just tense. Lady Ruth had complimented her—she should take it for what it was. It occurred to Rebecca that her foolish jealousy could affect her opinion of the woman, so she decided to put more effort into listening and not assuming anything based on how she felt. Feelings could easily be manipulated.

“You mentioned Miss Barnes trained under a few physicians, Lady Hannah,” said Mr Cruikshanks. “I found that rather strange, considering women are not allowed in the medical field. Well, unless they’re assisting the physicians, but that is more secretarial work, I imagine. Can you tell me more about that, Miss Barnes?”

Rebecca nodded. “Certainly, Mr Cruikshanks. The physicians who agreed to share their knowledge with me were all acquaintances of my mother and grandmother. My grandmother is knowledgeable in herbs and has helped many physicians.

My mother assisted in the war for many years, learning the intricacies of the human body. She was simply helping physicians, but sometimes they were so busy that she had to take over less immediate situations.”

“Surely your mother wasn’t an apprentice!” Mr Bartlett exclaimed. “That is unheard of for women.”

“No, she wasn’t,” Rebecca replied. “A general had hired her because he was suffering from an ailment I would rather not disclose. My mother was the only one who could bring him relief. Eventually, she started helping others around him. They saw her abilities and willingness to help, so the physicians made use of that. I doubt anyone would refuse help when you have men bleeding to death in your arms.”

“Goodness, but your family life is rather colourful,” Lady Ruth commented. “Oddly, you haven’t mentioned a word about your father or grandfather. Did they not have a say in what your grandmother and mother did? I imagine they were not entirely happy.”

“My grandfather and father died early in life,” said Rebecca. “It has always been my grandmother, mother, and me.”

“Ah, so that is where you all get this independence from,” Lady Ruth remarked. “Men prefer to take care of their women, but you had to fend for yourself.”

Rebecca struggled not to frown. Lady Ruth seemed to have a knack for talking down to a person while sounding concerned and compassionate. It was quite a skill.

“You make it seem as though my life was difficult,” Rebecca replied. “I assure you it wasn’t. I have lived a wonderful, colourful life.”

“Indeed, it sounds very colourful,” Lady Hannah commented. “Did you know that she saved the Duchess of Cambridge from a poisoning when she was just eight?” she asked her companions. “Can you imagine such a thing?”

“It’s astounding,” said Mr Cruikshanks. “The more I hear about you, Miss Barnes, the more I understand why Lady Hannah respects you so much. You truly are a remarkable woman.”

“She certainly is,” the duke added, surprising Rebecca.

He had said nothing since she arrived, which wasn’t surprising because he wasn’t really one to speak unless he had something to say or needed to answer a question. His silence helped her ignore him, almost convincing herself he wasn’t present.

Now, her body started noticing everything about him—his scent, how he often ran his index finger across his lower lip, his subtle shifts to show his irritation ... It was all really too much. Rebecca briefly closed her eyes, releasing a minute shudder. She needed to control her body better than this.

“Well, if his grace says it, it certainly must be so,” said Mr Bartlett, drawing her attention. “My, you have earned the respect of many powerful people, Miss Barnes. The heavens bestowed much favour upon you.”

“Surely she would be an aristocrat if they had truly bestowed favour upon her,” Lady Ruth said, laughing. “Wouldn’t you say so, Miss Barnes?”

Someone didn’t sound too happy. Despite the calmness of her voice, Lady Ruth’s expression was strained. She was trying to rein herself in.

“No, My Lady,” Rebecca replied, raising several eyebrows. “While the world of the aristocracy is one of privilege, I do not believe that makes one happy. Often, privilege brings excess and, with it, bondage. I’m happy as a commoner and wouldn’t wish to be anyone else. Besides, the Lord loves everyone—enslaved or free. Is that not right, Mr Bartlett?”

Rebecca already knew she had said a little too much but was rather annoyed with Lady Ruth.

The vicar smiled. “Indeed, the Lord loves everyone equally. There is no favouritism with Him.”

“Perhaps that should be the subject of your next sermon, Mr Bartlett,” the duke suggested. “Although that might ruffle a few feathers. Not everyone believes that the Lord is impartial.”

“Surely He must prefer some to others because otherwise, slavery would not exist,” said Lady Ruth. “What do you say to that, Miss Barnes?”

Rebecca frowned slightly. This question was a theological one and should have been posed to Mr Bartlett. Still, she had an opinion and wouldn’t mind giving it to the woman who seemingly didn’t think she was worth the air they breathed. Lady Ruth must hate that Rebecca was sitting with them.

“Well, slavery was not created by God,” Rebecca began. “One of His greatest shows of mercy was when He delivered the Hebrews from Pharaoh. They were slaves and were treated terribly. If we skip a few hundred years, we learn from the Good Book that Jesus came to save everyone—free or enslaved. He sees us as equals.”

“Do you see us as equals?” Lady Ruth pressed.

“Do you question the Lord?” Rebecca countered.

Lady Ruth’s lips thinned, her eyes shooting fire. “You’re rather opinionated, aren’t you?”

“You asked for her opinion, Lady Ruth,” the duke drawled, giving a lopsided grin. “Surely you cannot be angry that she provided you with it?”

Lady Ruth’s face changed, revealing her chameleon ways. “Of course not, Your Grace,” she said, smiling coquettishly. “I’m merely interested in the way Miss Barnes thinks. It’s so refreshing.”

“Refreshing is certainly the word I would use to describe Miss Barnes,” Mr Bartlett remarked, smiling at Rebecca mildly suggestively.

Rebecca inwardly shook her head. Lady Ruth and Mr Bartlett were interesting characters, but not in the best way. The more time she spent around them, the more confident she was that they were not good companions for Lady Oakham.

“Lady Oakham mentioned you were twenty-seven, which surprised me immensely,” said Lady Ruth. “You look to be around my age, but you’re four years older. I hope to have a child by your age. Do you not long for a family? Being a spinster cannot be easy, but I suppose your work is too demanding to spend quality time with a family.”

The room grew uncomfortably silent. They all knew she had said something below the belt, but Rebecca wasn’t hurt. It wasn’t the first time she had heard these words, and it wouldn’t be the last.

“Prying into Miss Barnes’ private life is unacceptable, Lady Ruth,” the duke said, his voice and face devoid of emotion.

However, Rebecca sensed he might be angry, which surprised her. He wished to marry Lady Ruth someday, and Rebecca was a commoner working for his sister. He shouldn’t care if one of his own looked down and insulted someone beneath them.

“I didn’t mean to say anything terrible,” said Lady Ruth, looking like an injured puppy. “I was merely trying to be understanding. Her work must be demanding. You understand what I mean, Miss Barnes?” she asked, turning to Rebecca.

Rebecca saw the command in the woman’s eyes. Lady Ruth wanted her to agree, or there would be trouble.

“Having a family is a beautiful thing,” Rebecca said. “However, I already have a family, and I’m quite happy as I am. I do not need to make one of my own to feel complete.”

“Forgive me for asking this, but the love and protection of a strong man and a brood of children is important to all women,” said Mr Bartlett. “The Good Word says a man and woman will leave their parents and be bonded to become one. Do you wish to go against the natural order of things?”

Rebecca smiled. It was rather amusing for a man like him to talk about the natural order of things. He was a vicar, a man of God, yet he was slowly proving that perhaps his heart wasn’t in the right place.

“Yes, that is the natural order for those destined to get married,” said Rebecca. “However, not everyone is fated to get married. Some will be happily single because they have another purpose. I believe my purpose is to heal because the Lord placed that love and passion within my heart to help people. I am happy as I am.”

“Your happiness is quite infectious,” said Lady Hannah.

“I agree,” said Mr Cruikshanks. “Your optimism is refreshing. How do you do it?”

Rebecca was glad about the change of topic, but an unsettling feeling rose as she witnessed many emotions cross Lady Ruth’s face. The woman didn’t like her, which was fine by Rebecca because she didn’t expect everyone to like her. Rebecca would much rather not be around Lady Ruth because she found her rather annoying.

She was usually understanding of others, but she didn’t want to understand why Lady Ruth seemed intent upon being rude to her. Her silly jealousy wouldn’t allow her.