Chapter 29

“We shouldn’t be here,” Alice muttered as a servant led them to the drawing room.

Rebecca had received an invitation from Lady Ruth the previous day, much to her surprise. She had wanted to decline immediately but felt it would seem rude. Alice agreed to accompany her because she didn’t trust Lady Ruth, but Rebecca couldn’t be more grateful for her presence.

“I know, but these people are quick to take offence,” Rebecca whispered. “We’ll stay for a little while and provide an excuse to leave early.”

Alice merely harrumphed, wrinkling her nose in disagreement. Rebecca smiled. One could always trust Alice to remain the same whether in high or low company. She truly did not care about a person’s social status.

“Miss Barnes and Miss Ayres,” the butler announced.

He stepped aside, allowing them to step inside. She immediately groaned upon seeing the vicar. She should have known he might be in attendance because he and Lady Ruth were an inseparable pair.

It said much for a young woman to keep company with such an ungodly man. Over the last few weeks, Rebecca had heard the servants whisper about the vicar and his penchant for beautiful women. Her initial impression of him had been correct, so she had pointedly not attended his church.

“Welcome, Miss Barnes,” Lady Ruth greeted, rising from her seat. “I am so glad you could come.” She looked at Alice and nodded. “Miss Ayres.”

“Thank you for inviting me, My Lady,” Rebecca replied, curtsying before her.

“We’re both glad to see you,” the vicar added.

“Mr Bartlett,” Rebecca said, nodding in his direction.

The vicar smiled, his eyes slowly perusing her body. Rebecca had opted not to wear a chemisette with her dress because she had believed she would be among women. It wasn’t that her bodice was low, but she preferred to keep her chest covered around men. Her mother and grandmother warned her long ago never to give lecherous men a reason to take advantage of a young, single woman.

They would stare anyway, but showing more skin could prove dangerous for a commoner among men higher in power. It was one of the reasons Rebecca wore dull colours and loose dresses, but she had opted for a slightly more fitted, pale yellow, long-sleeved dress. It was still modest, but she felt almost naked under Mr Bartlett’s eyes.

“Please, sit,” Lady Ruth insisted. “Refreshments will be served soon. I’ve requested an assortment of pastries and biscuits. We have talented chefs who make the most wonderful treats.”

“That sounds lovely,” Rebecca said, sitting beside Alice on a settee. “I must admit I was surprised to receive your invitation. I wasn’t aware that I made much of an impression.”

She wanted to get that out of the way. Lady Ruth had never given any clue that she was remotely interested in her. If anything, she had done her best to either ignore Rebecca or put her in her ‘place.’

Lady Ruth chuckled. “Do not be so modest, Miss Barnes,” she said. “You have done so much for the Andrews family. How can you not have made an impression?”

“Well, when you put it like that,” said Rebecca, forcing a smile. “However, I am only doing what is expected of me.”

“You are doing far more than that,” Lady Ruth insisted. “Tell me, how much longer will you be in Lady Oakham’s employment?”

Rebecca stilled ever so briefly. She had an inkling of what Lady Ruth could possibly want from her, but she wasn’t certain. It seemed she was right after all, or at least partially. The woman wanted information—pure and simple. Unfortunately for her, Rebecca would not be forthcoming with any details involving the duke’s family.

“That is still to be determined,” she replied.

“How long does it normally take to address a situation like Lady Oakham’s?” said Lady Ruth.

“Every situation is different, so it wouldn’t be right to give a time,” Rebecca told her. “I personalize everything according to who has hired me.”

“Yes, that sounds like the best way, doesn’t it?” said Lady Ruth. “You must miss home.”

“Having Miss Ayres with me helps with my homesickness,” Rebecca replied, briefly glancing at her friend. “I spend much of my time away from home, so being away for so many weeks is not new. I once stayed with a family for half a year.”

Lady Ruth’s eyes bulged. “Half a year! Why? What were the reasons?”

“Her husband was a merchant, and she was with child,” Rebecca explained. “She already had five other children, all under twelve, and was experiencing a difficult pregnancy. I stayed with her from around the sixth month of pregnancy.”

She didn’t add that the woman nearly lost her life to give birth to triplets. It had been an arduous birth lasting several hours, but both the mother and the babies eventually pulled through. Rebecca often received letters from the family telling her how they were doing. Most of the families she had helped preferred to keep communicating with her.

“Your work is certainly a labour of love, Miss Barnes,” Lady Ruth commented.

“I do love it,” Rebecca agreed. She looked around the room, noting the grand pianoforte, paintings, and furniture. “This is a beautiful room, My Lady. You must entertain quite a bit.”

“Well, my mother does,” the younger woman revealed. “She is quite the host. I hope I can be as great as her when I finally have my own home.”

“A student can sometimes surpass their teacher if they have enough passion for what they’re doing,” said Rebecca. “I’m sure you will excel.”

Lady Ruth smiled, but it never reached her eyes. A servant appeared with their tea tray, revealing the sumptuous feast. Artfully arranged sweet and savoury pastries graced a pretty plate, and tea was served in fine china. Rebecca doubted Alice would eat or drink anything simply because she didn’t like Lady Ruth, but she hoped her friend would at least pretend.

“How long have you been a nursemaid, Miss Barnes?” the vicar asked. He had not said a word since she sat down, merely staring at her as though he were trying to decipher all her secrets from just looking at her. It was somewhat unnerving, so she had tried to ignore him.

“I cannot really say, Mr Bartlett,” she replied. “I have been doing it for so long, but I didn’t have a title until a few years ago. I simply went where I was needed. As my experiences grew, I was able to help more people.”

“I often hear you say that all you wish to do is help people,” said Lady Ruth. “Why? Why devote so much of your life to helping others? Is it not tiring?”

Rebecca didn’t answer immediately. It was challenging expressing the need she had always had to see people healthy and happy. It was as natural as breathing to her.

“I hate seeing suffering,” she finally said. “I hate when people are trampled and mistreated. I ache when I see so much sadness and sickness. My first memory of feeling upset because of an injured bird was when I was four.” She smiled. “I cried because of its helplessness. It kept trying to fly but couldn’t and would make pitiful little noises. I begged my grandmother to save it.”

“What happened to the bird?” the vicar asked.

“It succumbed to its injuries,” said Rebecca. “It was my first taste of death, and I couldn’t bear it. I buried the bird and held a funeral for it. Its grave is still in our garden today.”

“You’re quite extraordinary, Miss Barnes,” Mr Bartlett said.

Rebecca smiled. “I would not say so but thank you.”

“Lady Oakham is fortunate to have someone as dedicated as you,” said Lady Ruth. “The duke must be relieved that his dear sister is no longer grieving as terribly as before.”

Rebecca needed to tread lightly. She didn’t want to reveal anything mistakenly that would invade the duke’s privacy.

“The duke is glad that Lady Oakham is happier and healthier,” she replied. “Losing a husband must be one of the most terrible experiences.”

Lady Ruth nodded. “Yes, certainly,” she agreed. “The duke was also terribly affected. But he is faring much better now, isn’t he? I imagine he can return to his prior activities. People have missed him.”

Rebecca shifted as discomfort settled in her body. Lady Ruth was undoubtedly fishing for information concerning the duke. She knew about their courtship and the duke ending it to grieve his friend. She also knew he had promised to resume it once the family’s life had settled.

“I cannot give my opinion on the duke, My Lady,” she said. “I was hired by Lady Oakham. She and his lordship are faring better than a month ago, but grief does not go away so quickly. It will still take some time to heal.”

Lady Ruth stiffened, evidently not pleased with her response. Well, it was the only one she would get from Rebecca. A little jealousy had also driven her answer because she didn’t want the duke to resume his courtship with the perfect younger woman. However, it wasn’t her place to think about such things.

“How is it that you know so much about a widow’s grief when you have never been married before?” Mr Bartlett asked. “How can you sympathize?”

“I have never claimed to experience anyone’s pain or grief,” Rebecca told him. “However, my heart aches to see their heartache. I try my best to be understanding and to lend a listening ear. Usually, that is what people going through challenges need.”

Usually, Rebecca didn’t mind answering questions about her work, but she was growing rather tired. It was like an inquisition to find her weak spot. Perhaps she was merely exaggerating, but she would have preferred the attention to be off her.

“Will you retire once you get married?” Mr Bartlett asked. “It would be wrong for a woman like you to remain unmarried.”

Rebecca was almost confident he had asked a similar question before. She considered deterring him, but she felt he would keep pressing her.

“Not everyone is meant to be married, Mr Bartlett,” she replied.

Mr Bartlett laughed. “Why would the Lord create a beautiful woman like you, only to never allow a man the blessing of having her as a wife and mother to his children? Does that not sound silly?”

“While I thank you for considering me beautiful,” she began. “I must point out that not everything of beauty needs to be owned, taken, or protected by someone.”

“So, you have no intention to get married?” he pressed.

Rebecca frowned slightly. She didn’t know what part of her response he didn’t understand. The man seemed intent upon painting her as ridiculous for not wanting a marriage and children. However, if she were fair, she would admit that having a husband and children had greatly appealed to her lately. That was solely the duke’s doing.

“I have never met anyone suitable who has changed my opinion,” she replied.

That was the truth. Although the duke had changed her mind, he wasn’t suitable for her. Lady Ruth frowned at her, her bright blue eyes probing. She appeared suspicious, which surprised Rebecca. Alice cleared her throat, still holding her full teacup. True to herself, she had not touched the liquid.

“Miss Ayres, would you mind accompanying me for just a moment?” Lady Ruth suddenly asked. “I need your help.”

Alice lifted an eyebrow. “My help?” she asked incredulously.

Lady Ruth smiled, although the corners of her mouth showed strain. “Yes, your help. Only you will do. Miss Barnes will be just fine in Mr Bartlett’s company. He is a man of the cloth, after all. If one cannot trust him, then who can be trusted?”

Rebecca widened her eyes when she saw the devilish look in her friend’s eyes. She was most definitely going to say something inappropriate concerning the vicar. Although she didn’t want Alice to leave her alone, she would take that over her friend, insulting a man with the ear of many influential people.

“Miss Ayres will assist you,” Rebecca quickly said before Alice could open her mouth.

Her friend glared at her, but Rebecca looked at her imploringly, minutely shaking her head in warning. Narrowing her eyes briefly, Alice nodded at Lady Ruth and asked her to lead the way. Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief.

“I didn’t know you wished to be alone with me, Miss Barnes,” said Mr Bartlett, his voice suddenly lower and huskier.

It was nothing compared to the duke’s voice. In fact, the duke was better in every way.

“Lady Ruth wanted assistance and I didn’t want my friend to stay on my account,” she explained. “She is rather protective.”

Mr Bartlett smiled. “She has nothing to fear. I would never hurt you.”

“That is good to hear,” she replied dryly.

Rebecca reached for a savoury pastry, giving herself something to do other than look at the vicar. His gaze was unnerving for all the wrong reasons, and now she was alone with him. She bit into the soft yet crispy pastry, enjoying the taste of duck. It had been mixed with dark berries and spices, giving it a balanced sweetness.

“You intrigue me, Miss Barnes,” he said, drawing her out of her thoughts. “You must get that from many other men.”

Rebecca fought the urge to roll her eyes. “I do not waste my time caring about such things, Mr Bartlett,” she replied. “I prefer to focus on my work.”

“I see,” he said, tilting his head. She had come to recognize it as a trait for when he was thinking hard. “I heard that witches do not tend to get married young. Is that true?”

Rebecca nearly laughed in confusion. She didn’t know what to make of the odd question. It came out of seemingly nowhere.

“I do not know, Mr Bartlett,” she said. “By witches, I assume, the wicked women who have warts and ride around on brooms? Do such women even exist?”

“You do not believe in witches?” he said, asking another question instead of answering hers.

“Well, I do not know what you mean by witches,” she said, shrugging. “Men tend to point the finger at women, claiming they’re brewing potions in their cauldrons to bewitch men or planting curses to destroy them. It always seems to be women doing something terrible to men.”

“You do not believe that women are capable of such crimes?” he asked.

Rebecca blew out a short puff of air. “Men are worried about women when they are the ones plundering and killing across the world, but simply put, no, I do not think these so-called witches exist just to punish men. I believe it’s a lie that some men and even women created to put the blame on others for their bad decisions.”

Mr Bartlett’s eyes widened. He appeared taken aback. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you supported witches.”

Rebecca’s anger grew hot and thick. “How did you come to that ridiculous conclusion?” she snapped. “Can you, without a doubt, tell me that every woman executed for being a witch was actually guilty of a terrible crime? Do men not fear the judgement of God anymore? Are we so perfect that we can point the finger at others while hiding our own dirty sins?”

The vicar shifted in his seat as his gaze narrowed at her. “What do you know about the judgement of God, Miss Barnes?”

“I know that the Lord you claim to follow never raised a stone to a woman caught in adultery,” she spat. “He told the others that he without sin could throw the first stone. What did the crowd do? They dropped their stones and walked away because their hearts were filled with sin! However, He, as pure and good as He was, never judged her. He simply told her to go and sin no more. Is that not the Lord you serve, Mr Bartlett?”

Rebecca had seen so many instances of people pointing the finger at others while being rotten to their cores. She hated the hypocrisy.

The vicar, who had stiffened visibly, sat up straighter and gave her a hard stare as though he wished to intimidate her. Rebecca could have laughed in his face. She had dealt with far worse.

“You seem to have many ideas in that pretty head of yours,” he said, his voice laced with anger.

He had evidently taken her words personally, but that wasn’t her problem. His conscience had convicted him. Lady Ruth and Alice returned then, carrying a bouquet of flowers. They looked freshly picked. The host didn’t seem to notice the tension in the room, but Alice raised an eyebrow in question. Rebecca merely shook her head. She would explain the situation later.

“These are for you, Miss Barnes,” Lady Ruth announced. “I wanted to thank you for coming and thought these would be perfect. They’re from our garden.”

“Thank you, Lady Ruth,” Rebecca replied, taking them from her. “These are beautiful.”

Lady Ruth smiled. “I’m glad you like them. Shall I call for more tea?”

Heavens no! Rebecca couldn’t bear to stay a moment longer in the Wimpole home.

“Unfortunately, Miss Ayres and I must really be going, My Lady,” she said apologetically. “I have much to do to prepare for Christmas Eve.”

“Oh?” said Lady Ruth, raising her eyebrows. “Is the duke doing something special this year?”

Even if he were, Rebecca would never admit it. She didn’t want Lady Ruth to invite herself and hover around the duke as though she owned him.

“We’re partaking in the usual Christmas traditions,” she replied vaguely.

Lady Ruth’s face fell, but Rebecca didn’t feel the slightest guilt. “Oh, I see,” she said. “Then, allow me to walk you out.”

The vicar didn’t say a word as Rebecca left, but she could feel his emerald-green eyes on her. She was glad to be rid of his company finally.

“I must admit that I miss being around Lady Oakham and the duke,” Lady Ruth confided as they walked towards the foyer. “We used to spend so much time together. This terrible tragedy changed everything. I hope everything will be back to normal soon, and I can be with the duke again. Did you know that we used to court?”

Rebecca ran her tongue over her teeth. She didn’t like being reminded of their relationship.

“I heard something like that,” she replied vaguely.

“Then you’ll understand what I mean when I say we’re meant to be together,” she said. “The duke is the only man I care about. I cannot wait to become his wife.”

Although she was smiling and talking sweetly, an edge in her voice told Rebecca she was being warned. It was odd, considering Rebecca could never be a threat. She was just a commoner!

Feeling unsettled, she entered the carriage after Alice and waved when Lady Ruth raised her hand.

“Well, that was strange,” said Alice.

Rebecca couldn’t agree more.