Chapter 30

The first thing Rebecca did when she returned to Dorchester Place was change into something more comfortable and familiar. Alice entered her room moments later, also having changed into another dress.

“What on earth happened at Lady Ruth’s house?” she asked. “I feel it was all an act. You were undoubtedly bothered by their strange behaviour, but you haven’t said much since we left.”

“Where do I even begin, Alice?” said Rebecca. “I just wish I had never agreed to go, but I was worried I would insult the woman. Now, I regret it.”

Especially when she was all alone with the vicar. Part of her believed Lady Ruth deliberately left them alone, but she couldn’t be sure.

“I said we shouldn’t go, but you’re always too nice,” Alice complained.

“Well, I might just follow your advice next time,” she replied, sitting in front of the vanity and taking her hair down. I do not think I could stand being in their company again, especially that so-called vicar.”

“I didn’t feel right about leaving you with him,” said Alice. “Was he inappropriate?”

Rebecca scoffed. “He was inappropriate from the moment we entered the drawing room! The way he looked at me ...” She shuddered. “That man has no business calling himself a man of God. Not to mention our strange conversation. I cannot tell if the man hates or is obsessed with me.”

“Hate you?” said Alice, surprised. “Why on earth would he hate you?”

Rebecca mentioned the conversation she had about witches, almost laughing as Alice’s expressions went from flabbergasted to angry and finally to simple shock.

“Do you think he is trying to accuse you of witchcraft?” she asked. “All those jealous physicians were quick to label you when they fell short of treating their patients. Perhaps he feels threatened by you.”

“Oh, I don’t know, Alice,” said Rebecca, putting her hair into a single braid. She didn’t feel like putting it up again. “Mr Bartlett certainly didn’t like my answer. He was practically livid. I would say his conscience was screaming at him, and he didn’t like it.”

Frankly, Rebecca didn’t care what he thought about her as long as he left her alone. Lady Ruth and Mr Bartlett were unsettling people to be around. They gave off an air of darkness that she didn’t like. No matter how attractive one was, if one’s thoughts were constantly evil, they tended to filter into their countenance. It only took a discerning eye to see it.

“Well, let’s hope we never have to deal directly with them again,” said Alice. They’re certain to come visit, but that shouldn’t affect you. Simply ignore them and focus on his lordship and the countess.”

“Speaking of which, I need to see his lordship,” said Rebecca. “Nanny Bates is more than capable of looking after him, but I’ll only feel better once I see him.”

Alice smiled. “You’re attached to that baby.”

“I am,” Rebecca confirmed. “Are you coming?”

“No, I have remedies to make,” she said. “They sell faster than I can make them. Lady Hannah purchased all our calming teas just the other day, so I need to buy more ingredients. You’ll be happy to know we’re amassing a small fortune in this village.”

Rebecca frowned. She had heard everything her friend said, but one thing stood out for her.

“Lady Hannah purchased all the calming teas?” she said. “Did she say why?”

“I didn’t ask,” Alice replied. “She has seemed odd—morose-like—and it’s strange because she’s usually smiling.”

Rebecca nodded. “I have noticed that but haven’t paused long enough to think about it. Perhaps I should speak to her.”

“And give yourself more work?” Alice asked. “Do not be so daft. I’m sure the woman is fine. Perhaps she had a little lover’s spat with Mr Cruikshanks. I am confident they’ll resolve it soon.”

Rebecca wasn’t so certain of that, but her first priority was Tommy. Once she had seen him, she could address whatever was wrong with Lady Hannah.

She and Alice parted ways moments later, each off to take care of their side of the partnership. Rebecca was surprised to see the duke when she entered the nursery and even more so when she realized they were interacting with each other.

They were bonding, and it was lovely to see. Tommy was the first to notice her, his plump face lighting up with a smile. He squealed and held his hands out, demanding she pick him up from his bed. That prompted the duke to turn around. A look of relief flooded his face when he saw her, but tension soon replaced it. The first reaction she could explain away by assuming he was glad she had returned to take care of his nephew, but she was confused about his tension.

“Good day, Your Grace,” she greeted, curtsying.

He nodded. “How was your day with Lady Ruth?”

“It was fine, Your Grace,” she replied, entering the nursery. “Lady Ruth was a gracious host. Mr Bartlett was also there.”

The duke stilled. “Oh?”

She nodded, finally reaching the baby and picking him up. She held him to her, nuzzling his neck and making him giggle.

“I missed you,” she told the sweet child, kissing his cheek. “Were you a good baby for Nanny Bates? Did you follow your routine?”

“He was fine but been fussing more than usual,” the duke informed her. “I took over from Nanny Bates to give her time to compose herself. I think she has become too accustomed to Tommy being an easy baby, and now, when he wasn’t, she had a challenging time adapting to his behaviour.”

Rebecca frowned. She had noticed his restlessness the previous day, but he hadn’t behaved too much out of the ordinary. However, it sounded like today had been worse.

“How was he with you, Your Grace?” Rebecca asked.

“I’ve spent the last half hour making him laugh, but I can see he’s agitated,” he replied. “I assumed it’s because he missed you.”

While Rebecca would have loved that to be true, she knew otherwise. Tommy was a well-adjusted baby who adapted well to change. She had left him in Nanny Bates’ care before, and he had been fine. An idea came to mind, guiding her finger into his mouth. He immediately bit down, gnashing his gums. Rebecca smiled when she felt two distant bumps in his lower gumline. Tommy was teething.

“Here, Your Grace,” she said, placing his finger in Tommy’s mouth. “Feel his bottom gums.”

She released his finger, allowing him to discover the beginning of Tommy’s next stage in life.

“What is that?” he asked, frowning. “I feel two bumps. They’re slightly sharp but also blunt. Does that make sense?”

“His lordship is growing his first two teeth,” said Rebecca, grinning. “Before you know it, he’ll have his first set of teeth.”

The duke’s eyes widened in wonder. “His first teeth, you say? It seems my nephew is growing at an alarming rate. Before long, I’ll see him crawling everywhere!”

Rebecca laughed. “Crawling is the least of your worries. When he begins to pull himself up and take his first step—that’s when you’ll realize how terrifying it is. He’ll have to be watched constantly, or he’ll bring down everything on every surface.”

The duke laughed, making her heart light. “I look forward to his mischief.”

Rebecca smiled. The duke was undoubtedly glad to be part of his nephew’s life. She hoped their bond would continue to grow even when she was no longer with them. She stilled, her heart aching with the thought of leaving them. The thought had made her heart squeeze painfully, making breathing challenging.

Rebecca didn’t want to leave the Andrews family. Just as Alice had said, she had grown attached to Tommy. However, it wasn’t just him but also his gorgeous uncle. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to go once Lady Oakham no longer needed her. She couldn’t force her stay just because she had growing feelings for the duke. Those were hers to deal with.

Rebecca took that moment to stare at him from under her lashes. She had come to care for him more than she ever thought possible, and he would never know. She often caught herself staring at him when he wasn’t looking and enjoyed being around him.

Their conversations, no matter how brief, were some of the best moments of her day, and the thought of losing that filled her with despair. The duke was the perfect man, but his lofty social status put him firmly out of reach. Rebecca could only assure herself that she would eventually grow accustomed to no longer seeing him, and one day, her feelings would fade. Yet, part of her didn’t believe this.

“I need to look over the books,” the duke said, drawing her out of her thoughts. “Please, excuse me.”

He turned and walked away, but not before ruffling his nephew’s hair. His behaviour was rather abrupt but not entirely out of character. Rebecca wished he could have stayed a little longer, but perhaps she needed to start distancing herself. The sad part was that the duke would never be able to tell the difference. To him, she was merely his sister’s nursemaid.

Rebecca had just changed Tommy into fresh clothes and disposed of his soiled ones into a bucket when Lady Hannah entered the nursery. Rebecca’s eyes widened as she took in the older woman’s appearance, shocked by the changes.

She appeared haggard; her usually bright skin was pale and dry, and dark circles surrounded her eyes. She obviously hadn’t been sleeping well and perhaps not even eating because she had missed all their meals, choosing to take them in her room. Upon closer inspection, Lady Hannah’s eyes were undoubtedly swollen, a telltale sign of tears. It was all rather alarming.

“Lady Hannah!” she gasped. “Has something happened? Please, sit down.”

“Nothing has happened, Miss Barnes,” she replied, smiling. “I’m merely tired.”

“Is something wrong?” Rebecca asked. “Are you not sleeping well? Alice mentioned you purchased all the calming teas. What has happened to you?”

“Nothing!” Lady Hannah replied a tad too defensively.

Rebecca grew quiet, worried at the woman’s distress. Something was indeed wrong, but she didn’t want to reveal why. A thought came to mind, leading her to ask the next question.

“I have not seen Mr Cruikshanks in a few days,” she said. “And you have hardly left the house to see him. Are you feeling ill? Is he ill?”

Lady Hannah’s lower lip trembled, and her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Rebecca’s heart sank. It was evident that she was a few sniffles away from crying.

“Well, I suppose I should tell you because you’ll find out soon enough,” said Lady Hannah. “Mr Cruikshanks and I are no longer courting.”

Rebecca’s jaw dropped as she gasped. “Heavens! But why?”

Lady Hannah shrugged as if it weren’t important, but the matter had affected her so much that she was not her usual self.

“Our relationship wasn’t going anywhere, so I ended it,” she revealed rather defiantly. “Besides, I need to focus more on my family, not run after men. I’m not a young woman looking to settle down, but an old maid. My time has passed.”

Rebecca might have believed Lady Hannah if not for the look of raw pain in her pretty eyes. There was something more to this situation.

“There is nothing wrong with having love in one’s life,” Rebecca told her.

Lady Hannah violently shook her head. “No, that is all behind me,” she said firmly. She looked at Tommy. “Let me see my grand-nephew.”

And that was the end of the conversation. Rebecca was tempted to ask more questions but could see Lady Hannah had had enough for the day. Still, that didn’t stop Rebecca from thinking about every possible scenario explaining Lady Hannah’s decision to end her courtship. Someone was at fault, and her gut told her it wasn’t Lady Hannah.