Chapter 39

Henry didn’t expect the false accusation to travel around the village so quickly. He wanted to find out more about the people who supposedly accused Rebecca of witchcraft. However, the rector and his nephew must have spoken to a few gossipmongers, ensuring the rumour was quickly spread. Henry had even heard the servants talk about it, but they didn’t seem to believe the rumour.

They knew the kind of person Rebecca was, and that was what counted. Those who knew her best could never believe something so terrible about her, so outsiders could only be spreading the false accusation.

The situation had paused the conversation he wished to have with Rebecca about his feelings. He didn’t want to talk to her with the rumour hanging above their heads, so he had dedicated his time to clearing her name. Frankly, it also gave him more time to think about what he wanted to say. There was every chance she would reject him, but at least he would have said what was in his heart.

Leaving his study, he went as far as the stairs and paused. He wanted to go out and talk to a few friends concerning the accusation, but he wanted to see Rebecca before he left. He had barely seen her since the rector and vicar stopped by three days ago, and he missed her terribly. Henry needed a brief glimpse to strengthen him for the fight ahead.

He made his way to the nursery, knowing she would be there with his nephew. He knew her routine well and could often wait in corners just to see her. Just a smile was enough to brighten his day.

Henry didn’t enter the nursery when he reached the room. Instead, he stood by the doorway and watched Rebecca rock his nephew as she sat by the window seat. The sunlight filtering through the large windows shone on her face, making her appear angelic. The image was perfect and just what he wanted for his future—a wonderful wife and children. Henry used to believe he knew what he wanted but realized he was wrong when he met Rebecca.

Smiling, he stepped away and continued with his initial direction. He would save the woman he loved and then confess his feelings. It seemed like the perfect plan to him.

***

Rebecca didn’t know what she was doing in the Wimpole house again. The last time she was there, she vowed never to return. However, here she was once again. Something about the note she received earlier that day had convinced her to come, but now that she had arrived, she wanted to go home. Unfortunately, it was too late.

“I hope you do not mind the inconvenience of coming to see me at such short notice,” Lady Ruth said. “I just had to see you today.”

Rebecca shifted in her seat, already feeling uncomfortable. “Your note seemed urgent,” she replied.

“It was,” Lady Ruth confirmed. “I need to talk to you about His Grace.”

Rebecca didn’t bat an eyelash. She knew it would be about the duke, but she didn’t know what it had to do with her. Lady Ruth had already proven that she was willing to threaten someone to get her way, but Lady Hannah could handle the situation. Rebecca was just a commoner, though. She doubted she could protect herself as well as Lady Hannah did.

“What is this about, My Lady?” Rebecca asked. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to speak about the duke.”

Lady Ruth chuckled. “This matter concerns you, so you’re at liberty to do more than you think. You see, I know about you and the duke.”

“Me and the duke?” Rebecca asked, frowning.

Lady Ruth curled her upper lip as though she wanted to growl. “Do not make me a fool, Miss Barnes,” she said. “It’s quite obvious that you have feelings for each other.”

Rebecca pulled her head back. That was the last thing she expected to come out of Lady Ruth’s mouth.

“How did you come to that conclusion, My Lady?” Rebecca asked, wondering if the woman was sane.

Rebecca tried to recall any moments when Henry had shown affection towards her, but other than the kiss, she couldn’t recall a single thing. He was kind and attentive to everyone, so she couldn’t take that as proof. If she were completely honest, she would admit that there had been times when she had caught him staring at her, but it had seemed ridiculous to think he could feel anything but gratitude towards her.

“Oh, come now,” said Lady Ruth. “Even a fool could see the look in your eyes. I’ve seen how he stares at you and how you look at him.”

Rebecca said nothing. She couldn’t deny that she often looked at Henry with barely veiled affection, although she tried not to do it around others. However, to claim that he had the same look in his eyes seemed ludicrous.

“You must know that even though he may feel something for you, your relationship can never happen,” Lady Ruth continued. “You are not right for him, Miss Barnes. You will always give him trouble. I’ve heard about the witchcraft rumours, and I must say the situation does not look good for you. Can you imagine what that will do to him?”

Rebecca stiffened. “Those rumours are false,” she said. “The Andrews do not believe them.”

Lady Ruth smiled, sitting back as she crossed her arms under her chest. “That doesn’t concern me,” she said. “However, I will make it my mission to ensure that rumour follows you wherever you go. I will tell everyone who wishes to hear about it. After all, people prefer scandal over the truth.”

Rebecca couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The woman obviously had to be desperate to go to these measures.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Rebecca asked. “I have done nothing to you and have never inappropriately approached the duke. Anyone can vouch for my innocence, including the duke.”

“You got in the way!” Lady Ruth hissed. “I was supposed to marry the duke, but you stepped in the way and ruined everything.”

Rebecca’s jaw dropped. “I did nothing of the sort!”

“You did,” Lady Ruth insisted. “You ruined everything, but I can fix the situation if you leave now and never return. Henry will come to his senses and marry me.”

Rebecca had heard about women becoming obsessive about men but had never been caught up in such a mess before. It was both intriguing and worrying.

“I came here to help Lady Oakham and her son,” Rebecca pointed out. “How can I just leave?”

“We both know they’re doing well, so your work is done,” Lady Ruth replied. “If you refuse to leave, I will have Mr Winterman and Mr Bartlett make your and the duke’s lives very difficult. Everyone will believe that you bewitched him and Lady Oakham.”

Rebecca didn’t know whether to laugh or slowly back away from this deranged woman. “I think you’re taking this matter too far, My Lady.”

The younger woman laughed. “I haven’t even begun,” she said. “I will find every physician who complained about you and discover why they called you a witch. I will dig up every bit of true and fake evidence to blacken your name until no one will hire you. You will become a pariah, Miss Barnes, and I shall relish doing it.”

Rebecca shook her head. “You have lost your mind.”

“You put me in this situation with all your meddling,” said Lady Ruth. “You have pushed me to take these measures. I give you my word that I will not back down until I have what I want. I also have God on my side, so I will win.”

Rebecca couldn’t stop the laugh of disbelief that left her mouth. “You have God on your side? How? You’re accusing me of witchcraft! You’re plotting and scheming to marry the duke. How is God on your side?”

“Mr Winterman and Mr Bartlett serve the Lord, Miss Barnes,” Lady Ruth pointed out. “Men like them have started wars all in the name of the Lord.”

“You know this isn’t right, My Lady,” said Rebecca. “Evil never wins in the end.”

Lady Ruth shrugged. “We shall see,” she said. “You need to understand that I am doing all this because I did not spend years chasing a man only for him to reject me for a commoner.”

Rebecca had well and truly been pushed into a corner. Lady Ruth had evidently lost her mind and would stop at nothing to become Henry’s wife, although Rebecca was confused. Henry would never choose her over Lady Ruth, but the younger woman didn’t seem to think so. As far as Rebecca knew, the duke would still marry Lady Ruth, but the woman believed otherwise. Perhaps if Rebecca left, Lady Ruth would calm down and return to her senses.

“I’ll leave within the week,” she decided.

Rebecca didn’t want to leave because it hurt to think she would never see the duke again, but remaining in Dorchester Place would affect him and his family. Lady Ruth would make sure of that.