Chapter 40

When Rebecca arrived home, she found Lady Juliana alone in the drawing room. Since she had hired her, it would only be right to speak to her first.

“I’m glad you’ve returned,” Lady Oakham said. “I wanted someone to keep me company. Aunt Hannah is in her room, and Henry returned just moments before you. He is probably too tired for a conversation. I just asked Mrs Harris for tea. I feel a tad peckish before dinner, so we can drink and talk.”

Rebecca smiled, her heart heavy with what she was about to do. She had become fond of the woman and her child and didn’t like knowing she would never see them again. Lady Ruth would forbid it. Rebecca had to remind herself that she came to help the Andrews family, not cause problems for them.

She had every belief that Lady Ruth would do as she promised. She could fight back and tell everyone what was happening, but it would cause a drawn-out war between those defending her and those who sought her downfall. Rebecca didn’t want that. Walking away ensured peace and that everything would be as it should be.

“I would love to keep you family,” Rebecca replied. “But I’d like to talk to you about something first.”

“Certainly,” said Lady Oakham. “What would you like to talk about?”

Rebecca didn’t inform the countess that she went to see Lady Ruth. She simply said she had an errand to run and would return soon. No one could know what was going on, so no one would question the lie she was about to tell.

“I have given this much thought and have decided it’s time for me to go,” she said. “I also have a cousin who needs me at home,” she added.

“What?” she cried, seemingly aghast at the very thought. “What do you mean you have to go? What will I do without you?”

Panic had entered the woman’s grey eyes, making Rebecca feel worse. “You’ll be just fine, My Lady,” she assured her. “You’ve been doing so well already.”

“Is this about the witchcraft accusation?” Lady Oakham asked, frowning.

“No,” Rebecca lied. “It’s not. I really need to go home.”

Lady Oakham sighed, rubbing her brow. “When? When do you wish to leave?”

“Within a week,” she said. “Alice and I will start packing today. I brought a lot of belongings with us.”

The countess smiled sadly. “That is an understatement,” she said. “I have never seen anyone travel with that much luggage. It was amusing to see.”

Rebecca laughed, although her heart was still tight with what she had to do. She would have to speak to Alice, explain the situation, and finally, talk to Henry. That conversation would likely be the hardest to endure.

Rebecca spent nearly an hour with Lady Oakham before she excused herself to speak to her best friend. Alice was in their workroom as usual, measuring ingredients and keeping their teas and ointment supply flowing. She looked up when Rebecca entered the room, dropping her basket of herbs.

“What is it?” Alice asked. “Why do you look like that? What happened?”

Rebecca touched her face. She didn’t feel swollen and hadn’t cried because Alice’s eyes were too sharp.

“You have that sad smile on your face,” Alice said. “I told you not to go to that spoiled woman again, but you didn’t listen. You even tried to hide the fact that you were going to see her.”

“Because I know how much you despise her,” said Rebecca. “I wanted to go because her letter sounded urgent.”

Alice placed her hands on her hips. “Well, what did she say to upset you?”

“She just wanted to know more about the duke,” Rebecca said. “She is very keen on him and cannot wait to marry him.”

Alice narrowed her eyes. “What does that have to do with you? Why do these aristocrats insist on putting you in situations that have nothing to do with you?”

Rebecca shrugged. “I suppose they think I work miracles.”

“Well, I do not like it,” Alice said, scowling. “They always upset you in one way or another. This job has been more stressful than usual for you. I think we should go on holiday once we’re done here. We have made a healthy amount from selling our teas and ointments, and the duke is paying us a handsome sum for helping his family. We have enough to enjoy a week or more of doing nothing and helping no one.”

That sounded good, although her penchant for helping people wasn’t something she could help. If someone needed help, she would offer it.

“I like the idea of a holiday,” she replied. “In fact, we can have one soon. We’re leaving Dorchester Place this week, so we need to start packing. We should probably hire a carriage to start taking our belongings home. I thought we could start with the workroom and end with our personal belongings.”

Rebecca moved to inspect a jar of dried flowers, frowning when she noticed they seemed damp. That was strange for dried herbs.

“Was this jar left open recently?” she asked. “Possibly near the window?”

“Just wait a moment,” said Alice, drawing her attention. “What do you mean we’re leaving this week? You said we would stay until the end of March. What made you suddenly change your mind, and why are you trying to pretend this is a significant decision? I asked you if we could leave at the end of winter, but you didn’t want to. What has changed?”

“I took your request into consideration and decided it’s the best decision for us,” Rebecca said, trying to keep a blank expression. “I thought you would be happy.”

“I am, but I know you’re not happy,” Alice pointed out. “And you’re hiding the fact that you’re not happy. Why are you lying to me? Are we not friends?”

Rebecca’s shoulders dropped. Alice knew her too well, but she didn’t want to reveal that she had fallen in love with the duke and was threatened by Lady Ruth. Alice would go on the warpath. She had already promised to hunt down all the people spreading the unjust witchcraft accusations, which made Rebecca’s decision to leave the village all the more urgent.

“You’re my sister, Alice,” Rebecca said. “You know that I tell you everything. I’m just a little overwhelmed by everything and need a moment to think. Leaving Dorchester Place and having a holiday is precisely what I need.”

Alice didn’t look convinced, but she nodded. “Very well. I’m just glad we’re leaving this place. Although I have come to like some of the people I’ve met here, I’ve also met many I detest.”

Rebecca smiled. “I’m glad you found people to like,” she said. “That is rare for you.”

Alice shrugged. “I was surprised as well, but I’ll be glad to leave this village,” she replied. “Have you spoken to Lady Oakham yet?”

“Yes, I have,” she said, nodding. “She was shocked and unhappy but knows she no longer needs me. I just need to speak to the duke. I should probably see him soon. Perhaps after dinner.”

“The sooner, the better,” Alice agreed. “Well, I’ll get started with organizing everything here. I’ll send for Mr Avery to transport our belongings home. He’s the only one I trust. Why don’t you rest before dinner?” she suggested. “You seem fatigued.”

“That is a wonderful idea,” said Rebecca. “I do feel exhausted. A little nap will do me some good.”

Although she doubted it would help the heaviness in her heart. Rebecca didn’t want to leave, but that was her fault. She fell in love with Henry and was being punished for it. Needless to say, she was never doing that again.

***

Rebecca was surprised when Henry asked to see her after dinner. She had barely spoken to him in some time and assumed he was busy. He no longer seemed as withdrawn since the day Tommy started crawling, but he wasn’t quite back to normal yet. Fortunately, she had already rehearsed what she wanted to say to him, but when she sat down and faced him, she didn’t know if she could lie to him.

She couldn’t stop thinking about what Lady Ruth had said. The young woman was convinced that Henry no longer wished to marry her. Instead, he had feelings for Rebecca. It was both wonderful and frightening. She wanted to believe that the man she loved felt the same way about her, but she also didn’t want to believe it because they could never be together.

Still, if there was a sliver of chance that he did have feelings for her, she needed to deter him for his own good. It would hurt her, but she only wanted what was best for him and his family.

“My sister said that you wish to leave us,” he said, surprising her.

She hadn’t expected him to get to the point so quickly. Lady Oakham must have spoken to him at some point.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied. “I need to help my cousin. I also miss my home and wish to see my family. Three months is a long time to be away from them.”

“I thought you said you’ve been away from home longer,” he pointed out, his pale blue eyes piercing hers.

“Y-yes,” she stammered. She didn’t expect him to recall that. “But I find that as I get older, I want to be with my mother and grandmother more. I’m, uh, I’m also considering a proposal I received from a gentleman at home. I think I should settle down.”

Henry’s jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed. “Is that so? I thought you didn’t have anyone back home.”

Rebecca hadn’t considered that he would remember the things she had said. “Yes, because I wasn’t interested, but now that I think about it, he might be the right man for me. I’m sure you understand how that feels. Lady Ruth is the right woman for you, and I hope you’ll be very happy together.”

She kept a tight smile as she spoke, afraid that she would cry once it slipped. She needed to remain strong.

Henry sat back in his chair, his eyes wide in shock. Rebecca dug her nails into her palms as her eyes and nose grew hot with oncoming tears. She couldn’t cry, not yet.

“Well, I wish you all the best, Miss Barnes,” he eventually said.

Rebecca’s smile dropped a little. He seemed unbothered, like what she had said did not affect him at all. She had hoped for a little more resistance and was disappointed that he didn’t say more to keep her at Dorchester Place. It was silly of her, but she couldn’t help it. However, this was a better outcome.

“May I be excused?” she asked.

“Go ahead, Miss Barnes,” he said. “I’ll have your last wages ready before you leave.”

She stood up. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she said. “For everything.”

She curtsied and walked away, realizing she had one more thing to do before she left. Rebecca needed to send Mr Cruikshanks a letter explaining why Lady Hannah ended their courtship.

Lady Ruth may have manipulated Rebecca to leave Dorchester Place, but she wasn’t going to stand by and allow Lady Hannah to miss her chance at love. Rebecca believed Mr Cruikshanks loved Lady Hannah and that they deserved to be happy. At least one of them should have their happily ever after.