Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

T he following morning, Rebecca struggles to hold still as Mary finished getting her ready to go promenade.

"Is everything all right, your grace?" she asked as she tried to pin Rebecca's hair in place once more.

"Of course they are. Why wouldn't they be?"

"Forgive me for asking, but you seem rather nervous."

"Yes, well, this promenade is my first time going out since becoming the Duchess of Danton. I want to make a good impression."

"You don't need to worry. I just know you are going to do great."

She took a deep breath. "Thank you. I just hope he and Penelope will get along all right."

"Why wouldn't they?"

"I don't know. It's just hard not to worry that something will go horribly wrong."

She laughed. "Well, try not to. You're going to have a great time, I just know it."

She smiled. "Thank you. I will try to relax."

Mary opened her mouth to say something else, but before she could, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Rebecca called.

A footman stepped inside with a bow. "Miss Sutton is here to see you."

She nodded. "Oh, of course. Please let her know William and I will be right down."

The man bowed then slipped form the room.

"Well, I suppose I should head down now. Thank you again, Mary for helping me to get ready today."

"I'm always happy to help, your Grace. I hope you have a wonderful time."

"I'm sure I will. Thank you again.

Then Rebecca got to her feet and started making her way down the long halls. Her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't sure why she was so nervous. It wasn't like they were doing anything all that adventurous.

It was just a walk she reminded herself as she stepped into the siting room where Penelope was already waiting.

She lit up when she saw her long time friend.

"It's good to see you again," Penelope said, pulling her in for a tight hug. "It has been too long."

Rebecca chuckled "it has only been a few weeks."

"As I said, too long. When will WIlliam be joining us?"

"Not long I'm sure. I thought the three of us could enjoy a nice walk together at the park."

"I know. You already told me as much in your letter. Why do you seem so nervous?"

"I'm not," she squeaked.

Penelope shot her a look. "You know you can't lie to me."

She sighed. "I'm just nervous. It's my fist time going out since I was married."

"So? It isn't like you have to make a pig production out of it."

"I know, but I just want to make a good impression. Especially since it isn't like I got out much before."

"That just makes it even easier."

"How?"

"No one has much of an idea if you in their head. You can just be yourself."

"But what if I make a bad first impression?"

""How could you? We're just going for a walk, aren't we?"

"I suppose…" she trailed off.

"It is. You aren't at a ball. You aren't making any kind of official public appearance. You're just a woman out for a walk with your husband and your friend."

"You're right," Rebecca smiled, taking a deep breath. "I can do this. It's going to be fine."

"Is everything all right in here?"

The pair spun to the door to see William hanging just outside of it, a frown on his face.

Rebecca softened when she saw him. "We were just talking for a moment while we waited for you, please come in."

He stepped inside, an apprehensive look on his face.

"William, this is my best friend Penelope," Rebecca said, looking between the two of them with a nervous smile. "I hope the two of you are able to get along."

Penelope stepped forward, looking him over with a critical eye. "As long as everything you have told me is true, I'm sure we will get along just fine."

"What has she said?"

"I believe that is best kept between her and myself. All I care about is that you treat her well."

"You don't need to worry about that. I would never want Rebecca to have anything but the best."

She studied him for a moment then nodded. "That's what I like to hear. Now, shall we go?"

Penelope didn't wait for a response, she simply started making her way to the door, as if she knew for a fact the others would simply follow behind without a second thought. Though to be fair, she was right.

Still, Rebecca noticed William hesitate for a moment. She turned to him with a smile.

"I know she can be a bit much, but she means well."

"She worries about you. I can respect that," he took a step forward. "Come, I don't know he well, but she doesn't seem like the kind of person you want to keep waiting."

She chuckled. "I can't say I disagree."

The pair made their way out to the waiting carriage. The park wasn't far, but neither Rebecca or william seemed to know just how to start the conversation.

Fortunately, Penelope didn't seem to have that same problem. She chattered on and on about the latest balls her mother had forced her to addend.

Rebecca just smiled to herself. She did her best to push down the nugget of disappointment she felt and envy that sometimes reared it's head at hearing her so vehemently reject something Rebecca would likely never get to experience.

William seems to notice something is amis and tries to catch her eye, but she just forces a smile, shaking her head.

He frowned but let it go for the moment.

Finally, they all make it to the park. It was a beautiful day, sunlight streaming down through the trees, casting beams of light like stained glass windows through the red and yellow leaves.

As they walked through the park, Rebecca couldn't help but be aware of eyes glancing at them, hushed whispered behind hands after they passed. She chewed her lip, eyes darting around.

William nudged her. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"For what?"

"The whispers."

She shook her head. "It isn't your fault people like to talk."

He nodded. "I suppose, but-"

"Are you two coming back there?"Penelope interrupted.

"Yes, of course we are," Rebecca said, chasing after her.

William just smiled and followed behind her.

The trio enjoyed a pleasant afternoon. When they went to leave, Penelope's mother met up with them and the pair headed off on their own with a polite goodbye, leaving William and Rebecca to return to their carriage just the two of them.

"That went rather well," she said as they walked.

"So you had a good time then?"

"Yes, I did."

"Good, I'm glad I was worried we-"

Rebecca drew in a sharp breath and he fell silent for a moment.

"What is it?" he asked, following her gaze.

William grit his teeth when he saw her father and sister approaching them with tight smiles on their faces.

"If we go back into the park for a few moments, we can do another round so we can miss them."

She shook her head. "I think it's too late for that."

Then they were on them, Dorothy stepped forward first, a cruel smirk on her face.

"Rebecca," she poured out, voice deceptively sweet. "I'm surprised to see that we ran into you here."

"Why is that?" William asked.

"Well, it's just a bit surprising Rebecca would want to be out. After all, it isn't as if she has any connections."

William stepped between them. "I hardly see how that is any of your concern."

"She's my sister. She's always my concern."

"And my daughter," Solomon stepped forward, a critical gaze tracing over her.

"And now she's my wife, so she's my concern."

"Is that right?" Solomon studied him for a moment then frowned. "I must admit I thought you had better tast than that, being a duke and all. It would seem I was wrong. Thought I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."

"Its strange, I could say the same about you. For all the airs you put on, showing off your status you are hardly the pinnacle of taste yourself. Other wise, you would spend far more time with your fine daughter."

"I spend plenty of time with my fine daughter Dorothy. I treat them as they deserve to be treated."

"And what exactly did Rebecca do to warrant her treatment?"

His eyes hardened, turning to her. "She knows what she did. If you don't know yet, you will soon enough."

"And why is that?"

"Because it won't be long until she does something to show you her true colors."

"You have certainly given me plenty of chances to see yours."

"And I look forward to the chance to see your own. I wonder if you're anything like the man I have heard you are. If so I'm sure you will know just how to handle her when you finally see the truth."

William's face darkened. "Are you implying that I would lay a hand on my wife?"

"I am simply stating that I think you are the kind of person who can do what needs to be done."

He grabbed Rebecca's hand and started to pull her away. "Come, Rebecca. There's no reason for us to stand here and take this kind of treatment."

"But-" she started to protest. Then she met her father's eyes and she fell silent. Her spine stiffened. "You're right. Let's go home."

As they walk, Rebecca is filled with gratitude.

"Are you all right?" William asked as they got back in the carriage.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"For what?"

"Standing up for me like that."

William shook his head. "There is no need to thank me. It was nothing."

"Not to me it isn't. I don't think anyone has ever stood up for me like that."

He turned to her, a complicated expression on his face. "I don't want it to feel special. As long as I'm around, I will never let anyone speak to you like that again."

Rebecca's breath caught in her throat, eyes burning for countless wounds she had never given herself a moment to feel before. Her mouth opened and closed, trying to find her words. "Thank you," she finally said. "I don't think there are words for me to tell you just how much that means to hear."

He looked away. "I might not understand it, but I am happy I could give it to you. I hope in time you come to accept that it is the bare minimum you deserve."

"I don't. I hope I never get used to it or I risk taking it all for graned."

"I don't know if anything would make me happier than seeing you take for granted that you deserve to be treated with basic respect."

Rebecca was too stunned to speak. Her lips move but she couldn't get a single word out. After all, what could she say to something like that?

"I just don't understand what I ever did to deserve this," she whispered more to herself than hum.

"You are a kind person, Rebecca."

"You can't know that. We hardly know each other. I just haven't had time to show you the truth of my heart," she whispered, shaking her head.

He fell silent for a moment, before he said. "You're right. We haven't spent enough time together for me to witness your the truth of your heart, but it isn't just my thoughts I'm pulling from to see this."

"Then how?"

"I know many dukes probably wouldn't put much stock into the words of their servants, but personally, I do. Especially given that I spend so much time at home, I take great care to get their thoughts on relevant matters. Every one of them had something nice to say about you, about how kind you are. You deserve this and far far more than I am capable of giving."

She shook her head. "You're wrong. You're giving me far too much credit."

"Not from where I'm sitting. Just look at the kindness and compassion you have shown me. How many other people would have done that? Even though you never chose this, never chose me, you have never held it against me."

"How could I? You asked for my hand, you gave me a place to stay. You wanted me around when no one else did. When I came to live with you, for the first time in my life, I felt wanted, welcome, safe."

"That's because you are." Then he hesitated. "May I?"

Rebecca nodded, though she wasn't quite sure what she was agreeing to.

He reached out, taking her hand in his own. "Shall we go home now then or would you like to spend some more time in town?"

She shook her head. "I think I have had quite enough for today. Let's go home."