Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

T he second she got the approval, Rebecca threw herself into preparations for the dinner party. Even though they were keeping it small, it still seemed like there was an endless list of things to do.

The guest list and the date may have been set, but there was still the invitations, the menus, any activities she might want to plan for the evening. Not to mention deciding on the silverware, place settings, Mrs. Anderson even asked if she would want to change out the drapes or the art on the walls for the party.

It was all enough to make her head spin.

A few days later, she was in a sitting room, putting some of the finishing touches on the menu. Originally she had expected they would send the invitations out first, but Mrs. Anderson recommended getting the kitchen staff the menu first so she was almost done with it when a voice startled her from the doorway.

"You seem to be hard at work. Should I come back later?" Penelope's voice called, making her jump.

Rebecca turned to the door at lit up at the sight of her friend. "You are always welcome here. I just wasn't expecting you. Come in. sit down."

She smiled, taking her seat. "Don't you know by now you should always expect me."

Rebecca chuckled. "I supposed I should by now, but some how you always seem to keep surprising me."

"Well, I do try." Penelope grinned, glancing at the papers Rebecca had in front of her as she started to set them aside. "Are you working on something for the dinner party?"

Rebeca blinked in surprise. "How did you know about that? We haven't even sent out the invitations yet. Unless, William or Mrs. Anderson did it on their own, but I thought I was going to help with that."

"You don't need to worry," she smiled. "I didn't get an invitation or anything like that."

"But then how did you find out?"

"I saw William on the way in and he told me I should ask you about it that's all."

"Oh, of course. I should have known it would be something like that," she said shaking her head.

"So? Tell me all about it?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything!"

Rebecca chuckled. "That's rather a big ask."

"I suppose I can understand that. I should give you a place to start. When is it? That seems as good of a place as any. Oh! I am just so excited for it!"

"Me too. It should be in about a week or so, but I haven't sent out invitations yet because I still need to confirm everything with the kitchen before that."

"Well, my mother and I will be there I can't wait."

She chewed her lip. "Thank you, me too."

"How have preparations gone so far?"

"Well enough so far, I think," she nodded. "Mrs. Anderson has been a huge help. I don't think I would be able to make this work if it wasn't for her."

"I'm glad you have someone in yout corner who can help you with it. I know little things like that can make all the difference."

"I would be so out of my depth without her. My father never thought it was worth it to teach me any of this. I didn't know the first thing about being a lady of the house, much less a duchess before I met her. She's been a wonderful teacher."

"I'm not surprised. I won't lie, I was worried you would never be able to marry out of that house before Duke Danton came along. I'm so glad he was able to get you out of there, and he does seem to treat you well."

Rebecca smiled. "You have no idea. He's so good to me. Though, I must admit, I'm more than a little nervous for the dinner party."

"Why is that?"

"Quite a few reasons. Mainly because I want to ensure I do honor to him and his family name. I don't want to be an embarrassment."

"Oh, Rebecca," Penelope smiled, shaking her head. "You couldn't do anything like that even if you tried."

"You don't know that! So many things could go wrong I don't even want to think about it. Not to mention, it will be my first time hosting, and my first time hosting as a duchess after all," she said, wringing her hands.

"I know its a lot, but I have faith in you. Trust me, you can handle this. Besides, you've kept it small haven't you?"

She nodded. "Yes, I was careful to keep it under ten people. I don't think either of us wanted to risk getting overwhelmed."

"And you have been the one planning all the meals here for a little while now haven't you?"

She nodded once more.

"Then you have nothing to worry about," she assured. "It will hardly even be that different than what you are all ready used to. You're going to to great. If you don't mind me asking, who all did you invite?"

"You and your family, his solicitor and his family," Penelope was noddeding song when Rebecca hesitated. Finally she named the last guests. "and my father and sister." She said it quickly, hoping it would minimize Penelope's reaction.

Of course it did no such thing.

"You what?" she gasped, hands flying to her mouth. The shock and horror on her face was so extreme it was almost comical. "I don't understand. Why on earth would you invite them?"

Rebecca sighed as she said, chewing on her lip. "Well, at first I wasn't going to-"

"As you shouldn't!"

"But," she continued. "William suggest I should."

"Why would he do that?" she shook her head. "I thought he treated you right and seemed to care about you, but maybe I was wrong! Doesn't he know the kind of people they are? Have you told him how they treated you in the past?"

"We have talked about them some, but no, I haven't told him everything."

"Why not? I bet if you told him, he would agree that it is a terrible idea to invite them."

"Perhaps he might, but the longer I thought about it, the more I'm sure he is right to have us invite them."

"But why? You know how they are going to be. It isn't fair for him to make you deal with them on such a special night!"

"It would probably make us look poorly if we were to leave them out of our first time entertaining as a married couple."

"I suppose I can understand that, but I still think its a bad idea. What if they try to cause a scene?"

"I'm sure it will be fine, and if they do try, then they will be the ones who lose face in that situation. Not us. Like I said, I want to insure I do a good job and make the Danton family look good."

Penelope crossed her arms. "I suppose part of me can understand that at least a little, but you should have to have them here at all if you ask me. It's just asking for trouble."

She huffed out a half laugh. "Perhaps you I would agree with you, but this isn't just about what I want. I need to do what is best for the Danton family name."

She grunted. "It just doesn't seem like a fair position to put you in."

"I'm a duchess. I can't let myself forget that."

"You are handling it far better than I ever could."

"I'm sure if you were in a situation like this, you would handle it far better than you would expect."

"I still hope I never have to find out. All I want is to settle down as a spinster and be left to my own devices."

"So you have said, but are you sure you really want that?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Just- I can remember when we were younger. We both wanted to find love. I just don't want you to rob yourself of the ability to have something you would rather have."

"But I won't regret it. I know this is better for me. Look around. How many people do we know who got married?"

"Quite a few."

"And how many of them were able to marry for love?"

"Fair point, but that doesn't mean you couldn't."

"It means it isn't worth trying for. I'd rather just enjoy what I have and be content."

"I suppose I can understand that, but do think about it?"

"I think about it plenty. You should think more about yourself. You have got a dinner party to plan after all."

"I know. I have been putting a lot of time and effort into it. I just hope it goes well."

Penelope smiled. "I'm sure it will. After all, anyone will be able to see how much work you put into it."

"I hope you're right," she said, chewing her lip.

"I know I am. You don't have anything to worry about. It's going to go great."

"Thanks. I'm glad you have faith in me. It means a lot."

"Of course I do. I've known you long enough to know that you're going to do great."