Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

R ebecca sat in her parlor, putting the finishing touches on the plans for the dinner party. Earlier that very morning, William had set out for a business meeting, the invitations heading out with him.

Any moment now, the guests would be arriving at the doors. It was starting to seem like everything was really coming together and she couldn't be happier.

She hadn't been at it very long when a voice sounded from the doorway.

"Don't think I don't see what you have done, Rebecca."

Her blood ran cold. This couldn't be happening now. Why was he here? Taking a shaky breath, Rebacca turned to see her father standing in the doorway, a cruel sneer on his face.

"Father," she said, hoping her voice didn't sound as nervous as she felt. She folded her hands in her skirts, hoping it would help hide the way they were starting to shake. "What are you doing here?"

"Aren't you foing to stand and great me properly?"

"I- I asked you a question. I would appreciate it if you would answer it."

He hummed, taking another step into the room. "Can't I just come to visit my daughter? Even if she does seem intent on disrespecting me from the very moment I entered the room."

"I- I- wasn't!" she was about to launch into her usual apologies, but she caught herself first. "I mean, why would you do that? You've never done it before."

"Oh Rebecca," he cooded in a voice dripping with mock kindness. "You wound me. Do you not remember when your sister and I took the time to come see you shortly after your wedding? I believe we were the first people to even consider coming to see you. How could you not remember."

She grit her teeth at the memory of that horrible day. At least it help to jump start her relationship with William, not that she would let them take credit for her work. "I- I suppose I do, but-"

"Then why would you make up such lie?" he shook his head. "I must say, I'm disappointed in you. Thought I don't know why I would have expected more from you, Rebecca. You have always been a liar."

She clutched her hands into fists on her lap. Her heart pounded in fear, but she was surprised to find that was no longer the only emotion growing in her chest. Growing just as fast and hot beside it was anger. "You- you can't talk to me like that anymore!" Her voice grew in volume, but it also grew in pitch. It hid her anger, instead making her sound nervous, even a little scard. While that was true, it wasn't the impression she wanted to give, still it was too late to take it back now.

"Can't I?" scared andstepped closer to Rebecca until he was towering over where she was sitting. "Just because you managed to ensnare the duke doesn't mean you have me fooled. I've known you too long to fall for your childish tricks."

"I haven't done anything to him!" she insisted.

He scoffed. "As I said, you can't possibly expect me to believe that. As I said, you seem to forget I've seen your tricks since you were a baby. I just assumed he would be able to see through them too. Now, why don't you tell me what you've done to him."

"I haven't done a single thing! If he is acting a certain way around me it is because he cares about me, something you have never taken the time to do!"

"Is that what you tell yourself? How could you possibly think anyone could come to care for you? If he has any kind of positive feelings towards you then it is only because you have deceived him."

"I would never-"

"You already did, but it's only a matter of time before he figures it out. What do you think will happen to you then?" he took a step even closer to her, legs bumping her knees.

Rebecca shrunk back into herself, resisting the urge to curl into a ball or flee the room. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself as much as possible. "I don't know what you're getting at."

"I think you do. You and I both know it's only a matter of time before he sees through you and tosses you out."

"You're wrong. He would never do something like that."

"When he does, you can come back home, if you help us."

"I don't care what you want. I won't do it. William is a good man and he would never do something like that."

Solomon's eyes hardened. "Then if you are so sure about that, you won't mind if I start telling people the truth of your relationship."

Her blood went cold. "What do you mean the ‘truth'?"

He shot her a cruel smirk. "You know exactly what I mean."

Rebecca shook her head, refusing to believe what she naturally wanted to assume. "I don't, I want you to spell it out for me."

He sighed. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you can't put the pieces together on your own. You never were the smartest, now were you?"

Rebecca didn't reply, hands clenching into fists. She glared down at her skirts with enough fire to burn holes into them. Still, she knew better than to speak right now. One wrong word and he might not tell her anything.

"I mean, I will tell everyone how cruel he is and how poorly he treats you."

"But he doesn't, that isn't true. You know that isn't true."

"Do I?" he shook his head. "Even if it isn't, who do you think people will believe you or me? One word from me and I will destroy him. Do you understand me?"

She swallowed. "What do you want?"

"Nothing a good daughter shouldn't have already been doing anyway. I want you to use your sway with the duke to help your family, Rebecca. Be a good daughter for once in your life."

"I - I talk about you frequently."

"All your vicious lies, I'm sure. I think we both know that isn't what I mean."

She clenched her hands into fists.

"So let me tell you what's going to happen now, I am going to leave, you will apologize to your husband and tell him you shouldn't have made up whatever lies you told him about us and correct the record. Make sure he knows how kind I was as a father. How much I gave up raising an ungrateful brat like you. Then, in a few days, when he understands tell him he should be helping us. We're family and it is the least he can do, and if you don't," he shot her a cruel smile. "Well, I've already told you what will happen."

She couldn't bring herself to look at him. She kept her eyes locked on the ground.

"Well, I will let you get to it," he said, smiling as he turned and strode from the room.

Rebecca sank to the floor the second she was alone.

She wrapped her arms around herself. This couldn't be happening. She was supposed to be free.

She wanted nothing more than to refuse.

To throw her father's words back in his face and tell him to never speak to her again.

But she wasn't the only one at risk now.

It would be one thing for her to suffer the consequences, but could she do that to William?

After everything he had done for her, every kindness he had shown her, how could she risk his reputation, his good name?

Her eyes burned a lump growing in her throat.

"Your grace!"

She looked up to see Mary gasping at her in alarm. "Are you all right? What happened?"

Her heart pounded. What could Rebecca say to that?

How was she supposed to answer?

"Nothing," she shook her head. "I just slipped is all."

"But you look like you're about to cry. Did you hurt your ankle or something?"

"Yes, I suppose that must be it."

"Let me help you up and get you to the sofa. Do you need me to call a physician?"

"That isn't necessary. It was just a little fall. I'll be right as rain after a few minutes."

Despite Rebecca's words, Mary didn't seem convinced as she helped her to the sofa.

"Very well. I won't call a physician, but what about Duke Danton?"

"No!" she said a bit too quickly. "I mean- well there isn't much he could do anyway. We shouldn't interrupt his business. It's so rare for him to go out."

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you wanted him to come back a bit early."

She shook her head. "I will be all right. Why don't you go bring me some lunch."

"Of course, I can do that. Do you need anything else?"

She shook her head. "I should be all right. I think I just need a few minutes to think."

"Of course, ma'am. I'll be right back with your meal."

Then she scampered off and Rebecca had a moment to catch her breath. She knew she to figure this out before William returned home.

She didn't think she could face him otherwise.