Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

T he next morning, Rebecca awoke warm without being uncomfortably hot for the first time in what felt like the first time in her life. She smiled to herself, running her hands along the soft, luxurious sheets. She still couldn't believe all of this was hers!

It all felt far too good to be true.

She laid there for a few more moments before pushing from the bed and making her way over to her wardrobe. It wouldn't do for her to be seen as shirking her responsibilities as Duchess of Danton. Looking through her dresses, she picked one and pulled it on with little thought before sweeping her hair out of her face and setting off to begin her day.

Just as Rebecca stepped into the hall, she almost ran straight into a maid with a tray.

"Mrs. Anderson sent me to bring you your breakfast," she said without looking at Rebecca.

"That was very kind of you. Thank you."

She took the tray in shock, not paying any mind to the maid scurrying off without another word.

She slipped back into her room, eyes still locked on the tray. It was almost too much, especially after last night.

"Perhaps this is my food for the day?" she thought to herself as she looked it over.

That was the only thing that could make sense. There was so much! Toast, jam, hot tea, scones, bacon, and sausage! Who could possibly eat all of this for a single meal?

But as she ate, Rebecca quickly realized the answer was her. Despite the fact that she ate more last night than he had in years, she tucked the large breakfast away like she hadn't eaten in days!

It was only when she was done that she sat back with a frown.

"I probably shouldn't have done that," she said to herself, chewing on her lip. "After all, if that was my meal for the day then I already wasted it. Looks like I might be going to bed hungry after all. I'll have to be more careful in the future."

She shook her head. There was no use in dwelling on it. She would just have to do better next time. Taking the tray outside the door, she set it down before slipping out into the hallway.

Rebecca frowned to herself as she made her way down the wide, empty hall. The place felt almost deserted.

At her family home, even when they didn't have company, there was always activity. While it was true that she was rarely welcomed in whatever activities were going on, she could still be close by.

There was always something exciting about hearing the sounds of a party or nice dinner happening down stairs even if she wasn't allowed to attend.

There were even a few times when she crept to the top of the stairs and sat there, listening to everyone having a wonderful time.

On one occasion, she'd even managed to catch a glimpse of a few elegant gentlemen and lovely ladies getting ready for a dance.

Rebecca wanted nothing more than to sit there and try to see more. Maybe if she was careful, she could have seen them dance, but that was when she heard footsteps coming towards her.

Rebecca made it back out of sight just in time to miss Dorothy walking by with a few of her friends.

"I must say, I am rather surprised your sister isn't here," one of them said.

Dorothy huffed. "Why would she be? She isn't out yet."

"That might be true, but the ball is in your family home. We both know younger siblings are known to sneak around so they can at least see these things even if they aren't partaking."

"That may be so in other households, but she knows this isn't the kind of place for her." Dorothy sighed, shaking her head. "You have no idea what she's like. I don't know that I have ever seen someone so uncivilized. I don't know if she will ever be ready to be out."

"Is she really that terrible?"

"You have no idea. Father worries she will never find someone who would be willing to marry her. I can't help but think he's right."

"Your poor family. I hope she proves you wrong in time."

"So do I, but I have my doubts. Shall we get back to the party?"

"Of course! Far more fascinating than learning about ghastly family failures."

Rebecca had never dared spy on a dance again. But even when their wasn't anything going on, there was still always so much life in the house.

There were always people racing around, preparing for something. Even when her family was out, it still wasn't quite.

If she listened quietly, she could always hear the servest at their work if nothing else.

But there didn't seem to be any of that here, only the empty silence of an empty room and the esching of her footsteps.

No matter!

Rebecca had other things to worry about, mainly finding Mrs. Anderson. After all, if she was to be a duchess, she needed to ensure she did everything perfectly.

She had already let her parents down, she didn't want to let William down too.

She would also be delighted if she ran into William. It would be wonderful to have a chance to get to know her new husband, but she was sure he was a busy man.

She would understand if he didn't have time to see her today.

There was no point in pushing it. He was likely already disappointed in her. Pushing it would only make him feel worse.

Rebecca could only hope he would come to tolerate her in time. Still, at least he didn't seem to be out right cruel to her.

She could live with that. She just needed to get used to it.

Not only that, she knew she should be grateful for it. They had already done far more for her than she deserved. He had a beautiful room, plenty of food to eat. Asking for anything more than that was selfish of her.

Still, thinking about it too much made her feel too overwhelmed, so she decided to focus on the manor herself. Once she did that, she couldn't stop noticing just how quiet it is.

It made sense that it was calmer than her childhood home, but to her confusion, she hadn't seen anyone. It almost felt like the whole estate was deserted. She was starting to wonder if she was the only person inside when she came across a man she didn't recognize.

"Good morning," she called, walking over to him.

"It's closer to afternoon by this point," the man laughed. "You must be Rebecca."

"I am. And you are?"

"I'm Patrick, William's solicitor."

"Is it really almost afternoon?" she frowned.

"It is. It was close to eleven forty five last I checked."

"I see," she frowned.

"Is something wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing I can't handle. Can I help you with anything?"

He laughed. "I feel like I should be the one to ask you that. You seem rather lost."

"I'm just still learning my way around the place."

"I imagine it is going to be an adjustment," he studied her with a strange look in his eyes. "How do you found the place so far?"

"It's bigger than I was expecting."

"I see," he studied her for another moment. "Well, if you don't need anything else, I will let you get back to your walk."

"Wait!" she called out before she could think better of it.

He paused, turning to her with an intrigued look on his face. "Yes? Did you need something?"

She hesitated. Why had she done that? What was she supposed to say now?

"I was just wondering if you knew where everyone is?" she asked, voice soft and hesitant.

"What do you mean where everyone is? I'm sure they are off doing their work."

"Of course, and I wouldn't want to interrupt anyone from what they were doing, but I was only wondering because I haven't seen a single person since I left my room."

"I can assure you they are around. I believe William asked them to give you space when you first arrived so that you could settle in in peace. He may have even give some of them time off for the occasion, knowing him."

Rebecca forced a tight smile. "I see."

"Is there someone in particular you are looking for?"

She hesitated.

"If it is William, I can warn you, I doubt you'll see him any time soon. He's holed up at his desk with work."

"Of course. I'm sure he is rather bust being a Duke and all. What about Mrs. Anderson? I was hoping to learn a little about the running of the estate sometime today."

"I see," his face did something strange Rebecca couldn't quite place. "I wouldn't know where to tell you to look."

"That's alright. I appreciate it.

He turned to go, "I wish you luck on your search."

"Thank you," she said before setting off down the hall once more.

It took quite some time before she saw anyone again, but eventually, she rounded a corner and saw Mrs. Anderson walking down the hall.

She lit up, walking up to the housekeeper. "Mrs. Anderson! How are you this afternoon."

"I am quite well, your face. Are you settling in all right?"

"I am, thank you."

"I am glad to hear it." Then she turned to go, but Rebecca called out to her.

"I was hoping you could show me a little of what goes into maintaining the estate."

She turned to her with a frown. "Don't you want to settle in a little more first? Your lady's maid hasn't even arrived yet."

"But wouldn't it be better to start sooner rather than later?"

"Perhaps, but it is such a big change for you. There's no need to rush these things."

She tried not to let her disappointment show too much. "I see. Well, you are the expert in these things. If you think we should wait, then I should trust you."

""That's very wise of you," Mrs Anderson said with a strange smile.

"How long do you think we should wait?"

"I can't be sure, but I will let you know when I think you seem ready to start."

"Alright, thank you."

She moved to go, but Rebecca stopped her again. "Wait!"

She turned with a sigh. "Yes?"

"I was wondering if there was anything I could be working on while I get settled in?"

"Not at the moment, but I will let you know if I can think of anything." Then she turned and walked away without another word, leaving Rebecca alone in the hall.

She continued to aimlessly roam the halls until it was getting late in the evening.

She knew it was getting close to dinner time. She knew she should make her way back to her room, but she couldn't seem to find it!

It felt like hours before she managed to stumble back inside. She headed over to her closet and looked over her dresses with a sigh. She hoped William wasn't too disappointed in her when he saw her at dinner. She was sure he expected her to dress, but nothing she had was nice enough for dinner with a duke.

"I wonder if he received a portrait of me or anything like that before we met?" she asked herself as she started to prepare for the evening. "I don't recall sitting for one, but maybe they didn't use a real portrait."

If that was true, she could only hope her appearance hadn't been too much of a shock and he wasn't too upset.

Still, it would feel like being lied to and he didn't deserve that. She could only hope he would accept the way she looked in time.

"All right," she said to herself. "Almost time for dinner with the duke."

He isn't just a duke, she reminded herself. He's your husband. It should have been comforting or helped her relax, but it only heightened her anxiety even more.

He had been so kind to her so far, but she could still upset him to the point that all of that could come to an end. Rebecca shook her head.

There was no point in thinking about that.

She wouldn't let it happen.

Not again.

She would make him proud. She would make him happy. She had to. That was her purpose now.

She was his wife, all she could do was try to be the best possible wife she could be.

That was still running through her mind when she was startled by a knock at the door. She opened it to see the same maid from that morning staring at her.

"Is it time for dinner?" Rebecca asked with a smile.

"It will be shortly. Duke Danton wanted me to inform you that he will be unable to join you."

Her face fell. "Oh, I see."

She didn't react. "In light of that, the cook wanted me to ask if you would still want to take your meal in the dining room or if you would prefer it some place else."

Rebecca tried not to let it sting. She was sure he was a busy man. It was hardly a surprise that he didn't have time just to have dinner with her.

"You can just have them bring it up here. Thank you for coming to tell me."

"Then I will let them know. Do you need anything else before I go?"

"I should be all right, but thank you for asking."

She nodded then made her way off, leaving her alone in her room once more.

She went inside and sat on the end of her bed, waiting for her to come back with her food.

At least they seemed like they were going to keep her well fed. Even if she did spend so much of her time alone.

This was all right, she reminded herself once more.

Rebecca was used to being on her own. She could manage just fine. He was a busy man. She needed to respect that.

After all, she was a duchess, he was a duke. He was probably often busy with his duties. She could hardly expect him to rearrange everything just to spend some time with her.

She just needed to be grateful and content.

Rebecca could do that.