Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

T hings didn't change much after that as time went on. No one spoke to her more than they had to. Servants came and left her meals outside her door.

There was always plenty and her consistent meals became her one true solace, but that didn't make it any easier to take the isolation.

Still, as cold and distant as they were, at least no one had been cruel. For the most part, everyone seemed content to simply ignore her. Meals arrived on time, dishes were cleared away every day, but everyone gave her a wide berth.

She spent her days wandering the halls, desperate to see someone, anyone. The few times she had seen someone, the second they spotted her, they would give a small bow or curtsy then make a hasty retreat.

The more time that went on the harder it became. She was lonely, she just wanted a single friend somewhere, anywhere in the house, but they all seemed more than content to pretend she didn't exist.

Not only that, but she hadn't seen William since the night she arrived.

Even Mrs. Anderson seemed to be avoiding her. After a day or two she stopped going out of her room. Rebecca had accepted that she would only be in the way.

She wished Penelope was here. She would know what to do. She always seemed so full of ideas and hope.

But Rebecca knew better than to risk breaking decorum. It was too soon after the wedding to entertain any kind of guests or go out. She would be far better off contenting herself with her own company.

So imagine her surprise when there was a knock on her bedroom door after a few days.

She opened it to see a maid. "Your grace, I have been sent to inform you that your father and sister are here to see you."

She paled. "But, I didn't know they were coming."

"I can let them know you aren't available if you like, but they are waiting downstairs."

"No," Rebecca stiffened. "I- I can go down right now. Please lead the way."

She turned and led Rebecca down the hall until they came to one of the parlors.

"They are right inside," then she left without a word.

Rebecca took a deep breath then forced her way inside. The second she laid eyes on them, she could feel herself shrinking in on herself.

"There you are," Solomon scowled from where he stood, arms crossed in the center of the room. "You kept us waiting, didn't you?"

"I- I didn't mean to. I came as soon as I heard you were here. I just didn't know you would be coming today."

"Do you expect us to announce ourselves everytime we want to visit you? Dorothy scowled. "That feels like you are trying to distance yourself from us."

"I'm not!"

"I should hope not," Solomon said. "It seems like you need all the kindness you can get."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw the way that maid spoke to you. Does anyone in this house even want you here?"

She looked away, her mind turning back to her absent husband. Of course they didn't want her here.

Her sister smirked at her. "That's a shame. Even they know you're useless and you haven't even been here that long."

Rebecca bit her lip. There was no denying that Dorothy was right. No one wanted her here. She had been a fool to expect anything else to happen.

"All the more reason you need to remember everything I have done for you," Solomon said coldly. "You are indebted to us in a way you will never be able to repay."

She clenched her fists, eyes locked on the ground. "I know, father. I won't let you down."

He scoffed. "There is no point in trying to make such a promise. We both know that is all you can do is disappoint."

"I know, but I will try my hardest."

He scoffed, "do you think that means anything?"

"How long do you think it will take until Duke Danton wants her out of his house too?" Dorothy smirked.

"Who can say, but that is all the more reason she needs to be grateful to us. If she is, perhaps we will consider saving her from the streets."

She looked down, gripping her hands in her lap. "Thank you for your kindness," she forced out.

"As you should, but I can't help but worry you don't sound as grateful as you should."

Rebecca locked her eyes on the floor in front of her. "What would you have me do?"

"I don't know yet, but I'm sure we will think of something."

They spent a few hours sitting there, mocking Rebecca until Solomon stood with a sigh.

"Well, I think it is high time that we return home. It will be time for dinner soon."

"Before we go, can you give me a moment alone with my sister?" Dorothy asked.

"He sighed, "if you must. I will go get the carriage ready, but try not to take too long."

"I won't!"

Then he stepped out, leaving the pair alone. Dorothy smirked at her, stepping closer until they were only a few feet apart.

"Do you know why father sold you to the duke?" she whispered.

She didn't say a word, biting hard onto the inside of her cheek.

"Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt he would have been the only man who would have you, but more than that, we sacrificed you for our own financial well being and status. You will never be more than a stepping stone for me."

She clenched her hands into fists. She needed to stay quiet, she needed to hold in her tears. There was no reaction she could have that would make any of this any better.

Finally, Dorothy turned and started making her way to the door. She paused just before she left, turning to Rebecca one last time.

"You are pathetic, I hope you know that."

Then she was gone, leaving Rebecca alone.

For a long time, she just stood there, taking deep breaths and waiting to make sure they wouldn't come back. Once she was sure they were gone, she started making her way back to her room.

It was only once she was safely shut inside that she crumpled to the ground, tears racing down her cheeks.

She was silent when she cried. It was a hard won skill for Rebecca, but she learned long ago not to bother anyone else with her despair. All it would do was bother those around her, so she did what she needed to to keep it to herself.

It felt like hours passed as she lay surrounded in her despair. She knew it was true when there was a knock at the door signaling it was time for dinner.

"I'm not hungry tonight," she called back. "I'm sorry, but please take it away for tonight."

There was a dramatic sigh from outside the door.

Guilt consumed Rebecca. How could she be so selfish? She should have taken the tray and made herself eat it, even if it did make her sick.

They had already gone to all the trouble to make it. If she had been that set on not eating, then she should have sent word to the kitchen that they didn't need to make a plate for her, but she hadn't done that.

She was too busy lying in her bed and crying.

As if she had any right to be sad.

It was everyone around her who was the real victim. All she did was cause trouble for those around her and she thought she had the right to be upset?

Rebecca knew the truth. Her father and sister hadn't said anything that wasn't true. She needed to accept that and move on.

As she curled up in her bed, bitter tears still racing down her face, her thoughts grew darker.

Perhaps it would be better for everyone if she didn't come out of her room again. No one would miss her if she just stayed inside, and she would finally be out of everyone's way.

Her last thoughts were about how much better off everyone in her life would be if she wasn't in the way constantly causing problems for them.