Page 13 of Married to the Cruel Duke

She looked up to see William staring at her, that intense look still on his face. Rebecca felt her face heat under it.

“Did you hurt yourself?”.

She got her feet under her before pulling her hand away. “No, I only slipped. Thank you for saving me.”

“All I might have saved you from was a tear in your skirts.”

“Nevertheless, I appreciate it.”

He huffed, crossing his arms. “Just get inside. I would like to return to the manor before dark.”

Rebecca scurried to comply.

CHAPTER 3

Rebecca and William were now trapped in a small box with nothing but each other for entertainment. Thought it was a very nice, comfortable and expensive box. He reclined comfortably on his seat across from her, looking out the window as they rolled along. But Rebecca perched on the edge of her seat. How could she do much else? As she ran the tips of her fingers along the decadent upholstery she couldn’t help but feel a bit like she was tainting the carriage. Her father would never let her touch anything this fine. Her eyes darting around the space, taking it all in.

And there was just so much to look at.

The carriage was far nicer than her father’s that Rebecca had ridden to the church in so many ways. It was far more comfortable for one. The seats were not only padded but alsohad pillows. There were even a few blankets stashed inside.

The windows even had thick damask drapes in a stunning emerald green. They were so nice she couldn’t help but take a moment to admire the pattern of them.

She absolutely wasn’t doing it just so she could avoid looking at her new husband.

Neither of them had said a word as they drove along. The silence hung, heavy and oppressive, between them. Rebecca felt like she couldn’t breathe. There was no doubt in her mind that he must be disappointed, but she had thought he would have something to say.

Even if it was just to tell her that she wasn’t what he wanted. She wished she knew what it was about her that he didn’t like.

She knew she wasn’t much to look at. How could she not? Her father and sister made a point to make sure she knew just how undesirable she was. Maybe he’d incorrectly believed he was going to marry Dorothy. She wouldn’t put it past her father to allow him to think that.

Minutes ticked by and the Duke—her husband!—still hadn’t said anything.

Perhaps he was waiting for her to speak first for some reason. Was he expecting her to break the silence? Would that be presumptuous?

Would he ever say a word if she didn’t speak?

Could she ever recover his opinion of her if she tried and disrespected him further?

But if she didn’t try, if she just laid down and accepted the silence, what was she saying? She knew she needed to try for the sake of her own future.

And so, taking a deep breath, she forced herself to do just that. “Are we going somewhere for a wedding celebration? My father said he wasn’t having one, but I wasn’t sure if perhaps you wanted one,” she babbled. “After all, with you being a Duke and all, I’m not too sure what is expected of you. So I wasn’t sure.”

“No,” was all he said in reply.

“I see.” There was a moment of silence. “So are we simply returning to your home?”

He studied her for a moment with a thoughtful look in his eyes. Finally, he huffed, turning back to the window. “It isn’t just my home anymore.”

Rebecca couldn’t help but smile, looking at him for the first time since she got in the carriage. A small seed of hope began to take root in her heart. Maybe they could live together in peace, even if she wasn’t what he had hoped for. “That’s very kind of you to say.”

He made a face she couldn’t quite place, looking away from her with a deep huff. “It isn’t kind. I am simply stating the situation.You have married me. You have become the Duchess of Danton, and the Duchess of Danton is the lady of Batton Manor.”

“Still,” she tried to catch his eye, unable to help the small smile blooming on her face. “Regardless of why you said it, that doesn’t change that I am grateful for the sentiment. Thank you.”

William met her eyes and she immediately wished she hadn’t tried so hard to make him. He pinned her with a look that sent shivers up her spine.

It was easy to see why people would fear him. All of the rumors she had heard of him sprang to mind. It was said he killed his own brother and father when he was just a child. That wasn’t even to get into the cruelty he had done to his own mother. It was said he never let her out of the house from the moment they died until well after her own death.

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