Page 64 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“No one has much of an idea if you in their head. You can just be yourself.”

“But what if I make a bad first impression?”

“”How could you? We’re just going for a walk, aren’t we?”

“I suppose…” she trailed off.

“It is. You aren’t at a ball. You aren’t making any kind of official public appearance. You’re just a woman out for a walk with your husband and your friend.”

“You’re right,” Rebecca smiled, taking a deep breath. “I can do this. It’s going to be fine.”

“Is everything all right in here?”

The pair spun to the door to see William hanging just outside of it, a frown on his face.

Rebecca softened when she saw him. “We were just talking for a moment while we waited for you, please come in.”

He stepped inside, an apprehensive look on his face.

“William, this is my best friend Penelope,” Rebecca said, looking between the two of them with a nervous smile. “I hope the two of you are able to get along.”

Penelope stepped forward, looking him over with a critical eye. “As long as everything you have told me is true, I’m sure we will get along just fine.”

“What has she said?”

“I believe that is best kept between her and myself. All I care about is that you treat her well.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I would never want Rebecca to have anything but the best.”

She studied him for a moment then nodded. “That’s what I like to hear. Now, shall we go?”

Penelope didn’t wait for a response, she simply started making her way to the door, as if she knew for a fact the others wouldsimply follow behind without a second thought. Though to be fair, she was right.

Still, Rebecca noticed William hesitate for a moment. She turned to him with a smile.

“I know she can be a bit much, but she means well.”

“She worries about you. I can respect that,” he took a step forward. “Come, I don’t know he well, but she doesn’t seem like the kind of person you want to keep waiting.”

She chuckled. “I can’t say I disagree.”

The pair made their way out to the waiting carriage. The park wasn’t far, but neither Rebecca or william seemed to know just how to start the conversation.

Fortunately, Penelope didn’t seem to have that same problem. She chattered on and on about the latest balls her mother had forced her to addend.

Rebecca just smiled to herself. She did her best to push down the nugget of disappointment she felt and envy that sometimes reared it’s head at hearing her so vehemently reject something Rebecca would likely never get to experience.

William seems to notice something is amis and tries to catch her eye, but she just forces a smile, shaking her head.

He frowned but let it go for the moment.

Finally, they all make it to the park. It was a beautiful day, sunlight streaming down through the trees, casting beams of light like stained glass windows through the red and yellow leaves.

As they walked through the park, Rebecca couldn’t help but be aware of eyes glancing at them, hushed whispered behind hands after they passed. She chewed her lip, eyes darting around.

William nudged her. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“For what?”

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