Page 70 of Married to the Cruel Duke

Rebecca chuckled. “That’s rather a big ask.”

“I suppose I can understand that. I should give you a place to start. When is it? That seems as good of a place as any. Oh! I am just so excited for it!”

“Me too. It should be in about a week or so, but I haven’t sent out invitations yet because I still need to confirm everything with the kitchen before that.”

“Well, my mother and I will be there I can’t wait.”

She chewed her lip. “Thank you, me too.”

“How have preparations gone so far?”

“Well enough so far, I think,” she nodded. “Mrs. Anderson has been a huge help. I don’t think I would be able to make this work if it wasn’t for her.”

“I’m glad you have someone in yout corner who can help you with it. I know little things like that can make all the difference.”

“I would be so out of my depth without her. My father never thought it was worth it to teach me any of this. I didn’t know the first thing about being a lady of the house, much less a duchess before I met her. She’s been a wonderful teacher.”

“I’m not surprised. I won’t lie, I was worried you would never be able to marry out of that house before Duke Danton came along. I’m so glad he was able to get you out of there, and he does seem to treat you well.”

Rebecca smiled. “You have no idea. He’s so good to me. Though, I must admit, I’m more than a little nervous for the dinner party.”

“Why is that?”

“Quite a few reasons. Mainly because I want to ensure I do honor to him and his family name. I don’t want to be an embarrassment.”

“Oh, Rebecca,” Penelope smiled, shaking her head. “You couldn’t do anything like that even if you tried.”

“You don’t know that! So many things could go wrong I don’t even want to think about it. Not to mention, it will be my first time hosting, and my first time hosting as a duchess after all,” she said, wringing her hands.

“I know its a lot, but I have faith in you. Trust me, you can handle this. Besides, you’ve kept it small haven’t you?”

She nodded. “Yes, I was careful to keep it under ten people. I don’t think either of us wanted to risk getting overwhelmed.”

“And you have been the one planning all the meals here for a little while now haven’t you?”

She nodded once more.

“Then you have nothing to worry about,” she assured. “It will hardly even be that different than what you are all ready used to. You’re going to to great. If you don’t mind me asking, who all did you invite?”

“You and your family, his solicitor and his family,” Penelope was noddeding song when Rebecca hesitated. Finally she named the last guests. “and my father and sister.” She said it quickly, hoping it would minimize Penelope’s reaction.

Of course it did no such thing.

“You what?” she gasped, hands flying to her mouth. The shock and horror on her face was so extreme it was almost comical. “I don’t understand. Why on earth would you invite them?”

Rebecca sighed as she said, chewing on her lip. “Well, at first I wasn’t going to-”

“As you shouldn’t!”

“But,” she continued. “William suggest I should.”

“Why would he do that?” she shook her head. “I thought he treated you right and seemed to care about you, but maybe I was wrong! Doesn’t he know the kind of people they are? Have you told him how they treated you in the past?”

“We have talked about them some, but no, I haven’t told him everything.”

“Why not? I bet if you told him, he would agree that it is a terrible idea to invite them.”

“Perhaps he might, but the longer I thought about it, the more I’m sure he is right to have us invite them.”

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