Page 86 of Married to the Cruel Duke

As soon as they adjourn to the sitting room, he could approach Solomon. It was only a shame he wouldn’t be able to take Dorothy with them. After seeing her behavior at the table, part of him was considering it anyway, priority be damned.

But he doubted Rebecca would appreciate that. Besides, it wouldn’t matter soon enough.

As soon as dinner was over he would make his move. It would be so easy. He would walk up to Solomon and tell him he had some business he wanted to ask him about.

There was no doubt in his mind that the greedy man would eagerly agree, no doubt expecting him to give him money. He would probably assume this conversation was happening as a result of his demand of Rebecca.

And if he didn’t trust it right away, if he had noticed that William had been stand off ish and aggressive with him, then he could always do a little more persuading.

Once he convinced him to meet with him, Solomon would follow him from the party to the library or his study. When it was just the two of them he would sit down across from him and lay into him.

William would tell him off. He would let out every thought he had to hold back through the dinner. Once he had said his piece, he would give Solomon his marching orders then they would never need to see either of them again.

He had no doubt the man would try and push back. He would get angry, maybe even grovel. There was no doubt he would try to blame Rebecca, but William wouldn’t fall for any of it.

It would only be a matter of time before he would have little choice but to leave, taking Dorothy with him.

Rebecca would be free just as she deserved.

Dorothy’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“I think you two make such a sweet couple. It’s nice to see you with someone of your own kind,” she said in a sickly sweet voice.

Rebecca didn’t reply, but that didn’t seem to do anything to deter Dorothy.

“And it’s interesting to see too. After all, it isn’t every day you see a married couple made up of two murderers.”

CHAPTER 21

Rebecca clenched her hands into fists.

Her sister’s words still rang out in the air.

She could hardly believe Dorothy was saying such things! How could she just act like this where everyone could see her? Rebecca had been being as tolerant as she could, had worked so hard, but it still wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

Well, the first part of that wasn’t quite true.

She wasn’t all that surprised that Dorothy was saying all that. It was nothing she hadn’t said a million times before. The only difference was now she had a audience.

Rebecca’s eyes darted to William. His face had hardened into a mask of stone, rage building behind his eyes.

Rebecca grit her teeth. She couldn’t let this stand. It had been one thing to listen to them insult her, but now Dorothy wanted to involve William, she couldn’t just let that go.

Dorothy opened her mouth to speak again, but Rebecca snapped before a single word could pass her lips.

“I think it’s high time you and father leave,” she said in a deadly even voice.

“Excuse me!”

“After what you said about me and my husband I don’t know what you were expecting to hear. Now leave.”

“I will do no such thing!” she snapped. “You can’t speak to me like this. Father, tell her she can’t say things like this to me!”

And of course he was quick to jump to his favorite daughter’s defense. “Rebecca,” Solomon cut in, voice dripping with disappointment. “How can you say such a thing? You were the one to invite us in the first place and dinner has only just begun.”

She snapped her gaze to him. “I know, but it was a mistake inviting you in the first place. In fact, when you leave, I expect you to stay gone.”

“Careful, Rebecca,” his voice darkened. “Think about the implications of what you’re saying.”

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