Page 23 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“Mrs. Anderson sent me to bring you your breakfast,” she said without looking at Rebecca.

“That was very kind of you. Thank you.”

She took the tray in shock, not paying any mind to the maid scurrying off without another word.

She slipped back into her room, eyes still locked on the tray. It was almost too much, especially after last night.

“Perhaps this is my food for the day?” she thought to herself as she looked it over.

That was the only thing that could make sense. There was so much! Toast, jam, hot tea, scones, bacon, and sausage! Who could possibly eat all of this for a single meal?

But as she ate, Rebecca quickly realized the answer was her. Despite the fact that she ate more last night than he had in years, she tucked the large breakfast away like she hadn’t eaten in days!

It was only when she was done that she sat back with a frown.

“I probably shouldn’t have done that,” she said to herself, chewing on her lip. “After all, if that was my meal for the day then I already wasted it. Looks like I might be going to bed hungry after all. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.”

She shook her head. There was no use in dwelling on it. She would just have to do better next time. Taking the tray outside the door, she set it down before slipping out into the hallway.

Rebecca frowned to herself as she made her way down the wide, empty hall. The place felt almost deserted.

At her family home, even when they didn’t have company, there was always activity. While it was true that she was rarely welcomed in whatever activities were going on, she could still be close by.

There was always something exciting about hearing the sounds of a party or nice dinner happening down stairs even if she wasn’t allowed to attend.

There were even a few times when she crept to the top of the stairs and sat there, listening to everyone having a wonderful time.

On one occasion, she’d even managed to catch a glimpse of a few elegant gentlemen and lovely ladies getting ready for a dance.

Rebecca wanted nothing more than to sit there and try to see more. Maybe if she was careful, she could have seen them dance, but that was when she heard footsteps coming towards her.

Rebecca made it back out of sight just in time to miss Dorothy walking by with a few of her friends.

“I must say, I am rather surprised your sister isn’t here,” one of them said.

Dorothy huffed. “Why would she be? She isn’t out yet.”

“That might be true, but the ball is in your family home. We both know younger siblings are known to sneak around so they can at least see these things even if they aren’t partaking.”

“That may be so in other households, but she knows this isn’t the kind of place for her.” Dorothy sighed, shaking her head. “You have no idea what she’s like. I don’t know that I have ever seen someone so uncivilized. I don’t know if she will ever be ready to be out.”

“Is she really that terrible?”

“You have no idea. Father worries she will never find someone who would be willing to marry her. I can’t help but think he’s right.”

“Your poor family. I hope she proves you wrong in time.”

“So do I, but I have my doubts. Shall we get back to the party?”

“Of course! Far more fascinating than learning about ghastly family failures.”

Rebecca had never dared spy on a dance again. But even when their wasn’t anything going on, there was still always so much life in the house.

There were always people racing around, preparing for something. Even when her family was out, it still wasn’t quite.

If she listened quietly, she could always hear the servest at their work if nothing else.

But there didn’t seem to be any of that here, only the empty silence of an empty room and the esching of her footsteps.

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