Page 29 of Married to the Cruel Duke

She was too busy lying in her bed and crying.

As if she had any right to be sad.

It was everyone around her who was the real victim. All she did was cause trouble for those around her and she thought she had the right to be upset?

Rebecca knew the truth. Her father and sister hadn’t said anything that wasn’t true. She needed to accept that and move on.

As she curled up in her bed, bitter tears still racing down her face, her thoughts grew darker.

Perhaps it would be better for everyone if she didn’t come out of her room again. No one would miss her if she just stayed inside, and she would finally be out of everyone’s way.

Her last thoughts were about how much better off everyone in her life would be if she wasn’t in the way constantly causing problems for them.

CHAPTER 8

The next morning, when Rebecca awoke, her eyes were sore and swollen, but the despair from the night before was gone.

In its place was pure determination.

She got to her feet and dressed, taking more time to ensure she was presentable than she had in the past. Sure, she still doesn't have much in the way of clothing or accessories, but she could still take care ofsetting her hair into a simple but neat bun and smoothing her skirts to be as presentable as possible.

Once she was as happy with her appearance as she was going to get, she headed out into the hall, determined to find Mrs. Anderson. She was going to be the duchess Duke Danton deserved whether they wanted to make it easy on her or not.

She wasn’t going to disappoint him.

She wasn’t going to go back to her family.

She would find a way to make him happy.

She had to.

Still, Mrs. Anderson seemed rather intent on avoiding her. In the end, Rebecca had to move into the servants quarters to find her.

“What are you doing in here, your Grace?” the woman asked, walking over to her with a frown.

“I need to start learning how to manage the estate.”

“But you have only been here so long. You must still be settling in. Besides, your lady’s maid still hasn’t arrived.”

“I am aware of that, but I don’t know if that is the benchmark we should be waiting on.”

She frowned. “Why ever not? Surely it would be far easier to begin once she arrives.”

“Perhaps, if there was one on her way that would be true, but my family won’t be sending anyone.”

“Then we can begin the process of looking for one for you. Would you like to have one of the household maids help you in the meantime?”

“Thank you, but none of that is necessary. You don’t need to go to so much trouble, but I would like to get started.”

She stood there, studying her. For a moment, Rebecca thought that she was going to say no, but finally, she let out a long sigh. “You seem rather set on this.”

“I am.”

She gave a curt nod. “Very well, but please go back up to the parlor. I will meet you there.”

“That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

Finally feeling like she had gotten somewhere, Rebecca made her way back upstairs and into the aforementioned parlor. She wasn’t kept waiting for long before Mrs. Anderson stepped inside, a thick book clasped under her arm.

---