Page 31 of Married to the Cruel Duke

It was still on her mind when she was working with Mrs. Anderson again almost a week later.

“Is something on your mind?” the older woman asked, startling her. “You seem rather distracted today.”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing, Mrs. Anderson.”

“Are you sure about that? You just seem so distracted today.”

She hesitated.

Mrs. Anderson smiled. “Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind, and don’t say it's nothing. Whatever it is is enough to distract you so it must be important.”

She looked away. “It doesn’t matter.”

“If it is on your mind, I doubt that’s true,”

She looked away. “It isn’t anything important. I know he’s busy, but I had thought Duke Danton would have had at least a little time for me. We haven’t even had a meal together since my first night here?”

“He hasn’t seen you at all?”

She shook her head. “I understand he’s busy. I don’t hold it against him, but I can’t help but be disappointed.”

“I’m glad you can be understanding,” she said, almost stunned. “But there is nothing wrong with being disappointed.”

She shook her head. “I can get over it. There is no reason to let it distract me.”

Hellen studied her for a moment. “If you are sure you want to drop it for now, I won’t push it, but I am here if you want to talk.”

“Thank you, but I would rather just try to focus on our work for the moment.”

“I think I can do that.”

They tried to get through some more work on the estate, but no matter how hard she tried, Rebecca just couldn’t seem to focus.

Her mind just kept drifting to Duke Danton. He was nothing like she had expected, and if she was honest with herself, she had to admit, he was rather attractive, especially his eyes. No matter what anyone said, and as sharp as they could be sometime, when Rebecca looked into his eyes, she knew he was a kind person.

It was because of his kindness that she needed to get this right for him. She needed to be the kind of wife, the kind of duchess he could be proud to have by his side.

Hellen sat back with a sigh. “I think we have done about as much as we can for today.”

Rebecca’s face fell. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing like that. You just seem like you could use a break.”

“I can keep working, honestly.”

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I won’t hold it against you if you need some time. It seems like you have a lot on your mind.”

“Still, I need to improve. I don’t have time to take off.”

“I can assure you, you do. You’re doing fine, so try not to put too much pressure on yourself. As for the Duke, try not to worry too much. I’m sure these things just take time.”

“But there needs to be something I can do in the meantime. I can’t just sit around and wait.”

“I’m not saying to do nothing, but I don’t think this is the kind of thing you can do anything about. For now, just focus on getting more comfortable managing the estate. The rest will follow.”

“But you said I should take a break.”

“For today, but in general, I would advise against focusing on Duke Danton too much. Perhaps there is a friend you could invite for a visit? Take your mind off of things.”

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