Page 45 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“Not today I’m afraid. We already gave the cook the menu for today, but we can soon. Tomorrow perhaps.”

“How far out do you typically plan out the menu?”

“I prefer to plan them out a week or so in advance. Typically, I sit down on Monday morning and write it out.”

“So you don’t do it every day?”

“No, I don’t. I know there are some people who prefer to, but I find it inconvenient and rather limiting.”

“How so?”

“Because what happens if you are running behind one morning? Not only that, but some dishes require preparations the night or even days before. You can’t make any of those if you're taking care of it day of. It just leaves so many areas for things to go wrong.”

“I suppose that makes sense, so would you prefer to wait until then to have me plan any meals.?”

“Just because it’s how I like to do things doesn’t mean you have to. Why don’t I just show this to the cook and see what she thinks?”

“Do you think its good enough for that?”

“I do. I wouldn’t have offered otherwise.”

“Then I think that sounds like a good idea. Thank you.”

She nodded. “All tight. I suppose that’s all for the day then?”

“I think so too. Why don’t you go enjoy your lunch and check out the library?”

“That sounds wonderful. Thank you for the suggestion.”

“Have a wonderful afternoon, Rebecca,” she said then she stood and left to get back to work.

Rebecca looked over the books again before sitting back with a sigh. She was finally getting somewhere.

A maid came in a moment later with her lunch. When she was done, Rebecca made her way back to the library.

She hadn’t spent mich time there up until now. There always seemed to be so much else to do. When she got inside she spent a moment just taking in its splendor. There were comfortable arm chairs scattered about, a writing desk, and of course countless books lining the walls.

Rebecca smiled, running her hands along the spines until she found one that captured her interest and she pulled the volume from the wall. Curling up in one of the arm chairs, she sat down and began to read.

But she couldn’t have been more than ten pages in when the door opened once more and William stepped inside.

“Oh!” she moved to stand. “I’m sorry. I can go if you want to use the library.”

“Why would you need to do that? The space seems plenty big enough for the both of us, wouldn’t you agree?”

A hesitant smiled graced her face. “I suppose, but you must tell me if I get in your way.”

“If all you intend to do is is sit there and read I doubt you could.”

Rebecca smiled, turning back to her book, but as she read, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at William as he searched for his own book. Once he found one he sat in on of the chairs not far from her. She would have to be careful if she tried to look at him again, he might catch her.

So she forced herself to lock her gaze on the words in front of her, but just knowing he was so close was strange. She couldn’t help herself, she stole one more glance.

When she did, Rebecca was surprised to see he was looking at her. She flushed, quickly looking away.

He chuckled. “How is your book?”

“Its good,” she stammered. “What about yours?”

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