Page 46 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“I’m enjoying it.” Then he turned back to his own book.

Rebecca gave him one last glance, a smile spreading across her face.

After that, it seemed so easy to go back to reading. She found herself able to enjoy her book in peace.

It wasn’t until William got to his feet sometime later that she looked up.

“I need to get some more work done. I’ll see you at dinner.”

She hesitated a moment. “Mary, the lady’s maid said she wanted to try having me dress for dinner. I told her I didn’t have anything that would work but she seemed rather set on it.”

“I see, then I’ll put in the effort too. I look forward to seeing you then, Rebecca.”

Then he stepped from the room, leaving her alone. She spent a little longer reading her book before making her way to her bedroom.

When she came in, Mary was already waiting.

“Welcome back your Grace,” she curtsied. “Shall I help you dress for dinner.”

“If you like. Were you able to find anything suitable? I hope you weren’t too disappointed.”

Mary smiled. “While it is still hardly the most extravagant gown, I think you will be surprised to see what I was able to pull together.”

“Then please, do show me. I can’t wait to see it.”

Then Mary began the process of dressing her into a gown she didn’t recognize. It was a pale blue wrap dress with delicate lace on the sleaves and neck line.

“Where did you get this?” Rebecca asked with a frown. “I don’t recall ordering this one from the dressmaker, nor does it seem like it has been long enough for any of them to arrive.”

Mary grinned, tying the wrap front in place. “You truly don’t recognize it?”

“I don’t own any gowns with lace.”

“I tacked some in for the moment. I can leave it in or take it out after tonight if you prefer. It will still be perfectly acceptable as a day dress with the lace so you don’t need to worry about that.”

Rebecca hadn’t been worried about that. She was still just in awe at wearing something that actually had any kind of adornment. She shook her head. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

“So would you like me to leave it on?”

“Yes, I believe I would.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Now, why don’t you take a seat and I can get started on your hair.”

Rebecca moved to sit at the dressing table. That was when she saw a variety of boxes she hadn’t seen before spread out on top of it. “What are all of these?”

“Duke Danton sent over the family jewelry for you.”

Rebecca shook her head. “There’s so much of it.”

“This isn’t all of it. There’s more in your dressing room. I only brought what I thought would look best with your gown for this evening. If you like, we can go take a look at the rest later today or tomorrow.”

“That sounds- I need to talk to William about this first, make sure he is truely all right with me having all of this.”

She smiled. “You are the Duchess of Danton. It’s yours.”

Then she picked up one of the cases reviling a beautiful gold necklace with a few pearls studded in it.

Rebecca gasped.

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