Page 47 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“I thought we would stay simple tonight. I don’t want to overpower the dress.”

This is simple?She thought to herself, shaking her head in shock. “It just seems like so much.”

“Don’t worry. You are going to look beautiful.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’m sure you will do a great job.”

The pair continued in comfortable conversation while Mary finished getting her ready.

Finally, she stepped back with a smile. “There you are. Please look in the mirror and tell me what you think.”

Rebecca looked at herself in shock. There was more finery on her than she have ever even touched in her life before. There was a necklace with matching earrings and bracelet and even a jeweled hairpin glittering away in the updo Mary had twisted her hair into.

“You did a wonderful job. Thank you,” she finally said.

She lit up, dropping into a curtsy. “Thank you, your Grace! I’m so glad you are happy with it.”

Rebecca smiled. “I need to go join William for dinner, but thank you for helping me.”

As she made her way down the hall Rebecca couldn’t help but feel nervous. William had said he was going to dress for dinner, and while she felt beautiful and more elegant than she ever had in her life, she was still very aware she that the dress was wearing was an afternoon dress and not an evening or dinner dress.

Still, it was the best she had so she made her way into the dinning hall. When she stepped inside William was already waiting. He turned to her and looked her over.

“Mary, the lady’s maid Mrs. Anderson found for me said she had some jewelry you said was for me?” she said voice sounding less and less sure with every word.

“She asked Mrs Anderson about the jewelry you got when you received your title. I told her she was welcome to let her know where it was.”

She softened. “Thank you, it’s beautiful.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It is yours by all rights. I hope you like it.”

“I love it!” she exclaimed.

He studied her bright face in shock of her joy.

“I have never owned anything even half as lovely before.”

“Have you had a chance to look over the others then?”

“Not yet, but I know they must be.”

“Right,” he looked away. “Shall we sit for dinner?”

“Of course.”

She joined him at the table and a moment later, their plates were brought out. After a few moments, she spoke.

“How was your day today?”

“It was fine.” He paused for a moment. “What about you?”

“It was wonderful. I worked on putting together a menu and got to know my new lady’s maid a bit.”

“And how did all that go?”

“Quite well I think, but Mrs Anderson thinks it would be best to start with a lunch menu before I try a dinner menu.”

“I suppose that makes sense. When will we do that?”

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