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CHAPTER 1

Rebecca Crowton stood in front of her father’s large desk. It was only a few years old. He had a new one made every few years just to show that eh could. This one was made of a dark chestnut with countless carvings in the side. The whole thing was nothing more than a show of wealth designed to intimidate anyone he bought here, and oh how it was working.

Rebecca clenched her hands as the sharp blue eyes she’d inherited glared at her from where he sat staring her down. Usually when she was here, it was because Solomon Crowton had found a reason to punish her, not that he needed much of a reason. The man would take any excuse he could find no matter how small.

She would be called in for no other reason than for him to tell her she wouldn’t be getting dinner that night or the already meager amount he spent on her expenses was to be cut.

But that wasn’t why she was here that time.

At least, that wasn't the main reason. His words were still ringing in her ears as she struggled to make sense of them when he spoke again.

“You may go now,” he said, moving to go back to his papers.

“Wait!” Rebecca gasped, her outburst shocking herself almost as much as it shocked him.

“Did you need something?” he snapped when she didn’t say anything for a moment.

Rebecca locked her eyes on the ground, clenching her hands so they would stop shaking. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I just needed you to clarify something for me before I go.”

“Of course you do. I always knew you were dimwitted. Go on. Out with it.”

She swallowed. It was clear she was only displeasing him more and more with each word. She knew it wasn’t smart to keep pushing, but Rebecca could hardly leave after what he had said. She needed to know. She needed to have heard wrong, so she forced herself to speak, voice coming out small and unsure, ready to be swept away in the quiet room. “You just- you just told me I am to be getting married-”

“Yes, I fail to see what is so hard to understand about that.”

“I- I understand that, but I’m afraid I must have heard the name wrong. Could you please repeat it?”

He let out a dismissive sigh. “Can you not even hear properly? Truly, Rebecca, can you do anything right? You really are a disappointment. Perhaps it was for the best that your poor mother never had to suffer the indignity of seeing the kind of person you have become despite my best efforts.”

She dug her nails into her palms, trying to block out his words. They weren’t the important part. There was only one thing she needed to know. “I am sorry I have disappointed you, but can you please just say it one more time.”

He sighed, rolling his eyes again. “Very well, if you insist.”

“Thank you, father.”

He continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “I said you are to marry Duke Danton. Did you hear me properly this time or must I repeat myself once more?”

The ground fell out from under her as she fell into an endless abyss of shock and despair. It didn’t seem possible, but she had heard right the first time.

Rebecca couldn’t believe it. How could he do this to her?

She knew he never paid her much mind, but she never imagined he would do something like this to her.

“Can you not even hear me now?” he snapped. “If you don’t have anything else to say then get out. I have work to get to.”

Rebecca knew she couldn’t stay silent. She couldn’t let this happen, so she forced herself to find her voice. “But, father, surely this must be some kind of mistake or misunderstanding.”

“Are you questioning my intelligence, girl?”

“No! Of course not!” she backpedaled as quickly as she could. “I wasn’t trying to imply anything of the sort. I would never.”

“Then what were you trying to do?”

“It’s only that Duke Danton is such a recluse. How do we even know he is looking for a wife?”

“His solicitor has been asking around. I learned of his search when I was at a gentlemen’s club.”

“And you suggested me?”