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CHAPTER 7

Things didn’t change much after that as time went on. No one spoke to her more than they had to. Servants came and left her meals outside her door.

There was always plenty and her consistent meals became her one true solace, but that didn’t make it any easier to take the isolation.

Still, as cold and distant as they were, at least no one had been cruel. For the most part, everyone seemed content to simply ignore her. Meals arrived on time, dishes were cleared away every day, but everyone gave her a wide berth.

She spent her days wandering the halls, desperate to see someone, anyone. The few times she had seen someone, the second they spotted her, they would give a small bow or curtsy then make a hasty retreat.

The more time that went on the harder it became. She was lonely, she just wanted a single friend somewhere, anywhere in the house, but they all seemed more than content to pretend she didn’t exist.

Not only that, but she hadn’t seen William since the night she arrived.

Even Mrs. Anderson seemed to be avoiding her. After a day or two she stopped going out of her room. Rebecca had accepted that she would only be in the way.

She wished Penelope was here. She would know what to do. She always seemed so full of ideas and hope.

But Rebecca knew better than to risk breaking decorum. It was too soon after the wedding to entertain any kind of guests or go out. She would be far better off contenting herself with her own company.

So imagine her surprise when there was a knock on her bedroom door after a few days.

She opened it to see a maid. “Your grace, I have been sent to inform you that your father and sister are here to see you.”

She paled. “But, I didn’t know they were coming.”

“I can let them know you aren’t available if you like, but they are waiting downstairs.”

“No,” Rebecca stiffened. “I- I can go down right now. Please lead the way.”

She turned and led Rebecca down the hall until they came to one of the parlors.

“They are right inside,” then she left without a word.

Rebecca took a deep breath then forced her way inside. The second she laid eyes on them, she could feel herself shrinking in on herself.

“There you are,” Solomon scowled from where he stood, arms crossed in the center of the room. “You kept us waiting, didn’t you?”

“I- I didn’t mean to. I came as soon as I heard you were here. I just didn’t know you would be coming today.”

“Do you expect us to announce ourselves everytime we want to visit you? Dorothy scowled. “That feels like you are trying to distance yourself from us.”

“I’m not!”

“I should hope not,” Solomon said. “It seems like you need all the kindness you can get.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw the way that maid spoke to you. Does anyone in this house even want you here?”

She looked away, her mind turning back to her absent husband. Of course they didn’t want her here.

Her sister smirked at her. “That’s a shame. Even they know you’re useless and you haven’t even been here that long.”

Rebecca bit her lip. There was no denying that Dorothy was right. No one wanted her here. She had been a fool to expect anything else to happen.

“All the more reason you need to remember everything I have done for you,” Solomon said coldly. “You are indebted to us in a way you will never be able to repay.”

She clenched her fists, eyes locked on the ground. “I know, father. I won’t let you down.”