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But after a while, Mrs. Anderson glanced at her watch and let out a small. “Goodness! I hadn’t realized the time. I need to get back to the others.”

“Oh! I hope I didn’t keep you too long.”

“No, nothing like that, but I do need to get back.”

“Of course. Thank you so much for what you’ve done.”

“I will come see you again tomorrow. We can see what else we can get done.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

Mrs. Anderson gave her a last look andthen headed off down the hall. For a moment, Rebecca hesitated.

Perhaps she should stop now that she is alone. It might not be the best idea to make any changes without Mrs. Anderson here to supervise, but if she was supposed to be the duchess, then shouldn’t she make more of an effort?

Right, she thought to herself. That settles it then. If this is supposed to be my home, then I shouldn’t feel strange doing a little bit of work on my own.”

Then she squared her shoulders and made her way back into the hall. She didn’t make many changes on her own, mostly just opening curtains, doing some dusting, and trying to make the space feel lived in.

Then she came to a door she hadn’t seen before.

It was small, andnondescript. She tilted her head to the side before carefully pulling it open. On the other side was a narrow, steep staircase. Intrigued, she made her way up the stairs. Each one creaked loudly under her feet.

Her heart pounded in her throat. She didn’t know why but it made her nervous.

When she got to the top, she frowned. It was an attic, much like the one that had once served as her bedroom. In many ways, this one also almost looked like someone’s room. Itwas positively packed with furniture and other forgotten items. Then, something in the back caught her eye.

There, lining the back wall were several paintings. Most of them looked like they contained the same five or six people. One of them in particular caught her attention.

It was smaller than the other, more interment. There was a mother, a father, and two sons. Unlike the others that looked like they were carefully organized and formal, this one showed them all seated in a garden in what looked like their everyday clothes. Looking at the picture, she can't help but smile.

Rebeccas wasn’t sure what came over her, but she picked it up and made her way back down the stairs.

CHAPTER 9

William hated when work forced him from his sanctuary. He would never be able to get used to the stares and looks he received everywhere he went. It was hell.

But it was over.

The relief he felt when the carriage rolled to a stop in front of his home could not be put into to words. It was like he’d been underwater for hours and he could finally breathe.

Then he noticed Mrs. Anderson standing outside, waiting for him and he frowned.

When he got out, she walked up to him.

“Welcome home, your Grace. I hope everything went well.”

“It went as well as can be expected. Is there a reason you’re greeting me at the door?”

“I just wanted to let you know that it seems Rebecca is settling in well.”

“So it’s Rebecca now. What happened to Duchess Danton?”

She chuckled. “Yes, I suppose we have started to become rather friendly.”

He crossed his arms. “That’s good, but I don’t see why that warrants you meeting me here.”

“I just wanted to give you an update on her.”