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“But you deserve so much better than this.”

“I don’t know,” Rebecca forced a smile. “Maybe it won’t be that bad.”

“Rebecca, you can’t be serious!”

“Why not? It’s better to look on the bright side in times like these, isn’t it?”

“Bright side? Your father is marrying you off to some beast of a man you have never met but everyone knows is horrible. I know you tend to be a bit—well, my dear, a bit too willing to go along with what he wants to keep the peace, but you can’t. Not with this.”

“It isn’t as if I have much of a choice, even if I wanted to fight.”

“Even if you wanted to-” Penelope cut herself off, staring at Rebecca in shock. “Are you saying even if you could, you wouldn’t want to?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Truthfully, no.”

“What? But why?”

“If I’m honest it doesn’t seem like the worst option. It’s no fairy tale, but you have to admit it’s better remaining here,” said, forcing a smile. She could only hope if she held onto it long enough that it would become real in time.

Penelope crossed her arms. “You’re going to need to explain how to me, because I’m afraid I fail to see any potential benefits here.”

“Well, to start with I would be a duchess.”

She gave a tight smile. “I will admit there is something amusing about the idea of your status being above your family’s.”

Rebecca chuckled. “I won’t pretend the thought had never crossed my mind. Honestly, that’s a huge part of why I am alright with this.”

“The status?”

“Being free from my family. Marrying would allow me to leave the family home. I would finally be out from under their thumb.”

“Still, who knows what he would expect from you as a wife…” she trailed off.

“My father detests me. My sister mocks me. How much worse can a duke be? At least there my home might have a chance to be my own. I could have a chance at choosing my own fate. There is no hope of that here.”

“Rebecca….”

“Besides, if he is as reclusive as rumor would have us believe, then perhaps he would simply leave me be.”

“And what if that is wishful thinking? You will still be living together.”

“Perhaps, but the home of a duke must be rather large. It couldn’t be that hard for us to keep to ourselves when home. Perhaps we could each lead our own life in peace. More acquaintances or perhaps even friends than husband and wife, but content nevertheless.”

“That doesn’t sound like a woman talking about her betrothed.”

She smiled. “Maybe not, but I think it is the best I can hope for. I can’t ask you to be happy for me, but can you please try to help me accept it?”

“I am trying, but it’s hard because I know you deserve so much better.”

“I’m happy you think so highly of me, but it hardly seems worth dwelling on.”

“Rebecca…” Penelope trailed off.

“Please, try to understand, this could be my only chance to get out.”

“It was clear she wanted to argue more, but after a moment, she just sighed. “You’ve already made your mind up on this, haven’t you?”

“I hadn’t before I made my way out here, but the more I think about it, yes I rather think I have.”