Page 73

“I mean, I will tell everyone how cruel he is and how poorly he treats you.”

“But he doesn’t, that isn’t true. You know that isn’t true.”

“Do I?” he shook his head. “Even if it isn’t, who do you think people will believe you or me? One word from me and I will destroy him. Do you understand me?”

She swallowed. “What do you want?”

“Nothing a good daughter shouldn’t have already been doing anyway. I want you to use your sway with the duke to help your family, Rebecca. Be a good daughter for once in your life.”

“I - I talk about you frequently.”

“All your vicious lies, I’m sure. I think we both know that isn’t what I mean.”

She clenched her hands into fists.

“So let me tell you what’s going to happen now, I am going to leave, you will apologize to your husband and tell him you shouldn’t have made up whatever lies you told him about us and correct the record. Make sure he knows how kind I was as a father. How much I gave up raising an ungrateful brat like you. Then, in a few days, when he understands tell him he should be helping us. We’re family and it is the least he can do, and if you don’t,” he shot her a cruel smile. “Well, I’ve already told you what will happen.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She kept her eyes locked on the ground.

“Well, I will let you get to it,” he said, smiling as he turned and strode from the room.

Rebecca sank to the floor the second she was alone.

She wrapped her arms around herself. This couldn’t be happening. She was supposed to be free.

She wanted nothing more than to refuse.

To throw her father’s words back in his face and tell him to never speak to her again.

But she wasn’t the only one at risk now.

It would be one thing for her to suffer the consequences, but could she do that to William?

After everything he had done for her, every kindness he had shown her, how could she risk his reputation, his good name?

Her eyes burned a lump growing in her throat.

“Your grace!”

She looked up to see Mary gasping at her in alarm. “Are you all right? What happened?”

Her heart pounded. What could Rebecca say to that?

How was she supposed to answer?

“Nothing,” she shook her head. “I just slipped is all.”

“But you look like you’re about to cry. Did you hurt your ankle or something?”

“Yes, I suppose that must be it.”

“Let me help you up and get you to the sofa. Do you need me to call a physician?”

“That isn’t necessary. It was just a little fall. I’ll be right as rain after a few minutes.”

Despite Rebecca’s words, Mary didn’t seem convinced as she helped her to the sofa.

“Very well. I won’t call a physician, but what about Duke Danton?”