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“That’s wonderful news! I didn’t even know you were courting anyone.”

“I wasn’t. The marriage was arranged.”

“Oh, I see. Are you happy about it? Do you like the man at least?”

“I think I will be.”

“You haven’t met him?” she frowned. “Oh my dear, I’m so sorry.”

Rebecca shook her head. “I’m not. I don’t want you to be either. True, this was never how I imagined myself marrying, but I am still lucky to leave this place and be welcomed into his home.”

Janet sighed, offering a sad smile. “You have always had a remarkable ability to look on the bright side through everything.”

“Please don’t worry about me. I’m sure wherever I go will be better.”

She seemed like she wanted to say more, but just smiled and nodded. “I hope so, miss. Well, I will leave you to your dinner. Have a nice evening.”

“I hope you do as well.”

Rebecca watched her walk away then headed back into her room. She perched at her desk and uncovered her dinner.

It wasn’t much, but that was hardly a surprise. If she had a big meal she’d probably end up wasting quite a bit. It was better this way with her small bowl of stew and day old bread.

She ate alone then left the tray outside her door for Janet to come and collect in the morning. It was still early, but Rebecca knew her father wouldn’t want to see her out of her room for the rest of the night, so she started getting ready for bed.

Her bed was small and lumpy, but it was better than the floor.

She drifted off not long after laying down, her mind turning over her rapidly approaching future.

CHAPTER 2

Only a week later, Rebecca stepped into the carriage. Her heart pounded in her chest. She tried to keep her focus on the small bubble of excitement of getting to leave that house rather than the nerves at the thought of what comes next. She chewed her lip as she watched one of the footmen secure her meager bag of belongings secured on the back of the sleek black carriage. There wasn’t much in there. In fact there so few things that the bag lay limp and could almost be mistaken as being empty, but it was all that her had. It held her few dresses, her two shawls, and her one cloak. Part of her was amazed her father had let her take anything given how he and Dorothy had treated her in the remainder of her time living there.

As awful as Dorothy could be, Rebecca was glad she was the only other occupant of the carriage. Solomon had ridden to the church ahead of them, leaving her alone with Dorothy. Her sister was smiling smugly at her from her seat across from her. She was decked out in all her finery in a sharp contrast to Rebecca’s own simple afternoon dress. Anyone looking at us would think Dorothy was the bride, not myself, Rebecca thoughts. No onewould have guessed that Rebecca was doing anything more than going out to do a bit of shopping and perhaps visiting a friend.

“You look so beautiful in your wedding dress,” Dorothy grinned.

Her words could almost be mistaken as kind if her snide tone made her mockery clear.

“Thank you, Dorothy,” Rebecca said, eyes locked on her hands folded in her lap. She focused on taking deep breaths. For good or ill, it would be over soon.

“I genuinely don’t know that I have ever seen a bride who looks quite like you do, at least not of our status. You truly are a marvel.”

“It was very kind of you to pick out this dress for me.”

“I do try. As your older sister it is my job to look after you. Besides, it also frees up space in my closet. I hope you don’t mind that I kept the lace for myself. But then, why should you?”

“Indeed, why would I? It was kind of you to think of me at all.”

“Yes, it was, wasn’t it? Be sure not to forget it after today. Are you excited to be a great duchess?”

Rebecca gritted her teeth. She only had a few more hours of this at most then she would be on her way to her new home with hernew husband. At the moment, she would have almost preferred blows, deceit, or outright lechery to one more minute of her sister’s mockery.

“You still haven’t seen him, have you?”

“I’ll be meeting him today,” she replied, as though Dorothy didn’t already know that.

“I’ve met him, you know.”