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She thought for a moment. “I think we should do our best to try and ignore them.”

“How so?”

“If—well, when really—they start trying to stir up trouble, I think we should just do our best to avoid giving them the reaction they want. This is my first dinner party and I don’t want to let them ruin that.”

William hesitated. “I can understand the logic to what they are saying, but I hate the idea of them disrespecting you in your own home.”

“I won’t say I’m wild about it either, but it’s all right. I’m used to it. Their words don’t mean as much as they once did.”

“Still…” he trailed off.

“And,” she squeezed his hand. “If they go too far, I will still step in and stop them.”

“What are you considering too far?”

She shrugged. “I’ll know it if I see it.”

He huffed. “Very well, but if I think they have gone too far, I will step in.”

“I can respect that, but please try and give me some kind of warning before you do.”

“I will agree to that as long as you don’t try to stop me.”

“I won’t. I trust your judgment.”

He smiled. “Thank you for trusting me. Now that that is settled, you should try to relax a bit.”

“How can you expect me to relax at a time like this? There’s only a little over an hour and a half before the party.”

“I know. You look lovely by the way, but that’s all the more reason you should take a moment to relax before the guests start to arrive.”

Rebecca opened her mouth to reply, but before she could she was cut off by a footman.

“The Sutton family has arrived, you grace.”

“Already?” William blinked.

But Rebecca just laughed. “I should have known they would be here early. Please let them know I will be right with them.”

“Of course, your grace.”

“Perhaps its a good thing that they came so early,” William mused.

“How so?”

“Well, if you’re busy talking to Penelope, you won’t be able to worry or overthink.”

“I suppose that is a good point,” she frowned. “But what about you?”

“I’ll be joining you of course.”

“Then I’m glad to hear it. Shall we?”

The pair made their way into the Parlor where Penelope and Lady Sutton were waiting.

“Rebecca, or should I say Duchess Danton,” Lady Sutton smiled, pulling her in for a hug. “It’s good to see you doing so well.”

“Thank you, and the same to you. It’s good to see you both. It’s been too long.”