Rebecca and her father exchanged glances of discomfort but followed his lead.
An old woman with greying hair that tumbled down her shoulders sat up in bed, covered in delicate blankets, her hands folded and resting on her lap. She glared at Thomas. Her stare briefly focused on Rebecca, and it was as though a flaming arrow had pierced her chest. Clearly, the Dowager Duchess did not think highly of her, much to her dismay. Although the old woman appeared healthy to Rebecca, she and her father respectfully stood to the side, awaiting further instructions.
“Thomas, how dare you enter my chambers without my consent,” the Dowager Duchess growled. “Have you no respect for my privacy?”
Thomas glared wordlessly at his mother, then turned towards Rebecca’s father. “Dr. Morton, this is my mother, the Dowager Duchess of Waign. Mother, this is Dr. Edward Morton and his daughter, Miss Rebecca Morton.”
“An absolute pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” Dr. Morton said and stepped closer.
“Indeed, a pleasure, Your Grace,” Rebecca said with a shaky voice.
“Now, if I may,” Dr. Morton said and sat on the edge of the bed. “What seems to ail you?”
Rebecca listened as her father asked the Dowager Duchess various questions about her health. To her, it seemed as though the Dowager Duchess was not suffering any aliments. The manner in which the old woman glared at Rebecca caused her to believe that something was amiss.
Rebecca turned slightly, allowing herself to keep Thomas within the line of vision without attracting the attention of either the Dowager Duchess or her father. Thomas’ eyes were apologetic, as if he wished that things were different.
In her heart, she knew that her fondness for Thomas was not superficial. Her feelings for him had intensely developed after she returned home from the cliff top, where they had joked and laughed about their parents wishing to keep them apart. Although it was a rather serious issue and a major obstacle for them to overcome, being with Thomas made it seem as though it did not matter at all.
Love conquered all, did it not?
Once her father stood from the edge of the bed after finishing his examination of the Dowager Duchess, the old woman cleared her throat and glanced at Rebecca.
“Dr. Morton, would it be a terrible inconvenience if your daughter stayed behind to read to me?” the Dowager Duchess asked.
Rebecca’s eyes widened, and she immediately looked at Thomas, panicked by the words.
“Mother, I hardly think—”
“I was not asking you, Thomas,” the Dowager Duchess said curtly.
Dr. Morton shot a brief glance at Thomas, before turning towards the Dowager Duchess and nodded. “If that is what Your Grace wishes, but only if I am able to wait downstairs.”
“Of course. I will not keep her for very long,” she answered.
“Father...” Rebecca said quietly, but he shook his head.
“I will wait for you downstairs.”
Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked at the old woman. The Dowager Duchess reached for a book on the table beside her bed and placed it nearby on the mattress.
“You may take a seat,” she said to Rebecca. “And you may leave us as well, Thomas.”
“That is out of the question, Mother. I refuse to leave.”
For a moment, Rebecca felt relieved, but the Dowager Duchess certainly had other plans for Thomas.
“Thomas,” she said, fluttering her lashes at her youngest son, which Rebecca clearly saw as a tactic to sway him into leaving, “I was hopeful that you would be so kind as to make that cocoa drink you are famous for.”
“Surely, Cook can make it for you,” Thomas said and crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. His adamance at staying was only met with a pout from his mother.
“Of course, but it will not taste as delicious as when you prepare it. Cook makes it much too sweet,” she said. “Please, Tommy.”
Rebecca had never heard anyone refer to Thomas in such a manner, and she was not certain whether it was meant to be endearing or belittling. Judging by the expression of utter disapproval on Thomas’ face, it was the latter.
She sighed, realising that his mother would continue to pester him until he surrendered.
It seemed rather manipulative to Rebecca, but she decided to be the better person and remove the guilt from Thomas needing to make the choice.
“I’ll wait with the Dowager Duchess while you get what she requested.”
“Are you certain?” Thomas asked, raising his eyebrows in surprised.
She swallowed and bravely smiled, though she was certain she’d soon regret her choice to be brave.
“Very well. But I will return immediately after,” Thomas said and glanced briefly at Rebecca.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and Thomas gave her an encouraging glance as he left. Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched him leave the bedchambers and close the heavy door behind him. A ringing erupted in her ears as her heart pounded even faster than before and she drew in a deep breath. She turned towards the Dowager Duchess, who leered at her from the bed, her long fingers still resting on the book beside her.
“Sit with me, Rebecca.”
Rebecca pursed her lips and cautiously approached the bed. She sat on the chair nearby and reached for the book, but before she was able to do so, the Dowager Duchess moved the book away.
“Did you not wish for me to read to you, Your Grace?” Rebecca asked, frowning.
She was well aware the Dowager Duchess had never wished her to read aloud. She merely wished to be left alone with Rebecca to threaten her, no doubt.
She was clearly not appreciative of her presence at the estate, which perplexed her. If she did not wish for Rebecca to be on the property, why insist upon her presence?
“My intention was never truly to have you read to me, Rebecca.”
“What was your intention, Your Grace?” Rebecca asked with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“There are a few things we need to discuss,” the Dowager Duchess said, her eyes darkening, and Rebecca bit her
