“We apologize, Your Grace.” There was a nervousness in Christopher’s laughter. Rachel could only watch the scene unfold in amazement. She had never seen her own father fold so quickly from his position.
But Simon did not appear to be done just yet. He turned his gaze to Letitia.
“Do not try to demean her again. I will not accept it. Consider this a warning.”
Letitia paled and managed only a weak nod. It was satisfying to see her without a ready response for once.
“Good.” Simon turned back to Rachel and then nodded to the carriage. “Shall we?”
Rachel felt as though she was in a daze. She managed a weak nod, and Simon guided her towards the carriage door.
It wasreal.She was married now. It took her many moments of silence before she could speak again—the carriage was now steadily on its way over to the estate.
“What you did there…” she started. “Was that really necessary?”
Even though it felt satisfying to watch her family get put in their place, she was still a peacemaker at heart. She never wanted a conflict to escalate.
“Yes, it was,” Simon said simply. He was looking at her as though she had suggested something absurd. “You don’t agree?”
“I am not sure if I do.”
“Your name is associated with mine now,” he reminded her. “I do not wish for people to talk to you like that. It is the equivalent of disrespecting me.”
“They’ll hate me even more now,” Rachel frowned.
“And?” Simon argued. “If that is the position that they choose to have, then you should be the least bothered by that. I am not.”
“Well, I understand why you do not care about that,” she replied. “But they are my family, and I have no choice but to care.”
“Let them think what they will,” Simon said, his tone firm. “You are a duchess now. Whatever smear you had on you is washed. And I would urge you to behave like a duchess as well.”
Rachel wanted to deny it, but he had a point. She was titled now. She’d come a long way from the days when she had nothing. Allher life, her father and Letitia had discriminated against her for beinglessthan them. But now the roles had suddenly flipped.
It was a strange feeling. And it was surely going to take a good amount of time to get used to it.
They arrived at the Everly estate, and Rachel was still overwhelmed by the events of the day. She thought she would have a moment alone now, in her new chambers.
But the moment they arrived, Simon ushered her over to the sitting area.Ushered,not asked.
“Sit,” he said simply.
“You could ask me if I want to?—”
He cut her off, “Sit down, Duchess.”
Rachel did not argue further and did as she was told.
Simon remained standing, looming over her.
“We should set some things straight,” he began finally, and Rachel felt her heart thud loudly against her chest in anticipation. “There are a few rules you will follow while you are here. They are not negotiable.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Rules?”
What a strange thing. Was this normal for a marriage?
Simon ignored her surprised tone and carried on as though it was completely normal.
“Rule one: Never ask me where I am going. Rule two: Never interrupt me when I am working. Rule three—” His eyes darkened, his voice lowering. “You are never to enter the attic.”
