Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,6
future of the two younger sons also.” He smiled suddenly, his face alight with eagerness. “She will be glad to help each of my daughters, it seems, which means I shall have very little to do with London society,” he finished, evidently very relieved indeed that he should not have to go about within it. “I can remain focused on matters at hand and, when the time comes, settle an excellent dowry for each of my daughters.”
Rebecca did not know what to say in response to this. On one hand, she wanted to tell her father that she found his lack of willingness and even eagerness to help his daughters navigate society to be a little disheartening. But on the other hand, she found herself very pleased indeed to be relieved of the burden of leading her sisters in London society. The duke would not need her to step into her familiar role; she would be free of that entirely! She might, perhaps, have the opportunity to take on society as she had always dreamed of!
“What say you, Rebecca?”
She looked up at her father, wondering if he had known that she struggled with varying emotions, for mayhap they had been displayed across her face.
“I think it will suit us all very well,” she said calmly, making certain not to give voice to any of her thoughts regarding her father’s behavior. As much as she might wish him to be a little more involved in their lives, as much as she might hope for a certain amount of change, Rebecca realized that such a thing would never be. Her father had his way of dealing with his daughters and, as such, would never be to her what she had always hoped.
“And you, Selina? Anna?”
Both of them nodded their agreement and glanced toward Rebecca as though they were not entirely sure of her reaction. When the duke announced that they were ready to depart and that there was no more need to linger, Rebecca rose quickly from her chair, now all the more eager to make her way to the ball.
“You are contented with this, Rebecca?” Anna asked as Rebecca moved towards the door. “Do you think that Lady Hayward will be a helpful chaperone?”
“The lady is more than capable, and I think we should be grateful for her help,” Rebecca replied firmly. “It may not be what we were expecting, but I, for one, am profoundly glad to know that it will not be my duty to ensure you are both doing well this Season. I shall be able to have the freedom that I was not expecting.”
This did not seem to make much of an impression upon Anna, for she merely nodded and looked away, perhaps not fully understanding all that Rebecca was burdened by. Letting out a long breath, Rebecca allowed herself to become excited at the prospect of stepping out into society for the first time.
She was, of course, aware that a duke’s daughter would be very much sought after by some gentlemen, given that she had an excellent dowry and title, but Rebecca was determined to be careful in her judgments. It was not that she expected any sort of affection from either herself or her future husband, but preferred to consider all the practical requirements that would be necessary. Her father would have to be satisfied with the fellow entirely before he would permit even a courtship, so it would be wise for Rebecca to choose sensibly rather than throw her heart open to all manner of emotion.
“Then to the ball we are to go!” the duke declared as Rebecca sat down quickly beside her sisters, clasping her hands in her lap as her excitement grew. “And my daughters are to make a wonderful first impression upon the beau monde, I am sure of it.”
“Thank you for your confidence in us, Father,” Rebecca replied as her other two sisters murmured the same. “We will not let you down.”
“No, no, of course, you will not,” he replied with such warmth in his voice that Rebecca was surprised. “You have done very well, Rebecca, in all things.”
She did not know what to say, his compliment sending a wave of happiness into her heart— happiness she had not felt in some time.
“Thank you, Father,” she said again, her voice a little quieter than before. “That is very kind of you.”
He cleared his throat, mayhap a little embarrassed. “Yes, well, you shall have all the more success with Lady Hayward.