Introduction Of Lady Catherine

The ride to Rebecca's house was partially smooth-the path which they had taken was rocky. Rebecca looked through the window and had her eyes at the birds that flew to their nest in a tree.

"Your grace?" Zita called her attention.

Rebecca diverted her eyes from the window to her. They sat opposite each other.

"Does my dress look okay? I plan not to embarrass my mistress in front of her family." She asked nervously.

Rebecca couldn't help her but chuckled. She found her words amusing. Zita misunderstood the laughter and felt shy that her assumptions were right.

"It's best if I stay in the carriage while you go in. My dress would only cause the others to mock me." She expressed timidly.

"I'm not laughing at your dress. You look gorgeous and there's nothing wrong with it. Please, don't misunderstand my laughter. Your words were funny." Rebecca said jovially, sensing the sadness in her voice as well as her facial expression.

"My position as the Duchess doesn't mean I came from a rich family."

"You didn't, Your grace?" Zita followed up, with her eyes widened. She was surprised at the revelation.

Rebecca shook her head and wore a smile.

"My father isn't part of the nobles. He is a fisherman and my mother, a housewife. Life wasn't easy for us. We all had to do our part. Let me let you in on a little secret." She said frankly.

Zita listened keenly to her.

"I once worked as a maid in the palace." She added.

Zita had her hand over her mouth and gasped.

"My mistress, a maid?"

"Mhm!" Rebecca nodded.

Zita couldn't believe her ears. The carriage pulled over at the Duchess' house. The horseman open the door and held it open for them. He assisted them to get out. Zita walked towards the door and sought her mistress approval.

Rebecca nodded and Zita knocked on the door. The handle turned and Edward walked out. He was dressed to go to fishing. Rebecca smiled at him warmly. Her eyes were teary when she saw him. Edward looked at the child in her arms.

"Hilda, honey!" He called, stunned at the sight of his daughter and his granddaughter.

Hilda left the kitchen when she heard him and walked to it.

"Yes, Edward! You called-."

Hilda stopped when she saw her daughter.  She was surprised by her unannounced visit. She left her husband's side and walked to her daughter.

"Becky!"

Rebecca couldn't help herself and let the tears run down her face. She was happy to see her mother. Hilda had her hand on her daughter's cheek. She smiled happily.

"My dear! I'm so glad to see you!" Hilda said happily.

"I'm happy to see you too." Rebecca replied good-humouredly.

Hilda glanced at the Lady in her arms and furrowed her brow. She looked at her, puzzled.

"Is she-?" She asked her doubtfully. She was too excited to complete her sentence.

Rebecca knew what she wanted to say and replied in a nod. Hilda gasped softly. She collected the Lady from her mother's arm and gently carried her. Catherine woke up and looked at the unfamiliar face-her grandmother.

"Edward, why didn't you let them in? You have the Duchess standing out in the cold." Hilda scolded him jokingly.

"I'm sorry, Your grace. My wife gets annoyed by the smallest things." He said to Rebecca, teasing his wife.

Rebecca chuckled at her father's respond. Hilda carried Catherine to house while the others followed. Edward was the last to enter the house and closed the door. He suspended his fishing and left the gear at the door.

Rebecca sat down on the sofa with Zita beside her. Zita was pleased with the warm welcome she got but she felt a little nervous. Hilda did her best not to make Catherine to cry. Catherine on other hand, enjoyed being held by her grandmother. She didn't make a peep.

"She looks so beautiful." Hilda complimented,

"She has your eyes, Becky-hazel. And look at her little arms."

Hilda looked forward at her husband, who stood at the door.

"Don't just stand there. Come and see your beautiful grandmother." She said to him.

Edward walked towards her and looked at Catherine. Catherine smiled when she saw him.

"Aw! She is smiling! Look at her cute smile." Hilda said.

"Can I hold her?" Edward asked his wife, knowing what her response will be.

"No. I haven't carried her long enough." Hilda said.

Rebecca scanned the room and couldn't find Crystal.

"Where is Crystal?" She asked her parents.

"She is in her room." Hilda answered without making eye contact.

"I'll go and meet her." Rebecca said and told her feet. She had walked a few metres away from them when her attention was called.

"What's her name, Becky?" Her mother asked curiously.

"Catherine, Ma'am!"

Zita answered before her mistress could. Rebecca glanced at her mother and nodded to confirm. Hilda smiled at Catherine. She walked away and stood at a door in the corridor. She exhaled calmly and turned the handle. She peeped in and saw Crystal. Crystal was getting dressed.

"Psst!"

Crystal was startled and turned round. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw it the Duchess.

"You've got to stop doing that." Crystal said airily as she styled her long hair to a bun.

"I've got to stop doing what?" Rebecca chuckled,

"Entering your room unannounced?"

"Yes. And scaring me like that." Crystal added.

"Well, I should apologize. Don't I?" Rebecca said playfully.

"Yes, you should." Crystal answered airily.

"But I won't."

Crystal rolled her eyes and smiled at her. She had her eyes on her and thought for a moment.

"How did you get here?"

"I rode the carriage." Rebecca answered and sat down on the bed.

"Did your husband come with you?" Crystal asked keenly.

"No. I came on my own. Except Cathy and my maid, Zita, joined me." Rebecca said calmly.

"Cathy?" Crystal said confusingly. She looked at her friend's stomach and sat it wasn't big anymore.

"You've given birth?"

"Mhm!" Rebecca hummed.

"When? You're not supposed to be due until next month?" Crystal followed.

"I thought so to but the baby decided to come earlier than expected." Rebecca explained.

"Tell me she is pretty?" Crystal asked excitedly.

"Very pretty." Rebecca answered happily.

"And the Duke, does he like her?"

Rebecca shook her head and heaved sadly.

"For some reasons, he dislikes Cathy. He has often threatened that he will separate her from me if she comes close to him. I still can't understand why he hates her so much. She is just a child and has done him no wrong." Rebecca revealed her feelings.

"I doubt he hates her." Crystal opposed.

Rebecca looked at her with her brow furrowed.

"For him to tell to my face that he was going to separate a child from her mother, doesn't it count as hatred?"

Crystal stayed mute and didn't continue the topic.

"Speaking of child, I saw her father."

"His Majesty is back?" Rebecca said doubtfully.

"Mhm!" Crystal hummed.

"Where did you see him?" Rebecca asked eagerly.

"In front of the shop, down the village. It's been a week."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Rebecca asked her, raising her voice a little.

"If you would like to make your problem open to your parents, feel free to continue with that tone. I had wanted to but decided not to. It made no difference." Crystal said boldly,

"You're already married and don't need him anymore."

"But he has to know about his daughter." Rebecca pointed out.

"He doesn't. He wouldn't know if you don't tell him. You've already been through a lot of pain. How much more do you want to endure until you realize to quit? He probably might not even acknowledge her as his." Crystal continued,

"And even if you decide to tell him, what happens to your husband? Are you going to leave him after he has helped you? Besides, you yourself told me no one except Her Majesty likes you. Why would you want to go back there after the way they treated you?"

"He is still her father and has every right to know." Rebecca opposed her idea.

"You're being ridiculous, Becky! Weren't you paying attention to what I had just said? You're only going to make things worse if you tell him." Crystal said, trying to reason with her.

"Whether you're with or against me, I'll still have to tell him." Rebecca said vehemently as she stood her feet.

"You're going to regret this, Becky." Crystal said, worried about her.

Rebecca turned a deaf ear and left the room. She hurried to the door and didn't talk to anyone as she walked past them. Edward noticed her sudden movement and was curious. He walked to the door and saw that she had left in the carriage. Crystal came out of the room and was disappointed she wasn't able to stop her.

"Where did she go?" Hilda asked curiously.

Edward looked at Crystal, so did the others. Crystal simply shrugged and pretended she had no clue.

"This isn't going to end well." Crystal feared inwardly.