Chapter 7
When Rey awoke on Sunday, she smiled for the first time in days. She would being seeing Finn and Rose today. Though it had only been a week since she had last seen them, it felt as if a lifetime had passed. Her only regret was that she would be unable to sit next to them during the church service as she had been for the past several months. Instead she would be sitting with her husband.
The smile slipped from her face at the thought. She had not seen Ren since dinner the first day of their marriage. She was still uncertain how she was to respond to his hiring a tutor and governess for her. Would he expect her to express gratitude?
The previous two days of lessons had thankfully passed uneventfully. Mr. Nine Ee was understanding of her lack of education, if very reserved in manner. Though he had expressed astonishment with the education she had provided herself, the cadence of his voice never changed, and she found the same to be true regardless of whether he was providing praise or instruction. Still, she was relieved that he did not judge her ignorance and that his instruction was easy to follow.
Rey had been equal parts surprised, embarrassed, and delighted to learn that the governess Ren had hired to teach her the finer points of being a lady was a Miss Paige Tico, none other than Rose's elder sister. At the very least, Rey was relieved she would have a friendly face to look forward to on a daily basis, and Miss Tico did her best to put Rey at ease during her instruction.
A knock on the door revealed Beatrice, come to help Rey dress for the day. Rey sighed and got out of bed, still feeling strange at having someone help her dress. Once in her dress, Rey regarded herself in the mirror, once again feeling overdressed. She kept this thought to herself, however. The dress was certainly flattering, the pale blue color accentuating her eyes rather well, and she did not wish to seem as if she were ungrateful for her new wardrobe. As she was pulling on her white gloves, she walked towards the door. Opening it, she was startled to find Ren waiting for her, much like he had been for dinner their first night.
They stared at one another for a long moment, Ren's face giving nothing of his feelings away, while Rey struggled to suppress feelings of embarrassment, uncertainty, and, most surprisingly, anger. Holding her head high, she pulled on her last glove, ignoring Ren's proffered arm in favor of walking herself down the stairs to the awaiting carriage as Ren trailed behind.
A footman helped her inside the carriage, Ren following shortly after, taking the seat opposite her. The ride to the church would be a short one and were it two weeks ago, Rey would have walked there.
After several long moments of silence, Ren spoke. "Have I offended you?"
Rey considered him before answering. He was looking at her, the confusion written in his expression somehow increasing her irritation.
Turning her face to look out the window she replied with a clipped, "No."
There was another brief moment of silence as Rey watched their estate roll slowly by, marveling, despite her irritation, at how lovely and sprawling it was.
"Clearly you are upset," Ren said. "Might I know, what is the cause of your ire?"
Keeping her face turned towards the window, Rey glanced back at Ren.
"How has your week been, sir?" she said. "Busy?"
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at her, as if trying to solve a puzzle, though Rey thought she also saw dawning realization. "No more so than usual."
Rey returned her eyes towards the window, watching the landscape slowly pass. "And do you usually seclude yourself in your study at all hours of the day and night?"
When Ren did not reply, Rey turned her head to look at him, only to find him staring back at her.
"Did you imagine I enjoy being left alone in a large house with nothing to do?" she asked.
Ren cocked his head. "Is it my absence that has brought on this dour attitude?"
Rey huffed and turned her head back towards the window, willing her suddenly hot face to cool.
"Certainly not."
"Then what, pray tell, is the matter?" Ren asked, irritation beginning to color his voice.
Rey closed her eyes and took a steadying breath as she considered how best to answer. In truth, she wasn't entirely certain what she was angry about. She hadn't felt anger in the days since their first night and yet the sight of him had brought it welling up out of nowhere. Perhaps it was anger towards his obvious disdain for her humble beginnings, perhaps it was embarrassment at having both a tutor and governess, or perhaps Ren had been correct in his discernment that it was his absence. No, Rey thought, dismissing the last one entirely.
Turning back to face Ren, Rey said, "It was not your absence, sir, but do you not imagine I would become lonely with nothing but reading to occupy my time?" Rey swallowed past a lump. "I…I'm not used to having so much leisure time, and therefore have very little idea how to fill it."
Ren's severe expression relaxed at her statement. "There are any number of activities to occupy your time and should you wish to learn them, you have but to ask. Would you prefer music? Painting? Perhaps horseback riding? Friends whom you could invite to dine with us?"
Rey reluctantly shook her head. "I had very little time to make friends. The only friends I had made in my months here with Mr. Plutt were the Smiths, who shall be coming over after the church service for a visit. They are both employed at your parents' estate and have only Sunday afternoons free."
Ren said nothing, appearing to digest her information. After several moments of silence, Rey returned her gaze to the window in time to see that they had arrived at church.
"I can hardly believe you're mistress of all this," Rose stated as she and Finn sat on one of the settees. Ren had stayed only long enough to greet the guests before claiming a matter requiring his attention. Though Rey did not want his company, precisely, she did find it rude that he should have ignored Finn so.
Rey pulled the chord by the door and then turned to her friends. "Nor I."
When a servant entered, Rey requested a tea service be brought.
As she sat in a chair next to them, Rose smiled at her. "Only a week and you already look as if you belong here."
Rey smiled politely, ignoring the urge to scoff at the comment.
"Have you spoken with your sister recently?" Rey asked, wondering if Rose knew her sister had been employed to teach her the finer points of being a lady.
Rose shook her head. "I haven't, though my mother wrote to say she has a new posting. Apparently Paige is refusing to say where the posting is at, which our mother finds very vexing."
A servant entered with the tea service, filling each of their cups before Rey dismissed him. Rey wondered how it had not become common knowledge yet that Miss Tico was coming daily to the estate. Surely anyone could have seen her arriving daily.
As Rose added milk to her tea she said, "Tell me how your first week as Duchess of this lovely estate has been. I imagine it must be quite the change from Mr. Plutt's home."
Rey nodded. "Yes it is certainly very different than living with Mr. Plutt. To be perfectly honest, while the week hasn't been especially dreadful, it has been very tiring. There are so many rules of conduct as a Duchess that I find myself in a constant state of embarrassment."
Rose raised her eyebrows as Finn simply sipped at his tea, looking as if he felt out of place.
"Surely you have enjoyed the free time," Rose said.
Rey shrugged. "To be honest, I haven't been sure how to fill it. It's true there are a number of activities one can do, but I was never taught most of them. From the time I was a child, I was tasked with keeping Mr. Plutt's home in order. Now that I find myself being served rather than serving, I feel…quite out of place."
It was only after speaking that Rey wondered if she should perhaps have kept her reservations to herself. She hoped she had not offended her friend, who would likely be wishing she also had a life of leisure. When she looked at Rose's face, however, she saw understanding.
"Surely His Grace has been helping you to adjust to your new life?" Rose asked.
Rey swallowed and looked away. She supposed he had, in a manner, tried to make sure she knew how to act like a Duchess, so she replied with an overly bright, "Of course."
Rey could see Rose sensed something amiss, and abruptly changed the subject. "How has your week been then? Perhaps you could tell me about my new in-laws? Aside from the introduction at the ball and a few quick moments at the wedding reception, I have hardly met them."
Rose smiled fully and began relating the generosity and respect the Princess and her husband had shown their servants. They kept a very casual home, as Mr. Solo had never fully adjusted to life in a manor.
"What about Prince Luke?" Rey asked, curious about the uncle she had not yet seen.
Rose shrugged. "I never see him." She nodded towards her husband. "Finn does occasionally deliver food to him, so I suppose he would have a better idea."
Finn shook his head. "I never see the man either. His meal trays are always given to his valet, Mr. Artoo."
Rey raised her eyebrows. "Why has he secluded himself so?"
"The rumors are that it had to do with the cause of the rift between His Grace and his nephew," Finn said. "Every account I have heard differs, so one can only guess which of them is the truth."
Rey sipped her tea as she digested this information. What on earth could have happened between her husband and his uncle to cause the man to become a recluse?
Rey refused dinner in the dining room that evening, opting to have a light meal in her room. She briefly wondered whether Ren had decided to eat outside of his study that night, and if so, how he felt about her taking her meal in her room.
The next morning, when she arrived in the dining room for breakfast, Ren was sitting at the table sipping tea and reading the newspaper. He looked up when she entered and offered a greeting before returning to his paper. Rey sat down with her toast and tea and ate in silence, feeling both the need to start a conversation and not wanting to deal with whatever emotions a conversation with Ren might induce. They now had a history of upsetting conversations and Rey did not wish to start her day with one.
Thankfully she did not worry over the silence long, as shortly after she sat down Ren folded his paper, bid her good day, and walked out. Rey looked at the doorway for several minutes, her breakfast temporarily forgotten as she wondered why Ren had bothered eating breakfast in the dining room if he had planned to leave so shortly after her arrival.
She hadn't been pondering too long when a servant arrived with an invitation from Princess Leia to join her for tea that afternoon. Rey smiled and quickly wrote a reply in return, relaying that she would be happy to join her.
It wasn't until she returned to eating her toast that nervousness began to creep in. Including her upcoming daily lessons, Rey will only have had three lessons on being a lady and would surely unknowingly make a blunder of some sort. She chewed her lip absently as the nerves worked on her stomach, causing her to push her toast away and sip at her tea.
Getting up she pulled the chord by the door and requested Beatrice join her in the drawing room. Once there, Rey paced, folding and unfolding her hands.
When Beatrice entered, Rey stopped. "I'm to have afternoon tea with Princess Leia today. Please come up with a suitable dress to wear. I don't care what style or color, but one which would be befitting of tea with Her Grace."
Beatrice nodded and curtsied, leaving Rey to resume her pacing. She was unsure precisely where the nerves had come from. Perhaps it was simply that Rey wanted to present herself as a woman worthy of Her Grace's son. Ren was her only son, after all, and regardless of their strained relationship, it would only be natural that the Princess would wish to size up the woman who was now a member of their family.
Rey paced for another twenty minutes at least, stewing in her worries, before Mr. Nine Ee arrived to begin their lesson.
Rey swallowed as she exited the carriage, marveling that so much had changed in her circumstances in the month since she had last been at the Skywalker estate. She was greeted by the butler, Mr. Threepio, a man with a rather yellow complexion, matching gold hair, and light brown eyes, and led to the drawing room.
As Rey entered the room, she noticed others present as well. Her already churning stomach lurched as the princess got up with a smile and crossed the room.
"My dear," Leia said, kissing both of Rey's cheeks. "It's so good of you to come."
Rey stared at the princess in shock at such a warm greeting before remembering herself and hastily curtsying. "Your Grace, thank you so much for the kind invitation."
Leia scoffed. "None of this 'Your Grace'. I insist you call me Mother."
Rey's eyes widened and she quickly glanced at the guests who seemed to be watching the scene with relish. "I couldn't possibly," she said in reply.
"Nonsense," Leia said. "I detest formality among family."
Before Rey could respond, Leia grabbed her arm to pull her towards the waiting guests.
"Please have a seat," Leia said, letting go of her arm and motioning towards the guests. There was an elderly woman with a rather brown complexion and very dark eyes, appearing several years older than Leia, and two women who appeared closer to Rey's age. "This is Lady Sindian, a distant cousin, and her granddaughters Miss Sindian and Miss Agnes."
The three women curtsied to Rey before sitting.
"A pleasure, I'm sure, Your Grace," said Lady Sindian, looking shrewdly at Rey. The use of her formal title from someone so much her senior was very jarring, but Rey managed to nod in return.
Miss Agnes shared a glance with her sister. "We've heard so many rumors about you, it is certainly a rare treat to finally meet the lady who managed to increase her station by so much."
Rey was unsure how to respond, as the greeting felt more like a slight than a greeting. "I…thank you." She glanced over at Leia, who was frowning in the direction of the ladies.
"Yes, indeed," Lady Sindian said. "I could not quite believe my ears when I heard that my cousin's son was wed to a woman whom no one seemed to know much about. Is it true you are an orphan?"
The lady's tone was innocent enough, but Rey could not help but feel the woman was being purposely slighting.
Rey started twisting her hands together while willing herself to remain calm. Clearing her throat she replied, "Yes. I'm afraid the whereabouts of my parents remain unknown, though Mr. Plutt was kind enough to keep me." Rey swallowed, ignoring the feelings of guilt at her untruth. Mr. Plutt had certainly not kept her without getting something in return for his troubles, nor had he ever let her forget it.
"How very distressing," Miss Sindian said, though the corners of her mouth curved upwards. "I have heard such varying accounts as to how my dear cousin, the Duke of Ren, courted you, that I find myself at a loss as to which account to believe. Perhaps you could shed light on the subject and relieve me of my curiosity?"
Before Rey could answer, Leia spoke. "Why they met at the ball celebrating my own marriage anniversary with Han. It is a misfortune you weren't able to join us." Rey looked between Leia and the trio of women, all of whom sat up even straighter.
Lady Sindian sniffed. "Yes, I'm afraid our entire household was quite ill."
"A pity," Leia said, sounding not sorry at all. She stood up and walked over to the bell pull. "Shall we have some tea?"
As Leia relayed her request for tea to the butler, Threepio, Miss Agnes turned to Rey.
"You must tell us then, how you were able to make such an impression on my cousin after a single ball as to cause him to fall in love with you. There have been many young ladies slighted by His Grace in their attempts to secure him."
The way she spoke, Rey was certain that the lady before her was one of those who had been slighted. Though Rey was sure she had not even lukewarm feelings for her husband, she still found herself irritated by the way he was being spoken about, as if he was a wild animal evading the many traps set before him. Thus she spoke boldly as Leia returned to her seat.
"I did nothing to gain his affections." At three sets of raised eyebrows, Rey continued. "I did everything in my power to avoid an acquaintance with the man, truth be told."
Miss Agnes looked Rey up and down while her sister's mouth turned down. "And yet, you were married within weeks of the supposed first encounter. You must have wiled him with your…charms."
"You forget yourself," Leia interjected harshly.
Rey frowned in confusion as to why Leia was suddenly so very angry until the implication of Miss Agnes's words became clear. Rey gasped. "Certainly not! I am a lady. I would never engage in such…in such activities!" Rey felt a flush rise up her chest and face.
Was this what people were saying of her? That she had engaged in reproachable activities like a common harlot in order to secure an offer of marriage?
"You'll have to excuse my granddaughter," Lady Sindian said. "But you must know that is what people will be thinking. Why else would a Duke marry a plain girl with no family wealth, titles, or connections such as yourself? Of course people will talk."
"Then they are all very stupid," Leia said coldly. "He may be a Duke now, but Ben was raised in my household. His own father is not of the peerage and he himself was raised without title."
"Yes," replied Lady Sindian, her civil tone turning cold. "And yet your son chose to side with a stranger over his own family. He would not have his current place in society at all if it weren't for the kindness of my good friend, the former Duke, Snoke. I warned him against your son, but he did not listen to me. And now the title Ren is besmirched by a plain harlot with no family."
Leia stood up hastily. "That is quite enough!"
Rey watched the exchange with horror, rooted to her seat. She had never felt so humiliated.
"I will not stand by and allow you to slander my son's wife in this manner," Leia said, pointing towards the door. "I think it best you leave immediately."
Lady Sindian and her granddaughters stood, the sisters giving each other a triumphant look as they watched Rey.
"I would stay no longer if you begged me," Lady Sindian replied. "Come girls. I would not have your reputation thus polluted by association."
The trio nearly ran into Threepio as he was on his way in with the tea.
Sneering at him, Lady Sindian said, "You imbecile. You nearly spilled hot tea all over me." Looking back at Leia she continued, "Though I am not surprised to find improperly trained servants in this household."
Without further comment, the women left.
Leia sighed as she returned to her seat and turned towards Rey. "I'm very sorry, my dear. I'm afraid I had no idea they had such a low opinion of us or I should never have invited them."
Rey tried to remember her courtesy as her mind spun and her heart pounded. Standing suddenly she turned towards the princess. "I'm afraid I must go."
Leia stood as well, reaching for Rey's hand. "On my dear, please don't let their words affect you. You and I both know there is nothing to the rumors."
"I…I…" Rey could hardly think. "I must go. Thank you so much for your invitation."
Without waiting for a reply, Rey turned and walked quickly out the door, forgetting to grab the proffered hand of the footman on her way into the carriage.
When she arrived back at the estate, Rey ran immediately up the stairs to her room, the tears she had thus far managed to avoid shedding spilling over. She pulled off her gloves, tossing them away from her, pulling her frivolous shoes off and tossing them away as well. She reached behind her to try unbuttoning her gown, but there were too many buttons for her to do it herself. Crying out in frustration, Rey slumped into a chair by the window, tears falling faster than she could wipe them away.
She had assumed that lessons and a governess were as embarrassing as she could get, but never had she considered that her hasty marriage to Ren had spawned gossip about why the marriage had been so rushed. The looks of glee on the women's faces as they had watched her played on a loop in Rey's mind.
After a few minutes, that was a knock at the door and Beatrice entered. When she saw the state Rey was in, taking in the shoes and gloves tossed about, she rushed over, pulling Rey to her feet and quickly helping her out of her gown. When she suggested a morning dress, Rey balked, and stated she'd rather be dressed in her bedclothes as she had no plans to leave her room for the rest of the day.
Once she was dressed, Rey walked over to her bed and curled up on her side. Beatrice paused in picking up Rey's clothes, shoes, and gloves to watch her. Rey dimly felt she should be embarrassed to be making such a scene of herself in front of the maid, but couldn't find it within herself to properly care. After assuring Beatrice there was nothing else to be done for her, the maid left, closing the door quietly.
Rey remained curled on her side, looking out the window from her bed, while her mind remained in turmoil. After some time had passed, Rey heard the door open again.
"I'm quite fine, I assure you," Rey said, assuming it was Beatrice coming to offer help once more.
"And I assure you, you do not sound fine."
Rey sat up quickly, finding Ren standing just inside the door. Thinking once more of the rumors swirling about how she had captured him, Rey flushed.
"Sir, I…I was not expecting you," she stammered, quickly getting off the bed, and attempting to smooth down her clothing and hair.
Ren regarded her a moment before stepping further into the room and closing the door.
"It was brought to my attention that you returned from my mother's quite upset."
Rey swallowed, not wishing to speak of her visit with his mother and all that occurred there. "It was nothing," she said quickly. "I made a fuss over nothing."
Ren continued to walk slowly towards her as he narrowed his eyes. "No," he said softly. "You're still upset."
Rey shook her head, but did not reply, her heart rate spiking as her husband neared. He did not stop walking towards her until she backed away a step. For several moments they stared at one another, Rey's breath hitching as emotion threatened to overwhelm her.
"Was it my mother?" Ren asked. "Did she say something?"
Rey swallowed and shook her head. "Your mother was lovely."
"Who else was there?" he asked, his eyes taking in her face, lined with tear tracks.
Rey took a step back, shaking her head and wiping her face. "It does not matter."
His eyes snapped back to hers. "It does matter. You are clearly upset. Who did this to you?" With each sentence Ren's voice rose, anger leeching into his tone. Stopping and seeming to take a breath to calm himself, Ren asked again, "Who else was there?"
Rey's breath quickened and she began chewing on her bottom lip as she realized he would likely not stop until he had his answer. It did not escape her notice that his eyes tracked the movement of her teeth on her lip.
Immediately ceasing, Rey replied softly, "A Lady Sindian and her two granddaughters."
Ren's eyes widened slightly before they hardened. "I see. I'm well acquainted with Lady Sindian's manner."
Rey thought back to the comment the lady had made regarding the former Duke of Ren. "Yes, she mentioned you were acquainted."
"What did she say that has you so upset?" Ren pressed.
Rey turned away and walked towards the chairs by the window, hugging herself as she stared out at the darkening sky. She wondered why Ren was so curious. He had shown very little interest in her in the scant few weeks they had known one another. She did not flatter herself that he cared for her feelings. The most likely cause for his being here now was to ascertain what blunder she had made, or perhaps what rumors were being spread about them.
"My dear – " Ren started to say.
Rey laughed hollowly at the term of endearment, finding his use of it absurd. Turning around she answered his question.
"They questioned me as to how our courtship went, and how I had managed to catch you." Rey laughed again humorlessly while Ren merely watched her without interrupting. "When I let them know how few times we had met prior to our engagement they said…" She trailed off, a flush creeping back up her face. Clearing her throat and looking away from him, she continued. "That is, they insinuated that the only reason you proposed was because…because we…that I…" Rey sighed and forced herself to continue, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. "That we engaged in an improper relationship prior to your proposal."
There were several moments of silence before Ren abruptly spoke. "That's absurd. Why would I marry a woman of low birth for that reason? Our country is littered with bastards from such relationships. There's no need to marry a woman if that's all you want."
Rey's eyes snapped up. "Do you think so little of the feelings and reputations of women beneath your station, sir?"
Ren frowned. "No, I-"
Rey did not let him finish. "Do you feel you did me a service with this marriage, that I should be grateful?"
Ren opened his mouth, but Rey continued on, all the feelings of the day pouring out as she spoke. "You have done me no service. Rather now people assume I'm a harlot. You have ruined my reputation and for what, sir? A life of supposed leisure in which I am set adrift with nothing to fill my time, no friends to speak of, and constant degradation by my supposed peers." Turning back around and hugging herself again, Rey softly said, "Please leave me. I wish to be alone."
Rey expected Ren to ignore her plea, to continue whatever argument he had been about to make in his defense, but instead he simply replied with a soft, "As you wish," and walked out the door.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading! Sorry for the long wait, but I wanted to spend last weekend finishing up my other fic. Now I can focus on this one entirely! Yay! As always, I appreciate all reviews! :) And I promise good things are coming. They'll get a clue very soon...like in the immediate future. Hang in there!