Free Becoming His: The Teaching of Rebecca by Maggie Ryan

make sure I have everything Becca will need.  She definitely needs a proper wardrobe as you can see.” 
    Eleanor smiled and clapped her hands.  “Of course I’ll help.  Let’s just get your little one settled and then we can gather what you will need.” 
    Patrick nodded and before Rebecca knew what was happening, she was off his lap and being led down another hall.  She was nervous but also had felt excited about hearing her husband speak of her needing a new wardrobe.  She hoped Patrick took Miss Summers’ advice about fashion as she dressed beautifully. 
    Despite her excitement, Rebecca couldn’t contain a small yawn.  She was extremely tired.  She would have normally been asleep for at least an hour by now.  She woke early, worked hard all day and was always grateful when she was finally allowed to find her bed.  Her hand was held firmly and all thoughts of escape were gone for the moment.  After all, where would she go?  She didn’t even know the way back to the school and had no money to pay for a carriage.  She remembered the money she had pressed on Mrs. Williams and wondered if she should have kept it.  She decided that no, it was far better to have given it to the girls.  She hadn’t been cast out onto the streets.  She was now a married woman and her husband certainly had to provide for her didn’t he? 
    All these thoughts churned through her mind until she realized they had stopped walking.  She looked up to find herself in a different room.  Her eyes widened as she realized it was decorated like a nursery.  She looked up at her husband and he knelt down and took her face in his hands.
    “Becca, I’m going to be with Miss Summers.  I want you to be a good girl for Mrs. Andrews okay?” 
    She felt terrified and found herself reaching out to grab his wrists with her hands.  “You are lea…leaving me?” 
    He could hear the fear in her voice.  “No little one.  I’m not leaving you.  I won’t ever leave you.  I just need to gather some things for your new life and Mrs. Andrews will take care of you.  Be a good girl and I promise I’ll be back before you know it.” 
    She didn’t truly trust him but he gave her no choice.  He stood, kissed the top of her head and then placed her hand in that of yet another stranger. 
    This woman was far older and plump like Mrs. Williams.  “Don’t worry sir.  I’m sure your little Becca and I will get along just fine.  We’ll be nice and clean for you when you return.  Go ahead and leave her to me.” 
    Patrick nodded and he and Eleanor left, closing the door behind them.  Becca looked around and then at the woman.  “Don’t be frightened honey.  You are safe here.  All our little ones are safe in this house.  Now, you need a bath and then I’m sure a little nap won’t hurt.  You look exhausted.” 
    Rebecca was too tired to protest.  She gave the woman a tentative smile and allowed herself to be led into a smaller room.  Her breath caught as she saw the large copper tub that had steam rising from it.  It was a bathtub, a huge, wonderful bathtub.  She hadn’t had a true bath in so long she had almost forgotten what a luxury it was.  She broke out into a huge smile.
    “Oh that looks wonderful,” she said to the older woman.  Mrs. Andrews smiled down and nodded.  However, when she reached to untie the soiled apron around Rebecca’s waist, Rebecca stepped away.  “Thank you, but I don’t need any help.  I’m sure you have other things to do.” 
    Mrs. Andrews’ smile changed in a heartbeat.  Rebecca swallowed hard and wondered how she had offended the kind woman.  “I don’t mean to offend you Mrs. Andrews but I don’t want to make you serve me.  I’m more than capable of bathing myself.  I’m sure you must work hard all day, please don’t fuss over me.”
    Rebecca was truly meaning to spare the woman yet another chore, but Mrs. Andrews certainly didn’t care what Rebecca might have