“I don’t need that. I don’t need anything. I just hope you can forgive me. We’re having dinner in an hour if you want to join us.”
She knew it was an olive branch. And she had a choice. Go down there and maybe gain a friend. Or something more? Was she ready for more? Could she be anything more? Especially with someone she barely knew.
But she was scared of ending up on her own, with just her dolls for company and Reuben occasionally calling her to let his kids talk to their crazy aunt.
Her breath came in sharper gasps and she pressed her eyes closed.
“I’m sorry, Duchess. I promise, you come downstairs, give me another chance, then I’ll treat you the way you’re supposed to be treated.”
What way was that? With kid gloves like everyone else? As though she wasn’t capable of doing anything on her own?
And whose fault is that? You’re the one that acts like a lunatic. No wonder no one believes you can look after yourself.
She needed to change that.
But how? When she had no confidence in herself?