Murderous Suitor | Rebekah Mikaelson

Chapter Four

 The more Rebekah wandered about the house, the more she liked it. It was a beautiful, elegant home, clearly the designs of a thoughtful woman, she thought. It made her a little happy to know that Klaus had compelled the duke into letting them stay, though she knew deep down that it was probably wrong.

 She went out into the courtyard, despite it being a hot day. If it weren't for the sweltering heat, everything would seem much better, she thought. What a shame they hadn't come in the winter!

 Rebekah looked to her left, and saw Lucrezia Caito sitting alone near the front gate. She was a pretty young woman, Lucrezia. She seemed to be kind and nervous about everything. If she could get past the nervousness, Rebekah thought, perhaps they could be friends.

 Rebekah approached slowly and quietly, not wanting to frighten the girl. She said, " Good day, madam."

 Lucrezia's head snapped up, and she squinted in the sunlight as she looked up at the other woman.

 "Good day," she said softly. "I hope you have found the courtyard to your liking?"

 "To my liking?" Rebekah repeated. "Madam, I love it here. I truly do. I would love to make a home of my own in this country if my brothers and I all stay."

 The girl nodded. "Then I believe you will be happy here." Then she muttered, "Happier than I have been," apparently without the intention of Rebekah overhearing, but she heard.

 "Why would you unhappy here?" Rebekah asked, sitting down next to her. "With a beautiful home and a brother to take care of you, I had thought one could happy with such conditions."

 "Perhaps others can, but I cannot. Are you parents dead?"

 Rebekah was surprised by the question. "My mother is, and I have not seen my father in years. What of yours?"

 "Both died when I was very young. The duke is fourteen years my senior, and he has been fatherly towards me all my life. His wife, the Duchess Francesca, was like mother and sister."

 "Ah. Is she in heaven, as well?"

 "I very much hope she is in heaven," Lucrezia replied. "Such a woman belonged in heaven with the angels. I do not think my brother ever saw what a woman she was."

 "Ah. Always busy with his duties?"

 "Yes. I am afraid I do not see very much of him, except for when he tells me we must find me a husband."

 "Do you not want a husband?" Rebekah asked.

 "I am not certain. I would very much like to have a husband I could like. I do not want someone like my brother for a husband."

 That was something Rebekah could understand. The duke seemed to be to this girl what Klaus could be to her.

 "Well, I hope you find the husband you want," she said. "Not everyone does, but perhaps you shall."

 "Have you ever been married?" Lucrezia asked.

 "No, but there have been men I have loved." All the men Klaus murdered. "Perhaps one day I shall find my husband."

 "Your brothers would not make you marry?" 

 "No. In fact, Klaus seems to want exactly the opposite, or else...or else he would have said otherwise, I would think."

 Rebekah stopped talking when she heard footsteps walking towards them. It was the duke himself, a smile upon his face.

 "Well, I am glad to have found you women," he said in a pleasant tone. "Friends already, eh?"

 "I certainly hope so, Your Grace." Rebekah stood and curtsied. "I am already fond of dear Lucrezia."

 He looked down at his sister. "And you, Lucrezia?"

 She nodded. "Yes."

 "Well, it is all very well, then. Shall we have a walk around, the three of us?"

 "Excuse me," Lucrezia muttered. "I feel very ill." She got up and hurried back to the house.

 "Poor dear," The duke said with a sigh. "My poor sister can be very sensitive, I am afraid. She is not always well."

 "It is strange," said Rebekah. "She and I were just together, and she did not seem ill in the least."

 "Yes, but I am afraid she has a weak constitution. These things can happen. But shall we walk with me, Ms. Mikaelson?"

 She smiled and said, "Of course."

 She took his arm, and happened to glance up at a window, and thought she saw Lucrezia watching them.