Page 12 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Their heads collided, and Arabella was reminded of just how big he was because she sort of bounced off him and landed on her bottom. She looked up at the duke in shock, seeing a similar expression on his face. Perhaps she should have been embarrassed, but the situation was so amusing that she burst out laughing.
“My apologies, Your Grace,” she managed to say, trying to stifle her laughter.
The corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly as he held out his hand. “Let me help you up,” he said.
She nodded, placing her much smaller hand in his palm. The duke's hand engulfed hers easily, the warmth of his palm causing tingles to race up her arm. It felt a little like someone had plunged her hand into icy cold water, but it didn't hurt. If anything, the tingles made her feel warm and content, like lying outside under the morning sun.
Arabella had never experienced such a feeling before, making her thoughtful. She giggled a little as the duke pulled her up like she weighed nothing, the sensation in her belly feeling as if someone had flipped her upside down before righting her on her feet. Arabella frowned slightly when he quickly let go of her hand and fisted it at his side, averting his eyes.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, curtsying. She hid her tingling hand in her apron. “Did I hurt you?” she said, pointing at his head. “I have a pretty hard head, you see.” She knocked on her head for effect. “I was quite clumsy as a child, but I never suffered any lasting injuries.”
He chuckled a little, the sound causing warm flurries in her belly. "You appear both delicate and strong, Miss Lockhart," he said. "The two words contrast each other, but it's strangely true of you."
"It's my height and small features that make me appear delicate, Your Grace," she told him. "Everything else about me is sturdy and strong. I was able to lift my parents by the age of ten."
The duke's eyebrows rose. “Ten?”
"I am rather sturdy, Your Grace," she pointed out. "Also, my mother was only a little taller than me, and my father was rather thin. Although I must say, I'm doubting my strength since I fell backward just by knocking into you.”
“I'm stronger than most,” he pointed out.
Arabella couldn't help giving him a once over, her eyes trailing over his large frame with appreciation as he placed the book on the table. The Lord had undoubtedly shone his favor on the duke. Not even his scars could hide the manliness of his handsome features.
If anything, she believed they made him look like a fierce warrior. In centuries past, many women used to swoon at the sight of scars on a man's body, especially if he was a gladiator or warrior of some sort. Arabella wouldn't be surprised if the duke had earned his scars through a good deed.
“Miss Lockhart?” the duke said, cocking his head to the side.
Arabella's eyes widened slightly. She had all but ogled the duke! Arabella enjoyed beauty in everything and usually sketched what she saw, but perhaps she had gotten carried away with observing the duke.
“Yes, Your Grace?” she said, hoping he hadn't noticed her staring.
“I asked if you knew this book,” he said, tapping the cover.
She nodded, grateful he didn't mention anything about staring at him. “Yes, Your Grace,” she replied. “Don Quixoteis one of my father's favorites.”
“Your father must have been a well-read man,” the duke commented. “Did he have a profession?”
"My father was a physician, just as his father was," Arabella revealed. "He also liked to say being a husband was a profession," she added with a chuckle. "It was the favorite part of his life, followed by being a father. My mother felt the same. She was a devoted wife and mother." She sighed. "They worshiped and adored each other in life and followed each other in death. Theirs was a true love story."
“I'm very sorry to hear your parents are no more,” the duke said.
“I am as well, but it couldn't be avoided.” She had certainly tried to preserve her parents' life, but she had failed. “I am very sorry for your parents as well, Your Grace. It's hard being without our parents, no matter how short or long it has been.”
“I agree,” the duke replied, trailing a finger along the book's spine. He looked up. “Do you like reading, Miss Lockhart? Perhaps your father passed the love of books on to you.”
"I like many things, Your Grace," she replied. "One of them is reading. Can I assume the same for you?"
“Reading is one of my favorite ways to while away time,” he confirmed. “Like you, I also have many different hobbies.”
It suddenly occurred to her that not once had he used his long hair to hide his face. Jane had informed her he did that with the other servants, never wishing to entirely reveal his face. Perhaps her cheerful nature had disarmed him.
“May I ask what these hobbies or interests are?” she asked, wanting to know more about him. He really was an intriguing fellow. “Are they predominately outdoor related?”
“I suppose so,” he replied. “I enjoy fishing, horse riding, hunting responsibly—”
“Hunting responsibly?” she interrupted.
"Not hunting unless I plan to eat the animal," he explained. "Or if I find a fox interfering with the animals a little too much, I try to relocate it, or if it's rather stubborn, I have to cull it. I'm mindful if it has a family, though."
