Page 27 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
"I think we should wait a while," Arabella insisted. "We can keep watch; observe her behavior. I would rather not cause an upheaval until we are certain of her intentions toward me."
Enough commotion had been caused by her accident. Arabella didn't want to be known as a troublemaker, especially when she was the new person at the estate. Mirabel had been there longer, and while she was known to spread rumors, no one had mentioned anything about her being violent or murderous. Arabella would just have to wait until something else happened.
Chapter 10
Arabella recovered remarkably quickly, quicker than anyone expected. Mr. Thornton had been impressed, accrediting it to her cheerful disposition and love of walking. Arabella just wasn't the sort to sit around and wait for her recovery—she went out and took it for herself.
Once she knew nothing had been broken, she slowly worked up her tolerance for walking and standing and treated any aches and bruises with a salve she had mixed herself. Arabella might have the delicate beauty of her mother, but she had the hardiness of her father and appreciated his commoner stock.
“Arabella?”
Arabella looked up from polishing the floor of the first-floor parlor. “Oh, Truman!” she cried, smiling. “How can I help you?”
The handsome young man had recently become the duke's valet, following in his father's footsteps. The duke's previous valet decided to retire younger than most manservants to spend time with his wife and unexpected newborn. Considering all his children were eighteen or older, suddenly having a newborn had to be exciting, surprising, and terrifying.
"I have spoken to the other maids, and they seem reluctant to clean the duke's archery equipment and take them to the practice grounds," he said. "Most were complaining it's extra work and the practice grounds are too far. I have a feeling they would not have refused my father," he added, frowning.
“You need to be firmer with them,” Arabella told him. “Command respect. You are the duke's valet, his righthand man. You cannot allow them to get their way with you.”
Truman sighed. “I know. I'm still getting used to the position. My father trained me for this all my life, but it's a little more complicated in practice.”
"Of course it is," she agreed. "Theory and practice are always different until you mix it with experience. I believe you'll be a wonderful valet."
Truman's cheeks turned bright pink, making him look younger than his twenty-three years. He had many years ahead of him as a valet, and his youth would be an advantage because the duke was quite active.
"Thank you," said Truman. "But I still need the archery equipment cleaned. I would do it myself if I had the time, but I have errands to run in Thetford. Do you think you could do it?"
She nodded, getting to her feet. “I would be happy to,” she said. “I'm just about done here and have a little spare time before I'm expected to assist Jane with the second-floor curtains.”
“Thank you,” Truman cried, relief relaxing his face. “Can I show you the cleaning materials before I leave? I should also show you how to clean the arrows and bow.”
"No need," she told him. "I happen to love archery, and I'm experienced with cleaning the equipment."
"Oh, that is wonderful to hear!" Truman exclaimed. "I probably should have asked my father, who usually cleans the equipment, but he has been so busy with my baby sister. I cannot ask the duke because that would make me seem incapable of filling my father's shoes. I would have done it myself if not for the errands I have to run before noon today."
Arabella approached him and patted his arm. “Go ahead and show me the equipment so you can leave,” she said.
“Thank you, Arabella,” he said. “I truly appreciate how helpful you are.”
Arabella smiled. “You have said 'thank you' at least three times in less than three minutes,” she said. “While I appreciate it, you will have to avoid saying it every time you ask someone to do something. They'll start believing they're doing you a favor rather than working for the duke.”
Truman frowned. “But shouldn't I say thank you?”
“Does Mrs. Cooper or Mr. Black say thank you when they ask the maids to do something?” she asked.
“Sometimes,” Truman replied.
"Yes, but not always," Arabella pointed out. "It does not make them rude but gives them an authoritative air that brooks no argument from anyone. You can have the same air with just a few changes to how you interact with others."
Truman scratched the back of his head. “I suppose so,” he said.
“Why don't you show me where the equipment and cleaning materials are, and we can talk more about this along the way?” Arabella suggested, guiding him to the door.
“You would help me?”
“Of course.”
Truman smiled at her, his gray eyes crinkling at the edges as he gave her his arm. Arabella took it and gave him a little lesson about what she knew about each servant and how to handle them. Ten minutes later, she was heading to the practice grounds with the equipment and cleaning materials.
