Page 31 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
"I'm worried about you, Cousin," Basil added. "What if Arabella came here with the intention to seduce you? You must admit she doesn't quite fit the image of a maid. Are you certain she's a commoner? What if she's hiding something?"
That was it. “Just stop right there,” said Henry, holding up his palm. “What do you gain by accusing Arabella of such a thing? She hasn't done a single thing to imply she wants to seduce me. Not a single thing! I do not appreciate a man like you talking about her like that. It's despicable.”
Basil raised his eyebrows. “Goodness!” he exclaimed, crossing his long arms over his chest. “She seems to have you wrapped around her finger. Hear how you defend her! She certainly is quite the temptress.”
“Get off my estate,” Henry growled. “I will not have you insult Arabella.”
"Are you chasing me off the estate?" Basil asked incredulously. It was amazing how he shifted from being smug to angry. The man was a chameleon. "Over a maid? You're chasing your own family away simply because of a maid. Have you lost your mind?"
“What did you expect me to say after you not only insulted Arabella, but me as well?” Henry asked. “I am not you, Basil. I do not run after my maids.”
“I beg to differ,” Basil argued. “I am simply concerned about you.”
Henry scoffed. “You can tell yourself that lie all you wish, Basil,” he said. “I know better. The fact remains that I am not like you. I do not take advantage of the people under my care. Now, kindly take yourself off my land.”
Although Henry liked Arabella more than he should, he had done nothing to put her in a compromising situation. Also, she had done nothing to give him the feeling she was trying to seduce him.
Basil narrowed his eyes. “Is that your final word?”
“What else do I need to say to make you understand that I will not tolerate this behavior?” said Henry. “And I know there is something between you and Mirabel. I am warning you now to leave my servants alone.”
“You certainly think a lot about yourself,” said Basil with a dry laugh. “Fine, I'll get offyourestate. Do not say I didn't warn you about Arabella.”
“Just go!” Henry bellowed.
Basil just didn't know when to stop. The man gave him a dark look before storming away, his arms swinging by his sides rather violently. Henry shook his head and returned to the house, glad Arabella had convinced him not to help her.
Basil would have had much to say if he had seen Henry carrying equipment and cheerfully chatting to his maid along the way. Perhaps he needed to keep his distance to avoid his cousin pointing the finger at Arabella. It wasn't her fault that her employer liked her.
***
Basil waited until Henry entered the house before he stopped walking. He picked the nearest tree, propping his foot against it as he leaned back. His cousin thought he could just chase him off the land like he had no claim to it at all. Basil was fixing to change that, but it was taking some time.
“Fool,” he muttered, narrowing his eyes at nothing in particular.
Henry was the sort to fall in love with a commoner and marry her, which would produce an heir. Basil didn't want that to happen, but there was a good chance it might. He had done a little digging into Arabella's background and found fascinating information that could make her a little more dangerous. While her father was a simple commoner, her mother certainly wasn't.
Ellis Lockhart, formerly Ellis Fitzwilliam, had been the daughter of a baron who was still very much alive. The family even had earls and marquesses, making them rather influential people. However, Arabella's mother was disowned when she decided to marry a commoner. Basil would do the very same thing if his daughter disobeyed him. Despite her mother's background, Arabella was still a commoner. However, that wouldn't matter to Henry if he loved her.
An heir would certainly make matters complicated for Basil. He had been trying for years to either make Henry step down as duke or even get rid of him, but none of his plans ever worked. Fortunately for him, he wasn't one to give up easily. He had a little spy in the house—Mirabel--and even she was worried Arabella might succeed in seducing Henry.
As much as Henry tried to deny it, he was taken with Arabella. It didn't help that the pretty maid was always looking for ways to be around him. Mirabel had said Arabella was quite the opportunist and never wasted a chance to be near Henry. One wouldn't think that of someone who seemed so sweet.
Pushing away from the tree, he walked toward his horse, only to stop when he spotted Arabella. The tiny thing was carrying archery equipment that appeared far too heavy for her, but she seemed to be carrying it quite easily.
“Impressive,” he murmured.
Just one more thing that added to her intrigue. Quickly crossing the lawn, he called out, grabbing her attention.
“May I speak to you, Arabella?” he asked when she paused and turned to him.
She frowned but approached him. “How many I help you, my lord?”
Basil took his time studying her from head to foot. She wasn't more than five feet, a tiny, pretty package that seemed sweeter than honey. Her tongue wasn't so sweet, though. He recalled their last interaction when she had refused him so easily. Perhaps it was because she had set her eyes on a bigger prize, namely, his cousin. Basil didn't mind a woman with a sharp tongue, but he preferred to subdue women like that and make them his in every way possible.
A few curls had come loose from her cap, making his hands itch with the need to feel if her hair was as silky as it looked.
“I need to return this equipment, my lord,” she said, sounding impatient. “May I ask one of the other maids to assist you if possible?”
