Page 46 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Henry had stopped denying his feelings to himself and instead embraced them. He had never felt this way before and rather liked it. His feelings might never be returned, and he could never admit them to Arabella, but the duke often said it was better to have loved than never to have experienced it at all.
However, with all these thoughts in his head, one question arose. Henry wanted to know why a woman like Arabella wanted to work for him when she could have been so much more. A position such as a governess would have suited her perfectly, or perhaps she could have found a suitable man and married him.
The latter thought made his stomach clench painfully. He didn't like the thought of her getting married to anyone, but he couldn't expect her to marryhim. It wasn't about her being a maid or commoner, but not wanting her to be with a man most of society had shunned. Still, being a maid was undoubtedly a lowly position for someone like her, so there had to be a reason for her wanting to become one.
Arabella finally came down the ladder, wiping away perspiration from her brow. She had been working nonstop since they arrived home.
“Why don't we have a little break?” he suggested. “We've been working for over an hour.”
“I think a break is in order,” she agreed, settling on one of the steps separating the lower library from the higher.
He sat on the opposite side, admiring her rosy cheeks and the few wisps of curly hair that had escaped her maid's cap.
“We should ask for refreshment,” he said.
She stood up. “I'll ask the kitchen to bring something,” she said. “Would you like lemonade or soda water? They seem best for such a warm day.”
“I didn't mean for you to do it, Arabella,” he quickly said. “Please, sit down. I'll pull the rope for someone to come here.”
"That's unnecessary, Your Grace," she said, refusing to sit. "I can do it."
“No,” Henry said firmly. “Sit down, Arabella. That is an order.”
Arabella widened her eyes as she slowly sank to the step. “Yes, Your Grace,” she said. “My apologies. I didn't mean to go against your orders.”
Henry inwardly groaned. He had only meant to insist she sit down, not make her feel like she had disobeyed him. Sighing, he stood up and walked to the braided thick rope, pulling three times for the kitchen. He waited for a servant to appear, asking them for a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses before he returned to Arabella. She had pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on her knees. He had upset her.
“The lemonade will be along shortly,” he said.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, briefly looking at him. “I should return to my duties now. I've been gone long enough.”
"You will stay and rest awhile before going anywhere," he said firmly. "You have worked very hard today, first choosing these books and now packing them away."
“You helped with both, Your Grace,” she pointed out. “I didn't do it alone.”
"Still, you deserve a break. You haven't had one since you left the house this morning. The other servants at least get breaks in between."
Arabella said nothing. Instead, she lowered her knees and placed her hands in her lap. It was like she was showing him she could be a perfectly docile servant. Henry didn't want that. He wanted someone to speak to him like an equal.
“Did you enjoy your time in Thetford?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you, Your Grace,” she said.
Silence. Henry didn't like it. Usually, she would have animatedly discussed who she spoke to or what she had seen or done before heading to the library. She was obviously upset with him.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Arabella," he said. "I only wished to ensure you got the break you deserve. It's not treating you differently from others but ensuring all my servants are well looked after."
Arabella straightened as she widened her eyes. “You didn't upset me, Your Grace,” she said. “Rather, I was afraid I was taking advantage of your good nature. I would have gladly had my refreshments in the kitchen and brought yours to you away from the dust of the books. I noticed quite a bit of dust on a few books higher up on the shelves.”
She had been worried abouthim. The knowledge warmed his heart. "I would gladly put up with some dust for your company," he told her. "Besides, I wanted to help, so you shouldn't worry about me."
“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied, looking away.
She still didn't seem at ease with him. A servant entered the room with the lemonade, setting it down on the table by the armchairs.
“Shall we?” Henry asked, rising to his feet.
Arabella nodded, following him to the armchairs. She settled in one of them, keeping her back stiff and sitting near the edge of the seat.
