Page 7 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Arabella continued to pull herbs out as she spoke, getting her hands dirty. "I'm excited about working at Euston Hall, Aunt," she said. "The duke is also a lovely man and nothing at all like some people have said. Having scars doesn't make you a terrible person. His servants seem content, and the estate is beautiful. Mind you, I have noticed their discomfort around the duke because of his scars, but it has nothing to do with his character."
“Fine, fine, fine,” her aunt said.
“The duke aside, why do you feel the need to work? The money from the sale of this house will go to you, and your father left you an inheritance. Your uncle said those two combined will allow you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. You'll never need to work. Just come stay with us until we can find a suitable man for you to marry. I cannot stand the thought of leaving you behind. In fact, I do not want to think about it.”
Arabella's father had always been one to plan for the future. They may not have been rich, but they had lived comfortably enough for him to set money aside for her. He didn't want his daughter to depend on anyone should the unthinkable happen, where she found herself without parents.
“I want you and uncle to take some of the money from the house sale,” Arabella insisted.
Her aunt shook her head. “No, we do not want a cent from that money,” she protested. “It's all yours. And don't you dare give it to any of your greedy cousins, especially my sister's children. They'll come sniffing at your heels once they know you're sitting on a small fortune.”
Arabella moved from her knees to her bottom, crossing her legs. “I'm not opposed to helping them if needed, but I'm not foolish enough to not know when someone is trying to manipulate me.” She sat back on her hands, looking up at the sky. “It feels a little odd knowing this house will no longer be my home, but I do not regret the decision to sell it and move on.”
“Well, you moved here when you were two, so it's the only home you know,” her aunt pointed out. “I recall how excited your father was when he bought it. Your grandfather helped as well, asking favors from influential acquaintances to help the sale go through easily. It had always been his dream to have a beautiful house and family.”
Arabella pressed her lips together, blinking back hot tears. “Papa always wanted the best for us,” she said. “Part of me doesn't want to give up this house, but Papa wouldn't want me to stay just because it was his dream. He would want me to live my life as I wish.”
“But I doubt he'd want you to be working for the duke,” her aunt pointed out. “Or working at all. A maid? That is just too much, Niece.”
“Papa and Mama would understand,” she said firmly. “Will Uncle settle the matter of the house sale and my inheritance at the bank? He knows more about such things.”
Aunt Beatrice nodded. “He'll ensure you have easy access to it whenever you need it,” she said. “There shouldn't be any problems since your father's banker will handle your finances. Your father would have put it in his will."
Arabella smiled. “Papa thought about everything.” She stood up, dusting her hands on her dress and leaving smudges of dirt. “I'll wash up and help you with dinner. I heard Uncle Daniel wanted potatoes and mutton today.”
“Thank you, dear,” her aunt said. “I will not take much longer here.”
Arabella turned to leave, but her aunt called out to her. “Yes, Aunt?” she said, facing her.
"You must have a reason to work for the duke," she began, tilting her head slightly. "I cannot believe it's just to become a maid. You have never expressed a wish to be a maid, but recently, you've been adamant about it." She smiled. "I suppose you are your father's daughter. You keep at something even if it seems odd. However, once you achieve whatever it is that you want, what will you do then? Our home is always open to you."
Arabella hesitated to answer. The truth was that she didn't know what she wanted to do once she discovered all she wished to know about the duke.
“I'm not used to being idle, so I'll find something else to do,” Arabella told her. “However, if I ever find myself without a plan, then I will live with you and Uncle Daniel. I promise.”
“Is there a time limit to whatever you're doing at Euston Hall?” Aunt Beatrice asked.
Arabella shook her head. “No. It can take weeks, months, or even years.”
“Years!” Aunt Beatrice exclaimed. “Surely you do not intend to work as a maid for years? What about your future? Finding a man to marry? Having children? Your mother brought you up to be a lady, not someone at the beck and call of an aristocrat.”
Arabella crouched, folding her arms on her knees. “Do you know what I always wonder about?”
“What?”
“Why more people do not look at life as an adventure,” she said. “I want to experience everything I possibly can, even if it means becoming a maid despite all the education I received at my parents' hands. I won't be a maid forever, but I intend to enjoy the experience.”
Aunt Beatrice sighed. "The Lockhart streak of stubbornness is certainly strong within you," she complained. "Very well, if I cannot convince you otherwise, I can support you. But you must promise me that you will tell us if you need any help. Do not allow anyone to bully or mistreat you. You have money and family—you never have to put up with anything."
Arabella smiled. “I know,” she said. “I have a loving and supportive family, and my parents are still taking care of me although they're no longer with me. I couldn't have asked for a better situation.”
Arabella meant every word she said. She was better off than most people, and she didn't take any of that for granted. Needing an adventure had nothing to do with lack but everything to do with needing purpose other than getting married and having children. All those things would happen in time, but until then, she intended to live her life to the fullest, starting with learning more about the duke… and the tales surrounding his life.
***
Euston Hall
Arabella managed to fill ten pages of the journal she brought with her—nothing Mrs. Cooper had told her was too small or big to include in her notes.
