Page 72 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Arabella didn't bother telling him her mother had been a lady before being disowned by her father. However, in Arabella's eyes, her mother would always be a lady.
She quietly stood while Lord Grafton looked around the room, complimenting nearly everything in sight. Arabella sighed. All she wanted to do was get to the duke and discover what was going on.
“This room truly is remarkable,” Lord Grafton said as he approached her. “Have you redecorated any other rooms?”
“The duke has asked me to do the others, but I haven't gotten around to it yet,” she said.
“Well, I'll soon be duke, so I hope you'll continue with your plans for the other rooms,” he said. “You're rather gifted, Arabella. It pleases me to have someone like you.”
Arabella's eyes widened. He didn't have her! “Shall we move to the other rooms?” she said, ignoring his comment. “We have many chambers to see. The parlors are rather beautiful and are still in the duchess's style. The dining room has a lovely chandelier and—”
Lord Grafton chuckled, interrupting her. "Why don't you show me instead of telling me?" he suggested. "This is a big house, after all. I imagine it will take some time to show me around."
“Of course, my lord,” she said, nodding.
Arabella turned to the door and left the room, not bothering to look if Lord Grafton was following her. She simply kept walking. She took him to all the rooms on the same floor before descending a flight of stairs. They finally landed on the first floor where the main parlor, drawing room, and ballroom were.
“I shall have many parties here,” said Lord Grafton, entering the ballroom. “I imagine this house hasn't seen any parties since the old duke's death.”
Arabella hated how the man kept talking as though the current duke no longer existed. He kept talking about how he would change things and make everything better. Bringing people into the house wasn't going to improve anything. Arabella liked Euston Hall just the way it was.
“Arabella,” he called, standing before her some moments later. “I'd like to see the grounds now. I imagine that will take some time.”
Arabella looked heavenward. The duke should come and take this man off her hands. He seemed to have simply disappeared. He wasn't in any of the rooms she had shown to Lord Grafton unless he was running away. She paused, worried he had really run away.
“Is something the matter, Arabella?” Lord Grafton asked.
Of course, there was! He had come to ruin everything, and now she was deeply concerned about the duke's state of mind.
“No, my lord,” she lied. “We should start in the gardens,” she told him. “We also have a labyrinth.”
“A labyrinth, you say?” he said. “I rather like those, especially when my mind is preoccupied. Have you taken walks there frequently? I imagine you must be busy with chores, but surely the duke allows his staff time to breathe?”
“The duke is a wonderful employer,” Arabella said, growing increasingly annoyed with the man. “He is kind and generous to all his employees. No one has a reason to complain.”
“That is high praise indeed,” said Lord Grafton, raising an eyebrow. “Tell me, do you enjoy working here?”
“Yes, very much so,” she replied abruptly. “This is the rose garden,” she told him. “It was the late duchess's favorite place on the estate. Well, besides her personal parlor. She personally cared for them.”
Just this morning, her coat had caught on the thorns. It seemed so long ago now, yet it was mere hours ago. It was unbelievable how much had changed since then.
“They're beautiful,” said Lord Grafton. “Almost as lovely as you, Arabella. So, tell me, when did you begin working here?” he asked.
“Several months ago, my lord.”
“Just months?” he said. “I would have thought a few years. You seem so much a part of this estate. I hope you'll continue to work here when I become duke. I would really appreciate someone like you.”
Arabella was tempted to ask why he had singled her out from all the other employees and why he seemed to think she was so wonderful. He didn't even know her.
"I prefer not to think too much into the future, my lord," she lied. She really was full of lies today.
“Yes, I suppose it's a little too much to consider,” he relented. “However, I hope you know I will treat you well, even better than the current duke.”
“I doubt it,” she muttered.
“What was that?”
"I said, would you like to see the statues?" she asked. "One is a water fountain, but it pairs with a statue. They're surrounded by pretty hedges."
