Page 80 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
I wanted to look after the dukedom for his sake, not mine. I felt I owed it to him. Now that the real and legitimate heir to the title has come, I must go. I know that you love me, but I cannot allow you to give up your life to be with a scarred man who cannot take care of you. I only want the best for you—I hope you will understand. Please be happy.
Yours Forever,
Henry
The fool! Tears streamed down Arabella's face even as she fought to maintain them. She thought she had made herself clear when she said she loved him, not his title or wealth. He was all she needed and wanted, yet he had left her.
She should have just told him she had money, but it hadn't come up in conversation. Besides, he had chosen to avoid her for weeks, barely even looking at her unless he had to. They hadn't been able to discuss their future together. If they had, she would have told him all about it and insisted they start afresh together.
Drying her tears, she quickly got dressed and left the room. She needed to speak to Mrs. Cooper and find out if she knew anything about Henry's disappearance. Arabella found the housekeeper deep in thought in her study.
“Mrs. Cooper, may I have a word, please?” she asked.
“Of course,” the housekeeper replied. “Take a seat. What can I help you with?”
“Do you know where Mr. Smith is?” Arabella asked, not beating around the bush.
Mrs. Cooper raised her eyebrows. “So, you're aware of his identity? Did he tell you?”
Arabella shook her head. “The new duke informed me of it yesterday,” she said. “I still wanted to talk to you about it because he asked me to help the servants transition between employers. I thought it would be best if you spoke to the servants.”
“I see,” said Mrs. Cooper with a sigh. “I hoped it would never come to this, but one cannot avoid the truth forever.”
The housekeeper spoke as though she was already aware of Henry's identity. “Did you know?” Arabella asked.
Mrs. Cooper nodded. “I was one of very few people who knew his background. I was sworn to secrecy to protect the dukedom from people like Lord Kersey. Fortunately, the new duke seems responsible and sensible enough to take care of the dukedom.”
She was somewhat sad that Henry had not thought to talk to her about it, but he was probably afraid of her reaction. He was a fool to not understand by now how much she loved him.
“So, do you know where Mr. Smith is?” Arabella asked.
“Why do you wish to know?” said Mrs. Cooper.
Arabella briefly wondered if she should reveal that she and Henry loved each other. Perhaps if she did, it would soften the housekeeper's heart enough for her to reveal his location.
"I love Mr. Smith," she confessed. "We love each other and wanted to be together, but yet another hurdle has come our way. I know this might seem sudden or perhaps wrong, but I truly love him and wish to spend my life with him. It doesn't matter that he's a commoner or any other foolish reason he has used to run away. I simply wish to be with him. He's just too stubborn to understand that."
To her surprise, Mrs. Cooper grew misty-eyed. "I always wondered if he would ever find someone who would look past his scars to the good man he is. I'm glad it's you, Arabella. I noticed something brewing between you, but one can never be certain because you both hid it well."
Arabella smiled. “Not well enough, it seems,” she said. “I didn't want to be obvious because of the terrible rumor, so I tried to hide it. But I feel I can reveal it because no one can say I'm with him for his title or wealth.”
“I wouldn't have believed it either way,” said Mrs. Cooper. “You have had a special connection to our duke from the very beginning. You understood him and made him smile—it was wonderful to see. I was always worried you would move on someday because although you were good at your job, it just didn't suit you. Anyone could see you were meant for better. Perhaps that was why Mirabel hated you so much.”
“I never thought I was better than anyone or my job, Mrs. Cooper,” Arabella argued.
“Yes, yes, I know,” the housekeeper assured, “but that didn't stop everyone from seeing that you were different. Our duke sensed it, too.”
Arabella liked how she referred to him asour duke. Henry really would be their duke, no matter who had the title.
“I assure you I'm not all that different from anyone else,” Arabella insisted.
“But you are, dear,” Mrs. Cooper said. “You're the only person who didn't judge him when you first met. Rather, you were curious about him. That lowered his guard around you and allowed him to be himself. Had you been anyone else, I would not have revealed his current location. However, I believe you will be good for him.”
Mrs. Cooper named a village at least half a day's ride from Euston. It wasn't too far, but she wouldn't make it before nightfall if she didn't leave soon. Arabella was glad he wasn't further away.
"Thank you, Mrs. Cooper," she said, standing up. "I should speak to the duke and tell him I will no longer work at the estate."
“But what will you do for work?” the housekeeper asked.
