Page 82 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
The woman was evidently Henry's aunt. So, he still had relatives. Arabella wondered if he was aware of this during all these years or if he had simply shut that part of his life away.
“May I see him?” Arabella asked.
“Of course, of course,” the woman said, stepping aside. “I am Violet, by the way,” she said. “Violet Jenkins.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you,” said Arabella. “I am Arabella Lockhart.”
“Come in, Arabella,” said Violet. “Perhaps you will bring a smile to my nephew's face. He's in the dining room.”
Violet showed her the room, instructing her to go inside. Arabella thanked her again, pausing outside the door for a moment before she stepped inside. Henry's head was down—or perhaps she should now think of him as Nicholas—focused on his meal.
“So, this is where you're hiding from me,” she accused.
Nicholas dropped his spoon and looked up. “Arabella? What are you doing here?”
"I've come for you," she said. "How could you just leave me without first speaking to me? And what was that letter about? How could you decide to leave me when I already told you that I love you?"
“I can't give you anything, Arabella,” he said, his face pained. “At least Lord Grafton can provide you with a home and wealth.”
“Oh, you're such a foolish man!” she cried. “Do you think I fell in love with you because you're a duke with property and wealth? No! I love you for who you are. You should have just spoken to me before leaving Euston.”
“A man provides for his wife,” Nicholas argued. “How can I expect you to be with me? Our lives would be harder because of my scars. I'll be working for my relatives because I believe others might not so willingly give me a job on their farm. They'll take one look at me and turn me away. I cannot give you a secure future, Arabella. Please, understand that.”
Arabella shook her head. "I have enough for both of us," she told him.
"My father ensured that I would be provided for after his death. I never had to work because I was already financially secure, but I continued working for you because I wanted to be around you. We can buy a small farm, and I can look after our home and children. I just want a future with you, Nicholas or Henry—I do not know what name you prefer."
“Either is fine,” he said, smiling. His smile abruptly dropped as he lowered his head. “How can I expect you to use your money for my dream?”
Arabella smiled. During their many conversations, Nicholas revealed that he would have liked a farm of his own to run with his hands. She had thought it odd at the time, but now that she knew his identity, she understood his dream.
"We will use our money because your dream is my dream," she said. "I love you, and that is all there is to it. Just accept it so we can live our lives together. I just need you, Nicholas."
Nicholas kept his head lowered as he slowly stood to his feet. She would smack him over the head if he rejected her again. No matter what, she wasn't going to leave him. Finally, he lifted his head, his hands leaning on the table.
“What did I do to deserve you?” he asked. “You even came after me instead of taking Lord Grafton's offer.”
Arabella's eyebrows rose. “You heard about that?”
Nicholas's cheeks pinkened. “I overheard the conversation.”
“Which was why you left in such a hurry,” she said, realization dawning on her. “Foolish man.”
“Yes, I am a fool,” he said. “I do not deserve you, Arabella. I do not feel I will ever deserve you.”
“Then spend the rest of your life making me happy, and I'll do the same,” she suggested. “Show me you love me in your words and actions. Do not run away because that only hurts me more.”
Nicholas's eyes grew misty with tears as he approached her, stopping just shy of touching her. “You mean it? You truly wish to be with me despite everything?”
“I love you, Nicholas Smith,” she said. “I loved you when you were Henry Fitzgerald, the Duke of Richmond, and I still love you now. Do you love me?”
"Of course, I love you!" he cried. "I love you so much it hurts. I was miserable without you, yet it's only been a day."
“Well, you ignored me for weeks before running away,” she pointed out.
Nicholas winced. “I know, but it was the only way I could deal with the matter,” he said. “I realize it was wrong, but I couldn't think of another way. Please, forgive me for hurting you.”
“You can make it up to me by getting married and living a happy life together,” she told him.
