Page 9 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
A kitchen maid led her to the doghouse, where what seemed like dozens of dogs came running out of their little houses. Arabella liked dogs, but it was overwhelming to see so many running toward her. However, she stayed her ground and stared them straight on. Animals could always sense fear and weakness, and she didn't want them to think she was someone they could take advantage of. She may be short, but she was far from weak.
“Stay,” she told them, holding out her hand for them to sniff it.
They took turns sniffing and walking around her and seemed to accept her because they moved to the bucket of food. Two of them dug their noses inside, each coming away with a chunk of meat.
"Wait, wait," she said, laughing. "I have to equally distribute the food."
She hauled the bucket to their bowls, telling them to wait until she was done. The duke had evidently trained them quite well because they obeyed her almost immediately.
"There," she said moments later. "You can all eat."
But they didn't move. The Whippets continued to look at her expectantly, making her wonder if there was a special word. Mrs. Cooper didn't say anything about it.
“Eat!” she cried. That didn't seem to work. “Food! Meal time! Come! Heel!”
Arabella frowned. They were undoubtedly hungry. She thought about taking the bowls to them and laying them at their feet, but a large shadow suddenly appeared, startling her. She jumped back and turned, surprised to see the duke.
“Your Grace!” she cried, curtsying before him.
“I didn't mean to scare you,” he said, looking a little shy. “I saw you were having some difficulty with the dogs. They only eat when you say the word 'enjoy.'"
As soon as the Whippets heard the word, they lunged for their bowls and made quick work of their meal.
“Goodness,” she said in awe, temporarily forgetting the duke's presence.
She had always wanted a pet, but her mother reacted in sneezing fits to fur, and her father once had a terrible experience with a dog that left him mentally scarred.
Arabella could only play with her neighbors' pets but had to ensure to change her dress and wipe down her arms and face before being around her mother. Watching the Whippets was amusing, and when the first one to finish its food came to sit at her feet and nudge her leg, her heart just about melted. She bent down, stroking its head.
“I like you too,” she said, ticking the dog behind his ears.
"Hamish likes you," the deep, rumbling voice of the duke said behind her.
She started slightly, straightening to turn to him. Arabella was struck once more by how big the duke was. No one fortunate to be in his arms would ever feel fearful. It was sad that people called him the Beastly Duke when all she could see was a kind man. Certainly, his scars were noticeable, but she didn't mind them. Perhaps she was staring a tad too much because he bent his head forward until his hair partially hid his face.
"How do you tell them apart, Your Grace?" she asked, wanting to set him at ease. "They all look so similar. Are they from the same litter?"
“I purchased two litters from local farmers,” the duke explained. “I didn't want the siblings to be separated like they usually are when breeders sell them off.”
Arabella's heart turned into a puddle of warmth. "That is one of the sweetest things I have ever heard, Your Grace," she said. "They're lucky to have you as their master."
A little smile played at the edges of his mouth as he tilted his head back, revealing more of his face.
“I do not consider it much, Miss Lockhart,” he said. “Even animals keenly feel separation from their family. I try to avoid it as much as possible.”
“It's still commendable of you, Your Grace,” she insisted. “Others would never consider such a thing.”
His smile widened slightly. "Perhaps," he said. "Thank you for feeding them. It's not your duty, and you haven't begun working for me yet, so I will count this as a favor."
“Please, do not think too much of it, Your Grace,” she said. “Truthfully, I love animals but was never able to have a pet. This was a treat for me. Mrs. Cooper said you usually feed them every day, which must strengthen your bond with them.”
More came to sit at her feet, although most went to their master to play around him, some jumping on his chest to get his attention. She laughed, enjoying his interaction with them.
“You likely take them for walks as well,” she said. “How do you handle all ten of them? Do you divide them into two groups or more? Are they a tad unruly when they're exploring? I imagine they might go a little wild when they see a squirrel. They seem rather young. Did you recently buy them? Do you have older pets?”
The duke chuckled slightly. “You ask an awful lot of questions, Miss Lockhart,” he pointed out. “Are you normally this talkative?”
Arabella could take offense at such a question, as many did, but she was naturally talkative and always had been. Besides, she doubted the duke had meant to subtly insult her or complain. Perhaps he simply wasn't accustomed to a stranger talking to him so easily. Arabella didn't blame him. People called him a beast—she wouldn't want to be around people either if she had to put up with that.
