Page 45 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
She fell silent. This year would be different. At least she still had her father last Christmas, but she was all alone this year unless she went to live with her aunt and uncle. Still, it wouldn't be the same without her parents.
“I'd like to throw a Christmas party this year,” the duke said, breaking into her sad thoughts. “Perhaps you could help me plan it. I wouldn't know the first thing about planning Christmas parties. It would just be those from Euston—servants, tenants, their families. Perhaps it can become a tradition.”
Mrs. Cooper once revealed the last time Euston Hall saw a party was when the old duke and duchess were still alive. Even then, the duke had hardly taken part, preferring to keep to the shadows. It had to have taken much effort to even come up with the idea. Part of her wondered if he was doing it for her sake or if it was really something he wished to do.
“I would love to help you, Your Grace,” she said. “I used to help my mother plan all our parties both at the house and for the town. I think it's a wonderful tradition to start.”
His smile widened. “I'm happy you think so,” he said. They stared at each other longer than necessary, causing tingles up and down her skin. He was the first to look away with a cough, picking up the book closest to him. “So, where does this go?”
“Giants definitely go into the fantasy section,” she said, taking the book from him. She made sure not to touch his hand, afraid of what she might feel if she did. “Although they are not entirely fictional, are they? They once existed, or rather, they still exist and are in hiding.”
“You believe giants are in hiding? Why?”
He handed her another book, following her to the adventure section.
"The world is no longer capable of accepting such things. The more we believe that fairy tales are merely stories someone created in their head, the more we're unlikely to believe such things exist. I believe every fairy tale began with a truth—mermaids, giants, witches that fly in the air, vampires, werewolves, dragons, trolls, leprechauns, the Lochness monster—these and more likely exist. I just believe our minds are closed off, or they have gone into hiding."
“Your mind must be a fascinating place,” he said. He said it almost like he was in awe.
She chuckled. “I like to think so,” she said, taking another book from him. She looked up at the shelves, unhappy with the arrangement. “Your Grace, do you mind if I arrange the shelves a little more?” she asked. “I'll do it during my free time, so it does not interfere with my daily duties.”
"There's no need for that," he said. "I'll speak to Mrs. Cooper and have her assign you to the library for a few days. I've actually been thinking about renovating the library or at least updating the furniture and décor. Do you perhaps have any experience with that?"
Arabella's eyes lit up. “I love decorating, Your Grace!” she exclaimed. “My mother passed that love to me. I have many ideas for the library if you would trust me with it.”
He nodded. "Do whatever you think is necessary," he said. "I'm happy to leave it in your hands. You can go to any shop and purchase whatever you need. If I do not already have an account with them, let me know, and I'll arrange it."
Arabella would never quite understand where she got the urge to do what she was about to do, but she was just so excited that it had come naturally. She launched herself at him, jumping into his arms to embrace him. The duke was motionless, belatedly alerting her to the fact that she had just done something very wrong. Arabella pulled away from the duke with a gasp, unable to believe what she had just done.
“I am sorry, Your Grace,” she apologized, looking everywhere but him. “So, so sorry. I do not know what came over me.”
The floor needed to swallow her up and hide her embarrassment. Arabella's cheeks felt so hot that she was certain she wasn't just pink but red like a fully ripe tomato. When he didn't respond, she looked up to see him blushing and scratching his head.
“I really am sorry, Your Grace,” she said.
He grinned, taking her by surprise. “I do not mind,” he said. “In fact, you shouldn't worry about it. I'm glad I could make you happy.” He looked away, dropping his hand. “We should put the rest of the books away.”
She readily agreed, needing to hide her blushing face. She took the book he handed, not paying much attention to where she put it. She could fix it later when she could concentrate better. Arabella didn't expect to hug the duke but secretly didn't regret it. If that wasn't an indication that her feelings for him were growing, she didn't know what was.
Chapter 16
“I'd like to change the curtains to something lighter, Your Grace,” said Arabella, balancing on a ladder. “The library isn't a place where you come to sleep, so having such heavy curtains doesn't make any sense. It gives the room an unnecessary heavy feeling.”
He had wanted to climb the ladder instead, but Arabella had insisted on doing it. Instead, he had a firm grip on it and was ready to leap into action should anything happen.
“Lighter curtains sound good,” he said.
"And what about creating a seat by the window? You have a lovely view outside the library. We can get a carpenter to create a rounded seat that will sit flush against the wall. We can even have an enclosure built halfway around it on each side for added privacy, like a bay window." She looked down at him. "Next book, please."
Henry nodded, handing two books, one hand firmly on the ladder. “As long as I fit the seat,” he said. “I'm not exactly a small man.”
“The carpenter can take your measurements, Your Grace,” she told him.
“I want you to be as comfortable as possible. I think creating a seat large enough to fit two people should provide enough space for you to move around if you wish. I suppose one could call it a day bed, but we'll fashion it like a half-moon. The library is big enough to allow the added furniture. Of course, I will have to choose the material, which should also match the other furniture.”
Henry just let her continue talking, enjoying her chatter about the changes for the library. It was wonderful having someone speak to him so freely, and it had been even better to feel human touch. Henry had been starved of it for so long that he had been pleasantly stunned when Arabella embraced him in her excitement.
Her pleasant warmth had been wonderfully soothing for a soul that had felt tortured for so many years. He was disappointed when she pulled away, but it was probably for the best, or she might have known that he felt something for her other than what a master should feel for his servant.
