Page 55 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Jane laughed, wiping her wet eyes. "I'll tell them all about their kind Aunt Arabella," she said. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we both found someone this year and got married next year? We wouldn't have to work again. We could just stay at home and take care of our family."
Arabella had neglected to tell her friend that she could leave at any time because she was a woman of means, but there had never been a time when she was comfortable revealing this fact.
She didn't want Jane or the other maids to believe she was mocking them by working when she didn't have to. Arabella also didn't think telling them she was at the estate to uncover a mystery would go down very well. While the duke had been understanding and didn't hold it against her, she still felt wary about revealing it to anyone else.
“Arabella?” Jane pressed, drawing her from her thoughts.
“It would be wonderful,” Arabella eventually replied. “It would be wonderful to meet someone, but I'm afraid I'm rather selective. I'm not just looking for a handsome face or someone who can provide for me. I want a deeper connection.”
One she could have with the duke if she hadn't been a commoner. Arabella believed they had much in common, but that could never bridge the social status gap.
“A good family man is all I want,” said Jane. “Someone simple who treats me well. May we both find what we're looking for. Well, I think I already have, but I just need him to see me.”
“Oh, we'll make sure of it,” said Arabella. “I am going to help you make the most beautiful dress so that no one will be able to keep their eyes off you.”
Jane grinned. “Oh, I hope so,” she said, holding her hands together as though praying.
Arabella smiled and looked out their window, glad to see they had arrived. They got out as soon as the carriage stopped, excited about the day ahead.
"Perhaps we can stop by the bakery for raisin buns," said Jane. "I love when they're still warm, and you add a knob of butter, allowing it to melt before taking a healthy bite."
"A sliver of strawberry jam for added sweetness is also delicious," said Arabella, crossing the street. "I usually drink tea without sugar, or everything is just too sweet. However, if you add a salty piece of bacon and cheese, it balances everything out."
Jane raised an eyebrow. "So, butter, strawberry jam, bacon, and cheese?" she said. "Anything else?"
Arabella laughed. “Not unless you wish to add something, but all those ingredients work well together. Sometimes, for a little bitterness, I change the strawberry jam for marmalade.”
"Please remind me to try all that one day," Jane said. She looked around her and suddenly stopped smiling. “Is it just me, or is everyone looking at us?”
Arabella looked around. She hadn't noticed anyone staring at them at first, but it was rather obvious now that she was paying attention. People were pointing and whispering at them, or rather, ather.
“Why does it seem as though they're specifically looking at me?” she asked. “Am I imagining things?”
Jane frowned. “I think they are looking at you,” she said. “How strange. Has this ever happened before? Do you know the people staring at you?”
“Some of them,” said Arabella, picking out familiar faces.
She didn't understand what on earth was happening, but she hoped it wasn't anything terrible.
“We should buy the ribbon and head to the haberdashery,” said Jane, feeling uncomfortable. “Mrs. Cooper only gave us a few hours.”
Arabella nodded. The sooner they returned home, the better. What was happening around her was just too odd. They neared the shop, pausing when someone stepped in front of them.
“Arabella Lockhart.”
Arabella raised her head, almost rolling her eyes when she saw who it was. “Dorian,” she said. “What can I do for you?”
Dorian Glover was one of the men who had asked for her hand and marriage, but she had rejected him because they had been unsuitable for each other. He had wanted a docile wife who would never question him, and she wanted a husband who would accept her for who she was. Arabella had tried to explain this, but he had taken it badly.
The man cocked his head to the side, barely suppressing a grin. “So, this is what you have become,” he said. “Instead of becoming my wife, you decided to become the Beastly Duke's maid so you could seduce him and become a duchess. Have you no shame?”
Arabella's jaw dropped. This was the same thing Maribel often accused her of, but it was coming out of someone else's mouth.
“I beg your pardon?” said Jane. “Just who do you think you are?”
Dorian ignored her. “You could have become a wife to a good,wholeman like me, but you would rather play the harlot for a beast.”
"That is not true!" Jane cried, defending her. "Those are lies, and I would thank you for keeping your mouth shut. Now, move out of our way."
