Page 56 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Jane grabbed her hand and pushed past Dorian, heading to the shop. They didn't get very far before two sisters Arabella knew very well made a spitting sound. Arabella jumped back, thinking they had spat at her feet.
"What would your parents say?" the older sister said, sounding disgusted. "Seducing the duke? How shameful of you. Why did you not go with your aunt and uncle when they offered to take you in?"
“Ms. Simmons,” said Arabella, taken aback. “I assure you these rumors are false. Why would you believe such a thing? You watched me grow up. You know I would never do that.”
"We have it on good authority that you did," Ms. Katherine, the younger sister, said. "We have no reason to doubt our source."
“Who is your source?” Jane demanded.
“It's obvious, isn't it?” said Arabella, growing upset. “Maribel has something to do with this.”
"Come, let's go," said Jane, pulling her away from the woman.
Arabella felt a tad numb as she stumbled along with Jane. They eventually made it to the shop to buy their ribbon, but not without incident. Most people seemed aware of the rumor and were talking about it. Some passed comments, others merely pointed. It was all too bewildering for her.
“Is this light pink ribbon acceptable?” Jane asked, holding it up.
“Uh, yes,” Arabella said distractedly. “That pink looks perfect. I have the white ribbon. We should pay and head to the haberdashery.”
Jane agreed, taking out her coin purse from the folds of her skirt. They reached the counter only to encounter a hostile-looking woman.
“Is this ribbon for the duke?” the woman asked. “I know that women should seek men who can look after them, but is this not too brazen of you? He may be the Beastly Duke, but he is still a duke. What makes you think a commoner like you has a chance?” The woman laughed. “Really. To work for him just to seduce him? Is that not defiling your honor as a woman?”
“That is it!” Jane cried, banging the ribbon on the counter. “I no longer want any ribbons from you.” She grabbed Arabella's hand. “Let's go. I do not even wish to buy fabric.”
“But your dress,” Arabella pointed out.
“That doesn't matter,” said Jane. “We should just go home. You do not deserve any of this. Wait until I get my hands on Maribel. That witch.”
Jane flung the door open, letting it bang behind them. “I cannot believe people would treat you like this. Is this not your hometown? They should know better!”
She marched them to the carriage, throwing glares at anyone who remotely tried to stop them. Arabella just went along, unable to do anything else. She was in shock. These people watched her grow up. They knew her. To treat her like this was just bewildering. They didn't even bother to ask her about the rumor—they just believed it without question. Maribel could not have that kind of influence on them, but she was certainly involved.
“Please, do not take it to heart,” Jane said once they had settled in the carriage. “They do not know what they are talking about.”
Arabella opened her mouth to speak but ended up crying instead. To have that many people suddenly turn on her was overwhelming. Jane immediately came to her side, laying her head on her shoulder and letting her weep.
"Do not worry," Jane said soothingly. "We'll deal with this matter. We'll quash the rumors, and everything will return to normal."
Arabella nodded, but she wasn't feeling particularly hopeful at that moment. She had never encountered such a situation before and didn't know how to deal with it. Perhaps she had been foolish to believe she could succeed by going against society's expectations. Arabella had just wanted an adventure, but now she was beginning to wonder if it had been worth it.
***
Henry couldn't concentrate on his book. He had pulled his armchair to the parlor window because it gave him a perfect view of his carriage drive. He would be able to see when Arabella returned. He laughed to himself, shaking his head.
He couldn't even concentrate on anything while she was away. It was like a part of himself was missing. It was alarming how quickly he had come to depend on her presence in the house. He might not see her every moment of the day, but at least he knew she was in the house.
Setting his book aside, he decided it was useless trying to read when he wasn't concentrating. He just wanted Arabella to return. Finally, he spotted her carriage coming up the driveway, unable to help his excitement. She had barely been gone for two hours, yet it felt more like an entire day. Henry wanted to run out and greet her, but he stayed in his seat, waiting for her to leave the carriage.
Jane got out first, surprising him when she turned back and held out her hand. Arabella usually just jumped out without any assistance. He leaned further outside the window, watching Arabella leave the carriage, clutching Jane's hand. Something seemed off. Jane then pulled her, giving her a hug. They stayed like that for several moments before Arabella pulled away and rubbed her eyes. She was crying!
Henry didn't waste a moment more. He ran out of the parlor and down the stairs, his heart in his throat. He met them in the parlor, still holding on to each other. Arabella lowered her eyes, hiding her misery from him.
“Why are you upset, Arabella?” he asked, drawing a little closer to them.
She shook her head, not looking at him. "It is nothing, Your Grace," she insisted. She looked up, giving him a wobbly smile. Her face was blotchy from crying, and her nose was bright red. "Would you excuse me?"
She curtsied and hurried away, nearly tripping on her way up the stairs. She was obviously in a hurry to get away from him.
