Page 59 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
He probably would not take that lying down, but Henry was ready for him. Where Arabella was concerned, he would do anything to protect her and her honor. He just wished he had the same determination to go against society's expectations and confess his feelings. Perhaps his fear of rejection would forever hold him captive.
***
Arabella stood outside Mrs. Cooper's study later that afternoon, embarrassed about her behavior. Allowing personal matters to affect her work was wrong of her, and now she feared what the housekeeper might say. She knocked on the door, waiting for the woman's curt reply.
“Come in!”
Arabella took a deep breath and released it slowly before opening the door and walking in. “Sorry to trouble you, Mrs. Cooper,” she began. “May I have a moment of your time?”
“Take a seat, Arabella,” the housekeeper said, gesturing at a seat.
Arabella sat down, crossing her hands on her lap. “I wish to apologize for not completing my chores in a timely manner today,” she said. “Please, forgive me.”
Mrs. Cooper sat forward and leaned her arms on the desk. “I am well aware of your situation, Arabella,” she said. “You had every right to be upset about these terrible rumors, but you cannot allow them to continue to affect you.”
"I know, but it isn't easy," said Arabella. "It was unexpected and from people who know me. How could they think such things about me?"
"It is much easier for someone to believe the worst about the person," Mrs. Cooper said. "Thinking the best of someone takes much effort, but it also has the best reward. Unfortunately, few are willing to turn a deaf ear to gossip because it's too intriguing."
Arabella had to agree with her. Gossip was interesting, but the truth wasn't. "I will do my best to turn a deaf ear," she said. "And make up for the work lost today."
“I believe you will,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Keep your chin up, dear. The rumors will eventually be quashed. I believe that.”
“Thank you, ma'am,” Arabella replied. “I should also apologize to His Grace as well.”
“He is with guests, so you can do that later,” said Mrs. Cooper.
“Yes, ma'am.” Arabella stood up. “Can I do anything for you before I resume my duties?”
“All the vases near the parlor have been emptied and cleaned,” the housekeeper said. “I'd like you to fill them with flowers. Make the arrangements pretty.”
Arabella agreed and left the study, hoping the bright flowers would cheer her up. Nearing the parlor, she was surprised to hear her name. Arabella wasn't one to eavesdrop on conversations, but she couldn't help putting her ear on the door and listening to what was being said. It didn't take long for her to understand the situation.
The viscount and his mother wanted her to leave the estate, but the duke was defending her. They seemed to believe the rumors, thinking she was causing the duke trouble. Her heart sank. She appeared to be causing the duke a lot of trouble, but she hadn't done anything wrong. Her life was being disrupted because of one jealous maid.
Arabella didn't know how Mirabel managed to convince people of the horrendous lie or have it spread so quickly. No one in Thetford bothered to ask her about the rumor—that was what bothered her the most. It just made no sense. The only way she could get answers was to confront Mirabel.
Arabella did just that later that evening. She had to wait until Mirabel was away from the other servants before she could utter a word. Fortunately, the maid habitually went into the parlor later in the evening and stole a little brandy. Mirabel likely thought no one had caught on to what she was doing, but it didn't take a genius to understand what was happening.
Quietly opening the door, Arabella shut it behind her with a loud click, startling the woman. Mirabel had just been about to drink straight from the bottle.
“What do you think you're doing?” she asked, quickly hiding the bottle behind her back.
“There is no point hiding that,” Arabella told her. “I'm aware of what you do every evening. You start in the parlor, working your way to the drawing room once the duke has retired. Sometimes, you steal from his study. Other servants would have been fired for this, but no one says anything because they do not wish to have a fellow maid fired. However, you do not have those sentiments for others, do you?”
Mirabel rolled her eyes and put the bottle down. “What are you talking about?”
“The rumor you began,” said Arabella. “You accused me of seducing the earl, and now it is all over Thetford. How and why? You know it's not true.”
Mirabel laughed. "Not true?" she said. "Of course it is! You came here to seduce the duke, and now everyone knows about it. It's bad enough that people call him the Beastly Duke, but now he has to deal with a maid like you. You should leave before you taint the duke's good name."
Arabella closed her eyes, needing a moment to collect her thoughts. The situation was spiraling out of control, and she had done nothing to deserve it. However, the duke was just as innocent.
“Can you imagine how stressed the duke is?” Mirabel continued, crossing her arms on her chest. “Some people might believe he is having relations with his maids. It makes him look desperate.”
Arabella opened her eyes, tempted to laugh. “What on earth are you on about?” she asked. “Did you not try to seduce him and fail? Why are you trying to accuse me of doing somethingyoudid? I'm not like you. I have no reason to seduce the duke. I do not even have to work, but I do it because I enjoy it!”
Arabella yelled the last bit, her anger getting the best of her. Mirabel curled her upper lip until it touched her nose. Evidently, she wasn't happy about her failure being thrown in her face.
