Page 62 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
But he was grateful it did. If not, Henry did not know if they would have ever found the evidence they needed.
“We're going on a trip tomorrow, Truman,” said Henry.
“A trip, Your Grace?”
“To see my cousin,” Henry told him. “It is time I put him in his place. We leave first thing tomorrow morning. I am tired of my cousin's meddling and scheming ways. Enough is enough.”
Once Henry had dealt with his servant and cousin, he fully intended to reveal his feelings to Arabella. His belly fluttered at the thought. It was a mixture of excitement and nerves at the thought of finally speaking from his heart. He could only hope that Arabella would give him a chance.
Chapter 22
For the first time in days, Arabella was able to sleep well. She woke up early the following morning refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead, only to remember she had one glaring problem still to address. Arabella was undeniably in love with the duke. It was the very last thing she expected to do when she came to Euston, but she didn't regret it for the most part.
He was a wonderful man—she couldn't have picked a better first love. However, he was a duke, and she had caused trouble just by being his servant. Arabella believed the rumor about her seducing the duke wouldn't be the last because people simply loved to think the worst about others.
The duke might be able to clean up the mess Mirabel and the viscount created, but that didn't mean the rumor would disappear. It would remain dormant, until someone else wished to accuse her of something similar, then people would recall the first rumor and decide it must be true, because a person couldn't be accused of the same thing without there being some truth to it.
Arabella was well aware of how people liked to think, which meant that her presence in Euston Hall might only lead to more problems in the future.
With a sigh, she slid off the bed and got ready for the day. She was midway through her daily ablutions when Jane stirred, turning around to face her. She lifted her head, brushing back her tousled hair from her face. Jane refused to sleep with a cap or even ribbons to keep her hair neat, complaining that it constricted her. She would then complain about needing to tame her hair every morning and having a difficult time doing so.
“Why on earth are you awake so early?” she croaked, her voice groggy with sleep. “We have at least—” she checked her watch, “another hour of sleep.”
“I'm sorry for waking you,” Arabella apologized. “I'm just going for a walk before we start our chores. Go back to sleep.”
Jane didn't listen, choosing instead to sit up. "A walk? Why?" She looked out the window. "It's still dark outside. I can see stars."
“It's getting lighter,” Arabella insisted. “The sky is turning a lighter blue as we speak. Besides, I know my way around the garden.”
“At least wear a coat,” said Jane. “It's rather cold in the mornings.”
“I'm already ahead of you,” Arabella replied, pointing at her coat on the bed. “I opened the window earlier to test the weather. It drizzled a little last night, so the earth smells wonderful.”
Jane rolled her eyes playfully. “Trust you to say something good about wet earth.”
Arabella chuckled as she tucked her black, curly hair into her cap. “I've been known to eat a bit of earth here and there,” she revealed. “The blacker the soil, the better the taste.”
Jane grimaced. “I think I'll pass on that,” she said. “I can just imagine earthworms wiggling around in the same soil.”
“That is what makes it more delicious,” said Arabella.
“Urgh!” Jane cried, holding her hands over her ears. “Please, no more. I haven't even had my breakfast and already I'm worried I won't keep it down. We have leftovers today, so I need my appetite.”
The housekeeper rotated who got the leftovers from the duke's dinner. There was always food left, but not enough for all the servants, so putting everyone on a rotating roster was only fair.
“Cook made roast beef yesterday,” said Arabella.
Jane's face took on a look of wonder. "Freshly baked bread with butter churned just yesterday, slices of roast beef, maybe a bit of preserves to sweeten it... Oh, I can just imagine it now," she said, wiping the sides of her mouth as though she expected to find drool. My mouth is already watering. When is breakfast?"
"Not for another hour and a half, at least," said Arabella, smiling. "I suggest you go back to sleep, or you'll be thinking about it the entire time until you're ravenous and biting at the bit."
Jane shook her head. “I can't sleep now,” she said. “I'll likely dream about dancing roast beef.”
“Would you like to come walking with me?” Arabella asked.
She wanted to walk to clear her head but didn't mind a bit of company. However, she should have known that getting Jane out of bed before the necessary time was nearly impossible.
“I would sooner deal with knotted hair than go walking at this time in the morning,” said Jane. She pulled her knees to her chest, her hair draped over her arms. “How do you feel about all that has happened?”
