Page 63 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Arabella stilled. “You mean about Maribel and the viscount?”
Jane nodded. "The duke will clear your name, and all will be well again," she said. "Just to think that Maribel and Lord Kersey were working together to soil your reputation... Why the viscount? What did he have to gain from ruining you? Maribel, I understand, but he? I know he wishes to take the dukedom from the duke, but what does that have to do with you?"
Arabella also didn't understand. Whatever the reason, she didn't want anyone else to use her like that again.
“Perhaps he thinks attacking a servant will weaken the duke?” she said, realizing that sounded stupid even to her ears.
Jane frowned. “That doesn't make any sense.”
“I agree,” said Arabella. “Forget I said it, please.”
Jane tilted her head, her eyes taking on a speculative look. “Well, your reason could work if the viscount believed the duke was in love with you.”
Arabella's eyes bulged. “What?”
“It's just a thought,” said Jane. “I do not mean anything by it, so do not keel over from shock.”
Arabella smiled weakly. “Yes, of course,” she said, her heart thumping rather hard against her ribcage.
Jane may have meant nothing by it, but the thought of the duke being in love with her left her nearly breathless. It was a thought too good to be true, one she couldn't afford to entertain, no matter how wonderful it was.
"If you must walk, you should do so before it's too late," said Jane, looking out the window. "The sky is turning that lovely shade of pink and purple. It's not often I get to just enjoy when the colors chase away the night.”
"I prefer to think of the colors giving the night a much-needed break," said Arabella. "The night sky has its own beauty to maintain, so rest is a necessity."
“So, the more one sleeps, the more one becomes pretty?” asked Jane.
“I said maintain, not create,” said Arabella. “And before you ask, you are pretty,” she added, putting her coat on. “I shall see you in the kitchen for breakfast a little later.”
Jane nodded, flopping back on her pillow, and pulling the covers to her neck. “I think I might just sleep after all,” she said a tad sleepily.
“Restful sleep,” said Arabella before leaving their room and making her way down the servants' stairwell.
Mrs. Cooper would likely be awake and in her study, pouring over details for the day. Everything had to be perfect, or it wasn't worth doing—that was her motto. Arabella believed that approach was damaging to one's self-esteem, especially if one was to fail.
However, she also understood the housekeeper's need for excellence. A servant's worth was in their skills and ability to make their masters' lives happy and easy. Mrs. Cooper did that and more, although at great stress to herself.
“Good morning, Arabella,” Mr. Black greeted.
"Good morning, sir," Arabella greeted as she reached the bottom of the staircase. She had forgotten that he also rose early.
“I do not usually see you walk this early,” he said.
“I wanted a little more time outside,” she replied.
He nodded. “Have a good walk then,” he said before continuing on his way.
Arabella smiled. She could always count on the butler to be brisk and to the point. He never saw a reason to waste time or words, which made him rather efficient.
She let herself out through the scullery door, drawing her hood over her head. Her father had taught her to protect her neck and chest from the chill in the air to avoid unnecessary colds.
“One cannot ever be too careful,” she said to herself, speaking his words.
How she missed her parents. Her pain was no longer unbearable, but sometimes her heart ached with the need to see them just one last time. Arabella would hug them the entire time, keeping them close to her and telling them how much she loved them.
She always used to tell them when they were still alive, but a little more affection never hurt anyone. She ached for her parents' arms around her, especially at a time when she was so uncertain about what to do.
Tightening her coat around her neck, she put her hands in her pocket, and took a shortcut through a little vegetable patch of cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs before heading to the garden. She was tempted to enter the labyrinth ahead, but that would take too much time. The garden offered enough of a footpath to keep her occupied while she put her thoughts in order.
