Page 65 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
Henry frowned. "I don't understand. Best for who? You just said that you enjoyed working here. It would be best for whom if you left?"
Arabella lifted her head slowly, her honey-colored eyes filled with resolution. "I am glad the rumor has been addressed, but I do not believe it is wise for me to remain here. I do not wish for something like this to happen again."
She was worried about another rumor, but Henry didn't believe it was enough to leave him. He would do everything in his power to protect her.
“There's no reason for you to worry about that,” he said. “It's my duty to protect you. And the other servants,” he quickly added.
"There is no reason to protect me, Your Grace," she said, smiling sadly. "It's not your responsibility. Everything will be better once I'm with my relatives. They wanted me to live with them from the very start, but I insisted on coming here. I do not regret it, though," she said, her smile this time reaching her eyes. "I have had a wonderful time here."
She really wanted to leave Euston, to leavehim. The very thought filled him with despair. Henry's life had become better with her around because she was now his center. He needed to only think of her to bring a smile to his face because she was his sunshine. Arabella had become a piece of him that he didn't want to live without.
“You cannot go!” he blurted. “I need you here.”
She twitched as though startled, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion. “You have many maids more competent than I,” she pointed out. “You have no need of me, Your Grace.”
Henry brushed his hand through his dark hair, something he rarely did in the presence of others. It left him bare, revealing the source of his weakness. It didn't matter that everyone already knew he was covered in scars—his hair was a kind of covering that gave him a false sense of security. To bare himself openly before Arabella was proof that he trusted her completely.
“I need to speak to you,” he said. “I have to tell you something.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
Henry looked around him. He wanted to reveal his feelings and make her understand how much he needed her, but this wasn't the place.
“Just a moment, please,” he said, gesturing for a stable hand to approach him. “Please take my horse back to the stables,” he told the young man.
The young man nodded, taking the horse's reins, and leading the horse away. Henry turned to Arabella, briefly looking at her hand. He was tempted to take it, but this was not the time. He would only startle her.
“Shall we go to the garden?” he suggested.
She frowned at him slightly but nodded, falling in step with him as he turned toward the garden. Henry said nothing as they walked because he was rehearsing what he would say. He had thought about keeping his feelings to himself to avoid making Arabella uncomfortable, but now that she wanted to go, his confession might be the only thing that could keep her at Euston.
Well, that was what he hoped would happen. His confession might chase her away faster, but he hoped not. Henry had sensed during a few memorable moments that she might have a little affection for him, although it was almost too good to be true.
"Please, sit," he said, indicating a bench, "but I'd like to remain standing if you don't mind."
“I would prefer to stand, Your Grace,” said Arabella.
“Yes, whatever makes you comfortable,” Henry agreed, nodding.
Arabella looked at him expectantly, her eyebrows slightly raised. Henry's words momentarily caught in his throat, suddenly too shy to reveal what was in his heart. This was a large step he was taking, one that would permanently alter his life. He had never made himself so vulnerable by confessing his feelings to a woman before. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking.
“What did you want to talk about, Your Grace?” Arabella pressed.
Henry drew in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "Forgive me for wasting your time," he apologized with a slight chuckle. "It's not every day a man gets to confess his feelings to the woman he loves."
Arabella's brow creased deeply, her confusion apparent. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace?” she said. “You wish to confess your feelings to the woman you...” Her eyes widened, drawing in a sharp breath as she fell silent.
Henry nodded, the flutter of activity in his belly as uncontrollable as being in love with her. “Yes,” he said. “I love you, Arabella. I have for some time now, but I was too afraid to say anything for fear of making you uncomfortable and chasing you away. However, now that you wish to leave, I cannot help but tell you how I feel.”
“Well, uh, I...” she stuttered, twisting her hands before her. She opened her mouth again, but no words came out.
He had shocked her into silence—he wasn't surprised. However, since he had started, he might as well go all the way and reveal what he wanted.
"I know it's difficult to love a person like me," he began. "I do not expect you to. However, I would still like you to give me a chance. I'll treat you like the precious woman you are, cherishing you always. I want to show you how much you mean to me."
To his dismay, Arabella's eyes filled with tears. “Your Grace, I...” She shrugged, blinking away tears, seemingly at a loss for words.
Henry was worried she was trying to find the words to turn him down, so he pressed on. "Please do not leave me, Arabella," he begged.
