Page 67 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
"I have lived my life feeling alone. Hiding from people," he explained, sobering. "They have ostracized me and turned me into a beast—they do not even see me as human. You are the only one who has seen past the scars from the very beginning. You made me feel safe and comfortable around you. Do you think I would be worried about others when I have you? The woman I love? No! What use have I for others with you as my wife? You're all I need, Arabella."
Arabella looked at him with wide eyes. He could see she was having trouble absorbing everything he had said, whereas he was ready to take the next step with her. Usually, she was the confident one, but not this time. On the other hand, he was ready to drag the vicar to his house and have him marry him just to ensure Arabella would never leave his side.
“Your Grace?” his butler called, drawing his attention.
Henry inwardly groaned. He couldn't have come at a worse time. “Yes, Mr. Black?” he said, turning to him.
“Someone is here to see you, Your Grace,” said Mr. Black, his face grim. “He says he's a relative.”
Something seemed wrong—he could see it in his butler's face. “Is it Lord Kersey?”
Henry wouldn't put it past Basil to try to plead his innocence and blame the situation on Mirabel.
“No, Your Grace,” said Mr. Black. “This is another gentleman. He was quite insistent. I believe you should speak to him.”
Henry didn't want to leave Arabella when they were in the middle of an important conversation, but he didn't want to rush the matter just to meet with his supposed relative.
He turned to Arabella apologetically. “I should speak with my visitor,” he said. “Please, let's speak of this matter later. Our conversation is far from over.”
He looked at her meaningfully, pleased when a slight blush stole over her cheeks. “Yes, Your Grace,” she said.
He smiled, his heart full as he gestured for Mr. Black to walk ahead. Whatever the problem ahead with this relative, he didn't really care because Arabella loved him. That gave him enough strength to take on the world.
Chapter 24
Henry was flying high above the clouds. He was still so occupied with thoughts of Arabella that he barely heard what his butler was saying.
“What was that, Mr. Black?” he asked, glancing at the man distractedly.
“I said that I feel uneasy about your visitor,” his butler said, opening the backdoor leading to the main hallway. “He feels like trouble.”
Henry trusted his servants' instincts, putting him on edge. “What do you mean by that?” he said, not stepping foot in the house yet. “You never did tell me who he was.”
“Lord Grafton, Your Grace,” said Mr. Black, keeping the door open. “He said he was Lord Grafton. I have never heard of him before, yet he claims to be your relative. I would be careful of him.”
“He worried you that much?”
The butler nodded. “Unfortunately, yes,” he said. “He has this resolve about him. It's as though he knows something.”
Henry frowned. “Knows something? What do you mean by that?”
“I cannot explain it, Your Grace,” his butler replied. “It's afeeling. Of course, I could be wrong.”
"No, do not doubt your instincts," said Henry, placing his hand on the man's shoulder. "I shall be careful with this Lord Grafton. He cannot be worse than Lord Kersey, can he?"
“They're two different men, Your Grace,” said Mr. Black. “Lord Kersey has always been rather transparent. He cannot help his greed. However, Lord Grafton... I suppose one could say he has this power and confidence about him that always spells trouble for the one on the receiving end.”
Henry sighed. “I suppose I am on the receiving end?”
“I believe so, Your Grace,” said Mr. Black.
Henry had barely put the rumor situation to rest and now had to deal with another one. He just wanted peace and a moment to enjoy the fact that he had a real chance to be happy with someone. Arabella loved him; she washiswoman.
“Then I suppose I should see what this is all about,” said Henry. “I suppose he's in the parlor?”
He walked through the door, slightly anxious about the visitor. He had never even met the man, but he had already left an impression on him.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Mr. Black replied. “I will have Mrs. Cooper bring a tea tray in a moment.”
