Page 76 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
He had asked her to choose books for him because he needed something to read during the evenings. He didn't bring any of his books with him, but with such a vast library in Euston Hall, he was glad he didn't bring them.
“I'm glad you like them, my lord,” she replied.
He smiled. “You should get used to calling meYour Grace,” he said. “I am the duke, after all. There are merely a few official things to sort out before everyone knows about the change.”
Arabella didn't feel right calling him by a title she associated with Henry, but Lord Grafton was right. He was the duke and needed to be addressed as such.
“Yes, Your Grace,” she replied. “May I get you anything else?”
She really wanted to go looking for Henry. She didn't know where he was hiding, but he was undoubtedly on the estate. Arabella had heard he was helping Lord Grafton become accustomed to the estate and its employees.
She doubted the new duke would be as good as Henry—he simply didn't have the heart to deal with people on a personal level. Unlike Henry, Lord Grafton made it known that he was better than others. He relished being an aristocrat. He was much like Lord Kersey, except he didn't seem as slimy as the viscount.
“I'd like you to sit down,” said Lord Grafton, surprising her. “I have something important to tell you. You're a sensible and intelligent woman, so I know you'll understand the situation and be able to help the other employees with the change of employer.”
Arabella nodded, sitting on the edge of the nearest armchair. If she could help the other employees smoothly transition during this matter, she would gladly listen to him.
"Has Mr. Smith said anything to you about this current situation?" Lord Grafton asked.
She frowned. “Mr. Smith?”
Lord Grafton smiled. “Ah, forgive me,” he said.
“You still refer to him as the duke. Well, I'm afraid he is not the former duke's child. Well, by blood, anyway. I'm sure the old duke and duchess loved him very much. However, I am the legitimate heir. The old duke and my father were first cousins, you see. I was always told that I would become duke because they were childless. Oddly, I didn't hear about his death while in Germany—my father didn't see fit to inform us.”
Arabella didn't know if she was hearing correctly. Lord Grafton had just revealed that Henry wasn't the duke's son.
"I do not understand, my lord," she said. "The old duke named him his heir, and it has been that way for many years. How can you say he isn't the old duke's son? Do you have proof of this?"
Arabella sounded rude, but there was no better way to put it. Lord Grafton was taking the dukedom away from Henry and accusing him of being an imposter.
"Yes, and Mr. Smith has admitted to it," said Lord Grafton, seemingly unbothered by her manner of questioning him. "You see, Mr. Smith saved the duke and duchess from a fire in Euston Hall—that is where he got all those terrible scars. He later lost his father, and they decided to take him in, later making him the heir. I understand why the old duke did it—I was told he had a soft heart for people in need."
Arabella looked away, her mind desperately trying to absorb the information. Strangely, it made sense. So many stories had surrounded Henry and the old duke, but it had been difficult to know which was the truth.
However, this didn't make her feel any different toward him. Arabella still loved him. She just wished he could have confided in her about the matter. She knew about the fire, but he had never said much about it.
Obviously, it had been too difficult for him, with all that had happened, but he was refusing to see her. Perhaps he was ashamed of his background, but in her opinion, it made them even more suitable for each other. She no longer had to worry about being with a duke—he was a commoner just like her. She just wanted him totalkto her instead of running away whenever he saw her. That wasn't fair on her.
“I can see this matter has surprised you,” said Lord Grafton. “That is understandable. It isn't Mr. Smith's fault—the old duke made the decision to make him his heir for good reason. Mr. Smith has done a wonderful job of running the estate. If not for the fact of him being a commoner and not related by blood, I would have never questioned his legitimacy.”
Arabella sighed, lowering her head. She could only imagine what was going through Henry's head. He was the type to put the world on his shoulders and remain quiet about it. He was probably worried about what others might say about it. It was bad enough that many had called him the Beastly Duke, but now they would find out he wasn't a duke at all. It had to be hard for him to deal with the situation.
“What will become of, uh, Mr. Smith?” she asked.
“I asked him to become my steward, but he has refused,” Lord Grafton replied. “I do not know what he plans to do. Hopefully, he will change his mind and stay on the estate.”
Henry planned to leave, but he hadn't said anything about it yet! That wasn't right. They had confessed, and he had asked her to marry him—he couldn't make decisions alone. She had half a mind to scold him, but that wasn't what he needed right now.
"Thank you for telling me, Your Grace," she said. "I will speak to the other servants, although I believe the news should come from Mr. Smith. It wouldn't be right to reveal something so..." She briefly searched her mind for the right word. "Sensitive," she finally said.
“I suppose you're right, but it has been several weeks now,” Lord Grafton pointed out.
“Have you spoken to Mrs. Cooper about it?” she asked.
“She always seems so busy,” Lord Grafton replied. “One can barely get her to stop and talk.”
Arabella almost pursed her lips. She was also busy, but he kept asking to talk to her and pulling her away from work. He didn't realize it, but he was making her life a tad difficult.
