Page 77 of Beneath the Beastly Duke's Mask
“I think perhaps I'll speak to Mrs. Cooper and ask for her advice regarding the situation,” Arabella told him. “She will be able to address the matter better.”
“I trust your decision, Arabella,” Lord Grafton said, smiling. “Now, I'd like to talk about your position here. I have been watching you for several weeks now, and I'm confident that you're a remarkable woman. You intrigue me like no other.”
Arabella's eyes widened. She didn't know what to make of what he was saying. Unlike Lord Kersey, who openly flirted with maids, Lord Grafton had not done anything to make her feel uncomfortable other than his dozens of questions a day.
They were tiring, especially when he wanted to know more about her than the estate. That didn't make any sense to her. If Mirabel had still been working in Euston Hall, she would have accused Arabella of seducing the new duke.
“Uh, thank you, Your Grace,” she said, realizing he was waiting for a response.
“No need to thank me,” he insisted. “It's true.”
She chuckled, feeling embarrassed. “I'm just a servant, Your Grace,” she said. “I assure you I am no more intriguing than the next servant.”
It was his turn to chuckle. He slid closer to the edge of his seat, leaning on the armrest as he regarded her rather intently.
“You're far more than that, Arabella,” he said, tilting his head. “You see, I did a little research into your background.”
Arabella pulled her head back. “Do you do this for all your employees?”
“Well, I usually focus on one's references,” he admitted. “However, as I said, you intrigue me. I decided that I needed to know a little more about you. You are not so forthcoming with your personal life.”
Arabella inwardly shook her head. Her personal life had nothing to do with him. She wouldn't be working there much longer anyway, so there was no reason to be so inquisitive. If Henry intended to leave, they could go together.
“I have given you all the necessary information, Your Grace,” she pointed out.
"Not quite," he argued. "For example, you didn't tell me your grandfather is a baron. You're not a commoner."
“My father was a commoner,” she said.
"Yes, a physician and his father before him. They both treated many lords and ladies in their lifetime. However, your mother was raised a lady, and I'm quite sure she did the same for you. It's all quite obvious in the way you carry yourself."
Arabella wished he would get to the point. She didn't care that her father was a baron. He disowned his own daughter simply because she fell in love with a commoner. Men like that didn't deserve to be fathers.
"Yes, my mother's father is indeed a baron, but that doesn't concern me, Your Grace," she said.
"Yes, I can imagine why," Lord Grafton replied. "Your grandfather disowned your mother. I support true love, so I would have merely accepted it if your parents were truly in love."
Arabella raised her eyebrows. “You would accept your daughter marrying a commoner?”
Lord Grafton didn't immediately answer, which was answer enough. “Well, I suppose it depends on the situation,” he said. “One cannot say for certain what they would do until they're in the situation. However, I am a firm supporter of love. Anyway,” he said, changing the topic. “I happen to know your mother's family. Did you know they're part German?”
“Indeed?” she said, disinterested.
“Yes,” he replied. “It's a small world indeed. I think you should reunite with your family. Your mother's family. I'm sure your grandfather will accept his granddaughter. After all, you are not to blame for your parents' decision.”
His interest in her family's background had become strange. “I have no intentions of reuniting with a man who disowned my mother,” Arabella told him. “He has never once contacted my mother to know how she's doing. He cut her out of his life as though she never existed. Why on earth would I want to get to know that side of the family?”
“Well, that is how strict some aristocrats can be,” said Lord Grafton. “It's important to mix with the right people. Like must marry like, you see. It keeps the bloodline clean.”
“Clean?”
Lord Grafton nodded, seemingly unaware of how insulted she felt for every commoner everywhere. Considering that people were born the same way, bled the same, and eventually died no matter how much money they had, it was ridiculous to believe that commoners seemingly haddirtyblood.
"Of course, there is no such thing as clean and dirty blood," he said. "However, that is how it's seen when it comes to bloodlines."
“Well, I find it all ridiculous,” she said. She inwardly sighed, feeling tired of their conversation. It had never felt this way with Henry. “Would you please excuse me, Your Grace,” she said. “I should return to my chores.”
“Please, just a moment, Arabella,” said Lord Grafton. “I haven't gotten to my point yet.”
