Euston Estate
Withherhandsonherhips,Arabellalookedaroundthearea Itseemedridiculousforonepersontoownanentirevillage,but Euston was such a place. The tales about the duke were rather contradictory as well, with some calling him a kind and generousmanwhileothersspreadhorrifyingstoriesabouthisbeastlyappearance.
Thiswaswhyshewashere Arabellawantedtoknowmoreaboutthebeastlyduke,whichhadledhertotakeachanceandstep intotheunknown.Therewasnoguaranteeshewouldfindemploymentasamaid,butshewaswillingtotry.
Usinga footpathinstead of the wider dirt road, Arabella ranher hands througha few wildflowers, snaggingone withher fingers.Shesnappedthestemshorterandlookedforlittleinsectsbeforeplacingitinherhair.Shehadn'tbotheredputtingup herblackcurlsintotheusualfashionablestylebutleftitasonelongbraiddownherback.Sheusuallyworeitlooseathome, butshenolongerhadahome.
Itwasjustahousefilledwithfurnitureandmemories.Arabellawouldmuchratherhaveherparentsandliveinahovelthanan empty,spacioushouse.Havinghermotherdieofconsumptiontwomonthsearlier,followedbyherfather'sdeathbyabroken heartonlyamonthlater,hadbeenharshandunnecessary.Noonedeservedthatmuchmisfortune.
IthadbeenadifficulttimeforArabella,buthermother'sdeathhadbeensomewhateasiertobear.Hermotherhadbeenillfor so longthatdeathhad finallybroughther much-needed peace, buther father's deathhad lefther devastated, and questioning God'sexistence.Arabella'sfather'shealthdeterioratedquicklyafterhermother'sdeath,buthewasn'till.
Hehadsimplylostthewilltolive,andnothingshehaddonecouldsnaphimoutofhisself-destructivestate.Truthfully,shehad beenangrywithhimimmediatelyafter his death, thoughshe eventuallyaccepted it, choosingto understand her father rather thanjudgehimforleavingheralone Arabella'sparentshadbeensoulmatesandunabletolivewithouteachother Shecouldn't andwouldn'tbeangryaboutthat
She stepped over a rockand paused briefly, raisingher head and squintinginto the distance. Arabella could justaboutsee EustonHall,theduke'sresidence StoriesabouttheDukeofRichmondhadfascinatedArabellasinceshewasalittlegirl One versionclaimedthedukewasbornbeastly-lookingandhiddenawaybytheolddukeuntilhefeltguiltyenoughtobringhiminto thehouse. Itsoundedmore like a fairytale,butArabella was opentobelievingitifthere was proof Everyone loveda bitofmystery, especiallywhenitconcernedthemostprominentfamilyinthearea.Thereweresomanymysteriessurroundingtheduke,giving
Arabellathepurposesheneededtomoveonfromhertragediesandembracelife
Arabellawantedtolivelifetothefullest,andthatmeantnotsettlingfor whatothersbelievedwasthecorrectcourseforher life She spent months nursingher mother before she succumbed to her illness, onlyto spend her days watchingher father deterioratebecausehecouldn'tlivewithouthiswife Shehadwillinglyputherlifeonholdforherparents,notwantingtobe anywhereelsebutwiththem.
Ithadbeenjustthethreeofthemallherlife,andthenshewokeuponedayandfeltlikeshehadlosteverythingworthliving for.Arabellaneededtofindpurposetocontinueliving,decidingthatanordinarylifewasnotforher.Insteadofacceptingher relatives'wishforhertolivewiththem,shetookaleapoffaithtolivelifeonherterms,evenifthatmeantbecomingamaid.
Drawingina deep breath, Arabella exhaled itslowlyand continued walking She was steppinginto a new adventure she couldfeel it.Eventhedayseemedtoindicateit,withitssunshineandcloudlessskies.However,Arabellalikelystill would haveseenthebrightsidetothedayeveniftheweatherwasmiserable.
Nothingcoulddeterherfromtheexcitementcoursingthroughherbody.ShewasgoingtoseekemploymentatEustonHalland find out for herself if there was anytruthto the stories surroundingthe duke. It had nothingto do withridiculingthe duke. Arabellawassincerelycuriousabouthiminthebestwaypossible.
Bothherfatherandgrandfatherhadbeenwell-knownphysicians,treatingthewealthyandpoor.However,hergrandfatherhad the beststories concerningall the people he had treated throughouthis life, butnone as captivatingas the one aboutthe old dukeandhiswife.
Arabella's grandfather treated the pair for years and, during his maudlin years, had shared stories with her about their interestinglives,butnoneofthemmadeherascuriousastheincidentthatsupposedlychangedthecourseoftheoldduke'slife. Her grandfather had always told her everything, buthe had notshared anysignificantdetails aboutthe incident, fuelingher curiosity His reluctance tosaymuchhadledher tocreate all kinds ofinterestingstories,her favorite one beingthatthe oldduke and duchesswerefaepeoplelivingashumanstoescapepersecutionintheirownrealm Perhapstheyhadhiddentheirsonaway for as longas theycould,buthewas injuredwhentheenemycaughthim,woundinghimterribly Now,thecurrentdukewas scarredandhidingawayinhisestatetoavoidbeingcaughtagain.
Chucklingather imagination, she patted the flower inher hair, ensuringitwas still there Ifshe had a little more time, she wouldmakeawreathofwildflowersandperhapsgiftittothefirstlittlegirlshemet Arabellahadyettofindagirlwhodidn't likeacrownofflowers.
Shenoddedrespectfullyatafewpeoplewhostoppedtolookather,smilingcheerfullyasshewentherway.Asinceresmile wasmostlyinfectious,somostreturnedthegreetingwithoutthinking,onlyfrowningwhentheyrealizedtheydidn'tknowwho shewas.
“Goodmorning,sir,”shesaidtoamanwatchingoveraherdofsheep.“MightItroubleyouforjustamoment?”
Theoldermanflickedhishatfurtherup,revealingakind,weatheredface
Thiswasamanwhohadworkedformostofhislife andwouldmostlikelycontinuedoingsountil hisbodygaveuponhim.Peoplelikehimhadnoother choiceunlesstheyhad childrenwillingtolookafterthemintheiroldage.
“HowcanIhelpyou,younglady?”heasked,shiftinghispositiononthelowstonewall
“Would youplease directme to the housekeeper?” she said “Iknow to continue to the house, butshould Igo to the house directlyorwaitelsewhere?I'mafraidI'mnotcertainaboutwhatoneshoulddowhenseekingemployment” Theman'sbushygrayeyebrowsrose."Youwishtoworkhere?"Hegaveheraonceover."Thereisnopostforagovernessas therearenochildren Youcannotbealady'smaidbecausethemasterisunmarriedandhasnomissus Ithinkyoucametothe wrongplace,miss"
Arabellasmiled “Ihavecometofindworkasamaid,kindsir Iamsureagrandestatesuchasthiscanneverhavetoomany maids” "Amaid?"herepeated,frowning."Whywouldaladylikeyouwishtobeamaid?Youdonotstrikemeassomeonewhodoes such manual work Are you certain you wish to be a maid here? Someone so well-spoken, well-dressed, and with your mannershasnobusinessworkingasamaid"
Arabellainwardlysighed AuntBeatricehadwarnedheritwouldbedifficultforanyonetobelieveshecouldworkasamaid Arabella'smotherhadbeenadisownedbaron'sdaughterandraisedhertobealady Theymighthavelivedascommonersas her father was amerephysicianandnotevenpartofthecovetedgentry.However,her mother hadensuredshehadaproper educationandknewhowtocarryherselfnomatterthesituation.
“I'macommonerlikeyouare,sir,”shepointedout “Donotbemisledbymymannerisms Myfatherwasaphysician,andmy motheradevotedwifeandmother.”
“Thatdoesn'texplainwhyyoucarryyourselflike a lady,” the old mansaid, tiltinghis head to the side. “Amanmyage has livedandseenmanythingsinhislifetime.Youarenocommoner,miss.”
“WhatshouldIdotobehave more like a commoner?” she askedrather thanargue “Iwouldn'twanttooffendanyone Some mightbelieveIassumeI'mbetterthanthem,butthatcouldn'tbefurtherfromthetruth.”
"Whydoyouwishtobeamaid?"heasked "Andwhyhere,ofallplaces?"
“I have indirect ties to Euston, sir,” she said. “I also have no mother and father, so I should workfor mykeep. I have no referencestobeanythingbutamaid”
She didn'tdare sayshe was onanadventure to discover the truthbehind the stories aboutthe duke. The old manmightnot understandandbelieveshewishedtoridiculetheduke “Isee,”hesaid,nodding.Alookofsympathyenteredhislightblueeyes.“Whataboutrelatives?”
"Ido notwishto bother them,"Arabella replied. "Iwould rather workwiththe two hands and feetthe Lord has graciously givenme.WorkingwiththerestofwhattheLordhasgivenmewouldalsobehelpful,"sheaddedwithachuckle.
Theoldmanlaughed.“Itcertainlywould,”hesaid.“Iseeyou'requitedetermined,youngmiss.Iadmireyourwishtostandon yourowntwofeet.Mrs.Cooperwillappreciatethat.”
“IsMrs Cooperthehousekeeper?”
Arabella shouldhave done more researchintoEustonHall,buther decisiontoworkfor the duke hadbeensudden She had decided soon after her father's funeral She’d hardly had time to learn the necessary information about Euston Hall's main servants. “Yes,sheis,”themanconfirmed “Ifyoucontinuealongthispath,you'll eventuallyrunintothelaundrymaidshangingupthe laundry TheyshouldbeabletotellyouwhereMrs Cooperislikelytobe”
Arabellabowedherheadslightly "Thankyousomuchforyourhelp,sir,"shesaid Sheturnedawaybutsoonlookedbackat him."MayIpleaseknowyourname?"sheasked."I'mArabellaLockhart."
“Lockhart?”hesaid “Thenameisoddlyfamiliar Well,MissLockhart,youcancallmeRogers” “Please,callmeArabella,”sheinsisted.“Iprefertobeinformal.”
AghostofasmilehoveredaboveRogers'lips.“YoushouldmovealongifyouintendtospeaktoMrs.Cooperbeforetheend oftheday.Youmightneedtowaitwhilesherunserrands.She'salwaysquitebusy.” “Thankyou,Rogers,”shesaid,bowingherheadslightlybeforecontinuingonthepath. Shepassedseveralotherpeoplealongtheway,askingthemfordirectionsjusttoensureshewasontherightpath Thefootpath hadsplitintotwoearlier,whichRogershadn'tmentioned.Arabellahadselectedoneandconfirmeditwiththeservantsnear thepath.Nooneseemedtoquestionherpresenceontheestateandmerelygaveherdirectionstothelaundrymaids.Thehouse up ahead was growingcloser, butArabella could tell she still had some distance to go. Loud quackingcaughther attention, promptinghertoturntoherleft.
Amotherduckwasguidingherducklingstowardapond,theirwaddlingamusingandadorable.Sheleanedagainstalargerock andwatchedthemmomentarily,intriguedwhenalargemanappearedfromathicketofwoods.
He dressed rather plainly with just a white shirt that seemed to pull across his broad shoulders and black, tightly fitted breechesthatshowedoffhiswell-formedcalves.Hewas muchtaller thanher five-footheight,buther father hadtoppedsix feet.Shedoubtedthemanwasastall.
Arabellawasimpressedwiththesheerbreadthofhimandimaginedhecouldeasilycarryasheeponbothshoulders.Hewas undoubtedlysuitedtophysical labor,butthe nature ofhis clothes confusedher.His white shirtandbeige breeches were not typicalservants'attire,buthewasn'tdressedlikeanaristocrateither
Almost, but not quite. Arabella guessed himto be a steward or someone similar he earned enough money to buy quality clothing,buthewasn'traisedasagentleman,whichreflectedinhowhewasdressed.
Movingherheadabout,shetriedtotakeagoodlookathisface,buthislong,darkhaircovereditcompletely.Shehadnever seenamanwithsuchlonghairbefore.Somelettheirhairgrowlongerthantheircollars,butthisman'shairwaslongenoughto
touchhischest Itcurledslightlyattheendsandmovedlikeacurtain,keepinghisfaceshrouded
A little disappointed that she couldn't put a face to a body, she merely watched him approach the ducks with a basket overflowingwithlettuceleaves Hemadeacluckingsound,drawingthecreatures'attentionbeforethrowingafew leaveson thegrass Theyturnedandrantowardhim,their excitedquacks fillingtheair Theyclamoredaroundtheman,devouringthe lettuceleavesinseconds.
Themanchuckled,thesoundwarmandcomforting Arabellasmiled Onecouldtellalotfromsomeone'slaughter,especially whennoonewasaroundtohearthem.Thismanhadagoodandkindheart justthesortshewasdrawnto.
Pushingawayfromtherock,Arabellafoundshewantedtobecloser tothemanandfinallyseehis face Thegrass crunched under her feet and should have alerted the manthat someone was approaching, but he appeared oblivious to her presence Arabellastoppedafewfeetawayfromhim,notwantingtoencroachonhispersonalspace.
"I'mgladyou'refeedingthemleaves,notbread,"shesaid "Breadtendstowreakhavocwiththeirdigestion"
Themanstilled,thebasket'shandlegroaningslightlyunderhissuddenlytightenedgrip.
“Ididn'tmeantostartleyou,”shesaid.
Hesaidnothingbutturnedawayasthoughheweretryingtohidefromher.Arabellafrownedslightly,hereyesfallingonthe golden, olive skin of his exposed forearms. Thick burn scars covered most of the area, making the skin appear tight and discolored.
Someareaswerepinkwithbrownhues,whileotherswerewhite,makingpatternsliketinyroadsthroughthethickenedskin. Arabellahadthestrangeurgetotraceherfingersalongeveryridgeandwonderedhowfarthescarswent.
Theyresembledamapand...Itfinallydawnedonherthatthismancouldbetheduke!Sheopenedhermouthtoaskhim,buthe walkedawayquicklyasthoughheknewwhatshehadbeenabouttoask.Arabellaclosedhermouth,pullingittothesideasshe watchedhimdisappearintothewoods.
The duke preferred to stay away from people because of his scars, and this man's forearms were covered in burn scars. Arabellahadassistedherphysicianfatherenoughtotellthedifferencebetweenscars,betheyfromscratchesorstabwounds. Herguttoldherthismanwaslikelytheduke,hencehiswishtokeephisfacehidden.
Arabellasighed,hercompassionstirredtothesurface.Ithadtobedifficultlivingwiththeneedtohideoneselffromthepublic eye.Itcouldn'tbeeasywithhimbeingaduke.
Sighing,shelookedupatthesky,her eyeswideningathow highthesunwas.Shemightnever gettoseeMrs.Cooper ifshe dalliedalongthepath.Sheincreasedherpace,hurryingtowardthehouse.Arabellaconsideredgoingtothebackdoor,butthe servantsalltoldhertogotothefrontdoorandaskforMrs Cooper
Perhapssheshouldhavesaidshewishedtofindajobasamaid,butitwastoolatenowasshesteppeduptothefrontdoorand bangedtheknocker.Aneatlydressedmanansweredthedoor,hisseriousexpressionpotentiallyintimidatingforsomeonewho coweredunderauthority WhileArabellarespectedeveryone,shewasn'tafraidofpeople,betheyrichorpoor
Therewasnoneedbecauseshebelievedpeoplewereequalsdespitetheirsocialclassorwealthstatus.Ofcourse,notmany sharedthosebeliefs,butherparentshadensuredshegrewuplookingfurtherthantheoutwardman “Goodday,sir,”shegreeted,bowingherheadslightly.“MynameisArabellaLockhart.” “Goodday,”themanreplied,subtlyexaminingher.“HowcanIhelpyou,younglady?”
“MayIspeaktoMrs Cooper?”sheasked
Heraisedadarkeyebrow.“MayIknowthereason?” “I'dverymuchliketoworkhere,”Arabellasaidtruthfully.“Asamaid,”sheaddedquickly.“IwastoldthatIwouldneedto speaktoMrs.Cooper.Issheavailable?I'mhappytowaituntilsheis.” “Iamnotawareoftherebeingapositionavailable,”themantoldher.“However,Mrs.Cooperistheauthorityonsuchthings, soifyouwouldwaitforamoment." “Outside?”sheasked.
“Ofcoursenot,”hereplied,steppingback.“Comeinandwaitinthefoyer.IwillspeaktoMrs.Cooper.”
Arabellasmiled “Thankyou,sir,”shesaid,walkingintothehouse
He gestured at an upholstered bench, indicating she should sit down. Arabella bobbed her head and thanked him, settling betweencushions
“Lovelychair,”shecommentedtoherself,lookingaroundthearea.
The outside had beenimpressive enough, withits manywindows, chimneys, and vines growingonone halfofthe building. Arabella had counted three balconies and had wondered about the rooms behind them. It would be lovelyto have a room whereonecouldwakeupandsitoutsideonthebalconyfirstthinginthemorning.
Onecouldhavehotchocolateinthewinter,curledupwithabook,andlemonadeinthesummer.Perhapsawomancouldget awaywithjustwearingherundergarmentsinthesummer,knowingnoonewouldbeabletosee.Theoptionswereendless.
“MissLockhart?”awoman'svoicesaid.
Startled, Arabella jumped to her feet, meetingthe darkbrowneyes ofa plump, attractive womaninher late forties or early fifties.
“Arabella,”shetoldthewomancheerfully “MightyoubeMrs Cooper?”
Thehousekeepernoddedcurtly.“Correct.Mr.Blacktellsmeyouwishtoworkhereasamaid.Judgingbythelooksofyou,you haveneverworkedasamaidbefore Showmeyourhands”
Arabellaheldthemout,smilingtoherself.Thehousekeeperlikelyexpectedsmoothhands,butArabellawasakeenarcheress. Constanthandlingofbowsandarrowshadleftpermanentcallusesonherpalms.
“Itseemsyou'renotforeigntowork,”Mrs.Coopersaid,frowningslightly.“Whyhaveyouchosentoworkhereinparticular?”
“Iheardmanygoodthingsaboutthisplace,”Arabellasaid,hopingherliewouldn'tshow.“Itwasmyfirstoption.Thelandis beautiful,andworkinginahouselikethiswouldbeanhonor.I'vealsoheardmanygoodthingsaboutthedukeandhisfamily.It wouldbeablessingtoworkforsuchanemployer."
“You'veheard good thingsabouttheduke?”Mrs.Cooperaskedincredulously.
"Well,I'veheardbadthingsaswell,butIdon'tliketodwellonthem,"saidArabella."Igenerallydonotlistentobadnewsor rumors.It'sawasteoftime.I'mmoreinterestedinhow hemanagesthisvillagesowell.Rarelyanyoneleaves.Hemustbea fairandgenerousemployer.Whynotworkforsomeonewhotreatshispeoplewell?"
Mrs.Coopernoddedslowly.“Thatisallwellandgood,butwhatmakesyouthinkyou'llfitinthisenvironment?” Arabellahadposedtheverysamequestiontoherselfbeforeembarkingonher journey Ifshecouldn'tfitin,shewouldn'tbe abletofulfillhermission.
"I'mgood-natured,"Arabella began "Someone notafraidofwork I'mnotone for gossip,butIenjoyhearinggoodstories I generallylikeeveryone,andIchoosetoseethebrightsideofeverysituation I'mbynomeansperfect,butIgivemybestinall thatIdo.Ilikeworkinginharmonywithothers itmakesthejobgofaster.That'saboutit,Ithink."
Mrs Cooper didn't answer her immediately She appeared to be deep in thought, her head slightly tilted as she observed Arabella. “ImustsayIlike your disposition,Arabella,” the housekeeper finallysaid “We needmore brightandcheerful people here Perhapsyouwillinfluencetheotherstotakemoreprideintheirwork” Arabella'ssmilewidened “Iwouldliketotrymyverybest” “However,”Mrs.Cooperadded.“Thefinaldecisionrestswiththemaster.Youwillmeethimandspeakwithhim.Ifheagrees, youcanbeginlaterthisweek.”
So,Arabellawouldofficiallymeettheverymanwhohadbeeninherthoughtsformanyyears,andshecouldputafacetothe bodyshehadmetearlier.Shewasatadnervousbutmostlyexcitedforwhatlayahead.Nomatterwhat,shewouldn'tregrether
Leaningonthebalustrade,Henrywatchedthewomanwithhishousekeeper below.Knowinghislandbetter thananyoneelse hadensuredhecouldreturntothehousebeforethewomanmadeittothefrontdoor.
Henryhad a feelingshe was comingto inquire aboutsomething, buthe didn'tknow what. He couldn'thear whattheywere saying,buthewastoointriguedbytheyoungwomantostopstaring.Shewasthesameonefromearlier,thewomanwhohad spokentohimwhilehefedthemotherduckandherducklings. Henryhadwonderedabouttheduck,havingencounteredher eggs sometimeago.Whenhesaw fivelittleduckingfollowing her, he was relieved and had his cookgive himall their lettuce leaves. She had grumbled a bit, but theyhad plentyinthe garden,soshehadrelented.
Hiscookwasoneofthefewwomenwholookedhimstraightinthefaceanddidn'tflinch.Othersavertedtheirgazesandtried theirbestnottobearoundhimfortoolong.Hedidn'tblamethem.Hisscarredfacewasenoughtoputanyoneofftheirfood. Shiftingslightly,Henryleanedoverthebalustrade,tryingtocatchalittleoftheconversation.Theyoungwomanhadtakenhim bysurpriseearlier,andhestillfeltrathersillyforfreezinginplaceasthoughhisfeethadbeenboltedtotheground.Hismind hadmomentarilyblanked,unsureofwhattodo.Henryhadinstantlyknownthewomanwasn'toneofhisservantsinthevillage nowomanwillinglyspoketohimoutsideEustonHall
Ithadbeensolongsinceanyonehaddaredtotalktohimsocasuallythatithadthrownhimoffbalance.Everyoneknew the 'BeastlyDuke'anddidn'tventureintothevillagewithoutsometrepidation.Keepingtohimselfseemedbestforeveryone,even for his servants Henrywas mostcomfortable aroundhis valet,steward,housekeeper,banker,andcookas he spentthe most timearoundthem
His other employees served himwell and respected him, but it was apparent they were uncomfortable being around him Perhapsthestoriesabouthimbeingabeasthadovertakentheircommonsenses,soalltheysawwerehisscars Theyoungwomanbelowhadbeenrefreshinglydifferent.Ofcourse,shehadn'tseenhisface,butanyonewithaworkingmind wouldhaveseentheterriblescarsonhisarmsandhavecometoaconclusionabouthisidentity Notmanycouldclaimsomany scarsontheirbody Hewasamonster,abeastlymanwhooncedidagooddeedandwasrewardedwithdisfigurement
Howgoodyetshockingitwastohaveawomanspeaktohimnormally Sometimes,Henrymissedthesimplicityofinteracting withothersandwonderedwhatcouldhavebeenifhehadnotrunawayfromthedark-hairedbeauty Ofcourse,shedidn'tsee hisface,sotherewasnotellingwhatshewouldhavedone.Henrylightlysnorted.Hewaslyingtohimself.
Heknew preciselywhatwouldhavehappened.Shewouldhavecriedinalarmandtakenoffrunningasthoughthehoundsof Hadeswereafterher.Still,ithadbeennicetohearsomeonespeaktohimwithoutfearintheirvoice.Althoughhecouldn'thear whatshewassaying,hecouldstilldetecttheclarityinhervoiceanditssoothingeffect Sheprobablyhasawonderfulsinging voice,buthewouldneverhavethehonorofhearingit
FeelinglikeapeepingTom,Henrytoldhimselftowalkawaybeforesomeonecaughthimwatching Hisfeetwouldn'tbudge, not until Mrs Cooper turned awayfromthe youngwomanand headed to the stairs Alarmed, he ranacross the landingas noiselesslyaspossibleandboltedintotheparlor.
Hedoveforhisarmchair,pickingupabooktoreadasheworkedoncalminghisbreathing Hishousekeepermightnotcometo seehim,buthestilldidn'twanttobecaughtinanawkwardpositionorhaveheraskwhyhesoundedslightlyoutofbreath It wasn'tsomuchthemaddashthathadalteredhisbreathingbuttheexcitementofpossiblyknowingwhythedark-hairedwoman wasinhishouse. HenrywascalmandcollectedbythetimeMrs.Cooperknockedonthedoorandentered,hisexpressionofmildinterestashe lookedoverhisbook.
"YourGrace,"shesaid,frowningslightlyathisbook "It'supsidedown,YourGrace,"shepointedout
Henry's cheeks warmed “Uh, yes,” he said, clearinghis throat “I'maware ofthat Iwanted to see ifIcould read itupside down Justalittleexperiment”Heputitdown “Doyouneedsomething?” “Iwasgoingtospeaktoyouaboutthisbefore,butwehadtoletgoofoneofourmaidsthispastweek,”shetoldhim."Itwas quietlydone as the situationwas of a delicate nature I wouldn't want Leticia humiliated for succumbingto a man's empty promises" Henrysighed,rubbingeyes “Anotherone?”
Mrs.Coopernodded."Yes,YourGrace.AlthoughIhavemysuspicions,sherefusestosaywhoitwas." Disappointmentsatheavilywithinhim.Henrywasagainstlordsseducingmaidsandimpregnatingthem,onlytoabandonthem soonafter.Leticiawascomelyenoughtoattracttheroamingeyesofweak-willedmenlikehiscousinBasil,ViscountKersey.
HehadafeelingBasilwasflirtingwithLeticia,oneofhisnewermaids,buthehadfoolishlynotexpectedittogettothispoint soquickly.Althoughhishousekeeperdidn'tsayitwasBasil,hewasalmostcertainitwashim.
“Didyougiveherthreemonths'wagestohelpheralong?”Henryasked.
“Yes, and a place where she cango for youngmothers,” Mrs Cooper said “Althoughthe house canmanage without her, I prefer to have anevenamount of maids for eachpart of the house. I believe I have found a youngwomanwho will fit in perfectly,butsheneedstomeetyoufirst.”
In other words, the woman needed to pass the test given to all servants on his estate If an employee was capable of withstandinghispresencewithoutcryingoutinfearandrunningoff,theycouldstayandwork.Henrydidn'twanthisservants coweringinfeareverytimehepassedthem.Itwasonethingtobeapprehensiveandavoideyecontact,butanothertorunoffin fear.
“Is the womanhere?” he asked, foolishlynotrealizingatfirstthathis housekeeper likelymeantthe womandownstairs. His eyeswidenedwiththerealizationbeforeMrs.Cooperconfirmedhisthoughts. “Yes,sheis,YourGrace,”hishousekeeperreplied.“ShallIbringhertoyou?”
Henrydidn'tanswerimmediately Hedidn'twanttoscarethewomanawaybyrevealinghisfacetoher,buttherewasnoother way.However,ifMrs.Cooperbelievedthewomanwouldfitwellintotheenvironment,hemerelyhadtotrusther.
“YourGrace?”
“Yes,”hesaid.“Bringherhere.”
“Ofcourse,YourGrace,”sherepliedandleft.
Henry'shandstwitchedwheretheylayonthearmrests,unabletoremainstill Hewasnervous hecouldn'tdenythat Forthe firsttimeinmanyyears,Henrywantedthemeetingtogowell.Hegenerallywantedallfirstmeetingswithpossibleemployees togowell,butthiswomanwasdifferent.
Perhaps itwas simplybecause she had spokento himearlier and givenhima taste ofwhatitfeltlike to be normal, butit couldn't last. She would balk when she saw his face, so he needed to prepare himself for her look of disgust or fear whicheverwouldcomefirst.
Mrs.Coopereventuallyenteredtheparlorwiththewoman,andhewastemptedtohidehisface.However,theneedtoseeher upcloseoverwhelmedhisneedtolookaway.
“YourGrace,thisisArabellaLockhart,”hishousekeeperintroduced.
Ah,sothatwashername Itwasaslovelyasshewas Arabella'sheadwasdown,andherhandsclaspedbeforeherinrespect, likelywaitingforhisapprovaltoapproachhim.
“Iunderstandyouwishtoworkhere,”saidHenry,willinghertolookup
Shefinallydid,revealingstrikingamber-coloredeyes.Itwaslikesomeonehadinfusedbrownwithgolduntilitgleamedand looked otherworldly Henry held his breath, waiting for the rejection to come Only, it never did Nothing in her eyes or expressionindicatedshewasdisgustedorafraid
Instead,she smiledathimwithjusta hintofcompassion Itwasn'tpity Henryknew thatemotionwell This was a woman lookingatthe horriblyscarredface ofa manandnotcaringthathe was disfigured He foundhimselfwantingtosmile This wasafirstforhim.
“I'mhappytomakeyour acquaintance,Your Grace,”shesaid,curtsying “Iwouldverymuchliketoworkas amadehereat EustonHall Ipromisetoworkhardandnevergiveyouanyhassles Ionlyaskforanopportunitytoprovemyself”
Shespokecheerfully,hersmilelightingupherfaceandtheroomaroundher Itwassoinfectiousthatthecornersofhismouth hadtiltedupwardsbeforehecouldstophimself “Whythishouseinparticular?”hefoundhimselfasking.
“IfImaybejustalittlecheeky,YourGrace,”shebegan.“Whynotthishouseandestate?Everythingisbeautiful,andjudging by the general contentment among your employers, working for you would be much more preferable than being a maid in
Itwasalittleinappropriatetobesofrank,butArabella'ssweetnaturetoldhimshedidn'tmeantosoundrude.Sheonlywished totellthetruth Evenifshehadbeenatadrude,hewouldhavedismisseditinfavorofthelackoffearinhereyesasshestood beforehim
“Youcanworkhere,MissLockhart,”hesaid “Mrs Cooperwillgiveyouthedetailsyouneed”
Arabella'ssmilewideneduntilhereyeswerehappyhalf-moons."Thankyou,YourGrace youwillnotregrethiringme,"she said,bowing."Thankyou,Mrs.Cooper."
“Youmaygonowandreturntomorrowmorningforinstructions,”Mrs.Coopertoldher.
“Yes,Mrs.Cooper,”Arabellareplied.“Thankyouonceagain.”
Arabellaleftwithaspringinherstep,herdarkbraidswayingagainstherback Henrywasdisappointedthatshehadtoleave soearly,surprisinghimselfathow quicklyhehaddevelopedabitofanattachmenttoher Eventheroomseemedtoloseits brightnessandwarmth,leavingituncommonlycoldandbleak.Itwasratherstrangebecausetheroomhadbeenjustfinebefore shearrived.
“I'mgladyouapproveofher,YourGrace,”saidMrs.Cooper,drawinghisattention.“Itrulybelieveshewilldowellhere.We needsomeonewithadispositionlikehers.”
“Iagree,Mrs Cooper,”hereplied
"Shealsoseemswell-manneredandspeakswell,"thehousekeepercontinued "Evenhowshecarriesherselfisquitedifferent fromyourusualcommoner Sheisundoubtedlyinteresting I'dliketoputheratthefrontofthehouse" Henryhadtoagree.Hehadnevermetacommonerwithmannerismslikeher.Theywereratherladylikeandnotbluntlikethe restofhismaids ItmadeArabellaratherinteresting
Either way,Arabella wouldbeginworkonhis estate soon.The thoughtexcitedhimmore thanhe believedwas wise.Henry quicklyreinedinhisemotions,realizinghowinappropriatetheywere.Anemployershouldnotbeexcitedaboutaservant,no matterhowcharmingandintriguingshewas
“AuntBeatrice!”Arabellacried,throwingthefrontdooropenandrunningintothekitchen
Herfather'ssisterlovedtocookandwasalwaysexperimentingwithfood.Everyfewmonths,shefixatedonatopicsuchasa hundredwaystocookchicken,howtopreservefoodafterithasbeencooked,medicinalusesofherbs thelistwasendless
She evenhad the slightlymanic, disheveledlookofa scientistkeenonfindingthe answer to everyquestioninthe universe. AuntBeatricewas rarelywithouther apronandahairstyleofhair messilypiledatopher headandsecuredwithmillions of pinsthatsomehowstillallowedtendrilsofpalehairtofallandframeherheart-shapedface “AuntBeatrice?”Arabellacalledout,uponrealizingherauntwasn'tinthekitchen. “I'minthegarden!”herauntyelled.
Arabellaleftthroughthebackkitchendoor,findingherauntkneelingintheherbpatch.Shewaspullingupherbsfromtheroots andplacingtheminanold,largebasket.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Arabellaasked,leaningagainstawall
“I see no reasonto leave these herbs for the next owners,” her aunt replied, sittingbackonher legs “Or the flowers and vegetables Youandyourmotherpainstakinglyplantedeverythinginthisgarden,sowe'retakingthemwithus”
Arabellalaughed.“Somepeoplewouldfindthatpettybehavior.”
"Petty?" Aunt Beatrice replied. "It's petty to take the fruits of your labor? Ridiculous. We'll replant them once we reach Somerset. I'mthinkingabout cuttingthe tops ofthe herbs and dryingthem, but preservingthe roots inwater until we reach Somerset"
“Butwhyareyoudoingitnow?”Arabellaasked.“Unclestillhastosellthehouse.”
Arabella'smotherhadtaughthertonevergrowattachedtomaterialthingsandthatrelationshipswithpeoplewereworthierof her time Her mother learned this the hard waywhenher father disowned her for wantingto marrya physician Arabella's motherwasstrippedofallherjewelry,clothing,dowry everything.
However,shesoonlearnedthatbeingwiththemanshelovedmorethanmadeupforlosingthethingssheusedtobelievewere important.Forthatreason,Arabellahadvowednottomournthelossofherfamilyhome.Shecouldliveanywhereaslongas shehadhermemories.
“Your uncle has found a buyer for the house,” AuntBeatrice informed her “Alovelycouple withtwo small children This houseistheperfectsizeforthem.”
“UncleDanielfoundabuyeralready?”saidArabella AuntBeatricesmiled.“Myhusbandisacapableandefficientman,”shesaid.“Ofcourse,italsohastodowiththehousebeing abeautifulpieceofhistoryinThetford”
Thehousewasacottagethatwasoncepartofalargerestate.Overtime,theestatewassoldpiecebypieceuntilthecottage wasalone,withjustalittlelandaroundit Itbynomeansmadethemlandedgentry,butitwasalsouncommonforcommoners toowntheirownhousesinsucharespectablearea
“Isupposethatisgood,”saidArabella,thinkingabouthermovetoEustonattheendoftheweek.
"It's very good, dear!" her aunt exclaimed. "We can leave earlier than planned and get you settled with us in Somerset. Everyoneislookingforwardtoyoubeingthere.Youshouldlabeleverythingyouwishtotakewithyouandanythingthatcanbe donatedtothelessfortunate Mymotheralwayssaidthatifonetookcareofthepoor,theLordwouldtakecareofthem" “Whataboutgenerosity?”Arabellaasked.
"Ofcourse,onemustbegenerous,"herauntsaid,pullingoutsometarragon."Thatgoeswithoutsaying.Butisitnotthesame thing?Givingtothelessfortunate is generous.”
“Whatabouttheherbsandflowersyou'rediggingoutofthegarden?”
AuntBeatriceraisedhereyebrows “Thisisentirelydifferent!”shesaid “Mymotherneversaidweshouldgive everything to people.We'realreadysellingsuchabeautifulhousetothatcouple.It'sinwonderfulcondition,andtheygotitatareasonable price.Yourunclecouldhaveaskedformuchmore,butyouinsistedwebefair.”
Arabellapushedawayfromthewallandkneltnexttoheraunt.“MamaandPapawouldhavewantedthesamething,”shesaid, pullingonanotherbundleoftarragon.“Whendothecouplehopetomovein?”
“Well,youstillhavetodecidewhatwe'retakingwithus,”AuntBeatricepointedout “I'vesentletterstoyourauntsanduncles toassistuswiththemoving,soIwouldsayamonth.Theyoungcoupleareeagertomovein.They'recurrentlystayingwiththe woman'sparents.”
Arabellanodded.Shehadyettotellherauntthatshewouldstartworkattheendoftheweekandwouldnolongerbelivingin heroldfamilyhome.
“Aunt,” she began “I'll finalize everythingbefore the end ofthe week Iwill nottake much, so youshould decide whatyou wouldalsoliketohave.”
“Youdonothavetorush,dear,”AuntBeatriceprotested “Youhaveamonth”
“Actually,IshallbeworkingatEustonHallbythen,”saidArabella.“Infact,Istartattheendoftheweek.I'mgoingtomorrow togetatourandreceiveinstructions”
AuntBeatrice sighed, tossingher shovel to the side and plantingher hands onher hips. "Are youreallygoingthroughwith this?"sheasked "Howcanyoubecomeamaid?Isthiswhatyourparentswanted?Andyou'llbeworkingfortheBeastlyDuke ofallpeople Iknowyou'renotonetojudgeanyone,butthisisreallytoomuch Whyhim,ofallpeople?Andit'snotlikeyou need towork.Won'tyoureconsider?”
Arabellacontinuedtopullherbsoutasshespoke,gettingherhandsdirty "I'mexcitedaboutworkingatEustonHall,Aunt,"she said "Thedukeisalsoalovelymanandnothingatalllikesomepeoplehavesaid Havingscarsdoesn'tmakeyouaterrible person. His servants seemcontent, and the estate is beautiful. Mind you, I have noticed their discomfort around the duke becauseofhisscars,butithasnothingtodowithhischaracter."
“Fine,fine,fine,”herauntsaid.
“Thedukeaside,whydoyoufeeltheneedtowork?Themoneyfromthesaleofthishousewillgotoyou,andyourfatherleft youaninheritance. Your uncle said those two combined will allow youto live comfortablyfor the restofyour life. You'll never need to work. Justcome staywithus until we canfind a suitable manfor youto marry. Icannotstand the thoughtof leavingyoubehind.Infact,Idonotwanttothinkaboutit.”
Arabella's father had always beenone to planfor the future. Theymaynot have beenrich, but theyhad lived comfortably enoughfor himto setmoneyaside for her. He didn'twanthis daughter to depend onanyone should the unthinkable happen, whereshefoundherselfwithoutparents.
“Iwantyouanduncletotakesomeofthemoneyfromthehousesale,”Arabellainsisted. Herauntshookherhead.“No,wedonotwantacentfromthatmoney,”sheprotested.“It'sallyours.Anddon'tyoudaregiveit toanyofyourgreedycousins,especiallymysister'schildren.They'llcomesniffingatyourheelsoncetheyknowyou'resitting onasmallfortune.”
Arabellamovedfromherkneestoherbottom,crossingherlegs.“I'mnotopposedtohelpingthemifneeded,butI'mnotfoolish enoughtonotknowwhensomeoneistryingtomanipulateme.”Shesatbackonherhands,lookingupatthesky.“Itfeelsalittle oddknowingthishousewillnolongerbemyhome,butIdonotregretthedecisiontosellitandmoveon.”
“Well,youmovedherewhenyouweretwo,soit'stheonlyhomeyouknow,”herauntpointedout.“Irecallhowexcitedyour fatherwaswhenheboughtit.Yourgrandfatherhelpedaswell,askingfavorsfrominfluentialacquaintancestohelpthesalego througheasily.Ithadalwaysbeenhisdreamtohaveabeautifulhouseandfamily.”
Arabellapressedherlipstogether,blinkingbackhottears.“Papaalwayswantedthebestforus,”shesaid.“Partofmedoesn't wanttogiveupthishouse,butPapawouldn'twantmetostayjustbecauseitwashisdream.Hewouldwantmetolivemylife asIwish” “ButIdoubthe'dwantyoutobeworkingfortheduke,”herauntpointedout.“Orworkingatall.Amaid?Thatisjusttoomuch, Niece.”
“PapaandMamawouldunderstand,”shesaidfirmly.“WillUnclesettlethematterofthehousesaleandmyinheritanceatthe bank?Heknowsmoreaboutsuchthings.”
Aunt Beatrice nodded. “He'll ensure you have easy access to it whenever you need it,” she said. “There shouldn't be any problemssinceyourfather'sbankerwillhandleyourfinances.Yourfatherwouldhaveputitinhiswill."
Arabellasmiled.“Papathoughtabouteverything.”Shestoodup,dustingher handsonher dressandleavingsmudgesofdirt. “I'llwashupandhelpyouwithdinner.IheardUncleDanielwantedpotatoesandmuttontoday.”
“Thankyou,dear,”herauntsaid.“Iwillnottakemuchlongerhere.”
Arabellaturnedtoleave,butherauntcalledouttoher “Yes,Aunt?”shesaid,facingher "Youmusthaveareasontoworkfortheduke,"shebegan,tiltingherheadslightly "Icannotbelieveit'sjusttobecomeamaid
Youhave never expressed a wishto be a maid, butrecently, you've beenadamantaboutit"She smiled "Isuppose youare your father'sdaughter.Youkeepatsomethingevenifitseemsodd.However,onceyouachievewhatever itisthatyouwant, whatwillyoudothen?Ourhomeisalwaysopentoyou."
Arabellahesitatedtoanswer Thetruthwasthatshedidn'tknowwhatshewantedtodoonceshediscoveredallshewishedto knowabouttheduke.
“I'mnotusedtobeingidle,soI'llfindsomethingelsetodo,”Arabellatoldher “However,ifIeverfindmyselfwithoutaplan, thenIwilllivewithyouandUncleDaniel.Ipromise.”
“Isthereatimelimittowhateveryou'redoingatEustonHall?”AuntBeatriceasked Arabellashookherhead.“No.Itcantakeweeks,months,orevenyears.”
“Years!”AuntBeatriceexclaimed.“Surelyyoudonotintendtoworkasamaidforyears?Whataboutyourfuture?Findinga mantomarry?Havingchildren?Yourmotherbroughtyouuptobealady,notsomeoneatthebeckandcallofanaristocrat.”
Arabellacrouched,foldingherarmsonherknees.“DoyouknowwhatIalwayswonderabout?”
“Whymore people donotlookatlife as anadventure,” she said “Iwanttoexperience everythingIpossiblycan,evenifit means becominga maid despite all the educationIreceived atmyparents' hands Iwon'tbe a maid forever, butIintend to enjoytheexperience.”
AuntBeatrice sighed "The Lockhartstreakofstubbornness is certainlystrongwithinyou," she complained "Verywell, ifI cannotconvinceyouotherwise,Icansupportyou.Butyoumustpromisemethatyouwilltellusifyouneedanyhelp.Donot allowanyonetobullyormistreatyou.Youhavemoneyandfamily youneverhavetoputupwithanything."
Arabellasmiled “Iknow,”shesaid “Ihavealovingandsupportivefamily,andmyparentsarestilltakingcareofmealthough they'renolongerwithme.Icouldn'thaveaskedforabettersituation.”
Arabellameanteverywordshesaid Shewasbetteroffthanmostpeople,andshedidn'ttakeanyofthatforgranted Needing an adventure had nothing to do with lack but everything to do with needing purpose other than getting married and having children.Allthosethingswouldhappenintime,butuntilthen,sheintendedtoliveherlifetothefullest,startingwithlearning moreabouttheduke…andthetalessurroundinghislife. ***
Euston Hall
Arabellamanagedtofilltenpagesofthejournalshebroughtwithher nothingMrs.Cooperhadtoldherwastoosmallorbig toincludeinhernotes
“Arethenotesnecessary,Arabella?”thehousekeeperaskedinamusement. "Very,Mrs.Cooper,"Arabellareplied,makinglittleblocksforacheckinglist."Idonotwishtoleaveanythingout.Iwantto betheverybestatwhatIdo."
“Youwishtobetheverybestatcleaning?”saidMrs.Cooper.
