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Chapter One
Euston Estate
With her hands on her hips, Arabella looked around the area. It seemed ridiculous for one person to own an entire village, but Euston was such a place. The tales about the duke were rather contradictory as well, with some calling him a kind and generous man while others spread horrifying stories about his beastly appearance. This was why she was here. Arabella wanted to know more about the beastly duke, which had led her to take a chance and step into the unknown. There was no guarantee she would find employment as a maid, but she was willing to try.
Using a footpath instead of the wider dirt road, Arabella ran her hands through a few wildflowers, snagging one with her fingers. She snapped the stem shorter and looked for little insects before placing it in her hair. She hadn’t bothered putting up her black curls into the usual fashionable style but left it as one long braid down her back. She usually wore it loose at home, but she no longer had a home. It was just a house filled with furniture and memories. Arabella would much rather have her parents and live in a hovel than an empty, spacious house. Having her mother die of consumption two months earlier, followed by her father’s death by a broken heart only a month later, had been harsh and unnecessary. No one deserved that much misfortune.
It had been a difficult time for Arabella, but her mother’s death had been somewhat easier to bear. Her mother had been ill for so long that death had finally brought her much-needed peace, but her father’s death had left her devastated, and questioning God’s existence. Arabella’s father’s health deteriorated quickly after her mother’s death, but he wasn’t ill. He had simply lost the will to live, and nothing she had done could snap him out of his self-destructive state. Truthfully, she had been angry with him immediately after his death, though she eventually accepted it, choosing to understand her father rather than judge him for leaving her alone. Arabella’s parents had been soul mates and unable to live without each other. She couldn’t and wouldn’t be angry about that.
She stepped over a rock and paused briefly, raising her head and squinting into the distance. Arabella could just about see Euston Hall, the duke’s residence. Stories about the Duke of Richmond had fascinated Arabella since she was a little girl. One version claimed the duke was born beastly-looking and hidden away by the old duke until he felt guilty enough to bring him into the house. It sounded more like a fairy tale, but Arabella was open to believing it if there was proof. Everyone loved a bit of mystery, especially when it concerned the most prominent family in the area. There were so many mysteries surrounding the duke, giving Arabella the purpose she needed to move on from her tragedies and embrace life.
Arabella wanted to live life to the fullest, and that meant not settling for what others believed was the correct course for her life. She spent months nursing her mother before she succumbed to her illness, only to spend her days watching her father deteriorate because he couldn’t live without his wife. She had willingly put her life on hold for her parents, not wanting to be anywhere else but with them. It had been just the three of them all her life, and then she woke up one day and felt like she had lost everything worth living for. Arabella needed to find purpose to continue living, deciding that an ordinary life was not for her. Instead of accepting her relatives’ wish for her to live with them, she took a leap of faith to live life on her terms, even if that meant becoming a maid.
Drawing in a deep breath, Arabella exhaled it slowly and continued walking. She was stepping into a new adventure—she could feel it. Even the day seemed to indicate it, with its sunshine and cloudless skies. However, Arabella likely still would have seen the bright side to the day even if the weather was miserable. Nothing could deter her from the excitement coursing through her body. She was going to seek employment at Euston Hall and find out for herself if there was any truth to the stories surrounding the duke. It had nothing to do with ridiculing the duke. Arabella was sincerely curious about him in the best way possible.
Both her father and grandfather had been well-known physicians, treating the wealthy and poor. However, her grandfather had the best stories concerning all the people he had treated throughout his life, but none as captivating as the one about the old duke and his wife. Arabella’s grandfather treated the pair for years and, during his maudlin years, had shared stories with her about their interesting lives, but none of them made her as curious as the incident that supposedly changed the course of the old duke’s life. Her grandfather had always told her everything, but he had not shared any significant details about the incident, fueling her curiosity. His reluctance to say much had led her to create all kinds of interesting stories, her favorite one being that the old duke and duchess were fae people living as humans to escape persecution in their own realm. Perhaps they had hidden their son away for as long as they could, but he was injured when the enemy caught him, wounding him terribly. Now, the current duke was scarred and hiding away in his estate to avoid being caught again.
Chuckling at her imagination, she patted the flower in her hair, ensuring it was still there. If she had a little more time, she would make a wreath of wildflowers and perhaps gift it to the first little girl she met. Arabella had yet to find a girl who didn’t like a crown of flowers. She nodded respectfully at a few people who stopped to look at her, smiling cheerfully as she went her way. A sincere smile was mostly infectious, so most returned the greeting without thinking, only frowning when they realized they didn’t know who she was.
“Good morning, sir,” she said to a man watching over a herd of sheep. “Might I trouble you for just a moment?”
The older man flicked his hat further up, revealing a kind, weathered face. This was a man who had worked for most of his life and would most likely continue doing so until his body gave up on him. People like him had no other choice unless they had children willing to look after them in their old age.
“How can I help you, young lady?” he asked, shifting his position on the low stonewall.
“Would you please direct me to the housekeeper?” she said. “I know to continue to the house, but should I go to the house directly or wait elsewhere? I’m afraid I’m not certain about what one should do when seeking employment.”
The man’s bushy gray eyebrows rose. “You wish to work here?” He gave her a once over. “There is no post for a governess as there are no children. You cannot be a lady’s maid because the master is unmarried and has no missus. I think you came to the wrong place, miss.”
Arabella smiled. “I have come to find work as a maid, kind sir. I am sure a grand estate such as this can never have too many maids.”
“A maid?” he repeated, frowning. “Why would a lady like you wish to be a maid? You do not strike me as someone who does such manual work. Are you certain you wish to be a maid here? Someone so well-spoken, well-dressed, and with your manners has no business working as a maid.”
Arabella inwardly sighed. Aunt Beatrice had warned her it would be difficult for anyone to believe she could work as a maid. Arabella’s mother had been a disowned baron’s daughter and raised her to be a lady. They might have lived as commoners as her father was a mere physician and not even part of the coveted gentry. However, her mother had ensured she had a proper education and knew how to carry herself no matter the situation.
“I’m a commoner like you are, sir,” she pointed out. “Do not be misled by my mannerisms. My father was a physician, and my mother a devoted wife and mother.”
“That doesn’t explain why you carry yourself like a lady,” the old man said, tilting his head to the side. “A man my age has lived and seen many things in his lifetime. You are no commoner, miss.”
“What should I do to behave more like a commoner?” she asked rather than argue. “I wouldn’t want to offend anyone. Some might believe I assume I’m better than them, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“Why do you wish to be a maid?” he asked. “And why here, of all places?”
“I have indirect ties to Euston, sir,” she said. “I also have no mother and father, so I should work for my keep. I have no references to be anything but a maid.”
She didn’t dare say she was on an adventure to discover the truth behind the stories about the duke. The old man might not understand and believe she wished to ridicule the duke.
“I see,” he said, nodding. A look of sympathy entered his light blue eyes. “What about relatives?”
“I do not wish to bother them,” Arabella replied. “I would rather work with the two hands and feet the Lord has graciously given me. Working with the rest of what the Lord has given me would also be helpful,” she added with a chuckle.
The old man laughed. “It certainly would,” he said. “I see you’re quite determined, young miss. I admire your wish to stand on your own two feet. Mrs. Cooper will appreciate that.”
“Is Mrs. Cooper the housekeeper?”
Arabella should have done more research into Euston Hall, but her decision to work for the duke had been sudden. 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, she is,” the man confirmed. “If you continue along this path, you’ll eventually run into the laundry maids hanging up the laundry. They should be able to tell you where Mrs. Cooper is likely to be.”
Arabella bowed her head slightly. “Thank you so much for your help, sir,” she said. She turned away but soon looked back at him. “May I please know your name?” she asked. “I’m Arabella Lockhart.”
“Lockhart?” he said. “The name is oddly familiar. Well, Miss Lockhart, you can call me Rogers.”
“Please, call me Arabella,” she insisted. “I prefer to be informal.”
A ghost of a smile hovered above Rogers’ lips. “You should move along if you intend to speak to Mrs. Cooper before the end of the day. You might need to wait while she runs errands. She’s always quite busy.”
“Thank you, Rogers,” she said, bowing her head slightly before continuing on the path.
She passed several other people along the way, asking them for directions just to ensure she was on the right path. The footpath had split into two earlier, which Rogers hadn’t mentioned. Arabella had selected one and confirmed it with the servants near the path. No one seemed to question her presence on the estate and merely gave her directions to the laundry maids. The house up ahead was growing closer, but Arabella could tell she still had some distance to go. Loud quacking caught her attention, prompting her to turn to her left. A mother duck was guiding her ducklings toward a pond, their waddling amusing and adorable. She leaned against a large rock and watched them momentarily, intrigued when a large man appeared from a thicket of woods. He dressed rather plainly with just a white shirt that seemed to pull across his broad shoulders and black, tightly fitted breeches that showed off his well-formed calves. He was much taller than her five-foot height, but her father had topped six feet. She doubted the man was as tall.
Arabella was impressed with the sheer breadth of him and imagined he could easily carry a sheep on both shoulders. He was undoubtedly suited to physical labor, but the nature of his clothes confused her. His white shirt and beige breeches were not typical servants’ attire, but he wasn’t dressed like an aristocrat either. Almost, but not quite. Arabella guessed him to be a steward or someone similar—he earned enough money to buy quality clothing, but he wasn’t raised as a gentleman, which reflected in how he was dressed.
Moving her head about, she tried to take a good look at his face, but his long, dark hair covered it completely. She had never seen a man with such long hair before. Some let their hair grow longer than their collars, but this man’s hair was long enough to touch his chest. It curled slightly at the ends and moved like a curtain, keeping his face shrouded.
A little disappointed that she couldn’t put a face to a body, she merely watched him approach the ducks with a basket overflowing with lettuce leaves. He made a clucking sound, drawing the creatures’ attention before throwing a few leaves on the grass. They turned and ran toward him, their excited quacks filling the air. They clamored around the man, devouring the lettuce leaves in seconds. The man chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. Arabella smiled. One could tell a lot from someone’s laughter, especially when no one was around to hear them. This man had a good and kind heart—just the sort she was drawn to.
Pushing away from the rock, Arabella found she wanted to be closer to the man and finally see his face. The grass crunched under her feet and should have alerted the man that someone was approaching, but he appeared oblivious to her presence. Arabella stopped a few feet away from him, not wanting to encroach on his personal space.
“I’m glad you’re feeding them leaves, not bread,” she said. “Bread tends to wreak havoc with their digestion.”
The man stilled, the basket’s handle groaning slightly under his suddenly tightened grip.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said.
He said nothing but turned away as though he were trying to hide from her. Arabella frowned slightly, her eyes falling on the golden, olive skin of his exposed forearms. Thick burn scars covered most of the area, making the skin appear tight and discolored. Some areas were pink with brown hues, while others were white, making patterns like tiny roads through the thickened skin. Arabella had the strange urge to trace her fingers along every ridge and wondered how far the scars went. They resembled a map and… It finally dawned on her that this man could be the duke! She opened her mouth to ask him, but he walked away quickly as though he knew what she had been about to ask. Arabella closed her mouth, pulling it to the side as she watched him disappear into the woods.
The duke preferred to stay away from people because of his scars, and this man’s forearms were covered in burn scars. Arabella had assisted her physician father enough to tell the difference between scars, be they from scratches or stab wounds. Her gut told her this man was likely the duke, hence his wish to keep his face hidden. Arabella sighed, her compassion stirred to the surface. It had to be difficult living with the need to hide oneself from the public eye. It couldn’t be easy with him being a duke.
Sighing, she looked up at the sky, her eyes widening at how high the sun was. She might never get to see Mrs. Cooper if she dallied along the path. She increased her pace, hurrying toward the house. Arabella considered going to the back door, but the servants all told her to go to the front door and ask for Mrs. Cooper. Perhaps she should have said she wished to find a job as a maid, but it was too late now as she stepped up to the front door and banged the knocker. A neatly dressed man answered the door, his serious expression potentially intimidating for someone who cowered under authority. While Arabella respected everyone, she wasn’t afraid of people, be they rich or poor. There was no need because she believed people were equals despite their social class or wealth status. Of course, not many shared those beliefs, but her parents had ensured she grew up looking further than the outward man.
“Good day, sir,” she greeted, bowing her head slightly. “My name is Arabella Lockhart.”
“Good day,” the man replied, subtly examining her. “How can I help you, young lady?”
“May I speak to Mrs. Cooper?” she asked.
He raised a dark eyebrow. “May I know the reason?”
“I’d very much like to work here,” Arabella said truthfully. “As a maid,” she added quickly. “I was told that I would need to speak to Mrs. Cooper. Is she available? I’m happy to wait until she is.”
“I am not aware of there being a position available,” the man told her. “However, Mrs. Cooper is the authority on such things, so if you would wait for a moment.”
“Outside?” she asked.
“Of course not,” he replied, stepping back. “Come in and wait in the foyer. I will speak to Mrs. Cooper.”
Arabella smiled. “Thank you, sir,” she said, walking into the house.
He gestured at an upholstered bench, indicating she should sit down. Arabella bobbed her head and thanked him, settling between cushions.
“Lovely chair,” she commented to herself, looking around the area.
The outside had been impressive enough, with its many windows, chimneys, and vines growing on one half of the building. Arabella had counted three balconies and had wondered about the rooms behind them. It would be lovely to have a room where one could wake up and sit outside on the balcony first thing in the morning. One could have hot chocolate in the winter, curled up with a book, and lemonade in the summer. Perhaps a woman could get away with just wearing her undergarments in the summer, knowing no one would be able to see. The options were endless.
“Miss Lockhart?” a woman’s voice said.
Startled, Arabella jumped to her feet, meeting the dark brown eyes of a plump, attractive woman in her late forties or early fifties.
“Arabella,” she told the woman cheerfully. “Might you be Mrs. Cooper?”
The housekeeper nodded curtly. “Correct. Mr. Black tells me you wish to work here as a maid. Judging by the looks of you, you have never worked as a maid before. Show me your hands.”
Arabella held them out, smiling to herself. The housekeeper likely expected smooth hands, but Arabella was a keen archeress. Constant handling of bows and arrows had left permanent calluses on her palms.
“It seems you’re not foreign to work,” Mrs. Cooper said, frowning slightly. “Why have you chosen to work here in particular?”
“I heard many good things about this place,” Arabella said, hoping her lie wouldn’t show. “It was my first option. The land is beautiful, and working in a house like this would be an honor. I’ve also heard many good things about the duke and his family. It would be a blessing to work for such an employer.”
“You’ve heard good things about the duke?” Mrs. Cooper asked incredulously.
“Well, I’ve heard bad things as well, but I don’t like to dwell on them,” said Arabella. “I generally do not listen to bad news or rumors. It’s a waste of time. I’m more interested in how he manages this village so well. Rarely anyone leaves. He must be a fair and generous employer. Why not work for someone who treats his people well?”
Mrs. Cooper nodded slowly. “That is all well and good, but what makes you think you’ll fit in this environment?”
Arabella had posed the very same question to herself before embarking on her journey. If she couldn’t fit in, she wouldn’t be able to fulfill her mission.
“I’m good-natured,” Arabella began. “Someone not afraid of work. I’m not one for gossip, but I enjoy hearing good stories. I generally like everyone, and I choose to see the bright side of every situation. I’m by no means perfect, but I give my best in all that I do. I like working in harmony with others—it makes the job go faster. That’s about it, I think.”
Mrs. Cooper didn’t answer her immediately. She appeared to be deep in thought, her head slightly tilted as she observed Arabella.
“I must say I like your disposition, Arabella,” the housekeeper finally said. “We need more bright and cheerful people here. Perhaps you will influence the others to take more pride in their work.”
Arabella’s smile widened. “I would like to try my very best.”
“However,” Mrs. Cooper added. “The final decision rests with the master. You will meet him and speak with him. If he agrees, you can begin later this week.”
So, Arabella would officially meet the very man who had been in her thoughts for many years, and she could put a face to the body she had met earlier. She was a tad nervous but mostly excited for what lay ahead. No matter what, she wouldn’t regret her decision to come to Euston Hall.
“Beneath the Beastly Duke’s Mask” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!
Arabella Lockhart, a spirited woman seeking purpose, becomes entangled in the gripping rumors about the elusive Duke of Richmond. His face, scarred from a tragic accident, piques her curiosity, leading her to boldly infiltrate his estate as a maid to uncover the truth. Arabella’s journey will slowly unravel the mystery behind the duke’s scars drawing her closer to a man whose visage masks a heart capable of deep love and nobility…
Will this be the start of her fascination for the enigmatic man?
Henry Fitzgerald, bearing scars that mar not just his body but also his soul, stands as a guardian of a dukedom that was never fated to be his own. Trapped in societal expectations and haunted by his true lineage, Henry finds comfort in Arabella’s kindness. As their connection deepens, the revelation of his heritage sends shockwaves through his already fractured sense of self… Henry finds himself suddenly torn between the love he harbors for Arabella and the belief that he is unworthy of her.
The battle for his heart becomes a tempest, threatening to drown them both…
In a world filled with doubts, Arabella and Henry’s love stands strong, burning bright even in the toughest times. Facing betrayal, shocking truths, and a scheming cousin, they stay together, ready to forge their own destiny. Will their love last, or will they succumb to the pressures of their separate worlds?
“Beneath the Beastly Duke’s Mask” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Love and Secrets of the Ton", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
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