Page 29 of My Blind Duke
“Well… What I say now might sound quite weird but I believe this might have been the same poison that killed the former duke.”
It was as though the world slowed to a stop.
“What? How can you tell?” William demanded to know.
“Well, I was the one who was called to see him upon his death. At first, I could not see anything wrong with him. It looked as though he had merely fallen asleep and did not wake up. But then, upon further examination, I noticed that he had some swelling around his throat and his tongue had taken on a darker color. The duchess is exhibiting similar symptoms, currently. The part of her leg where she was bitten is swollen and the skin is discolored. It will all heal soon, but it is something noteworthy, to acknowledge,” the physician said.
All of this was making William’s head hurt.
“How did this even happen?” the duke asked with a tired sigh, turning to Melanie who was still clutching his hand.
“We – I did not want to stay inside. So, I asked the duchess out on a walk and she agreed to come with me. Then we thought of making you a gift – a wreath. She said we should pick out pretty flowers to brighten up your study and I might have wandered too far from her. I did not see the snake but she did and she immediately rushed to save me. She picked me up and took me far away from the snake but I think it bit her before we were able to run away. She saved me, Papa. Please do not send her away. Please, Papa. I beg you!”
Melanie’s pleas, along with the sound of her crying cut deeply into the duke’s heart and he pulled her into his arms.
“Do not worry, Melanie. I will not send her away,” he said softly.
“Do you promise?” Melanie sniffed.
William hesitated, well aware that things were more complicated than his daughter likely thought. But he did not want her to be so upset anymore. And so, he sighed deeply and nodded.
“You have my word. And I have always said, a man’s word is–”
“His bond,” she finished quietly.
“Precisely. I will stick to my word and do as I have told you that I will.”
Melanie nodded and he pulled back, gently wiping her tears away.
“All right, Papa.”
Internally, William waved goodbye to the peace he had hoped to have in his home soon, knowing that there was no way he could get that.
Not with the vixen that was clearly there to rattle him.
“Back on your feet already?”
Prudence sighed, not bothering to look up from the book she was reading.
“Why, yes, Lady Clementina. The physician said it was truly fortunate that I was already in good health. That way, my body merely needed to absorb the antidote quickly for a speedy recovery. But why do you sound so disappointed?”
She heard the woman snort and tried not to roll her eyes.
“Why would I not be? You should have gotten what you rightly deserved. It is wrong that you still get to march around these halls as though you own this house. Especially after what you did to Anthony,” Clementina snapped.
“Which is nothing. I did nothing to him. I married him and I was looking forward to our life together. I had nothing to do with his death.” Prudence sighed tiredly.
“So you claim, but one day, your lies shall come to light. And even though that snake was not able to finish the job, there will be other opportunities in the future. Nature will reap its just rewards. Just wait and see.”
The older woman left and Prudence exhaled, wondering if perhaps she should not have second-guessed her desire to remain in bed for one more day to rest.
The physician had asked her to remain in bed for as long as possible to ensure complete recovery, but after two days, Prudence had drowned weary of staring at the wallpapers of her chambers.
Melanie, the little sweetheart, had brought her a few flowers, informing Prudence that she had been afraid to go into the garden at first, but then had wanted to get Prudence something nice and had begged Jefferson to come with her. The cowardly butler had made some excuse to avoid going and was shamed by Mrs. Fairfax for his actions and she had taken Melanie herself.
Together they had obtained the flowers Prudence and Melanie had collected and had picked some more, especially for the duchess.
“I am glad Papa listened to me and helped. Lady Clementina said I was lying and told me to leave.” The precious blossom had pouted as they had dinner together, hours after the physician had administered treatment.
