Page 34 of My Blind Duke
The tell-tale tightening of his breeches made him groan with annoyance. Perhaps it was because he had not found his release earlier, but it appeared it did not take much to get his loins swirling with desire. Prudence was consuming him, supplying him with a hunger that could only be sated once he had gotten his fill of her.
All this over a woman who was greatly lacking of the skills or traits to be the seductress the people believed her to be.
How could he have not seen this as a possibility? How could he now still pursue the possibility that she had killed her husband?
And if the rumors had been wrong about this, what other things did they not know about her?
William thought about Prudence, her obvious yearning that he could feel beneath his touch, her honest body, and telling sounds, wincing slightly as his manhood began to throb. And he wondered how one person could manage to be simultaneously more and less than what people and the papers said about her.
Whatever the answer was, he knew he was doomed, either way.
Chapter 11
“Prudence, you are using the wrong color again.”
Prudence blinked at Melanie, then looked down at her hands, noting that the child was indeed right.
“Oh, no. I am sorry,” she apologized, taking the pink flower out of the wreath and choosing a yellow one.
“Do not be so hard on yourself. Mistakes happen.” Melanie beamed at her and went on with her work, leaving Prudence to wonder how a child could possess more patience than adults four times her age.
They had been making the flower wreath they had planned to do a while ago because they needed to get a new batch of flowers after the last one started to dry up. And thanks to Prudence, it was taking longer than they had expected, due to her many mistakes.
Melanie had been sweet the whole time, pointing out whenever Prudence’s color choice went out of the order they had picked, gently nudging her attention back to the task at hand.
And by God, she was trying so hard to stay focused. But it was extremely difficult when her body and mind recalled so much of William’s touch. She could still feel his hands kneading her hips, his tongue on her nipples, his teeth nibbling her neck and his lips pressing searing kisses onto hers. It was driving her mad with desire.
She had never particularly felt as though she had missed out on something spectacular when Anthony passed. She had not been eager to bed him on their wedding night and his passing had made her wonder if perhaps she was destined for a life of solitude.
Some of her so-called ‘friends’had encouraged her to take a lover.
“Are you not lonely? Men might be more trouble than their worth but they do have their uses. If you find the right one, he can do more than just keep your bed warm.”
Prudence had sputtered and blushed her way out of that conversation, hoping it was never brought up again. She did not understand why it was so necessary to submit to one’s inhibitions. She could never have fathomed it.
And yet, three days ago, she had let the Duke of Pemberly lift her onto a table and touch her in places no man ever had. She hadcraved every bit of him that she had gotten to feel and taste, and had even moaned his name.
“Oh, Lord.” She dropped the wreath and pressed her hands over her face.
“Are you all right, Prudence?” Melanie asked, startled and concerned.
Prudence nodded and quickly sat up. “Yes. Yes, I am, dear. I just… I have not been sleeping well. Lately. So – um. I am a little tired these days.”
“Oh,” Melanie sighed with a sympathetic expression. “Nightmares?”
“Not… not exactly. I suppose I just have a lot on my mind,” she replied.
“Like what?” the child questioned, her eyes betraying precious childlike curiosity.
Your father, mostly.
“Just, a few things. But do not worry! I am well.” Prudence smiled, hoping she looked as reassuring as she was trying to appear.
“If you are sure. But! If you want to talk, you know where to find me,” Melanie stated seriously, as though she was not quoting an offer that Prudence had made her, word for word.
She had extended the offer to be Melanie’s friend and confidant after one of their very first walks together, hoping the girl would understand that she meant well. And to hear those words directed at her, knowing that Melanie had not only understood her offer of comfort and returned the same sentiment made the duchess really happy.
“Thank you, darling. I will keep your kind offer in mind. I truly appreciate it,” she told the child sincerely.
