Page 35 of My Blind Duke
“Of course,” Melanie smiled at her and returned to her wreath a moment later.
And Prudence began to wonder if what she was feeling was proper.
Was it a good idea to want a man with a daughter? A man who despised her but wanted her? A man whose child liked her a lot and had begun to rely on her? Was it safe for Prudence to let her mind and desires run away with her like this?
She did not have the answers, but she knew she had never felt like this before. Had never wanted anything before as fiercely as her body demanded and yearned for the duke’s attention.
For his touch.
Prudence had never disliked someone so much in one breath and prayed to feel their lips on hers in her dreams over and over again until the lines between reality and dream began to blur together.
She did not know what to do with all of these feelings. Did not know what to do with herself when she came to and realized she had spent hours fantasizing about the man who had once expressed interest in putting her out of her own house.
Has he changed his mind about me? How can I trust that he will not change his mind again and toss me out?
But when Melanie raised her head to smile at Prudence, her hands gently showing her progress as she asked, “Do you think he will like it?”
Prudence found herself hoping that whatever the answer to her questions was, they would not destroy her.
“I am sure he will. He has to.”
Chapter 12
“Oh, sister! I have to say, you look remarkably well. I am quite relieved to see that you are fine.”
Prudence smiled warmly, feeling her heart practically glow at the sight of her older sister. It was as though all the worries and stress she had absorbed within the last few weeks melted away at the sight of her.
“No need to fuss over me. I am quite well, dear sister,” Prudence assured. “You did not have to come all this way to verify that, but I am glad to see you nonetheless.”
Marina Marner, the Duchess of Harper, and Prudence’s older sister scoffed, rolling her eyes in mild disbelief.
“Of course, I needed to visit. You did not inform me of the arrival of your late husband’s heir via letter. I had to find out from gossip sheets, Prudence. Are we not family? Should we begin torely on the public to feed us the information we should already be privy to?” Marina questioned, her voice carrying a hint of sternness.
It reminded Prudence of when she was little. Marina had always been her role model. She had their mother’s full attention as the eldest. Johanna was dead set on achieving perfection with her eldest daughter, and she spent a lot of time teaching and mentoring Marina on how to be a proper lady.
It left Prudence alone and often overlooked, so she would play pranks and cause a lot of trouble because she hardly got any attention otherwise. Marina often scolded her in her mother’s stead, pleading with Prudence not to develop bad habits that would be difficult to break.
“You are far too lovely, to have your name and reputation soiled by poor behavior. But that is what will happen if you do not cease these silly acts,” Marina had told her once.
Prudence had argued that she did not think her name or reputation mattered with how their mother barely seemed to care about her and the statement had hurt Marina deeply. After that, Prudence tried to do what she could not to cause her sister any hurt or discomfort.
Feeling guilty, Prudence spoke up gently,
“I am sorry, Marina. It was wrong of me not to have informed you of his arrival right after it happened, but I am afraid I let it all get away with me. It has been rather catastrophic here on thisproperty ever since his arrival, and I just have not been in the right frame of mind.”
Marina sniffed, leaning back in her seat as she picked up her tea cup.
“Well, at least you are aware of your offense. I expect there will not be a repetition.”
Prudence grinned, knowing she had been forgiven.
“There will not. How are you? And what about that troublesome brother-in-law of mine? Still on his best behavior, I hope.”
“I am well. Quite preoccupied with my household, as usual. With mother’s return back to Scotland, I have been focused on ensuring my children have not pick up any… odd mannerisms from their delightful grandmother. Aaron is fine – far too busy, as always. He has an important business trip coming up soon, and he suggested I tag along with him. Practically begged me to – you know him, he is not the social kind. That is one of the reasons I came to see you, actually. We will be gone for only a week with the children, but I did not want to leave without seeing you first,” Marina replied, taking a sip of her tea.
Prudence felt the smile on her face twitch slightly as she tried not to let envy dig its roots too deep into her heart.
Her sister’s husband, Aaron, was absolutely smitten with his wife. He once said that his sole purpose in life was to worship theground she walked on. Marina often acted as though she was not fazed by his rather blatant display of affection, but deep down, she was just as in love with him as he was with her. If not more.
