Page 40 of My Blind Duke
“No! He cannot send her away,” she whispered to herself, horrified by the very idea.
She had grown fond of Prudence, who always spoke to her warmly and kindly, who treated her as if she had borne Melanie herself. In fact, Melanie had grown to love the duchess, wanting to stay with her forever, if possible.
“Perhaps… if Papa came to like her as I do, he will no longer think of sending her away!” Melanie considered, heading back the way she came.
She needed her papa to see just how special and lovely Prudence was. And then maybe, he would want her ashisduchess. And Melanie would have a new mama!
The girl began scheming immediately, thinking of a way to bring her father, who did not like to interact with people very much, and Prudence, who seemed to be wary around her papa these days, together.
It took Melanie a little while, but she came up with an idea by the end of the day.
First, she went to the duchess.
“Me?” Prudence had asked incredulously.
“Yes,” Melanie blinked, putting on the innocent expression she knew often got her out of trouble. “He said he wanted your opinion on what to do with the orangery.”
“B-But I hardly even go near the place. He can do as he wishes with it. I really do not mind–”
“Could it be because he wants you to stay? So, he wants to know what you might want to do with it in the future?” Melanie tried again.
She did not wish to lie to Prudence but rather gave her some hope that things would go in the way they prayed they would.
“A-All right,” she agreed reluctantly.
When it came to her papa, Melanie decided to approach his steward instead.
“She wants me to… what?”
“To meet her in the orangery, Your Grace. She said she had something urgent to tell you,” Robert told William.
“Then why did she not come to my study to do so?” William frowned.
“I heard that she said it was a rather private matter, so she wished for it to be discussed discreetly.”
“Didshetell you this?”
Robert cleared his throat. “She sent word through her maid, Your Grace.”
The situation was absolutely ridiculous to William. Not only was Prudence summoning him, but she had done so by asking other people to request his presence.
The nerve of that woman.
“Shall I inform Her Grace that you will not be attending?”
“Why would you do that? Did I say I was not going to meet her?”
Robert blinked in confusion, then he realized he was likely in danger.
“No! Apologies, Your Grace. I overstepped. Please forgive me,” he said quickly.
William huffed and rose to his feet. Unsure of what to do, the steward stepped forward.
“Do you–”
“I know where the damned orangery is. I can get there myself.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
