Page 44 of My Blind Duke
“As long as you remember the keys and notes to play.”
“I do not think I like you very much this afternoon.”
“Enjoy your practice, Your Grace.” Anna bowed as she took away the tray of empty dishes and leftovers.
Prudence knew she was being teased, but she still fumed all the way to the music room. She still pouted as she lifted the cover off the lid, and she still frowned as she arranged the music sheet in front of her.
But as Anna had said, most of her issues stemmed from her inability to remember the right keys and notes and it was all she could do not to get frustrated over it.
She desperately wanted to help Melanie with this, and she hoped that this single line of action would help them also reach the duke and convince him to teach his daughter how to play.
However, with how things were going, that goal seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream.
With a deep breath, Prudence began to play, her eyes skimming over the sheet music as she told herself to keep the posture William had directed her on.
“Slowly,” she urged, gradually progressing along the song. “Just take it slow.”
Somehow, she was getting it. The pace she had set was helping immensely, keeping her mistakes to a minimum and she was nearly at the end of the song when a voice said,
“You have improved greatly. Color me impressed.”
And then she hit the wrong note.
“Ugh,” she groaned, turning around to glare at William.
“What?” he smiled, looking so charming, that she wanted to smack him.
“Do you have nothing better to do than to stalk me, Your Grace?” she queried, turning back to face the keys.
“I have no idea what you mean. I was merely passing by. Surely, I am allowed to do that.”
“You certainly are. At least without making any comments about what I am doing,” Prudence huffed, placing her hands over the keys to start over.
“If you are so easily distracted, you would not make a good piano player. Music is all about using all your senses to deliver harmonious sound. It is hardly my fault if you are so easily distracted.” William shrugged, sitting next to her.
“Anyone would be distracted if they were alone in a room, focused on the task at hand, and all of a sudden, someone broke their concentration,” Prudence pointed out.
“I merely wanted to inform you of your improvement. I thought most people valued constructive criticism and notes on their progress. You are truly an odd woman – I can never tell what it is you want.”
Prudence did not like the way the deep timbre of his voice fell over her ears like honey. She did not like how it made her clamp her legs together and caused her heart to race.
The orangery seemed as though it had existed outside of time because the moment between them had been unlike any they had had before. The conversations were soft-spoken, and she saw him laugh for the first time since he had come to the estate.
It had struck an odd feeling in her afterward because she had been the one to suggest that they forget what had transpired. Which was a rather bold declaration, considering that it had haunted her before and after that time.
Forgetting him was impossible.
“What I want is to be left alone to my task. First Anna, now you. Has fate conspired for everyone to annoy me today?” Prudence tried to shift her focus to what mattered.
“I am flattered you believe I am a worthy contender to be chosen by the cosmos for the sole purpose of disturbing you.”
Oh, this cheeky man–
“Do you have nothing better to do? Surely, there is some duty somewhere that requires your attention. Any doorknobs that need to be replaced?” Prudence questioned, praying to God she was wrong.
“Well… I do not have anything that requires my immediate attention. So, I am yours, for as long as you want me.”
Those… those were dangerous words. Very dangerous and purposeful.
