Page 52 of My Blind Duke
“It is all right, Papa. I made lots of mistakes when I started learning. And Her Grace says mistakes are proof that more greatness exists within,” Melanie consoled.
“Did she now?”
Prudence swallowed as his eyes flickered toward where she was standing. She wished she could do something to help make it easier.
“Shall we try again?”
Reluctantly, William agreed, and just like before, Melanie led, and he followed. However, this time, it did not take long for disaster to strike.
Because while the last mistake had been a singular wrong note that broke the song, this one was a melody of wrong notes that completely diverged in the opposite direction of the song. Almost as if he thought he knew the right notes and was confident in that thought, only to play a bunch of wrong notes.
Melanie was quick to reassure him, just like before.
“It is fine, Papa. I–”
“I do not want to do this any longer,” William stated, rising onto his feet.
“No, Papa, wait. We can–”
“No, Melanie. I cannot do this, and I feel ridiculous for not only believing I could for a moment but also for trying. This was a waste of time,” he snapped coldly.
Melanie’s eyes filled with tears and she began to cry, running out of the room.
“Melanie,” Prudence called out after her, hurt to see the child so upset.
Suddenly, she felt immensely annoyed and whirled around to face the duke.
“How on earth could you be so cruel? She had spent countless hours working on that song. She was so excited to share it with you, and this is how you treat her? She is a child! Would it be so difficult for you to be just a little more delicate with her?”
“You,” William pointed at her, seething. “This is your fault. You did this! You are so focused on getting Melanie what she wants, and you assume that I do not want that, too. Do you have any idea how ridiculous I feel? To fail spectacularly at the one thing I did for a living? The thing I loved for as long as I have beenalive? You are constantly forcing me into situations without consideration, and now, not only have you wasted my daughter’s efforts, but you have also assisted me in humiliating myself before her. I truly hope you are satisfied now.”
Prudence felt her heart sink. She had not thought about it like that, how difficult it must have been for him to struggle with something he had loved so much before. While it had occurred to her, she had been so focused on getting Melanie’s efforts to shine through, rather than also providing William with the ease he deserved.
She stepped toward him, trying to apologize.
“Your Grace, I did not–”
“I do not want to hear anything else from you. You have meddled with me and my family enough.”
He then turned away and left the room.
Prudence felt sad and ashamed, wondering if perhaps she had ruined things beyond repair for them.
All she had hoped for was to bridge the gap between father and daughter. It pained her to see them so estranged from one another. Prudence had lost her own father so young but was so fortunate to have her mother.
With the way the duke had put up so many walls, discouraged by his disability, it made things look as though Melanie were an orphan, seeking out attention and validation from whoever she could get it from.
The child deserved better. As did William.
But perhaps I should never have gotten involved at all.
Prudence left the music room, heading down the hall toward Melanie’s room. It did not surprise her when she knocked at the child’s door and received no response. Neither did the sight of her empty room surprise her.
Instead of leaving, Prudence strode inside, toward the large wardrobe in the corner of the room, and knocked against one of the doors.
“Go away,” was heard, with sniffles.
“I only wish to ensure that you are all right, dear. I understand how upsetting this must be–”
