Page 57 of My Blind Duke
He smiled at her, like a predator amused by its prey.
“I am sure you will.”
William was regretful that he had not seen Melanie before his departure.
Most of the staff members, along with Prudence and even Lady Clementina had come outside to see the duke off but whenhe noticed his daughter was nowhere around, he called for Prudence.
“Where is Melanie?”
The duchess was silent for a moment, then she admitted, “In her room. She is still upset about what happened.”
William understood her reasons for being upset. It was only fair of her to hold such a grudge after his attitude, but still, he wished she would have absolved him of his sins by now.
“It might be difficult to meet her halfway like this,” he muttered quietly.
“Better difficult than impossible. You cannot expect her forgiveness when you have not apologized, William. These things take time and effort,” Prudence pointed out carefully.
“Right,” William nodded in understanding. “You are quite right. Then, could you–”
No. The apology would not seem genuine if he did not give it to her himself. He did not want Prudence to remain between them as a bridge forever.
The last thought sent a flash of pain through his chest and it took a few deep breaths for him to regain himself.
“Give her my regards. And tell her I will get her something nice on my way back.”
“I will,” Prudence assured and bid him farewell.
William left the estate with a feeling of unrest resonating within him. Things were left off at uncomfortable positions, not just with him and his daughter but with him and Prudence. He had said their tryst a few days ago was to be their last. He had promised. But he did not know how to tell her that every taste of her had him wanting more.
He did not know what he could do to keep her with him, just that he desperately desired to do just that.
About an hour after the carriage had departed from the Pemberly estate, it stopped in front of a house. Moments later, Lord Montclair exited the house and joined him in the carriage.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” the marquess greeted him.
“Lord Montclair, thank you for agreeing to accompany me on this meeting. Many of the previous duke’s business dealings elude me, but I will do my best to preside over the meeting,” William said with a sigh.
“Think nothing of it, Your Grace. I am at your service, whenever you require it. I am also quite invested in the other matter we discussed earlier. You said this person holds a vital piece of information we need?”
William nodded. “I had an investigator do the appropriate search needed for us to properly put together a case. And he said a key witness had moved to these parts to stay with her ailing grandmother after she left Pemberly.”
“I look forward to hearing what she has to say,” Hugo stated, seemingly excited.
William knew what Hugo would be like if he got too focused on his quest for vengeance and kept him distracted with questions about the people they were going to meet shortly.
The meeting went by quickly, with Hugo’s presence covering whatever weaknesses William might have held. The clients were interested in what the duke had to offer and they did not mind renegotiating the price of the goods.
Right afterward, the carriage took them to a building that looked as though it had seen better days. When they knocked at the door, a small, mousey young woman came to see them.
“Sylvia Oakly?” William asked, to ensure they had the right person.
The woman nodded, waiting for the men to state their business and introduce themselves.
William stepped forward to do the honors.
“I am the new Duke of Pemberly at the estate that served as your previous place of employment. And this is Lord Montclair. We have come to ask you a few questions concerning the circumstances surrounding the former duke’s death.”
“It was the duchess, was it not? She was the one who killed him. Did she poison him?” Hugo demanded, shuffling closer.
