Page 61 of My Blind Duke
“Are you sure it is not merely your mind making up reasons to stop you from finding happiness in your life? God knows you need it, Prudence, after all you have been through. Would it be the worst thing in the world to give it a try?”
Prudence knew Marina made a fair point, but she could hardly counter it when all the bells in her head were telling her not to cross any more lines.
“I really do not–”
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace,” Anna said suddenly as she walked in. “Mr. Henry is here to see you.”
Prudence nodded and then turned to her sister. “I must go.”
“And I as well. Think about what I said, hm?”
Prudence nodded, then stepped closer to her sister to hug her.
“You will be just fine, Prudence. Never forget how wonderful you are,” Marina whispered, pressed a kiss to her cheek, and then left.
Anna brought Mr. Henry in, and he bowed to Prudence.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace. I apologize for the delay, there was quite a bit to comb through, but I have come bearing good news. You do have the right to own one of your late husband’s properties – a house by the countryside.”
Prudence’s heart soared at the news. “Really?”
The solicitor nodded. “Yes, Your Grace. A dower house. It is not in a great state right now, but with a little bit of repairs here and there, it will be great for you.”
Prudence sighed in relief and she told him. “That is perfect. Prepare all that is necessary and get started on the repairs.”
She paused, then she added.
“I intend to move there by the end of next week.”
Chapter 20
“Did the estate run into any problems in my absence?”
William noted the blurry motion of the butler beginning to shake his head, only to stop after a moment, before speaking up.
“No, Your Grace. All of the household’s affairs ran smoothly, and all its members are hale and hearty,” Jefferson stated.
“And my daughter?” William questioned.
“Lady Melanie is doing quite well, Your Grace. She is currently having breakfast with the duchess in the sunroom, as they have been every morning recently. There were no incidents of pranks either.”
It filled William with no small relief to hear that Melanie was doing all right, especially with how he had left things betweenthem. As he left home, he felt overcome with regret because he had not made any attempts to apologize.
William had long since told himself to have no expectations from anyone when it came to their perception or attitude toward his… situation. He did not wish to live as though he was handicapped and he did not want anyone to view him as a liability.
And yet, he had held those same expectations over his daughter. In a fit of the rage and embarrassment that had consumed him, he wondered why they would have believed he was capable of navigating the difficulties that hampered his livelihood. In the end, he hurt his daughter, and himself.
“That is a relief,” William muttered after a while, hesitating briefly before asking “And the duchess?”
“She has been quite busy, caring for Lady Melanie and ensuring that the estate would be the same way it was when you left. She did have some company over, a few days ago.”
“Company?” William frowned, hoping that Prudence had not decided to prove him wrong for standing by her side in the face of the accusations that came at her.
“A few women, Your Grace. Including her older sister, the Duchess of Harper. They held something of an… embroidery party, it seemed. Just ladies and their hobbies, I suppose,” Jefferson shrugged, sounding nonchalant.
It filled William with no small relief to know that it was nothing for him to worry about.
All in all, it appeared that everything was fine in his absence and he exhaled deeply.
