Page 71 of My Blind Duke
“Ah, yes, the duchess,” he said smoothly. “Speaking of whom, Your Grace, this ball could present a rather… opportune occasion.”
William frowned, his gaze fixed on the marquess’ general direction. “Opportune in what way?”
“Well,” the marquess continued, his voice carefully casual, “When last we spoke, you mentioned your desire to see her Grace settled. What better place to introduce her to several eligible gentlemen? It would be a perfectly respectable way to facilitate her finding a suitable husband, thus… alleviating any potential awkwardness surrounding her continued residence here. Especially as your investigator has unheartened possible proof that it is unlikely she is the culprit.”
For a moment, William felt bad for the marquess, understanding that he was likely disappointed that he could not get justice for his friend at the end of the day.
“I am sorry that we could not do more on behalf of Anthony. But I have asked the investigator to keep searching. Someone did kill him and we must bring whoever the culprit is to justice.”
“I greatly appreciate that, Your Grace,” Hugo stated, gratitude evident in his voice. “In the meantime, you have helped me dismiss the hatred I had for an innocent woman. The least I could do is help her find a husband to rely on.”
A cold knot tightened in William’s stomach. He recalled his own suggestion, made in a moment of confused frustration, that finding Prudence a husband might be the best solution. Truly, he had expressed that he wished for Prudence to find some semblance of peace after all she had been forced to endure, while they had been investigating her involvement in the death of her late husband during their work travels.
At the time, the marquess had brought up remarriage as a solution for the duchess, an idea that William had immediately dismissed, unable to stomach the wave of discomfort that grew within him at the idea of letting some man sweep Prudence off her feet.
Now, hearing the marquess articulate the plan so clearly, a fresh wave of distaste washed over him. He disliked the idea of Prudence being courted by other men even more now, the thought stirring a possessive anger he had not anticipated. He realized, with a jolt, that Hugo had skillfully steered him toward this very conclusion, preying on his initial uncertainty and his desire to see Prudence’s reputation restored.
Despite his growing discomfort, the logic, however unpalatable, remained. It was a way to ensure Prudence’s future, to provide her with the security she seemed determined to seek elsewhere.
And perhaps, a selfish voice whispered within him,it was the only way to truly distance myself from the magnetic pull she exerted over me.
With a reluctant sigh, William picked up the invitation once more. “Very well,” he said, his tone grudging. “I suppose we should attend. Jefferson, inform Her Grace that I would be pleased if she would accompany me to the Duchess of Larsen’s ball.”
“The duke requested I inform you that he would be pleased if you were to accompany him to a ball hosted by the Duchess of Larsen.”
Although Prudence received the invitation with a polite nod, her expression was unreadable as she tried to understand the machinations behind such a decision.
She could not seem to fathom why William was acting this way, giving her hope that perhaps she had a chance to remain at his side as more than just a scorned tenant as he simultaneously dashed it, attempting to cling to her even after he had told her he could not be what she wanted. Prudence was determined to move on and move out from Pemberly estate, but she wished it was easier on her.
“All right. Please inform the duke that I would be honored to accompany him to the ball,” she agreed begrudgingly.
Perhaps it can be my final social obligation before I leave, she thought bleakly. One last appearance as the Duchess of Pemberly.
When the night of the ball came, Prudence found herself burdened to look her very best, if not for herself, then for the duke she was to accompany. She had not made any new dresses recently, but there was one she had specially made to wear during her first official outing as a duchess.
She had dreamt about it, about looking every bit the part of a duchess and a wife, in hopes that she could fulfill every other role and task as she waited for her heart to eventually claim her husband as the one she was meant for.
But that day never came.
Prudence was a little surprised it still fit like a glove, the red silk feeling soft and warm beneath her touch. She asked Anna to put her hair up for her, twisted into an elegant updo decorated with jeweled pins that sparkled like stars in her hair.
When she came down the stairs, she found William and Melanie talking, the little girl wanting to accompany them, looking disheartened that she could not have her way.
“One day, you can freely do as you wish. I would be honored to have you on my arm for an entire evening. But as of now – and the foreseeable future, you are not allowed to attend social events,” William said gently.
“That is not fair, Papa. The ‘foreseeable future’ could be ages away. And I am a lad–” Melanie gasped suddenly as her gaze fell on Prudence and she squealed excitedly, clinging to her father’s arm. “Papa! Papa! Prudence is here and she looks like a princess! I have never seen anyone more beautiful than she is!”
Prudence blushed as she came to a stop in front of the father-daughter duo, reaching out to gently caress Melanie’s cheek fondly.
“Why thank you, darling,” she smiled sweetly.
When her focus shifted to William, her heart quaked in the face of how handsome he looked, marveling at his clean and dapper appearance.
“A princess, hm?” he wondered out loud, smiling slightly. “I do not doubt that for a moment.”
A deeper rush of heat flooded her face and dripped down her cheeks, sinking lower into her stomach.
“Thank you,” Prudence managed, lowering her gaze to the floor. “You look quite good yourself.”
