Page 8 of My Blind Duke
The corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly as he leaned in closer, his lips lightly brushing against her ear. “That smartmouth of yours is going get you into trouble someday, Your Grace. I have heard all kinds of things about you, so I suggest you do your best to remain on your best behavior, while I am here.” He lifted his hand and touched her lower lip with his thumb, gently tugging it down.
Swallowing nervously, she nodded slowly. “I shall keep that in mind… Your Grace.”
“I will be taking these chambers for my own. If you are going to stay in my house, you had better ensure you are properly attired in the future. I cannot promise that I will let you go if I find you naked in my chambers again. As I have established, I am the new duke and henceforth, my word is law in this house,” he stated firmly, finally releasing his hold on her and stepping back.
The feelings of exhilaration that flowed through her body mingled with fear and uncertainty as the duke backed away.
“You may get dressed and get out.” He spared her a final glance before striding from the room, making Prudence wonder just how much he could see.
Her legs finally buckled as she gave into the emotions that had caught her off guard. Shaking her head, she stared at the closed door that hid her naked body from the new Duke of Pemberly.
What was that?
Her body had never reacted this way to a man before. Not even her husband had made her shiver with a simple sentence.
“What am I thinking?” She whispered angrily to the room at large before falling back on the bed and covering her face with a pillow. There were many things she had pictured when she had thought of the new heir. Even a distant relation to Scotland perhaps with a balding old man boasting a toothy smile. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined the strappingly handsome duke and his piercing gaze.
Those eyes…
She grumbled into the pillow and removed it from her face as she stared at the ceiling. The confident way that he carried himself had been misleading to her. She would never have known that he was blind if it had not been for the tips of his fingers moving over her body.
What will he even think of me now?
Chapter 3
“Ibelieve this should suffice.”
Checking her appearance in the floor-length mirror, Prudence gave herself a once-over before pinching her cheeks slightly to bring out the color.
Her light blue day dress brought out the slivers of grey in her eyes while the style she had chosen for her hair accentuated the slender curve of her neck. A few loose tendrils hung down the back of her neck, completing the look with an elegant touch.
She had intended to look her very best, in hopes that she would be granted a fresh start with the new duke. But it was hard to believe all would be well after what had transpired hours ago.
Why do I care so much? I can hardly make a good impression after all that happened last night.
She sank her teeth into her lower lip and inhaled deeply, trying to instill a sense of calm in her. Her body still tingled from her encounter with the duke, yet she still was not certain why that was.
“Yes, Your Grace, at once Your Grace!” The distant sound of servants scurrying about filtered through the door of her new, smaller, yet still lavish chambers.
“I suppose the duke is already up,” she whispered to herself before fixing a few strands of her hair in the mirror and making her way from the room.
Her years of studying in a convent had given her a taste of waking at dawn to dress herself and do her hair. It seemed far too frivolous to have her maid help her with everything when she was completely capable.
Even though Anna was the only servant who respected Prudence, she gave her all the space she needed and asked for.
The sight that greeted her outside in the hall caught her off guard as her brow creased into a frown. Maids and footmen alike scurried about as if their lives depended on it.
Spotting a tearful maid who was carrying a stack of linen, Prudence stopped the girl in her tracks. “What is going on this morning?”
It was the same maid who had ignored her request for more drinks the night before. Gone was her haughty irritation and in its place was shock and a newfound sense of reverence as she hurriedly curtsied.
“Good morning, Your Grace. I hope we have not disturbed you. His Grace has instructed us to scrub the house from top to bottom. If you are comfortable with it, we would like to start in your new chambers as soon as possible,” the maid said and then curtsied a few more times in quick succession.
This is new.
Prudence stared at the girl for a moment before nodding.
“Oh, thank you, Your Grace! We shall start at once!” The maid began to back away, curtsying repeatedly until she reached the end of the hall.
