Page 9 of My Blind Duke
“What on earth?” Prudence asked herself while shaking her head.
In the year since the late duke had passed, she had never so much as gotten more than a grumble and a begrudging, ‘Yes, Your Grace,’out of any of the staff.
“And if I have to tell you to do it again, the lot of you will be thrown out without so much as a scathing reference to your names!” The duke’s deep voice carried up the stairs and down the hall, making Prudence’s heart skip a beat.
Without wasting any more time, she hurried in the direction of the shouting and peered over the railing at the commotion downstairs.
“Things are going to change around here! How have you been caring for the duchess’ needs if you have not even been able to keep the house in pristine condition?” The duke raised his voice even higher, towering above the cowering Mrs. Fairfax and Mr. Jefferson, the butler.
Could he - Is he defending me?
Her heart beat a little faster as her chest filled with confusion. She had not thought that he liked her after their bumpy encounter, yet there he was; scolding the staff for their neglect toward her and defending her position in the house. Did that mean that he would not be ordering her out of the house after all?
Prudence felt a flare of hope at the thought of what that would mean.
“I hope you are taking note of this. You will be next.”
The unpleasant voice of the late duke’s paternal aunt made Prudence grit her teeth as she turned.
“I see you have returned just in time, Lady Clementina.” Prudence forced a smile.
Tilting her head back until her pointy nose stuck in the air, Clementina Hemsworth looked down at Prudence as if she were nothing more than an insect. Her greying brown hair was pinned to the sides of her head in elaborate loops, covering her ears from view.
“Yes, my time in the countryside was refreshing, but I am glad I decided to return this morning.” Her dark eyes shone maliciously as her thin lips curved into a nasty sneer.
“I am glad that you enjoyed yourself, Lady Clementina.” Prudence forced back the bile that threatened to rise in her throat.
“Are you? I should think you would be under quite a lot of stress with the new duke taking up residence. Your days here will, after all, finally be numbered.” She laughed openly as the high-pitched sound grated on Prudence’s ears.
“I do not see why. I have just as much right to reside in this house as you do. Some would even go as far as to say that I have more right to it than you.” Prudence shrugged nonchalantly, noting the instant change in the woman’s demeanor.
“Why, you little tart! Do not you dare think that you have any claim in my nephew’s house! I will let the duke know as soon as possible who you really are. He will know soon enough that my nephew’s death was entirely your fault.” She thrust a bony finger in Prudence’s face and narrowed her eyes.
Refusing to back down, Prudence stared past her finger directly into her eyes. “You had better be careful with your threats, Lady Clementina. I have already met the new duke, and I do not think that he will fall for your tricks and schemes.”
Uncertainty filled the older woman’s eyes as she lowered her hand. “What have you said to him about me? I demand to know at once what you have been saying behind my back!” She hissed through her teeth like a feral cat.
“I have shared nothing but my unbiased opinion of you, my lady.” Prudence smiled innocently, reveling in the fact that she had shaken the old bat.
Clementina Hemsworth had made it her life’s mission to make Prudence’s life as miserable as possible. She had not liked Prudence very much before the wedding, but her hatred had only increased when her beloved nephew had been found dead in her chambers.
“Why you little–” Lady Clementina was about to raise her hand in the air when Anna came walking around the corner.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace. I do not mean to interrupt, but Lady Melanie has arrived with all of her belongings.” The maid eyed the old woman suspiciously as Clementina quickly placed her hand behind her back.
“Lady Melanie?” Prudence looked up with a frown, momentarily distracted.
“Yes, Your Grace. Were you not informed about her? Lady Melanie is the duke’s eight-year-old daughter. His Grace did not want to disrupt her schedule, so he allowed her to travel this morning.”
He has a child. Is he married?
The pit of Prudence’s stomach churned uncomfortably as she wondered what their encounter in her chambers had meant if the duke had a wife. And if he was married, had he been referring to his wife when addressing the staff?
No.
She quickly reasoned with herself that the duke had specifically scolded the housekeeper and butler for not looking afterherneeds. It would not have made sense for him to refer to his wife who had not even arrived.
Prudence shook off the thoughts before addressing Anna. “Very well, please ensure that Lady Melanie gets the best treatment and that all of her needs are met.” She dismissed her maid with a nod.
