Page 15 of My Blind Duke (The Twisted Dukes #5)

“ A nd you, Your Grace? What were you like as a child?”

William paused to mull over Prudence’s question, wondering what he could say that would keep the light-hearted nature of the conversation.

He had meant it when he said Prudence’s personality suited her. He had not known her for very long, but it was hard to imagine her being anything other than the spirited vixen he had met. Although he could tell, she did not feel particularly good about it, given her tone when she said it.

It seemed as though she did not wish to betray any emotion over the fact that she had been considered troublesome growing up.

“I was a little bit of a disappointment, I suppose,” he told her eventually.

“You? I highly doubt that,” she said, her voice betraying that she did indeed feel that way.

“I mean it,” William chuckled. “My parents were wealthy, and I did not have any needs that were not met, but I wanted to be more than a rich tot who waited for a distant relative to pass so I could inherit his title. And what I wanted did not align with my father’s expectations. With how much we fought and argued over it, I might as well have been a defiant street urchin to him.”

Prudence was silent and for the first time in a long time, William wished he could see.

He had long since come to terms with his lack of vision. He had accepted that this was his life now and had learned to live with it, rather than dwell on the fact that it had been an unfair and cruel punishment.

And now and then, he would be filled with the overwhelming desire to see. But it was only ever in matters involving his daughter.

When Melanie had been sick. When she had gotten new dresses from the modiste and wore one of her favorites for a whole day. When he had scolded her for putting mud in his shoes. His biggest gripe with his blindness was that he was missing keeping so many memories of the one person his world consisted of.

But now, he wished he could see Prudence. He wished for more of a clue of what she was thinking than her silence.

“You know, I can actually see that. You are unnecessarily difficult about the silliest of matters. So, I can believe that you would be that way, even as a young man,” Prudence said eventually.

“Is that right?” he grinned.

“Absolutely. You likely still hold a grudge over it as well, because you strike me as the sort of man to remain petty about certain events and offenses.”

Well, she was not wrong. In some ways, he did resent his father for standing in the way of his dreams. Perhaps if he had been given support instead of animosity and pain for his defiance, he might have done things differently, and his life would not have ended up the way it eventually did.

“I do hope you have no regrets, though,” Prudence added suddenly. “Because whatever happened then, it all came together to give you the most precious gift you have. Your daughter.”

William felt his heart drop one moment and then soar the next.

Oh, how he utterly disliked this woman. It was truly vexing how easily she saw through him, how quickly she could get under his skin.

“You make a good point,” he conceded, just this one.

“I am glad you feel that way. My mother could hardly ever win an argument with me, but she always tried. Whenever she ran out of talking points, she would send me to sit in a corner as punishment. The longer I was in the corner, the angrier she was. She knew I was plotting my next prank.”

“You must have been a joy to raise.”

Prudence laughed, a light, airy sound William decided he would not mind hearing more often than not.

“I certainly was. So much so that she still visits me all the way from Scotland whenever she tires of her new husband. I mean – she does it because she misses me and my sister. But I had thought she would dislike me for all my disobedience and defiance. But she never grew tired of me. And it made me realize… sometimes, the sins we hold above our heads have long since been forgiven. Some things are better left in the past, where they belong,” she said softly.

William thought about it – his scars, both large and small, within him and etched onto his skin. He thought about all the costs he had shouldered, trying to live the life he wanted.

He thought of the weariness in his bones that had followed him for days on end.

And then, he thought of his beautiful daughter.

“I suppose you are right. Truce?”

“Only for now. And I am always right. You would do well to remember that.”

Her remark had made him laugh out so loudly, that the sound seemed to echo in his head for hours after they had left the orangery.

William felt like a fool.

Staying in the orangery with the duchess had been a terrible idea on his part because, if he had experienced trouble getting his thoughts away from her before, it was practically impossible now.

No matter what he did, or who he spoke to, Prudence was always lingering in the back of his mind. He heard her laugh ringing in his ears, fell asleep to the sound of her soft voice in his mind, and got drunk off her scent in the hallways.

She was like poison, slowly consuming him, and it left him only two options on how to deal with it. Either he got her far, far away from him and therefore out of his mind and his life – and his house – or he indulged in her as much as he could, as often as he could, until such notions faded from his being.

It might have seemed like an unwise course of action, but his doubts about her capability to commit murder were growing. There were far too many instances that caused him to question the possibility of that story. Especially his own life.

He could not say that he had been on his guard ever since it came to his attention that Prudence likely murdered the former duke. And with their earlier… arguments, she had enough reasons to hate him and want him dead. But somehow, he was still living, breathing, and upsetting her any chance he got.

He was either very lucky or she was not a murderer.

However, there was one thing that still bothered him about her.

And that was the quick marriage between Prudence and Anthony. He had heard more rumors, about how she did not look like one who was mourning a husband, but more like someone who felt sorry for the loss of another and what that meant for them.

She had mourned him distantly, coldly and her initial shock was that he had passed on their wedding night.

That left William wondering if she had ever loved Anthony.

And if she was capable of love.

But why would I even care about that?

“Are you going to practice the piano again, Your Grace?”

Prudence nodded as she downed the rest of her lemonade.

“I believe I am getting better,” she said with a happy smile.

“You certainly are,” Anna nodded. “I have heard a lot less grumbling from the staff as of late.”

“Anna! Why would you–”

“I jest, I jest. Forgive me, Your Grace,” the maid grinned. “But I must ask – why must you go through these lengths, sharpening your skills on an instrument you clearly find difficult?”

“Melanie loves music. I had sensed as much when she told me why she did not wish to take her lessons with her teacher. However, if we sit and fold our arms without looking for a solution because we hope her preferred scenario will come to pass, she will lose even more than she already has in that time. She wants to learn, but she wants her father to teach her. And because he is busy, I intend to take over for him,” Prudence explained.

“Ahh… I see. But would it not have been easier to just sit in on her lesson and have the music teacher do all the work for you?”

“No, Anna. Then it will not be meaningful because I did what would suit me best and not what is best for her. She deserves better than that, and I am determined to be the best teacher there is for her.”

“As long as you remember the keys and notes to play.”

“I do not think I like you very much this afternoon.”

“Enjoy your practice, Your Grace.” Anna bowed as she took away the tray of empty dishes and leftovers.

Prudence knew she was being teased, but she still fumed all the way to the music room. She still pouted as she lifted the cover off the lid, and she still frowned as she arranged the music sheet in front of her.

But as Anna had said, most of her issues stemmed from her inability to remember the right keys and notes and it was all she could do not to get frustrated over it.

She desperately wanted to help Melanie with this, and she hoped that this single line of action would help them also reach the duke and convince him to teach his daughter how to play.

However, with how things were going, that goal seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream.

With a deep breath, Prudence began to play, her eyes skimming over the sheet music as she told herself to keep the posture William had directed her on.

“Slowly,” she urged, gradually progressing along the song. “Just take it slow.”

Somehow, she was getting it. The pace she had set was helping immensely, keeping her mistakes to a minimum and she was nearly at the end of the song when a voice said,

“You have improved greatly. Color me impressed.”

And then she hit the wrong note.

“Ugh,” she groaned, turning around to glare at William.

“What?” he smiled, looking so charming, that she wanted to smack him.

“Do you have nothing better to do than to stalk me, Your Grace?” she queried, turning back to face the keys.

“I have no idea what you mean. I was merely passing by. Surely, I am allowed to do that.”

“You certainly are. At least without making any comments about what I am doing,” Prudence huffed, placing her hands over the keys to start over.

“If you are so easily distracted, you would not make a good piano player. Music is all about using all your senses to deliver harmonious sound. It is hardly my fault if you are so easily distracted.” William shrugged, sitting next to her.

“Anyone would be distracted if they were alone in a room, focused on the task at hand, and all of a sudden, someone broke their concentration,” Prudence pointed out.

“I merely wanted to inform you of your improvement. I thought most people valued constructive criticism and notes on their progress. You are truly an odd woman – I can never tell what it is you want.”

Prudence did not like the way the deep timbre of his voice fell over her ears like honey. She did not like how it made her clamp her legs together and caused her heart to race.

The orangery seemed as though it had existed outside of time because the moment between them had been unlike any they had had before. The conversations were soft-spoken, and she saw him laugh for the first time since he had come to the estate.

It had struck an odd feeling in her afterward because she had been the one to suggest that they forget what had transpired. Which was a rather bold declaration, considering that it had haunted her before and after that time.

Forgetting him was impossible.

“What I want is to be left alone to my task. First Anna, now you. Has fate conspired for everyone to annoy me today?” Prudence tried to shift her focus to what mattered.

“I am flattered you believe I am a worthy contender to be chosen by the cosmos for the sole purpose of disturbing you.”

Oh, this cheeky man–

“Do you have nothing better to do? Surely, there is some duty somewhere that requires your attention. Any doorknobs that need to be replaced?” Prudence questioned, praying to God she was wrong.

“Well… I do not have anything that requires my immediate attention. So, I am yours, for as long as you want me.”

Those… those were dangerous words. Very dangerous and purposeful.

“If I ask nicely, will you leave?” she tried, in a last-ditch attempt to regain her peace of mind.

“I am afraid not,” he grinned as he settled down on the bench next to her.

“Lovely.” She sighed. “I will let you know that I intend to play my part no matter what you do to distract me.”

“You are far too confident in your capabilities,” William noted in a tone that hinted he did not like that.

Seeing a chance to irritate him further, Prudence nodded.

“Why would I not be? My formal pianoforte training lasted five months and I am still doing better than most who had over a year’s worth of training. I do not think I would stun anyone at parties, but I can impress a few people with what I know,” she nodded proudly.

“Is that so?”

“Positively. I can likely play better than you – seeing as you are content telling me what to do without actually doing it yourself.”

William was still for a moment, then he grinned, his expression sending chills down Prudence’s spine.

“A master pianist now, are you? I wonder… how well you can play under duress,” he told her with a smirk.

Prudence frowned, confused. “What do you–”

“Play me something,” he whispered in her ear, his tone turning dangerous.

Hesitating only for a moment, Prudence finally returned to her task. Her accuracy was slightly unsteady at first because she felt nervous, but then, when nothing happened, she regained her confidence.

And that was when she felt it. His hand was on her leg, gently resting against her calf.

Prudence swallowed and ignored him, still focused on her task. Her fingers nearly slipped as his hand climbed higher, onto her thigh. She sank her teeth into her lower lip, fighting her mind to remain focused.

It was hard to do so when his touch was teasing, alternating between soft, gentle pats and moments of him gripping her thigh with the barest force, as though he wanted her to be aware – well aware – of his touch.

“I wonder… were you ever in love with your husband?” he asked quietly, but loud enough to be heard over the tunes.

Prudence was struggling to keep the notes going, barely able to avoid mistakes as his hand went up her hip, then moved to nestle between her legs.

“Your Grace, I-I–”

“Will you not answer the question? I am quite curious about it, but unlike most people who would rather speculate about it, I want you to tell me about it, of your own volition.”

He pressed closer to her for a moment, interchanging his hands so his right was between her legs and the left was gently brushing her hair back, and later caressing the length of her neck. She had missed a few notes already but that move caused her to miss some more and he chastised her.

“Stay focused,” he scolded her. “No matter what I do to you, ensure that you keep playing.”

Prudence nodded, confused at first, then aghast when he slipped down onto his knees, somehow managing to maneuver around beneath the piano until he could push her knees apart.

“What are you–”

“If you stop, I will stop.”

The thought of that made her heart sink, especially when she considered how utterly handsome he looked, right there and then. He was the one on his knees but she was at his mercy.

Prudence kept her lips pressed together and shakily continued to play, forcing herself to do nothing as he pushed her skirts up and ducked his head beneath them.

She thought she was ready for what was coming, but when his tongue lapped at her wet folds, she nearly slammed her fists onto the piano keys.

“William! What are you–”

He squeezed at her hips – a warning.

She stifled her complaint and continued playing, barely able to contain herself much longer as he continued to lick and suck like a man starved. Staying quiet was the hardest challenge she had ever faced, with every sensation bleeding into her veins like torture, but somehow she still played, despite being overcome with pleasure.

She did not realize when her shaking hands dropped from the keys, one of them finding purchase on the bench while the other was lost in his thick, dark hair, fingers gripping tightly. She could hear the pleas spilling from her lips but she did not know what she was begging for.

It was uncertain as she pressed closer, chasing the warm, wet slide of his tongue in her most secret parts, chest heaving as her throat struggled to release her breaths amid sounds of pleasure.

“William, I… Please…”

He did not stop, insistent and bold in his ministrations, despite the cries that eventually spilled from her lips and her eventual release.

William just held himself there, mouthing at her until she pushed at him with a whine, before he eventually relented. He took his time adjusting her skirts, his touch lingering on her legs for a moment before he moved out from under the piano.

“You stopped playing,” he muttered, licking his lips as he took his place next to her on the bench. “I do not know about you, darling, but I think you still have much to learn.”