Page 44 of Her Cursed Duke
Still, a part of Prudence was excited about the prospect of seeing him again. She wondered how he would look at her, what he would say and do, and how those actions would affect her. Shelonged for him in a way she had never done before, and it surprised and confused her.
But she did not forget that they still had to keep up appearances. This was their first time attending a social event that would likely have other notable guests, and they needed to play their roles to the best of their abilities.
So, when it was time for her to get ready, she stared at Aria and requested bravely, “Make me look breathtaking, please.”
Aria blinked at her and then grinned in excitement. “You do not have to ask me twice, my lady.”
Even Agnes looked stunned the moment she saw her, far more delighted than her younger sister expected her to be.
“My goodness,” she breathed, holding Prudence’s hands with bright eyes. “You look divine, Sister. I have no doubt that the Duke will be unable to look away from you tonight.”
Prudence wanted to deny it, claim it wasn’t true, but she feared that if she said those words, they would end up coming to pass. So, she smiled shyly and nudged her sister toward the front door so they could leave, ignoring the suspicious chuckle from her grandmother as she latched onto Silas.
During the carriage ride to Serpenhood Castle, Prudence kept wondering what Aiden would say, how he would look at her. By the time they were ascending the front steps, she was practicallyshaking. She clenched her fists by her sides, trying to keep her fingers from clutching onto her dress in fear of rumpling the beautiful lilac fabric. She did not need to worry for too long because almost as soon as they were welcomed into the castle, Aiden came to greet them.
She had expected him to exchange pleasantries with Silas first, since they had been out hunting together earlier that day, but he walked straight to her, his eyes alight with an emotion she could not decipher.
“Lady Prudence.” He smiled, bowing to her with her hand in his, pressing lips to the back of it when he raised his head. “To keep me from repeating a previous misstep, allow me to start by telling you that you always look beautiful—every time I lay my eyes on you.”
Prudence felt her breath flee from her lungs, stunned by the honesty and intent dripping from his tone. But apparently, he was not done.
“But tonight, especially, you look exquisite. Absolutely breathtaking.”
It was a gratifying feeling to know that her goal had been achieved right on the mark, and she could only blush helplessly in reply. Aiden gave her another one of his charming smiles, then turned to her sister and brother-in-law, exchanging quick pleasantries with them, and returning his attention to her in almost no time.
“Come,” he murmured, holding out his arm to her. “You’re to be seated by my side.”
“A-All right,” Prudence accepted easily, taking his proffered arm and following his lead.
The dining hall was elegantly decorated, the table set with gleaming silverware arranged over a lacy white tablecloth trimmed with gold. Candles were also placed across the center of the table, the soft glow of their flames casting a warm and cozy ambiance over the evening.
As Aiden pulled a chair out for Prudence, she wished tonight would end as peacefully as it had begun. But many were aware of what was said of wishes. If they were horses, even beggars would ride.
The dinner had started off well enough. The Dowager Marchioness was a fantastic hostess and always left her guests with a smile whenever she moved between groups to check on them. When she eventually sat down, it was at the head of the table, with Aiden on her right and the Dowager Countess on her left.
Prudence was seated on Aiden’s right, opposite Silas, who sat between Agnes and Martha.
It would seem that their family had been seated closest to the hostess, and Prudence assumed it was because of the fact that she was being “courted” by Aiden. She could feel the gazes of the other guests on them, saw the way they kept whisperingbetween themselves and nodding in their direction. It unnerved her greatly, but she forced herself to focus on keeping up appearances.
“Ignore them,” Aiden murmured, claiming her attention with ease. “Just focus on me. Leave them to ogle and whisper like the unrefined busybodies they obviously are.”
She nodded, glancing between him and the first entrée, pursing her lips for a moment before blurting out softly, “You look… quite handsome tonight, Your Grace.”
Aiden turned to her with a sharp smirk. “Are you implying that, on other occasions, I look mostly mediocre, Lady Prudence?”
She rolled her eyes at his attempt to throw a revised version of her words back at her, resisting the urge to reach out and smack him. “You know you are devilishly handsome. Do not try to swindle me into complimenting you.”
“So you say, after complimenting me. Thank you, it is not easy to sport a face like mine every day. I feel as though it is a sacred duty bestowed upon me by the heavens.” He sighed as though he were saddledby a heavy burden.
The very notion was ridiculous, but she could not help but lean in, enjoying their conversation far too much. “Is that so? Tell me more about this duty that only you can perform for the sake of mankind—”
“Revolting.”
The cold voice caused her to jerk in surprise, and she made to turn around to seek out who had said it, wondering if they perhaps had some issue with their soup. But before she could, Aiden shook his head, his smug smile taking on a sharper edge.
“How could she let a harbinger of death sit at such a table of refined guests?”
Prudence’s gaze met Aiden’s, and although he appeared unbothered on the surface, she could see the hand he had placed on the table clenching into a fist. She wanted to reach out to him, to console him, but the other guests’ vile words rooted her to the spot.
