Page 46 of Her Cursed Duke
The maid curtsied and said, “Yes, my lady. I believe I saw him heading to his study a few minutes ago.”
“Lovely. Would you mind showing me the way?”
The maid obliged, leading the way with practiced ease. However, when they arrived at a hallway, one staircase, and after a few turns later, she stopped and gestured down the corridor. “It is the third door on the right, my lady. I apologize, but I cannot take you any further. It is… um… best to stay out of His Grace’s path.”
Prudence’s heart sank. To think that even members of his own staff treated him as though he were some vile disease.“That is all right. I suppose you’ve done enough, thank you.”
The maid nodded and scurried away.
Prudence waited until she was out of sight before she walked to the door the maid had indicated and knocked twice. When she received no response, she opened the door a bit and poked her head inside.
“Aiden?” she called softly.
“If you have come to gaze at me with pity, turn around and leave. I do not need you looking at me as though I am some poor, wounded creature,” Aiden stated coldly.
She stepped inside and closed the door, pressing her back against it, relieved at the sight of him behind his desk.
“Pity you? I do not pity you, Aiden. I feel angry for you. I knew that people were wicked, but to say all that, it is awful. How could you not throw a fit? Lash out, perhaps?”
“What good would that do? It will certainly not change their opinion of me, seeing as the only thing that has changed in eighteen years is how creative they’ve gotten with tales of my deeds. Did you know that I once caused the plague to spread among a farmer’s livestock because I did not like the way he greeted me? Killed all the pigs before sunrise. Fascinating stuff, really,” he scoffed.
“Aiden—”
“I am used to it, Prudence. I have had to endure it long enough to know that their opinions of me do not matter because they arewrong. I have never been a curse to anyone other than myself. I have no interest in their small, pathetic lives or their views.”
“Then why did you leave?” she asked, her voice quiet.
He fixed her with a blank stare and simply said, “You.”
Prudence stared at him, confused.“Me? But why would I—”
“If I had stayed any longer, the conversation would have undoubtedly shifted to you. How there is something wrong with you for letting me court you, how you are doomed to a life of tragedy and regret by associating with me. And… I was not sure if I could restrain myself if things had escalated to that point.”
Prudence felt the breath leave her lungs, replaced with flames that threatened to consume her from within.
This man… honestly. She had said as much earlier about how awfully misunderstood he was. Even now, he was more concerned about how others would view her, as opposed to his own well-being or even holding up their ruse.
His words made her feel uneasy in the way his smooth charm did lately. She understood that it was all an act, that there was a reason for his every action toward her. But a part of her couldn’t help but go weak in the knees at his rare sweetness, wanting to bask in it for as long as she could—even if she knew it would only lead her into dangerous waters.
“I do not care. I would have stood by your side and heckled them,” she said firmly.
Aiden paused and then grinned, finally rising out of his seat and walking around his desk. “I have no doubt you would have. I couldn’t have picked a better partner in this scheme.”
Prudence shrugged, suddenly aware of how fast her heart was beating, the rapid thumping echoing in her ears. He stood where he was, simply watching her, and she felt her skin begin to tingle beneath his gaze, craving his touch to soothe her. But he did not approach her.
After a few moments of silence, he asked, “Why did you come after me?”
She swallowed, praying her voice wouldn’t sound weak. “I-I wanted to ensure that you were all right. And to keep you company… if you wanted.”
He smiled then, sharp and dangerous. “Oh, Prudence, what have I said about walking around my home all by yourself? You should know better than to be alone with me, at this point.”
Prudence shuddered at the implications of his words, glad that she had the door behind her to help keep her upright.
“What if… what if that is what I want?” she asked quietly, knowing she’d been loud enough for him to hear her.
His gaze darkened, and he finally walked toward her. He placed his hands on either side of her head against the door as he leaned in, whispering softly, “You, lovely, are a temptress.”
And then, his lips claimed hers.
