Page 51 of Her Cursed Duke
“I told you this game was likely going to go nowhere,” Beatrice chimed in, shaking her head. “Although, I did expect it to be due to my precious godson’s influence. But he’s been nothing but a good sport the whole afternoon. I suspect it is due to Prudence’s presence.”
“You hear that, you rascals? Even the recluse Duke is playing better than you both! Get it together.” Martha shook her head ruefully.
“My, I feel very appreciated right now,” Aiden said dryly, sighing when Agnes finally hit her ball through a hoop. “You’re up, lovely.”
Aiden had taken to calling Prudence that nearly all the time when no one was close enough to hear them. It had become something of second nature to him, and no matter how many times she’d heard it, Prudence couldn’t help the shiver that ran up her spine. It was unfair that he had such an effect on her, even when he wasn’t trying, but she supposed it was because she had given him all the power he had over her.
They had been spending even more time together lately, at her behest, and with every moment that was spent basking in his charming company, the more aware she became of the fact that their relationship was without a doubt not as clear cut as it had been when they had first struck their deal.
It was a little confusing now how she couldn’t tell which of his statements were meant to give the picture of a well-to-dogentleman wooing a lady and which was meant to stir up flames of desire within her.
Now, it felt as though everything he did was solely for her, to lift her spirits, make her blush, and render her weak in knees. She was aware these happenings were unorthodox, given the nature of their relationship, but upon further thought, she realized that she did not mind. In fact, she wanted more and craved every bit of attention he was willing to shower her with.
And goodness, was he willing to give it all to her.
When they had gone out for brunch, Aiden had paid no heed to the stares and whispers around them. He only looked to Prudence for her opinions on the cakes they should order and which ones she would like to try next time.
It had been difficult, at first, to not glare or snap at the people being blatantly disrespectful toward Aiden, but he had gently slid a little plate of apple crumble pie toward her and said, “They are insignificant to both of us, lovely. Focus all your attention on me and waste nothing on them.”
She nodded and took a bite, falling in love with the pastry almost immediately. From then on, it had gotten easier to simply get lost in his presence and aura, caught up in his warmth and certainty.
The other times they had spent together after that outing had the same outcome, with Aiden pouring all of his attention into Prudence and her flourishing beneath it. He was quite uniquehimself, with a handful of hobbies she had never expected him to have. For instance, he mentioned that as a young boy, he liked carving miniature wooden animals. It was an activity he still engaged in whenever he needed something minuscule to focus on.
He loved horses and hunting and was considering asking Silas to go on another hunting trip with him.
“Did you enjoy the first one so much that you arethateager to bask in the manly bond you had formed that day?” Prudence had asked when he brought it up.
“I suppose you could say that. I find it intriguing how alike we are.”
His last statement had confused her because she had never thought Aiden had anything in common with her brother-in-law, but she relented, not thinking about it too much.
Prudence was especially relieved to know that the Dowager Marchioness was still clueless about their ruse and very proud of Aiden for courting her properly.
Beatrice had sent a basket of confections to Prudence two days after her brunch with Aiden to thank her for providing her godson with good company and “getting him out of the damn castle.” Aiden had been less than impressed when Prudence showed him the card, but his smile at the penmanship had been nothing less than fond.
Things were going remarkably well, and Prudence was grateful for that, even if her heart had a tendency to twist uncomfortably at the thought of leaving in two weeks. She forced herself to focus on the fact that their arrangement had worked thus far, with no hitches, and reserved her vulnerability for when it was just her and her canvas.
Prudence stepped forward and poised her mallet in front of her ball, squinting at the hoop she was meant to knock it through as she attempted to gauge the amount of force required to do that without incident. Moments later, she lifted the mallet and swung it with a moderate amount of force, grinning when the ball rolled straight through the hoop.
“Well done, Lady Prudence.” Aiden grinned, clapping for her.
“Why, thank you, Your Grace.” She bowed exaggeratedly, earning a laugh from him.
“He looks really happy,” Beatrice told Martha softly, her gaze trained on the lawn, where the young couples were shuffling about, cheering and jeering whenever it was appropriate to do so.
“As does my little dove,” Martha said, not looking up from her cards. “I was worried about her at first because she is the sort to jump in headfirst into situations, showering others with concern and sparing none for herself. But she seems to have grown a lot more since the Duke began courting her.”
They watched Prudence point at her sister and burst into a fit of giggles, her cheeks healthily flushed as her eyes shone happily.
“She appears to be more confident, more self-assured, and knowledgeable about the things she wants in life. And that is all I’ve ever wanted for her,” Martha continued wistfully. “Of all my granddaughters, she is the most like my dear Henry. He was just as selfless, just as kind, and every day I spent with Prudence was a day I felt thankful to have had someone as wonderful as him in my life. I hope she can find long-lasting happiness. As my favorite granddaughter, she deserves as much.”
“I believe it is in bad taste to have a favorite grandchild, Martha,” Beatrice commented with a teasing grin.
“Hush. No one will ever believe you if you say so. Do not even dream of slandering my name,” Martha harrumphed.
Beatrice laughed a little, letting her gaze wander back to the couples playing croquet, her lips curling into a fond, relieved smile at the sight of her godson leaning toward Prudence to whisper something to her, laughing along with her afterward.
“I think Aiden is different, too. I had been so terrified of growing old because I was worried that every moment brought me closer to a time when I would leave him alone. Another thing I was frightened of was his unwillingness to form any sort of bond. I mean, who could blame him, given how badly he has been treated practically his entire life? I was worried that even if he later wished to, it would be increasingly difficult for him to find love.
