Page 62 of Her Cursed Duke
“Oh.” Prudence shook her head bashfully. “I don’t think I did anything that impressive—”
“Your life wouldn’t have been in danger if the Cursed Duke wasn’t here,” someone cut in.
The Earl frowned in confusion, clearly unaware of who they were referring to. Prudence felt anger bubble within her, similar to that afternoon at the fair. Aiden tried to catch her gaze, to dissuade her from saying anything, but she ignored him.
“He helped me save the Earl’s life. If it were up to you—whoever you are, you spineless coward—he would have suffocated to death. Can’t you people ever just be grateful and leave him alone? Must we do this ridiculous dance every time? At this point, what ails you isn’t superstition, but ignorance built on foolishness.”
Prudence breathed deeply, getting ready to launch another tirade, but stopped when Aiden held up his hand to stop her.
“I’m sorry you had to suffer such bad luck on such a wonderful evening, Lord Thornbury. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking my leave early.”
Lord Thornbury nodded, still looking confused as Aiden walked off, shooting his wife a dazed look.
“Wasn’t that Lady Foresthill’s godson? I had no idea he’d grown into such a fine young man! Pity we do not have any more daughters to marry off.”
Lady Thornbury stared at her husband in disbelief. “Why does that sound like you suddenly disapprove of your son-in-law?”
“That bumbling fool Jack cannot shoot to save his life, Eunice. It is embarrassing to take him on our family hunting trips. Our daughters are better shots.”
“That’s because—this is neither the time nor the place, Richard.”
Prudence tuned out the rest of the conversation, instead preoccupied with finding where Aiden had gone off to. As she left, her sister and brother-in-law watched her walk out of the ballroom with similar smiles on their faces.
“Your sister is quite strong-willed. Much like you,” Silas commented softly.
“No.” Agnes shook her head gently. “She is much, much better than I am.”
Aiden wasn’t surprised when Prudence found him in the corridor he had stepped into mere moments after he had left the ballroom.
In fact, he had almost hoped she would seek him out.
“I’m sorry,” she breathed as she caught up to him, walking by his side as he wandered down the hallways, as though the house was his own.
“Prudence—”
“I know. I know you don’t like addressing it, but I just couldn’t bear to stand by and do nothing while they said such vile things about you. Please, do not be upset with me.”
He shook his head, a little surprised by the emotion he could hear in her voice, confused as to why she was so hung up on his feelings, on what he thought of her—even more so over the fact that she thought he could feel any way but positively about her.
“I am not upset with you—”
“Don’t leave me again.”
Aiden stopped at that, unable to ignore the way his heart trembled in his chest.
Oh. Damn it.
He glanced around quickly and grabbed her hand, pulling her through the first door he spotted. Once they were inside, helocked the door and backed her against it, one hand coming up to cup her face.
“I am not upset, lovely. I do not care at all that they took a dig at me. I am, however, very thankful to hear you defending me once more. But that is also something I do not want to dwell on.”
He moved closer, lightly pressing his thumb against her lower lip, fighting the urge to smirk when her lips parted slightly beneath his touch.
“What I want,” he continued softly, his gaze landing on her lips, “is to forget this whole fiasco ever happened. Will you help me with that?”
Prudence could feel the familiar fog settle over her mind, welcoming the warmth that pooled in her belly, unable to keep herself from leaning toward him, already desiring whatever he wanted to give.
“Of course.” She sighed wistfully. “I’d like to help… however I can.”
