Page 22 of My Blind Duke
“All right then, Your Grace. Would you like me to send a maid to fetch you some refreshments?” Robert questioned.
“No, I am fine. I will just rest and perhaps take a walk around the estate later,” William said, shaking his head.
“Very good, Your Grace. I shall return when you are ready to go out on the walk, then.”
William had refused to behave as though he were an invalid after the loss of his sight and had trained himself not to be too dependent on his steward. He had explored every nook and cranny of his former house by himself, with Robert lingering a few feet away behind him, only allowed to step in whenever things got a little dangerous.
And he had begun to learn about this estate the same way too, exploring the corridors and rooms in his spare time. He refused to be completely reliant on anyone and was determined to ensure his weakness would not give people the courage to undermine him.
“Robert,” William called out as a sudden thought occurred to him.
“Yes, Your Grace?” the steward responded.
“Keep an eye on the duchess. Watch her closely and look into her past as well. I want to know what she has been up to in the past year. Any suspicious movements or meetings that might have transpired under this roof. I must ensure that Melanie isn’t exposed to any form of threats or danger – especially within her own home. Do it discreetly.”
“Certainly, Your Grace,” came Robert’s response.
The duke waved him away, noting the bent form of Robert bowing before he left and sighed, leaning back in his seat.
He closed his eyes and tried to forget the smell of fire and smoke.
“Why are you still here?”
Prudence inhaled sharply, holding her breath and counting to five before she turned around, against her better judgment.
“Lady Clementina. Whatever can I help you with now?”
“Do not pretend, you sly witch. Even if you manage to convince everyone else of your innocence, you will never fool me – or the new duke. He will see right through your façade, just as I have, and you will be out on the streets without a dime, as you should be,” Clementina spat.
Prudence nodded. “All right. Thank you for sharing your thoughts that were not needed. As always, it was enlightening to converse with you. Do have a pleasant day.”
As the duchess turned around to continue her walk to the garden, the older woman snapped, stepping closer with her companion scurrying after her.
“Have you no shame? First, you kill my dearest darling nephew, who had nothing but greatness ahead of him! I told him countless times not to marry you, but men and their mule-like stubbornness will be the death of me, as it was for him, thanks to your conniving ways and greed for his wealth. As though that was not enough, you have decided to remain in the estate and to impose on us like the leech you are! What sort of woman are you? Have you no dignity?”
“Have you nothing better to do?” Prudence sighed tiredly. “Must we engage in this pointless dance, back and forth, all the time? I have told you countless times before – I did not kill yournephew. I married him because we were a good match for each other. I had no reason to end his life when we had both taken oaths before God. I know you do not believe me, but that is the truth. And I will not leave this house because it is my home. It has been for a year now and no one – not even the duke – has any right to chase me away.”
Clementina’s face turned red with rage and she came forward, pointing an angry finger at Prudence.
“We will see about that. Your delusions will not protect you forever. Sooner or later, justice will be served and you will learn once and for all, just how pathetic and worthless you truly are. Mark my words, you insufferable little–”
“Your Grace! I found a caterpillar in the gardens! Look!”
Clementina turned around just as Melanie uncovered her hand and held it up, revealing a green caterpillar nestled in the center of her palm, and screamed.
“Goodness gracious! Oh, what a horrendous little thing!” she said, holding a hand to her chest as she moved away from the child.
Henrietta snorted but quickly covered the action with a cough, gesturing to the path that led back to the house.
“My lady, perhaps we should return back to–”
“It is not horrendous. It is pretty! And it will be prettier when it is a butterfly one day!” Melanie refuted with a glare.
“I was talking about you, you insufferable little brat.” Lady Clementina rolled her eyes, making a shoo motion with her hands at Melanie.
“That is enough, Lady Clementina. I know you despise me but there is no need to take it out on the child. She has done nothing wrong,” Prudence said, stepping in front of Melanie, and gently ushering the child to hide behind her.
“What do you mean she has done nothing wrong? Are you blind? Or deaf? Have you not at all heard about all of the distasteful actions that she has consistently put on since she arrived at this estate? Is it until she puts spiders on our scones and thorns in our beds before we realize that we need to punish such a menace?” Clementina glared at Prudence angrily.
