Page 31 of My Blind Duke
The duchess inhaled sharply when he put his hand on her lower back and pressed forward gently, until she sat up straighter.
“Like this. Keep yourself poised, but your muscles free of tension… Good. Just like that.”
His behavior toward her was so odd, it put her on edge. She did not necessarily want to argue and was not in the mood for any hostility, but it still made her nervous, how… amicable he was being.
Still, she kept up her posture like he asked of her, unable to keep her mind from straying to the hand that was still resting on her back. Her skin burned beneath his touch and she could hardly breathe, knowing he could likely feel every subtle change in her body.
“I know you despise me,” she blurted out suddenly, trying not to wince at the way the words sounded. “So, I do not understand why you are doing this.”
William sighed and urged, “Keep playing.”
Reluctantly, Prudence faced the piano once more and set her fingers on the keys, carefully trying to follow the music sheet before her eyes, feeling a little less nervous when she noticed she had gotten a bit better. But then his hand seemed to increase its pressure on her back and she shivered, trying not to lean into his touch.
“I felt as though it was the least I could do – because I owe you for saving my daughter. I do not know what I would have done if she had been bitten that day. I truly appreciate that you kept her safe – even though I am not particularly thrilled that it was atyour expense. But… thank you,” he said after a while, sounding as though he was not aware of the warmth pooling between her legs.
Prudence nodded. “I-It was my pleasure. I am glad I was able to protect her, honestly. And… I can tell that you truly love her.”
“Of course, I do. She is my daughter.”
The duchess felt her left eye twitch in annoyance at his response and she had to fight to keep herself from asking him why he acted as though he did not care about her most of the time. Instead, she stopped playing and asked carefully.
“Why do you not teach her music anymore?”
William visibly bristled.
“It is none of your concern,” he stated, losing what little warmth he had carried in his demeanor.
Prudence shrugged, finally working up the nerve to slip away from his touch. “Fine. You are not wrong, but Melanie deserves an explanation. Avoiding the situation will not do either of you any good.”
William was quiet at first, then he leaned forward until his face was only a handful of inches away from Prudence’s.
“You should leave. Now. Before it is too late.”
The air was charged with danger and something Prudence could not describe but could taste at the tip of her tongue. A smart woman would have quietly left. But Prudence had never been fond of taking the easy way out.
“If I run now, Your Grace, will you catch me?” she heard herself ask, unable to keep her gaze from dropping down to his lips.
He smirked down at her. “Are you sure that is what you want?”
“Are you sure you would be able to catch me at all?” Prudence teased breathlessly, unable to help herself.
William moved even closer, his gaze falling from her eyes, and settling on her lips, fixed on them as he said,
“I am a man who always gets what he wants.”
Chapter 10
Prudence quickly slipped off the bench and rose to her feet, hurrying out of the room.
She had thought the duke would let her go, expecting that he would not wish to waste his time on her. But then she heard heavy footfalls behind her, stomach clenching nervously at the realization that he was following her.
Why does this excite me though? What will he do if he catches me?
Her mind was swimming with images of the duke’s lips and hands all over her. Still, she increased her pace, trying not to look back or let the hot feeling of his gaze pinned her in place. She then slipped into an alcove, exhaling deeply because she believed she had gotten away from him…
Only for his hands to rest on her waist and pull her flush against his body.
“How – how did you find me?” she gasped, squirming in his grasp.
