My Blind Duke

Prologue

“Help!” The Duchess of Pemberly rushed down the corridor, her rich brown hair flailing behind her in wild wisps. 

This cannot be happening!

Her heart raced uncontrollably as she rounded a corner and collided with another person in the dark.

“My word – Your Grace! Is everything all right?” The maid’s green eyes widened in shock as she gripped her mistress’ upper arms to keep her from stumbling. 

“Anna, Thank God it is you! Y-You must come at once, something awful has happened.” Prudence began to sob as her legs threatened to buckle. 

She had not been the duchess for long, but she had not prepared herself for the events that had unfolded in her marital bed. 

None of this is happening. It is nothing but a horrifying nightmare, and I am going to wake up any moment now. 

“Your Grace, please take a deep breath. I cannot help you if I do not know the matter.” Anna attempted to calm her down, moving her lips into a perfect circle as she demonstrated the even breaths. 

Doing as she was told, Prudence took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air sting her lungs as she attempted to speak. “The duke – my husband is…” 

“What the devil is going on out here?” A third voice came rushing down the hall, causing the flame of the candle she was carrying to fight for its life. 

Prudence almost jumped as her body once again began to tremble from fright. 

“It is Her Grace, Mrs. Fairfax; something has happened.” Anna let go of Prudence’s arms and addressed the housekeeper who now came into view. 

“Oh, my apologies, Your Grace. I did not see you there. What seems to be the matter?” Mrs. Fairfax’s long grey hair hung over her shoulder in an even plait, making her almost unrecognizable to Prudence in the darkened corridor. 

For a moment, Prudence was distracted by how different the woman looked then. She had only met the housekeeper that morning, but her hair had been pulled back into a tight bun – a firm and strict contrast to the gentleness she had about her now. 

“It’s – it’s… His Grace. We were…” Prudence struggled to control her breathing when the housekeeper lifted the candle to her face, causing her to squint at the sudden brightness so close. 

She had been in such a rush when she had left her husband’s chambers that she had not even thought of taking the bedside candle. 

“Oh dear…” Mrs. Fairfax lifted her hand to her chest and clutched at the edges of her nightgown after exchanging a concerned look with Anna. 

Anna took control of the situation. “Your Grace, these things can be perfectly normal between a husband and wife once married. Did your mother not tell you what to expect on your wedding night?” 

Shaking her head vigorously, Prudence realized what they were thinking. “It’s not that at all! He is – he…” Her throat suddenly constricted, keeping her mouth from forming the words. 

Taking a step forward, Mrs. Fairfax placed her hand on Prudence’s shoulder. “Has something happened, Your Grace? I mean other than the marital duties between a husband and wife?” 

“I… I think you had better come and see.” Prudence’s eyes filled with tears again as she fought the urge to burst into fits of hysteria. 

There was no sense in waking the rest of the house when some people had already come to her aid. Giving the maid a hurried nod, Mrs. Fairfax allowed the duchess to lead the way. 

“Should we not knock before we enter, Your Grace?” Anna asked with a heavy note of concern when Prudence turned the handle. 

“That’s just the thing, I do not think he will answer.” Prudence could hardly believe what she was saying when she pushed open the door and stepped inside, allowing the other women to follow in her tracks. 

“By Jove, it cannot be!” Mrs. Fairfax gasped at the sight before them on the bed. 

The duke was the same way Prudence had left him, gaze upward and unseeing. A chill ran down Prudence’s spine and she could barely hold back the whimper in her throat.

“Your Grace, what has happened?” Anna tore her gaze away from the bed and turned to Prudence for an answer. 

Feeling as if the dam had finally burst, Prudence burst into tears and began to sob as she clutched at her hair, burying her fingers in the long strands. “He is dead! I have not even been married for a full day, and my husband is dead! Am I cursed? What if I killed him?” 

The faces of the other women turned ashen grey as they looked at her in abject horror. 

It was Anna who once again took control of the situation, coming forward as she spoke calmly. “Your Grace, what exactly do you mean when you say you could have killed the duke?” Her eyes darted around the room as if she were looking for a means of escape. 

Prudence’s lips trembled as she sought for words. “I… I do not know. I came to his chambers thinking we were going to… but then when I got into the room and climbed into bed, there was no answer. I then did as my mother had told me and… I realized he was not breathing.” Fear took hold of her body as the reality finally sank in. 

Anna seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as her shoulders relaxed. “Your Grace, you must be very careful of how you explain the situation. Any number of things could have happened to His Grace. He could have had a problem with his heart or a sudden illness that nobody knew of.” 

“How could that be when he has always been as sound as a bell?” Mrs. Fairfax stared at the bed in disbelief, her face growing paler and more suspicious by the second. 

“Be that as it may, Mrs. Fairfax, these things can happen to any creature on God’s green earth. We must send for the physician at once. He will be able to tell us what has happened.” Anna rushed forward and gently gripped the sheet from the bed, pulling it loose until she covered the duke. 

Prudence could feel her body turning to ice as she took a few steps back and leaned against the wall. Out of all the ways she had imagined her wedding night, staring at the lifeless body of her husband had not been one of them. 

What will become of me now?

Chapter One

One Year Later

“You know, Prudence, you are luckier than you realize,” Johanna Borrs said as she took a glass of sherry from a passing footman. 

The ballroom at Pemberly Manor was filled to the brim with guests whom Prudence hardly recognized. Letting her mother compile the invitations now seemed like a mistake as she stared at the sea of faces. 

“I am lucky that my husband passed away?” Prudence stared at her mother in disbelief before glancing around at the crowded ballroom. 

A few couples lounged on the chaise lounges in almost compromising positions while others stood around the piano, laughing uproariously.

None of the other ladies around them seemed shocked or even batted an eyelid at their surroundings or her mother’s words. It was not unlike Prudence’s mother to state her opinion in shocking ways. In stark contrast to how she had been in the past, Johanna no longer seemed like the quiet and frail woman she had been when Prudence was little. 

Patting the strands of her light blonde hair back into place, Prudence’s mother smiled at her. Her green eyes shone with mischief.

“You misunderstand me, dearest, I simply meant that you are lucky not to have to deal with a husband who demands your attention at all hours of the day. It can be quite exhausting you know. It never seems to stop.” 

The other ladies began to giggle as they exchanged a few knowing glances, making Prudence wish her mother would stop. 

“It is all hours of the day for them. Morning, noon, or night, they expect you to be in their bed no matter the weather. I cannot tell you how many times I was woken up to–” 

“Mama!” Prudence felt utterly mortified as her cheeks filled with color. There were not many times when she had wished that the earth would swallow her whole, but they did seem to coincide with her mother showing up at her parties. 

“Oh, settle down, Prudence, dear. All the ladies here are married. They understand what I am saying. Having a husband is an exhausting occupation. At my age, I can hardly keep up with his demands; I am almost regretting my decision to remarry, but after your father–”

“Mama, I am begging you to please stop.” Prudence felt like melting into the spot from embarrassment. This was not the time to let an assembly of gossiping ladies into how her father was found dead in the bed of his mistress.

Years later, Prudence’s mother fell in love with a wealthy merchant, going against society’s expectations and demands for high standing when she married an untitled man. The union, in Prudence’s opinion, seemed to have awakened her mother’s hidden side. 

“I think what your mother is trying to say is that you should be enjoying your time without a husband, Your Grace,” Lady Ashford added with a smile.

“I understand what you mean, Lady Ashford, but I can only enjoy so much time alone until the new heir is traced. Who knows what will happen when he arrives?” Prudence voiced some of her fears. 

“But that could take years before it becomes a reality. How long has it been now? More than a year if I recall correctly. They may never even find this heir. If he even exists.” A tall lady with ginger hair and fair skin added her opinion to the conversation. 

Looking at the woman as she chewed the inside of her cheek, Prudence struggled to recall her name, hoping she would not have to address her at any point. 

It had been this way for Prudence for quite a while now. Surrounded by faces that invoked shallow emotions, with names she could never seem to commit to memory. She had become quite popular since her debut, but she still could not wrap her head around all the people interested in spending time in her company. 

But she could not deny that she longed for the gaggle of pointless chatter and high-pitched laughs. It was certainly better than the loneliness that awaited her within the walls of her home. Still, she was self-aware enough to know that the women who frequented her parties were more like acquaintances rather than friends. 

“Be that as it may, the gossip sheets have not been kind to me either. They call me the Black Widow. All the servants still regard me with suspicion. Many of them even refuse to serve me. It is difficult to run a household as a duchess when nobody regards you as worthy.” Prudence heard herself admit, sullenly voicing her sad and frustrating reality.

The pit of her stomach churned uncomfortably when she recalled the look of disgust on the housekeeper’s face all those nights ago. 

Will I ever escape that night? 

“Your Grace, you must come and sing us a song!” Lady Swanson shouted from afar as she lifted her glass, nearly spilling her wine on her light green gown. 

The trays of wine and champagne circulated among the guests as footmen in black livery served them dutifully. A few avoided Prudence altogether until she snagged a glass of champagne in passing. 

The servant pulled the tray away too late before shooting Prudence a disapproving glare over his shoulder, causing annoyance to shoot through her. 

My own servants despise me. I should send them all away. 

She scowled before shaking her head and taking a sip from her glass. Sending all of the servants away without so much as a scathing reference would teach them all a lesson, yet she did not quite have it in her heart to be that cruel.

Another guest pleaded with her to take the floor and regale them with playing the pianoforte, causing Prudence’s stomach to churn nervously. Quickly, she thought of a way out and stammered through a light refusal. 

“Oh, I would so hate to disappoint you all with my lack of skill. But I think we had better allow someone far more talented than myself.” She forced a smile, eliciting a round of polite laughter. 

Her mother placed a hand on her arm and addressed the small crowd. “I think Lady Ashford has yet to bless us with a song. If I am not mistaken, she has quite the voice. One of a nightingale, if I can recall correctly.” She gave Prudence’s arm an encouraging squeeze. 

“I would be delighted to entertain you all. Thank you for your kind praises!” Lady Ashford came forward with her nose in the air, smirking at everyone who watched her walk. 

A moment of silence filled the room as everyone waited expectantly for the song to start. 

One of the gentlemen took a seat at the pianoforte, flinging the tails from beneath his legs as he made himself ready with his fingers poised over the keys. His gaze momentarily fell on Prudence, slinking downward as though he wanted to commit a bit of her to memory. The hungry look in his eyes made her shiver in disgust and she quickly turned away. 

Soon, a catchy tune filled the air as Lady Ashford opened her mouth, matching the notes with perfect pitch. Those interested in the songstress clamored closer to listen. Meanwhile, others lingered behind to continue sipping their drinks and gossip.

“Have you seen Lord Davis tonight? He seems to be worming his way into Miss Daniella’s heart – and likely her drawers by the end of the night.”

Prudence tried not to gasp at the statement that made its way into her ears.

“Miss Daniella? I could have sworn I saw him complimenting Lady Beatrice not too long ago, looking as though he was ready to pluck stars from the sky for her,” another person stated in surprise.

“The stars? Please. The only thing that sly rake is capable of obtaining is a good thrashing once it comes to light that he is deceiving so many women.”

Prudence snorted into her drink and stepped away from the duo, only to find herself catching snippets of another conversation.

“The Black Widow seems as though she has finally shed the pretense of mourning her husband. I have seen her strutting around confidently, all evening – clearly proud that she has managed to fool the ton. Or so she believes.”

The remark was strange to Prudence, who knew better than anyone that if there was one thing she actually lacked tonight, it was confidence. She was nervous and anxious, but apparently, to outsiders, otherwise was the case.

“I am appalled by her vanity. Have you seen the way she openly leers at men? Perhaps it is true then, what people say about her taking multiple lovers to her bed. Do you think one of them will be her next victim?”

“Perhaps if we were to tell her we know what she is hiding–” the woman trailed off, eyes widening when she spotted Prudence standing only a few meters away.

Embarrassed, she cleared her throat and stuttered her way into another topic, “…these refreshments are excellent. I do not think the hostess could have done a better job choosing them!”

“Yes, yes. Excellent. Shall we step out for some fresh air?” Her friend intoned, face pale when she also saw Prudence.

Prudence knew people did not trust her, and that doubts of her innocence in the death of her husband still lingered. But it struck her as odd how they could accuse her of murder and still be willing to eat and drink in her home.

And yet they do not have the backbone to tell these things to my face.

She hurried along, into a group of men and women smoking and laughing, unabashed.

“Your Grace! Would you like to join us?” one of the men grinned, stepping closer to her.

It took all Prudence had within her not to flinch, absentmindedly noting that Lady Ashford was still singing as she shook her head.

“Oh, thank you for the kind offer. I was actually on my way out to the gardens for some air,” Prudence stated quickly, with as polite of a smile as she could muster.

“If you wish, I could accompany you–”

“There is no need. Please enjoy the rest of your evening,” she smiled hurriedly as she turned away.

It was clear that the party was going out of control and although she was nervous about being in the papers again, she did not wish to spoil the fun of her guests.

Quickly, she moved further from them, sighing in relief when she found her mother a little away, admiring the duet.

“I should probably stop them, but who am I to ruin their fun?” Prudence sighed as she stood next to Johanna, wishing she could get another drink to loosen up the nerves bundling up beneath her skin. “What if word of it goes out? The papers will be all over me once again.”

Taking the opportunity, Johanna turned to her daughter with a worried expression. “I do so wish that you would stop worrying so much, my dearest. Take a look around this fine room. You are the Duchess of Pemberly. All of your guests are having a fine evening. There is nothing for you to concern yourself with. Your friends were right, they may never find an heir to replace the duke.” 

“But there is always a chance that they will. Not to mention that half of London thinks that I murdered my husband. I have heard the whispers, Mama, even from the ladies who call themselves my friends. What is to become of me when an heir does eventually come forward?” Prudence searched her mother’s face for an answer, noting the lines around her eyes and mouth. 

In every way possible, Prudence resembled her mother with bright green eyes and fine features. It used to grant her some form of comfort, seeing an older form of herself that had survived numerous trials and tribulations. But now, she could not seem to find that same reprieve, especially in the face of her own problems.

“Listen to me, Prudence. My entire life, I have lived obeying my husband, following all the rules, enduring all kinds of humiliation. I cannot stand by and see you do the same for an heir that probably does not even exist!”

“I know, Mama, but–”

“No buts. Speaking of men, did I not see a young gentleman flirting with you earlier? What was his name, Lord Musgrove? I think he is about to ask you to dance. Why do you not enjoy yourself a little, even if it is just for this evening?” Her mother placed her hands on Prudence’s shoulders and turned her around, making her face the crowd. 

Lord Musgrove – the man who had offered to go on a walk with her earlier – came striding toward her, offering his hand in a cheeky manner that intended to exude charm. 

“It cannot hurt,” her mother whispered in her ear before giving her shoulders a gentle push. 

I suppose it cannot. 

Prudence decided to enjoy the moment of respite as she placed her gloved hand in that of the Viscount and allowed herself to be pulled into the middle of the room.

The Viscount guided her onto the floor and winked before spinning her under his arm and eliciting a round of applause from her guests who cheered them on before returning to their various engagements. 

Her heart lifted slightly as she began to enjoy the moment, allowing her worries to be swept away by the melody of the music. 

The Viscount spun her in again and lowered his voice into a seductive whisper. “I hope you will not think it too forward of me, Your Grace, but it has been a long time since I have seen a woman as beautiful as you. A man could get lost in the brilliance of your emerald eyes.” His smile grew larger as his gaze wandered over her bosom. 

His arm around her tightened slightly, and she fought back a shiver of discomfort.

“Thank you, Lord Musgrove. That is very kind of you to say.” She forced up a smile.

“You know, Your Grace, I have nothing but the deepest respect for you and your independence. But I know enough to know that women are creatures of… desire, just like any man. I am not asking for your hand in marriage. I would not think of taking away the life you love so dearly. However, if you wish, you will find my company is capable of bringing you immense pleasure.” He lingered beside her cheek for a moment before pulling back and winking. 

Prudence lost her smile then, shocked and repulsed at the audacious offer the man was making. 

What is he implying? 

“Excuse me? I do not think–” 

Prudence felt her words fall away as a gasp broke past her lips instead, shocked to momentary stillness as the Viscount’s hand began to move down her back. She knew where it was going, and what he was trying to do, and was relieved when it stopped just above her buttocks. 

He leaned in close once more and whispered, “Rumor has it that your late husband never consummated the marriage. I would love to be the one to do the honors.”

He lowered his gaze to her bosom again, eyes hungry as his tongue darted out to wet his lower lip.

Prudence allowed her mouth to open ever slightly as he pulled her against his body, leaving little to no room for interpretation as the swelling in his breeches pressed against her thigh. 

She tried to pull back immediately, a fiery reproach on the tip of her tongue “How dare you–”

“Your Grace!” A shriek suddenly brought the party to a stop, making Prudence jump as she backed away from the Viscount.

Heads turned in stunned silence as the entire room focused on the person standing at the door. 

Looking a little sheepish, the short man with a balding head and a pinched expression, cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace, I did not mean to interrupt, but I am afraid there is a matter of great urgency. I must speak with you in private at once.” 

Recognizing her husband’s solicitor, Prudence stiffened again as she finally stepped away from the Viscount.

The room continued to stare in stunned silence as she made her excuses and followed the solicitor into the hall. 

“My apologies, Mr. Henry. Was there perhaps a meeting I forgot, or has something else come to light?” Prudence’s heart pounded furiously as she shut the door behind them and guided him away from prying ears and into another room. 

“No, Your Grace, nothing of the sort. I must apologize again for the intrusion, but the news simply could not wait until morning.” Mr. Henry clasped the brim of his top hat between his fingers and lifted his gaze to meet hers. 

Oh, mercy me. 

Her throat suddenly felt dry as she thought of all the rumors surrounding her husband’s death. No news that needed to be delivered in the middle of the night could bode well for her future. 

“What is it then?” She attempted to force a smile but failed. 

“The heir has been found, Your Grace.” 

The world seemed to spin as the music and chatter of her guests suddenly struck up in the background. 

“And I am afraid that you will have to leave immediately. Of course, there will be a small allowance for you, but you can no longer reside here in Pemberly House. I am told that the new duke is not a kind or understanding man. He will not suffer you living under his roof.” 

Finally, the moment she had dreaded had come. 

Prudence thought that she would have felt more prepared to receive this information, or at least stable enough to move swiftly as was expected of her. But suddenly it was as though the floor had fallen apart from under her and she was falling, nearly lost in an endless pit just like the one that had almost consumed her after the death of her husband.

Is this how it all ends for me? Discarded and displaced?

“No.” Prudence suddenly snapped out of her daze. 

“No? Your Grace?” The solicitor asked her with a concerned frown. 

“No, I will not leave my home in the middle of the night. I am not a criminal. There is nothing chasing me that would warrant me running away as though I have committed some heinous crime. This is as much my house as it is his. The new Duke of Pemberly will just have to come to terms with that.” 

“But Your Grace, this man is–”

“Thank you, Mr. Henry. That will be all.” She turned on her heels and headed back toward the party. 

If I leave suddenly as he wishes, it will be like admitting I did something wrong. 

Her palms began to sweat as she stepped into the empty hall. She did not know who this new heir was, but if he was going to dismiss her so casually, then she fully intended to enjoy the rest of her party. It might very well be the last chance she had to relish in ease and excellence. The rest would have to be dealt with whenever the man arrived.

She looked up to see one of the maids carrying a tray of empty glasses. “Would you kindly instruct the footmen to bring in more champagne?” 

The girl’s face twisted into a sour countenance and she thrust her nose in the air, passing by without stopping. “I have too many chores already, ask somebody else,” she snapped before disappearing down the hall. 

These servants will be the death of me. 

Prudence sighed and continued to walk back to the ballroom.

It was clear that things needed to change around the manor, and soon. She could not let the new duke see the disarray the household was in. But if he thought that she would leave her own home like a criminal, he would have another thing coming. 

Chapter Two

“Be careful Your Grace!” The steward rushed forward and stopped William from bumping into a table that seemed to have been placed in the middle of the entrance hall. 

Swearing under his breath, William Wordsworth, the new Duke of Pemberly pushed away the arm thrust in his path and steadied himself. “Let me be, Robert! I am not an invalid!”

From what he could tell, the entrance to the manor seemed littered with furniture, creating an odd maze of blockades that intercepted each route he tried to take. 

“What the devil is going on in here?” His voice echoed across the empty hall. 

William had hoped that things would be sorted out upon their arrival, yet it had been a few minutes since he had entered the house and he had yet to make it past the damned foyer. His muscles ached from hours of traveling, and he longed for a bed. “Where is the butler to receive us?”

Dealing with a disorganized house had been the last thing he had wanted after arriving so late. By his reckoning, it must have been just after midnight when his carriage arrived at the estate. 

Clearing his throat, the steward took a step back. “There seems to have been a party of sorts, Your Grace. We will have to be careful where we step,” the man answered him with a heavy note of concern in his voice. 

“Are there no servants to put everything back in place? I was told that this house was fully staffed,” William grumbled loudly before picking his way through the mess and finding the stairs. 

Hurrying to keep up, the steward fell into step. “Your family solicitor did state that the house was fully staffed, Your Grace. But I suppose that cannot account for the proper management of the house.” 

“I will see about that as soon as I find someone in charge.” William gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw as he found the banister to guide him up the stairs. Not wanting to waste any more time, he proceeded to explore the chambers along the corridor. All the doors that he tried yielded empty rooms with no response. 

“There seems to be someone down the corridor, in the master’s bedroom, Your Grace. I see some light.” The steward rushed forward and placed his hand on the furthest door before being pushed aside. 

“I think I will be going in alone, Robert. Whoever is responsible for this mess will answer to me.” William placed his hand where the steward’s had been and pushed the door open before stepping into the room. 

***

It had been a little while since the party ended and Prudence had found out that it had not helped her relax at all. 

The conversations felt stilted and tiring and many of the guests were only there either for the entertainment and drinks, or to gauge if she really did have what it took to kill her husband. She was thankful once it had ended and immediately asked her lady’s maid to draw her a bath.

She knew the warm water would do her a lot of good, and likely silence some of the bothersome thoughts and began to undress eagerly.

“I wonder what he is like,” she had mumbled quietly as she stepped out of her dress, as she suddenly recalled what her solicitor had told her.

He must be quite difficult for Mr. Henry to have sounded so worried for her well-being. Perhaps that was why he had not been close enough to her late husband – resulting in his late discovery as an heir.

Nonetheless, she would not allow him to dismiss her as one would an insignificant bother. She intended to face him directly and state as much.

Now fully stripped, Prudence walked over to the bathtub and sighed as she dipped her fingertips into the almost hot water. 

“Perfect,” she smiled, preparing to settle in the water.

Her toes had barely touched the water when the door flung open and a man marched inside.

Prudence stepped back and screamed, horrified.

“Just who do you think you are?” Prudence raised her arms and covered her breasts. 

The door shut behind him and a rush of cool air kissed her bare skin, sending chills down her spine as she eyed her robe a few feet hanging on a rack to the right, between them. 

His broad shoulders cast a heavy shadow on the door at his back as the man took a step forward and Prudence took in a shaky breath, expecting a brute that was as unattractive as his manners.

But the first thing she noticed was his eyes – possibly the brightest shade of blue she had ever seen. As he squinted at her, Prudence recalled her current bare state and adjusted her shapely legs to hide her nakedness. Sending her maid away once her bath had been drawn, suddenly seemed like a terrible idea. 

“I am the new Duke of Pemberly,” he held his strong jaw in the air while refusing to look away. “I should be the one asking you what you are doing here.”

So, this is he. The heir. 

The longer she stared at his face, the harder it became to look away. His hair was shorter than she had imagined, with dark curls hanging over his forehead. She had expected someone older somehow, but his cleanly shaven face told her that he was in his thirties. As her eyes wandered down his larger form, Prudence’s heart could not help but twist in appreciation of his toned and muscular body, especially when he folded his arms.

Prudence was left with no choice but to admit that the man was handsome. 

“Just what has happened in this house? Are there no servants to clean up or receive the guests?” He said when she did not utter a word, taking another step closer, further pointing out her rather serious predicament. 

“D-Do not come any closer. I will scream! I swear I will. Duke or not, you have no business in my chambers!” She backed up until the back of her calves connected with the edge of her bed. 

Panicking, she almost let go of her breasts before catching herself just in time and keeping her hands over her nipples. Her firm breasts bounced slightly from the movement, making her wish, for the first time in her life, that she had at least a corset on. 

“That might just do the trick. I have been shouting since the moment I arrived, and I have yet to find a single servant. Or do they only answer to the mistress of the house?” The man took another step toward her, making her heart race faster when his lips curled into a teasing smirk. 

Why does he keep staring at me like that?

Was he so accustomed to walking in on naked ladies, that he hardly batted an eye when he saw one? 

His indifference to her compromising and vulnerable appearance made her slightly uneasy as her chest began to rise and fall with every breath. The friction on her nipples made them harden as she squeezed her breasts a little tighter. 

The door suddenly opened again, revealing a tall, thin man with greying hair and distinguished features. “Your Grace, I merely wanted to check and see if…” His eyes widened in shock as they fell on Prudence’s naked form in front of the tub. 

“Get out!” She screamed at the top of her lungs and attempted to cover her thighs while reaching for a bar of soap and hurling it across the room.

The man slammed the door shut, but not before Prudence had stumbled forward, landing in the arms of the duke. 

His hands moved to steady her but then lingered on her back, feeling her skin with the tips of his fingers before reaching the top of her buttocks. “What… Why in God’s name are you naked?!” His voice was steeped in disbelief as he held her up straight, gripping her waist firmly. 

Her nipples brushed against the steel muscles of his chest as she braced herself against his body, sending a jolt of something hot down her spine. 

She tried pulling away from his touch as she sputtered. “I have been naked this entire time! How are you just realizing this now? I was preparing for a bath when you so rudely barged into my chambers!” 

“Then why did you not say so when I walked in?”

“Why did I–” Prudence stuttered, confused, irritated and embarrassed. “I would not have needed to if only you had knocked! With all due respect, Your Grace – if you really are who you claim to be – the one in the wrong here, is you. It is common courtesy and a sign of good manners to knock before entering a closed room. You did not do that and you have now put me in this rather humiliating predicament. This is not my fault. Unhand me. Now.”

The duke stood his ground silently for a moment, looking as though he was staring right through her with his brilliant blue eyes, lips pulling into a smirk.

“That was never my intention. What would I derive from intruding in on a woman in such a compromising state?”

His assumption was preposterous and just as her lips parted to let him know as much, Prudence came to an odd realization.

It was not as though the room were dimly lit. She could see him clearly enough, and he had been looking right at her the entire time. So why had he been so surprised that she was naked?

“Could it be… Did you really not see that I was naked?” she said out loud without thought.

Prudence inhaled deeply as she examined the brilliance of his blue eyes. The centers of his irises were crystal clear, while the outer edges were dulled with a milky hue. 

He was blind.

As a twinge of pity pierced her heart, the smirk on his lips suddenly gave way to a dark look of disdain. 

Perhaps he does not like it when people mention his lack of sight. 

“Your Grace, I apologize for overstepping, I–”

With an angry look in his eyes, he reached out and held her chin, his voice dark and low as he stated, “I do not need to be able to see to feel you squirming in my arms, Duchess.” 

A strange feeling came over her, leaving Prudence breathless and confused.

Why am I feeling like this?

“Are you nervous, Your Grace?” His mocking tone caressed her ears when she did not respond, his lips parted into a mischievous grin. 

“Yes… I mean no, I am not.” Her breaths came in sharp bursts as he used the back of his fingers to trace a path up her side, stopping just shy of her breast. 

“I am warning you. I am not sure what has happened in my absence, but I run a tight ship. Things are about to change around here.” 

Her eyes locked on his as she attempted to cleanse her mind of the illicit thoughts gathering within. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but you do not seem like a sailor to me. Do you have pirating abilities that I should be aware of?” 

The corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly as he leaned in closer, his lips lightly brushing against her ear. “That smart mouth of yours is going get you into trouble someday, Your Grace. I have heard all kinds of things about you, so I suggest you do your best to remain on your best behavior, while I am here.” He lifted his hand and touched her lower lip with his thumb, gently tugging it down. 

Swallowing nervously, she nodded slowly. “I shall keep that in mind… Your Grace.”

“I will be taking these chambers for my own. If you are going to stay in my house, you had better ensure you are properly attired in the future. I cannot promise that I will let you go if I find you naked in my chambers again. As I have established, I am the new duke and henceforth, my word is law in this house,” he stated firmly, finally releasing his hold on her and stepping back.

The feelings of exhilaration that flowed through her body mingled with fear and uncertainty as the duke backed away. 

“You may get dressed and get out.” He spared her a final glance before striding from the room, making Prudence wonder just how much he could see. 

Her legs finally buckled as she gave into the emotions that had caught her off guard. Shaking her head, she stared at the closed door that hid her naked body from the new Duke of Pemberly.

What was that?

Her body had never reacted this way to a man before. Not even her husband had made her shiver with a simple sentence. 

“What am I thinking?” She whispered angrily to the room at large before falling back on the bed and covering her face with a pillow. There were many things she had pictured when she had thought of the new heir. Even a distant relation to Scotland perhaps with a balding old man boasting a toothy smile. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined the strappingly handsome duke and his piercing gaze. 

Those eyes…

She grumbled into the pillow and removed it from her face as she stared at the ceiling. The confident way that he carried himself had been misleading to her. She would never have known that he was blind if it had not been for the tips of his fingers moving over her body. 

What will he even think of me now?