What a Devilish Duke Desires Read Online Free PDF Page A

attend.”
    The sharp command startled Prudence. She closed her back foot, but Lucy had to catch Prudence’s arm to keep her upright.
    “Prudence, let us step together slowly,” Lucy said. “Right foot forward taking the weight, very good, and close your back foot behind.” Lucy smiled at her. “You did very well. Now let’s try it up tempo. Watch me first.”
    After the demonstration, Lucy said, “Let us try it together. Right foot forward taking the weight…”
    Prudence lost her balance and fell on her bottom. Lucy immediately helped the girl to her feet. “It’s all right,” she said under her breath, even though she knew it wasn’t.
    “Prudence, you are hopelessly clumsy,” Lady Blenborough said. “I’ve seen enough. The lesson is over.”
    Lucy couldn’t help comparing Lady Blenborough’s cruelty with her own mother’s gentle patience. She remembered how much her mother’s approval had meant to her and knew poor Prudence would never gain confidence with such a horrible mother.
    “Lady Blenborough,” Buckley said, his voice oily in his attempts to soothe, “allow me to demonstrate with my assistant. Perhaps that will help Prudence. Lucy.” He snapped his fingers.
    Lucy knew what was coming and braced herself. He stood behind her and his foul breath on her neck made her want to shiver. When he attempted to move closer, she knew he would try to touch her, because he’d done it before. She pretended to misunderstand and performed the steps on her own. Chassé close, chassé close, chassé close . Lucy ended with a graceful plié.
    “Prudence,” Lady Blenborough said, “try again.”
    The girl had wandered over to the sideboard and stiffened upon hearing her mother’s voice. Guilt was written all over Prudence’s face as she held her hands behind her back.
    Lady Blenborough rose. Her eyes narrowed as she yanked her daughter’s hand forward. Sweetmeats scattered all over the floor.
    “If you wish to make a pig of yourself, Prudence, then do so. I wash my hands of you,” Lady Blenborough said.
    Lucy winced as tears spilled down Prudence’s face. She wanted to comfort the girl, but it was not her place.
    “My lady,” Buckley said. “Do not despair. I am sure we will make a dancer of Prudence yet.”
    “She is nothing but an embarrassment to me, ” Lady Blenborough said.
    Lucy bit her lip. How could Lady Blenborough treat her daughter so callously? With patience, the girl could learn to execute the steps, but her mother obviously had taken a disgust of her own daughter. Lucy found it painful to witness.
    “Lady Blenborough,” Mr. Buckley said, “I shall return next week to help Prudence in her dance lessons.”
    “There will be no more lessons,” Lady Blenborough said. “My daughter is hopeless. I have no more need of your services. You are dismissed.” She waved her hand.
    Buckley glared at Lucy as if she’d done something wrong and took her by the upper arm as they quit the drawing room. “I’m reducing your pay,” he said. “See that you do not consort with the servants again.” Then he handed over half the coins that were due her. Lucy held in the anger threatening to boil over until they exited the servant’s entrance. It wasn’t the first time he’d found an excuse to reduce her pay, but it still infuriated her.
    Once they reached the pavement, Lucy turned on Buckley. “I did nothing wrong. The cook offered me a roll, because I arrived early. You owe me the rest of my wages.”
    “How dare you question me. You are lucky I hired you. If it weren’t for me, you would have no job. I’ll not tolerate your insolence.” He took a step closer and the smell of strong drink was on his breath as usual. “See that you remember it.”
    She clenched her fists as she strode off. If it weren’t for her, he would have to exert himself and actually teach the dance lessons. As much as she despised him, she needed the job, but he would continue to cheat her. She must find other