The Duke's Masked Wife

218 Why not to piss off Edgar Collins (2)

“One minute you are plotting for us to be alone to make your great-grandchildren and then you’re upset when I touch my wife. Since you are conflicted I will do as I please. I’m sure you’ve received a letter from Alfred about what happened last night thanks to your meddling. Butt out of my marriage or I will visit less,” Edgar said in a serious tone. “If anyone is going to play games in my relationship, it will be me.”

Alessandra elbowed Edgar and smiled at Rose. “I hope you have been well, grandmother. I understand that you were trying to do something nice but there was already a misunderstanding between Edgar and me because of a joke Alfred made. So I do not enjoy anyone plotting to have us do anything. I’d rather things happen naturally.”

“I understand. I apologize for my behavior and for rushing you to have a child when you’ve only just gotten married. I will not bring it up anymore but I must be the first family member you send a letter to after you find out you have my great-grandchild. Deal?” Rose asked, holding out her hand as an olive branch.

“Deal,” Alessandra shook Rose’s hand. It wasn’t like she had any family members to send letters to. “So, is this party for us going away?”

“And to celebrate your marriage. It’s a shame the two of you did not have a wedding ceremony and it’s honestly not too late to have one. I’m just throwing that out there,” Rose stared at the two hoping they understood what she wanted. It had been so long since she planned a wedding for someone.

“We’re going to have to throw that right back to you because we have already enjoyed a ceremony in the church,” Edgar replied.

Rose frowned and said, “I’d like to have a word with the priest who did not send you two away to have a proper ceremony. Alessandra deserves to have a proper wedding with a beautiful dress, flowers, and a tall cake.”

Edgar had the perfect idea to make his grandmother busy. “Alfred is available. You can take him and have the wedding you so desperately want to attend. I remember you telling me how you wouldn’t mind remarrying if grandfather ever passed away.”

“That was before he actually passed away and now I realize it is not easy for me to give my heart to another man. Once you have given your heart to someone you will find it hard to give to another. And Alfred is not the type for me to marry. He’s a cute little snack for me to ravish,” Rose said as she danced, much to Edgar’s dismay.

.....

Edgar would joke about his grandmother and Alfred but hearing about it from one of their mouths was disgusting.

“Come inside. There are so many people I want Alessandra to meet.”

Alessandra bit her lip to refrain from laughing at Edgar’s irritation with Rose mentioning ravishing Alfred. Edgar only had himself to blame as he was the one to mention her marrying Alfred. It was nice to see how easy it was for Rose to silence Edgar.

Alessandra and Edgar followed Rose toward the large room purposefully built to hold parties. As they entered the room, all eyes went to the trio as they were anticipating seeing who exactly Edgar had gotten married to.

Alessandra had prepared herself for the stares at her mask so she did not feel uncomfortable in the moment. She had dealt with the worst stares back in Lockwood to be able to handle the confused stares here.

“If anyone says anything disrespectful to you, tell me and I will kill them for you,” Edgar joked to ease her mind.

Unfortunately, Alessandra believed that he would kill someone. “Edgar, please do not ruin your grandmother’s party by killing someone. Besides, you said you liked your family members in this town. There shouldn’t be an issue for you to have to hurt anyone.”

“I was joking but you should know that opinions and feelings about someone can change in the wind. They can say something tonight that will make me view them in another light. It’s not just the Collins that are here tonight. I spotted many relatives from my grandmother’s sister’s side. There are few Carson members that I get along with like Dominic and his father,” said Edgar.

There was always some underlying competition between Carsons and Collins to see which was better. It was ridiculous in Edgar’s eyes as for one, whatever side he was on was surely better but also, the two sisters had no bad blood for the family to be competing the way they do.

“Alessandra,” Rose turned around to look at her. “I have some women I would love to introduce you to. Some of Edgar’s relatives and a few family friends. Edgar, find something to entertain yourself with while the women talk,” Rose shooed him away. Alessandra did not need her husband hovering over her when it was time for her to make friends. “I did not invite anyone who would trouble your wife so she is perfectly fine in my care. Come, dear.”

Alessandra offered Edgar a smile before leaving with Rose. She felt happy to see Rose so excited to introduce her to other family members.

“I have a nice gift for you before the two of you leave,” Rose gently patted Alessandra’s hand. “I waited a long time to give it to someone and with Edgar, I was losing hope. I hope that you cherish it for many years and pass it down to your daughter if you were to have one.”

Alessandra became curious about what the gift could be. Judging from what Rose said about passing it down to a daughter, it must be a family heirloom. “I will,” Alessandra replied.

“Ladies,” Rose said, bringing the attention of a small group of women to her and Alessandra. “Let me introduce you to Edgar’s wife, Alessandra Collins. I told you it was not a lie. That troublemaker has finally settled down. Alessandra, meet Janice Collins, her daughter Maxine Collins, Tanya Peters, and you’ve already met Mae Carson and Daniel’s wife Crystal. The women you have not met are from my husband’s side of the family.”

“It’s nice to meet everyone,” Alessandra greeted the group of women with a smile.

“It’s nice to see you again, Duchess. I was just informing everyone of what a pleasant first meeting we have and how in love you and Edgar are,” Crystal spoke up. “They still did not believe that Edgar had gotten married even though I saw you with my own eyes. Tell us, how did you and Edgar meet? How did you fall in love?”

“Edgar attended a party my father was holding. We met that night-”

“How long did he court you for?” Tanya interrupted Alessandra. Unlike the other women, she liked Priscilla and shared the same requirements for a daughter-in-law. At first glance, Alesandra did not seem qualified for Edgar. Tanya shifted her gaze from Alessandra’s mask to her stomach. “Are you pregnant?”

Alessandra looked down at her stomach which was quite flat even though she had been purposefully trying to gain weight. Had ridiculous rumors from Lockwood traveled over here already or was the woman just being nasty?

“Edgar and I got married after a few days but it had nothing to do with pregnancy and I am not pregnant right now. I find it quite rude to look at someone and assume they are pregnant. You never know if they are dealing with weight issues and are self-conscious. I’ve always found that money and status do not equal manners,” Alessandra retorted, not allowing anyone to jab at her.

Maxine snorted and covered her mouth with her hand when her mother looked at her. Once her mother looked away, she offered Alessandra a thumbs up.

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