The Duke's Masked Wife



"From the moment I woke up, you have been smiling. Why are you so happy? What have you done, Edgar?" Alessandra asked, suspicious of Edgar's behavior. He was walking around smiling and laughing about something. She saw him go to the door and look out the window as if he was waiting for something or someone to arrive.

Alessandra loved to see Edgar smiling and being happy, but there were many times when this smiling meant he was up to no good. 

"It is just a good day," Edgar replied. He tapped his fingers on the table, wanting time to hurry up. It was only a matter of time before Katrina would be on her way here.

"I do not believe that there is no other reason why you are smiling to the point your jaw will start to hurt you. Whatever it is, I want no part of it," Alessandra said in the early. She was enjoying the peaceful day and did not want it to be disturbed. 

"What I am smiling about has everything to do with you."

Alessandra frowned and felt more concerned about what Edgar was doing. "No, it doesn't," she said.

"It does. Trust me, you will like it when it happens. Right in time, Alfred. Is there any good news from the town?" Edgar asked.

"No, I'm afraid you have a guest. Your father is at the gates and he wishes to speak with the two of you. He said he will not leave until he sees you," Alfred repeated the message given to him.

Edgar's excitement disappeared. He was not interested in speaking to his father. The man disappeared right after his marriage was over, got back with his old lover, and now wanted to show up on his steps to speak to his son. "Ignore him," Edgar replied. "Don't," he warned Alessandra before she could tell him to go outside.

"I was not going to tell you to let him in.  Believe it or not, I am actually happy that your father got you to stop smiling. It was starting to creep me out. Now I know why others get scared when you start to smile. Alfred, I have a few paintings I would love placed around the home. Can you help me pick out a few spots on the walls for them? And have you heard from the artist who will do our family portraits?" Alessandra asked as she stood up.

It was Edgar's turn to be suspicious of Alessandra. "Are you sick? Why aren't you asking me to meet with my father?"

"I've kind of had enough of speaking with parents. In a strange turn of events, it is only your mother who I wish to speak to. And I do not see why your father would want to speak to me now. I cannot recall the last time I spoke to him and he has not made an effort to reach out to us for the last month. We had no idea where he was and now when there is a conflict about his birthday he shows up. I cannot take this," Alessandra sighed and started to walk away.

"It is not just me who sees that she has started to get annoyed quickly as the days go by right?" Edgar said, still taken aback by Alessandra.

"The Duchess just does not have the patience to be annoyed these days. She is like her husband. Excuse me, Edgar. I must tell her about the artist and aid her with putting up the paintings. I intend to change up the house to give it a new look as spring is coming. The painters are also coming today to paint over the baby's room. You and Alessandra still need to pick out a color. Excuse me," Alfred said as he needed to catch up with Alessandra.

Edgar watched Alfred practically run to catch up with Alessandra. Once upon a time ago, Alfred would only be running around behind him. "He forgets how old he is," Edgar muttered, getting to his feet to deal with the nuisance at his gates.

Edgar truly did not wish to speak with his father, but he would get the conversation over with. There was something he had to confirm with Edmund. He had given his mother a second chance so it was only fair he had one conversation with his father. 

Edgar left the comfort of his home and walked down to the gates where his father's carriage awaited him. Edmund had to count himself lucky that Edgar was not in the mood to have him waiting outside for days before deciding to speak to him. Since his attention had to be on Katrina and Kate, Edgar wanted this small talk to be over with. 

"Don't open them," Edgar ordered the guard who controlled the gates. He was willing to speak, but it did not mean that he wanted Edmund on his land. 

"You will have your father outside like a stranger," Edmund said, exiting the carriage to speak with Edgar. "It is because of me that you have this home." 

"Odd. I remember grandmother being the one to pass it down to me," Edgar replied.

"At my request. I hear that you have been visiting your mother. That is quite a surprise. I didn't think there would be a day the two of you get along. Especially with her hating your wife. How is Alessandra by the way? Did she convince you to come outside to speak with me?" Edmund figured she was the only reason Edgar would come speak to him so soon.

"She didn't. I came out on my own to get this over with. Why are you here now? After weeks of no one knowing where you were?" Edgar asked.

Edmund smiled. "You were looking for me? Had I known I would have returned earlier. My birthday is coming up and I am told you were sent invitations, but no word came from your end."

"Here is the difference between me and you. You cannot invite me somewhere and not my wife, but then expect me to show up. I have too much love for my wife to let her be so disrespected. If you were the same, you would still be married," Edgar replied.

"I can send Alessandra an invite-"

"We've already made up our minds not to attend," Edgar quickly turned down the offer. "We shall have our own dinner with mother. You've got your little happy ending so you should be satisfied. Answer me honestly. Are you with that woman?"

Edmund frowned and for a moment, he avoided Edgar's gaze. "We've talked. That situation has nothing to do with you. It is between your mother and me."

"You had the common sense to do so much for the kingdom and yet you've never been able to understand why I have no respect for you. She will be there at the party, won't she?" Edgar asked though he already knew the answer. 

It would be a slap in the face to Priscilla for Edmund to be seen with his old lover. The woman he was rumored to have loved from the beginning.

"You've done more than talk to her. Not even a month later and you're already back in her arms. If you want to be with her, fine, but stop her from trying to approach my wife and mother. She has no reason to seek them out when she has you," Edgar said. 

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