The Duke's Masked Wife

"It's nice to see you again, Alessandra," William held out his hand to greet Alessandra. After Alessandra showed no signs of greeting him, William took down his hand. It pissed him off slightly that she did not respect him. "I have not seen you in such a long time. I was right in saying your father was hiding a wonderful piece of art. It appears Edgar also saw what I saw."

"Be careful what you say to my wife. I get a little bit jealous when I hear other men talking about her but more importantly, I get creeped out when men your age eye her," Edgar stepped in front of Alessandra to block her from William's gaze. "I can't help myself from wanting to dig out your eyes and chop off that hand you reached out to her with."

"I knew her when she was a child, Edgar. There is no need for you to get jealous when I am around. I've been expecting you to repay me for the servant you killed. Do you know how hard it is to find someone as loyal as Rowan? How are you going to repay me?" William asked.

"I'm letting you live after sending someone to drag my wife to you. Be thankful you got to attend this ball, William. Keep eyeing my wife and I'll see to it you get to be with your servant again."

"I know we have our little beef Edgar but I am a family friend and I've known Alessandra longer than you have. I am only here to comfort her for the loss of her father. The man that you killed and the man that owed me something. I'm glad I did not miss the ball. I got a full view of something I desperately want," Williams's eyes flickered to Alessandra.

Seeing her dressed up with her mask made him want her even more. William wanted Alessandra to be placed in the middle of his house like a live statue. No other person would have art quite like his home if Alessandra was added to his collection. The only problem was her husband.

Why did Edgar have to take what did not belong to him?

"Is there a problem?" A guard approached where the four of them stood. No one was supposed to be in the Duke's private space unless the king said it was alright. They were standing near the king and not just anyone should have that privilege.

William ignored the words of the guard. "Why did you get wrapped up with such a dangerous man, Alessandra? You do not know him as I do? I am sure his looks might have charmed you and you think he is some sort of hero but you will see soon enough that the man you married is a monster. That's why your father did not choose Edgar for you."

"I hope that we do not see each other in the future, William Lancaster," Alessandra spoke up. She was disturbed by someone who would try to own someone he was around when they were a child but she did not want him to think he affected her. The sole reason he approached them was to get in her head. Her question was answered that William was aware she knew about the deal with her father.

"If you wish to comfort anyone it is the Baroness and Kate you should lend your shoulder to. Men like you and my father disgust me. I would like for this to be the last time we see each other," Alessandra said.

"You wound my poor heart, Alessandra. I view you as my own daughter. When I heard the news, I thought of how sad you must be and what could I possibly do to cheer you up. I remember your father mentioning you love to paint so I bought some art for you. I cannot wait for the day you visit to see it," William smiled, confident she would end up in his home sooner than she thought. He only needed to wait before striking.

" If you fuck around when it comes to my wife, I'll be sure to wrap a rope around your neck and hang you from your own gates. That weird collection that you love so much, I will burn every inch of it while the birds feed on your flesh. Walk away William," Edgar advised him.

It would be satisfying to kill William right now and end their problems with him but it would be unfair to ruin Alessandra's night.

"Ha!" William chuckled, seemingly not afraid of Edgar's threat. Eventually, the laughter died down as he became annoyed with Edgar. Edgar was not like his other enemies. His other enemies' skulls were added to his collection while it was hard to get rid of Edgar. "I'll be careful when it comes to your wife. It is time for me to leave, Duke Edgar. Duchess."

"What on earth just happened?" Erin released her breath when William left. She didn't want to make the slightest noise for William Lancaster to notice her. "Are you alright, Duchess? I noticed your hand trembling. Are you afraid of him?

Alessandra looked down at her hand which felt shaken up. 'No, I was shaking from being unable to slap him,' she replied to Erin in her head.

How dare William refer to her as his daughter or a family friend looking to comfort her? She emotionally remembered how terrified she was the night his servant visited to take her away.

"Give us some privacy," Edgar said to Erin and the guard. He was well aware of how hard it would be to avoid William at parties like this. It was his mistake for forgetting to warn Alessandra. There had been other things occupying his mind.

"Okay. I'll see you later, Duchess," Erin patted Alessandra's shoulder to comfort her and then left.

The guard silently walked away to go back to Tobias to relay information on what was said between William and the Collins.

"I should have told you there was a chance he could be here. Do you want to leave?" Edgar caressed the hand Erin said was trembling.

"No. Why would I allow him or anyone else to make me uncomfortable enough to leave? At that moment, I felt like I wanted to see him drop dead. I wanted to be the one to make him drop dead but I could not move a muscle," Alessandra stared at her hand. "I was a coward for letting him stand there without a touch. He was at least deserving of a slap."

"You were not a coward, Alessandra. You knew this was not the time nor place to take out what you are feeling on him. I want you to remain without blood on your hands. Give me a name and I'll kill anyone you don't care for."