The Duke's Masked Wife

The ball continued without any drama, at least for Edgar and Alessandra. Before the ball could end, Edgar decided it was time they returned home as it was late and there was nothing entertaining for them to witness.

"I find it interesting you said you were not tired and wanted to stay but from the moment we got into the carriage, you have been yawning. You are like a child fighting back sleep Alessandra. There is nothing to miss if you close your eyes. I will tell you if something interesting happens. Lay here," he tapped his lap.

"I am not tired, Edgar. We could have stayed a little bit more," Alessandra fought back a yawn but it eventually came out. "Maybe I should close my eyes a little. I will rest here," she laid her head against his shoulder. "Ah!" She gasped when he made her slip down to his lap. "Edgar-"

"No rule or law says you cannot lay on my lap when you are tired. Close your eyes, Alessandra. If the mask is uncomfortable, you can take it off. I won't look at your face," he looked out the window.

Edgar was used to Alessandra sleeping facing the other side of the bed to hide her face when they went to sleep. He never found himself curious to see what she was hiding.

Alessandra thought about it for a moment. It was uncomfortable to lay on his lap with the mask on, especially after wearing it all night. The mask she wore tonight was not like the usual ones she could wear throughout the day. It was a bit tighter and itched in some places because of the material.

Trusting Edgar's word that he would not look, Alessandra took off the mask and laid comfortably against his lap. As soon as her eyes closed, she fell asleep.

"What was the point of holding back when you were tired?" Edgar asked the sleeping woman on his lap. "I should have let her take her shoes off first."

He knew it would not have been comfortable to wear shoes with a heel for more than five hours regardless of if she was standing or sitting. Edgar continued to look out the window for the rest of their ride home to keep the promise he would not look at her face even though the side she didn't show was against his lap.

"Couldn't this be dealt with in the morning?" Edgar sighed as their home came into vision and on the outside were horses he knew belonged to the town guards. He told Oliver to speak with Alfred or any of the other servants still around. Why on earth were they still here? "Alessandra, wake up. We are home," he tapped her shoulder.

"Already?" She rubbed her eyes. Her body was still heavy with sleep and she could feel a slight pain in her feet. "My mask!" Alessandra covered her face with her hands when it suddenly dawned on her that she was without her mask.

Alessandra peeped around in search of it and found it to be in Edgar's hands. "Thank you," she took it from his hands.

"We have guests, Alessandra. We will find out who the poor soul that has died is. We have nothing to do with this death other than the fact she once worked for us but be careful what you say. They have a habit of twisting anything you say to paint you as a culprit. I have a feeling they think I am a killer. We're lucky to be greeted by such entertainment."

'Oh yes. Being accused of murder is entertaining,' Alessandra shook her head.

As the carriage stopped right outside the gates to wait for them to be opened, Alessandra looked outside the window at the five or more guards waiting on horses with the man Oliver in front of them.

As the gates slowly opened, the carriage began to move again, and the guards rode in behind the carriage.

"Duchess, how was your first ball?" Alfred walked up to the carriage after it parked in front of the stairs leading up to the front door.

"Why aren't you asleep, Alfred?" Edgar didn't wait on the coachman or Alfred and opened the door himself. "Were you waiting by the door for our return? I have not seen you do this since you waited for me to return from school as a child."

"This was the Duchess's first ball. I could hardly wait to hear if she enjoyed it and everything that happened. The visit from Oliver had me worried that the two of you would have to return early. The night is cold, I should have packed a coat for the Duchess," Alfred became afraid the cold air would be too much for Alessandra because of her exposed arms. "We should have coats sent for the Duchess. She'll need winter clothes early."

"Who is it that died, Alfred?" Edgar asked.

"It is Jennifer. The young woman who left with your mother. I've told the guards all that I know but they were adamant about speaking to you. I told them to wait outside the gates until you return if it is so important to talk this late. Let me take you inside," Alfred moved to Alessandra's side after Edgar helped her out of the carriage.

"Won't they wish to speak to me?" Alessandra asked. Even though she did not like Jennifer, she hoped the town guards would find her killer. Jennifer was young and had her life ahead of her. Why would someone wish to kill a maid? What trouble had she found herself in?

"You do not know much about Jennifer. You can go inside and get ready for bed, Alessandra. I will inform you of what they say when I come to bed. Alfred," Edgar flipped his hand for Alfred to take her away.

"Come with me, Duchess," Alfred guided a reluctant Alessandra inside.

"Duke Collins. It's important we talk to the Duchess as well," Oliver walked up to where Edgar stood. "I'm certain your butler filled you in on who the young woman that has died is. She was found dead in a field near town and after going around talking to others, it appears she was fired recently. A bit suspicious don't you think?"

"No."

"What?" Oliver narrowed his eyes.

"I think that is not suspicious. She was fired and left my land. Whatever trouble she found herself in has nothing to do with me. You've already spoken to my butler, what more do you need from me, Oliver? Cut to the chase," Edgar said.

"I find it odd that as soon as your wife starts living here a maid is fired and dies not long after. Is that why you sent the Duchess away? Is there something between you and the maid you want to hide from your wife? We inspected the home of a relative she stayed with and found expensive clothes a maid shouldn't be able to buy. Care to explain?"

"It's not my business to know where she got expensive clothes from. I pay all my servants equally with money and it is only during the holidays that I give them a gift. Whatever you are trying to insinuate between me and the dead girl is ridiculous. Look for other clues before her killer gets away. We are done here," Edgar turned to walk up the stairs.

"It is not ridiculous. It is not rare for men like you to have affairs with their servants and get rid of them when your wife starts to notice."

Edgar paused, amused by the words coming from Oliver's mouth. "The problem with this world is how it loves to generalize everyone. You think because one man cheated all must be the same. My dear old friend, we are not the same. I am faithful to the woman I am with. Perhaps you should try it."