The Duke's Masked Wife

"Look at you throwing that in my face already."

"Well, I'm allowed to be petty when you want to create this narrative of me sleeping with a maid and then killing her," Edgar turned around to face Oliver.

"I have to look at all angles to find who killed this young woman. The Duchess is also a suspect. She could have ordered for the woman you were sleeping with to be killed. After speaking with your other servants, it seems I should also suspect your mother. I heard the maid left with her when she was fired. So far your family ties with the dead girl aren't looking too good, Duke. I'll be watching your every move," said Oliver.

"When aren't you watching me, Oliver? I don't mind you looking at everyone as a suspect but her killer will get away if you choose to focus on me. My wife does not know anything about this Jennifer girl and I have never paid attention to her until right before she was fired. Last I saw her, she was leaving with my mother. Go question her," Edgar lazily shooed Oliver away.

Edgar was suspicious of his mother due to the fact Jennifer left with her and it wouldn't be the first time someone around his mother mysteriously died. He wouldn't cover for her if she had something to do with Jennifer's death.

"I will speak to your mother and return tomorrow-"

"Why are you always coming here, Oliver? Do you still have a crush on me? Is that why you find any reason to be near me? You have no reason to visit me tomorrow unless there is evidence linking me as the killer and there won't be. I don't need you around my home when you appear so adamant that I was sleeping with a maid. Goodnight," Edgar proceeded to walk up the steps to go inside.

After their small conversation earlier, Edgar placed a little hope that Oliver would stop being out to get him but that was clearly out the window.

Edgar closed the door behind him and locked it as there was no reason for anyone to speak with Oliver any further. Oliver had all the information he needed from Alfred and the other servants to start linking together how Jennifer ended up dead in a field.

"Young master! The Duchess is enjoying a quick warm bath to warm up after the cold air. I've placed some wood in the fire to heat up your bedroom. Did everything go smoothly with Oliver?" Alfred noticed how annoyed Edgar seemed.

"He has the idea I was sleeping with Jennifer and killed her. It's embarrassing," Edgar scoffed.

Alfred nodded his head in agreement. "I agree, young master. It's absurd to think you would sleep with your servants. I would never allow you to. Do you know how many young women I would have to fire? I-"

"Alfred, that is not what I meant. And what on earth do you mean by how many young women you would have to fire? I don't sleep around with countless women. How on earth do you describe me to Alessandra?"

"I always describe you as a wonderful man, young master. What were you referring to as embarrassing?" Alfred asked.

"Obviously the fact that he thinks I would toss a dead body in a field. How amateur. The person who killed her did it in the spur of the moment, panicked, and dumped her body in the field where they thought no one would pass by. It would have been better to bury her.  Get a list of the servants who left after she was fired. I want to know where they went during that time and with proof."

"Do you think one of the servants here killed her? Sometimes they have their conflict but I've warned them to save it for outside of work. I'd hate to find out we have someone working here who killed her," said Alfred. None of the servants seemed like the type to kill but you never truly know what anyone is capable of.

"I'm certain her killer is not here but I want to see if there are any connections to Jennifer's death and anyone who left here during that time. I'm trying to avoid Oliver or any other town guard returning here with questions. I'm tired of speaking about this young woman I dislike. Good night, Alfred," Edgar bid goodbye and entered his bedroom. He stood by the bed waiting for Alessandra to come out of their bathroom.

If Jennifer had stayed in his dungeon and awaited her punishment for slapping Alessandra, she would still be alive. She ran away from losing a couple of fingers to end up dead.

"Edgar, I didn't expect you to return so soon. What did he say?" Alessandra asked as she exited the bathroom in light nightwear and found Edgar standing in the room.

Normally she would wear something thicker when outside became cold as her bedroom would always be filled with cold air even though she closed the window but Alfred assured her the fire would have the bedroom warm and it was best to wear something light.

"I find it amusing," Edgar eyed Alessandra's appearance from head to toe.

"Her death?"

"No, the fact that you blush like crazy when you sit on my lap or run away from hugging me but you stand before me wearing something so thin and you did not react to me staring. Did my words tonight make you more comfortable? Should I be expecting something fun?" Edgar placed emphasis on the word fun.

Alessandra looked down at her clothes and played with her fingers. "It is not like this is the first time we are sleeping together. I've become accustomed to it. It is not like I am standing before you naked."

Edgar disagreed with her statement but he did not comment to avoid scaring her. He noticed her starting to become nervous again so he decided to tease her. "Should you sit on my lap more often to get acquainted with it?"

"Edgar," Alessandra sighed but she was not surprised by his comment. She expected him to tease her at least once and now that they had gotten it out of the way there were more important matters to discuss. "What was said about Jennifer?"

Edgar started to undress as he recalled his conversation with Oliver. "He suspects us as the killer along with my mother. Oliver has this idea that I had Jennifer killed because she was my mistress. It is his way of finding motives for why anyone around her would want to kill her. Do you believe it?"

"No," Alessandra shook her head. She didn't believe Edgar slept with Jennifer. She came to that conclusion the first time she met Jennifer and she did not believe Edgar killed her. If he wanted to, he could have when Jennifer was taken away for slapping her.

"What a trusting wife I have," Edgar took off his shirt and placed it on a desk to be taken by a servant tomorrow.

Alessandra looked away to give him some privacy. The bathroom was right there or even the closet. Why did he have to do this right in front of her? Her heart skipped a beat when his pants zipper was heard and then shortly after a thud as his pants dropped to the floor. 'He is toying with me,' she thought.

"Why are you looking away, Alessandra? This is not different from when I sleep in trousers. Shouldn't you be accustomed to it by now?"

"I do not think it is right for me to watch you undress. I wouldn't want you to watch me therefore I am giving you the same respect I want. I've drained the water in the tub so you can take a warm bath. Please go inside of the bathroom Edgar," said Alessandra.

"Oh, so you'll look at my body when I am dressed for bed? I'll be back shortly," Edgar picked up his pants and headed into the bathroom.

"That is not what I meant or did I?" Alessandra wondered. She could see how Edgar flipped her words. "Are you going to visit your parents and ask them about Jennifer?"

"Why should I, Alessandra? The town guards are going to investigate and ask my parents questions. My father will answer honestly and if he thinks my mother knows something he will question her. Problem solved. If I do Oliver's job, what on earth is he being paid for?" Edgar replied from the bathroom.  "I have no work to do tomorrow therefore I will be home with you. What would you like to do together?"

"Together? I do not know," Alessandra replied, drifting off into her thoughts to come up with something for them to do together. There was a lot she wished to know about Edgar so she wanted to take advantage of this day when he would not be working. "I wanted to paint tomorrow. Would you like to join me? We can do something else if it does not interest you?"

There was a long pause before Edgar replied, "I am fine with that. I will have Alfred turn away all guests tomorrow."

Alessandra anticipated tomorrow as for the first time she would have a painting partner.