The Duke's Masked Wife

"Edgar, I'm truly afraid that you might one day try killing me with your little pranks too. If anything happens to Alfred's poor heart, remember that this was your idea and I will throw you under the carriage for pulling me into it. I hope we are our bad actors and Alfred sees through your ploy," she sighed. This had a bad idea written all over it.

"Where's the fun in that? Do not kill my fun, Alessandra. I've gone along willingly with what you wanted to do today. Now it's time to do what I think is fun."

"Yes, trying to kill your butler is always fun. Let's get this over with," Alessandra sat down on their bed to await the moment Alfred was supposed to arrive to check on them. What if he does not show up? Was she meant to stay in their room until Edgar got over this? "You should change your clothes, Edgar."

"Now you want to talk about taking off clothes," Edgar replied as he walked toward the closet to get a fresh shirt and pants.

Alessandra didn't react to his words. She knew a comment like that would set her up but she wanted him to get out of his paint-covered clothes. "If you're going to speak with my uncle tomorrow, does that mean you will also be home tomorrow?"

"Why? Do you miss me when I am gone?"

'I should have pushed him into the creek,' Alessandra evilly thought. She loved when he was not home as it would give her a moment to rest her heart. She would bet everything she owned that Alfred also felt the same way.

"I have work to do and although there's no reason for me to leave home tomorrow as of right now, something always pops up and I am forced to leave. If I am not here, your uncle will not be allowed to step foot on the property. Outside of that, you've been cooped in the house since we got married. You and Sally can go for a ride around town to shop or whatever women enjoy," Edgar said from inside the closet. "Only with guards of course."

Alessandra liked this idea. She always wanted to go roaming around the town and not just ride around in a carriage unable to get out as her father told her. "I would love to go around town with Sally. Maybe I should send a letter to Erin to see if she would be free. I'd like to know if she gained any customers after the ball. I-"

Knock Knock!

"Duchess?" Alfred's voice was heard after the two knocks.

'That was quick. Did he run here or something?' Alessandra looked at the closet and saw Edgar exit with a smile on his face. 'Should I be more concerned than I am already that he loves torturing others?'

"It's time," Edgar was the one to walk up to the door and open it to get the ball rolling. "Come to ruin our relationship further, Alfred?" Edgar asked right as the door opened.

"No," Alfred held up a tray of tea and snacks to show he came in peace. "I've given Sally a break and brought what you requested. Duchess, I need to apologize for any misunderstanding I might have caused earlier. Edgar has never brought home a woman. At least not to my knowledge. There is plenty of space for him to sneak someone onto the property."

Edgar's expression quickly changed from amused to annoyed. Alfred's attempt to clarify what he said earlier only left more questions unanswered. 'Is he playing with me?' Edgar wondered.

It felt like Alfred came to drive a sword into the hole he created between Edgar and Alessandra and rip it far apart. Edgar planned to be playful when it came to fooling Alfred but now he was out for blood.

"You're not making things better for me, Alfred. Alessandra is giving me the cold shoulder thanks to you. She is considering not sleeping in our bedroom because she thinks there might've been someone previously where she lays her head at night," Edgar began his game. "There is no need for you to do such a thing," he looked at Alessandra.

"Thank you for the tea and snacks, Alfred," Alessandra ignored Edgar's words. She noticed the way Alfred frowned when she did this and wanted to cry for playing with his emotions. "Please let Sally know she can return shortly. I feel like going on a walk with just her."

Alfred was not pleased to hear this. Not too long ago Alessandra and Edgar were throwing paint at each other and fooling around in the creek. Now they were going their separate ways after something small that he said. Wasn't this a bit too much? Why couldn't the two youngsters talk and get over it?

"Please stay and spend more time with your husband. Outside has become awfully cold for you to be going on a walk. Even the inside of the house has become cold and the servants are throwing wood into the furnace to warm it up. I'm worried the two of you will get sick from playing in the creek. I will keep bringing you tea to stay warm. Is there enough wood present?" Alfred questioned, moving to check if they had enough wood.

"If that's the case I will go to the library and read a good book. I just want to be alone at this point," said Alessandra.

"Are you truly not going to sleep here tonight? Alessandra? You can at least answer me," Edgar covered his face with his hand as he sighed. It was also to hide the smile threatening to fall on his lips. It was incredible he got Alessandra to go along with his trick.

"I think it's good for married couples to be apart for a little bit. Alfred, can I please have a room prepared for me tonight?"

"Duchess," Alfred trailed off in disbelief. Why was it only him seeing this being too dramatic? "I apologize if I am overstepping any boundaries but there is no need for you to sleep in another room-"

"If you're going to do that, what was the point of us getting married?" Edgar interjected. "I don't have plans to sleep separately from my wife nor do I have the time to try making up to you for something I have not done. This is not the type of marriage I signed up for. Will you move on from it or not?"

"I guess I will not," Alessandra stood up from the bed. "When you say this is not the marriage you signed up for, does that mean I am not allowed to get upset because you find it to be annoying? You simply have to leave me alone. I just need time to myself. Leave me alone."

"Duchess," Alfred reached out to Alessandra with a trembling hand. He felt bad for her being like this. He placed his hand on his forehead as he felt light-headed. Alfred quickly tried to think of ways he could fix this but nothing was coming up. "Please do not argue. The two of you were going so well."

'I am going to hell for this,' Alessandra cried on the inside. Still, she could not believe how believable her conversation with Edgar was. It felt like an actual argument. 'Was I meant for the theater?'

"Duchess, I am truly sorry for what I have caused. I was upset about the paint and wanted to make Edgar upset too. Please, please do not continue to argue any longer. Both of you. I thought it would be something the two of you would pass over. I was wrong," Alfred bowed his head.

"It was," Edgar replied.

"What?" Alfred straightened his body and waited for Edgar to clarify what he meant.

"We made up the moment I returned to our bedroom. You should be thankful I appreciate having you around, Alfred. I truly thought of taking this to another level and mentioning divorce but I can't stand the sight of you constantly apologizing. We were teasing you," Edgar revealed the sly smile he had been hiding. "Isn't she something for going along with it?"

'Only because you said it was either me or him,' Alessandra thought. It wasn't like she had jumped for joy at the opportunity to tease Alfred.

How did their day of fun go from painting to the creek to scaring Alfred. If she continued with Edgars idea of fun she might end up burying someone.

"I'm sorry," Alessandra apologized.

"Thank goodness," Alfred released a breath he had been holding in. He touched his chest to calm down the tightness he felt. He truly felt faint from the thought of Edgar and Alessandra's relationship being destroyed. "I need to sit down for a moment. I am too old to be played with like this."

"Talk about being dramatic. You are not that old," Edgar rolled his eyes. Alfred was far from being frail. This was the same man who takes part in training with his men. "Well this is boring."

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