The Duke's Masked Wife

"Should I quit being a maid and become a dressmaker?" Sally stared in awe at the home Erin resided in. It was not as grand as the Duke's home but considerably large for someone whose source of income came from making dresses. "I'm starting to realize how expensive dresses really are and how much of a good business it is."

"These days it costs more money to buy a dress than jewelry. That is why I turn deaf when any of the women I am with ask me for a dress from certain dressmakers. What?" Caleb shrugged his shoulders when Alessandra and Sally looked at him. "I don't make as much money as the Duke to be throwing it away on dresses as he does. I'd learn to make dresses before I buy one."

"I can provide cheap classes if you want," Erin said as she entered the carriage. "Good morning, Alessandra and Sally. Who is this fine specimen?" Her eyes immediately glued onto the handsome mand clad in armor. 'Now this is my kind of girl's day out. Friends and something good to look at,' she thought.

"This is Caleb, my personal guard and you are in a relationship Erin," Alessandra reminded Erin as it looked like she was about to drool while looking at Caleb.  It was a good thing Sally sat next to Caleb forcing Erin to take a seat beside her.

"Yes but that does not mean I cannot take a look at a handsome man. It's not like I plan to have sex with him. I am not the type to cheat but I do enjoy someone's beauty. I'm Erin, the Duchess's dressmaker turned friend," Erin held out her hand to greet Caleb.

"Nice to meet you, Erin. By all means, when your relationship ends please come to me. I shall help you get over it," Caleb flashed her a charming smile while he shook her hand.

"Oh my. It is too dangerous for me to be in this carriage," Erin could not get over Caleb's words. She fanned herself with her hands to calm down her mind.

"Caleb, how can you join my club only to flirt with someone soon after? You are now kicked out and I am back to being alone," Sally wiped away a fake tear.

Alessandra smiled, amused by the entire conversation. It was good to see Sally's true personality coming out. She was never given the chance to be like this when she was Kate's maid. Sally did not seem like the same person who released the sheets when she was running from her father.

"I'm sure you will find someone soon. Alfred has informed me of the many times he caught you and the other maids watching the men train. That's part of the reason he got Edgar to make them train with shirts on and soon they will be training elsewhere. Are you crying for real?" Alessandra leaned forward to see if her eyes were deceiving her or if there really was water escaping Sally's eyes.

"My precious sight," Sally cried. The shirtless men were her only source of entertainment besides the Duke and Duchess.

"It's a shame the women won't be able to watch us for a while. Part of the reason we trained so hard was for when the maids would come peeping at us. That is how many relationships start. It annoys the butler because the maids don't get their job done," Caleb said.

"I do my work and then go look at you guys. It was fun while it lasted. I doubt I will be able to find my future husband anytime soon. That's why I have been secretly living through your marriage."

"Ugh," Alessandra didn't know how to respond to that.

Caleb decided to help Sally feel better by proposing an idea. "If you do not find a husband by a certain age, I will marry you. That is if you allow me to join your club again."

"Why would someone as good-looking as you and with a good job not be married soon? If I have to make such a deal, it would be with someone who doesn't have a chance like me. Thank you for the offer but no thank you," Sally replied. She'd bet her pay a man like Caleb would be married come next year.

"I don't plan to marry anyone who just sees me as good-looking or likes that I have a good job. Personality matters to me and so far, our personalities match. I am willing to be your backup. Am I back in your club?" Caleb asked.

"Let me ask you this," Erin jumped into the conversation as there was something she was dying to know. "Have you ever slept with anyone who was not good-looking but had an amazing personality?"

"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and I am not going to let you paint me to be a horrible man in front of the Duchess. I have been attracted to all the women I slept with. If it matters, I am also attracted to you," he looked at Sally.

Sally pushed his face away from looking at her. A second longer and her heart might explode. This wasn't supposed to go both ways. She was supposed to be the only one noticing how good the other person looked. His words opened the door of possibilities that led her into the room of heartbreak. "Please pay more attention to the Duchess and any danger around her."

"Fear not. I am talented when it comes to multitasking. I can help warm you all up to my presence while looking around for danger. No harm will come to the three of you today. I will keep quiet now if it is making you uncomfortable."

"It isn't," Sally started to feel bad.

"Duchess, I'd like to bet that by the time winter comes you will find the two of them in bed together," Erin whispered to Alessandra while Sally spoke with Caleb.

Alessandra gave it thought before replying. "I give it a week. The only two people in a single club are bound to get together. I will get the short end of the stick since my maid and guard will be busy. Should I start looking for replacements? It's a shame since I am enjoying both of their company."

"Duchess!" Sally whined. The conversation Alessandra and Erin were having wasn't as soft as they thought it was. "Mark my words. The two of us will never end up together. I have no need to fight the other young women waiting for him to notice them."

Alessandra decided to tease Sally. "Why would you need to fight them off when your partner is supposed to be an excellent fighter?"

"Duchess, you've been spending too much time with the Duke. Please head to town!" Sally yelled to the coachman.