The Duke's Masked Wife

Edgar pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do not tell me that Alessandra is coming."

"The Duchess is coming," said Alfred.

"Why the fuck…" Edgar turned around to where he came from and saw Alessandra coming towards them. He wanted her to stay behind for a good reason. Did she not hear who was at their gates? "Alessandra, I said I would deal with it."

"It didn't look like you were having a pleasant talk and I decided I should be by your side rather than hiding inside. What is happening?" Alessandra snuck a glance at the carriage on the outside of the gates. Edmund waved while Priscilla glared at her.

"Nothing we have to be concerned with-"

"Edgar's father has something to tell them about the girl Jennifer," Alfred talked over Edgar. "Edmund swears their time in the house will not end like that last. I am asking Edgar to let them in. It must be truly important for his father to visit."

"It must be," Alessandra agreed with Alfred. It was obvious Edgar was not letting in his parents because of her. As much as she didn't like where she ended with Priscilla both at the ball and her last visit, Alessandra did not think Edmund should pay for his wife's actions. "Let them in, Edgar. We are about to have dinner anyway. You can talk with your father afterward."

"Alessandra," he stared at her in disbelief. "You want me to allow my mother inside after she dug her nails in you the last time?"

"That won't happen again," Alessandra replied with great certainty. Priscilla would not be given a second opportunity to harm her. Also, she did not plan to hide away from Priscilla when they were bound to meet again. Alessandra did not want Hazel or Edgar to shield her from Priscilla. "Please."

"Just know that when all of this blows up, this was your fault," Edgar pointed at Alfred. Alfred knew his mother well enough to know she couldn't keep her mouth shut to save her life. Alfred should be siding with him and Alessandra should not be out here in the first place. "Open the gates. This is going to be such a headache," Edgar muttered as he walked away.

"Where is he going?" Alessandra asked as Edgar was not walking in the direction of the front door.

"Most likely to cool off or maybe he is going for some rope to tie up his mother to a chair," Alfred joked.

"That is not funny," Alessandra replied, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her laughter. Perhaps Edgar should also find something to stuff her mouth with.

"Are you two done? You have been standing there having a private conversation while excluding the people who want to get- Hey!" Priscilla yelled when Alfred and Alessandra started walking toward the house, obviously ignoring her. "Do you see that Edmund?"

"Yes and I'd walk away to avoid hearing you too," Edmund cleaned out his ear after all her yelling. They were granted entry and already Priscilla could not keep her promise to remain civil. "I have not yet forgotten what you have done. Do not upset me further."

"Do you honestly think I care that you are upset with me? You don't care about what I have done, you care about what it will do to your perfect little image. Instead of running to Edgar to make him hate me even more, we should have stayed home.  The only bright side is that I have gotten inside to see that wrench-"

"Priscilla," Edmund called her name in a low tone. It took every restraint inside of his body not to yell at her. "Do not ruin this night with your antics or I will kick you out before Edgar gets a chance to. What the hell is wrong with you?" He shook his head.

Edmund exited the carriage as soon as it stopped and did not bother to help Priscilla get out.

"That brute. Both of them could use a lesson in treating me better. I do not need your help," Priscilla snapped at the coachman and ignored his helping hand. "I have no idea where your hands have been."

'Was that necessary?' Alessandra thought after witnessing the exchange from afar. She could imagine having to work for Priscilla and having to keep a smile on your face. 'It's a shame women like this are looked up to by other young women.'

"Money cannot buy class," Alfred commented on Priscilla's outburst. "You'd be surprised how different she acts at social events. You would never expect her to act this way. She pretends to be innocent and lets the younger girls do her dirty work. The more you are around her, the more you will see it is easy to outplay her. I have done it for years to remain by Edgar's side. I am wishing you luck in breaking down her ego but more importantly, fixing her relationship with Edgar."

Alessandra watched Priscilla storm into the home and knew the promised peace would not happen. "Sometimes it's best to let go of family ties. No one should put up with this forever simply because of blood. Holding onto hope for my family placed me in a dark place for years. I prefer to be happy than be around draining family members. I stand by whatever decision Edgar makes when it comes to his mother."

Alessandra did not come here to save the relationship Edgar barely had with her mother. If Edgar never wanted to see his mother again, she would not convince him otherwise like tonight. She only sided with Alfred tonight because of how kind Edmund was to her when they first met.

"I suppose I should not ask you to do otherwise. Husband and wife should be on the same page. At least for tonight, I hope that you show her you are not an easy opponent. You've tamed the beast I've been raising so you should be able to do anything. Excuse me but I need to go ahead and prepare the table for our two extra guests," Alfred gave her a pat on the arm before rushing inside.

'And I must prepare for war,' Alessandra thought.