The Duke's Masked Wife

"About time," Priscilla said due to the fact she was the only one seated at the table. "How much longer were you all going to make me wait? I'm sure everyone here was taught proper manners not to leave anyone alone at a table by themselves. Well," she briefly glanced at Alessandra. "I would hope so."

"We have things to do. That's why you should not unexpectedly arrive at someone's house, asking to get in. Clearly, you weren't taught manners in that area," Edgar replied.

"Settle down. There is no need to get hostile so early. It was wrong of us to leave your mother by the table all alone," Edmund stated. He sat down to the left of Priscilla.

"Alessandra and I left you alone a while ago. What were you doing for you to arrive at the table at the same time as us, father? What were you snooping around for? You'd be a fool to think I leave important things in the open," Edgar spoke as he helped Alessandra to her seat.

Edmund was proud of Edgar's straightforward attitude. It was good for Edgar to notice everything. "I wasn't looking for anything important. It's been a long time since I have been in your home so I took a look around."

"I'll believe your word the day cats start falling from the sky," Edgar replied. It smelt like bullshit at the table and if he could see smells, the bullshit would be coming from his father.

"Is it unfair if I throw cats into the air to make them rain from the sky? Would you take that as a chance for you to believe me? I'm proud of the man you turned out to be but I find it annoying you notice every single thing. Would it kill you to be more relaxed, son?"

"It might. I could've been dead a long time ago had I not been paying attention. You came with the sole purpose of talking to me. I don't see why we have to entertain you with dinner but since we are here, eat quickly so that you can return to where you've come from," Edgar stated without an ounce of care about how rude it might be.

Alessandra tapped Edgar on his thigh to make him be kinder with his words but when she moved her hand to place it back on her lap, Edgar held onto it tightly and kept her hand on his thigh. Alessandra tapped her finger against his thigh, begging to be let go. It would be awkward to have a tug and war in front of his parents to make Edgar release her hand.

To make the matter worse, Edgar grinned at her. Somehow, she could hear him saying got you.

"Are the two of you fooling around under the table?"

"No," Alessandra quickly denied Edmund's claim.

Edmund chuckled, not believing her for a second.

"There is a time and a place for everything," Priscilla fixed her gaze on Alessandra as she spoke.

"Isn't she cute? She couldn't resist grabbing my hand under the table," Edgar held up their entwined hands.

'You grabbed my hand!' Alessandra internally yelled at him. Why was he putting her on the spot like this? At least take credit as the one holding onto her hand.

"You are still newlyweds. Alessandra, I apologize for ruining your time with my son. It is good to know the two of you can't keep your hands off of each other. I expect my grandchildren to be arriving in nine-"

"Edmund," Priscilla cut off her husband. It wasn't pleasant to think of Alessandra as the mother of her grandchildren. "You should learn how to act in front of other people. You don't see me and Edmund acting this way after so many years of being married. Take my advice, Alessandra."

'We're only holding hands,' Alessandra thought. What was the big deal?

"Maybe it's because our emotions are still there. I saw many older couples at the ball just standing around looking like strangers and not being affectionate with each other. I was curious but I didn't dare speak on it because I should mind my business. There's no law or rule that says I cannot simply hold hands with my husband at a table," Alessandra entwined her fingers with Edgar's to show she was going against Priscilla's advice.

Edgar picked up a glass of water and sipped on it. He then lowered the cup to reveal the smile he was trying to hold in.

Seeing his enjoyment in the matter, Alessandra squeezed his hand as hard as she could but his smile grew wider.

Edgar leaned over to Alessandra with their hands still entwined and whispered for her ears only, "You should know that I enjoy a little bit of pain. Don't entice me."

Alessandra blushed and instantly regretted her actions. How could he say something like that with his parents right there? 'He has no shame.'

Alessandra pushed his head away from her before he could say something else.

During all of this, Priscilla had not taken her eyes off the two of them. She found her son to be acting strangely and if she did not do something soon, Edgar would soon fall in love with Alessandra. After that point, it would be harder to separate the two.

'Kate needs to do something quickly or I have to do the one thing that can push Alessandra away from Edgar,' Priscilla deviously thought. There was one thing that broke a woman's trust in her husband. In many cases, the wife would stay around after an affair or run away from the marriage.

To set up an affair to fool Alessandra was child's play for Priscilla.

Alfred entered the room with a line of servants behind him and said, "Dinner is served."

"You have such a gorgeous table. I don't know why you don't lay out trays of food on it instead of just bringing out plates with our food already on them. And your decor is outdated. I will have someone pay a visit to switch it up for you. Vibrant colors are in style right now. Imagine how it will brighten up your home. Maybe I should prepare it myself," Priscilla offered to decorate the home.

"Leave it. Alessandra will soon change the house to her liking. When do you plan to start the paintings I asked for?" Edgar asked. Alessandra wasn't holding up her end of the deal to create paintings for the house so that he could take down the ones he bought from people he did not know.

"Soon. I've found a lot of inspiration. I've let go of your hand. Please release mine, Edgar."

'We're going to let her of all people try decorating?' Priscilla couldn't believe this madness. If you want help picking out a mask, sure, go to Alessandra. For decorating, certainly not.

"I won't allow it," Priscilla declared.

"It is not for you to allow, mother-in-law," Alessandra used the nickname to piss Priscilla off just like she used to piss off Katrina by calling her mother.