The Duke's Masked Wife

"There are six of us.  The carriages could have been split to hold three people in each. Why is it that four people are in one but it is just you and me in this one?" Alessandra asked.

"Simple. My grandmother and Alfred wanted to ride with each other. Either Sally or Caleb was meant to ride with them but since neither wanted to be left alone with Alfred and my grandmother, they are all together."

"They could have rode with us. I told Sally we would stick together but are already separated. On the ride back Sally will come with us," Alessandra said and it wasn't meant to be up for a discussion.

"Do as you wish," said Edgar.

Alessandra looked out the window of the carriage at the scenery and said, "I can't believe it has taken us so long to go shopping and explore the town. I hope it does not rain today."

"If you mention the rain too much it is bound to fall to ruin your day. Being the diligent man that he is, Alfred has brought along umbrellas for all of us. You should buy a couple of coats today. Shortly after we return home, it will start snowing in Lockdown. Unless the dressmaker has thought ahead, she won't be able to complete enough coats for the first week of winter."

"Erin has mentioned preparing dresses for the many parties and festivities I may have to attend in the winter. I received a favor from the queen and if things have gone well, Erin will be busy in the coming weeks. I will buy a couple of coats to relieve her stress. Oh," Alessandra remembered something. "What is the limit today?"

"Limit? Why would there be a limit? Buy whatever you desire today," Edgar closed his eyes to enjoy the peaceful ride.

"Still, it would be better to have a price so that I know I am not going overboard."

Edgar chuckled upon hearing this. "You, going overboard? Not likely. You've had my money at your disposal but you've hardly used it. If anything, I should force you to buy many things. It hurts me to think I have all of this wealth but you shop as we must worry about tomorrow."

"It's your money you worked hard for so it is uncomfortable for me to spend it freely. It is better to hear a limit from your mouth so that I can feel better," said Alessandra.

"For a person who only buys canvas and paint, why would I give you a limit? I am honestly tired of going around in circles with you sometimes. It is over already?" Edgar opened his eyes when the carriage stopped. He glanced out the window and saw popular stores. "Come, let me give you a lesson. Sally can join you," he stood to open the carriage door and went out first.

Edgar offered his hand to help her carefully exit the carriage. Her shyness when it came to buying the things she liked would end today. What was the point in having so much wealth if only one of them was going to use it?"

"Duchess!" Sally called as she ran to Alessandra with Caleb right behind her. "Alfred instructed me to tell you that they will be stepping away for a moment for the Duke's grandmother to chat with a friend she spotted.  They ask that you don't go too far so that they can easily find you again.

"Alright," Alessandra replied.

"Follow me," Edgar instructed Alessandra and Sally. He picked a random store he knew was popular for its jewelry.

"What's going on?" Sally whispered to Alessandra as they followed behind Edgar.

"He's giving me a lesson about spending his money."

Alessandra entered the shop first as Edgar had opened the door for her and let her walk by. The moment she entered, two men dressed in identical uniforms approached her but backed off right away when Edgar came to her side. "Are you a regular customer here when you are in town?" She asked.

"I've visited a few times to buy last-minute gifts for women in my family. The jewelry here is expensive so unless you have a title or the owner is aware of how much money you have, you will be turned away-"

"Edgar Collins? What a surprise. I've heard you are in town with your wife but I did not believe it. Welcome welcome," a man with long red hair tied into a ponytail greeted them. "The name is Benjamin," he introduced himself to the people he had never seen before.

"Nice to meet you. I am Alessandra Collins," Alessandra introduced herself.

Sally introduced herself right after but Caleb did not as he had been there before once with Edgar.

Edgar walked around the shop to look at some of the jewelry Benjamin had on display. "I require your best pieces, Benjamin. Necklaces, rings, bracelets., whatever. Decorate her with it. Give something to the young woman behind her."

"Wonderful! How many pieces would you like? The craftsman has created a new collection for me but there are still-"

"All that suits her," Edgar replied.

Benjamin's eyes widened for a moment as the amount of money he could make today popped up in his head. After a slow day, Edgar was a blessing. "Of course! Please come this way," he walked behind a counter where he kept the more expensive jewelry for his extra special customers. "We have an array of jewels, Duchess. Which ones are your favorite?"

"Uhm," Alessandra looked at Edgar as she had no idea. She was not familiar with jewels and she hardly wore jewelry. Even the ones Edgar had bought right after they got married. "I don't know."

"Benjamin, she's not one to indulge in spending money nor does she know a lot about jewelry. Just select what suits her and is popular among women," said Edgar.

"I see. In that case," he disappeared behind the counter before reappearing with a locked box. He used a key dangling around his neck to open the box. "The Duchess must not be familiar with my shop. I have the pleasure of hand-making jewelry for the king and queen or I send them one of my craftsmen. Have you ever heard of the queen's heart?"

"You have that queen's heart?" Sally exclaimed and then clamped her mouth shut shortly after as she had ruined the moment. "Sorry. I've always wanted to see it."

"No no. Don't apologize. I am glad that one of you had that reaction," Benjamin smiled, enjoying that there was a fan of his great grandfather's work present.

Seeing that Sally knew it, Alessandra realized it had to be well known in Lockwood. "What is the queen's heart?" She asked.

Benjamin dressed his hands with white gloves then picked up the necklace he had kept for many years. "This is," he revealed a necklace decorated with rubies but what stood out was the large one shaped like a heart. "This has not been worn for more than sixty years. Made for the late Queen Meredith the day she married the crown prince. My great-grandfather made it for her as they were friends."

He continued to say, "From the portraits I saw, the queen was absolutely beautiful that day. The necklace was given the name the queen's heart then.  After her wedding, she gave it back to my family to do with it as we pleased. It has been sitting here since then."

Alessandra was in awe of the necklace's beauty and the fact it had only been worn by a queen in the past. "It is beautiful but it would be better suited for someone else. It would be a waste to let someone who is not familiar with jewelry wear it."

"Nonsense. You may think I am just trying to make a big sale here but I can tell you have never heard about Queen Meredith's rocky journey to royalty. Once you do, you will understand why I am offering to sell you this necklace after I have kept it from many customers," Benjamin replied.

As Benjamin claimed, she was not aware of Queen's Meredith story. "What is the price?"

"We'll take it," Edgar told Benjamin as he had gotten enough confirmation that Alessandra wanted the necklace. "What else do you have?" He left Alessandra's side to look for more to buy but to also get away before she could object to it.

"Don't you just love wealthy husbands?" Benjamin stated as he sure did. They hardly looked at the price tag. It was pleasantly surprising to see a wife being shy about buying jewelry. Benjamins enjoyed dolling them up with jewelry to match their innocent personality. "Let me find something for your friend too. I will have the necklace safely delivered to you by the end of the day."

While Benjamin looked for something else to suit Alessandra, she walked over to where Edgar had run off to.

"Do not object to it," he stated before she could speak.

"I was not," Alessandra honestly replied. "I was going to say thank you. You are too stubborn for me to object to it."

"Glad you have caught on. Get rid of feeling as if you are suing me and buy whatever catches your eye. Here and elsewhere."