The Duke's Masked Wife

"Your ability to go from angry to a flirt amazes me," Alessandra muttered. Just a moment ago he was ready to kill William and now he was here trying to make a reservation for pleasure when they return home. Alessandra swallowed her fright to strip in front of Edgar and replied, "I will do it. I cannot be teased if I somehow pass out in the midst of that."

"You won't if you remember to breathe. When we're in the moment you'd be surprised by how easy it is to forget about being embarrassed and act like a new person. Now, what would it take to make this party go by quicker," Edgar started to plot. He wanted to be out of here in less than an hour.

"Edgar, I intend on staying and enjoying the rest of the party. I am sure you can wait it out. I married such a horny man," Alessandra shook her head. "I'm doubting the number of women you slept with."

"If a man has such an alluring wife he'd always desire to have her. It is the same for you," said Edgar.

"What?"

"With such a perfect good-looking husband, you must find yourself wanting to be close to me. If only you would give into your desires and do as you want. I would not push you away," Edgar replied.

Once again, Alessandra was jealous of the confidence Edgar had in himself. Whenever there was a moment to compliment himself, he never missed the chance to talk greatly of himself. Even when it wasn't time to, he would compliment himself.

Edgar poked Alessandra after silence fell upon them. "Are you giving me the silent treatment?"

Alessandra sighed after the third poke but continued to pay attention to the couples who had started to dance in the middle of the room.

"Do want to dance?" Edgar asked as it seemed she wanted to go but did not want to ask.

"No. My dancing skills are not on the same level as those dancing yet. I don't want to make fool of myself. I'm satisfied with just watching them dance. Do you want to dance?" Alessandra asked. She would change her mind if it was something he wanted to do. She would have to perfect her steps.

"I'm not a dance person but I will join when you are ready. You should just have fun and ignore everyone. Who cares if you trip or fall flat on your ass," Edgar shrugged.

Alessandra looked at Edgar in disbelief. She couldn't tell if he was trying to motivate her to dance or scare her. "I care. Perhaps in our home or somewhere surrounded by friends I can dance without care but not here. At my age, I should know how to dance well but it was years since I had a tutor. Alfred and Sally have been teaching me well but I am not there yet. Once I am, it will be hard for you to pull me away from the dance floor."

"Hmm."

"Hazel has invited me to the palace tomorrow. I will go to hopefully meet new friends and have more people to invite to the party. There is someone approaching us, Edgar. What is he?" Alessandra asked, continuing with the plan they set up.

"A ten," Edgar sighed.

"Duke Collins! Have you forgotten that I wanted to be introduced to the Duchess? My granddaughter told me she met the Duchess and had a wonderful time. I've been on your side for years but that does not seem to matter as I did not get an invitation to the wedding," Grant Henson, the host of the party and Linda's grandfather, said.

"Don't feel left out. Only a priest was present," Edgar replied.

"Is that so? Your wedding stirred up a lot of gossip in the kingdom. I have to say I was a bit sad by it and your choice," Grant gave Alessandra a look over and was not impressed. "You know I was wishing you'd accept my granddaughter's feelings and marry her instead."

Alessandra found it to be rude that this was how the old gentleman was speaking during his first time meeting her. She loved Linda but she could not say the same about her grandfather.

"The devil could have put me in a predicament to either marry your granddaughter or let the world burn. I would annoy my butler one last time before the world sets on fire," Edgar said as politely as he could.

Grant disliked Edgar's response as he viewed his granddaughter as one of the most refined ladies in the kingdom. He was so close to making her queen but lucked out because Hazel snatched Tobias away. He was going to settle for Edgar but now the man was married. Now, he had plans to put Linda in the palace by making her the king's consort and once she bore an heir for the king, he would get rid of Hazel as queen.

Grant only wished his son was on the same side as him. In his son's eyes, no one was good for Linda. Then there were her brothers who shielded her each time a man was around. If Linda was smart, she would use her friendship with Hazel to get close to Tobias. Grant was on a lone ship to get Linda into a high position but that did not matter. People like William Lancaster were offering to help him if he joined hands with them.

Grant's son and grandsons were loyal to Tobias like he was loyal to the former king but his interest had started to change.

"Edgar, I would love to dance," Alessandra changed her mind to help Edgar get out of speaking with this man. "I-"

"Woman, you should know to keep quiet when the men are talking. It is rude to interrupt such an important conversation. You can find a woman to speak to while I speak with your husband. I am from the old days that were strict to have women silent when men were speaking. The youngsters have become lax these days," Grant shook his head.

Edgar opened his mouth to speak but Alessandra beat him to the punch. "You can stay in your old days but times are changing for us younger people. I'm afraid your conversation will end here since I want to dance with my husband. Thank you for inviting us," Alessandra curtsied then held Edgar's hand to take him to dance.

Why would she be a fool to stand there and listen to him speak of how he wanted Linda to marry Edgar?

"Men and their ridiculous views on women," Alessandra muttered as she pulled Edgar who was on the verge of laughing.