The Duke's Masked Wife

"Oh, what a day. I just can't," Eleanor chuckled as she wiped a tear from her eye. The last thing she expected to hear was Rafael stating Emma had a hollow heart. "I'm so happy I didn't miss today."

Emma grabbed a handful of her dress, embarrassed by Rafael's words. What was so wrong with what she said? Everyone else was referring to those people as barbarians so she repeated it. Rafael was going there to kill him so what was all of this about being hollow?

"I don't want to be a part of this group anymore. Duchess, I will speak with you another day when there are no misfits around you," Emma said, looking in Heather and Eleanor's direction before she walked away.

"Finally. I swear that girl seemed so sweet and innocent at first but she's clearly just a social follower. Should we stay here while the queen is alone with her husband? I feel like we might hear something we are not supposed to," Eleanor said, hinting at the fact the queen and king could be working up a future prince right now.

"We could walk further down enough to see her if she comes out," Alessandra said, pointing down the hall. The other two women agreed to it so they started to walk away from the door. "Eleanor, were you at the ball?"

"I was but I remained out of sight so you might not have ever seen me. I left early since my companion for the night abandoned me. I still feel the need to strangle Bryce for leaving me and not giving me a heads up," Eleanor said, pounding her fist into the palm of her hands. His solo departure gave the young women something to talk about.

"Bryce?" Alessandra asked, feeling like the name was familiar but she couldn't place a face to it.

"My best friend. We always stick together during parties since we never have a date. He's my way of warding off curious men who would like to court me. I have no interest in getting married. Quite frankly I wouldn't mind becoming a spinster. I have more interest in writing books than spending my time looking for a husband," said Eleanor.

"You write books? Do you sell them in town or is it something that you keep for yourself?"

"I sell them in town under another name. I know no one would be interested if they knew the book was written by the daughter of a brothel owner. Honestly, Duchess, I am surprised but then I am not when it comes to you. You had the title of being cursed but now you are a Duchess. I didn't expect to be talking with you. It is normal for people who were once an outcast and given a new opportunity, to not hang around us," Eleanor said, pointing at herself and Heather.

It was refreshing to see that Alessandra had not jumped in to speak about her father's business and she had welcomed Heather to their table. Eleanor could picture herself being lifelong friends with Alessandra. It was surprising since she rarely had any female friends as they would always claim to get tossed into the red-light district if they became her friend.

"It would be wrong of me to once be bullied and then join in on mocking someone else just because of my new status. I cannot find it in my heart to be that way. Besides, you are really funny Eleanor and I admire how confident you are when you stand up to others. Like Sophia. That woman is," Alessandra trailed off, not knowing the right words.

"Delusional? Too full of herself? She honestly did not sleep with your husband. She can openly lie since her reputation for falling into men's beds is quite strong. She is so full of herself that she thinks the princess was named after her but if she paid attention in school, she would know princess Sofia was named after a former queen. A bird brain I tell you," Eleanor shook her head.

Alessandra chuckled, amused by how disappointed Eleanor was when it came to Sophia. "What about you, Heather? Do you have any hobbies?"

Heather sighed and stopped walking. Now that it was just the three of them, she wanted to say what was on her mind. "Duchess, I owe you for offering me a place to sit but I have to ask. Are you being nice to me in hopes of getting information about Priscilla? I've seen the whole nice to everyone act before and I want to be certain I am not being fooled."

Alessandra wasn't the slightest bit offended by Heather's assumption. It was normal for Heather to think she would be used to going against Priscilla no matter how anyone looked at it. Heather had no one to turn to at the moment so it would be a prime opportunity for Alessandra to use her.

"I have no intention of using you to get information about Priscilla. Edgar would offer it to me without me having to ask. I honestly try not to think about her and I don't even want to run into her. I am being nice to you because that is how I am. Not because I want to use you," said Alessandra.

"Thank you. It is just hard to know what people are plotting. I don't want to be used by anyone anymore or forced to do anything. I have been doing it all my life because of my mother. I sincerely want to apologize again for showing up with his mother that day," Heather apologized.

She continued to say, "I cannot lie and say I didn't harbor any ill feelings for you when we met. I desperately wanted to be in your place to satisfy his mother. I am grown but it was hard to go against her. Priscilla is scary and you should be thinking about her."

Alessandra didn't want to tell Heather she was plotting to deal with Priscilla to stop her from meddling in her marriage. Tides could turn where Heather would be back in Priscillia's good graces. She was aware of what type of person Priscilla was since she was behind Jennifer's death.

Alessandra began to walk again but the force of something connecting to the side of her exposed face stopped her.

"Duchess!" Heather exclaimed, concerned for Alessandra when blood started to trickle down her face.

Eleanor panicked at the sight of a stone on the floor next to the mask Alessandra was wearing a moment ago. She bent down to pick up the mask to cover Alessandra's face and deal with the wound.