The Duke's Masked Wife

The table became silent as Alfred sat down without anyone's help. He made it clear it was only his arm that was injured and though there was some pain in his left leg, he didn't need anyone's help. Alfred was on a good path to recovery and wished to not be a burden to anyone else.

"What brings you here, Dominic? Did you walk away from your mother again?" Alfred asked the moment he got comfortable in his seat.

"See, Alfred. This is why I have been trying to steal you away from Edgar for years. You're the only one who gets me," Dominic answered, happy to have someone who understood that he did not run away from his mother. He quickly walked away.  There was a big difference. "Whenever you get tired working for Edgar, come to me."

"Alfred isn't a butler anymore. His years of keeping this house perfect have come to an end," Alessandra announced.

"I was fired, to be frank. I didn't like it at first but after the recent incident, I can agree that I need a break. I can find you a butler almost as good as I was. I need to interview someone to take my place here. Are you sure you'll need a butler, Dominic? You need to keep moving around so your mother doesn't know where you are.  It won't be long before she guesses you are in Lockwood," said Alfred.

"I wouldn't doubt that she has sent out the hounds to start searching for me and with Daniel upset with me for not beating up Edgar for him, he'll help her find me," Dominic replied.

"After what happened during our trip, I hoped your brother would settle down. I pray he doesn't do anything stupid," Alfred said though he knew it was unlikely for Daniel to let the matter go.

"It is Daniel. He will always do something stupid. I overheard him speaking of wanting to come to Lockwood but our father talked him out of it. Our mother is soft on him but our father is more strict.  If Daniel does or says something foolish again, our father might cut him off or deliver a blow harder than the one Edgar gave him. The tension at family dinners was also the reason I left," Dominic explained.

Alessandra wished Daniel would forget about getting even with Edgar when he had started all of this by being nosey from the beginning. With everything else going on in their lives, they didn't need to be worrying about Daniel of all people.

Everyone quieted down as the maids started to serve dinner.

"I could get used to this service," Erin said, enjoying how quick the servants were and made no mistakes. "Don't worry I don't plan to stay here past tomorrow morning," she said to Edgar. "And for the record, we were talking about preventing pregnancy because of how dangerous it can be."

Edgar continued to silently eat as he didn't need Erin's opinion when it came to this matter. If Alessandra feared what could happen to her during the pregnancy or birth, that was for them to discuss, not this unwanted guest. Luckily, he didn't worry about Alessandra not sleeping with him. She liked to deny it but he had a perfect memory of how much she enjoyed their first night together.

"Just let it go," Dominic whispered to Erin. "So Duchess, I heard that you are a good painter. I will need quite a few for my home, do you think you can create a few? Not free of course. I will pay you if you have time for it."

"I'm still in the process of finishing up the ones for here but I can create paintings for you. There are some pieces in my private room upstairs. You should take a look before deciding you want me to paint for you. I am not as good as other artists you can find in town," Alessandra said, not completely confident in her work.

To go from painting to pass time in her room to paint for others was strange but she welcomed the prospect of this slowly becoming a business. Along with owning a dress shop with Erin, she would love to create paintings for others or even put her journey as an artist on display.

"Don't downplay your skills, Duchess. I'm sure they are great. I don't really have much of an eye for art so whatever you make is fine. I am in need of items to start making that place feel like home. When it is ready, you and Edgar should come to visit me out there. You two could do with another break from Lockwood. With the murderer, Alfred being attacked, and the crazy women," Dominic listed the negative side of Lockwood.

"Where is my invitation? We became drinking buddies and shared our concerns about our mothers but you don't invite me to your home? I'm hurt," Erin feigned pain in her chest.

"I think you're still drunk not hurt. You can tag along as long as you and Edgar don't destroy my house with your bickering. Perhaps I should just invite Alessandra and Alfred. They are better guests," Dominic said, changing his mind.

"It would be rude not to invite Edgar when he has opened his doors to you right now. I won't go if you do not invite Edgar,' Alessandra stated, taking up for her husband.

Edgar didn't hide his cheeky smile as he continued to eat. It was always a good moment whenever Alessandra spoke up for him even if it was for little matters like this.

"See what I mean? They make you feel lonely which speaks a lot for me when I am engaged. I cannot stay in this house much longer. I will start to question the relationship I have. If I could, I would leave right now," said Erin.

"I can have a carriage prepared for you," Edgar offered.

"No thank you!"

Dinner continued with playful conversations in Collins Estate but on the other side of Lockwood, the same could not be said for another household.

"You two need to eat before it gets cold," Simon said, cutting into the beef prepared for him just as he liked it. With the majority of the meat still red. "The cook worked hard to prepare this for us. I'd hate to see it go to waste again."

Not receiving a response, Simon started to angrily cut into the meat. The sound of the knife scraping against the plate would make anyone's skin tingle.

"Why are the two of you silent tonight? You were always a chatterbox. I once disliked how much you spoke but now I want to hear it. Should I tell you about my day to lighten the mood? I've been having some good days recently but there was something that pissed me off.  A nosey little child playing in the snow too early. It's a shame I will have to kill him," Simon said, placing the perfect size cut of meat in his mouth. He savored the taste with each bite.

"Now the guards think they will be able to crack this case. Should I start leaving clues? I almost want them to find out that it is me and see their reactions. I wonder how they will react. I bet I was never once on their list of suspects. You play the role of the innocent man who always wants peace and everyone looks past you. I wonder, should I place someone else as the culprit?"

Simon placed his knife and fork down as he considered his options. The game of catch was fun and then there was the exciting moment he got to punish the girls who failed to be perfect. The only disappointing part of all of this was the guards not picking up on anything. Well, that was until the little boy. He was excited to see where that little bit of information would take the guards and Edgar.

"I need to watch out for Edgar Collins. He might solve this before I want him to but I am the one controlling everything. He shouldn't find a clue I have not placed before him. Why aren't you eating?!" Simon exclaimed, smacking the palm of his hand flat down on the table. "You were the one who kept telling me about being perfect and then punishing me when I wasn't. You are breaking your rules by being silent, mother."

"Still not talking?" Simon pushed his chair back as he stood. He left his spot and went over to where his mother and father sat. He made sure to put them together. Simon decided to speak with his mother. He placed his right hand under her chin, forcing him to look up at him. "Ha! You've lost your beauty," he commented on her appearance.

"You used to beat me to the point I bled for not being your perfect son. Now, look at you," he said, releasing her chin.

His mother's head slumped down as her body was without life for four years just like her husband.

"Women and all your fucking rules. It feels nice to switch places with you, mother. I finally understand what you liked when you molded me to your liking. I will bring a girl who is to your liking soon. She's perfect when it comes to obeying me.  You two can enjoy dinner without me. I have another girl I want to get rid of. I'm tired of her cries," Simon said, leaving the dining room to prepare to leave another gift for the town.