The Duke's Masked Wife

"We are still going to destroy the canvas right?" Eleanor interrupted the moment. It felt like minutes had passed since the two friends made up while she and Alessandra were standing on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to speak up.

"Yes," Hazel let go of Linda and wiped the tears in her eyes with her fingers. "Linda has not tried to destroy one. I don't know about anyone else but I suddenly feel the need to paint but I don't know how to."

"I feel like tossing paint around," Eleanor said, feeling hyped up and wanting to take things to another level.

"Throwing paint is something we cannot do inside the house. It is already bad enough that we are breaking canvas in here. If Alfred were to pass by and see what we are doing he might faint. I don't need him dying right after Edgar's birthday so we should stick to destroying canvas," said Alessandra, fearing the reaction of the retired butler.

She had not forgotten how Alfred reacted to her and Edgar having paint on the floors. Even though he was no longer the butler, she caught him inspecting the home and ordering around the maids many times. Alessandra was starting to feel bad that the job he loved was taken away from him.

"I don't mind sticking to the canvas but I am in need of something to drink. I would have liked to have eaten before all of this. My mind is saying something with alcohol but that is the last thing I need right now. I will have some water. I don't mind if the rest of you want to drink alcohol," Hazel said, taking a seat on the floor to rest for a moment. She didn't mind how unladylike it was.

"It's no fun when everyone isn't drinking. I keep hearing that it is the Duke's dinner that I interrupted. That means there should be food either cold or still a bit warm for us to eat right? You should fill your stomachs so when your husbands return they are not worried about you. I don't know how long I am invited to stay here but it's been a while since I ate something. I hope you don't mind feeding me," Eleanor said, pointing at her mouth.

"I would not send you away on an empty stomach when I am enjoying your company. I will get someone to bring us drinks and snacks. I am also feeling a bit hungry. Excuse me," Alessandra said, leaving the women to look for a maid to bring them water, something to eat, and to have the cook warm the food meant for Edgar's disrupted dinner.

"Thank you, Eleanor. I don't think I took the moment to thank you for traveling to tell Alessandra about the tea. I am sorry this is taking up your time and I will reward you for what you have done," said Hazel. Without Eleanor, they would never have suspected Julia.

"I don't need a reward. I would like for someone to tell me if something was put in my tea and it is not taking up my time. If I was not here I would be hiding from my aunt to avoid speaking of marriage and I enjoy spending time with you ladies. Other than the ladies in the red light district, I don't have too many women as friends. From the gathering in the palace you might see why," Eleanor replied, taking a seat on the floor.

"I can't disagree with you there. It is hard to find friends amongst our peers. I did enjoy seeing you laughing and speaking your mind that day. You appear to know a lot of information about the young ladies in attendance. Rather than speak negatively of you, they should fear what you know. I hope your writing does well and everything works out with your aunt," Hazel stated, wishing the best for Eleanor.

"I hope this town becomes better so I can reveal it is me who is writing the books that are selling well. I know I would lose customers if they learn who the author is. Thank you for not judging me because of my parents work. Ugh, I feel like I am getting emotional which I hate. I am already feeling jealous of you and Alessandra," Eleanor confessed, looking away from Linda and Hazel.

Hazel didn't see why Eleanor would be jealous of her and Alessandra. Did she forget someone was trying to keep the both of them without a child? "Jealous of what?" She inquired, curious to know what it was.

"Your marriages of course. I am not ready to get married but I would hope to have someone like your husbands who storm out to protect you at the first news of danger. Not everyone gets to find a partner who loves them so much. I hope you keep what I said a secret so no one laughs at me. I normally pretend that I do not want to be in love but let's face it, everyone wants to experience it. I just try to not look forward too much," Eleanor explained.

Eleanor knew what everyone thought of her and if there was anyone looking to marry her, they either wanted a hand in her father's business or they misjudged the type of woman she was. She had many bad experiences in the past which she kept to herself.

"It is truly horrible how what our family does affects us," Linda said, taking a seat on the floor with the other two ladies. She started to think her family will be affected by what her grandfather has done.

Although she made up with Hazel, there will still be some challenges going forward. She could already imagine people telling Hazel to stay away from her in case she was looking to harm her.

"Do you think we will be better than our parents and relatives? To not be so harsh on those younger than us?" Eleanor wondered out loud.

"I plan to be better. I want the next person to become queen to feel safer," said Hazel.

The door of the room opened as Alessandra returned with Sally who helped her carry a tray into the room.

Sally eyed the mess of the canvas inside the room but didn't say a word. She wondered if the women had fought each other and were now calming down with water. She noted to keep Alfred off of this floor for the time being.

"Thank you Sally," Alessandra said after the trays were placed on the floor. She sat down on the floor to join everyone else, not questioning why they were using the floor.

"Duchess, are you aware that you are not covering the faint red mark on your neck well?" Hazel smiled and winked her right eye at Alessandra. "Glad to know that amid everything else Edgar enjoyed his birthday."

"What?" Alessandra blushed, hiding her neck with her hand. She was certain there was nothing there this morning or she would have worn a different dress. "I don't know what you are speaking of," she denied Hazel's claim and removed her hand but she already exposed herself with her reaction.

"Cute as always," Hazel chuckled.