The Duke's Masked Wife

Alessandra started the fire herself and forced Edgar to sit right in front of it with her while she inspected him for wounds. She trusted Edgar but at the same time, she knew he would hide any wounds he got to not worry her. Her mind would be more at rest if any wounds, even the smallest ones, were taken care of right away.

"As much as I would love for you to strip me and search every inch of me, I am not hurt, Alessandra. We outnumbered Grant and with his son not on his side, there wasn't a need for me to fight. It was more of Grant versus his son while Tobias and I waited for anyone to try attacking. My hand is a bit sore from holding my sword," Edgar placed his hand in her lap.

He could not pass up the opportunity to have her massage her hands even though there were not hurting.

Alessandra read between the lines and knew he wanted her to massage his hand. Any other day she might push his hand away but not today. She looked at his hand first and saw that it was red or maybe it was always this reddish color but she was overthinking it. Still, she gently massaged his hand to help ease any pain he might have.

"I will have something warm brought for you to eat when I am done. You haven't eaten since morning and your birthday dinner was ruined. I don't know how to go about inviting everyone back to continue where we left off. Your grandmother is aware that your mother isn't here. I didn't know," Alessandra said, starting to go through what he had missed.

"I had a conversation with her yesterday when you went to sleep. She was the most honest I have seen in years and we agreed to not be concerned with each other's lives. I have not forgiven what happened with Alfred and Timothy whether she ordered it or not but we may be in a better place right now. There might be a family drama going forward so we will not entertain my relatives besides Dominic," Edgar said, somewhat surprised it had not blown up yet.

Unless his mother decided against divorcing his father which would be a foolish decision. They could no longer say they were staying together for their only child. He liked to think Rose was not aware of the separation yet.

Alessandra was trying to keep up with her own problems and didn't want to be involved with what else was going on. Still, she was curious about what he meant. "What drama?"

"I suggested she divorce my father."

Alessandra paused massaging his hands as the thought of Priscilla and Edmund divorcing was the last thing she expected. They were idolized by many young women both married and looking to marry. Their divorce would be the talk of the town as everyone would question what went wrong. With that in mind, Alessandra couldn't picture a socialite like Priscilla ruining her image.

"I don't see eye to eye with her when it comes to many things but I never liked how she was treated in her marriage. Even though my father loved someone else but was forced into a marriage with my mother, she didn't deserve all that she put up with. My father didn't hide that woman well and I even learned of her easily.  She shouldn't hold on to what doesn't make her happy.  I thought the same as a boy and though we are at odds now, I still think she should let go of him," Edgar said.

"Is that why you dislike your father? He is loved by everyone," Alessandra said, understanding more of why Edgar didn't care to be around his father. Anyone looking in from the outside would think Edgar would want to be more like his father who did good things for the kingdom and would want to be close to his father to learn his ways.

Edgar equally kept both his parents away but for different reasons.

"Of course he is. To the kingdom, he is a man who will stick his neck out to save anyone but at home, he was a man who didn't put his wife and son before his job or the woman he once loved. I know what he is really like and my mother cannot be the only one painted as a villain. She was given a hard time while my father suffered nothing from his affair. He spent the last years covering up her evil deeds because he feels guilty," Edgar explained.

"Do you think there is a possibility you would mend the relationship you have with your mother in the future?" Maybe it was because of being a woman or having to deal with Rose pressuring her over something as small as furniture that Alessandra started to sympathize with Priscilla. There was no way they could become close when Priscilla does not approve of her but she at least understood Priscilla a bit more.

"It depends on how far in the future you are speaking about. If we speak of tomorrow I will definitely say no but I am not certain of five or ten years from now. It is not me who has to fix our ruined relationship but her as there are many times she must let go of. Do not let my grandmother drag you in the middle of what is to come. In fact, I still need to have a word with her. I have news that will make you feel better. William is dead," Edgar finally revealed what he had been waiting to tell her.

"W-What?" Alessandra stuttered, completely caught off guard by the sweet revelation. Grant was a small enemy to her as Hazel was more of his target but William was much more. She despised the man and the infatuation he created surrounding her. "How did he die? Was he there trying to help Grant?"

Alessandra couldn't place how William was killed when they were going after Grant. It was almost surreal that she would no longer need to be on guard when it came to William.

"I killed him in his home but that is all I can say for now. The less you know the better because the town guards will be coming to my doors at some point. You already know how a certain one of them is towards me. When he questions you, you will state the truth that all you know is your husband killed him," Edgar instructed her so Oliver couldn't try wrapping her into this somehow.

His reasoning for killing William involved Alessandra but he was not going to let the details of William wanting Alessandra to become known. She didn't need any more gossip or foul rumors circulating in town. Edgar already planned to say William was killed for helping Grant.

"I am always indebted to you. I would not be rid of him if not for you. Thank you," Alessandra replied, her shoulders feeling light and her heart full of relief. One less enemy to be concerned about.

"It is not a debt when I am protecting my wife but since you are grateful, my arms would also love a massage."