The Duke's Masked Wife

"Mother, I am going to fix my hair before Simon arrives. I think it would look better in a ponytail to show off my neck. I want to appear my best tonight," Kate said, twirling around in front of a mirror to check if all that she wore was perfect.

"That is a far better choice," Katrina spoke, standing behind Kate to make sure she was perfect for tonight.

Simon had sent a notice that he would love to join them for dinner which prompted the two to plan the perfect dinner. Before the court could start trying to take away her title, Katrina wanted Kate to grab onto Simon's. Her marriage to Simon would be their saving grace.

Kate was having more progress with Simon than she did with Edgar or any other gentleman. Katrina knew a proposal could not be far away after this dinner.

"I need this to be perfect, mother. Of all the times the cook had to quit, why now?" Kate pouted, her shoulders slumping from her dismay. Their previous cook was much better than the new one her mother hired.

Looking into the mirror, Katrina saw James standing not too far away from them. "It could not be helped that the cook received a better job elsewhere. The cook we have now is more suited for a man like Simon. Hurry up and get your hair changed into a ponytail, Kate. He will be here any second."

"Right. I wonder if he will have any news about what happened today with the King. No one seems to know at the moment. When I marry Simon, I will know so much more about what is going on in this town. I can hardly wait for the life he will give me," Kate smiled, looking forward to her future.

Katrina found happiness in watching her daughter be excited about the life ahead of her. She was close to giving Kate the one thing every young lady needed which was a suitable husband. When Kate left the room, she looked at James's reflection in the mirror. "This dinner must go well, James. Fire anyone who messes up. I applaud you for finding a new cook quickly. How is the old one doing?"

"He isn't saying much but he will get used to where he is soon," James replied without giving away what they had done to Mario. He was taken in the midst of an errand he had to run and a new cook was here to replace him. They were awaiting an opportunity to send a message about Alessandra without Edgar knowing.

"Do whatever you can to get him to tell us about his new job," said Katrina.

James looked off to the side to listen to something outside of the room. "Excuse me a moment Baroness," he said before leaving to see if he had heard a knock on the front door.

"Baroness," Katrina sighed as the thought of losing her title plagued her mind. She had gotten so used to it and now someone wished to snatch it away. If only she could see Desmond for even a second to slap him for not hiding his deeds better. Now she had to bear the shame of being stripped of a title while he was dead. "I should ask William to help me get out of this."

"Baroness," James returned to the room. "You have a guest at the door. He says he is an old friend."

"Friend?" Katrina turned to face James. She had no old friends to show up at her home. Anyone she dismissed as a friend over the years should not come to her now. It was odd for the person to be a man unless it was an old friend of Desmond who was late with his condolences. She wasn't in the mood for it but the gifts they brought were always welcomed. "What is his name?"

"Randall Crane. He said you will want to meet him. Baroness?" James narrowed his eyes and took a step toward her because of her pale complexion. "Are you alright?" He asked now wondering who this old friend was.

Katrina became rigid after hearing a name she had long tried to forget. They agreed to never meet again after she had given him what she promised and she had her new life as Baroness. Why was he here now when everyone was digging around, trying to learn about her past? Was he taking this chance to blackmail her?

Katrina felt a mixture of fear and anger. Randall was the source of many of her nightmares and a man she worked hard to get away from. His presence angered her because it brought back haunting memories and it could ruin everything she built if anyone were to learn how they knew each other.

Unfortunately, she could not just send him away because Randall was loyal to no one and he would spill her past to anyone willing to pay to find out about her. She had to know what prompted him to come to her now when he knew for years she was here. It could not be that he no longer had money. Randall always knew how to get hold of large sums of money. He was here for something else.

"I will have a word with him. Make sure that everything is going well for dinner," Katrina cleared her throat and tried to hide her nervousness. She needed him gone before Simon arrived.

"Baroness-"

"I gave you an order, James. Know your place and do not stand before me," Katrina snapped, her words and tone causing him to step back to the side to let her pass by. She did not care to hear about his concerns. He did not understand why she would have to see Randall.

Katrina quickly walked by James, ignoring the hurt expression he wore. It was his fault for getting attached to someone using him. It will be the end of him if he continues to care too much when she does not.

Katrina kept her held high as she walked to the door to meet with Randall. She was not in the same position as she was more than twenty years ago when he owned every inch of her. She was free now and would not let him ruin her life or the marriage Kate was looking forward to with Simon.

Katrina opened the door, ready to tell Randall they would meet another time to speak but to her surprise, Simon stood beside Randall.

"Goodnight Baroness," Simon greeted Katrina along with a bouquet of flowers he prepared. "I was having a conversation with your guest. He has good tales about his journey around the kingdom. Is he joining us for dinner?

Katrina opened her mouth to say no but Randall beat her to a response.

"Yes. My little Ida wouldn't send me away," Randall smiled, taking joy in seeing Katrina displeased by the name she hated. The name which her mother bestowed upon her reminded her of her low birth, not Katrina who was everything little Ida dreamed of. It was a shame such a pretty girl had such a boring name. "Am I coming in?"