The Duke's Masked Wife

"Duchess, you are free to leave if you still want to. We've heard enough from you at the moment and if there is something else we want to hear, we will send for you again. The matter with your inheritance has been settled since your stepmother paid you back. However, we need to look into any abuse you endured before you married the Duke. All of you will need to come to the court again," Mark said.

Unlike this meeting which already had the decision made before the family showed up, they would be joined by other men of the court who would all decide the punishments for anyone who might have hurt Alessandra. They were still receiving information from servants who once worked for Desmond first before they would question the ones still working there now.

Mark also wanted to have as much information on Katrina as he could by that time which was why he was pushing back this second case. He didn't want her to sit before them, cry and lie about her past. Something about Katrina really bugged him and if his gut was right, he would take her down in one day.

Mark hoped Alessandra wouldn't mind being patient with her justice. It was not something you could easily request from the victim.

"We will be going through the divorce and the will after a small break for us to gather all the papers. Duchess, do you wish to be present for your father's will?" Mark asked though he would bet his arm Alessandra did not care to stay here. He still needed to ask before she left.

"If there was something left behind for me, please send it to my home. I don't want to stay here any longer," Alessandra stood up as remaining in a room with people like Katrina and Kate would only ruin the peace in her life.

Alessandra had not forgotten how they made her life hell but today, she was satisfied with what happened to her father. One was down and only two more left to go.

It was even more satisfying that she had nothing to do with her father losing his title. She did not have to ruin her days by plotting revenge on her father, Katrina, or Kate. Alessandra couldn't wait to see how Katrina and Kate's downfall would come about.

"I will escort the three of you out," Mark said as he wanted to speak with Edgar. Edgar was always in some sort of trouble and though Edgar always had a good reason for killing someone or a good story to prove his innocence, it was only a matter of time before Edgar tripped up and found himself punished.

Edgar's only saving grace was the fact he was weeding out the bad men and women in the kingdom who had allies in the court to help them get away with their crimes. Still, Mark wasn't a fan of Edgar and his smug attitude but he knew Edgar did not like him either.

"I've got my eye on you," Mark warned Edgar. They walked behind Alessandra and Wilma who were laughing about something.

"How else would you see me?" Edgar replied, not the slightest bit worried about Mark. "You can just admit that you like me, Mark. I make your job easier. You've been trying to get William for years and now he is gone."

"Are you fishing for a thank you?" Mark asked, already knowing how Edgar liked to be complimented. The man thought highly of himself. Though Mark hated people who compliment themselves a lot, Edgar was more tolerable than other noblemen he met.

"No. I have never asked anyone to thank me. I would like for all of you to just let me be a Duke and stop calling on me to do the court's work. There is something I would like to ask but there is a pest eavesdropping," Edgar said, looking over his shoulder at Clark who thought he was light on his feet.

"Why are you leaving? Shouldn't you stay to see if your brother left something for you?" Mark asked. Clark was fishing around for something of value to grab onto and he potentially could gain something from his brother's will. He thought Clark would have been impatient and not leave.

"Oh, I am not leaving. I am just going to have a word with my niece. Easy," Clark stepped back from Edgar. "I am not going to ask her for money unless you are willing to give me some," he took the chance to beg. "I just want to have a simple conversation with her. Uncle to niece. I could have kept my mouth shut back there or lied to side with my mother. You should be thanking me."

"I didn't care whether or not you spoke. Do not ask her for money or say anything stupid," Edgar replied, allowing Clark to have one final conversation with Alessandra. He will be running from his mother and Katrina after today.

"Good," Clark rubbed his hands. "That didn't mean anything," he added as his action could have been mistaken as him looking forward to money. "I should talk to her quickly," he picked up his pace to reach Alessandra before she could get inside her carriage.

"Alessandra."

Alessandra thought for a second she had misheard, not her name being called but whose voice it was. "Yes?" She replied a little apprehensive to speak with her uncle. She assumed he wanted something for speaking up.

Wilma let go of Alessandra's hand and said, "I will get in the carriage first."

"You don't have to be so on guard with me. I won't do anything when that wild animal you call husband is near. I thought that we needed to have a conversation before we never run into each other again. I'll be honest, if I was offered money from my mother, I would have protected my brother and Katrina. It's just hard to get over how much my mother wants me dead. You might hear about me found dead somewhere," Clark chuckled but he was serious. He rather laugh than worry about it.

He picked a fight with his mother and Katrina today. Both would be aiming for his heart once this was all settled. However, he would attack first. He had not given up that there was much more owed to him.

"How heartless," Clark placed his hands in his pants pockets. "You didn't jump to offer protection. You must really hate me but I won't feel offended. I don't really care for anyone in this family. I just look out for myself."

Alessandra found Clark to be somewhat pleasant to talk to when he didn't want something. "I don't hate you, uncle. I just don't care for you. If you want to do one thing as my uncle, please tell me what happened to my mother."