The Duke's Masked Wife

"Why are you still here? There is nothing for you," Katrina said, looking to her right where Clark sat with his feet on the table. He continued to show why he didn't belong in places like this. Clark was more of a fool than she thought if he truly believed Desmond left something behind for him.

Desmond might have made promises to Clark when they were alone but Katrina recalled how Desmond would always say he wouldn't waste his time leaving his valuables with Clark. Anyone would be a fool to have Clark in their will.

"Mister court man," Clark said, referring to Mark as he had forgotten the name. "Please tell her that I can be present."

"Get your feet off my table," Mark said in a low tone as he stared at the man he suddenly felt the urge to throw something at. "In case you have forgotten, this is the court."

"My apologies," Clark replied, removing his feet from the table. He didn't see why everyone was being so snappy when it was such a lovely day. "I forgot where I was for a moment but I can stay right?"

"Unfortunately, you can," Zachary answered, just as annoyed as Mark was. He needed a drink tonight after dealing with this one family alone.

"Please try to be civil this time," Mark said as he removed the string wrapped around the paper that was Desmond's will. He could not take the yelling and interruptions at the moment. He could hear the faint yells coming from the room they placed Greta in. "Desmond Barrett changed his will five years ago."

Katrina narrowed her eyes at this news. As far as she was concerned, Desmond's will had only changed one year after they had gotten married. She was starting to worry that Clark might have been right about Desmond leaving something behind for him since Desmond was so secretive to do this behind her back. Desmond was the type to screw all of them over at the last second.

"The small land he owns where your home resides will be put in Kate's name," Mark read.

Kate mockingly smiled at Clark as she was the first person to receive something. Of course, her father would make sure she was taken care of. She was never worried like everyone else.

"The house will be given to Katrina. This makes no sense," Mark muttered. In his opinion, Desmond should have left the land and the house to the same person. This would cause one big headache in the future if mother and daughter clashed.

Kate didn't see it as an issue. Once she got married, she would give the land to her mother as there was no need for her to have it when she would have a wealthy husband at hand.

"All of Desmond's personal belongings such as clothes, jewelry, paintings, and carriages will be given to Kate. His wealth will be divided equally between Katrina and Kate Barrett. For his daughter, Alessandra, a small land in Willow town will belong to her. That is all, your husband had no more assets after his debt," Mark concluded.

There wasn't much Desmond left behind other than the house, the land it was on, and then a very small piece of land which a Duchess would not bat an eye at. Desmond's wealth wasn't something to split considering he had debt. The only person who benefitted the most from this was Kate.

Clark wondered if this land in Willow town was the one that their family owned but to his knowledge, it was not yet divided amongst the family. 'Why am I surprised Desmond was already given his share?' He thought.

They weren't allowed to sell the land as the plan was for their families to build up homes there to be like a small town full of Barretts. If they could, Desmond would have sold what he meant to leave for Alessandra to help get himself out of debt.

"Wonderful," Clark clapped his hands after learning Desmond had lied to him for several years. Of course, Desmond just liked to talk and didn't leave something for him.

"Why are you clapping? There was nothing left for you," Kate said, entertained by her delusional uncle. She wasn't pleased to hear Alessandra had gotten something from the will but she knew their father would not give Alessandra the larger land so she wasn't going to waste her time getting upset. It was better to mock Clark.

"That's why I am clapping. My brother was such an excellent liar that even I forget how good he is. Don't hold back your smile," Clark said, looking at Katrina who was acting like this didn't make her happy. "At least he cared for his wife and children. He did not leave something for our mother. I am sure she won't be pleased and that's enough for me."

"I have no reason to be here," Clark started to stand up. He had no plans to rub in the fact Alessandra would hand over her land to him. He wanted to wait and see how large the land was before making a fool out of himself. It was surprising that Desmond remembered to leave something for her.

"Actually, I need to speak with you," Mark stopped Clark before he could leave. There was a lot about Katrina that he could learn from Clark. To make sure nothing would happen to Clark, Mark planned to keep him in the court. "We will start the process of changing the titles to your names but it will take around two days for it to be sent to you. You might not have gotten what you were expecting from this will but it was better than nothing."

Katrina wasn't upset about the will like anyone would think. Her goal was always to have the house in her name so Greta could stop threatening her about it and Kate having land in her name was a win for the both of them. She didn't need wealth when she had her own from the money she saved up over the years but the house was something she could not give up.

It was amusing to watch Clark be left with nothing. It was a waste of time and valuables to leave something in his name. It wouldn't be long before Clark spent all of his money and came begging for more.

"Better than nothing?" Clark scoffed. How quickly they forgot he was left with nothing. "I will assume those were positive words for his daughter and former wife. I am going to miss calling you sister-in-law. I am going to miss the way it would tick you off. You deserve that house for all the years you played the role of a loving wife."

"Would you like money to be able to take a carriage back home?" Katrina offered, taking her bag from her lap to open it. "I am feeling generous right now. Oh wait, with your mother angry with you, do you still have a home?"

Clark licked his lips and placed his hands on his hips. How dare she make a fool of him when there was nothing to her name other than the things his brother gave her? It was certainly a good world for women who could use their bodies to plant themselves in wealth. "I don't need your money. I am not that desperate," he replied.

"Really," Katrina smugly said as she stood up. "I hope you continue to not be desperate and don't come yelling at my gates. I won't be accepting you or your mother. We're done here right?" She smiled at Mark.

"For now," Mark replied.

"Come along Kate," Katrina said, quickly leaving the room as she had better things to do. Kate was right behind her mother out the door.

"I really hate that woman," Clark scowled. "What the hell do you want from me?"

"Help us find out who Katrina really is and we will reward you."