The Duke's Masked Wife

"Are you alright, Eleanor?" Alessandra asked when Eleanor joined the group, but she was acting odd. Eleanor seemed flustered and lost in thought about something as she sat down beside her and Heather. "Did something happen in the bathroom? Did you fight with Reed?"

"No," Eleanor quickly denied Alessandra's accusation. She placed her hand on her forehead as she thought she heard Alessandra ask if she kissed Reed. "I'm going to be quick with this because I am sure the Duke won't care to keep it a secret. I kissed Reed in the-"

Heather spat out her drink and covered her mouth as it gained her some attention. Her mother would pass out if she were to have witnessed this. "I'm sorry," she apologized.

"I would have done the same thing if there was something in my mouth. How did you end up kissing Reed and how would Edgar know about this? You weren't gone long enough for all of this to happen. What happened to you and Reed bickering with each other?" Alessandra asked as she failed to see how Reed and Eleanor went from picking at each other to kissing.

Eleanor was just as confused as to how she kissed someone she wanted to hit over the head earlier. "It started off with us arguing because I needed someone's help to untie my dress a little bit so I could lift it. I told him to find a woman, but he argued he could do it. That he wasn't going to take a peep. He ended up helping me and when we were walking back, he asked why I didn't come with an escort."

"I thought he was being funny and insulting me, so I insulted him first. Then he mentioned me looking pretty. One thing led to another, and we were kissing but it didn't last long because your husband was there. I think he was looking for you. I don't want to make a big deal out of this," said Heather.

"Just for my curiosity, if there is some sort of attraction between the two, would you consider being with Reed?" Alessandra asked. The twins were doing a good job at getting too comfortable with the women around her. First Sally and now Eleanor.

"I don't know. I am not interested in being in a relationship and if I was, it would certainly not be Reed," Eleanor replied. She knew he had no interest in her and only took the chance to kiss her to toy with her.

"But you kissed him," Heather said. "I wouldn't kiss a man I had no interest in. Why not see where it goes from tonight?"

"It was something that happened at the moment and when we awkwardly meet soon, there will be no interest from either side. Can we talk about something else? Like why your sister is glaring at you?" Eleanor asked, staring right back at Kate.

"Alessandra kind of silenced Kate when you were not here. From all the laughter in the room, it seems to be a big deal," Heather answered, glancing at Kate who stood with folded arms watching Alessandra. It had started to become creepy how Kate looked at Alessandra endlessly.  For an engaged woman, Kate did not seem so happy.

"I did?!" Eleanor exclaimed, disappointed she missed a big show. "How did you do it? Did she cry?"

"Ladies," Hazel greeted the three women who abandoned her. "Thanks for leaving me alone with all these women while you sit and have a good chat. I can't handle any more of this. We will return to the ball even if the men aren't ready. Please stand on both sides of me to fend them off," she softly spoke so the young behind her would not get offended.

She didn't need their parents approaching her. If she heard one more comment about Grant and someone touching her stomach for no reason, she was going to lose her mind. Talking about Grant was something Hazel could understand as it was big news but there was no reason to touch her stomach as if a baby was there.

"We will protect you, your highness," Eleanor teased, standing up to rescue Hazel. If she was Queen, Eleanor would have blocked her ears by now to stop listening to the force compliments from young women who only wanted to be closer to royalty.

Kate couldn't stand another second watching Alessandra enjoy the life she wanted. A wealthy husband and a close relationship with the Queen. Simon had money but she hadn't once heard of him having close connections to the King like Edgar did. Kate disliked the side of Edgar she saw after he married Alessandra but there was still a bit of desire to be his wife.

Kate looked at her hand where the large ring decorated her finger. Nothing had changed since she announced she would be getting married to Simon. There was envy from other young women for a moment but what happened with Alessandra got everyone laughing at her.

"How long are you going to stand here and just look at her? Aren't you going to do some grand plan? This is boring," Grace muttered. Of course, Kate failed at embarrassing Alessandra. She got excited all for nothing. "If someone told me years ago that Alessandra would have put you in your place, I would have called them crazy. I'm starting to wonder if I befriended the wrong sister."

"What?" Kate looked to her right at Grace. Grace was sprouting nonsense daily and forgot whose friend she was.

"You've lost your touch, Kate. No one really cares for you anymore.  It's proving to be social suicide to be against your sister. She's not the same girl we used to have fun bullying. There's nothing you can do to embarrass her now so stop glaring at her and let us find something fun to do. We should see if Lila is here and show her your ring," Grace proposed. She wanted to see Lila's jealousy.

"You-"

"When are you going to realize that you are no match for her now? It's so boring to be around you these days. I would rather be with Lila and let her rub her engagement in my face. If you're not going to succeed in embarrassing your sister, just ignore her. It's already decided she's the better sister," Grace taunted Kate. She knew how the comparison to Alessandra drove Kate crazy. "Going after her really shows your jealousy."

"You need to find a new friend," Kate said then stormed out of the room. Grace was lying to get her riled up. Alessandra was not the better sister. "Where the hell is he?" Kate muttered, referring to the man she hired. She didn't care if he would try doing the job here in front of all the women. Kate wouldn't mind if he took a chance at Grace.