The Duke's Masked Wife

One week felt like one year for two sisters in Lockwood. One sister eagerly looked forward to her wedding day while the other sister nervously awaited her mother's return.

Alessandra looked out the window of her carriage to take her mind off the endless questions she wanted to ask her mother. It was still hard to believe that after all these years she was finally seeing her mother again. She had to pinch her hands a few times to believe that this was all real and she was not dreaming this.

Edgar joined Alessandra on the trip for support though he wouldn't be in the room with her.  For their reunion, Alessandra wanted to be alone with her mother so no one could interrupt their conversation. It was the only request she gave to Mark. Alessandra was not told of any request Melanie wanted.

"It will be fine," Edgar touched Alessandra's hand. "It better be," he muttered. He was hoping for a civil meeting to not stress out Alessandra more than she already was. He had himself to blame for being the one to find her mother.

"I know. I am just thinking of how long I have waited for this moment and now it is finally here. My mind is restless. I have so much to think about. I am not getting my hopes up that I will suddenly have a good relationship with my mother today, but I will hope for the best. If she does not have a good reason for staying away all these years, prepare to leave the court quickly," Alessandra replied.

"You've been forcing me to speak with my mother these days so I am afraid I will not leave until you've said everything you need to. Get all your answers today so you can have peace and move on. I'll treat you with anything you want after this. Anything at all," Edgar smiled, suggesting more than what the regular innocent person was thinking.

Reed rolled his eyes at the couple who seemed to forget they were not the only ones in the carriage.

Caleb leaned over to his brother and whispered, "I told you that we should have sat out front."

Reed scrunched up his nose when Caleb got too close. "What the hell did you eat?"

"Fish," Caleb happily smiled. "I snagged some from the kitchen. There might have been a few onions on the fish. Can you tell?" He blew air in Reed's direction.

Reed pushed Caleb's face in the other direction. "You know mother said never to do that. It is rude and I will tell her."

"Must you always run to our mother? I know you've been sending her information about Sally and me, you bastard," Caleb said, fighting to remove Reed's hands from touching his face. "Remove your hands. I don't know where they've been."

"Then stop blowing your breath all around the carriage. None of the windows are open," Reed replied.

Alessandra bit her lip to not laugh at the two. Unintentionally, they were able to take her mind off of her mother.

Edgar, on the other hand, felt his patience with the two running out. He kicked under the seat where they sat and said, "You two, shut the hell up before I permanently shut you up."

Caleb pointed at Reed. "He started it."

"Stop talking," Edgar sighed. He couldn't take much of the fish smell either. "Why do I let the two of you work for me? I'm going to change you from being her guard when our children are born."

Reed didn't want to hear this conversation again. "I told you we are fit-"

"It is not about either of you being fit. It is the fact I don't want your stupidity to rub off on my child. I should fire you all together," Edgar said, seeing that as a more effective way.

Alessandra nudged Edgar to stop him from firing the twins. "Stop it, Edgar. I happen to like the relationship they have and most of the time, I envy how close they are. It must be nice to work with your brother."

"It is not," Reed and Caleb replied in unison.

Alessandra didn't believe they did not enjoy each other's company. She looked out the window at the court in view. "Thankfully, we have arrived so no one will be getting hurt, or fired.  Be nice to each other while Edgar and I are inside."

'Why are we not going to go inside with you?" Caleb asked.

"I don't want to scare my mother by arriving with two big guards behind me and then there is Edgar. I only need one scary person with me. Thank you," Alessandra thanked the driver after he opened the door for her.

"You're going to have to get the fuck out with that breath," Reed muttered after Edgar exited the carriage.

"I didn't think I would have a reason to visit the court so soon," Alessandra said as she walked to the court with Edgar by her side.

"Be careful," Edgar guided her away from rocks on the ground.

"Yes yes. I will," Alessandra said in a playful tone. She had gotten used to Edgar's new protective level. She had to by now since there were long months ahead.  "Do you think she is here already? We might be a little bit early."

"I don't know," Edgar replied.

"You're a killjoy, Edgar. Mark is waiting for us. Good afternoon," Alessandra greeted the man who has been quite helpful in her life recently.

"Good morning, Duchess. Collins," Mark greeted Edgar without looking at him.

"Bastard," Edgar greeted Mark.

"Your mother and her family are already here. I have a room assigned for you to have a conversation first and then I will join you. I will take you there. Will this be joining you for the entire meeting?" Mark lazily pointed at Edgar.

"You woke up and forgot your manners, Mark. You are speaking to a Duke. You need to be respectful," Edgar said and then bit his tongue to hold back what was on his mind.

"Forgive me," Mark dramatically bowed to Edgar as he would do in front of the King. "I've been thinking of you as a family member lately so I got too comfortable speaking with you. This way, Duchess."

"I don't even want to know what the issue is between the two of you," Alessandra sighed. Her nerves went back up as they neared a room her mother was waiting for her. As they got closer, Alessandra heard more than one person speaking on the inside.

Mark was the one to open the door and walk in first to announce her arrival. "The Duchess is here."

"I will wait out here," Edgar released her hand.

"Okay," Alessandra replied and followed behind Mark to finally meet her mother. Alessandra was confused the moment she entered the room.

Inside the room, was an older woman who was no doubt her mother because of their similar features. Alessandra was confused by the presence of two younger ladies who had to be her sisters. As much as she would like to meet her sisters who she had no issue with, Alessandra wanted to speak with her mother alone. Unless they were going to a different room while her sisters remained here?