The Duke's Masked Wife

Alessandra felt bad for Melody being the one to push Melanie to say something more. It was more proof that her mother truly did not care as much as she wanted Alessandra to believe. Alessandra was not going to stay even though Melody was pleading with her eyes.

"No more finding missing relatives," Edgar said when they exited the room with Alfred and Sally right behind them.

Melanie had completely wasted her second chance to act like a mother.

"I don't have any more missing relatives. Do you?" Alessandra asked as it would have to be someone on Edgar's side they needed to find. His father was currently missing.

"No," Edgar replied. "Unfortunately."

"Of course, you would want some of your relatives to go missing so you do not have to speak or see them," Alessandra said as she knew her husband well.

"You should have tortured her. You are letting her off the hook too easily. I would have let guilt eat her alive. I'm annoyed by how she dismisses your life with your father. I am like Desmond? What a joke," Edgar scoffed. He was nothing like Desmond other than the fact they both had a title. His title was far out of reach for someone like Desmond.

"That was wrong of her to say. I would be somewhere standing around like a doll in William's home if not for you. She never thanked you for saving me. Unless she did when the two of you spoke at the court," Alessandra said, hoping Melanie did.

A recollection of what happened up to the point she married Edgar was sent to her mother so Melanie had some knowledge of what Alessandra's life was like. The court didn't know much, but Edgar having to kill her father should have made Melanie curious for more details about that night straight from Alessandra's mouth.

Alessandra shook her head to rid herself of any thoughts about her mother. "We should do something together now you are free. I don't recall us walking around the town together."

"Melody!" The sound of Claire calling after her sister interrupted the moment. "I like the dramatic exit, but how are we going to get home without mother?"

"Is something wrong?" Alessandra asked Claire.

Claire sighed as today was turning out to be nothing but a headache. "Melody told mother we needed time away from her, but Melody forgot mother paid for our ride here and she was going to pay for our ride back. We have money," she showed her purse. "But we were to buy a gift for grandfather today. We are supposed to leave Lockwood once father arrives so we can all meet our grandparents."

"We can simply return tomorrow to buy a gift," Melody said with folded arms.

Alessandra looked at Edgar who looked at Alfred to offer the two young women money to get back to wherever they were staying.

"I am going to take them home," Melanie said, not needing her children to be given money.

"Please leave us," Melody said to Alessandra. She wanted to speak to her mother without Alessandra present. She could see more of why her father was so angry.  Where was their warm and happy mother? The one who was always smiling wherever she went? Where was the mother who loved her children so dearly?

Melody was told the story of her mother being in an unhappy marriage and Lockwood bringing back unhappy memories, but what did that have to do with Alessandra? Why was their mother messing up getting to know their sister as if she wasn't the villain in all of this by keeping Alessandra a secret?

"I will see you soon," Alessandra bid goodbye to Melody and Claire. They had their hands full with their mother.

"Why do we get to throw away your mother, but my mother is in our home more than I would like?" Egar asked, not seeing why he had to be tortured.

"Because it is clear Priscilla is trying to make up for her mistakes though she doesn't like to admit it. She's been nice to me and I don't mind if it is because of her grandchild. She's been sending me letters to offer advice and I once caught her speaking with Alfred. Are you upset that Priscilla is in our home?" Alessandra looked behind her and Edgar to ask Alfred.

If at any point Alfred felt uncomfortable with Priscilla's visits, she would make them stop.

"Don't ask him that," Edgar muttered. Alfred was mister peacemaker.

"Not at all," Alfred replied. "She has been helpful with getting all that I requested from Edgar's youth. I have wanted the two of them to get along."

"So you will ignore the fact she almost got you killed and Timothy died. Wonderful," said Edgar.

"I like spending time with Priscilla because I get to see how similar the two of you are and neither wants to admit it. It is also funny to see you protecting her from being courted by men like Mark. It is cute."

"It is not. Do not run away from me," Edgar released Alessandra's hand and quickly followed Peter who looked shocked as their eyes met. "I have been meaning to speak with you, Peter."

"I had a feeling the devil was near," Peter mumbled, wanting to drop the box of donations and make a run for it. Nothing good came from a meeting with Edgar. "Just kill me and get it over with already. Stop popping up in my life like this. Hello again, Duchess. Why are you still married?"

Alessandra was happy to see Peter again. It had been a long time since she visited the church and saw Peter who feared Edgar. "I am happily married, Peter. It is good to see you again. Are those children's books?" She asked, looking into the box he carried.

"And clothes. The church received a big donation for children so the priests are going around handing out a few things to those who need them. I should have passed up on this today. I had a bad feeling but ignored it," Peter said, side-eyeing Edgar who was the reason behind the bad feeling.

"I am a saint," Edgar said.

"Saint my- Nevermind. I have had enough of you nobles. Oh!" Peter remembered something. "I didn't think the two of you were in town since I didn't see you at your sister's wedding, Duchess. I was the one to wed her to Marquess Simon."

"I am not close to my sister," Alessandra answered. This was the first time she was hearing about Kate's wedding. Kate now officially had everything she wanted so hopefully she was happy.

"I can see why. The two of you are like fire and ice. Nothing alike and that husband scared the hell out of me. More than Edgar ever has. I didn't think he had it in him," Peter touched his chest as the fright came back.

Edgar was surprised to hear Simon had scared someone. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"He looked into my eyes and for a moment, I thought he wanted to kill me. I got a cold sweat all over my body. You know I lived a colorful life before becoming a priest. I met all sorts of dangerous people so I know when someone is bad. He wasn't even paying attention in the middle of the wedding. Your sister better watch out that he is not one of those secret evil bastards who act differently at home. Lucky for you, you don't have to guess if Edgar is evil," Peter said, once again pitying Alessandra.

Edgar found it odd Peter thought Simon looked like he wanted to kill him. When you heard about Simon, it was always that he was a loving man who liked peace. He was not involved in any big scandals and stayed out of trouble. However, there was a scratch on Simon's hand that Edgar was still concerned about. He was looking into the slightest details about the men he came across after learning one of the girls had scratched the person behind all of this.

After months of not finding the culprit, Edgar was following the smallest lead even if it pointed him to nowhere.

"I will pay Simon a visit since you are so concerned," Edgar said.

Peter's mouth fell open from the shock of Edgar going so far as to confirm his thoughts about Simon. "You do have a heart," he said.

Alessandra, on the other hand, could not believe Edgar was going to visit Simon because of what Peter said. If there was a bad side to Simon, others should know about it, but she didn't think he would want to be anywhere near Kate.

To visit Simon meant he had to see Kate. There was also the fact it didn't seem like Edgar and Simon were friends for Edgar to just be one day dropping by. Alessandra had no plans of joining Edgar on this trip.

"Duchess!" Eleanor's voice was heard to the right of the group. She was pleasantly surprised to see Alessandra out and about in town today. When she heard of Alessandra's pregnancy in a specially delivered message, she thought she would be seeing less of Alessandra. "It seems the whole family has come out today," she said, looking at the number of people behind Alessandra and Edgar.

"Excuse me," Alessandra said to Edgar so she could speak to Eleanor. It had been a while since they talked face to face.