The Duke's Masked Wife

"This is where I go to get all of my shoes."

"I don't need any more shoes for a while, Erin. Edgar bought me a lot of them and I have not worn more than four pairs of them so far. I'm not looking for dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry, or hats. I have a room full of them and I won't be able to bear the sight of more being added. Thank you," Alessandra accepted Caleb's help out of the carriage.

"What are we here for?" Erin asked. A girl's day out normally involved shopping for those things.

"There must be something else we can look at that does not involve clothing. Even though he was not given a limit, I do not want to waste Edgar's money," said Alessandra.

Erin placed her hand on Alessandra's shoulder and said, "You're money. What's his now belongs to you and judging from the way he has been spoiling you, he seems to think the same. You are such a pure soul for someone who lives in Lockwood."

"I came into our marriage with nothing to offer Edgar. I don't feel good when I think of spending his money. It's-Ah! Erin, how many times do you plan to hug me?" Alessandra asked while looking at the confused stares of people passing by.

"I can't help it. You're just a breath of fresh air and so innocent. You have a heart of gold and the Duke should treasure you before someone snatches you away. Fine, we're not going to buy anything that you already have but there is one thing we can buy that you and the Duke will both enjoy. Look," Erin turned Alessandra's head to face the first shop they were going in.

A look of horror flashed across Alessandra's face. "No," she blushed.

"Oh yes. You should remember how excited he was when I mentioned sexy nightwear. Surprise the man a little bit. Give him a heart attack or something. Easy there, tiger. I didn't mean it literally," Erin added as Caleb didn't look as if he liked that idea. "Why are you acting like a virgin, Duchess? I refuse to believe you have such a fine husband and have not jumped on him."

"The Duchess is far from being like you, Erin. If you do not want to go inside, we do not have to," Sally told Alessandra. It was perfectly normal for housewives to visit these kinds of shops to search for something to keep their marriages spicy but Alessandra looked as if she could pass out at any given moment.

"At least come with me since I need some for you know what," Erin whispered.

Alessandra looked at the nightwear on display for potential customers then back at Erin. "It would be unfair to only do things I am comfortable with. It wouldn't hurt to go inside and look around."

Erin practically jumped up and down. She had a devious plan in mind to show the Duke that she was on his side and they could form an alliance. "Let's go. We can hopefully find something to improve Sally's love life too."

"Hey," Sally whined. "Do you think I'll walk around with only one of those on to get someone to notice me? That's not the way I want to attract a man into my life."

"Sure sure. We should use your husband's name to get them to close off the store for just us," Erin suggested to Alessandra. It was always fun to watch an entire shop to yourself and watch the people on the outside fuming with jealousy.

"That is not needed," Alessandra rejected the suggestion. She did not want to prohibit anyone from carrying out their business just because she was present in the shop.

"Welcome to…" The shop owner's voice died down when she saw Alessandra's mask. "I might be wrong but are you the new Duchess? Edgar Collins's wife?"

"Yes. My name is Alessandra Collins," Alessandra said then waited for whether the woman would turn them away or let them stay. Erin was already outcasted because of her and she did not want anyone else to share the same fate.

However, Alessandra got a reaction she had not anticipated.

"Welcome to my shop. It's a pleasure to have the Duchess interested in my nightwear. My name is Olivia Monroe and I am the owner," Olivia grabbed Alessandra's hand and practically shook the life out of it. "What kind of nightwear are you looking for?"

"Something to make a man get on his knees and follow every command his woman gives him," Erin ordered instead of Alessandra.

"One moment. I will pick out the best ones for your request," Olivia excused herself.

"Not everyone in Lockwood listens to stupid rumors and even if they do, they care more about getting wealthy customers. Not everyone can refuse Edgar's wife unless they are prepared to deal with his wrath. That is why my mother sent me instead of not going altogether," Erin explained so that Alessandra could relax her stiff shoulders.

Sally also decided to say something to help calm Alessandra's nerves. "As the Baron's daughter, people could treat you however they wanted because your family did not have your back and your father's repuation fell over the years. It is much different for you as Edgar's wife. Even if someone dislikes you, they must show you respect to not be on the Duke's hit list. That means they'll attack people around you in order to indirectly hurt you."

"That's why I've been made an outcast," Erin added to what Sally said. "My mother is famous for dressmaking but she rarely has my back so other young women find it easy to attack me. Little do they know that I have a wild right hook."

Caleb bit his lip to refrain from laughing. The young ladies' conversation distracted him enough to make him forget he was in a shop filled with nightwear.

'So I need to be stronger not only for myself but to prevent those around me from being targeted,' Alessandra thought. 'What happened with Erin won't happen again. To her or anyone else.'

"My my my. We have the pleasure of being in the presence of the Duchess, Lila. Should we quickly apologize for the things we did in the past?"

Alessandra internally rolled her eyes when she heard the voice of one of Kate's friends.

"Its a group of outcasts," Grace chuckled, amused by the people Alessandra had around her.

"Why on earth are you in a store like this, Grace? It's targeted towards married women and last time I checked, you were on your third failed engagement. Thought I didn't know about it?" Erin grinned ans found satisfaction in Grace's frown. "You bettet not be the one who started me being blacklisted."

"Calm down your guard dog Alessandra," Lila said from behind Grace. She was terrified of Erin but Grace wasn't. If Erin got too close Lila would push Grace to handle her.

"Really? When Kate tells you two to jump you say how high and you're calling someone a guard dog? You're not in the position to refer to me by my first name. Its Duchess now," Alessandra stated. "Address me correctly."