The Duke's Masked Wife

One day later.

"The first party for the winter season. Do you think it will go smoothly?" Alessandra asked as she and Edgar walked up to the home they were invited to.

"Tobias will be attending with Hazel so anyone would have to be a fool to embarrass themselves in front of royalty. There might be a lot of nasty words said under one's breath and forced smiles but other than that, the party will end well. It is the same every year," Edgar replied.

He held Alessandra's hand to keep her close since Caleb was not there. Invitations to this party were strict and only the names of the people on the letter were allowed in. Guards were present to keep the guests safe but since they weren't his men, Edgar did not trust they would do a good job.

It could never hurt to have a dagger hidden away in his pants. Edgar wanted to sneak in his gun but since they weren't allowed to be used in the kingdom just yet, Alfred tussled with him to get the gun out of his hand. The old fox somehow won the fight and hid the gun somewhere.

"I see. If there is someone you are not fond of please point them out so I can avoid them. Let's use the number thing you do with Alfred. Ten will be the highest number for an annoying person I should avoid. Call the number before they reach us and I will help create an excuse for us to leave," said Alessandra.

Edgar smiled, amused by how Alessandra was taking part in his games and becoming more like him. He was glad to hear that just like him, she wanted to avoid anyone who would be a pain in the ass. "Okay," he replied.

"I will take pride in the two of us being the antisocial couple," Alessandra chuckled. She straightened herself once they reached the front door and Edgar gave a small chubby man their invitation.

"Presenting the Duke and Duchess, Edgar and Alessandra Collins!" He announced their arrival.

Alessandra leaned over to whisper, "Why was that more dramatic than at the palace? I feel this is a ball instead of a small private party."

"You'll find that people with money do useless things at their parties. Like the ice sculpture that is already melting," Edgar pointed to the giant ice in the middle of the room. Just because it was snowing didn't mean the ice they brought in from outside wouldn't start melting inside the heated room.

Alessandra cocked her head to the side trying to figure out what the ice was supposed to be shaped as. "The person who did the ice has the same skills in art as you do," she insulted the artist and Edgar.

"Was the jab at my wonderful art necessary? Art is not meant to be one way. There is a mystery to the art I make," Edgar defended his talent.

Alessandra could not argue with that since it was hard to tell what Edgar painted. It could be a flower or a rock. Who knows but Edgar himself? "My bad. You are a good artist," she lied.

"Hmm," Edgar did not believe her. All he needed was a little bit more practice and he would become a better artist between the two of them.

"It is such a wonderful home. Is that Linda?" Alessandra asked when they stopped in front of a large painting.

"Yes. Her grandfather is the host. Her family is spread throughout Tobias's army with great positions. That is why Tobias and I attend the party to keep a good relationship with them. Hazel and Linda have always been like sisters instead of friends. Linda's family cares for Hazel like their own so they are loyal to Tobias," Edgar explained why they were here.

"I see. I'm starting to put together that the woman the king would have liked for you to marry is Linda. It would have worked since Linda liked you at one point. Our marriage ruined his brilliant plan," said Alessandra.

"It wouldn't have worked because I never once liked Linda. She is not annoying like the others but I find her to be too quiet. Besides, her father and brothers are always ready to kill any man who is near her. She might never get married with how protective of her-"

"Duke Collins," an unfamiliar voice to Alessandra interrupted what Edgar was saying.

Alessandra looked behind them for the source and to her surprise, she saw Kate on the arm of a man she did not know. Edgar expressed many times how it was a private party so she did not expect to see Kate there.

The man's eyes moved from Edgar to Alessandra and for a moment, Alessandra found something unsettling about the way he looked at her.

"I seem to have startled your wife. My apologies. My name is Simon Farley," Simon held out his hand for Alessandra to shake.

"Two but the person beside him is a ten," Edgar said to Alessandra. Simon was walking around with the devil in the form of a young woman by his side. "Simon is a marquess."

"It is nice to meet you," Alessandra shook his hand. She paid no mind to the frown on Kate's face because she touched her date. Alessandra was not even curious about how Kate was able to meet this man. She only wanted her sister to disappear right now.

"Kate and I arrived a moment ago. When I saw her sister, Kate was excited to come over and introduce me. She's been telling me that it has been a long time since the two of you saw each other. Duke Collins, how about we chat while the sisters catch up?" Simon suggested since he wanted to speak with Edgar about something private.

"No," Edgar denied the request. Dogs would start to fly the day he left Alessandra with her sister.

"Duke Collins, I only wish to catch up with my older sister. I want to know how her new life is going. She did not visit our father's funeral so I am worried about her," Kate put on her act of a worried sister in front of Simon.

"My butler has better acting skills," Edgar said to Kate.