The Duke's Masked Wife

"Kate, I hope I didn't make you wait too long," Simon said as he joined her out front of the home just as his carriage arrived.

"Not at all. I hope Victoria was too upset about us leaving so soon."

After they had made it outside, Simon remembered they had left without telling Victoria or her husband goodbye so he left for a moment to do so.

"No. She understood why we would want to leave right now and she's trying to get the party in order. No more people being slammed to the ground," Simon replied.

"That was an exciting ending to that party. I hope you did accept my apology back there. I just get so protective of the people I care about," said Kate, wanting him to quickly forget about that side of her. She worked too hard to get this close to him for her image to be ruined.

"No, I overreacted. You did nothing wrong by defending me so I shouldn't have made you apologize. I just do not like to see women snapping at each other or other people and it didn't seem like the moment called for it then. I should have spoken about it in private.. I am the one who needs to apologize. I'm sorry," Simon apologized.

Kate was glad he realized his mistake in making her say sorry to that troublesome man. She would let the moment go for now and accepted his apology.

Simon's coachman opened the door for them both. With Simon's help, Kate stepped into the carriage followed by Simon.

She was ecstatic when he sent her carriage back home so they could ride together in his. It set up the perfect way for her to visit his home and then she would find a way to stay there the rest of the day. Her mother would be proud of how things were going.

"So Simon, is your home as lovely as Victoria's or better? I never had the pleasure of visiting. What is it like?" Kate asked, setting down her trap.

"It is beautiful but I have to say Victoria's is the winner. I am not good at picking out the best furniture or paint to complement the house. It is still a work in progress even though it has been a while since I moved in there. I need someone with a sense of style to decorate it for me," Simon replied, ashamed of how unfinished the home was. "I have yet to host a party because it is not all there."

Kate perked up in her seat. "You are in luck. I have excellent taste when it comes to styling homes. My friends are always jealous each time I redecorate my bedroom. I only need to see your home and know what your budget is to turn your home around. You are clearly busy since you have not gotten time to do it so allow me."

Simon appreciated the offer but knew her mother wouldn't want her daughter to be wasting her time decorating his home. "That is a kind offer but I cannot ask someone with your status to decorate my home. Plus, your mother would not like it."

'She would allow me to decorate my future home,' Kate thought.

"My mother would be delighted to hear that I am spending time doing something other than meeting with my friends. Please, Simon. I need something to distract me from thinking about my late father. It is part of why I was unable to fully enjoy myself tonight," Kate said, taking advantage of her loss to gain sympathy.

Simon sighed, giving up for now. He hoped her mother would be able to talk some sense into Kate. "Alright," he answered to please her right now.

"Wonderful!" Kate clapped her hands. "We should head there now so that I can see what I am working with. It will only take a moment."

This Simon wasn't on board for. "Kate, you know what this town thinks. If I take you to my home without you having a chaperone, nasty rumors will spread about our relationship. Another day will work."

Kate's excitement quickly faded away. "But," she paused, not knowing how to fight against this. She didn't want him to think about such things now. Why couldn't he be like other men who would jump at the chance to be alone with her?

"I do not want to ruin you, Kate. I care about you too much to sully your good name. I will arrange a day for you and your mother to pay me a visit. Does that please you?" Simon asked.

Kate wasn't happy about not going to his home today but an invitation for her and her mother to visit his home was still good. It would have the town focusing on them, awaiting to hear news of a wedding. All the attention would be back on her just as it should be. "It does. Thank you for caring about my reputation, Simon. We have grown so close quickly that I forget there must be a line between us to not cause foul rumors."

Simon lapped one leg over the other as he stared at Kate. Kyle had brought out the jealousy in him and made him realize he needed to get serious with Kate if he wanted to keep her by his side. He wouldn't be the only one to see how perfect she was. It was surprising she was not already taken but that did not matter now.

"We would have to get rid of that line if we are to become closer without any judgment," he replied.

"Yes. We," Kate paused for a moment to think about Simon's words. She thought she was reading too far into it but his smile confirmed she was right. He was starting to think about marriage. "I hope that we can get rid of it one day," she said.

Kate dug her nails into her hands to hold back her excitement.

Simon looked down at her hands noticing how much she was wounding them. "You shouldn't do that with so much force Kate. You will harm yourself."

Kate quickly released her hands, ashamed she had been caught in her habit she could never stop. Whenever she was excited or angry, she would always dig her nails into her hands. She tried to stop it many times but failed.

Kate and Simon continued to chat with each other about random things until the carriage entered the gates of the late Baron. Kate was upset their time together had come to an end but she had much to prepare for. An engagement was right around the corner and when it finally happened, she wanted to look her best.

Kate exited the carriage after the coachman opened the door. "You do not need to walk me to my door, Simon. My mother will invite you in for a long boring conversation if you do. I enjoyed our time together and I hope to see you soon. Goodbye," she waved to him as she walked back to her home, keeping an eye on him for as long as she could.

Simon smiled, waving goodbye to Kate even after the carriage door was closed. Once she finally turned around, his smile disappeared. Simon sighed as he sat back in his seat. As entertaining as it was to watch her obey his every command, it was frustrating to keep smiling like a fool.

"That fucking idiot," Simon cursed Kyle. "I should have punched him for tackling me."

If not for his persona of letting things go there would have been a different outcome tonight. There were only so many times he would let Kyle's foolishness go. Then there was the fact Kyle was eyeing what belonged to him.

Kate was nothing but perfection. Each time he commanded her, Kate would force a smile and do as he wanted because she sought after his affection. She was not like the other girls who couldn't keep up their innocent facade. Kate was so perfect that he had to change the game.

"I want her on display," he deviously thought. Kate was just the person that he was looking for. Nothing like the other girls who eventually bore him with their cries and not knowing how to continue the game. "I only need to fill her head with sweet words and she will continue to act innocent. Makes me want to put her to the test," he muttered.

Kate's perfection could be too good to be true. He wanted to push a bit harder to see if she would let her mask slip and show her true personality or continue to put on a show for him. If she did, he would marry her. He needed a good puppet to keep the suspicion off of him.

Simon chuckled as the carriage began to leave. It was funny how the great Edgar Collins was not able to find that it was him yet. "The game was getting boring until Kate arrived. Should I start leaving some clues to put him on the right track or toy with him?" He wondered.

He sent out the new girl to get the game started. If only the annoying little thing had not clawed at his chest, his anger would not have gotten the best of him and her parents wouldn't be crying at the sight of her destroyed face.

Simon looked out the window at the maids walking the streets to complete their tasks. "They make this too easy," he grinned.