The Duke's Masked Wife

The ride home had been quiet much to Alessandra's dismay. She tried starting a conversation with Edgar but after receiving short responses she had given up. It was obvious Edgar was angry so why was he acting nonchalant about the matter? Was there something else that occurred during his time out of the palace that was weighing his mind more than her bruise?

'What happened to us communicating?' She thought. Alessandra desperately wanted to know what was going on inside his head since he was so calm that she could not read his expression.

Alessandra walked up the steps of their home, happy to find Alfred waiting for them at the door. "Good evening, Alfred," she greeted him.

"You are hurt," Alfred said, quickly noticing the wound.

"I was struck by a stone but the person is being dealt with," she replied.

Alfred was glad Edgar had taken care of the person who dared to hurt the Duchess. "Edgar must have-"

"He didn't. The king is the one punishing her, not Edgar. We left the palace the moment we found out about it. I am going to wash up and prepare dinner. Excuse me," Alessandra said, walking away before Edgar reached where Alfred was waiting for them.

"Edgar, is it true you just came home after finding out Alessandra was hurt? Are you not upset?" Alfred asked as it was unlike Edgar. Edgar was always angry when the smallest thing happened to his wife so why was he so calm now when there was a wound on her head?

"Not upset? I am fucking pissed," Edgar replied with a smile. It took everything in him to not find the woman who had hurt Alessandra and end her with his bare hands but Alessandra would only stop him. That was why he would deal with this woman without Alessandra knowing.

On the ride back to their home he was plotting how he should ruin this foolish woman. His anger increased when he remembered this was the same person who brought up sleeping with him to Alessandra. This woman was seeking nothing but trouble from the very beginning.

"Her fucking face, Alfred. Someone injured it again," Edgar said, clenching his fist to hold back his anger. "I am going to rip the flesh off her face when I see that woman.

Edgar knew exactly who Sophia West was and her pest of a husband who kept poking at him whenever they were in the same space. He knew where the two resided in the town. Sophia losing her hands was simply not enough. He desired to take everything he cherished from her.

"Have my carriage ready for me once the house becomes quiet late in the night. Inform Caleb and his brother to be present by then. This is your last order as my butler," said Edgar.

"Understood," Alfred replied. He understood now that Edgar was being calm to avoid Alessandra fearing what he would do. She always worried about Edgar being punished for his actions when she never needed to.

Edgar left Alfred by the door and went upstairs to change into something comfortable. He had enough of Alessandra around these women who did not know how to act in public. He was aware of how dangerous high society was and only allowed Alessandra to do as she pleased because she wanted to be social and he did not want to cage her up like her father.

Edgar entered their bedroom, not stunned at the sight of Alessandra sitting on the bed waiting for him.

"You are planning something behind my back, aren't you? You said you would never lie to me so tell the truth? What are you planning?" Alessandra asked, looking up at Edgar. She wanted nothing but the truth right now.

"Are you going to stop me if I am?" Edgar answered, not replying to her question just yet. He approached the bed but stopped when there was a good enough distance between the two of them.

Alessandra thought it over. A couple of hours ago she wanted Edgar to let the matter go but now, she wanted him to act as he always did. Getting rid of people who proved to be bothersome. "No," she honestly replied. "But I did long before you arrived."

"I am not going to let this slide, Alessandra. I am far from calm seeing the other side of your face now bears a mark. We have been diligent with the cream to clear up the other side now this happens. I have been trying my best to shield you from getting hurt. From now on, I don't care if personal guards are not allowed into a gathering. You are not going anywhere without Caleb and his brother. If I don't want you going somewhere because I feel it is not safe, I shall not let you step foot outside this house. Even if I have to chain you to the bed."

Alessandra frowned. "I don't want to be chained to a bed, Edgar."

"It sounds harsh but it is quite enticing. Come here," he held out his hand for her to come to him.

Without questioning what he planned to do, Alessandra went to Edgar. "This was a wrong move when you just mentioned chaining me to the bed," she mumbled against his chest after he pulled her close to embrace her.

"Do you want to move out of town?" Edgar asked out of the blue. "You didn't face these problems when we were not in Lockwood."

Alessandra looked up at Edgar, shocked by his decision to move. "Traveling outside of town was fun but I like our home. The stone was not meant for me. I got hit because I stepped forward at the wrong time."

"It is not just about the stone. It is your family, these young ladies who do not know how to behave, the town believing rumors without proof and now bodies will start showing up. Lockwood is not the place for you to be."

"But this has been your home for years. I do not want you to pack up because of me. Your life has problems you would not have to deal with if not for me," Alessandra said, feeling guilty for wrapping him up in her mess.

"I made the decision to marry you, Alessandra. You are not the one creating the problems. It is fools who do not know when to stop. This is just a house, Alessandra. Home will be wherever we pack up and go. If you no longer want to be in Lockwood, I shall find elsewhere for us to live. Do not think of me aiding Tobias," he said before she could bring it up as an excuse. "Think only of yourself and what you want."

Alessandra couldn't deny her time in high society hadn't been pleasant but she grew fond of the house they were in now and the memories they were making. She could always make new better memories elsewhere but there was something about this home she enjoyed. She started to make great friends here that she did not want to be far away from.

Going forward she did not want to be around petty women and just spend time with the women she cared for. "I want to stay but if there is ever a time I wish to leave, I will tell you right away," she responded.