The Duke's Masked Wife

Alessandra waited for Rose to sit down first and then took a seat on the opposite side of the table. "I am truly grateful for you wanting me to be better but not when it comes to furniture. I don't want to be continuously changing furniture because it is what everyone else does. I don't intend to live my life following trends.  Edgar and I do have guests outside of you, Dominic, and the few friends I have so there is no one to impress."

"I told you that I mind it," Rose repeated.

"I love you dearly but I am not going to change furniture for one person. I was going to do it whenever you come around but I rather not hide that it is not something I enjoy.  Edgar and I don't mind the house the way it is. I was already adding paintings and we are looking to get portraits so it is not like the house is not changing. I am sure Edgar didn't change the furniture every season before I came," Alessandra said.

"Edgar didn't have a wife to deal with the household. He had Alfred take care of it but now it is your turn. Do you not plan to host parties? Will you have the house looking the same each time?" Rose asked, needing Alessandra to see her point.

"It is a waste of money-"

"I have put my grandson in the position to not worry about money and he has created more than enough wealth for himself. We are not short on money, dear.  I need you to realize that your status has changed and there are things you must do even when they seem foolish. That is why women are raised from a young age to get used to this life," Rose argued.  Alessandra's lack of training was what stopped her from understanding.

Alessandra played with her fingers under the table. "I am seeing now how you like me but love Edgar. It is not about making me better. You don't want me to make Edgar look bad. I truly have no intention of doing so.  Be honest with what you think of me, Rose. I can't help but think you only like me because Edgar is finally married and you sort of tolerate my background."

"I do," Rose quickly admitted. "My grandson will also come first and though I am happy you have helped him open his heart to marriage, I must think of everything that affects him.  I like you and I feel terribly sorry for what caused you to wear a mask but everything about your life has become attached to Edgar. From your father to the ridiculous rumors of your curse. The only way to fix this is for you to become perfect. "

"Both of those things were out of my control and I have been doing my best as Duchess.  I do not go out and cause trouble for Edgar. My father is not a part of my life and soon any talk of me being cursed will fade away. I want to do my best as Edgar's wife but I will not do things I do not care for. I am politely asking you to let the matter with the furniture go," Alessandra said and stopped toying with her fingers as the words came out.

In her opinion, this wasn't just about the furniture. No, it would be too silly if they weren't seeing eye to eye over furniture. This was about obedience. Following the commands of the head of the Collins family.

"Why do I offer my advice if you are not going to take it?" Rose sighed.

"I appreciate your advice but I am allowed to pick and choose what will work for me. I am not you or anyone else who has married into this family. I don't care much about trends, appearances, and many of the other things you like, I do not. Perhaps it is because I have not been trained to like them so I never will. I will do well as a Duchess by doing things I want to do. Please accept this or-"

"Or my grandson will not see me?" Rose finished what she thought Alessandra was going to say.

Alessandra smiled as that was far from her answer. "No. I was going to say I will no longer need your guidance which is a letdown. I am not petty to come between you and Edgar. He cares for you and I would never want to be the reason that changes. "

"Then I will take back my offer to make you better. Just know when you slip up they will say it is because you are the daughter of the late failing Baron and that you are cursed with bad luck. I could make you a woman without any flaws," Rose said to convince Alessandra one last time.

"I don't doubt you can but I know I will have to change a lot about myself to be the perfect Duchess you want. That, I do not want. We should leave this conversation here for now. Now you know what I won't do. I want to go back to making sure Edgar has a birthday dinner he enjoys," Alessandra stood from her seat.

Rose looked at the ring on Alessandra's finger. "Where is the ring that has been passed down? The least you can do is wear it as it is an important part of my family. I wore it and many of the women before me. Everyone who sees the ring will know you are a part of the Collins family."

Alessandra couldn't stop thinking of Rose saying my instead of our family. She was married to Edgar therefore she was a part of the Collins family. Perhaps it was a simple mistake on Rose's part. Alessandra didn't want to make her out to be a villain just because they weren't seeing eye to eye.

"They will know I am a part of the Collins family when I introduce myself as Alessandra Collins and Edgar is right beside me. The ring didn't suit me but I will be more than happy to pass it down to our children. Besides, it cannot be needed if it was not given to Priscilla. She has more years as a Collins than I do," Alessandra smiled and then proceeded to leave the dining room.

Rose disliked the way it came off like Alessandra was taking up for Priscilla. It was a slap in the face when, unlike Priscilla, she had accepted Alessandra into their esteemed family. She needed to have a word with Edgar to get things in control before his name suffers.  Before the Collins name suffers.