The Duke's Masked Wife

"You know that is not the case, Kyle. Come inside. Dale, it's a surprise to see you away from your home," Simon greeted the brothers. "I'm surprised to see you with Kyle after what happened."

"He still has not forgiven me for what happened. He's being a bit dramatic," said Kyle.

"You brought our fucking parents to my house. Now they are angry with me and the girl I want to marry is angry with me. Simon would understand since he's in love," Dale said, expecting a man who was recently married to be on his side.

"Well, I can't understand the parents being angry with you, and now that I think about it, I can't understand the woman being angry at you. Kate and I are happily in love. Kate, you remember Kyle right? You've yet to meet Dale," Simon said, holding out his hand for Kate to come to his side. He needed her close to be able to stop her from saying something, but he had a feeling Kate was smarter than that. That was why he married her.

"Kitty Kate," Kyle commented, keeping his eyes on the young woman he would have liked to steal away for himself. "Simon, you lucky bastard. What are those marks on her neck? Is the good boy a lover of rough play?"

"Kyle," Dale hit his brother on the back of his head. "Excuse my brother. No matter how much our mother tried, she was never able to teach him manners. We've never met," he extended his hand out to greet Kate. "I heard Simon was getting married, but I have been too busy the last month to introduce myself. That's why we're here today."

"It's nice to meet you," Kate greeted Dale. He was far better than his annoying brother already. Her opinion of Kyle had not changed and she was more than happy he had not visited until now. His brother Dale, on the other hand, seemed like a man with common sense she could use to eventually get out of there.

"I must say that I am a little offended that neither of you attended my wedding, but it does make me feel a little bit better to see you both here today. With Dale sneaking off with some woman I understand, but what was your excuse, Kyle?" Simon looked at the brother he could not stand. He wanted to kill Kyle for having eyes for what belonged to him.

Kyle shrugged. "The last time we were around each other, your wife was glaring daggers at me. She didn't like the way I slammed you to the floor and I can't blame her. Dale and I were just passing by to say a quick hello and see how marriage is fairing you."

"How wonderful," Kate smiled, fighting back the urge to roll her eyes. "Who is the woman you are sneaking around with? Do I know her?"

"Get this. She's the dressmaker for your sister," Kyle chuckled, ignoring the anger on Dale's face. Out of all the women in Lockwood, he could not believe his brother was angry with him over a dressmaker.

"Erin?" Kate was surprised by the revelation. She heard Erin boasting about already having a partner, but no one was introduced to him. Why did life have to make Dale involved with someone close to Alessandra? Or maybe, this was a good opportunity for her. "When she is no longer angry with you, you should bring her here to have lunch with Simon and I. Don't you want to see what kind of woman is keeping your friend so busy, Simon?"

"I do," Simon agreed. Only a special kind of woman was worth all the trouble Dale found himself in. The fact this dressmaker was connected to the Duchess made her interesting already. She might be the perfect bait to lure the Duchess out. He had to start working on giving Kate her wedding gift which was Alessandra while he got to toy with Edgar.

"I don't think that will be anytime soon. She's pissed and when I do make up with her, you might be attending a wedding instead of lunch. I need witnesses there by my side. I know it is a bit rude to ask considering I did not attend your wedding, but this is my way of making up to you," said Dale.

Simon wasn't interested in attending another wedding when he wasn't even interested in his own. His good friend persona had him doing too many things he did not care for. "Kate and I thank you for the invitation. We would love to attend.  Do you want something to drink? I received a lot of wine for my wedding. Excuse me."

Kate tapped her hand on her side as Simon walked away from them to find wine. Simon was leaving her alone with the brothers, but there wasn't a chance to speak with Dale. The servants continued to watch her while Simon was away. She had a feeling that they were so loyal to Simon that they would attack her or the Scott brothers at the first thought of a betrayal.

Also, Kate didn't quite trust the brothers yet. She had no clue how many people were in on Simon's plans. Kate's head was full of doubt about how she would get out of this house of horror.

"If only I had spotted you first," Kyle said, taking the opportunity to sweet talk Kate while Simon was away. He was friends with Simon, but they weren't that close. If Kate ever grew bored of her husband as most women did, he was here to comfort her. "Simon got himself a good little lady."

Kate turned her body to get away from Kyle's nasty eyes. How could he be so rude to come to visit his friend's wife and look at her with such desire? She had to blame her beauty for making the man act a fool. If only he had some common sense, she would use this attraction as her way out.

"You better knock it off Kyle before Simon kills you," Dale said, taking a seat while they awaited Simon's return. The last thing he wanted to do today was pull Simon away from beating his brother for talking too comfortably with his wife. "Must you always try flirting with a woman, Kyle? Save it for the red-light district."

"What can I say? I'm a little bit jealous. If Simon had not met you first, I might have entertained you. As a lady from a fallen household, you did well to grab onto Simon to save your name. Make sure you treat my friend well. Without him, you are pretty much nothing now that no one cares much for the Barrett name and everyone knows your mother's name has no worth," said Kyle.

Simon stood not far from the room, listening to the brother's conversation with Kate.  He didn't like the disrespect for a woman who now shared his name, but he wanted Kate to see how Kate would react.

Kate remained calm in the presence of Kyle who did nothing but talk like a fool. She still viewed him as a man far below her. Regardless of the state of her late father's reputation, she was now a Marchioness. Kyle, on the other hand, just earned himself the title of Bella's husband.