The Duke's Masked Wife

"Young master, weren't you planning on visiting the priests to see who was the one to spread the news about your marriage?" Alfred questioned as he placed a tray of wine and snacks for Edgar to use while he worked.

"I was but it would be rude to leave Alessandra alone again on the first day of our marriage.  Today is meant to be our honeymoon but look what she has faced already. Where is she now?" Edgar asked.

The day had quickly turned to night and he hadn't seen Alessandra since they last separated. He came to his office to deal with work while she ran off somewhere.

"She's with the maid you brought back from the Baron's home. They are trying to organize the room with art supplies to make it a place the Duchess can paint in peace without any interruptions. You never had any use for the room so I told her that you might be fine with it."

"It is fine. There might need to be some shelves placed to store some of the things she has. Call for someone to do it tomorrow. Has she visited the room with the accessories?" Edgar looked up from the paper in his hand since he had not heard a word about the things in that room.

"She briefly looked at them but then went back to organize the paint you bought for her. The Duchess doesn't seem to be the type to care for jewelry, bags, hats, and everything else you have bought. From watching her expression, she seems concerned by the amount of money you might have spent." Alfred loved this about her.

He had always disliked some of the people who tried sticking close to Edgar just to get a piece of his wealth.  Alessandra was more interested in painting than wearing priceless jewelry.

Edgar didn't comment on what Alfred said. He had a feeling Alessandra wouldn't have been interested in the jewelry like other young women would but he still expected her to be trying them on as she envisioned occasions she would wear them.

If he were to ever upset her and want to get back into her good graces, would he need to buy her more paint? The paint seemed so simple in his eyes.

Edgar looked back at the paper in his hand as it was no use worrying about what else Alessandra would like when she was already happy with the paint.

After a moment of silence but Alfred had not moved, Edgar looked back up at the butler who seemed to be expecting something.

"What do you want from me, Alfred?" Edgar asked.

"Isn't it about time you stop your work and go see your wife? It is almost time for dinner and you have not taken your bath yet."

Edgar stared blankly at Alfred. It felt like he was being told by his father to stop playing with toys and go clean up to look presentable for guests. "Why don't you go tell Alessandra to prepare for dinner instead of harassing me? I can see that smile you are trying to hide, Alfred. I know you better than you know yourself. Whatever game you are playing, I won't be a part of it."

Alfred replied, "I am not playing any games, young master. Alessandra has her own personal maid to inform her of the time to prepare for dinner. It has always been my job to inform you. I'm sure your work can wait until tomorrow."

Edgar didn't believe Alfred wasn't up to something. He picked up on Alfred tapping his finger on his leg like he had something timed and had to rush him out right now. "Very well but you have brought me wine and snacks before dinner. I should at least enjoy them before I go."

"You can take them with you to the bathe-"

"I don't bathe and eat," Edgar interrupted Alfred. "If anything I don't like happens, I will send you to work for my mother for a week."

'Keywords are if you don't like it,' Alfred deviously thought. Contrary to what Edgar and Alessandra said and agreed upon, he was determined to make them open their hearts to one another.

"I will wait here until my bath is ready," Edgar remained seated.

However, Alfred was already prepared for this. "It has already been prepared for you, young master."

Edgar leaned back in his chair amused by how much thought Alfred put into whatever he was doing. "What if it would have taken longer to convince me to leave? You were willing to waste good warm water?"

"I ordered that the water be piping hot. It should be warm enough for you to use right now. I shall see you at dinner," Alfred slightly bowed, hiding the growing smile on his lips from Edgar. When he lifted his head the smile was gone. "I have other matters to tend to," he took the glass of wine off of the tray he brought and took up everything else before leaving the room.

"What was the point of bringing snacks only to take them? Tonight shall be interesting," Edgar finally placed the paper down on his desk. He was curious to see what was making Alfred so excited.

Edgar stood up from his chair, taking the glass of wine with him as he walked around the desk towards the door. When he reached the door, he opened it and stepped out but didn't move too far out the doorway as he contemplated paying Alessandra a visit first. However, he decided against it as the water might soon turn cold and he did not wish to waste it.

Edgar took small sips of the wine which wasn't as strong as the ones Alfred would normally bring him before dinner. He was expecting that maybe Alfred was trying to get him drunk but that wasn't the case.

By the time Edgar reached their bedroom, he had emptied the glass of wine. He entered the bedroom and looked around for anything odd Alfred might have left inside but there was nothing.

"I am starting to fear whatever he has done," Edgar muttered.

He placed the glass down on a desk he passed by on his way to the bathroom. True to Alfred's words, his bath was already prepared for him. Nothing in the bathroom felt out of place either. Edgar walked to the tub to place his hand below the small group of bubbles and into the water. It was still hot but it wasn't unbearable for him to not use it.

Edgar began unbuttoning his shirt first and once he reached the last button, he removed and tossed it to the side to be picked up after he was finished. Edgar then discarded his shoes, pants, and underwear, placing them in the same spot as his shirt.

Finally, he sat down in the tub facing away from the door. Water flowed over the edge as too much was used to fill the tub. As if it was all meant to be on cue, he heard the bedroom door open and close. His lips curled as he realized what Alfred was in a rush to do.

'I should give him a raise,' Edgar thought while he silently waited for his wife to fall into the trap created by Alfred.