The Duke's Masked Wife

"Are you satisfied now?" Asked Edmund. He sat on the opposite side of the carriage next to Heather while Priscilla sat with Jennifer. "Now you won't be able to see him any time soon. What was the point of us returning to Lockwood when we can't even visit our son?"

"To save his reputation. I do not want anything concerning that girl to be attached to my son. I believe he's only doing this to rebel against me. This marriage cannot be real. You said they weren't wearing wedding rings right?" Priscilla looked at Jennifer.

"No. I saw her wearing wire around her fingers. The Duke did not give her the family ring," Jennifer smiled, happy to be of use to Mrs. Collins. "I don't think you have to be concerned about her for too long, Mrs. Collins."

"I don't want to be concerned about her at all," Priscilla sighed, rubbing her aching neck. "If only she would be gone by nightfall. What else do you have to tell me about her?"

Jennifer frowned, finding herself in an awkward position because she had told Priscilla everything. What more was left to be said when she had not been around Alessandra for a long time before she was thrown into a cell. "There is nothing else," she replied.

"Really? Stop the carriage!" Priscilla yelled loud enough for the coachman to hear.

Heather patiently awaited the outcome everyone but Jennifer knew was coming. The young maid was about to learn how easy it is for Priscilla to cast you aside.

When the carriage came to halt but nothing happened, Priscilla glanced at Jennifer. "Why are you not leaving? I don't have all day to waste."

Jennifer's eyebrows furrowed as she did not understand why she would need to leave before the carriage got to where the Collins were staying. "Is there somewhere you wish for me to go?" She asked, thinking Priscilla wanted to send her to get information on Alessandra right away.

"Yes, out of the carriage," Priscilla said the words slowly because it didn't seem like Jennifer understood them the first time. "Right now. Surely you did not assume you would be working for me?"

"Yes," Jennifer instantly replied. Panic started to settle in as the reality she was without a job hit her. "You said I am one of your people. Edgar sent me away because of what I was doing for you. You owe me a job."

"I owe you?" Priscilla covered her mouth with her hand as she snickered. "Why would I owe you when I have already paid for your services? Why do you think I paid you so much? It's to help you survive a little bit longer after my son catches and fires you. I hope you did not spend all of it, poor thing."

"That's…" Jennifer trailed off. She already spent the money Priscilla gave her on new clothes to make her friends jealous. She was still earning with her money from Edgar but now, she had nothing. She left without being paid for her services before she was thrown into a cell. "I lost a good job because of you-"

"Wake up," Priscilla snapped her fingers. "I did not control your hand and make you slap that girl. You should be thankful I saved you from that cell. You can no longer provide me with information about Edgar and why would I want someone who could be paid off to pass information about me? Do you take me for a fool?"

"Just leave," Edmund slid a ring off of his finger to offer Jennifer as payment for what she did. The desperation on her face to hold onto Priscilla for a job was making the air in the carriage uncomfortable.

"They will call the town guards on me for having that," Jennifer refused to take the ring. She saw it happen before when servants were accused of stealing when they tried exchanging expensive jewelry given to them.

Employers sometimes could not bother themselves to let the guards know they had given it to the servant and so the servants were imprisoned or had a finger cut off for stealing.

"I need money-"

Heather jumped when an unexpected slap echoed in the carriage. Her eyes went back and forth between Priscilla's annoyed expression and Jennifer's shock.

"Who do you think you are to be making demands with us? He offered you a ring but you have denied it. It's your fault you are leaving empty handed and it is your fault you are without a job. Get out before I have the coachman drag you out and toss you onto the ground for everyone to see. I wasted my time going into that cell to get you. Useless," Priscilla rolled her eyes.

"I wasted money on you. No, I cannot say that considering you slapped her. Well done," Priscilla smiled.

Jennifer couldn't understand how such an innocent smile belonged to someone who was leaving her withouta job. There were so many people who wished to work for Duke Collins and she managed to get the job only to lose it because of his mother.

"Take the ring and go," Heather spoke up to ease the situation. "I'm sure if a problem arises you can just reach out for it to be resolved."

Jennifer did not want any advice from someone who never once had to be concerned about money in her life but she had no choice but to take the ring. She had to pitch in for food at home or her relative she was staying with would throw her out.

In the end, Jennifer had to accept the ring. As she reached where Edmund was holding it, Priscilla took the ring and tossed it outside.

"Priscilla!" Edmund exclaimed. "That was uncalled for."

"She'll have to get out and search for it if she wishes to eat tonight," Priscilla made herself comfortable in her chair and closed her eyes.

"I will help you," Edmund said to Jennifer.

"That is alright. Mr.Collins," Jennifer stopped him from opening his door. "I'll get it on my own."

Jennifer opened the carriage door and slowly stepped out of it, taking in how much of a hole she was buried in.

"Take us away!" Priscilla called to the coachman the moment Jennifer closed the door.

"I won't let you treat me like this and get away with it," Jennifer muttered, watching the carriage she should be in, leaving without her.