The Duke's Masked Wife

"Watch your words in front of the Duchess or we will no longer require your services," said Alfred.

"What did you mean by your mother sending you instead of coming by herself?" Alessandra asked, not offended by her words like Alfred thought she would have been.

"My mother wouldn't have missed a chance to work for the Duke but when rumors were going around that it is you he married, she quickly changed her mind and sent me instead. She does not think the dresses I make are good but I am still a Potter and since the Duke requested a Potter, she had no choice but to send me," Erin explained.

"She does not think I am good enough to wear her dresses. What about you? Now that you see it is me he has married, do you wish to stay or go?" Alessandra gave the young woman the option.

Erin thought about it for a moment then replied, "I'll stay. Not like I have any other customers. My mother talks badly about my designs therefore the only work I get is working for her as an assistant. I will make sure you have the finest dresses in all the land, Duchess."

Erin felt a wave of confidence because someone was giving her a chance. She expected to be turned away once it was revealed her infamous mother had not come to show dresses to the new Duchess. This was her one chance to prove her mother wrong.

"If you don't mind, Duchess, I can also create many different kinds of masks to go with all your outfits. I make my own masks when there are masquerade balls. I can even make simple ones for you to wear at home. I can create a few by tomorrow morning and if you like, I can create one quickly for the ball," Erin said as she brought numerous boxes into the room thanks to Alfred and Sally's help. "Thank you."

"There will be a ball tomorrow? Where did you hear this?" Alfred was surprised to not hear any word of this considering Edgar and the King were good friends. Normally, Edgar would be the first one to know when the king was planning to throw a ball. "It is not winter yet."

"It is not the annual winter ball. It is said to be something small with invitations being sent to certain families. The invitations only recently were sent out. My mother received our invitation right before I left home. Are you certain the Duke and Duchess's invitation is not already here?" Erin asked. It would be odd if they were not invited but then again, there was a chance the king was not a fan of the Duchess.

"Duchess, I have to check who received the mail this morning. Please look after the Duchess well," Alfred told Sally.

"What style of dresses do you prefer, Duchess?" Erin asked when Alfred left.

"I do not have a style. I have always worn what is available," Alessandra replied.

"You are the worst kind of person. You shouldn't just wear what is in front of you, Duchess. There are so many things to consider like what dresses fit your shape or what color suits your skin tone. Where did you get this awful thing?" Erin pointed at the dress Alessandra wore.

"I brought it from home. It once belonged to my mother-"

"Give it back to her or burn it," Erin cut in. "It does not suit you. No offense to your mother. When I am done we should get rid of whatever dresses you have like that."

"You-" Sally wanted to stop the dressmaker before she might hurt Alessandra's feelings but Alessandra grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Is there a problem?" Erin placed her hands on her hips, looking at the two women.

"You cannot talk as you like in front of a Duchess," Sally still spoke up.

"I enjoy her honesty and nothing she said has offended me. I have no sense of style and I don't want to look bad by Edgar's side. Continue," Alessandra urged Erin. There was a lot she had to learn from the dressmaker.

"I'm sorry," Erin apologized for her words. "I get a little carried away with my words when it comes to dressing others."

"It is alright. I would have to be a crybaby to be upset by what you said. I don't plan on wearing any of the dresses I have now after you've made new ones for me but I cannot discard the ones belonging to my mother. I am saving them for when she returns."

'Return from where?' Erin wondered.

"I can go through them with you and see if there is anything a Duchess can wear. I'll be able to see what your style is depending on which dresses you have that you like the most. We should start with this dress," Erin rummaged through a box and took out a green dress fit for a ball. "I'll assume you do not have a dress for the ball tomorrow."

"I don't," Alessandra stood up to get a better look at the dress. "It is beautiful," she commented as she ran her fingers along the material. She has dreamt of wearing fancy dresses and attending a ball.

Sally narrowed her eyes when she caught Erin's cheeks turning red. 'Don't tell me she is falling for the Duchess? Impossible,' she thought.

"I will call for you when I need help tying it up, Sally," Alessandra said, picking up the dress to go into the small closet in the bedroom they were in.

"Why do you have to go in there when it's only women here? It will save more time for me to adjust the dresses if you are right here in front of me and I must take off your dress for me to measure you for dresses I will make from scratch. There is no need for you to be shy, Duchess," Erin stepped forward to help Alessandra with taking off her dress.

"No!" Sally yelled, jumping between Alessandra and Erin. "The Duchess will change in private as she wants. Have you no shame? I saw the way you blushed when she was speaking."

"That's because she's the first person to compliment my work. I don't like women if that is what you are thinking. I love men. From the top of their head to the tip of their di-"

Sally lunged forward to cover Erin's mouth before she could mention such a thing in front of Alessandra. "Don't you dare finish that sentence."

"Why did this escalate so fast?" Alessandra sighed.