The Duke's Masked Wife

"Mother, look what Simon sent for me," Kate said with excitement as she entered the dining room for dinner.

"They are pretty," Katrina complimented the bouquet of flowers in Kate's hands. "They almost match your beauty. He is smitten with you. Well done, Kate. We should be planning a wedding in no time."

Kate placed the bouquet on the table to show off. "I always preferred a summer wedding but the ones in winter are still beautiful. I  can't wait to start my wedding dress most of all. It will make everyone jealous. At least I will get to wear a wedding dress, unlike someone who got married at the church in the middle of the night."

Katrina sighed, annoyed by the mention of Alessandra. "Kate, do not bring that girl up to me. She has done nothing but stress me out these days."

"I am sorry mother but I cannot help thinking about getting everything I deserve. I've been embarrassed that she got married before me but I will make it up by having the perfect wedding. When I become Marchioness Kate, my status will rise and I will make sure neither Alesandra nor Edgar mess with you anymore mother," Kate promised.

Kate was so close to achieving her plan of marrying up to be a part of the world Alessandra forced herself in. It would have been better if she found someone with a higher title than Edgar but Simon was perfect. She had him wrapped around her finger and should she cry on his shoulder, Simon just might attack Edgar for her.

"I would rather you be prepared for the life you will now have. More eyes will be on you and you will be invited to places you have never been before. I've raised you well for this very moment, Kate. Do not disappoint me. Do you know of his mother or siblings?" Katrina asked, wishing to know what kind of mother-in-law Kate would have.

Kate couldn't think of a moment when Simon spoke of his mother. "He does not have any siblings and he never spoke of his parents. I don't think they live in Lockwood. I will ask about them next time I meet with him. I should start trying to get them to like me. I want them to shower me with gifts."

"So he is an only child," Katrina muttered. Should anything happen to Simon, Kate would get everything. It would be even more if she were to have his child. From the way Kate spoke. Katrina knew her daughter didn't hold any feelings for Simon. Kate just loves the life he could offer and if Kate wanted, Katrina could give her the life without the man. 'Men are a bother after all,' Katrina thought.

Katrina smiled, looking forward to the future. She might have failed in poisoning Desmond but she would have success with Simon if needed. "Get to know his parents well and drop hints about all of us having dinner Kate. You have no idea how much you are making your mother proud."

Kate sat up in her chair, a smile appearing on her lips as she welcomed the compliment. From a child, she always sought after her mother's compliments. "Thank you," she replied. She tried to contain her excitement but could not.

Katrina's heart warmed seeing how happy Kate appeared to be. Kate was her little ray of sunlight in this dark world. Katrina looked away from Kate to James who entered the room with a worried expression. "What is it, James? Don't tell me Greta has returned," she said as it wouldn't be unlike her mother-in-law to suddenly come back.

"It is not that, Baroness. You have a guest at the door. It is William Lancaster-"

"What the hell can he want now?" Katrina raised her voice. The last thing she needed on top of the court visit was for William to be here. She started to send him small quantities of the debt Desmond owed to be rid of him. "Send him away."

"He told me that you should not send him away if you know what is good for yourself. He said he will take what is precious to you if you turn him away," James relayed William's words.

Katrina glanced at Kate who was playing with the flowers Simon gave to her. She wouldn't put it past William to take Kate since he couldn't have Alessandra. Her daughter would not end up with a creep like William. "Kate, have dinner in your room, and do not come out unless I send for you. Move quickly," she ordered Kate.

Kate was confused by her need to leave but she didn't argue against her mother and stood up from her seat taking the flowers with her. What more could William wish to speak to her mother about? Kate wished he would stop visiting them and go take Alessandra away to hide her forever.

At times, Kate genuinely considered teaming up with William to set Alessandra up to be taken but he gave her the chills just by thinking of him.

When Kate was out of sight Katrina ordered James to let William inside but before James could step out of the dining room, she called for him since something came to mind.

"James," Katrina got from her seat, hurrying over to where he stood. She looked around to double-check that there were no maids around yet. There were none. When she neared him, she touched his arm to pull him close. "Do you still have that bottle I gave you?"

"It is in my bedroom," James replied, already knowing what she wanted to do. "There is at least half left."

He used most of the poison when Clark was living here.

"Get it and pour it into his drink. Enough that he does not start spitting blood in my house but enough for it to work. I'm going to get rid of this bastard once and for all," Katrina plotted, having had enough of William pestering her when his deal was with Desmond.

Unfortunately, it meant getting rid of someone who could go against Edgar instead of her. It was either to keep him alive to get rid of Edgar or get rid of William. She wouldn't consider killing William if not for him mentioning Kate. Kate was off limits and she would never allow Kate to be ruined by a man like William.

"Alright," James replied. He felt apprehensive since he would be the one to die if William suspected he was being poisoned but he too wanted the man gone. William was a threat to Katrina and if he remained...

'I'm doing it again. Shit,' James cursed in his head as he once again found himself caring for Katrina more than he should.

This was a woman who set him up to be killed for taking advantage of her when he didn't and then turned around to take advantage of him. He tried not to forget these things but the more time he spent with her at night, the more his heart opened.

At first, he was loyal to save himself and gain rewards from her but now he was doing things to protect her. To protect a woman who would toss him aside in the blink of an eye. James knew she was bad news but found it hard to stop caring.

James couldn't force himself to greet William with a smile as he did with other guests because of his sour mood.

"About time," William said looking down on James as he brushed past him to get inside. "Where is the Baroness?"