The Duke's Masked Wife

"Why are you here?" Edgar asked, not too happy by the sight of Dominic standing outside his door.

"That is not the way to visit your favorite Carson relative. I came to see how Alfred is doing," Dominic said, stepping in the doorway to go inside the home. "And since Tobias is not in the palace I don't want to stay there. Hey! Wait wait wait," he repeated when Edgar started to close the door on him.

Hazel coming to stay for a few days was already enough for Edgar. He liked Dominic but not enough to turn his house into an inn.

"Move your foot or lose it," Edgar said as he tried to shut the door on Dominic.

"This isn't nice of you," Dominic said as he continued to try to force his way inside. "Duchess!" He yelled, happy to see the woman of the hour coming downstairs.

"Why are the two of you fighting by the door? Edgar?" Alessandra looked at her husband for an explanation.

"He wants to stay here," Edgar replied.

Alessandra didn't see the issue considering Edgar liked Dominic and Dominic was in need of a place to stay for a little while. Edgar might dislike having others in her space but she welcomed having more people at their dinner table. "You can stay, Dominic. I enjoy having more people at the table with us," she said.

"Then let me get you pregnant. We can have a couple of children-"

Alessandra covered Edgar's mouth and awkwardly smiled at Dominic.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear what he said. I will only be here for two days since I need to do a quick check on my new home. I'll stick around to spend time with you two and help crack this case about the kidnapper. By the way, I am not alone outside," Dominic said, stepping to the side to reveal Erin. "Your guards said she is the dressmaker."

Seeing Erin only dampened Edgar's mood. With her present, he would have to share his wife with this loud woman.

"Hello Alessandra," Erin greeted her friend with excitement. She looked at a clearly upset Edgar and muttered, "Duke. Do you mind if we come inside now? It is too cold this evening."

Edgar allowed Dominic to come inside but he placed his arm to block Erin from entering. "What is with the bags?" He asked, pointing at the large bag and the small one. Alessandra didn't speak of new dresses so why would the dressmaker be here with bags that seemed like she had run away?

"This small one is for you," Erin replied, handing the bag with the gift she knew would get Edgar on her side.

Edgar took the bag with caution. He never knew what to expect from the woman before him.  Edgar opened the bag and didn't care to hide the thin see-through material of the clothing he pulled out. It was a gift for him but it was meant to be worn by his wife. "There seems to be a reason to keep employing you," he said but he didn't step aside just yet. "What is in the other bag?"

"Well," Erin played with her fingers. "Alessandra, you know I consider you to be a good friend-"

"No," Edgar denied what she was going to request. It was clear as day she wanted to stay here.

"What is it, Erin?" Alessandra asked, ignoring the annoyed look on her husband's face. When wasn't Edgar annoyed?

"My mother kind of kicked me out of her home. I honestly came to thank you for sending the queen to me as my business is doing well but my mother isn't happy that I am making a name for myself and we got into an argument. One thing led to another and I had to pack a bag quickly and get out. It was either stay, give up making dresses to marry a man of her choice, or leave. So," Erin pointed at her bag which was her choice.

"Why have you all forgotten there are inns in town? My home is not one of them," Edgar said.

"I did go to one of them but I was afraid to be there alone and I can't go to a fancy one. That is a waste of the money I am trying to save. Then there's the creep killing women. So I did some thinking about which friend would not find my situation funny and would be able to take me in so here I am. Please," Erin begged.

Alessandra had no plans of turning her away but there was something she was curious about. "Why didn't you go to your fiance? Won't he be upset when he learns you got kicked out but did not go to him?" She asked.

"I didn't want to worry him right now. I am going to see him tomorrow morning to discuss where we go from here. I don't want our relationship to remain a secret anymore," Erin replied.

"He doesn't like you, does he?" Edgar asked what he was certain everyone else was thinking. At least they should be thinking this. "Why else would there be all the secrecy about who he is?"

"Edgar," Alessandra sighed. How could he say such a thing at a time like this?

"First of all, he loves me. I have been hiding him from my crazy mother since she wouldn't approve of him.  I won't continue to do that so just for one night while I clear my thoughts and think of what I am going to do from here on out, can I stay here?" Erin asked, looking at Alessandra specifically since her husband would rather her roam the streets to be murdered.

"I have more of those so you wouldn't have to worry about ruining the ones I just gave you. Some with little to no material. I have been adventurous with my designs recently. I can have them here for you once my predicament is dealt with. You will get a hefty discount," Erin said, trying to bargain her way in with Edgar.

"What colors do you have?" Edgar asked.

Alessandra was left in disbelief that the two of them were coming to an agreement over the provocative clothes she was supposed to wear for Edgar.  "Can the two of you please stop before I kick out Edgar and close the door on the two of you," she gave a warning. When Edgar was not looking, she planned to get rid of the ones Erin just gave him. "Let her come inside, Edgar. It is only one night."

"This isn't enough payment for her staying," Edgar referred to the bag of nightgowns for Alessandra. "I will receive it from you instead," he said to Alessandra.

"What would it take for you to do something without expecting payment?" Alessandra muttered. This must be the secret of his wealth. If you wanted Edgar to pour you a cup of water he would ask for payment.

"Thank you!" Erin jumped up and down before pushing her way inside. "Be a dear and bring my bag inside, Duke Collins. Where will I be staying Alessandra and who is the handsome man I came in with?" She whispered as she and Alessandra passed a silent Dominic. "This house must be a secret way to find handsome men."

Alessandra shook her head. She truly missed spending time with Erin. "He is a relative of Edgar and you are engaged, Erin."

"Don't you know it is rude to not admire someone's beauty? It's not like I plan to drop my fiance for him. I can't wait for you to finally meet my future husband," Erin said.

Edgar closed the door, leaving the bag she was expecting him to bring inside on the outside for the snow to deal with.

"Well well well," Dominic repeated in a taunting voice. "We all know who wears the pants in this marriage and it isn't you."

"I would feel insulted when it isn't coming from someone running from their mother," Edgar replied, walking past Dominic to hide in his study from the loud woman and any more guests they might have.

"I didn't run away from my mother. I quickly walked out the door," Dominic corrected Edgar.