The Duke's Masked Wife

"I was hoping to see what the Duchess is like but you ruined the moment. When you are around me and you say stupid things it makes me look bad. I believe in birds of a feather and I will not let your antics be tied to me," Nadine said, fearful of how her husband would react if Alessandra were to bring this up to the Duke. She didn't think Alessandra had the mouth to fight back.

"You look tired Penelope. I suggest you call it a day. Ladies," Nadine addressed the other women.

"Viscountess," Penelope said in disbelief that she was being excluded. "Just a moment ago you were laughing at her-"

"Watch your tongue," Nadine snapped before Penelope could spew lies. "Do not add me into what you have gotten yourself into."

"What? You were the one who told me to ask about her pregnancy," Penelope said, reminding her forgetful friend of what was said before they approached Alessandra. "She's gone now. There's no need for you to act like a saint now. I did what you asked."

"What I asked. You are not a child, Penelope. If I asked you to do something as you are so wrongly claiming, you have the power to say no. It's annoying how you're placing this on me," said Nadine.

Penelope didn't know why she was being surprised by Nadine acting two-faced. Nadine talked poorly of Alessandra because she was of a higher rank but played nice in front of Alessandra, letting Penelope be the villain. Not in the mood to deal with Nadine playing the victim, Penelope left the group.

"Why am I still listening to that self-centered but-Hey!" Penelope exclaimed after bumping into someone at the exact moment she stopped watching where she was going to look back at Nadine. "Why don't you-Oh, Simon."

Simon smiled, holding Penelope's shoulders to calm her anger. "It is such a beautiful day for you to be angry. I apologize for not looking where I was going. Are you alright?" He asked, checking her to make sure he had not injured her.

Penelope cleared her throat, looking away from Simon for a moment as she was embarrassed about the language she was going to use because he almost knocked her over. "I am partially at fault. The day is beautiful but I am not enjoying it all. I'm seeing how two-faced some people can truly be. I swear she acts like an angel," she said whilst glancing back at Nadine. "But she's the devil. Shouldn't a pregnant woman be nice?"

Simon let go of her shoulders and stepped back to put some distance between them. "I don't think that is how it works. Are you speaking of the Viscountess? You are glaring at her quite hard. I've met her and found her to be splendid."

"Splendid?" Penelope scoffed. "I'll tell you she is just like every other woman who hides what she truly is like. She told me to ask Alessandra Collins something and then acted all innocent. I'm so happy to have run into you before my mood turned sour. I needed a true friend to calm me."

Penelope knew Simon for six years due to his friendship with her older brother. She viewed Simon as more of her brother since he was always kind and tried to keep a smile on her face.

Simon continued to force a smile. He found Penelope to be annoying at times but he would get most of his information about young women from her without her realizing.

He glanced at Nadine who he personally knew was two-faced as Penelope said. He wasn't aware that she was pregnant. He had never gone for such a challenging target. He imagined how unsettled the town would be if a pregnant Viscountess went missing. It would also be fun to watch her be on her best behavior to save herself and her child.

Simon was intrigued about the conversation Nadine had with Alessandra. He found Alessandra to be quite bland but his curiosity about how she snagged Edgar would not vanish. Why not Kate? Why not anyone else? What was it about Alessandra that made Edgar marry her? Was there something to Alessandra he couldn't see yet?

'Perhaps she isn't so bland,' he realized. Still, she wasn't worthy of the time and effort that goes into his games. Nadine on the other hand was appearing more perfect than the other young woman he had in mind.

"You shouldn't stand in the cold too long. How about I buy you a nice warm drink to calm down and you can vent to me? I will never tell your secrets," Simon said, placing his index finger over his lips.

"How can I turn down such an offer? I have so much to get off my chest from today and the days before. By the way, were you told my brother is returning to Lockwood soon? He was injured at the border and since he is of no use, they are sending him home. I can only imagine how embarrassed he will be to be put out of the fight. He wanted to kill all those savages," said Penelope.

Penelope and Simon started to walk to somewhere they could warm up from the snow and have something to drink but they didn't make it too far as they were spotted by someone who wasn't happy to see Simon with another woman.

"Simon!" Kate called to catch his attention. She refrained glaring at the young woman by his side.

"Oh right. I did hear you were courting her," said Penelope.

"Kate, I was hoping to run into you. Did you find the hat you said you were looking for?" Simon asked, recalling a conversation they had about a hat she wished to buy.

"Not yet. Grace and I have been distracted by other things. I didn't know you were close to Penelope. Did the two of you come together or did you just meet up?" Kate asked, trying to figure out if she needed to keep an eye on Penelope.

"Don't worry. I don't plan on courting Simon. He is like a brother to me. He merely offered to buy me a warm drink to help me get over something I was angry about. You can owe me that drink for another day Simon. I feel like going home. It was nice seeing you, Kate. Bye," Penelope waved at the two before leaving.

"What is wrong?" Simon asked, touching Kate's chin to make her look up at him. "Surely you are not jealous of Penelope."

"No, I was just taken aback to see you here. You didn't mention coming here when I last spoke with you. Did something urgent just come up? Grace, please excuse us for a moment," Kate said whilst giving Grace a look that had a message only the two understood. She wanted Grace to gather the other young ladies so they could see her and Simon walking along.

"I had to meet with someone but they were not ready so here I am. I'm a little annoyed they ruined my plans," Simon spoke, his eyes going to Grace for a moment before back at Kate so she wouldn't notice. "As luck would have it, I ran into someone even better and now, I get to spend some time with you. You look exquisite today, Kate."

'I look exquisite every day,' Kate thought.

"That is too much but thank you," she lowered her gaze, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her act of not knowing her beauty always worked.

"Now that we are together, do you mind joining me to pick out a gift for your mother? I would like to visit your residence soon to have dinner," said Simon.

Kate had never heard sweeter words. As she predicted, an engagement was soon to come if he wanted to meet with her mother. "I shall do my best to pick out a good gift. Now that we speak of my mother, I would love to meet your parents, Simon. What is wrong?" She asked after his expression changed to be full of sorrow.

"My parents have long passed away after an accident. I thought you knew just like the rest of the town."