The Duke's Masked Wife

"James, what happened while I was away? My mother does not wish to see or speak with me and she is hidden in her room. Did my uncle or grandmother return or has the court brought bad news?" Kate asked the butler. She had to force herself to go into the kitchen to find him and ask this.

"She has mentioned anything to me. When the Baroness returned home and she requested to be left alone-"

"My mother left the house today? When? She did not mention having to go somewhere to me," Kate muttered, confused by the secrecy. First Simon and now her mother.

Kate didn't like the secrecy her mother had these days. "If you happen to learn something, come to me at once to tell me," she ordered him and proceeded to leave but stopped after two steps. "Do you know where she went today?"

James shook his head. Kate was forgetting it wasn't his place as the butler to ask where Katrina was going. Just like Kate, he was curious about what happened to make Katrina return home angry and yell to be left alone. He had not seen her when she returned and only heard the noise.

"I hope she has not found herself in trouble. Send a maid to my room, James. I have clothes that I need to be hung up. You need to teach the maids to aid me as soon as I return from shopping. I almost broke my nail lifting a bag," Kate said, looking at her hands. "With all the new things I have bought, I hardly have room in my closet."

"Shall I have another room emptied for your clothes?" James suggested. With her shopping once again, there was hardly any room for all the new items.

Since Kate was big on having the newest clothes that fit the season, James recommended selling more clothes she did not want but Kate refused to do it now that her grandmother gave her money, Katrina was pulling money out of thin air, and she wasn't desperate to sell her clothes. It was her loss since extra money could be in her hands for clothes she does not wear.

James wouldn't be surprised if the household ended up back deep in debt again.

"Make that happen. There is a room right next door. No," Kate suddenly had a bright idea. "I want the room Alessandra had. It is not like we would welcome her back to this house if the Duke kicks her out of his. Maybe if we are kind she can stay in the stables. Have the servants strip everything from that room and burn it. I shall speak with my mother about designing it when I see her."

James didn't think this was a good idea and said, "My lady, since there is a chance you will marry the marquess, it might be a waste of money to-"

"What makes you think I care about your opinion? These days I feel like you have gotten too comfortable now that my father is gone. Do you envision yourself as the man of the house because you think two women can't make decisions on their own? If we were to fire you right now, my mother and I would be just fine tomorrow. Keep your opinions to yourself," Kate advised him.

If she had things her way, James would have been fired by now and they would hire a better butler. Kate didn't see why her father hired James when he had so few skills and a reputation as a butler.

Kate walked away from James as the kitchen became a sight she could no longer bear to look at. A lady such as herself did not belong in such a place. Her marriage to Simon would ensure she continued the life of never having to lift a finger. She could hardly wait to visit his house and see what would belong to her soon enough.

James didn't take offense to Kate's words. Contrary to what she thought, her mother took a lot of his advice. He would love to rub the fact he was sleeping with her mother in her face but knew it would cost him his job since Katrina did not want anyone finding out about them.

Having enough of waiting around to learn what happened with Katrina for her to return so angry, James left the kitchen to pay her a visit. He had a bad feeling about her first time roaming around alone since Desmond's death.

James went up to the second floor, careful not to be spotted by Kate or any of the other servants. He knocked on Katrina's bedroom door and called out to her for her to know that it was him who came to visit her. After four knocks and no answer, James was about to leave when the door finally opened.

"Come inside quickly," Katrina said with her face turned away from him.

James did as she said and entered the bedroom. His suspicion that something happened was higher now that she would not look him in the eye.

Katrina closed and locked the door behind James. She wanted to hide her face but after some thought, she knew she needed to make a move using James. "James-"

James stepped closer to Katrina when she finally looked up and he was able to see the bruise that was not there this morning. "Your face," he reached out to touch her but Katrina stepped away from him.

"Do not speak about it," Katrina said.

Katrina walked around James and went to her bed, careful not to step on the broken pieces of glass from the mirror she broke when she returned home. She hated staring at the sight of her beautiful face now ruined.

"I am not going to allow Edgar to get away from this. I am going to make him feel what it is like to lose something precious. Two fucking scars," Katrina said through gritted teeth. "He intends to make me look like his despicable wife. I won't sit still and give up this time. From the lengths Edgar is taking to hurt me there is no question that he loves Alessandra."

Katrina hated to admit that Alessandra had somehow gotten Edgar to fall for her. She doubted Edgar's feelings when he first came to propose to marry Alessandra but now, she was certain of his feelings. She didn't understand how such a plain girl did it but figured they had all not realized how much of a sly fox Alessandra was.

"William wants Alessandra and it shall hurt Edgar if something happens to her. I want to see him searching high and low for her while she is subjected to whatever William wants with her. I will use bait to get her away from her husband. We have one person here she cares for and we know his secret," Katrina said, referring to Mario.

"I'm afraid it might not be so easy to use him this time. After one more week of work, his debt to your husband will be paid and he will most likely leave town to get away," said James.

"I don't need him to willingly go along with my plans. I will make him my captive to target Alessandra. I truly believe she had feelings for the cook and she still might. If she were to learn he is in danger I bet she will come running but I must have her come without her husband. I need you to do three things for me," Katrina said, putting a bit more trust in James at this moment.

James had quickly become her most loyal servant aside from her maid. Katrina knew men well so it wasn't hard for her to notice James' feelings for her. It was foolish considering she was willing to accuse him of taking advantage of her and if needed, she would still accuse him of it but those feelings meant he would do anything for her.

"I need you to go into town tomorrow and hire a gang of men to work for me. I need Mario to be lured out of the house with an errand for him to be taken and I need you to visit an inn tomorrow. No," Katrina changed her mind. "I need you to hire the men and go to the inn tonight. Edgar must know about the inn by now and I must beat him to it."

Katrina walked up to James to seduce him with her body to remind him of what he got for his loyalty. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared at his handsome features. "I am trusting you, which is rare for me to do. Should you betray me, know that I will stab you deep into your back but continue to do a good job and you shall be rewarded well."

"I understand," James replied.

"Good, now strip for me. I am in need of releasing my anger James. If only you were a man of higher status," she started to unbutton his shirt. "I would have no issue marrying you. Do as I ask of you well and I shall elevate your status just as I did with my life."