The Duke's Masked Wife

"Who the hell are you?" Judith questioned the rude stranger. "This is a matter which concerns the family."

"This is your fiance, Sally?" Adam asked as the only thing he took from the man's words was fiance.

Judith refused to believe that this man was going to marry Sally. She gave him a look over and based on his attire, he was not a common man. "This is preposterous. What games are you up to and who is this man?" She inquired from Sally.

Sally answered her father, "This is Caleb. He is the man I am going to marry and you will be living in his home. It would be best if you packed now father. We shouldn't waste any more time."

"You are a maid for Duke Edgar Collins. When would you have time to meet with a man like this? Adam, I told you to send her away," Judith repeated her command. It was unlikely for Sally to get married before her daughter and to such a handsome man. She could hear her friends question what was wrong with her daughter.

"I work as a guard for the Duke and have become close to your daughter since she tends to the Duchess. I intend to marry her and I would love it if you would join us at my home," Caleb said to help convince Sally's father. He meant to stay in the carriage but he got bored and luckily when he got out, he heard yelling.

Caleb fumed with anger at the sight of Sally almost getting slapped. He was also angry with the fact Sally's father was just standing by speaking instead of moving to protect his daughter. Had he been a second later to witness Sally getting slapped, Caleb didn't know what he would have done to Sally's aunt.

Judith was pleased to hear that the man was just a guard but his handsome features should not be wasted on Sally. "What sort of house can a guard have to hold four people and then children should the two of you have any? Take Sally and go. I never wish to see her in front of me. I would advise you to-"

"I don't need your advice," Caleb interrupted Judith. "Sir," he addressed Sally's father. "You should do as your daughter says and pack."

Adam wasn't on board with the union between Sally and this man he had never met before. He didn't want to be in debt to this stranger when he didn't know what sort of feelings this man had for his daughter or if he was just filling her head with dreams. "Sally, you can't just-"

"Sir," Caleb said again but this time his lack of patience was evident. "Stop questioning what your daughter tells you to do and just pack. How much longer will you just speak and do nothing will her aunt degrade her? Be a man and walk out of here with your wife and daughter."

Judith was appalled by how her brother was being spoken to. She did not want Adam or Dorothy to leave her home. Not now, not ever. The satisfaction of seeing her parent's favorite child cleaning her floors was not something she could let go of so easily.

"Adam, you must go inside. We know nothing about this stranger Sally has brought to us. If you leave with them, Sally will owe this man something," Judith used her brother's fear to try to convince him to stay.

"Father please come with us. There is nothing I will owe Caleb aside from my heart as we will be married. Start packing or I will start doing it for you," said Sally.

"You cannot step foot inside my home and if you do, I will call the guards to take you away," Judith said, moving to block the path to her front door. "Leave at once."

"Sally? What is going on?" Dorothy exited the front door. She thought she heard Sally's voice when she passed by the door and when she looked out the window it was confirmed that her daughter was there. "Why is your cheek red?" She rushed to her daughter's side.

"It is nothing, mother. I need you to start packing your belongings. I am getting married to Caleb," Sally grabbed Caleb's arm and pushed him forward to her mother. "You will live in his home from now on. Please come with me, mother."

"Dorothy, we have no idea who this man is. We should speak with him first," said Adam. He could not run off with a man he did not know and even worse, allow this man to marry his beloved daughter.

Dorothy caressed the red spot on Sally's cheek knowing Judith must have something to do with it. She glanced at the man wanting to marry her daughter and noticed his gaze on Sally. "Give me a moment to get my things and then we shall leave. Okay?"

Sally nodded her head, pleased to hear that her mother was coming along without any questions asked. If only her father could do the same now so they could leave.

Just like Sally, Dorothy was fed up with the treatment of her sister-in-law. She would rather live on the road than allow her daughter to be mistreated again. She didn't care about Adam's decision. He could stay with his sister for all she cared at this point.

"Dorothy," Adam followed behind his wife, leaving Sally and Caleb alone with Judith.

"What makes you think this is a good decision to move your parents from where they have a roof over their heads to a house of a man who can leave you tomorrow? Convince your mother to stay and be on your way," Judith ordered Sally but she did not receive a response.

Judith turned her attention to the man beside Sally. "You will gain nothing from marrying her. There is no dowry or inheritance to her name. It is only rags, nothing more. I'm sure a man of your background will want to marry a woman who will make your situation better. Your parents will be disappointed," she said in an effort to convince Caleb to change his mind.

Caleb replied, "I have enough money to my name to take care of-"

"Oh please," Judith clicked her tongue. "People like you hardly have enough money to talk of yourself and then you must care for your parents."

"My mother is the governess for the princess and my father a former knight. I have no need to support either of them. If you are so concerned about where Sally will be going, I will invite you to pay us a visit. Her new home is not far from here. I'm sure you've passed a home with statues of falcons out front but had no clue who resided there," Caleb replied, enjoying the realization on the woman's face.

Sally on the other hand wasn't aware that Caleb's mother was a governess for the princess. Was this true or was he only trying to look good in front of her aunt?

Judith didn't believe the house truly belonged to this man. No longer wanting to stand before Sally and the liar beside her, Judith hurried inside to stop her brother.

After her aunt left them alone Sally asked, "Is your mother truly the governess to the princess?"

"She always loved the idea of teaching children. She took the job after my father would be away fighting for the kingdom. She also taught Tobias for a few years. I keep telling you that I am not poor. I can survive on my background but I have chosen to be loyal to Edgar," Caleb answered, smiling the more Sally realized how little she knew about him.

"I see," Sally softly spoke, trying to process it. "There is no way your mother will ever find out about this right? My life doesn't fit your own. If she were to find out that you have settled for a maid this would all be ruined before I can have my own home."

"You are worrying for nothing. If my mother were to find out, she would make us get married tomorrow. Luckily, the princess keeps her busy so unless I tell her, she will never find out," Caelb assured Sally but he completely forgot that he was a twin and his brother would be more than happy to tell their mother.