The Duke's Masked Wife

Two days later, Alessandra sat with Sally trying to plan out how she would take charge of Edgar's birthday which was now only one day away. She wanted him to enjoy his birthday from the moment he opened his eyes till the day was officially over at midnight.

"I have finished wrapping the painting. I am sure the Duke will love it though I am surprised you didn't paint one of yourself. He would love it if you did one that was tempting," Sally said, alluding that it should be brazen.

Alessandra informed Sally of her plans to seduce Edgar, completely leaving out the whips, chains, and more. There was no other woman to talk to besides Sally and though Sally was not in a relationship and never slept with anyone as she was told, Alessandra still valued what Sally had to say.

"It would be hard for me to paint myself that way. I would have to sit in front of a mirror to get the angles right and I truly would not like to have such a picture of myself hung up anywhere in the house," Alessandra replied, cringing at the image of it in her head.

"As if the Duke would hang it up for anyone else to see.  You said you wanted gifts that would surprise him and a painting of yourself would definitely surprise him. You have today and all of tomorrow to get it done. Unless you wish to sit naked in your private room while holding only a brush and paint in your hands. You'll tell him to paint your body as he-"

"Uhm Sally," Alessandra interjected before the fantasy could go into more detail.

"Sorry," Sally scratched the back of her head. "I don't know where that came from but it is a good idea, isn't it?"

With what would follow if she were to do Sally's idea for Edgar, there were places Alessandra did not want to get paint in.  The paint would also make things messy and Alfred might faint if he saw the aftermath. "I think it is best if I stop at giving him a painting of myself."

"What about making him breakfast? All of the servants have started to pack for the vacation the Duke is giving us but I heard the cook will be here in the evening to prepare dinner. You can help with breakfast or better yet you can bake him a cake," Sally suggested.

"I have never baked before let alone cook even if it was just an egg," Alessandra replied, not having any faith in her skills.

"That is why it will be special in your husband's eyes. It is better we stick to baking for now instead of making breakfast. We can get the cook to help us now that he will not be so busy," Sally stood up. "We have enough time to practice making a good cake and with your art skills, it will be decorated well."

"It couldn't hurt to try. While Edgar is busy in his study we can start practicing. It is a wonderful idea," Alessandra said, getting up from her chair to follow Sally. She hoped the cake could come out nice and Edgar would enjoy it even though he was not a fan of cake. She would eat what he would not want.

Alessandra and Sally left the room allocated for her to paint in and it wasn't long before they stumbled into Rose who visited with Alfred just in time for breakfast a while ago.

"Where are you in a rush dear? Making plans for Edgar's birthday?" Rose asked.

"I want to try baking a cake for him. You can go ahead to the kitchen without me, Sally. I will be there shortly," Alessandra said as she wished to speak with Rose about what Rose wanted to do to celebrate Edgar's birthday the day after. "Have you finished thinking of how you plan to celebrate his birthday?"

"I was thinking of dinner the day after his birthday with a few relatives and his close friends. I have yet to visit my son to hear what he has planned for Edgar's birthday but I doubt Edgar will want anything from his parents," Rose replied, certain Edgar would walk away from her if she mentioned his parents.

Alessandra was certain he did not want anything from his parents. "After what his mother did to Alfred, there is no-"

"What did you just say?" Rose asked, tilting her head with confusion plastered on her face.  Her eyebrows knitted as she tried to process who the culprit was all along. "Is it Priscilla who harmed Alfred? Are you certain of it?"

Alessandra was just as confused as Rose was but for a different reason. "Didn't Edgar or Alfred tell you? Was I not supposed to?" She whispered. For as long as Rose had been in Lockwood, Alessandra thought she was aware of Priscilla's involvement in what happened to Alfred and Timothy. Edgar did not tell her Rose was not supposed to know.

"It is no wonder why the two of them have been so secretive. I am going to pay that woman a visit," Rose started walking to the front door to head for Edmund's home.

Alessandra didn't know much about what Edgar was doing with his mother but she came to learn Priscilla was not in her home. Priscilla was here all along. "Rose, you should speak with Edgar before you leave. He will tell you everything," Alessandra said, walking ahead of Rose to block her path. "Edgar is already dealing with his mother."

"The least he could have done was tell me that his mother was behind what happened with Alfred. That wrench!" Rose spat, beyond frustrated with Priscilla. She moved to the side to go around Alessandra to get to Priscilla. "Alfred has done the family a favor that I can never repay for staying beside Edgar for so long.  I knew she harbored some hatred and jealousy toward Alfred but never did I think she would harm him."

Alessandra hurried behind Rose to stop her from going to look for someone who was already there. "Edgar is taking care of it-"

"Unless his mother is dead Edgar has not taken care of the matter. Do not stand in my way, child. You have no idea the things I have let slide when it comes to Priscilla. I had my own faults and had nannies raise Edmund when I was busy but I could never bring myself to harm any of them. Had Alfred not known how to protect himself, he would have died. Priscilla does not deserve any grace just because she is Edgar's mother," Rose said, becoming more frustrated by the second with Alessandra blocking her.

"I understand your anger but you must speak with Edgar about his mother. She is here," Alessandra revealed as the last resort to stop Rose from leaving.