The Duke's Masked Wife

"Alessandra," Wilma called out to her as they were about to cross each other in the hallway. She noticed Alessandra seemed lost in thought as she neither heard nor saw anyone walking right up to her. "Alessandra," she called again.

"Huh? Oh, hello grandmother," Alessandra greeted Wilma. "How long have you been standing before me?"

"Just for a moment. I was calling you but you didn't answer me at first. What is occupying your mind? Nervous about the dinner?" Wilma asked, thinking the pressure of making sure Edgar have a good dinner was worrying Alessandra.

"No, I am just thinking of what will happen after dinner. Do you think people care too much about appearances and wealth?" Alessandra questioned, as she needed to hear what someone from another generation thought.

"They do, especially Lockwood. It is the center of the kingdom so it is expected for everyone to look a certain way and then there is a lot of emphasis on wealth. I cannot keep up with it so I am grateful my family does like speaking of our wealth or getting too deep into society's rules. We live a quiet life in our small town. I suppose it is harder for you as Duchess," said Wilma.

Alessandra's status had more pressure than Melanie's which made Wilma fear Alessandra having enough and wanting to run away.

"There are a few people that make it hard. I am the daughter of a late Baron but his finances don't make my background special and then there were so many ridiculous rumors. My excitement for today feels drained. I shouldn't think about this," Alessandra shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"Would it be better if you announce you have ownership in the mines? People only speak of your father because they don't know much about your mother. I would be more than happy-"

"No," Alessandra stopped Wilma. "You like privacy and I am not going to ruin it for my advantage. I don't care to wave around that I have wealth.  Enough about me. I am sorry I had to leave you alone. The queen has arrived and so has Edgar's grandmother. Have you ever met Rose Collins?"

"I have not. The Collins is the type of family that I only see from afar. I don't like to get in their paths but life has other plans now that you are Alessandra Collins. Is everyone at the table already? It is nearly the hour of six so dinner will start soon. Were you going to get your husband?"

"Not really. I was only taking a walk to clear my mind and I wasn't aware of the time. We should go back to the dining room now and grandmother, it is alright for you to call him Edgar or Duke. He is also your family now," Alessandra said, knowing Edgar wouldn't mind.

Wilma tapped her mouth for her carelessness. "Pardon me. I forgot he is now part of my family. I didn't want to offend him in case he didn't think we were that close yet. How do I look? Is my dress appropriate for meeting with the queen and his grandmother?" Wilma asked whilst fixing her dress that was not out of place.

Alessandra didn't have to give Wilma a look over as she was dressed quite well from the moment she arrived. "You look wonderful, grandmother."

"Thank you. Let us go together so you can introduce me to everyone. I am looking forward to meeting the man you say loves my plates. It is not every day I have someone who speaks of their love for plates and appreciates the craft. I pour a lot of love into making my plates you know. I will have one of the new batches sent to your home for you to use," Wilma said, making a mental note of it.

"Thank you but you should send them straight to Alfred. He will treat them like his children and store them away for no one to use.  I broke one and I have never gone near any of those plates ever again. Edgar," Alessandra smiled as he came to the entrance of the dining room at the same time they did.

"I will leave you two alone for a moment," Wilma excused herself and entered the dining room first.

"How did your talk go?" Edgar asked, curious whether they ended on a good note.

"Honestly, I do not know but at least I said what I wanted to. Are you ready to be the center of attention tonight?" Alessandra asked since the dinner was all for him.

"Aren't I always?" Edgar smugly replied, taking hold of her hand.

"You two," Hazel said as she approached the dining room. "Do not make me miss my husband. It would be nice if you think of the single people and the person separated from her husband."

"Then I am afraid you will have to find somewhere else to stay," Edgar kissed the back of Alessandra's hand to show he was not going to limit his affection.

"Sometimes I forget that you can just be as annoying as Tobias," Hazel muttered, walking ahead to get away from their affection.

Alessandra smiled, chuckling as Edgar couldn't help being devious.  She pulled her hand away from his hold. "How on earth can you still be so touchy? I'm sure you can limit it a bit to not make Hazel miss Tobias. I would not enjoy seeing Tobias and Hazel in each other's company while I am missing you," she said to convince him to decrease how much they touched each other.

Unfortunately, it just backfired for Alessandra.

"Then I will never leave your side," Edgar replied.

"That is not what I expected you to respond with," Alessandra poked his chest.

"Duchess," Sally interrupted the moment. She handed Alessandra a note that came from the gates. "You have a guest who wishes to see you right away."

Alessandra couldn't place who could be here to visit her. It couldn't be Erin as the guards would just inspect her carriage and let her in. She hoped it wasn't another run-in with a Barrett. Alessandra read the note and said, "It is Eleanor. This is odd. Why the sudden visit? Tell them to let her inside," Alessandra said.

"Edgar, you can go inside without me," Alessandra said then followed after Sally to hear what Eleanor came for. She liked Eleanor so she didn't mind the sudden visit.

Alessandra waited a few minutes by the front door as the note was taken back to the gates by a guard and then a carriage started to make its way to the house. Alessandra narrowed her eyes when Eleanor hopped out of the carriage before it could stop. She walked to the front door as Eleanor's frantic behavior worried her.

Alessandra opened the front door before Eleanor reached it, ignoring the cold as she stepped outside. "Eleanor-"

"Duchess!" Eleanor sighed in relief as she finally reached someone who could help her. "The tea. Neither you nor the queen should drink the tea!"