The Duke's Masked Wife

Patrick looked to Edgar for help with sending the young woman away. Surely the Duke would scold her for staying when the two men were in need of a private conversation. 'If my wife dared do something like this I would drag her out of the room for being disrespectful,' he thought.

"What are you waiting for? She told you to speak," Edgar moved to stand behind the chair where Alessandra now sat.

Patrick expected a different outcome from Edgar. A conversation was meant to happen between the two men without a woman around to intervene. Patrick knew nothing of Alessandra therefore he did not wish to talk to her.

Patrick wondered if the young woman had bewitched the Duke and taken control of him. The Duke's good name would be dragged through the mud with a woman like this by his side. "Like everyone else, I have been waiting anxiously for you to start a new chapter in your life with marriage. I wish for you to have a wonderful marriage without scandal. I only wish to make sure you think things over thoroughly."

"Since when have you taken on the role of my father, Patrick? You are in no position to question my marriage. Frankly, you should be happy I allow you to enter my home given how much you irritate me at times. Did you drink wine before you came to my home?" Edgar genuinely wanted to know since it was the only reasoning behind Patrick thinking he could waltz in and give his opinion on their marriage.

"Duke Collins, I never meant to offend you. Forgive me, I was only worrying about your reputation," Patrick lowered his gaze to avoid meeting Edgar's gut-wrenching stare. He genuinely like Edgar and did not want to ever see him fall.

Reputations were easy to destroy and hard to fix. Edgar should not have his good name ruined all for a woman who had to hide half of her face.

"I've made it quite clear I don't care about my reputation. If not my marriage there will be something else about me that people will discuss to bring me down. I am hated as much as I am loved. I don't care to waste my days worrying about how I look in the eyes of other people. Try it, Patrick. On this joyous day, you have made my wife upset."

"No. She might have mistaken my concern for something else. I do not know the woman you have gotten married to as her father kept her out of the public eye for so long and then there are the rumors surrounding her. Talk about her has even reached men, Duke Collins. That says something," Patrick tried to reason with Edgar.

"Why is my name reaching the ears of men so important? Do men entertain themselves with the same gossip as women? I thought it is said many times that gossiping is for women. I don't even know why are we even listening to you. I've heard you once scammed people in other towns and now you have settled here," Alessandra lied.

"That's absurd!" Patrick spat with anger over such a lie. "I am a man from a reputable family. Anyone who dares to say something like that is not in their right mind or does not have any idea who they are speaking of."

"None of you have ever seen me curse anyone and yet, you believe such a ridiculous claim. Just as you said, I have been kept out of the public eye so what makes you think what you heard about me is true when the people talking have never seen me?" Alessandra questioned their unwanted guest.

She wondered if Edgar considered him to be a four on his scale, what would a ten be like?

"I am not angered by the fact you are cautious but it is the way you are ready to have Edgar off our marriage before you even try to greet me and see if the rumors are false.  Right now, I am not a fan of you, sir. The gifts you brought," Alessandra looked at the countless boxes stacked upon one another. "We have no need for them."

Patrick's eyes widened now that she mentioned his gifts. "T-These are the best wines in town. Anyone would be a fool not to take them."

"Then you will not have to wait long for someone else to claim them," Alessandra replied.

Alfred placed his hand over his mouth to hide a small smile. Alessandra had successfully cornered the man on her own and there was only one thing Patrick could do now if he wished to keep being an acquaintance of Edgar.

"I apologize for offending you, Duchess.  It was wrong of me to pay those rumors any mind without getting to know you when you are in front of me. We would get along well if you get to know me too. Your father and I are quite close," Patrick mentioned this hoping it would break the ice between them. "Please accept the wines and my apology."

Alessandra disliked the man more now that he mentioned her father. The more he spoke, the more he kept digging himself into a hole. "You are forgiven but you should still take the wine. I'd rather not take anything from you right now. If you don't mind, please leave as I want to finish enjoying today with my husband."

"Duke," Patrick looked to Edgar with pleading eyes to allow him to stay. They didn't have a proper chance to talk before it was time for him to leave.

"I wish I could say it was nice seeing you, Patrick. Alfred will show you the way out. I expect all these boxes to be removed as quickly as they were brought in. Are you ready to go, Alessandra?" Edgar placed his hand on the side of Alessandra's chair to help her stand up.

"But wait," Patrick tried to stop them from leaving but the couple ignored his words and left the room. "Duke Collins," he took a step forward to chase after them but before he could take a second step, Alfred blocked his path.

"The door is this way," Alfred pointed in the opposite direction.

"The Duke has seriously fallen in love with that woman?" Patrick questioned Alfred for the truth as it all seemed so unbelievable.

"I suggest thinking of a good way to get into the Duchess's good graces if you wish to be allowed into this house ever again," Alfred advised Patrick. "As for right now, it is time for you and the things you have brought to leave."