The Duke's Masked Wife

Alessandra quickly realized that had she not been in a contract with Edgar where they communicated things with each other, Sally's words would have her panicking about her relationship with her husband.

In Sally's eyes, it was only one night that Alessandra and Edgar were not going to be intimate but she was already thinking he would seek pleasure elsewhere. Alessandra figured them being newlyweds played a role in Sally's thoughts but was it expected men would want to touch their wives every night after they got married and if they didn't, it would mean their husband got pleasure from elsewhere?

"Edgar isn't looking for pleasure elsewhere. In his own words, he is not a manwhore," said Alessandra.

Sally sighed as she found Alessandra to be too delusional. "Of course, he would say that to his wife. It is the second night of the two of you being married and you're telling me that he does not wish to touch you? It will decrease your chances of getting a child quickly. What if it takes too long and he brings a mistress?"

Alessandra couldn't help but laugh at the words leaving Sally's mouth. "What on earth are young women being told? Is there a book that says every man will be this way? Does it matter that I also do not wish to be intimate with Edgar tonight or perhaps tomorrow? I am also not ready to be a mother due to the fact I have trauma I still don't want to be suffering from when there is a child I must look after."

"Have you told the Duke you do not wish to have a child soon?" Sally would find Alessandra to be a fool if she did.

"He also agrees that we are not ready," Alessandra replied.

"Then it is odd. Men marry with the expectation they would be given a son right away. They-"

"Stop right there," Alessandra pinched the bridge of her nose to calm down the emotions building up. "Edgar is not those men you have been told about. I don't know what you witnessed happening to someone else or what you have been told but I have spoken to my husband and we both are on the same page when it comes to our relationship."

Alessandra continued to say, "All of this is nothing I have to explain to you but I like you well enough to not want you to think if your future husband wishes to spend the second night with the both of you just talking that it does not mean he is expecting to go lay with another woman. There seem to be a lot of rules for women in regard to marriage but I plan to live with my husband how I want."

Alessandra wished Sally and other women would realize that if a man only married someone for a son or that he would grow tired of their wives and cheat, they had gotten into a union with a scumbag, and not all men could be labeled the same.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump so far ahead," Sally apologized.

"That is alright. It just shows that you are concerned for me. It is a step forward in our relationship considering a day ago you were scared to be in the same room as me and now you are worried that I might lose my favor with Edgar. Going forward, know that I speak with my husband and he is honest with me. It's Edgar for goodness sake. That man never hides what he is thinking," Alessandra said.

"That is true," Sally recalled her conversations with him. Edgar had the power over Alessandra and if he wanted to cheat, he had no reason to hide and do it. Sally heard stories of men with high ranks publicly displaying their mistresses next to their wives because no one could stop them. "I've made a fool out of myself with my rash thoughts."

"I understand your relationship now but never tell anyone else what you told me, Duchess. If other women learn that you are not regularly sleeping with Edgar, they will tease you about it and claim he has a mistress," Sally warned her. It was something she witnessed before.

"I would never tell anyone about my relationship with Edgar. I can't trust any ladies as far as I can throw them. My personal maid should at least know that my marriage is fine so that you don't secretly meddle in it by doing things you think will help. And you are too scared of Edgar to tell my business. At least, I hope you are smart enough to be scared. I allowed him to kill my father. Don't think I would hesitate to have him kill you."

"I understand," Sally replied. She was certainly scared to do anything because of Edgar but she had truly sworn loyalty to Alessandra after realizing how much Alessandra had helped her. "We should hurry before the Duke returns."

"Right."

***

"Did I miss my turn to creep on you, Alessandra?" Edgar questioned as he entered their bedroom finding Alessandra sitting in a chair while Sally brushed her hair.

Alessandra sighed, wishing to not be able to hear Edgar for the rest of the night. She saw him bathing once and now it could not disappear. "You can leave now, Sally. If only I could follow you."

"Goodnight Duchess, Duke," Sally placed the brush to the side and kept her eyes low as she exited the bedroom.

"I did not creep on you, Edgar. I was only surprised to see you."

"So surprised that you stayed and crept on me," he twisted her words. "Are you trying to tempt me, Alessandra?" His eyes scanned the thin dress which barely reached past her knees.

"This was Sally's doing. I told her we wouldn't be sleeping together but she still chose this dress from the clothes I packed," Alessandra played with the straps wondering if she should change.  She wore this dress to sleep many times when the weather was hot but for the first time, she felt uncomfortable in it. It was partially because of Edgar's burning gaze. Surely, he could not find her intriguing like this. Her body was nothing to other women he must have been with.

"I'm starting to like that girl," Edgar replied.