The Duke's Masked Wife



"You remind me of your old mother-in-law by trying to smack someone. Smack my right cheek," Edgar turned his head. "My wife has to see my left cheek when we're sleeping and I don't want her view to be ruined."

'You idiot,' Mark shook his head for what might be the tenth time. Katrina wanted to hit Edgar and the man was unphased by it.

"Katrina, you must not slap the Duke, especially when he cannot return it. No man or woman will lay hands on each other in the court. I will accept Kate's request to leave the room. Perhaps it has been too soon for you to recount what you witnessed while married to Simon. I will give you a bit more time, but please try to write down anything you remember and send it to the court. I shall make ways for you to leave tonight as you requested," said Mark.

Next time, he wanted to speak with only Kate instead of her insufferable mother. Katrina tried too much to control Kate who was old enough to speak and take care of herself. With a woman like Katrina raising her, Mark could see why Kate was like what he heard of her. Kate was starting to look like a nervous wreck. Take the mother from around the daughter and Kate might have a chance.

"Thank you," Kate stood from her seat. She wanted to hurry out of the room right away. "Come mother," she tugged on Katrina's dress.

Katrina swallowed her anger for now. It was wrong of her to attempt to hit Edgar when he held information that could destroy all that she built for herself in Lockwood. All that she built for Kate. She needed to speak with Randall right away. "I truly detest you and your wife," she muttered.

"I've been aware of that from the start of this story," Edgar shrugged his shoulders.

"Duncan, escort the two women back to their room. I will finish up here," Mark said. He needed to know what Edgar had discovered about Katrina and who this Ida person was. Why did the mention of Ida seem to anger, but yet, control Katrina? Was this Ida person a part of her past?

Katrina practically stormed out the room, uttering curses under her breath while Kate silently followed behind with Duncan.

"That was something," Bella said when the room became quiet. She got to see how much Edgar and Katrina disliked each other. She would have never guessed there was such tension.

Mark touched his aching forehead as he sat back down. "It is what happens when the Duke is in the room. I apologize for not getting anywhere today, Bella. We've called you from your home for nothing."

"I wouldn't say for nothing. I welcome every opportunity for me to travel around. I've spent too much time in one place for me to stay still now. Call me whenever you need my help, please. Oh, wait. I might be out of town soon. My mother thought it would be best for me to leave town for a little bit to visit family. There are too many people gathering outside my home and though I can answer questions, I don't want to spend an entire day speaking about Simon. It makes it hard to forget him," Bella softly spoke.

"Very well. While you are still in town, I will make arrangements with the guards for your house to be guarded so no one can surround it. The King's offer for you to stay in the palace for a couple of days-"

"The palace is not safe like people think it is. You'll be safe in your own home," Edgar said. When Hazel herself could not be safe in the palace, why would anyone want to stay there? Especially someone with no connections? There were a lot of conflicts still going on in the palace that would ruin Bella's time there.

Mark had a better idea. "Why not let her stay on your estate? No one can seem to get through your gates."

Edgar glared at Mark for the suggestion. He felt sorry for Bella and could stomach being around her, but it didn't mean he wanted to open his doors wide. He didn't need someone else living in his home when he was already busy making arrangements for the ones in Alessandra's stomach. "Why don't you let her stay in that thing you call a home?" He retorted.

"What I have is a home. I might not be rich like you, but I do have a good home. However, I spend most of my time here in the court. Bella would not like her stay with me," Mark replied.

"There are all kind offers, but I prefer to stay at home until it is time for my trip. I still would love to invite the Duke and guards who found me over for dinner," Bella said.

"It is the least we can do for all of you finding my daughter," Bethany, Bella's mother, said. She was forever in debt to the men who brought her daughter home. She would give them all that she had to her name as a thank you. She was so close to taking her life, but Bella was brought back to right in time.

As a mother, Bethany found it hard to think that she was outliving her child. No parent should have to bury their child. Back then, she was told Bella must have been long dead, but her body was never found. It was hard to think about burying her own child, but harder to think her child was dead and she could not give Bella a proper send-off because the person responsible was holding onto Bella's body.

"You've brought her back to me. Please let us do something for you, Duke Collins. Though it was your job, I must repay you," Bethany said. 

"I will accept the dinner, but I will be inviting the two of you to my home. My wife and I might be holding a small dinner soon. On our way to the court, Bella told me about some cookies you make. You can repay me by teaching my wife to make a few cookies. She cannot bake and I am soon to die if I eat any more flour," Edgar said, now tasting flour as he thought about Alessandra's baking. She was getting better when Wilma was there with her, but now she had gone back to wasting flour.

Bethany covered her mouth with her hand to hide her laughter. "I'd be delighted to visit and help the Duchess bake. I run a small bakery so I will do well with teaching her. Please inform us of the date and we will be there. If that is all, Bella and I should leave before the crowd outside grows. Remember, we are on your side. There is nothing to blame you for."

Bethany found it ridiculous how people were getting angry with the King and Duke when Simon was the one who deserved their anger. If they wanted the culprit captured alive, why hadn't they volunteered to help with the search? Some might say she was biased because her daughter was returned to her, but she slept better at night knowing Simon was dead already.

Mark waited until Bella and her mother were out of the room to then look at Edgar. "Where the hell is my invitation?" He asked.

"For a smart man, you have a lot of dumb moments, Mark. I don't like you so why would I invite you into my home?" Edgar replied. He would be setting himself up to be annoyed by inviting Mark.

"I hope by the time your children are grown, I am no longer in the court. I cannot deal with you and then years later your little spawns," Mark said.

"Spawns?" 

"Well, you are the devil. What else am I to call your children? The only saving grace is their angel of a mother. Careful now," Mark pushed his chair to get away from Edgar who went into his coat to get something. "It was merely a joke."

"Hilarious," Edgar faked a smile that lasted two seconds. "Now it is my turn to make a joke out of you."

"There's no need for you to get violent, Edgar. I will tell your wife if you try to hit me," Mark stood as he didn't think it was safe for him to be sitting down. "You wouldn't want to stress out a pregnant woman, would you?" 

"You have to be alive to tell her. Come here, Mark."