The Duke's Masked Wife



"Against my better judgment, I let you and my father inside so you could give your apologies and all your games would be over with. It is irritating that I was the one to let you inside. I should get angry with Alfred for meeting with the two of you. I will deal with him later. What did you say to Alessandra?" Edgar asked, stopping in the middle of the room.

"I said nothing wrong for her to leave so abruptly. When were the two of you going to tell me about mines? Why did it have to be Alfred to tell me about them instead of either one of you?" Rose asked,  frustrated that Edgar did not come to her.

"This is what is needed to show that she is worthy of the Collins last name. We marry into wealth and don't let just anyone join our family. I want you to be happy, but your marriage has left you to constantly fix her mess. I like Alessandra, but I love you for you are a Collins and my dear-"

"No one has ever been able to make you do something I do not want to. I take care of the fools around her because I want to. She is my wife, and I will do what is necessary to protect her. I need everyone around here to keep their mouths shut," Edgar said, annoyed by the fact that Alfred spoke about the mines. 

With Rose knowing, the Collins family would know, and then Lockwood would know. This was not only a problem for Alessandra, who wanted to keep it a secret, but for her grandmother and other relatives, who didn't like to bring attention to the fact they owned mines. When will it be learned that there cannot always be peace?

"What else has he told you?" Edgar asked since he would not be able to hold back his anger if Alfred told about Alessandra being pregnant. They were not ready for the town to know about it. It was a secret they wished to keep until Alessandra started showing. 

Rose narrowed her eyes. "Is there more?" She asked.

"No," Edgar replied.

"I respect you, grandmother. As a boy, I liked watching how you made people cower before you. How you controlled the Collins family and how you had a habit of sending my mother away when I didn't wish to speak. Little did I know that my source of fun would bite me in the ass one day. Now that you have turned your attention to upsetting my wife. We have only just gotten rid of her relatives who caused her pain," Edgar said.

"I see no problem in getting rid of my relatives who wish to ruin her days. From the early days that I met her, I have always been angry at what she endured and how positive she was about it. I gave her the opportunity to take charge of that house without her family laying a hand on her, and what she did was child's play. She let them off easily. Not that I mind since I want to keep her hands clean. I could really use a cigar now," Edgar said, wishing to reach into his pocket to get one.

"That's going to kill you if you don't stop."

Alessandra's innocent voice from the night they met stopped him from picking up one and then tossing it out.  A simple offer for a contract marriage led him to be like this. Many times, Edgar forgot that was how it started. Their meeting felt different now that he loved her.

Rose was confused by the sight of Edgar smiling. 

Edgar snapped out of the fond memory and looked down at Rose. "You are not going to tell anyone about the mines. Let it be a secret that leaves your mind tonight. Pretend that all you know is that she is the daughter of a former baron and now my wife."

Rose was amused by the fact that Edgar thought he could threaten her. She was the one to give him and Edmund their power. It was because of her that they carried the Collins name. "You cannot threaten me, Edgar. Not unless you want the entire Collins family against you," said Rose.

"You'd be surprised by the things I can do and have them turn against me if you wish. You'd be surprised, in a battle between me and you, how many would turn against you. For your sake, I hope that I do not hear about mines or Alessandra from your lips or any other relative tomorrow. Let your games with trying to change my wife end here tonight. I shall place you in the same cell where my mother once sat if you continue to bother Alessandra," Edgar promised.

"I am your grandmother!" Rose yelled, angered by the fact that Edgar was threatening to lock her away. "I have cared for you better than I cared for my own son. My only child."

"Deep down, I always knew that love came from you loving me as a grandmother and because my father was a flawed Collins. His name was spoken of for his great efforts, but you knew the woman he hid would ruin him. I was someone you could mold which was why you tried to control my mother.  I never minded it because I would always do as I wanted and I liked being around you," Edgar revealed.

"As the Duke of this land, I am making the order that you are banned from stepping foot on my land. At first sight of your carriage arriving on my land, the guards will take aim, and know that my men have good precision. You are not welcome at any of my other homes-"

"Edgar!" Rose exclaimed, trying to get to her feet, but there was a pain in her foot that slowed her down.

"I shall order Alessandra's guards that should you or anyone close to you try to approach her, they should take out their swords. If you come within arms reach of her when I am near, I shall cut you down myself. I have given you a chance to make things right, and you have wasted it. You only have yourself to blame for where we are now. I want you out right now. Leave on your own unless you wish to have my servants witness the guards lifting you out," Edgar said, turning around to find one of his men to do it if needed.

Rose almost stumbled back after she was finally able to stand up straight. "Edgar, you would really push me out of your life because I asked about mines? I will not allow you into my life after you have disrespected me to this point. You cannot take it back after I walk out of this room, so act wisely. I will not be giving you my home if you are this way."

Edgar smiled because, as always, they thought he was desperate for that house when he had plenty to his name. "I do not need your home, but you must remember something. I spent just as much time with my grandfather as I did with you when he was still alive. That house is nothing for you to give away at your own will. My grandfather has always told me that it belongs to me. I shall add it to the homes to rent out when you are gone."

"You-"

"If it were possible, I would remove the Collins name and get my mother's last name so you would no longer need to concern yourself about us, but I quite like that we shall be the two Collins you cannot control," Edgar said and then continued to leave the room.