The Duke's Masked Wife



"I did-"

"I don't know if I can believe you. You weren't too shaken up about his death. It felt like I was the only one mourning him. Did you want me or was I just a part of your plan?" Kate asked as she felt her mother only had a child so that her father would not leave too much money to Alessandra. He would have to split it between children.

Katrina hesitated but she was here to be completely honest with Kate. "I had you because it was what your father wanted and it helped me secure my spot as his wife. I could not wait around and let Melanie walk back into his life. I had a good opportunity so I took it. Regardless, I have always loved you, Kate. More than anything."

Katrina stood up. "From the moment you came into this world, I had a new purpose-"

"Shouldn't it be from the moment you found out you were pregnant?" Kate argued. She didn't like the feeling that she created so her mother could secure a spot as Baroness. She always believed that her parents were happy and in love. That was how she came into this world. Not this. "Why is there always something wrong with us now?" Kate muttered.

First, the things she saw and heard with Simon, and now her mother was someone who killed men.

"You're a hypocrite," Kate said. It was the only word she could think of to describe her mother. "You've walked around talking about women who you deem to be beneath but you've sold your body to men. You've shamed women who are no different than you."

Kate remembered her mother and friends turning their noses in the air at a woman who was well-known in the red-light district. A woman they hated for seducing their husbands. Kate had joined the group to talk negatively of the lowly woman. Was she supposed to chant those same words at her mother now or feel sorry for the woman? No one had any clue how that woman ended up in the red-light district.

"I did," Katrina had no shame in admitting it. "I was a part of a different world from those women. Everything about the disgusting world was beneath it. It still is. I've done enough to pull myself away from that world. I am no longer Ida. I am Katrina, who for many years had status."

"It still doesn't change the fact that you criticized women you should have understood," said Kate.

Katrina started to laugh as Kate was doing well with acting like a saint. "For all of the things you've said and done, you are calling out my actions? You lived a good life because I played a role and hid my past. Make no mistake that you would not get to enjoy a good life as a Baron's daughter if I had not lied. They would have taunted you. Say that you would be like me."

Kate bit her lip. She would not like the town to know about her mother's past. Not now or in the past when she was growing up. She would prefer to forget about this and believe that her mother had a good background. This would ruin her. "I will never be able to get married if this is found out," she said.

Katrina looked away from Kate as that was exactly what was happening now. "Edgar knows about that life. Randall must have talked to him. We have to leave now before the guards come looking for me. We will run away-"

"I do not want to run away with you. We will have nothing," Kate said, looking at her mother as if she lost her mind. If she couldn't remarry, at least she would have the money Simon left behind. She was not going to leave without it. "For everything I've suffered, I should get Simon's money. I will not  run away with nothing."

"I have some money put aside that should keep us safe for a while and then I will figure something out," Katrina promised.

"You'll sell your body again?" Kate asked, hoping it wasn't what her mother intended to do. She could never live with herself if she let her mother do that to keep her fed. 

"No, I will find work if needed, but it is enough money that I will not have to think about working for a long time. We can settle somewhere and use the money to start a business. It will be just you and me where no one knows us and you can get married again. I know I must disgust you," Katrina softly spoke. "But I want the best for you Kate. I think of your safety more than my own. I always wanted you to have the life I did not have. 

"You do not disgust me," Kate replied. Her mother could never disgust her. She was just shocked to learn about her mother's past and then be reminded of how they treated others. They were hypocrites, but Kate still loved her mother.  Whatever she asked for her mother would try to have in front of her the next day. "I am sorry for my reaction. I should be hugging you right now. I just do not know what to make of myself right now. What to make of my life."

Kate played with her fingers. It helped to calm her thoughts. "Mother, do you think we are bad people? Honestly. You killed those men because they used you. What do you make of me and everything I have done?"

Katrina walked up to Kate who did not back away this time and hugged her. She was denying it at first but she had noticed a change in Kate. She wanted her daughter to go back to normal. Perhaps it was best they left town so Kate would go back to normal. She wanted her proud daughter back. "You have done nothing wrong, Kate. I promise you."

"Do you think Simon is my karma for how I treated Alessandra? That is what he says," Kate revealed.

"What?" Katrina looked down at Kate. Kate had not hugged her back and just stood still. "Simon told you that? When?"

"Last night. All he speaks of is Alessandra. I want it to stop," Kate replied. She did not wish to hear about Alessandra now when her life was falling apart. Simon knew this too which was why he kept mentioning Alessandra. Wanting to make her feel guilty for how she treated Alessandra.

Katrina hugged Kate tighter. She did not wish to believe that Kate had lost her mind. "Simon is dead, Kate. He did not speak to you last night. Start packing a bag. When the time is right, you and I will leave here. I will have James bring our other things to us somehow. You will go back to normal," she promised.