The Duke's Masked Wife



Alessandra returned home an hour before the party ended to avoid how busy the road would become with everyone heading to the festival. She did not want to get caught up in anyone rushing to get to the festival as if it was going to be over so soon. 

Alessandra enjoyed her time out, but there was something about being at home that she loved. Her image as duchess faded when she walked through the front door. She was simply Alessandra, free of any rules. 

After a quick clean-up and changing into a more comfortable dress, Alessandra sat at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Edgar to return from outside. Alessandra decided that the servants should get to leave to enjoy the festival, so it was just her and Edgar at home, plus a few servants who did not wish to go. 

Surprisingly, Alfred informed them that he had somewhere to be and that he would be back in a few hours. Alessandra was curious if Alfred was meeting with a lady now that he had free time, while Edgar believed Alfred was going to see if the festival brought in new books for him to buy. Alessandra believed that both of their assumptions might be right.

Edgar entered through the front door and was puzzled to see Alessandra sitting on the stairs. "Why are you sitting on the stairs? I told you to go up to bed without me."

"I didn't want to be up there alone. It is lonely now that many of the servants are gone. I was hoping to play with the cats, but they abandoned me. They ran off somewhere," Alessandra said, looking in the direction they ran. She heard something drop moments before the cats decided it was more fascinating than playing with her. "Maybe I should get a dog to feel more appreciated."

"Last night you spoke of getting fish to put in the pond outside. How many animals do you want to have just for them to like me instead of you?" Edgar asked, going in front of her to help her to her feet.

"That wasn't nice of you to point out that you are more loved. I don't see how fish can have a favorite person, but if we have fish, the cats might linger around the pond. The dog is a better choice, isn't it?" Alessandra smiled, knowing she could get Edgar with this. The dogs Edgar currently owned were not the type for her to play around with. "Dogs make excellent companions for children."

Edgar lifted Alessandra into his arms so he could carry her upstairs. "Soon there will be birds flying over my head inside because of your love for animals, and then there are the stray people you invite into our home. I must warn you that if I come home one day and there is something flapping over me, it will end up as the cat's dinner.  The same can be said for people who would become the dog's chew toy."

"That is mean of you. Perhaps I should buy a home for myself with the money I get from the mines. I can keep my pets there and stay there when I want to get away from you. You can change my mind if you think more about getting a dog," Alessandra said.

"We are already preparing for children who do nothing but cause us to spend money and devote a lot of time to them for all their lives. Do you really want to add another tiny, annoying creature to our home?" Edgar asked.

"You cannot call our children annoying creatures, Edgar. Children are lovely. With the way you have been preparing for our child's arrival, you know they are not annoying. Or maybe you are worried that your child will stress you out as much as you have stressed others out as a child. Specifically Alfred. He has been telling me all the tales of the things you thought were fun. I love you Edgar, but I am not strong like Alfred to handle that," Alessandra said, worrying for her poor heart.

"You know Alfred is dramatic so you shouldn't believe his words-"

Alessandra poked Edgar's left cheek with her finger. "I absolutely believe Alfred's words that you gave him a lot of trouble as a child. You worry him as you are now. As much as I don't want to be chasing around someone similar to you, I think it is only fair that you get a dose of what Alfred went through. A little boy, so you see yourself in him, or a little girl who keeps you on your toes."

"That does not scare me as much as you think. I wouldn't mind my children mirroring my personality. Scaring the people in town with their words. I look forward to how they will be with other children," Edgar smiled as he imagined the mischief he would let them get into. 

"They shall be like normal children. Not throwing cats on their relatives or trying to push the king off a wall like you did. I look forward to when our children will have to marry, and you must let them go to experience a new life. I wonder if I will see you cry-Oh!" Alessandra gasped when she accidentally poked Edgar in the eye.

Edgar turned his head in the opposite direction to protect his face from Alessandra. "You still have it in you to wound me. Wonderful," he muttered. 

Edgar stopped moving as his eye watered, and since he could not see out of one eye at the moment, he did not want to drop Alessandra. "If you keep this up, our children will be without a father," he said after the tears stopped. He looked down at Alessandra with her hands covering her mouth.

"I didn't mean to do it. I swear you turned at the wrong time. Perhaps it is best that you put me down and we walk at a distance. I don't know why I always end up hurting you. Though this time it is still your fault," Alessandra said, placing the blame on Edgar as always.

Edgar kept her in his arms since he was near their bedroom. "I must keep you loving me so you never end up working with my enemies. You are the only person I know who hurts me this much. You do have a secret love for pain. A quiet night like this is the perfect chance for us to explore more of the toys we did not use on my birthday, or should we save them for when the time comes to make you pregnant again? I see no other way to have you-"

Alessandra covered Edgar's mouth with her hand. Fortunately, she did not harm him. "This is why I keep causing you to be in pain, Edgar. It is your mouth. Accept the idea of getting a friendly dog, and I will think about your suggestions."

"You have a better chance of seeing Alfred bring home a woman than me getting you a dog. I have already given you two cats and let you invite my mother inside," said Edgar.

Alessandra frowned. "Hey! Your mother doesn't count for me since she is your mother. It is just the two cats you have given me. What happened to spoiling me since I am carrying our child?"

"I believe I did most of the work in getting you pregnant while you laid back and enjoyed the pleasure. When am I going to be spoiled?" Edgar inquired.