The Duke's Masked Wife Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Determined (3)

“My lady, breakfast is here.”

In her bed, Alessandra rolled around upon catching the sound of a voice beyond her chamber door, followed by those three distinct knocks. “How in the world has morning arrived so fast? I was merely having my dinner,” she muttered irritably, extending her limbs while she stirred awake.

Upon opening her eyes, Alessandra gazed up at the ceiling. This marked the day when her existence might undergo a profound shift.

“My lady?”

“It’s Kate out there,” Alessandra noted.

Usually, the servant bringing her meal would rap briefly and hurry away in terror. Yet this one seemed eager to draw her out, signaling someone lurking nearby with mounting impatience.

No doubt, Kate’s inquisitiveness regarding Alessandra’s exchange with the Duke had plagued her through the entire night.

.....

Alessandra felt the urge to delay the visitor even more until the breakfast was fetched, but provoking Kate on this particular day wouldn’t serve her well. To escape, she had to fulfill her part convincingly.

“I’m coming,” she responded to assure them she’d heard the call.

Rising from the bed, Alessandra scooped up the slumbering kitten from the adjacent pillow and tucked it away in her wardrobe to conceal it. She shut the wardrobe door, then headed to her writing table to secure the mask from the previous evening.

“M-My lady?”

‘Make it less apparent that you’re under duress,’ Alessandra mused internally as the servant faltered in speech.

Mask now fastened, Alessandra moved toward the door and turned the key to open it.

“Y-Your breakfast,” the servant uttered, keeping her gaze lowered.

Alessandra glanced at her meal, which rested not in the servant’s grasp but on the ground. “Thank you,” she said, bending to retrieve it herself; however, just as her fingers approached the floor, a foot stepped in from the side to trap her left hand beneath it.

“Good morning, sister,” Kate emerged from the side exactly as Alessandra had foreseen.

Alessandra flinched from the ache inflicted by Kate’s footwear on her knuckles. “Good morning, sister.”

“Run along,” Kate commanded the servant. She bristled with irritation at having lingered outside Alessandra’s quarters for so long. If only she possessed the extra key her father had confiscated. “Did you enjoy yourself last night, Alessandra?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?” Kate’s anger flared at Alessandra’s audacity. “Do you believe encountering the Duke granted you enjoyment?”

“N-Not that,” Alessandra faltered. “I enjoyed my time in my chamber last night. The melodies drifted all the way to me.”

“Is that right? Now tell me, what exactly did you converse about with the Duke last night?” Kate demanded to verify firsthand that no significant matters had transpired between the Duke and Alessandra. It would prove humiliating if he showed undue attention to the creature before her.

“I didn’t realize he was there while I went to fetch my dinner. He addressed me by name since I’d overlooked proper respect for someone of his stature. He reprimanded me, and then you came. That’s everything.”

Kate ground her heel into the back of Alessandra’s hand with greater force, doubting the tale’s completeness. “And what else?”

“He mentioned marriage and suggested you as a prospect. Nothing beyond that. I swear,” Alessandra yelped amid the torment.

“Hmm,” Kate finally withdrew her foot. It aligned better that Edgar would broach the subject of her, though she couldn’t fathom why he’d acted so aloof last night during their return to the gathering. “Naturally, he’d mention me. Who’d bother chatting with a monster like you?”

‘That logic escapes me. The Duke still engaged with me,’ Alessandra inwardly rolled her eyes. With her gaze averted downward, Kate remained oblivious to her expression.

“Regardless, it infuriates me that you exposed your hideous visage to the Duke. Suppose he buys into the curse nonsense and seeks retribution on our family? What then, you monster? Do you imagine safety, that father will protect you?” Kate jammed her foot back onto Alessandra’s hand.

“N-No,” Alessandra whimpered.

“Then remain confined to your chamber all-”

“Kate!” Desmond burst out upon witnessing his younger daughter tormenting the elder. “Cease this at once.”

“But father, she...” Kate hesitated, grasping that denial was futile against what he’d plainly observed. “The Duke spotted her last night, and they talked.”

Desmond peered down at Alessandra, astonished to learn of her encounter with the Duke. What subjects had they covered? Why had the Duke stayed silent on the matter? “I’ll handle this, so depart.”

Kate stamped her foot petulantly, like a spoiled child denied her whim. If the servant had coaxed Alessandra to the door sooner, she’d have finished before her father’s arrival. “How vexing,” she muttered, abandoning Alessandra’s threshold.

Alessandra’s hand quivered with agony, yet relief washed over her that Kate had vanished, at least temporarily. Despite the throbbing in her hand, she lifted the food tray to carry it inside her room.

“Alessandra, my dear,” the baron approached his subdued daughter. “Could you recount what passed between you and the Duke last night? Why were you outside your room? You knew the event was underway.”

“No meal arrived last night, and hunger gnawed at me. The garden was forbidden, so I figured a swift pass-through would suffice. That’s all,” Alessandra explained.

Desmond comprehended the situation, yet this involved the Duke, after all. Numerous folks clung to the superstition of her cursing others to death over mere happenstance. “What topics did you cover?”

Alessandra maintained her lowered head and replied, “He merely confirmed he could indulge in smoking there and raised Kate as a potential bride.”

“Truly?” Desmond’s eyes sparkled with this revelation. He’d fretted that Kate failed to captivate the Duke the previous evening, but evidently, she’d left an impression on Edgar. “That fellow’s peculiarities likely mean he wishes to study her further. This bodes well.”

Edgar represented Desmond’s lifeline to escape the debts he’d accumulated. Sustaining their former opulence grew challenging amid dwindling funds year by year. Kate securing a wealthy spouse stood as their sole salvation.

“Yet you shouldn’t have ventured out. Imagine if I’d reconsidered and led guests there?”

‘So I ought to go hungry?’ Alessandra pondered silently.

“I-I’m sorry, father,” she answered.

“Very well, very well. Scolding you serves no purpose. The fault lies with whoever neglected your meal. I apologize for Kate’s actions, but she’s merely safeguarding our interests. Edgar could dismantle us effortlessly,” Desmond stated.

Though concerned, the absence of Edgar’s complaints indicated Alessandra hadn’t irked him. “You must find your confinement tedious. What might amuse you to fill the hours? Request anything, and I’ll procure it immediately.”

“Since you’ve inquired, my painting supplies are depleted. I yearn to depict the town. Might I travel in the carriage to view potential scenes? I-I won’t disembark. I vow it.”

Desmond rested a hand on his waist, aware Katrina would oppose such leniency. Still, perpetual isolation might spur Alessandra to more daring escapes. Granting minor liberties seemed prudent. Following Kate’s outburst, he needed to compensate her. “Vow you’ll stay inside the carriage.”

“I promise,” Alessandra smiled. Her father couldn’t detect it, as her head remained bowed.