The Duke's Masked Wife Chapter 545 Ruin The Moment (3)
Previously on The Duke's Masked Wife...
Alessandra had no idea what awaited her as she trailed after Rose to a secluded spot distant from the crowd, just for their private chat. Edgar had mentioned that Rose came to offer an apology, yet if she managed to sustain this behavior for more than a month, what prompted her to seek forgiveness at this moment?
The spare room, once occupied by the injured Alfred, was where Alessandra and Rose stepped inside. As the door shut to ensure seclusion, a wave of unease washed over Alessandra right away. She regretted that things had turned sour with Rose, of all people. Rose had been the initial Collins to embrace her, carving out a cherished spot in Alessandra's heart.
Alessandra perched on the bed's edge, whereas Rose claimed the room's solitary chair.
"Let me begin," Rose declared, aiming to steer the discussion's direction. "I might have been overly harsh with you. My eagerness to assist blinded me to the pain I inflicted on your emotions. My care for you is genuine. Surely you realize that, right?"
"Yes," Alessandra responded, though her voice lacked conviction to her own ears. Uncertainty lingered about whether Rose's affection mirrored their first encounter, but she appreciated the partial remorse as a bridge back to their former harmony. Alessandra observed that a full apology from Rose remained pending.
"I wish for us to put this behind and resume our old ways. No more nagging about your household matters. Without doubt, you can overlook Edmund's dinner invitation. I acted foolishly, hoping you'd join me there. I'm sorry," Rose concluded in a final effort.
Alessandra ought to feel fortunate, for Rose rarely extended apologies to just anybody, particularly not to women entering the family through marriage.
"Can you pardon this silly old woman? I've longed for you and Edgar terribly. Lately, Alfred and I haven't schemed to give you two some alone time like before. Will you find room in your heart to forgive me?" Rose inquired. She understood Alessandra's deep value for family, given her scarce experience with it, so forgiveness seemed inevitable.
"Fighting isn't my desire. It never was. I dislike the rift between you and Edgar caused by me. You two shared a strong bond, and I'd love to see it restored. This is especially true now with his improving ties to his parents. Forgetting it comes easily to me. It was ridiculous to clash over mere furniture," Alessandra stated.
One fewer individual would require her vigilance in shared spaces.
"Now," Rose announced, rising from the chair and approaching the bed. "We should discuss some thrilling updates. That's a stunning necklace featuring an impressive gem. From where did you acquire it?"
Alessandra caressed the necklace chosen by Sally. "Edgar gifted me this shortly after our wedding. He purchased numerous items that I've yet to try on. I'm making an effort to wear them all now to avoid the sense of wasted spending. Should you desire one yourself, I'd need to consult Alfred on Edgar's source. I suspect Edgar didn't select it personally."
Rose laid her hand atop Alessandra's right one on the bed. "Haven't you crafted any necklaces using gems from your own mines?"
"What?" Alessandra's brow furrowed in bewilderment over Rose's knowledge of the mines. She hadn't shared that secret with anyone. It escaped to Priscilla during talk of her mother, but Priscilla vowed silence. "How did you learn of them?"
"Alfred informed me. Wouldn't it benefit you to announce to that town about your ownership of mines? Do you know what emerges from those mines? Their value— are they substantial? In other words, are valuable resources discovered there?" Rose pressed, her curiosity spilling over.
Silence enveloped Alessandra as she grappled with the unfolding situation. It puzzled her why Alfred would reveal the mines to Rose prior to mending their rapport. She recalled Alfred's conversation with Edmund the previous day, while she and Edgar believed he'd attended the festival. "Precisely when did Alfred mention the mines to you?" she questioned, seeking confirmation.
"Yesterday. The revelation of your mine ownership caught me off guard. It resolves our issue," Rose explained.
"I understand," Alessandra murmured, withdrawing her hand from Rose's grasp. "This visit isn't driven by regret over your previous conduct. Pressing me to alter because my origins didn't meet your standards for Edgar, and issuing invites solely to Edgar and Alfred. It's hard to believe I was eager to reconcile with you. This pains me since I truly admire you, Rose. I valued that Edgar had you alongside Alfred."
"I'm not requesting any changes from you. To demonstrate your suitability as a Collins wife, announcing your mine possession would suffice. Folks view you merely as a former baron's daughter, and consider the rumors about your stepmother. Even your sister wed the killer of those women," Rose remarked, growing increasingly concerned with Alessandra's family history.
"Proving my worth as Edgar's wife doesn't concern me. His love is what counts. Cease your judgments, and you'd recognize my effective adaptation as duchess, pursuing my own path without alteration. My family's actions bear no relation to mine. I refuse to be lumped in with their deeds. I won't repeat this with you," Alessandra declared, rising from the bed.
"You and Edgar can return to your previous state, but I refuse to tolerate claims of my unworthiness for him. I now question your initial impressions upon meeting me and discovering more. Your regard for me likely wasn't sincere. I've at last broken free from relatives disrupting my newfound tranquility. You shan't destroy it. Pardon me," Alessandra stated, exiting the room, unwilling to prolong the dispute with Rose that evening.
Opening the door, Alessandra hadn't anticipated Edgar positioned outside, awaiting her. Upset lingered, and she aimed to conceal it to preserve the night's enjoyment. "I-"
"Join Alfred and my mother," Edgar instructed, steadying the door for her exit. His sole guideline had been violated already. "I'll handle a private word with my grandmother."
Alessandra paused before departing the pair unattended, yet Rose's presence soured the atmosphere, so she sought out Alfred or Priscilla for company to dispel her current irritable disposition.
After observing Alessandra's departure, Edgar entered the room and secured the door. "What in hell is troubling you?"
"Edgar!" Rose gasped at his crude language in her presence. "I am your grandmother, not some common street stranger."
"Precisely," Edgar retorted, advancing gradually into the space with hands clasped behind his back to restrain impulses urged by his thoughts.