The Duke's Masked Wife

"The town has much to talk about today. First with Katrina dying and now I have been informed that Kate jumped from the second floor of her home in what looks to have been an attempt to end her life," said Edgar.

Shock wasn't the right word to describe what came over Alessandra at the moment. She knew Kate and Katrina loved each other dearly, but she did not expect that Katrina's death would lead to Kate doing this or had something else push her to this decision?

"It doesn't sound like she has died," Alessandra realised after she thought back to how Edgar placed his words.

"Well, she only jumped from the second floor. If she had done it head first perhaps she would have hit the ground hard enough to kill herself. The roof would have been a better pick. She didn't succeed in killing herself, but she severely damaged her body. I don't know the exact details of her state. She is still being looked after by a doctor," Edgar said, taking slow steps toward Alessandra as she tried to wrap her mind around what Kate had done.

"I don't know if you would call it an issue, but since Katrina is dead and Clark is not exactly Kate's closest family, you are tasked with making decisions about what will happen to Kate. You and Kate do not get along, but in the eyes of the court, you are still her older sister. The land and the house left to Kate are now under your command while you care for Kate," Edgar revealed.

"What?" Alessandra replied in disbelief. Her father hadn't left any of it to her but not that Kate needed to be cared for, she was now given control.

Alessandra knew nothing could change the fact she was Kate's older sister, but she did not want to spend her days taking care of Kate and her former home. How had this turned around to be a punishment for her? "I don't want to spend my days taking care of Kate and running that house in her place. Do I get to answer if this is something I want to do or not?"

"Of course, but it means you will have to go see Kate tomorrow. Men from the court will be there to hear your decision. This is why I am happy to be an only child," said Edgar.

"Lucky you. I have to go to a gathering with your mother tomorrow afternoon. Then there is the festival in town to celebrate Hazel and Tobias, but I do not think I will attend," Alessandra said as a large crowd, the news surrounding her former family, and being pregnant did not seem like a good mix. There would be more festivals for her to attend and she had already celebrated with Hazel and Tobias. "We have the dinner falling on your father's birthday the day after."

"Get it over with before you meet with my mother. I will stop saying then there will be peace because something always happens afterwards. Why is it you have pushed me away from painting but you've allowed Alfred with his horrible skills?" Edgar asked, moving on to the second issue. Alfred was hovering around a depressing painting of a fish.

"Do not feel bad, Edgar. I will also stop Alfred from painting. I am going to wash up and come down for dinner in a moment. Tomorrow will be a day full of headaches, so I must make the most of tonight," Alessandra said, kissing Edgar on his cheek before leaving.

The next day, Alessandra exited her carriage and looked up at the home of a well-known doctor in Lockwood. His work was known to be years ahead of the doctors in the kingdom.

Edgar informed her that the doctor gained his knowledge of medicine by travelling around the kingdom and even outside of it. It was this doctor who helped make the cream that healed her scars.

Alessandra looked around for any signs of her guest. "He is late," she noted. She shouldn't have expected any more. Alessandra was not here to take care of Kate, so she thought of a solution that would benefit everyone.

Not waiting to prolong what was meant to be a short visit, Alessandra walked up the steps of the doctor's home with Caleb and Reed right behind her. It felt like old times to just have the twins with her.

"Duchess," Mark greeted Alessandra when she reached the door. "How many times must we meet each other? Your family has kept my life busy for a month now. There are other cases that need my attention. I hope to see less of your family soon."

"Hello, Mark. I am hoping for the same thing. I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but I am in a bit of a rush, so I need to do this quickly. I have invited someone who should be here shortly unless he wants our deal to end. What must I do?" Alessandra asked.

"Come with me," Mark said, walking beside Alessandra to take her to see Kate. "Your sister is awake. She won't be leaving the bed anytime soon until it is time to take her home so she can heal there. I know there is bad blood between the two of you, but you should see her. There is a paper for you to sign to take over your father's land-"

"I will not be the one caring for Kate or the land. My uncle and I have agreed that he will stay here in Lockwood to look after Kate until she is able to care for herself. I am only here to sign away that he will care for her, and then I will be on my way. I do not want to see Kate. It would only end in an argument, and seeing that I am going to a gathering with many women soon, I must save my voice," Alessandra said.

"I see. We can't force you to take care of her. It is only because you are her sister that the responsibility fell on you before your uncle. Please sit here," Mark said, pointing to a chair. "I don't need Edgar to find out that I let his pregnant wife stand around instead of offering her a seat."

"Thank you," Alessandra gladly sat down. "So, she is in this room right ahead?" She asked, looking at the closed room right ahead.

"Yes," Mark answered. "If she is determined, she could start walking around in no time. What your sister did today made me think of how stressful it is to be a lady in Lockwood. She is not the first young lady who has attempted to end her life after losing her status, and she will not be the last. They fear what life in town will be like with no status and no husband."

"For someone to pick death over facing the town, it makes you think of how bad the town is. If it is a good thing to raise a child here," Alessandra touched her stomach. "Perhaps I should move, and you would no longer have to deal with Edgar."

Mark imagined a life without Edgar being in the same town as him. "I would like that," he replied. f𝔯e𝘦𝒘e𝑏𝙣𝑜𝚟𝚎l. co𝑚

Alessandra did not completely believe Mark. She felt that deep down, Mark enjoyed his interactions with Edgar and would miss him. Regardless of Edgar's personality, he greatly helped the town, and Mark could not deny how much he depended on Edgar.

"I am here. Where do I need to sign?" Clark rubbed his hands together. He could not believe that Alessandra was entrusting him with caring for Kate. He could take care of himself now, but he wouldn't mind taking over the home he felt belonged to him in the first place and caring for Kate.

Kate annoyed Clark with her attitude, but once again, he saw himself in her. Always compared to the perfect older sibling. Clark would be damned if he let Alessandra turn down this responsibility and let all of Kate's wealth from her ex-husband fall into his mother's hands. He would care for Kate, so she would not have to beg like he did.

"I will write up a new agreement here that the duchess will be handing over all responsibility for Kate to you. Both of you need to sign it, and then I will take it to the court to be kept safe. It will be a pain in the ass to change this in the future, so while I am away, confirm if it is what you want to do. Excuse me," Mark said, leaving to find a blank piece of paper.

Alessandra watched Mark walk away, and then she turned to Clark, who smiled. "I hope you got rid of your habit to spend money quickly and then beg. It is not just you that you must care for now."

"Since you had been so kind to give me the land left for you, I have changed my ways. I am not going to run away with Kate's money. I will care for her, so she does not need to go around begging like I did. This is a chance for me to finally settle down and have a home for the first time in years. I must thank you for making it possible," Clark said, as without Alessandra, he would be left with nothing.