The Duke's Masked Wife

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“I’m more concerned about your hate for Alfred, but if you want to talk about everything, feel free to do so. What else do you want to bring up to justify your actions over the years?” Edgar asked, curious about what else he would learn.

“None of you ever considered how I felt in this marriage—a marriage prepared for me by my father. Edmund was never my first or second choice to get married to but I remained quiet and married him because it would be a good look for your grandfather. I sent you away because I needed time to myself and to let you avoid the drama from your father’s affairs,” Priscilla said, gripping the cell bars.

“I screwed up as a mother but the one thing I thought would be the best option was to send you away from school when that woman kept showing up. The first time she showed up angry and screaming for Edmund to leave me and be with her. I had your things packed up and sent you off to school so you wouldn’t know the secret your father had,” Priscilla said.

“I couldn’t leave the house to get away from your father as it would have spread rumors of us splitting so I stayed there while he tried to push her back into whatever hole he was hiding her in. It was frustrating when you kept returning home in the midst of me and your father at odds more than ever. Eventually, Rose took care of that woman. I don’t need to say how,” Priscilla hinted at the fact Rose either paid her off or disposed of her.

“After that, there was no reason to keep sending you to that school so you got to stay home but when you returned the final time I could already tell you weren’t happy being around your father and me. To be honest, I rarely spent time with you so it was hard to suddenly start acting like your mother. I kept the distance between us, only meddling when you needed to act right because I did not know how to approach you.”

Priscilla released the bars and looked at her fingers which were coated with dust. “I wanted to speak with you but you would always ignore me and look for Alfred. You knew I hated being ignored and I am certain you did it to piss me off.”

“I did,” Edgar admitted. He liked seeing her fume in anger from being ignored. It was payback for the many times she ignored him.

“Of course,” Priscilla replied, not the slightest bit surprised. “Well, when you came of age to be married I needed to be more involved in your life, or else I would have to hear from your grandmother. I will say it did hurt that you didn’t like marriage because you witnessed your parents not loving each other. I truly believe I did not ruin the idea of marriage for you.”

“You played a small role in me knowing the characteristics of a woman I would never want to marry but I will agree my father left a bad taste in my mouth about marriage,” Edgar said as he knew at a young age about his father’s mistress even though everyone tried to hide it. “Me not wanting to get married was not all your fault. I simply knew I could not give my heart to anyone and I was not going to settle as you two did.”

.....

“It was certainly a smart decision. There were so many days I wanted to strangle your father in his sleep. After Rose got rid of his mistress, your father and I was cordial. I thought maybe I had started to love him. One thing I can say I like about you is that you protect the people you care for. It might seem like your father protects me but he doesn’t. He only cleans up what will affect his image,” Priscilla said.

Edmund didn’t protect her from his family, from the gossip of his affairs after she begged him to let it be known, and worst of all, from his mother.

“I am not pleased that you always point fingers at me while your father is given a second chance,” Priscilla stated, angered by this more than anything else at the moment. Edmund should be locked away with her.

“When have I given him a second chance? I don’t want to see either of you. I was on your side when it came to my father having a mistress but then you did things that made me distance myself from you so I was never able to express that. There are things you have done that you cannot place the blame on my father or grandmother for your actions,” Edgar said, wanting her to take accountability for things she did on her own accord.

“You are right. I am used to getting things my way and when plans do not go as I want or someone disrespects me, I get rid of them. I have been that way since I was a child. I wanted to control your life so you would be on my side against your grandmother. I wanted a daughter-in-law who would listen to me and get you to be on my side. As of right now, I am never going to be cordial with your wife but I will avoid her,” Priscilla said, meaning every word of it.

She wasn’t going to pretend to be nice to Alessandra to build a relationship with Edgar. Quite frankly, she was still upset with Edgar for placing her in this dungeon. Priscilla could not picture her and Edgar getting along in the near future.

“There have been many times I wanted to kill Alfred but I refrain from doing so because of the guilt I felt after those words left my mouth. That is why I took back the order but Federick didn’t listen. I am sorry for almost taking away someone you care for and for the death of your driver. Do not expect me to bake cookies and apologize. There is still jealousy left inside of me when I look at him,” Priscilla said, not caring if it sounded harsh but she wasn’t going to pretend.

Edgar did not mind that she did not magically come to like Alessandra or Alfred. “I would not have believed a single word that left your mouth if you suddenly spoke nicely of Alfred. We are better with the distance between us. I don’t plan to rebuild a relationship with you right now because what happened to Alfred is still fresh and I am angered by it. I cannot guarantee I will ever call you mother again.”

Edgar left the cell and walked over to where a key was hung up before returning to Priscilla’s cell. He started to unlock it.

Priscilla’s hands fidgeted from the freedom awaiting her.

Edgar unlocked the cell but before he opened the door to let her out he said, “Next time I won’t be locking you away. Do not plot on my wife or Alfred. I will bring hell to your doorstep if you disobey this. There are no servants here so go to the guards at the gates and have them prepare a carriage for you.”

Edgar stepped to the side to let her pass by him. He wasn’t completely sure she had learned her lesson and would stay away from the people he cared for but if she didn’t, he would not hesitate to kill her.

Priscilla rushed out of the cell, her chest feeling light now she was out of that hell hole. Never again would she end up like this.

“You,” Edgar said before she reached the door leading out of the dungeon. “You should cut off what makes your life miserable just as I have. It is not worth it to remain where you are not happy,” he advised her.

Priscilla didn’t respond to Edgar’s advice and started walking to be out of the dungeon. She didn’t need to be told to cut Edmund out of her life. She had enough time to think about her cowardly husband. Her ties with the Collins family would end today.

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