Chapter 445 - 445 Excuses (1)
The Duke's Masked Wife
445 Excuses (1)
One week felt like one year for two sisters in Lockwood. One sister eagerly looked forward to her wedding day while the other sister nervously awaited her motherâs return.
Alessandra looked out the window of her carriage to take her mind off the endless questions she wanted to ask her mother. It was still hard to believe that after all these years she was finally seeing her mother again. She had to pinch her hands a few times to believe that this was all real and she was not dreaming this.
Edgar joined Alessandra on the trip for support though he wouldnât be in the room with her. For their reunion, Alessandra wanted to be alone with her mother so no one could interrupt their conversation. It was the only request she gave to Mark. Alessandra was not told of any request Melanie wanted.
âIt will be fine,â Edgar touched Alessandraâs hand. âIt better be,â he muttered. He was hoping for a civil meeting to not stress out Alessandra more than she already was. He had himself to blame for being the one to find her mother.
âI know. I am just thinking of how long I have waited for this moment and now it is finally here. My mind is restless. I have so much to think about. I am not getting my hopes up that I will suddenly have a good relationship with my mother today, but I will hope for the best. If she does not have a good reason for staying away all these years, prepare to leave the court quickly,â Alessandra replied.
âYouâve been forcing me to speak with my mother these days so I am afraid I will not leave until youâve said everything you need to. Get all your answers today so you can have peace and move on. Iâll treat you with anything you want after this. Anything at all,â Edgar smiled, suggesting more than what the regular innocent person was thinking.
Reed rolled his eyes at the couple who seemed to forget they were not the only ones in the carriage.
Caleb leaned over to his brother and whispered, âI told you that we should have sat out front.â
Reed scrunched up his nose when Caleb got too close. âWhat the hell did you eat?â
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âFish,â Caleb happily smiled. âI snagged some from the kitchen. There might have been a few onions on the fish. Can you tell?â He blew air in Reedâs direction.
Reed pushed Calebâs face in the other direction. âYou know mother said never to do that. It is rude and I will tell her.â
âMust you always run to our mother? I know youâve been sending her information about Sally and me, you bastard,â Caleb said, fighting to remove Reedâs hands from touching his face. âRemove your hands. I donât know where theyâve been.â
âThen stop blowing your breath all around the carriage. None of the windows are open,â Reed replied.
Alessandra bit her lip to not laugh at the two. Unintentionally, they were able to take her mind off of her mother.
Edgar, on the other hand, felt his patience with the two running out. He kicked under the seat where they sat and said, âYou two, shut the hell up before I permanently shut you up.â
Caleb pointed at Reed. âHe started it.â
âStop talking,â Edgar sighed. He couldnât take much of the fish smell either. âWhy do I let the two of you work for me? Iâm going to change you from being her guard when our children are born.â
Reed didnât want to hear this conversation again. âI told you we are fit-â
âIt is not about either of you being fit. It is the fact I donât want your stupidity to rub off on my child. I should fire you all together,â Edgar said, seeing that as a more effective way.
Alessandra nudged Edgar to stop him from firing the twins. âStop it, Edgar. I happen to like the relationship they have and most of the time, I envy how close they are. It must be nice to work with your brother.â
âIt is not,â Reed and Caleb replied in unison.
Alessandra didnât believe they did not enjoy each otherâs company. She looked out the window at the court in view. âThankfully, we have arrived so no one will be getting hurt, or fired. Be nice to each other while Edgar and I are inside.â
âWhy are we not going to go inside with you?â Caleb asked.
âI donât want to scare my mother by arriving with two big guards behind me and then there is Edgar. I only need one scary person with me. Thank you,â Alessandra thanked the driver after he opened the door for her.
âYouâre going to have to get the fuck out with that breath,â Reed muttered after Edgar exited the carriage.
âI didnât think I would have a reason to visit the court so soon,â Alessandra said as she walked to the court with Edgar by her side.
âBe careful,â Edgar guided her away from rocks on the ground.
âYes yes. I will,â Alessandra said in a playful tone. She had gotten used to Edgarâs new protective level. She had to by now since there were long months ahead. âDo you think she is here already? We might be a little bit early.â
âI donât know,â Edgar replied.
âYouâre a killjoy, Edgar. Mark is waiting for us. Good afternoon,â Alessandra greeted the man who has been quite helpful in her life recently.
âGood morning, Duchess. Collins,â Mark greeted Edgar without looking at him.
âBastard,â Edgar greeted Mark.
âYour mother and her family are already here. I have a room assigned for you to have a conversation first and then I will join you. I will take you there. Will this be joining you for the entire meeting?â Mark lazily pointed at Edgar.
âYou woke up and forgot your manners, Mark. You are speaking to a Duke. You need to be respectful,â Edgar said and then bit his tongue to hold back what was on his mind.
âForgive me,â Mark dramatically bowed to Edgar as he would do in front of the King. âIâve been thinking of you as a family member lately so I got too comfortable speaking with you. This way, Duchess.â
âI donât even want to know what the issue is between the two of you,â Alessandra sighed. Her nerves went back up as they neared a room her mother was waiting for her. As they got closer, Alessandra heard more than one person speaking on the inside.
Mark was the one to open the door and walk in first to announce her arrival. âThe Duchess is here.â
âI will wait out here,â Edgar released her hand.
âOkay,â Alessandra replied and followed behind Mark to finally meet her mother. Alessandra was confused the moment she entered the room.
Inside the room, was an older woman who was no doubt her mother because of their similar features. Alessandra was confused by the presence of two younger ladies who had to be her sisters. As much as she would like to meet her sisters who she had no issue with, Alessandra wanted to speak with her mother alone. Unless they were going to a different room while her sisters remained here?