84 Respect is earned (1)

"You stole her spot. Do you think it is alright for someone like you to just waltz into our life? Certain types of people should never cross paths with one another. I am sure Edgar did not go looking for someone like you so you must have made sure you crossed paths with him. You are nothing more than a status leech," Priscilla spat. She has seen many women like Alessandra before.

"Our meeting was merely a coincidence but now, I am starting to believe it is fate. Rather than judge me, you should try getting to know me-"

"Are you trying to teach me something right now? If you know what's good for you, you should shut up and listen to what I am telling you. Countless years I spent collecting the best options for my son but you had the nerve to come into a place you did not belong. I am getting a headache just from seeing you and that awful mask," Priscilla placed her hand on her temple.

"Edgar is a grown man and I did not force him to marry me. It is unfair for you to be one-sided to blame me for a marriage that took two people to complete. No matter what, I will not let go of Edgar. Being by his side is the only time I feel completely safe. You never have to like me but for Edgar, you should at least be cordial with me. Goodbye," Alessandra excused herself from the conversation.

Priscilla would only go round and round blaming her for Edgar being married.

"Are you alright?" Sally approached Alessandra as she walked away. "Mrs. Collins is not a woman you should anger if you wish to have a social life. All the other young women have always gathered around her not only to have a chance with Edgar but because she holds a lot of influence."

"She's already upset with me. I don't want to be around other people who will not speak to me if Priscilla does not like me. I want genuine friends, not people I should just be around because I am a Duchess.  I don't mind being alone a little while longer. I'm used to it," Alessandra replied.

Priscilla outcasting her would be nothing new. Alessandra dealt with a lot of punishments, sly comments, tricks, pranks, and more in her old home. There was nothing left for Priscilla to do to hurt her. In the end, Priscilla would only hurt her relationship with her son. How would she be able to visit Edgar when she disliked his wife?

"Are you done?"

"Why are you…" Alessandra trailed off, completely caught off guard by Edgar leaning up against a wall.

"It was over sooner than I expected. Seeing that you are the one walking away, I suppose it went well for you. I wasn't going to leave you alone when there are two of them there and only you. Come," Edgar pushed himself off the wall and extended his hand out for Alessandra to walk with him. "You are doing so well. I have another gift for you when we get rid of our pests."

"You should speak better to your mother. Your words might wound her."

"What did I say wrong to my mother? I do not want them here therefore they are pests. Should I pretend I am okay with her bringing a woman she wants me to marry when I am already married? Should I keep my mouth shut when she is disrespecting you? Am I to let her words wound you?" Edgar looked to Alessandra for the answer.

Alessandra kept looking ahead at where they were going and replied, "She is your mother-"

"And you are my wife. I will protect you from everyone. Even my own mother. I've told you, no one ever puts my mother in her place when she is being rude. As her son, I have to try waking her up so that she knows the world does not revolve around her. This sour relationship I have with my mother has nothing to do with you. Frankly, I am always grumpy whenever she comes around and I have not had my coffee or alcohol."

"Then, we should get Alfred to bring the strongest alcohol there is to make you extremely happy at breakfast. I can't help feeling there will be a big storm with everyone seated at the table. I'll run away as soon as breakfast is done and start painting until the dressmaker arrives. Will you be home the rest of the day?" Alessandra asked as she did not want to be left alone with his parents.

"I am supposed to leave in an hour or two but I don't think I will now that my parents are here. Why? Do you want to come along with me? If you kiss me I might let you," Edgar tapped his cheek.

"I don't want to go with you," Alessandra shook her head.

"Is it because you are too shy to kiss me? Shall I initiate it?"

"No!" Alessandra released Edgar's hand to run ahead to the dining room.

"This woman," Edgar smiled, amused by the sight of Alessandra running away. "When will she learn I enjoy a chase," he picked up his pace to join her again. He did not want to miss how flustered she had become.

"What the hell is with these two? Did they forget I was here?" Sally muttered.  Edgar and Alessandra had such a strange way of flirting with each other in her opinion. "This is the first time I saw him genuinely smile. He truly is in love with her."

"Preposterous," Priscilla disagreed with Sally. "Who are you? Were you recently hired to care for that girl?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Collins. I was a worker at the Baron's home and tasked with being the Duchess's personal maid. My name is Sally-"

"I don't need the extra information. Since you worked at the Baron's home, you must know a lot about the girl my son married. Tell me everything you know and I will pay you to triple what you receive in a month. Surely, you are in need of it," Priscilla inspected Sally's appearance. She was now reminded of a young girl she had watched Edgar. Normally, she would have been relaying information by now.

"I am sorry Mrs. Collins but if there is anything you wish to learn about the Duchess, you should ask her yourself. Excuse me," Sally quickly proceeded to walk away. She would be foolish to give Priscilla information when the Duke was already suspicious of her giving information to the Baroness. No amount of her money would be worth the Duke becoming her enemy.

"Everything concerning that girl is a headache. Luckily, I can pay the Baroness a visit to find out everything I need to know. Stop looking so defeated, Heather. It is annoying me. Always remember there is another young woman dying to be by my side. What do you think of my son's so-called wife?" Priscilla asked.  Hopefully, the sight of Edgar's wife had woken her up.

"I don't think she is suited to be with Edgar. If not myself, I have always imagined someone better for Edgar. Do you know why she hides her face?" Heather was extremely curious about the mask.

"It is ruined, I hear. She must be embarrassed by the look of it. I wonder if Edgar knows what she is hiding behind that mask. Should I have her take it off at breakfast? No, I have a better idea," Priscilla smiled as an evil thought came to mind. It wouldn't take long to chase Alessandra away and have Heather take her place. "Run along to the table and make sure you sit next to Edgar. There is someone I must find."