The Duke's Masked Wife



"What is the use of trying to run away when my home is surrounded? There is no way-"

"I will find a way," James said. There had to be a way for him to get Katrina out and then Kate would shortly follow after since it seemed like Edgar was only after Katrina right now. "You need to start gathering some money and a few dresses. Pack light so you can not be held back."

Katrina looked around at her home full of countless items she spent money on. If she had to leave, she wanted to take it all. She did not want to leave not even a single painting behind. Everything she owned should come with her. "You must find a way to strip this house and bring everything that belongs to me. You and I can start over with Kate," Katrina touched his arms.

Contrary to what she said, Katrina had little plans to take James with her and Kate once he found her a way out of this. She could only take care of herself and Kate. James did not have any money to offer her so they would never worry about food. She did not want to waste her money on an extra person. 

'I have enough money to take care of me and Kate for a while. Kate can get married again far away from this town,' Katrina thought. 

Kate was still of good age to get married again after her wound would heal. Katrina would find a good doctor out of town. "I will start to pack my belongings. Have my guards take a look at exactly where Edgar's men are positioned and look for any openings I can use to get out of here with Kate. If I could, I would go see that bastard and kill him. How am I to tell Kate we must leave?" Katrina asked, worried about Kate's reaction.

"It is best if you tell her the truth. She will find out about it at some point. You mustn't lie to her. She can take no more lies," James said as Kate's late husband Simon had done enough lying. "I will start to pack for you while you speak with Kate. I will have the servants serve breakfast as usual so please come down in time. If there is any word about you from Edgar, I shall inform you right away."

"Good. Life doesn't need to feel like it's going to shit right away. I want this morning to be as normal as possible for Kate while we pack. Get to packing quickly, James. At the first opportunity, Kate and I will leave-"

"Would it work if we call the town guards to escort you and Kate out of the home? It is just a thought that came to mind now. The only issue is we have no clue if Edgar and the guards are working together. You must not go with the guards if we do not know who Edgar is working with, but the guards would be the best way to get you out of here if they are not with him. His men can not touch you when you are in the care of the guards," James said.

If Edgar were to attack the guards to get to Katrina, it would be a fight between him and the guards who would be in the right to imprison the Duke.

"I do not trust that Edgar is not working with them. He has allies everywhere. The palace, the court, and certainly those guards. They must all be working together to get me," Katrina said, sure of it. "I cannot get their help. Find two servant girls who can pass off for Kate and me. I have a plan in mind."

Katrina left James to get started on packing and find two servant girls for her. She was dreading having a conversation with Kate about what was happening now and about her past. She wished to keep her life before Lockwood from Kate so her daughter could live in bliss. Rather than have Kate hear twisted stories from anyone else, Katrina wanted Kate to hear the truth from her mouth now.

Katrina's heart felt heavier the closer she got to Kate's room. It was never her intention to let Kate know of her tainted background. Kate prided herself to be of good birth, but her mother's side of the family was nothing but low lives. Far different from the life Katrina had as Baroness.

Katrina took a deep breath as she now stood in front of Kate's door. She hesitated at first, but then knocked on Kate's door. "Kate," she said to let Kate know it was her. Kate had come straight to her room and locked herself inside the moment they returned from the court. Only coming out when it was time for food. Katrina refused to let her hide and not eat as a family.

The door slowly opened and Kate poked her head out to look at her mother. "Is it time for breakfast already?" Kate asked.

"No, I have something else to talk to you about. I am coming in," Katrina said and then forced her way inside Kate's room. When she entered, she was taken aback by the mess in Kate's room. "What is happening here?" She turned to Kate. This room was tidy when they returned home. 

Kate looked at the mess she created in her room. The voice in her head would not stop talking. She fought hard to get rid of Simon, but he would always show up in her room with that daunting smile. She threw whatever her hands could reach to get him out of her room. "I am planning on throwing away a few things. I want to make my room look different," Kate lied.

Kate did not wish to seem like a mad woman. Her mother was yet to understand what she goes through at night when she wants to sleep. She was not fine like her mother thought and it certainly was not easy to forget about Simon. To forget about the moment he ruined her face or her wedding night when she stumbled upon his parents. How was she supposed to move on like her mother wanted?

Kate regretted not taking Bella's offer to use each other to move past this. Bella was the only person who would not call her a madwoman because Bella knew what it was like with Simon. Then there were the voices that would not stop mentioning Alessandra. Kate was tired and just wanted to close her eyes to take a long rest. She did not want to wake up and see Simon haunting her again.

"What do you wish to speak about?" Kate asked, desperately wanting to speak about something else. "Do I need to go to the court again or is there a crowd outside?"

"Neither. You've always been curious about my family. Why none of my relatives have never come to visit us," Katrina said.

Kate slowly nodded her head. Each time she asked about her mother's family, she would get yelled at or told to not worry about those people. 

Katrina took Kate's hand and led her to the bed to sit down. "I am going to tell you a story that I wanted to forget more than anything in the world. Please do not judge me after."