The Duke's Masked Wife

222 On her husband’s side (2)

“How times have changed. You did it without me having to plead for it,” Edgar commented while he watched Alessandra kiss each one of his fingers on the hand he had punched Daniel with.

“Well, you are too angry to be your teasing self to get a kiss out of me. I feel as if we should get something to put on your hand to deal with the redness. To think this hand did so much damage to Daniel’s face. There is hardly any way the both of you will reconcile and I don’t mind. I’m not fond of him and his wife because it seems like they are just out to get your grandmother’s home.”

Alessandra didn’t know the extent of Daniel’s wealth but given the family he is a part of, he must be well off with a home already. If Rose wanted to give the house to her only grandchild, why did that concern anyone else?

“The ridiculous house talk again. My grandmother will outlive everyone who is eyeing it. If I am in pain will you kiss it away?” Edgar asked as he reverted back to his teasing nature.

Alessandra released his hand, not believing he was in any pain but was only back to his playful side. “According to you, your hand does not hurt so no. Now that you have calmed down we should head back to see what is happening.”

Alessandra wanted to leave the sink but Edgar kept her cornered there.

“Then how about a kiss to help the last of my anger disappear? Wouldn’t want me to see Daniel and punch him again.”

Alessandra sighed, leaning toward just walking away but Edgar had defended her and could have bruised his hand. The least she could do was kiss him. Alessandra tiptoed to kiss him on his cheek only.

“That is hardly enough. Give me a real-”

.....

“Open the door!” A woman’s voice and loud knocks on the bathroom door interrupted the moment.

Alessandra recognized the voice to be Crystal’s. “Do you think something is wrong with Daniel?”

“No, his wife is full of anger and ready to take it out on the person who embarrassed her husband. Let’s ignore her,” Edgar said, using his hand to turn Alessandra’s face toward him. He was determined to get the kiss he desired even if there were to be an angry mob on the outside.

“We cannot hide in the bathroom until everything outside has calmed down and I have no desire to sneak out the window. We should just get everything over with and leave after speaking with your grandmother. I cannot believe I am saying this but I miss Lockwood. Edgar,” Alessandra touched his face after he did not move. “We are not hiding away here.”

Alessandra had an inkling he did want to leave the bathroom because she would be dragged into what happened tonight and hear about what was said about her.

“Why not? I am pretty comfortable. There are ways for us to entertain ourselves until everyone leaves,” said Edgar.

Alessandra thought of a proposition Edgar would not resist and said, “If we leave now, I will kiss you in the carriage to calm this so-called anger you have left inside of you.”

“Edgar!” Crystal yelled outside the door.

“That is hardly an offer when I can find a way to kiss you right now. You are going to have to do better than that. Add something to the kiss,” he advised her.

Alessandra couldn’t think of what she could add to the kiss. They could not do what they did in their bedroom in the carriage. “Like what?”

“How about this? I will leave this bathroom with you now if you do one thing I ask in the carriage along with the kiss but I will not tell you what it is now. Deal?” Edgar held out his hand for her to shake.

Alessandra eyed him with suspicion but she agreed to the deal. Before yesterday she would have been nervous but now, she anticipated anything Edgar would want to do when they were alone. There was only a small fear of when they would have to go all the way.

Edgar backed away first and went to open the door where a fuming Crystal stood glaring at him. Edgar leaned against the doorpost and asked, “How can I help you?”

A slap echoed throughout the small bathroom right after he spoke.

Edgar bit his tongue and sighed, taking the slap without care as he could not retaliate against a woman. However, he would not take being slapped twice.

Furious by the sight of Edgar being slapped and could do nothing about it, Alessandra marched to the door, her blood boiling with each slap. She understood Crystal’s anger but Crystal should know how unfair it was to slap Edgar when he could do nothing.

Alessandra stood between Edgar and Crystal to prevent Edgar from getting hit again. She didn’t know where the confidence came from but she was glad it showed up now. “There was no need to slap Edgar and I would suggest you not do it again,” Alessandra said and glanced at Crystal’s hand still in the air ready to slap Edgar again.

Crystal scoffed, taken aback by Alessandra taking Edgar’s side after what he did to her husband. “Duchess, no. Alessandra,” Crystal decided to address Alessandra without her title because she did not want to be respectful. “You cannot agree that it was right for your husband to punch mine. Daniel is now suffering from a broken nose and one of his teeth is certain to fall out if not cared for.”

Alessandra was surprised by the force Edgar had hit Daniel with. Had Dominic not been there to break up the fight, Daniel’s family could have been preparing for a funeral. Still, that did not mean Edgar could be slapped. “I am sorry for what has happened to your husband but he spoke negatively of me. I am sure you would expect your husband to defend you,” she replied.

“In the middle of a party where others came for a good time? No. I am not so fragile to need my husband to punch another man for what was said about me. I heard what was said and it was not even that bad. Everyone present has been questioning a mask. And what? You got angry because Daniel said she is just good for fucking?” Crystal turned to Edgar as she asked this.

Edgar glared at Crystal for revealing what he wanted to hide. If only he could fling her away back to her pathetic husband.

Alessandra balled her fist, holding in the anger and disgust she felt for such a thing being mentioned in a conversation. “If you have no problem with your husband saying that about another man’s wife you are just as disgusting as him.”