The Masked Lady

“Duke Edward, please spend the night with my daughter, and you'll find she is an excellent choice for a wife,” a bold mother pushed her daughter towards the Duke as he passed by them. All eyes were on the three of them as Duke Edward was the main topic for the night. “I wasn’t aware your daughter started working to entertain men. I am not looking for a wife like her,” Duke Edward stepped around the sulking women. He had only arrived minutes ago, but this was his second encounter with a mother and daughter looking to win over his favor. Ever since it was announced he was looking for a wife, women had been throwing themselves at him. The culprit behind the rumor was none other than the scheming king who had nothing better to do than to ruin the life of his friend. It was no surprise the women had accepted the bait and pushed their daughters to try and take the Duke as their spouse. Duke Edward Collins was the only son of his father and sole heir of countless lands. He lived similar to that of a king and, thanks to his connection to the king himself, nothing was impossible for Edward. He was said to be a cunning, dangerous man, but when money came into the equation, his history was long forgotten. ..... “Duke Collins is here,” a young woman whispered to her companion as Edward walked into the baron’s home. ‘This is going to be a pain in the ass,’ Edward sighed, already knowing how the night would end. Countless offers to take the young women who had just finished learning what it meant to run a household would be the death of him. The heat from their desire to find a husband quickly made the place hot and uncomfortable. A nice cold drink was needed to relieve him of his growing irritation. Edward had no idea why he agreed to attend the Baron’s party. The Baron, Desmond Barrett, owner of a failing household, was a man he never cared for. Edward couldn’t figure out why a man on the brink of bankruptcy would throw such an elaborate party. Was the man looking to speed up the king seizing his home and everything of value? “Duke Collins,” the man himself appeared. The Baron approached Edward with his hair tied into his usual ponytail. He wore a black and white suit Edward felt matched the man’s hair. Black with specs of white here and there. Edward didn’t miss the way the baron announced his name like he was a young girl making her debut at a ball and was coming down the stairs. “Baron,” he greeted the man. “It was so kind of you to visit my home to attend my party,” Desmond said, pleasantly surprised to see the duke. He was a nervous wreck from all the questions being thrown his way from guests who had only come to see the duke. Desmond made sure to spread the news the duke would be at his party how could he miss the opportunity to garner favor from such an important figure? “Save it, Baron. You know why I am here. Unlike the king, I am yet to believe you have the information I am looking for.” Edward was looking for any lead for the case with the young women disappearing. Desmond sent a note claiming to have information and wished to speak with the Duke in his castle. However, Edward quickly saw through his trickery. “Of course, I know why you are here but it would be rude of me to not offer you a drink first Edward. Forgive me but you seem to be sweating quite an awful lot,” Desmond looked around wondering if his house needed more windows opened. “I am not here for a f*****g drink. Let me tell you,” Edward grabbed the baron’s neck not caring about the crowd watching his every move. His patience was thin lately and the Baron was pushing his limits. “I might have a lot of time on my hands these days but I do not like when it is wasted. If you have called me here as entertainment for your guest I will see to it you hang first thing in the morning.” “I-I’m sorry,” Desmond cried as his feet started to dangle from being lifted off the ground. He heard the duke was a monster but only thought it was exaggerated rumers. Desmond tried to gulp but Edwards hand was too tight around his neck for him. “Sorry?” Edward tightened the grip around Desmond’s neck. “That sounds like you are confirming you have no information for me. It wouldn’t take too long for me to break the neck of such a slender old man. Is this entertaining enough for your guests?” He whispered in the baron’s ear. Desmond felt the hairs on his body stand tall as Edwards cold breath tickled his skin. “I-I have information. I swear it. I-It’s upstairs.” “Good boy,” Edward dropped the baron. “Why did you wait so long to say that? Did you wish for me to kill you?” “No d-duke. I should have brought it right away. Forgive me. C-Can you put me down before everyone thinks you are in the wrong? I don’t want them to get the wrong impression of you,” Desmond stated but what he really meant was he no longer wanted to be embarrassed. “Of course,” Edward released the small man. “I will need space to be alone until you return. Some place outside for me to smoke.” “The garden has been made off-limits so no one would be there but my daughter wishes to have a moment with you. If you could only spend a moment outside with her, I would appreciate it.” “Do I look like a shooting star to you, baron?” Edward looked down at the man. Edward was suspicious of the barons reasons for stepping forward, but mentioning his daughter to Edward confirmed. “Shooting star? I do not understand Edward. How could you be a shooting star?” Desmond was completely puzzled. “That is what I am trying to understand from you. Do you think I would grant your daughter’s wish? Run along and bring what you have for me.” “Y-Yes, sir.” Edward made a mental note that this would be the last house call he did under the king’s orders. The Baron was nothing more than an opportunist. Using others’ names to get a crowd to attend his party. Before anyone else could make their move to introduce their daughters to him, Edward picked a random direction to go in hopes it would be the garden. He had never visited the Baron’s home before and quite frankly wanted this to be the last. “Follow after him,” he heard someone mutter behind him. Edward pulled a cigar out of his coat pocket as he hurried outside. He knew the night would call for a quick smoke. As he found his way out of the Baron’s home, the cold air nipped at his skin.