The Masked Lady

Ch.2The Contract

Eward lit his cigar he liked it outside in the freezing cold rather than back in the house where he could feel the heated gaze of young women.

“I should have brought two coats.”

Passing by the stairs where he was standing, Edward spotted a young woman hurrying off somewhere as she hugged a coat to protect her from the cold.

“That’s a little thin to protect you, isn’t it?” He made his presence known.

The woman halted, seemingly shaken up due to the fact that someone had caught her wandering around. “The party is inside.” She muttered

“Indeed? ”

After a moment of silence, Alexis finally spoke. “Are you scared of me?”

“No. Why should I be scared of you all because of a mask?” Edward blew out smoke into the air.

“That’s going to kill you if you don’t stop,” Alexis didn’t need to turn around to see that he was smoking. The scent reached her nose and she found it to be disgusting.

“Good, it’ll speed up the process. Are you scared of me?” He asked after she had not once looked around to see who she was speaking to.

“I am not aware of who you are,” she replied.

“Right. I am Edward Collins. Just Edward would be fine.”

“The Duke?” Alexis eyes widened. She never expected such a man would be here. She thought her father was lying. “You are here for my sister?” She looked puzzled a crease forming between her brows.

“I would rather die. No offense,” he added as that was her sister. “None of the young women in there shall be my wife. They are all like matching dolls in a set.”

“What about me? If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?” Alexis nervously waited for his answer.

“What none of you seem to understand is the sole fact you would be setting yourself up for a loveless marriage if I were to pick you” Edward said.

“What if I don’t want you to love me?” Alexis curt tone made Edward chuckle.

Most marriages these days didn’t start off with love but then someone started to feel the emotion. “It cannot be guaranteed you wouldn’t expect love.”

“What about a contract?” Alexis proposed an idea. She was desperate and wanted to use him to get out of her father’s home.

“Did your father set this up?” It was the only plausible scenario for Edward.

“My father has no idea that I am out here speaking to you, Duke. I have told you the party is on the inside. No one was supposed to see me passing by. My father won’t be pleased to see you here with me,” It was the honest truth.

Not many people could say they often saw the baron’s daughter since Desmond kept his daughter out of sight. Alexis wasn’t of any use to him thanks to the mask she wore and the rumors surrounding her. In fact her family considered her more a burden and treated her as such.

“Everything I say right now has nothing to do with my father. I leave it up to you to believe me. I am not interested in marrying anyone for love. I only wish to leave this place and never look back.”

“What is it? Your father has plans to marry you off to a man far older than you or is he just shipping you off somewhere you do not wish to go? ” Edward pressed his cigar against the stone wall to end it.

“It is suffocating to be here. My own father forgets me. I do not care for your looks, Duke Edward, money, or anything else others might want. Frankly, I only see you as an escape,” she explained her reasoning for choosing him.

Their meeting was completely unexpected on her side but Alexis didn’t want to leave without taking hold of the opportunity she might never get again to get away from this family.

.....

“I’ve heard my family speak of how the king wishes for you to get married. For a man who does not wish to have any romantic relationships with anyone, I might be a good choice. I will live quietly like a ghost, taking care of what you want of me, and I shall never love you.”

“Is that so?” For once in his life, Edgar did not find her words unbelievable. Still, he wasn’t looking to entertain the idea of being married to her just yet. “It isn’t hard for me to find an actress to play the role of my wife.”

“If it was so easy you would have done so already,” Alexis said, seeing through his bluff. He most likely needed a wife who would make sense to the king. “If the king has done this to toy with you, choosing a wife like me will certainly make him regret that.”

The corners of Edward's mouth lifted. “You are quick on your feet. This is why I keep telling my peers not to believe rumors. It’s said countless times that the masked baron's daughter is just a timid girl who runs away when spotted by someone.”

“You are said to be a monster but you sound human to me.” Alexis took one step forward and then waited for an answer.

When Edward did not respond, she took a step thinking the man did not want any plans in what she was offering him but then, he surprised her.

“Meet me at my residence tomorrow. I will give you my answer then...”

Alexis turned around in a haste, almost making herself fall. She was surprised because he was actually contemplating it but was even more surprised Edward wanted her to meet him at his residence. “I can not leave here.”

“I gathered that from you sneaking around. It is a test for you. I want to see how determined you are. I’m sorry to end our conversation here but I have stayed at your home longer than I wanted to. It was nice chatting with you, Alexis. Hopefully, we shall see each other soon,” Edward turned on his heel to go back inside to find her father.

Alexis began to panic as she thought of how she would meet with the Duke tomorrow. At least he seemed to be taking her seriously unless he would have a crowd waiting to laugh at her for believing he would marry her even with a contract. “We shall see each other tomorrow,” she promised.

“Duke? Who are you speaking to?” Kate Barrett, the younger daughter of the Baron stepped outside.

She heard the Duke was all alone and thought to give him some company. Seeing the Duke walking away while her father’s lousy daughter was standing outside made her blood boil.