The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride

Edgar was the first one to his estate.

Before the carriage stopped, Edgar had opened the door and jumped out. A gun rested in his hands, ready for any enemies who might be lingering.

Edgar's mind was fixed on finding his family first and then killing the bastards who had tried to encroach on his land. He didn't have to go far, as the moment he opened the front doors, Alessandra stood by the stairs, giving orders to servants.

Alessandra didn't notice Edgar until someone wrapped their arms around her.

"Who?" Alessandra asked at first, but there were only two people bold enough to hug her. "Edgar?"

"Where are the girls?" Edgar asked, his head resting on her shoulder.

Alessandra touched Edgar's hands and answered, "They are seated together with Eleanor in the drawing room. The guards got rid of the threat, and no one was injured. You may need to go to the dungeon."

"And, are you well?" Edgar asked.

Alessandra smiled, wanting to turn around to see Edgar. "I stand before you, do I not?"

"You tend to hide when you are hurt to not worry others. Let me see," Edgar said, loosening his hold so he could check.

Alessandra blushed, embarrassed by where his hands touched her before the servants. "I am well. The girls would not have left my side if I weren't well. No one got inside the estate. It seems they underestimated how many guards are in your hold."

"Our," Edgar corrected Alessandra. "You still see it as only mine."

Alessandra caressed Edgar's face. "I see the estate as our home, but the guards all follow you. You must be careful with your gun."

Alessandra didn't like the way Edgar's hand shook. It was an indication of his anger, and that someone was going to die.

"We are all well, Edgar. The guards kept us safe, and the girls knew to come inside when they noticed something was off. All the measures you took to keep us safe worked. Do you want to see them?" Alessandra asked, knowing it would calm him.

"I am not leaving again," Edgar decided.

"Wouldn't you need to return to help solve this case? Unfortunately, the attack happened in your absence, but we always planned for moments like this. I cannot think of anyone else who can solve this besides you. We'll always be in fear if this doesn't end," said Alessandra.

"It is time the court proves they are capable-"

"Edgar," Alessandra said, palming his face. "I know you fear taking your eyes off of us and something happens, but even if you stick to us, one of us will be out of your reach at some point. Penelope will leave with Tyrion, and maybe Lily will marry. What do we do then?"

Alessandra could only be at ease knowing everyone involved in Quinn's schemes was found.

"I hate for you to leave home and be involved in these dangerous cases, but this one involves our family. We must end this evil from our past so that our children can be at ease. They already wish to return home, but I fear this might follow us there if we do not end it here," said Alessandra.

Never would Alessandra have expected that her father's attempt to sell her off would trouble her even now.

"Could it be that he wants an apology? Or, for you to confess to what you did? No matter how awful William was, that was his father. I would not be surprised if he loved his father," Alessandra said, trying to make sense of Quinn's actions.

"This has nothing to do with an apology. It's all a sick game to him. Why kill others who had nothing to do with it if he wanted an apology? Do try to make sense of what he does," Edgar advised Alessandra.

Edgar didn't want Alessandra to have even the faintest thought about Quinn. He shouldn't exist in her world.

"Very well. Oh, there is Rafael. Wait," Alessandra said, realising someone was missing. "Where is Tyrion? Was he not told about the attack?"

Alessandra clearly instructed the guard to find Rafael, Edgar, Elijah, and Tyrion.

"Please say he was informed," Alessandra said, hopeful Tyrion would be arriving soon.

"I sent the guard back inside to inform him. We were questioning Quinn right before we were informed. There he is now," Edgar said, after hearing guards address Tyrion.

"I need to see the girls, and then I will go to the dungeon. Write to my mother and tell her to come here. Write to anyone who wants to be safe and offer a room," said Edgar.

"We should invite Sally, and Melody might still be in town with the family she works for. I think she will be protected where she works. I will write to Priscilla now," Alessandra said.

Alessandra started to walk away, but didn't make it far. "Do you think Quinn would have plans to hurt your father?"

"If he does, I will not get in the way of it. In the midst of this, he still speaks about dinner. I know of the letters you hide. Nothing gets by me here," said Edgar.

When this was all said and done, Edgar intended to visit his father, but it wasn't the kind of visit Edmund was looking forward to. Rather, it would be a visit to end something Edgar should have done a long time ago.

Alessandra dusted Edgar's shoulders and whispered, "The children might not be happy to hear their father harmed their grandfather. They know there is some conflict between you and Edmund, but they have always treated him with respect."

"They won't know it's me," Edgar replied.

Alessandra wanted to answer, but her attention went to Tyrion. "Penelope is in the drawing room with the other ladies. We are all well. Thanks to the guards; no one got on the estate."

"I'm happy you are well," Tyrion said, going to Alessandra to hug her.

The hug startled Alessandra for a second, but she was quick to relax and return Tyrion's hug.

"You should go see Penelope. I know you wish to see her, and she wants to see you as well. Don't run too fast and trip yourself," Alessandra said, panicking when Tyrion tripped just as she expected. "Now I must add that it is three of you who hug me so boldly."

"Remove that little bastard," said Edgar.

"Wait, I must add four. Tobias has done it before, and Hazel scolded him for it," Alessandra said, recalling the first time she saw Tobias on the brink of tears.

Edgar frowned, put off by this news. "When did that fool hug you?"

"I am not telling you. I will not be an accomplice to you hurting the king," Alessandra said, trying to walk away from Edgar, only to be followed.