THE DUKE'S MASKED WIFE (C)

Chapters 11-15

Chapter 11: Marry your daughter (1)

"Katrina, hasn't this punishment gone on long enough? She has not been given any food since yesterday morning. The point was to make her comfortable to never want to venture out of her bedroom, not make her want to retaliate," said Desmond.

He was sitting at the head of the table the next day after Alessandra was punished by his wife. He was certain the little freedom he gave Alessandra to ride around yesterday would have been enough to satisfy her curiosity about seeing the outside world. Now Katrina made his plan backfired.

"She was disrespectful therefore she needed to be punished. You know how much I hate pets. Kate has been begging to get a small dog like the rest of her friends but I have repeatedly told her no. It wouldn't be fair for Alessandra to have one and not Kate," Katrina replied.

"I agree with mother. If Alessandra gets to keep the cat then I shall have a dog father. Pretty please," Kate started to beg. All her friends had the same small fluffy dog and she was the only one without. It was embarrassing. She should have whatever they have.

"Not a chance Kate. I am going to get rid of that animal. Alessandra will have food when she is ready to apologize for her behavior," Katrina looked at her husband. She was putting her foot down this time and doing as she pleased with Alessandra.

"I don't disagree with you getting rid of the animal but I wanted Alessandra to be satisfied enough with being outside to stay in her room. Had you sent the food to her room the night of the party, she wouldn't have met with the Duke," Desmond sighed, rubbing his temple.

He heard nothing from Duke Edgar regarding Alessandra which was a good thing. However, he was nervous about the information he gave to the Duke. Was it worth something?

.....

"It's not fair Alessandra got to speak with the Duke while I hardly spoke to him. I got dressed up for him and it went to waste. He's so hard to please," Kate grumbled, stuffing her face with a biscuit.

"Kate, do not eat so quickly as you'll choke. And lay off the flour, we do not need you gaining too much weight. It is up to you to find a good husband to restore our finances. There will still be a chance for you to capture the Duke's attention. Who else can rival you?"

Katrina thought highly of her daughter's looks and was confident enough that there would be no one else for the Duke to marry but Kate. It would have to be the princess wishing to marry the Duke but even then, Katrina would still view Kate as the better choice.

"The ball is in a few days and the Duke will be in attendance like every year. Your father has already received his invitation and I have a dress picked out for you. You have to practice your etiquette again and make sure you leave an impression on him. If not you'll have to marry one of the other offers you got," said Katrina.

"None of them are better than the Duke. I would be a duchess when I marry the Duke. Can you imagine it mother," Kate smiled, picturing herself in that position. She knew she was destined for great things which would happen after becoming a duchess.

Katrina smiled along with Kate enjoying how determined her daughter was. She knew Kate would never fail her. If Kate married the Duke, her status would elevate pass being the wife of a baron. She would be the mother of a duchess. "Prepare well, Kate."

"I will."

"You better," Desmond warned his youngest. They were putting a lot of money into dressing Kate for the Duke. Katrina assured them they would get the money back when the Duke offered them gifts for their daughter.