Meanwhile, on the Collins estate. Alessandra awaited Lily’s return home from the palace.
Whilst Lily was away, Alessandra used the time to be with Isabelle. Though it was Penelope and Lily’s season, Alessandra didn’t want Isabelle to feel left out.
Isabelle was like her mother’s shadow, going where Alessandra walked since she had no one else to bother until Lily or Elijah returned home. Edgar was home, but Isabelle preferred to be with Alessandra.
Alessandra smiled after feeling Isabelle bump into her.
Alessandra turned around and rubbed Isabelle’s forehead. "I’m sorry for stopping so suddenly. Are you tired of walking around? It is nearing time for me to send water for your father."
"I am not tired. We can walk a little more. Oh no," Isabelle pouted, worried the arrival of a guard meant trouble. "Do you have to go now? What has Elijah done now?"
"Duchess," a Collins guard addressed Alessandra. "A Mark Wilkerson requests an audience with you or his grace."
"Mark? Allow him inside," Alessandra replied.
Alessandra then turned to Isabelle and said, "Go to your father in his study and tell him to come down now. Tell him that Mark from the court is here."
Isabelle nodded and ran off, thinking there was trouble.
Alessandra watched Isabelle for a moment and then walked to the door to be the one to greet Mark.
It had been so long since Alessandra had a visit from Mark. He helped her when the former baroness tried to hide her inheritance from her, and while Alessandra was grateful for Mark, she suspected his visit wasn’t going to be a pleasant one.
Alessandra waited by the door for Mark to be welcomed in, as well as for Edgar to join her. It wasn’t long before she saw the familiar face get off a horse and walk up to the wide open doors.
"Duchess," Mark politely greeted Alessandra. "It doesn’t look like you have aged one bit."
"Thank you. I hope you have come here to share some good news instead of bad," said Alessandra.
"I’m afraid I don’t have anything good to share these days. My days in the court have become hectic, and the palace is starting to feel like my first home. Lucky, I can always come here to be entertained by your husband," Mark said, missing the days he teased Edgar.
"I urge you not to trouble Edgar. You have gotten away with teasing him for years, but now isn’t a good time," Alessandra advised Mark.
Alessandra noticed Mark took what Edgar said as a joke, but Edgar genuinely hated Mark. Mark was a trusted man, but it didn’t change that he bothered Edgar.
"Might I know why it is not the right time?" Mark asked, fishing for answers about Warren.
Mark knew Alessandra wouldn’t be aware of what Edgar did, but the smallest mention of Warren would be helpful.
"It is because of the murders around the town. Did you not know my husband is helping to solve them? Or, is it something else you wish to know?" Alessandra asked, suspicious.
Over the years, Alessandra had spoken to many guards and men from the court to become skilled at knowing what not to say. She was not going to get Edgar in trouble.
"My husband will be down soon," Alessandra said, deciding to stop here.
"I look forward to speaking to your husband, but I am also here for you. It is about your sister Kate. She came to visit me today in court. If you didn’t know, it is the first time she has left her home in years since the accident," Mark shared.
"I see. That is good news for her. The weather has been wonderful, so it is a good time to get out of her home. I don’t understand why you need to news with me. Is there trouble with Kate?" Alessandra asked, puzzled by the news.
If something were to happen with Kate, Alessandra thought it would be Kate’s husband who would be informed.
"I thought you would like to know about how far she has come. She has mentioned what she did to you. I can say more in private if you would like," Mark quickly spoke as Edgar came into view.
Alessandra followed Mark’s gaze and looked back to find Edgar coming her way quickly.
Mark wasn’t afraid. "Duke Collins. No need to look so worried. I was merely having a small talk with the duchess. I was speaking of her sister Kate making a step to better herself. Kate is trying to change."
"Good for her," Edgar said, coming to stand between Alessandra and Mark. "But we don’t need to be informed about what she does. Every once in a while, one of you comes around trying to convince my wife to go to Kate. You know better than anyone why she won’t."
Mark looked behind Edgar at Alessandra. "Your wife can speak for herself."
"And I can be the one to turn you away. You all have this habit of coming to my wife to speak about poor old Kate. We’ve settled this long ago that anything concerning Kate would be dealt with by Clark and then her husband," Edgar reminded Mark.
"I didn’t think it would be wrong to speak of how Kate is doing better. I would not intervene to push the two to speak, but I thought the duchess would like to know Kate is on a better path," Mark said, speaking to Alessandra rather than her tempered husband.
"That is not why I came," Mark said, moving on. "Kate brought it to my attention that her son is missing. I also heard that there might have been some trouble between you and Warren. If you have him, give him to me."
"I suggest you turn around and be on your way," Edgar said.
Mark was one second away from finding out what the dungeon looked like.
"Duchess," Mark pleaded to Alessandra. "You have a son."
"Elijah doesn’t trouble anyone," Edgar spoke over Mark. "Alessandra, you should go be with Isabelle. She worries there is trouble."
Alessandra looked at the two men and then decided it was best to walk away, but she had to stay near.
It was surprising, but welcomed news that Kate was finally doing better. Regardless of their relationship, Alessandra did not think Kate should spend the rest of her life inside her home.
Alessandra was never worried about crossing paths with Kate. They weren’t in the past where Kate could get away with troubling her, and Alessandra had long moved on from her days with Kate.
’Where is Warren?’ Alessandra wondered, taking one last look at Edgar and Mark.
Was it right to leave the two alone when the topic of their conversation was so sensitive?
Alessandra remained at the top of the stairs to keep an eye on Edgar. Should it appear that he was going to let his dislike of Mark get the best of him, she would go back.