The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 325

325: Kindness (1) 325: Kindness (1) On the other side of town, Kate waited by her door for anyone to come by with news about Warren.

Each passing hour filled her with worry that her son was dead.

That she was never going to see him again, and Warren wouldn’t have the chance to know that she was going to change herself for the better.

With the money Kate used to pay off Warren’s debt taking up plenty of what they needed to survive, Noah had no choice but to stop his search and go back to work.

Kate looked away from the window when she heard someone walking toward her.  It was Mary.

‘What is wrong with her?’ Kate wondered.

Mary had become sloppy in a few days.

When serving Kate her food in the morning, Mary was lost in her thoughts and almost dropped Kate’s tea in her lap.

Kate noticed how drained Mary looked like there was something that weighed on her mind.

She had better things to do than get involved in Mary’s troubles, but Kate needed someone to speak with.

Kate cleared her throat and then asked, “What is it?” Mary looked up after hearing Kate’s voice.

Had she done something wrong?

“Milady, forgive me.

I did not hear you,” Mary said, her eyes on the floor.

She prepared herself to be yelled at.

“I asked what it is that troubles you.

You have not been paying attention all morning or the day before.

Speak,” Kate ordered Mary.

Mary was puzzled by Kate’s order.  Since when did Kate want to know about her?  Kate only spoke to her when she needed someone or to accuse her of sleeping with Noah.

“Did you not hear me?

I ask what it is that troubles you.

If you cannot share it, then so be it.

I shouldn’t burden my ears with your troubles,” Kate muttered.

So much for wanting to do something nice to help others.

“You, you meant it?

You wish to know what troubles me?” Mary asked slowly.

Mary couldn’t believe her ears.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t mean it.

My son is missing, and my husband is out working while I am left here to be useless.

There are far too many concerns on my mind for me to ask about your troubles for fun,” Kate said, annoyed.

Why was this what her life had come to?

“Either you tell me what it is that has you unable to complete your work, or you go about your day.

I don’t have the time for this,” Kate sighed.

“Forgive me.

I was surprised.

When will your son return home, Milady?

Is he well?” Mary asked.

“Is it my son’s disappearance that troubles you?

I didn’t know you were so close, or do you always care this much for your employers?” Kate asked, suspicious.

Kate recently suspected there was something, but she forgot about it.

“I have worked here for a few years.

I care for each member of your family.

I hope that he returns to you safely soon.

It scares me to hear of the people going missing.

He must return to you,” Mary said, hopeful.

Mary needed Warren to return so she could tell him the good news.

She needed him to come soon because she didn’t have anyone to lean on.

Kate narrowed her eyes at Mary, believing her suspicions were now proven.

“You-” “Milady, someone is coming through the gates.

Should I send someone for town guards?” Mary asked, going close to see who it was.

Kate held off on her questions and turned her attention to the visitor.  “No, it is someone from the court.

Let him inside and prepare something for him to drink,” said Kate.  Kate crossed her fingers, staying positive that Mark would bring her good news.

She did not let her positivity slip even though Warren wasn’t with Mark.  There was hope for Warren to be alive as long as there wasn’t a body.

Kate could delude herself with thoughts that Warren had run off somewhere instead of thinking that he was dead.

Mark entered the home behind the maid and was pleased to see Kate sitting close to the door.

She didn’t look too lively because her son was missing, but she looked better than when he last saw her.

“You look well, Kate,” Mark said as he took off his hat.

“I am doing as well as I can with my son missing.

Have you come bearing any news about him?” Kate asked, nearly on the edge of her seat.

“Unfortunately, we have not received any news about where your son was last spotted and where he could be now.

I’ve been watching Victor, but there aren’t any signs of your son.

I have come to discuss what we last spoke of,” said Mark.

Kate didn’t know what Mark spoke of. “We spoke of many things.” “I speak of the matter concerning you helping to advise young ladies-” “They will not listen,” Kate said, not needing to speak on it anymore.

“I wouldn’t have listened to you.

I was stubborn and wished to please my parents.

I was my mother’s only hope when my father died.

You don’t have any idea what that is like.” “I craved attention from my father.

He couldn’t love more than one person at a time.

I wanted to be the apple of his eye, and when I got that spot, I couldn’t fail.

Then my mother needed me to marry so we could keep everything.

I wouldn’t have listened,” Kate said, certain the other ladies would be this way.

Kate was certain that if she could somehow go back in time to convince her younger self to avoid Simon, she would not listen.

“Unless you do something about the pressure ladies face, then they will not listen.

Their entire future lies in finding a good husband, and our fathers speak of having to repay them,” Kate said, believing nothing could be done.

“Your idea of a good husband is what needs to be changed.

You view a man as good if he has money and status.

There is more to what makes a man a good husband.

I have gathered ladies willing to listen,” Mark said.

Kate laughed.

“You must not have told them that it is I who would speak to them.

Who would want to listen to the hated sister of the beloved duchess?” “I didn’t speak of you since I needed you to say yes to attending.

This is a chance to do some good.

To erase some of what surrounds your name.

You can save young ladies from making the same mistakes you did.

Please,” Mark pleaded.

Mark didn’t want to see another young lady in Kate’s position.