The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 465

Chapter 465: Goodbyes (1)
Tobias and Edgar returned to the place hours later, after Tobias had forced Edgar to take the longer path back to the palace. Since they would soon part, Tobias wanted to enjoy what little time he had left with Edgar in Lockwood.

“Would you welcome me if Hazel and I wanted to visit your home? I hear it is just as grand as the estate, with many rooms for Hazel, Hailey, and me to fit without troubling you. Alessandra has already invited us, if you didn’t know,” Tobias said, certain Edgar would be thrilled.

It would only be right in Tobias’s eyes for Edgar to be excited to have more time with his friend.

“You’re still a royal, and you can’t be taking the princess just anywhere. I leave Lockwood to get away from the people here.”

“Again, the duchess invited us. Hazel and I already spoke about what we will do with our time. We still have duties in the palace, but we want to get away at times to view the kingdom we ruled for so many years. We would be safe in your care,” Tobias said, trying to nudge Edgar to consider. “It wouldn’t be for too long.”

“Do what you wish,” Edgar replied, stepping out of the carriage when the door was opened.

Edgar planned to speak to Alessandra about the strays she was inviting to their home. Tobias was welcomed, but Edgar wanted a few days with just his family before he would have guests.

Tobias followed Edgar out of the carriage and was the first one to notice Elijah sitting on the step.

“Are our wives angry?” Tobias asked, fearing Hazel might not be pleased with how long he was away.

“No. I last saw your wives, along with Annalise, taking a bottle of wine from a maid. You might find them in the large library,” Elijah informed the pair. “I heard something about throwing knives as well.”

“My walls,” Tobias muttered, running inside to get to the bottom of the mess.

Elijah watched Tobias run inside and then turn to his father. “Aren’t you going to get your wife? She isn’t good with drinks.”

“Don’t be fooled. Your mother knows to stop when she’s feeling drunk, and she won’t let herself get drunk, so she can take care of the others. Why are you here? Meeting someone?” Edgar asked, looking around for Rue.

“If I were, would you stop me?”

“Depends on who you’re waiting for. Don’t do anything foolish with his daughter. I’ve raised you to know better,” said Edgar.

Elijah laughed at his father’s wrong assumption. “My mother asked that I look out for your return. I got bored with being inside, so I came here to sit. I would like a drink, but someone has strong opinions about drinking.”

Elijah needed to have another talk with Rue about what she felt about drinking. She caught him with a bottle of rum he found in the palace, and managed to take it from his hands.

Elijah couldn’t turn to use a cigar since he would be in trouble if his mother heard of it.

Edgar looked back at the carriage, which was yet to move.

“Amuse yourself with the carriage. Take it,” Edgar said as he walked up the steps.

Elijah grabbed his father’s leg. “You mean it? This is not some twisted joke you are doing on me now?”

Edgar peered down at Elijah. “When have I ever jokingly offered you my carriage? Get off the cold step before your mother hears of it. If you catch a cold, we cannot leave Lockwood.”

Elijah quickly got to his feet to hug his father. His day had just brightened up now that he finally got the carriage he had wanted for many years.

Elijah frowned and stepped away from his carriage. “Did you and Tobias ruin it? Is that why you are giving it to me now?”

“I waited for you to grow up,” Edgar answered, seeing now as the best time to reward Elijah. “You’re starting to act like a man who knows how to stand by himself. I heard of the work you’ve been doing.”

“Have you been spying on me, father?” Elijah asked, but he wasn’t surprised.

“I keep an eye on all my children. I know of the times you would sneak off the estate with your sisters. You were somewhat wise to leave Isabelle behind. There are things I set aside to give you when you are on your own or married. Take the carriage before I offer it to Lily,” said Edgar.

Since Alessandra was so confident the estate wouldn’t be without a lady for long, Elijah would need a second carriage, though the lady Alessandra had in mind would prefer horses.

“Thank you, father. I will keep it as it is and wait until you return home in the morning to claim it is mine. Should I do something for you in return?” Elijah asked, following his father inside.

“You may be quiet. I had to bear hours with that man speaking. Retire to bed and do not leave the room assigned to you until morning. I am going to take your mother to bed and see your sisters,” said Edgar.

Edgar had to see for himself that his daughters were safe in their chambers.

“Lily and Isabelle are well. I checked their chamber every hour since dinner ended. Lily forced Isabelle to go to bed. It seems Isabelle was excited about staying in the palace. All you need to do now is go for my mother,” said Elijah.

Edgar peered to his right at Elijah. He trusted Elijah to look over his sisters well.

“Are you going to be fine in the estate all by yourself? It is different since I was never alone there. I had Alfred when I moved there and while you are well acquainted with the servants, it is not the same. So, are you going to be fine alone?” Edgar asked, willing to stay if Elijah needed company.

“I thank you for the concern, but I promise you, I will be fine. I’ve been looking forward to being alone in the estate for a long time. I’m going to enjoy the silence that comes with my sisters not being around. If I grow lonely, I will visit,” Elijah promised.

It wasn’t like his family was going so far away that Elijah couldn’t see them when he wanted.

“Good. Don’t welcome too many inside the estate. I rather not have any regrets from giving you my home,” Edgar said as he walked away.

Elijah shook his head.

Like his father, Elijah planned to keep the estate off-limits from most of the town. At the moment, Elijah was set on ensuring that Rue would return to Lockwood and eventually, find her place in the estate.