The Duke's Masked Wife

Chapter 477  Shame (3)

"I'm going to kill that man," Katrina said, looking at the papers which contained how much she would be earning from a young lady who managed to catch the eye of a rich heir. She wouldn't be getting married to the man but he was doing well with spoiling her.

"Randall you snake," Katrina sneered as she wasn't receiving her fair share despite her hard work. It was she who gave the girls advice on how to trap these men. Randall would gain nothing without her. "I need to cut him loose soon," she decided.

Katrina intended to get rid of Randall and have all the profits going to her. It was easy to get him near her with his guard down since he lusted after her. She only needed to lure him into her bedroom and do the job.

"Men," Katrina sighed, rubbing the back of her neck with her hands. She didn't have her title anymore but she was slowly building up her wealth. The best way to shut people up was to have money. Everyone who was enjoying talking about her not having a title would soon be kissing her ass once she gained more money.

"I need something to drink," Katrina said, standing up from her seat to leave her bedroom.

Life was so different without Kate living with her, but she was slowly getting used to it. She thought Kate would have visited her by now to say how married life was going, but Katrina knew it could not be helped that Kate was busy with her new life. Katrina hoped to see Simon and Kate soon to catch up. Life in a big house with no one else around to share it with was not what she thought it would be.

Katrina was starting to consider remarrying a man she could see herself falling in love with. She no longer needed to chase a man just for his wealth but it would help to charm her.

Katrina left her bedroom and walked the quiet halls down to the first floor. She hugged her body to warm herself from the cold that crept inside from the outside.

"My lady."

"Of course you are awake," Katrina sighed, looking ahead at James. "My lady? You know no one thinks that is a title for me."

"It is what I wish to call you," James said slowly approaching Katrina. It had been a few days since she called for him to her bedroom. She only did it when she was angry with Randall. James was concerned about her being all alone without any family.

"You are still a fool," Katrina shook her head. After everything, James was still hooked on her when she could ruin him any second. James was to her what she was once to Randall. An innocent person caught up in someone's desires. The difference was Katrina had never cared for Randall. James made the mistake of getting attached when she wanted nothing more from him. "Why do you care for me?" She wondered again.

James didn't see why she kept asking this question when he proved time and time again that he cared for her. "I see you differently now than I did before," he answered. He came to learn that Katrina was a hurt woman. Hurt from the time she was a child based on the memories she would let slip out in bed. She was so cold to others because that was how the world was to her.

"How sweet," Katrina smiled, but his words did not warm her. "If only they were believable. I like to believe you took a liking to the fact you get to fuck a woman you once lusted over. That and the fact you are foolish. I always knew men thought with the lower half of their bodies. Come to my bed tonight. I am in need of a distraction, but first, I need something to drink. Something strong."

"Yes, my lady. I will- It sounds like there is a knock at the door," James looked in the direction of the front door. No one should be coming this late to see Katrina. Unless it was Randall? James frowned at the thought of Randall coming to see Katrina. The man could only want one thing from her.

James was aware of the fact Randall wanted Katrina to fire him since Randall had somehow sensed that he was sleeping with Katrina. James was going nowhere. He did not help this house get back on its feet only to be fired now.

"Excuse me," James said, leaving Katrina's side to answer the door. He was silently praying that it would not be Randall.

When James opened the door, he wished it was someone else other than a town guard.

"Good night. I am sorry to disturb the residence at this time, but I must speak with the lady of the house. It is about her daughter Mar-"

"What is wrong with Kate?" Katrina quickly went to the door. Her heart rushed due to a town guard coming so late to speak about Kate. "Is my daughter alright? Out with it."

"Unfortunately, I was sent to get you before I was told the full condition of your daughter, but we have safely found her. Your daughter is heading to the court to be seen by a palace doctor. I regret to inform you that the man she married, Marquess Simon, is the one responsible for all the missing young women. He attacked his wife-"

"Katrina!" James called after Katrina who began running outside the front door without any shoes and proper clothing. "My lady, you need to come back."

Katrina could not hear James' words or the guard calling after her. All she knew was that she needed to get to the court right now to see Kate. Her daughter had to be fine. This was all some big lie to ruin her day. "I need to see her," Katrina said as she ran. She would run there barefoot if she needed to.

"Katrina!" James grabbed her hand to stop her from running out of the gates in her attire. Katrina had quickly become a mess. Everyone knew how much she loved her daughter more than anything else in the world. It was no surprise she started to run in an effort to see Kate. "I know you wish to see her now but you cannot run there. You must take a carriage and change your clothes. You are wearing a night dress."

"My child," Katrina trembled. Her body shook as she thought of Kate being hurt. She worked hard to never let even a single strand of Kate's hair be messed with. "I don't believe it. Simon is not the person who took those girls. I did not let Kate marry a man like that. She cannot be hurt."

"I know," James touched her arms to calm her. He was just as confused about what was being said about Simon but a town guard would not come to lie to Katrina. "You need to calm down. Change your dress to something suitable and I will prepare a carriage for you. You need to stop," he squeezed her arms as her shaking concerned him.

 Kate was the one thing Katrina cherished most. He feared what they were going to learn soon would break the woman before him.