“You seem different,” Mario commented when they were finally alone in a private room.
“Good or bad?” Alessandra asked since Mario knew her for many years. She would hate to hear she changed for the worse from an old friend.
“Good. I have never seen you dressed up like this,” said Mario while he looked over her appearance.
Alessandra looked down at the dress made for her by Erin. “I have a dressmaker now. I no longer have to wear my mother’s old dresses.”
Mario also noticed there was a glow to her now compared to how dull she looked back at home. Still, he wasn’t on board with her being here. He wasn’t a fan of Edgar, especially after the conversation they shared. “Does he treat you well? Are the servants here treating you well?” He added in case the first question was too much.
Alessandra could not hold back her smile as she thought about her life with Edgar. “He does. He isn’t like what you would imagine. He is playful, honest, and a little irritating at times but he treats me well. Some of the servants still avoid me but many of them have warmed up to me. Of course, Edgar threatened them to be nice to me or else.”
“You seem to enjoy his wild behavior. I was worried about you being alone with him all for nothing,” Mario muttered.
“I wouldn’t call it wild behavior. It’s more of a reaction to what is done around him. About the rumor,” Alessandra started to get to the point of why they were here. This wasn’t just a moment for two friends to catch up. “I was out of town for a couple of days but Sally was caught up with the rumor from the other servants. Did you say there was something between us? I haven’t mentioned this to Edgar because I doubt-”
“Yes,” Mario replied to her surprise. “The Baroness asked me to speak about the times you and I spent alone to the maids. She was using the maids there to share this with maids from other households to spread the lies. That is why I told you not to apologize to me.”
…..
Alessandra wasn’t sure what to say at the moment. She felt her shoulders slump and the excitement to see her friend was starting to fade away.
“Everyone has a past they want to forget. I had a terrible life before Lockwood which I would not want to catch up to me here. Katrina somehow found out and blackmailed me. I should not even be here right now but you have always been kind to me out of all the Barretts. I should have-”
“That’s okay,” Alessandra interjected. She felt better knowing he had been blackmailed and not easily betrayed her. It was better for her to forgive him this way and try helping him. She didn’t expect Mario to ruin his life to shield her from a lie. “My apology still stands. She only poked around in your life to get back at me. I am not angry with you.”
“I shouldn’t have allowed her to use me to create rumors about you,” Mario tried to argue.
“It would not be worth you having to move because Katrina would share your secret. Besides, Edgar took care of it for me.”
Mario gritted his teeth. He was angry that it was Edgar who helped Alessandra. Mario was normally the person she viewed as a hero by giving her food when the Baroness was angry and stopping the maids from sending food for Alessandra.
“I am thankful you came to clear this up with me. You’ve done as Katrina asked but she will not let this matter go. She will use you again in the future since she has your weakness. I told you to leave on the same day as me. I can pay off your debts. For everything you’ve done for me in the past please let me do this,” Alessandra pleaded with him.
“And what would I do about a job? I need money to find a place to stay and eat if I leave there. The majority of the jobs available in winter have already been taken. You weren’t planning to have me come here, were you?” Mario asked as it was something he expected from her. It would be nice to be close to her but with what Katrina knew, he wouldn’t be able to stay in Lockwood.
Never in a million years would Alessandra suggest that Mario work or stay here knowing Edgar was convinced Mario had feelings for her. She’d be setting Mario up for chaos if she suggested such a thing. She hadn’t seen the extent of Edgar’s jealousy yet but she had a feeling Mario being here would end with a sword in Edgar’s hands.
“I wasn’t suggesting that,” Alessandra played with her fingers as she tried to come up with a better plan.
“Do not worry about me, Alessandra. My debt is almost paid off and once I no longer have to work there, I plan to leave Lockwood. I do not want to be a weakness the Baroness would have over you. I came here to apologize and to also say goodbye. I am sure your husband would be delighted to hear that. Recently I had been thinking if I should have just taken you and run away from that house,” Mario confessed.
He continued to say, “I had no money to take us anywhere but I regret not being the one to help you get away from your family. I should have done it the moment I saw how they were treating you. I know that you are married but just answer this honestly. Was there ever a chance for me?”
“What?” Alessandra asked with wide eyes. She had been so certain and denied Edgar’s accusation each time that Mario held some sort of feelings for her. Alessandra hoped she had misinterpreted his words.
Mario had thought a lot about what Edgar said and could finally admit that he at one point in time found himself liking Alessandra. At first, he thought he was protective of her like a brother with his young sister but he was wrong. “Had I asked you to run away with me, would you have liked me?”
“No,” Alessandra honestly replied. “I’ve only thought of you as a friend. I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing to me. I can finally stop thinking of what if’s now. I’m glad I got to be your friend, Alessandra. I wish you well but if I ever hear the Duke tried to hurt you, I will return and kill the man with my bare hands,” Mario promised her.
Alessandra remained silent to avoid hurting his feelings as she knew neither scenario would ever happen. Edgar would not hurt her and Mario could not kill the man she was falling for.
