The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 149: Genuine friendships (2)

"Why would you let him be tangled in your work? There’s plenty of other work around the town for him to do. The very friend you have turned your back on would have asked her husband to find work for Dale," said Eleanor.

Eleanor walked further into the shop to sit down.

"I only know his brother was once close to Simon, but that cannot be why Dale would dislike the duke and duchess. Simon was an evil man. Surely Dale isn’t upset he died," Eleanor said, hoping it wasn’t so.

Anyone upset that Simon was caught and died could not be a normal person.

"No, Dale wouldn’t ever want Simon to be still alive, nor is he upset that Edgar was the one to go after Simon. Truthfully, I do not know what it is. Perhaps he has never been fond of Edgar," Erin said.

Erin sat down beside Eleanor.

"Did the two of you have a proper talk when you decided not to answer Penelope or Alessandra? Did he say you are not to meet with him, and you just listened? Did you not question him?" Eleanor inquired.

"Our talk was not pleasant. He was thinking about the future of our business. At the moment, I had two choices. It was either I lost him or my friend. What was I to do?" Erin asked.

Erin couldn’t lose her husband. She thought she could fix her troubles with Alessandra later.

"Tell him how much Alessandra meant to you and the business he so desperately wants to protect. There wouldn’t be anything for him to protect if not for her. You would still be working for your mother," Eleanor reminded Erin.

"I know," Erin said, her mind filling with guilt. "I have not forgotten how she helped me, and I feel terrible. I have done something terrible even to Penelope. I should have been the one to prepare her entrance back into society, but I ignored her."

"I am in a terrible position. Our families are back at odds with each other. My mother thinks he should provide more, and his mother is never satisfied. I thought having him work here was going to change that," Erin said, disappointed that nothing had changed.

"The two of you should have kept your families out of your marriage. I will be honest now to say that I do not like him for you. I know it is quite late to say this, but I had to say it," Eleanor said, no longer able to hold it in.

Eleanor continued to say, "Your husband should not give you the choice of losing him or a friend who has been quite helpful to you. If Alessandra had hurt you in some way, then I would have understood, but she has not."

"You love him, so I don’t want you to lose your husband, but I want you to speak up. If he cares for you, he will understand. The gossip surrounding Alessandra and Penelope will pass, but if you are not careful, you won’t have a friendship to mend at the end."

Eleanor wished Erin knew how much she had every right to speak.

Based on what Erin said, she was the one earning for the family. Perhaps for her own and Dale’s family. Erin had the right to speak as she wanted.

"If you are the one providing for everyone, put your foot down. If this is not what you want, why make your life miserable to please him or his family? Even your mother," said Eleanor.

"It is easier for you. You married a guard of the duke’s residence, and your families get along. I don’t have such peace," Erin said, wiping away a fallen tear.

Eleanor smiled since Erin had gotten it wrong. "My life isn’t so perfect. How could it ever be perfect for the daughter of a man who owns a brothel? Sure, our families were able to sit down, and I was welcome, but that doesn’t mean my father’s business is forgotten."

"Reed’s mother is lovely and she hasn’t said anything to me, but sometimes her actions lead me to realise it is there in her mind. We all have our battles when it comes to our marriage. The first step is to speak with your husband," Eleanor suggested.

"Do you think Alessandra would meet with me? Edgar was angry," said Erin.

"He has every right to be angry, and you already know Alessandra would give you a chance. I suggest that you speak to Dale before you meet with Alessandra. Nothing will improve if you are still at odds with him," Eleanor said.

"Could you speak to her-"

"No," Eleanor flat out denied. "I am not getting in the middle of it more than I am now. This is between you two, and I will not make it better for you. The Erin that I am used to is daring and speaks quite well. Right now, you seem defeated, but you can still speak."

Erin sighed.

The conflict between the two sides not getting along was draining.

Erin got what she wanted with her mother acknowledging her talents, but it came with her looking down on Dale’s work.

Erin was certain that if her mother could have predicted the future to know how successful Erin would become, she would have pushed even more for her not to marry Dale.

Eleanor stood up.

As much as Eleanor wanted to stay with Erin, she needed to keep an eye on Julie. Even though Julie walked with Penelope and Rue, Eleanor knew her daughter could find herself in trouble.

"I will get the dress for you," Erin said as she stood up. "Will you come see me again even if the talk doesn’t go well? I don’t want to lose my friends."

"As long as nothing bad is said, I will come again. Now that we have spoken, I understand your position a little more, but let us be positive that you will make this right," Eleanor replied.

They had all been friends for too long for it to end like this.

"I will make it right," Erin promised, but she didn’t have the confidence that she could.

Dale was set on what he wanted, and the only way for her to fix this so he wouldn’t be involved was to let him find work elsewhere.

Erin thought of what was best for her business just like Dale did, but it was wrong to turn her back on Alessandra, even if it might cost her other customers.

"I am scared to see the duke. Even if Alessandra forgives me, Edgar will hold on to this," Erin said, fearing what he would do.

"Well," Eleanor started, but didn’t have any comforting words for Erin. "You cannot blame him. He never forgets, especially when it comes to his wife. Don’t lose hope yet. Rekindling your friendship with Alessandra will be a start."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺