• 3 months ago
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Duke's Masked Bride
Transcript
00:00Will you please spend one night with my daughter?
00:02Excuse me?
00:03One night, and you'll see that you'll make a most excellent wife!
00:06Most excellent wife!
00:07I am the Duke!
00:08God, these wretched women are driving me mad!
00:11Get out of the way! Get out of the way!
00:20Throw your drink in your daughter's face.
00:23I beg your pardon?
00:25If you desire unity between our families, throw your drink in your daughter's face.
00:31Duke Collins, I would never...
00:33Surely the payday from our marriage will be more than enough to cover the cleaning.
00:40Forgive me my heart.
00:44Edgar's patience was running dry.
00:46He had already rejected three proposals that evening.
00:54How disappointing.
00:57Sir?
00:58I can see this isn't about love for either of you.
01:01But...
01:02I must bid you goodnight.
01:03But the King said that he couldn't wait to see you with a Duchess by your side.
01:08With all due respect, I'd rather marry my horse to any of you.
01:11Embarrassment washed over the mother and daughter, like the evening's wine, as well as the other hopeful women.
01:18There would be no winning the Duke tonight.
01:20Talk swirled around the dreaded Duke Collins.
01:24His business dealings are so hush-hush.
01:26I heard he even worked with criminals in the cover of a night.
01:29Thanks to a friendly rivalry between the Duke and the King, and several rumors spread by His Royal Highness...
01:35So delicious!
01:37Everyone believed the Duke was looking for a wife.
01:40He felt like he was trapped in a viper's nest with all these mothers looking to bag a son-in-law.
01:46He was said to be a cunning and dangerous man, feared by many and respected by all.
01:51And yet...
01:52Duke Collins!
01:55It's going to be a miserable evening.
01:57His title made him quite enticing. He owned nearly as much land as the King himself.
02:02So kind of you to attend this evening!
02:04Save it, Baron. You know I'm here.
02:07Unlike the King, I'm not convinced you're going to prove yourself useful to our cause.
02:10Duke Edgar was currently investigating the disappearance of several young women in town, and was desperate for a lead.
02:17How about a drink? It's a party!
02:21I'm not here for a drink.
02:26The missing women, where are they?
02:28I don't know, but I have information.
02:32Upstairs.
02:34You wouldn't want all these people to get the wrong idea about you, would you?
02:39It wouldn't take too long to break the neck of such a slender-winged old man.
02:43Would that be entertaining enough for your guest?
02:47Please pick it up, and I'll go fetch it.
02:54I'll need a moment to smoke. Alone.
02:58Why not use the garden? It's off-limits to the other guests, but you're welcome.
03:04My daughter would like to have a moment with you.
03:17A bit dark and a bit late for a lady without a chaperone, isn't it?
03:22The mysterious woman was Alessandra, the Baron's eldest daughter.
03:27She had been told to wait outside for her dinner, as she was not allowed to be seen by the guests.
03:33The party is inside.
03:35She wanted to flee, but the Duke had other plans.
03:38Of that I'm very aware, Alessandra.
03:42Don't act so surprised. We've all heard the stories of the cursed daughter of Baron Desmond Barrett.
03:48You're not scared of me?
03:50It's not a very frightening mask.
03:52Alessandra was intrigued. No one had ever been this nice to her upon first meeting. Especially no man.
03:59I don't believe I know who you are.
04:01Collins. Edgar.
04:03The Duke? Are you here to marry my sister?
04:07Something about this girl intrigued the Duke.
04:10I'd rather die. No offense.
04:13The women inside are all like matching dolls. Too similar, too perfect.
04:17A thought came to her. She couldn't resist its temptation.
04:22And what say you of me, then?
04:24If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say?
04:28You'd be setting yourself up for a loveless marriage.
04:31I have no interest.
04:33Is it untrue? Do not long for a wife?
04:39The King has played quite the joke.
04:41The King loved to play his little games with Edgar.
04:45Well, I've no need for love. I've hardly ever known it.
04:49All women yearn to be loved. You cannot guarantee me that you will not grow wanting.
04:54A contract, then? Legally binding? If I fall in love, we divorce.
05:03Did your father put you up to this?
05:05This offer has nothing to do with helping my father. I leave that up to you to believe me.
05:10I'm not interested in marrying anyone for love.
05:13I only wish to leave this place and never look back.
05:16Edgar was surprised by her honesty. There was opportunity here.
05:20Oh, would you marry me despite him?
05:23I am dying within these walls, day by day, peace by peace.
05:28I am neglected and unloved by my own father.
05:33I do not care for your looks, Duke Edgar, nor your money. Frankly, I see you as an escape.
05:40You know, it would be nothing for one to hire an actress or a prostitute to play that role.
05:47If you wanted, you would have done so already.
05:50If the King has played this joke to toy with you,
05:55then surely marrying the cursed daughter of Baron Desmond Barrett would fill him with remorse.
06:03Cursed!
06:07You're much quicker on your feet than I expected.
06:10Rumors about your timidity and reclusive nature are clearly false.
06:16Join me at my residence tomorrow on the edge of town. I'd like to discuss this further.
06:21But father would never allow it.
06:24You must be mistaken then. I thought you wanted to leave.
06:27She wanted to, but couldn't think fast enough to stop him.
06:30Duke Collins!
06:31But it would have to wait. Alessandra's sister had arrived.
06:35Father told me to find you. Are you out here all alone?
06:39Kate Barrett, I presume. I was just about to.
06:44Kate's blood boiled at the sight of Alessandra.
06:48Oh, I'm terribly sorry that thing has bothered you. It wasn't meant to be out here.
06:55She is your sister, and I'm sure she doesn't appreciate being referred to as...
07:01The Duke was disappointed at seeing Alessandra was no longer around.
07:05Disappointed?
07:06Oh, sweetie, siblings often have little pet names for each other, do they not?
07:10You were an only child, so I can forgive you for that.
07:19I'm sure that excuse allows you to sleep quite soundly at night.
07:22Kate would do anything to make the Duke see she'd make a good wife.
07:26Her family had a problem, and he was their best solution.
07:33The stories do not do you any justice, Duke Collins.
07:37I must admit, I was hoping to get you here alone.
07:42A man of your position and a woman of my beauty would make a powerful union, don't you agree?
07:49As hard as it may be to believe, not all men are so susceptible to the fluttering of your eyelashes.
07:54Besides, I received another more promising offer. Now if you'll excuse me.
08:01The Duke didn't give Alessandra away. Maybe he really was the solution to her problems.
08:07Kate, on the other hand, was both surprised and embarrassed to hear someone had already caught the Duke's eye.
08:14Alessandra! I'd like a word! Did the Duke say anything about another woman?
08:23Don't think you'll get away with disobeying father's orders!
08:31Alessandra listened to the sounds of the party, and she imagined she was among them.
08:36Drinking, laughing, gossiping, dancing among the music and the food and the friends.
08:44She wanted it. All of it. She had it in her mind. She was there.
08:52Then, she opened her eyes.
09:07Yoo-hoo, barmaid! I'm in need of some refreshment!
09:14All right, I'll see you back at the kitchen.
09:20You should be more careful with vulgarity. Stepmother might see you.
09:24No, no, no, Alessandra, please. Please don't hurt me.
09:27What? Hurt you?
09:29Alessandra knew there were many rumors sped about her. So many, she could hardly keep track of all of them.
09:35If you see under my mask, you die. Is that what they told you?
09:41Don't believe everything you hear. Please.
09:45May I enter my room?
10:02Kitty!
10:05It's just you and I tonight, I'm afraid.
10:08Her stepmother would be furious if she knew Alessandra kept a pet.
10:14But Kitty was the only thing that Alessandra could truly call hers.
10:19Breakfast, my lady. My lady, please. It'll get cold.
10:35Alessandra knew there was only one reason the maids wouldn't just leave food at the door and run.
10:40Kate is here.
10:46I will come back for you later.
10:50Alessandra, get up here this instant.
10:53Coming.
10:59What is it?
11:00Good morning, sister.
11:02Good morning.
11:03Leave us.
11:08Did you enjoy yourself last night, Alessandra?
11:11Very much so. The music reached my room.
11:14Tell me, what was it you were discussing with Duke Collins last night?
11:19He scolded me for being unable to recognize someone of his stature, and then you arrived.
11:26Is that so? Was there anything else?
11:30He spoke briefly of you.
11:32What did he say?
11:33He pondered aloud, weighed his options. He thought you were pretty, like a doll, I swear.
11:40That makes sense.
11:41He's playing hard to get, and I suppose there really would be no reason for him to talk to you unless it was about me.
11:49Of course.
11:50Well, anyway, I'm appalled you had the audacity to speak with him.
11:53You risked dissuading him from marrying into our houses by showing your hideous face.
12:00Why did you do that?
12:05Stop!
12:06Kate!
12:08Stop!
12:09Kate!
12:13Father, it was an accident!
12:14As callous as Baron Barrett could be towards his daughter, he did not abide her direct mistreatment.
12:21I shall see to her discipline, then. Run along.
12:29What have I taken guests out to the garden?
12:32I needed dinner. You warned me to starve.
12:36Fine, fine. There's absolutely no point scolding you. Whoever didn't bring your food is to blame.
12:43I'm sorry about what Kate did to you, but she's just looking out for the family.
12:53You must be bored in your room, all alone all the time. Let me prepare for some entertainment for you.
13:01Can I take the stagecoach to look for places of interest to paint today?
13:06I promise I will not leave the carriage.
13:09The Baron understood it was better to allow a pet bird some freedom, so she would not test the limits of her cage.
13:17Very well.
13:23Meanwhile, Edgar, at his window, eagerly awaited the arrival of his new friend.
13:31Young Master.
13:33Good morning, Alfred.
13:34Your tea, sir.
13:35Alfred was confused by his master's behavior. Edgar was usually only like this when his mother visited.
13:44Expecting guests?
13:47I met someone of interest. In truth, she was invited, but I'm unsure if she's desperate enough.
13:53She? A woman? Visiting here in broad daylight?
13:58What are you implying? Do you think it'll be some sort of rake?
14:02Indeed.
14:06I've known you for far too long. Please refrain from speaking such a way when my guest arrives. I intend to make her the lady of the house.
14:14What?
14:16Edgar knew he could trust Alfred to keep a secret or two.
14:20Are you surprised?
14:22I recall your exact words to the King were,
14:25I'd sooner cut off my own manhood than lose it to a woman. But, surely I've misinterpreted your intent.
14:33Alfred, I sincerely believe I inherited my dramatic nature from you.
14:37I'm not interested in marriage, but the woman I met last night is intriguing.
14:43A perfect way to piss off the King and ward off some other people.
14:47So, who should I be expecting?
14:55Alessandra marveled at the size of the Duke's estate, and the beautiful manor at the center of it all, that seemed to tower over everything.
15:13This place is humongous.
15:16Good morning.
15:18Good morning to you too.
15:20Welcome, Alessandra Barrett. The Duke eagerly awaits you.
15:22Alessandra worried that her mask might be a problem, but per the Duke's orders, Alfred had already instructed the staff not to react when they saw it.
15:31Right this way, my lady.
15:33Wait, I didn't get your name.
15:36Alfred. Most people never ask.
15:39Most people are cruel. Well met, Alfred.
15:42As Alessandra entered the Duke's home for the first time, the sheer extravagance of it all took her breath away.
16:13To be honest, I began to think you wouldn't show up.
16:21Have you eaten?
16:23This was the first time in years Alessandra had been invited to eat at a table with someone.
16:34So, how did you escape? Did you play a trick on the Baron, or did he allow you to leave willingly?
16:41I am not working with my father, I assure you.
16:46In fact, I took a great risk being here today. You must know that I am extremely serious about this. There's no going back for me.
16:55Does your father hate you?
16:57Alessandra hoped he didn't, at least. In truth, she did not know.
17:02Hate is the wrong word. Ashamed.
17:05And he should be. But not of you. Every child deserves to be cherished by their parents. It's unfortunate that you were born under his charge.
17:16If I were the daughter of some farmer, they would have tossed me out with the other weeds.
17:22You were the farmer's daughter. I've intentionally been disfigured such as yourself.
17:28The life of a peasant is rarely as ruthless as high society.
17:31I don't want to talk about that.
17:43Oh. Someone must have been very jealous of you, Alessandra.
17:50Alessandra couldn't bear to speak. Some truths are far too painful.
18:02Let's say I believe you.
18:05Why would someone, for their whole life who's been hiding, seek to marry someone who's in the limelight?
18:12How does that serve you?
18:15Alessandra was fed up that people mistook her kindness for weakness.
18:20Truthfully, I did not plan on asking you to marry me. It was a spur of the moment decision.
18:29I need an escape plan, and my only option is marriage.
18:35I never pictured that person to be quite as grand as you, but you fulfill all the criteria.
18:43There are only two things that I considered, Duke Collins.
18:48One, you are a notoriously private person, in spite of all the rumours that swirl around you.
18:55Secondly, you are quite capable of bringing my family to heel.
19:00And how does that benefit me?
19:04No one would dare bother a man with a cursed bride, especially one they say can kill with a glance.
19:12She was far from that scared girl he met in the garden the night before.
19:16I'd love to attend parties, to talk, to laugh, to dance.
19:22I'd rather die than live another day in the shadows.