The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride
Chapter 120: Important talk (3)

Chapter 120: Important talk (3)

Penelope sat with her mother near a window where they could look out to see Isabelle walking with Tyrion.

Winston set a glass of water for both women as they requested.

"Thank you," Alessandra said, looking at the butler she had handpicked. "Are you enjoying it here, Winston?"

"I am, Duchess. I am grateful for the opportunity you have bestowed upon me. I won’t disappoint you or Lady Castro," Winston promised.

"I know. After all, you were taught by the best. Alfred would be pleased to know he did well teaching you and many others," said Alessandra.

"I am pleased to hear this. I shall give you privacy. Your maids stand outside the door," Winston informed the pair before leaving them.

"I enjoy Winston’s company. If he’s anything like Alfred was to you, then I am in good hands. He is always one step ahead with the maids and seating my guests. Thank you for asking Eleanor and Sally to send my friends," said Penelope..

"They were also excited to meet with you. At a time like this, it is good to have friends at your side. This is the time when your friendships will be tested. You will see who cares for you while you face so many lies. You must pay attention to who turns their back on you."

"I will. I have not been attending events to know whom I must stay away from, but when I do, I shall make a note of their behaviour. I have a good idea who is fanning the flames of these rumours," Penelope said, thinking of Amelia.

Whilst they were not friends, Penelope had seen enough of Amelia to know she would not take losing Tyrion well, even though she now wanted Teo.

"It is good that you have some clues. Have you received any invitations from the Castros to meet with them? Hazel would love to sit with you, so she is finding time to meet with you at the estate," Alessandra said, looking forward to having everyone in her home.

"Julie, Ally, and I wanted to plan a gathering for all our mothers to gather at the estate. The queen should join us and bring the princess," Penelope said, excited as the list grew. "I also received a request to meet with Lady Tabitha, but it is best that I decline."

Alessandra frowned, not liking that Tabitha had already gotten to Penelope. "Why is that?"

"Well, her talk with Tyrion did not go so well. She wants him to return to be the crown prince, so we would need to return to the palace. Until she adjusts to our life outside the palace, I will not sit with her. She sent a maid here," Penelope said, recalling Ines’s rudeness.

Penelope continued to say, "The maid was sent to work here, but she would only listen to Tyrion, and her tone with me was not respectful. She did not want to leave when I said there wouldn’t be work here."

"A maid sent by Lady Tabitha wouldn’t act that way unless her lady allows it. I could be wrong, but it has given me insight into how Tabitha must speak of me and what orders she gave her maid. It is childish," Penelope said, annoyed the more she thought about it.

"I have to agree. The marriage is already done, and a new crown prince has been announced. It is low for someone of her status to let a maid ignore your orders. She has upset me as well. I have sat with her," Alessandra revealed.

Penelope didn’t understand why her mother needed to sit with Tabitha. She had never heard of her mother meeting with Tabitha.

"Was it to speak about my marriage?" Penelope asked.

"That and much more. She seems to think the rushed wedding is because you are with child. I know that is not possible. She has questioned my marriage, parenting and spoke of disliking the rumours going around," Alessandra said.

Alessandra already shared all of this with Edgar who was not pleased to hear it. She wanted Penelope to be aware of what Tabitha said to be on guard should they ever cross paths.

Penelope might not be so fortunate as to never meet with Tabitha, since they were both Castros, and she would have to join Tyrion to see his family.

"When did you meet with her?" Penelope said, stuck on the fact that Tabitha reached out to her mother.

Penelope was not a child for Tabitha to run to her mother.

"Yesterday," Alessandra replied.

"So, after she could not convince Tyrion to return to the palace, she turned to you. Was she hoping that you would convince me to want to be in the palace? I will always be your child, but I am married now. I will make the decisions about where I stay with my husband," said Penelope.

It was infuriating the lengths Tabitha was going to get what she wanted.

"I will not tell you where to go, and neither will your father. It is up to you and Tyrion to decide where you will call home. Tabitha still influences the town, but Hazel has grown to have even more influence. I can also help you against anything Tabitha does," Alessandra offered.

"Then, does she believe what is said around the town? To think that I would have a child before I am married, what kind of lady did she think I was?" Penelope wondered.

Had Tabitha just turned on Penelope and her mother because she couldn’t have her way, or did she always have such ill feelings toward them?

"It is unfortunate for Tyrion, but he is also quite ready not to meet with her again. I know she does not frequent the palace because of the tension with the queen. Why hasn’t she learned her lesson?" Penelope asked.

"I do not know. So much time has passed since Hazel entered the palace and had a conflict with Tabitha. Perhaps Tabitha doesn’t care anymore, and she is too stubborn. Should she show up before you around the town, be careful," Alessandra advised Penelope.

Penelope did not have the town’s favour right now, so it would be easy for one bad interaction with Tabitha to fan the flames of gossip. If Tabitha was mean-spirited to want Penelope to regret not listening to her, then she would create a moment to make Penelope appear cruel.

Alessandra hoped Tabitha wouldn’t stoop even lower to back Penelope into a corner in hopes of her only option being to go to the palace or to fan the flames of the rumour that Penelope was already with child.

"I know of someone who will not be afraid of Tabitha and has influence to match. Grandmother is still well-respected already around the town. It is time that I visit Priscilla," Penelope decided.