The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 76: First night (1)

Before night set upon Lockwood, Penelope’s family departed for their estate, leaving Penelope alone with Tyrion.

Thanks to the duchess and Penelope’s siblings, the mansion was in good order for Penelope and Tyrion to settle in.

The knights who pledged their loyalty to Tyrion positioned themselves by the gates and around the mansion to defend the home.

Inside, Penelope sat before a mirror as a maid brushed her hair.

It was nearing the hour for dinner, so Penelope parted from Tyrion to wash up and get dressed so she would retire to bed when dinner was over.

Penelope stared at her reflection in the mirror and then at the maid standing behind her. "Have the palace maids left yet?" She asked.

Matilda Barnes, a maid from the duke’s estate, replied, "They are giving excuses for why they must stay, but Prince Tyrion is still preparing to send them off. He threatened to kill anyone who wouldn’t move."

"If I may speak freely," Matilda requested.

"You may," Penelope allowed it.

"They were trying to find answers from the servants, both recently employed by the duchess and those who worked for your family before. I heard whispers of how long you had a courtship with the prince," Matilda shared.

Matilda had been employed at the Collins estate for many years, with her duties being to serve Penelope. She had been a young girl when she was brought in, and as Penelope grew, she was right there by her side.

"So, they were spies. It is unlike the queen. I worry that they might also be spies for the palace court. I can’t trust anyone, but I must have even more caution with anyone from the palace," said Penelope.

Matilda smiled.

"What is the reason behind your smile? Is there more I should know?" Penelope asked, worried that drama loomed over her first night.

Matilda lowered her head, ashamed of herself. "Forgive me, Milday. I only thought of the prince also coming from the palace."

"Oh. I must be cautious with him as well," Penelope said, since Tyrion’s teasing was growing worse. "You must keep me informed of what the maids say. They will gossip amongst themselves, but I cannot have them get too carried away with lies."

Penelope was well aware that many rumours got around quickly because of the maids gossiping amongst themselves and the maids from other homes.

There were far too many lies going around, so she needed to keep her maids in order.

"Thank you," Penelope said after Matilda finished tidying her hair. "You will not need to return to dress me for bed. I will take care of that duty myself."

"As you wish," Matilda replied, moving to the right to let Penelope pass.

Penelope stood up, ready to go down to have her dinner.

As she walked, Penelope glanced at the walls, which were bare aside from the few paintings from her mother.. She didn’t have a wedding portrait to display.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, Penelope found the front doors wide open with Tyrion walking back inside.

Penelope walked toward the door, trying to get a better look.

"I sent off my mother’s maids," Tyrion said to fill Penelope’s curious mind. "They are not welcome anymore. Did you receive a letter from my mother?"

"I did," Penelope replied honestly. "She spoke of the maids as her gifts to help us. I haven’t changed my mind that they should go away. There is a good chance that at least one of them could be loyal to anyone from the court."

Matilda curtsied, parting from Penelope’s side as Tyrion approached Penelope.

Penelope watched Matilda walk away, puzzled by it. "She didn’t need to go," she said.

"She is a sensible woman," Tyrion said, taking hold of Penelope’s hand. "She knows when to give her lady privacy."

"Oh," Penelope said, understanding why Matila left. "You have kissed my hand plenty," she said, after Tyrion kissed her hand again.

"I have not done it enough," Tyrion replied, indulging himself once more.

Penelope walked with Tyrion to the dining chamber. She held onto his hand as it brought her some comfort.

Since neither of them went riding around the town, they didn’t have the slightest clue what was said about them now. Penelope wanted to keep it this way for a few more days.

"We should have a wedding portrait done. I won’t need a wedding dress, but we should still dress up to have some kind of memory," Penelope suggested.

"Do you want to have another wedding? One where your friends can attend?" Tyrion asked, willing to do it for her.

"No," Penelope answered. "A second wedding would be us putting on a show for the town. I am satisfied with the wedding we had, and my family are not upset they could not attend. I only want a portrait."

"If you had gotten married in the palace, your portrait would have been placed on a wall there as well. Maybe our portrait cannot be displayed, but you should send one to your parents," Penelope said, hoping to please the king and queen.

"We could do that," Tyrion agreed.

Penelope smiled, looking forward to getting dressed up for the portraits.

When the pair reached the dining chamber, there was a line of five maids waiting for them, along with the new butler Winston.

"Prince Tyrion and Lady Castro," Winston Francois greeted the pair. "Allow me to pull out your seats."

Tyrion looked at the long table, which hadn’t seemed so big when the Collinses were present. Now that it was only the two of them, the table appeared much bigger with their seats far away from each other. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Winston pulled out the first chair meant for Tyrion. "Your seat, Prince Tyrion."

Penelope let go of Tyrion’s hand since she was meant to go to the other end of the table. She was used to a large table where her family sat so close to each other, but this would do.

"Winston, clear the room and close the door behind you. My wife and I will serve ourselves tonight," Tyrion said, reaching for Penelope’s hand before she got away from him.

Winston found the request strange, but he was in no position to go against Tyrion’s wishes. Winston addressed the maids present, and as Tyrion wanted, he led them out, closing the door behind them.

With the servants gone, Penelope asked, "Why did you do that?"

Tyrion let go of Penelope’s hand and went to stand behind the chair meant for him. "So we can do as we please. This will be your seat."

Penelope looked at the chair, which was meant for Tyrion, but rather than point it out, she took her seat.

Tyrion helped Penelope first, then proceeded to the other end of the table.

Penelope was disappointed until she witnessed Tyrion lift the other chair to bring it closer to her. "You are mad," she said, but she was thrilled to have him closer.

"I am a man who wants to be near his wife," Tyrion replied, setting his chair to the right of Penelope. "Only couples who cannot stand each other eat so far away. I adore my wife."