The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 98: Time with friends (3)

"Will you never be going to the palace again? Not even for a ball? Since the second prince is now the crown prince, there will have to be more balls held for him to find a wife. I cannot imagine Tyrion not going," said Ally.

"There is tension in the palace with the court. Tyrion doesn’t think it is safe, and I have to take his word since he grew up there. I do believe I will attend another ball when everything settles," Penelope said, hopeful.

"You should. Your siblings will be there, both searching for spouses. You will not want to miss it. Those who speak ill of you only do it behind your back and smile in your face. With the prince by your side, no one should hurt you," Julie said, but she would like to see Tyrion silence fools.

Julie didn’t like that Penelope couldn’t enjoy her early days of marriage because the town did not like the prince marrying in secret.

"It is quite unfair what they are doing. They are placing the prince leaving the palace as your fault. It is odd how they only give women so much power when they think we have ruined a man. If only they would open their eyes to the truth," Julie said, though she knew they wouldn’t.

Anyone who paid close attention to Tyrion would have noticed that he was in love with Penelope, but most chose to ignore it. No one had a chance to be at his side when he had loved Penelope for years.

"I do not like what is said about you. It has reached my home," Ally said, sharing how bad it had gotten.

"They speak lies because they cannot attack you, or else your father would go after them and now the Castros. They are all so silly because your father will target those spreading lies," Julie said, looking forward to the violence coming.

"They have accused me of using my father to attack the people I do not like, so I hope he will not react to give them more to speak of. I already expected to be blamed for Tyrion leaving the palace," Penelope replied, not surprised by new rumours.

"What concerns me," Penelope continued to say. "Is what they are bringing up about my mother. She has long moved past the town accusing her of being cursed, and now she is pulled back into this because of me. Because of one incident." freewebnoveℓ.com

"Have you heard anything about the young lady who died? Her name was Sarah," Penelope said, hoping Julie had some news for her.

Penelope hadn’t heard anything more from the court or town guards since it was announced she was innocent. Though they had claimed her to be innocent, the talk of her pushing someone continued.

Penelope wanted the mystery of who was out to settle something with her family to be solved. She promised her mother that she wouldn’t get involved, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t think of who it might be.

"I have not heard anything, but I will ask my grandmother to find out for you. The town guards sometimes go to her business, and even men from the court. The women there also speak with other women from other businesses. I will need some money to get them to ask others what they know," said Julie.

"I can pay for it," Penelope offered.

"No," Julie shook her head. "Consider it another gift from me. I also want to know what has happened. I have never heard anything about Sarah before. It is like she appeared to drag you down with her."

"She might have been among the ladies who came here with their families to find a husband. Many young ladies we do not know are in Lockwood for the season," Ally said, being the voice of reason. "Still, I must admit I don’t know much about her."

"I only overheard that her family had difficulty with money, and again, they think it is your family who placed them in that position," Julie said, angry that there were so many lies.

Why would the duke ruin a home when he could simply kill anyone if he hated them?

"I will find out what I can about her and come right back to you. Though I have a feeling the duke and your husband are looking into it. I think the duke has given my father an important task. He did not return home last night," Julie said, concerned for her father.

"My father also didn’t return," Ally added.

"My father trusts your fathers most. I can find out what he sent them to do if you want," Penelope offered.

"No," Julie answered, shaking her head. "My father doesn’t like to share his work with me since it is dangerous. Knowing what he is doing will only make me worry more. I trust the duke will not send my father in harm’s way."

"Besides, when my father is gone for many days, he returns with many gifts for my mother and me," Julie said.

"I am quickly getting used to Damien, but I must say I do miss your father’s company. If it would be fine, I would like to visit him one day when he is home, or I should speak with him when I visit the estate," Penelope said, wanting to do both.

"You should visit our home. My mother would love to see you. In fact, she made mention of visiting the estate soon to see your mother. You should come that day and I will join my mother. Ally," Julie turned to Ally. "You should come with your mother as well."

Ally didn’t think it was a good idea. "Can we just invite ourselves to the estate? Someone will need to inform the duke and duchess."

"I will do it. My mother will be delighted to see everyone and I will get to see my siblings. I will think of who else to invite so it shall be like a small gathering," Penelope decided.

If they were lucky, some of Tyrion’s family could attend as well.

"Julie, your grandmother was once in the palace. Lady Chambers," Penelope specified. "Has she ever told you what she thought of the former queen, Tabitha Castro?"

"No, we don’t have such conversations, and I have always been closer to my other grandmother. Are you to meet with Lady Castro? That must be exciting," Julie said, happy for her Penelope.

Penelope couldn’t agree. "I do not know how it will go since I haven’t spoken to Lady Castro many times."

"I can ask my grandmother. We speak frequently," Ally revealed, feeling sorry for Julie. "I can write to her when I return home."

Julie smiled even though she envied that Ally had such a relationship with her grandmother. "I am ready for something to drink. We should get a tour," she said, shifting the conversation to something more exciting.