The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 99: Preparing (1)

Penelope spent the next few hours with Julie and Ally, enjoying their company as she caught up with what she missed since.

Penelope saw them off while there was still light out so they could reach home before dark. Once they were gone, Penelope went to put away the gifts they sent along with the ones from their mothers.

"I will keep this one close," Penelope said, picking up one of the books.

Penelope sneakily turned the book so the cover would be hidden.

"You can put away the others in my chambers, but please, hide the books where my husband cannot see. Perhaps in another room where he might not look," Penelope whispered to Matilda.

"I will personally take care of it, Milady," Matilda replied softly.

Matilda left Penelope’s side to put away the gifts and to hide the books.

Penelope was left standing with Damien, who was quiet. "It is good for you to speak at times. I spoke quite often to my last guard."

"I have nothing to say, Lady Castro," Damien replied. "In time, I hope we will be more comfortable so that I can speak. Right now, I am only your guard and protecting you is my only duty."

"I understand. If there is ever a time you must ask about anyone around me or anyone you notice acting suspicious, please don’t hesitate to speak to me. I wish for us to communicate well," said Penelope.

Damien didn’t respond, but he would do as she asked. He was surprised by Penelope.

Damien had seen Penelope many times since he was a guard to Tyrion for many years, but he never stood near when Penelope was around to know what she was like. He was surprised that she was so kind to everyone around her, no matter their status.

Now Damien understood why she didn’t get along with many of the spoiled ladies. He would have reconsidered returning to Tyrion’s side if Penelope didn’t know how to treat her servants well.

"Winston," Penelope greeted the butler.

"Milady," Winston returned the greeting with a bow. "Prince Tyrion has returned."

"You should have the maids quickly prepare a warm bath for him. I will stall him so they have time to do it," Penelope said as she walked to the front door.

Penelope was eager to hear if Tyrion’s second day back in the palace had gotten better than the first. If his talk with his father was better, or if the court had finally moved on.

Penelope opened the front doors herself just in time to see Tyrion exit the carriage.

"You did not need to come out to see me," Tyrion said, leaving his carriage to be sent off by the servants. "You are dismissed, Damien."

Damien left the couple to use this chance to search for the maid he saw snooping around. Once caught, he would present her to Tyrion.

"I was nearby, so I wanted to greet you. Julie and Ally Chambers visited me today, so I was not alone. They brought gifts and we have decided to all meet at the estate one day. They will bring their mothers," Penelope informed Tyrion.

"I want to invite your mother and grandmother so we can have our talk there," Penelope suggested.

"My mother and sister will be able to attend a social event for the duchess, but it would be best if we leave my grandmother out of this. I crossed paths with her in the palace, and my talk did not go well. We should speak in private," Tyrion said, holding Penelope’s hand.

Tyrion walked with Penelope to their quarters to speak in private.

Penelope went to sit on the bed. "How did your talk not go well? Is she against this marriage?"

"She is against me leaving the palace and not becoming king. She wants us to enter the palace as the future king and queen. She also seems to believe that you might already be carrying our first child. She does not believe me," Tyrion said.

If it were proper, Tyrion would tell Tabitha how quickly his intimacy with Penelope ended each time.

"I anticipated that would come up, but I never assumed she would think that I am with child. I do not need your grandmother added to my troubles. I would not be able to change her mind, would I?" Penelope asked.

"She wouldn’t listen to me, so the chances of her listening to you are low. We can do without her," Tyrion said, moving on already.

"Tyrion!" Penelope gasped. "She is your grandmother."

"I have not forgotten that. I have no time to waste on people who will not accept our marriage or the fact that I do not want to be king. I don’t want them around us, no matter who it is," said Tyrion.

Tyrion wasn’t the one creating the issue. It was Tabitha, so why should he meet with her?

Penelope understood his reason, but she knew there would be a lot more trouble from Tabitha against them staying out of the palace.

"The court speaking of us is something which can be ignored, but if your grandmother speaks out about her displeasure with you not becoming king, it will be worse. The talk-"

"You need to stop worrying about the town," Tyrion said, wishing she would ignore it.

Penelope palmed her face, trying to hide her emotional side. "It is not me that I worry about. I worry that with everything already said, all the lies and rumours surrounding my name that you will be affected. I don’t want to do anything to add to it so that you would be affected. I am thinking of you."

Penelope ignored it when it only concerned her, but now her mother was being pulled into it, and Tyrion would have much to worry about if his grandmother spoke out about her wishes.

Tyrion joined Penelope on the bed. "You do not need to worry about how it will all affect me. I knew the price to pay for leaving the palace behind, and no matter what is said, I will never see it as your fault."

"What hurts me isn’t what is said, but that you feel you are the cause of this. I never cared what the town thought of me, and I am not concerned about what my grandmother will say. My only concern is you," said Tyrion.

Tyrion hated knowing that she was so careful of what she did and what others said, so it wouldn’t affect him. He wanted Penelope to be as carefree as she could be, especially in their home.

"My grandmother has never been an easy woman, and my mother will tell you. There’s nothing you or I can do to please her unless we return to the palace, and we are not doing that. You mustn’t worry yourself," Tyrion said, squeezing Penelope’s hand. "Should I imprison her?"

"No!" Penelope exclaimed.