The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 444

Chapter 444: Ruining your name (5)
“I cannot believe she would do this to me. This is going to spoil my gathering,” Laura muttered, angry with herself and also with Tabitha.

Laura didn’t want to be caught in the conflict between the Castros and the Collinses.

“You are going to regret this,” Faye said, disappointed in Laura.

Laura couldn’t believe her ears. “I am going to regret this? You are very wrong. Even though you didn’t sleep with him, though I don’t know for certain, what is said about you is going to spread. You shouldn’t be so proud about wanting to be with a married man, even though he is the prince.”

Laura didn’t want to be around Faye anymore. She certainly didn’t want her husband around a young woman like Faye.

“You made a fool of yourself today. Wives surrounded you, yet you spoke so confidently about men taking other women. Powerful men taking other women. Look at who our husbands are,” Laura said, becoming angrier. “When you speak like that, we think of our own husbands.”

Laura wondered if Faye walked in thinking the ladies were going to be against Penelope for some reason. It was the opposite.

Many looked forward to becoming acquainted with Penelope. They were all in the same circles and had things in common to speak of since they were married.

Laura thought it was Penelope’s childish peers who might still be against her.

“What is said today is going to spread like wildfire when the ladies leave. I suggest you run to the nearest gathering and find a reputable man to be smitten with you. When some men hear the lady you are said to be, the way they will view you will not be lovely. They will think you are a woman to have in secret,” Laura said, pitying Faye.

“You should run to Lady Tabitha to have her help you. Why would you ever think it would suit you to speak of wanting to be with a married man? Your time here is done, and I don’t want the likes of you in my home. Go!” Laura said, shooing Faye away.

Faye planned to do just as Laura said and run to Tabitha for help. The women acted like this, but as Tabitha said, long ago, when other kings had mistresses, the town said nothing because it was welcomed.

Laura felt relieved seeing Cassidy and Faye leave. Now, she could get her gathering back in good order.

Meanwhile, Penelope enjoyed the treats laid out for the ladies.

No one approached Penelope as they wanted to give her a moment to calm down.

“It doesn’t surprise me that this was Tabitha’s doing. Sending her out of town isn’t a punishment. The Castros need to do something about her, or I shall,” Priscilla said, starting to plot.

“Don’t bother yourself about it. She will be dealt with and quite soon,” Penelope promised.

“Oh, are you going to tell your father? Perhaps he would lock her away as he did to me. She’s lucky,” Priscilla muttered.

One mistake and Priscilla lived in Edgar’s dungeon.

Priscilla wished that age wasn’t making Edgar or Tobias go soft.

“No, I will cry to my husband,” Penelope answered.

Priscilla chuckled. “Cry? That is all?”

“I have brushed off what Tabitha did before, but now she truly has insulted me, my husband, and our marriage. I have to think of what would be next. Would she hate me so much to hurt my family with Tyrion? I can’t ignore her,” Penelope said, knowing this fight had to end now.

Priscilla nodded, agreeing with Penelope. “I never once thought your great-grandmother would one day accept me, and I didn’t need her to. You must be careful since people who hate the mother sometimes mistreat the child. Fortunately, she was kind to your father. Do what you must in the early.”

“I will, and I am sorry you had to face Cassidy today. If not for supporting me, Tabitha wouldn’t have invited Cassidy to provoke you. I will make it up to you,” Penelope promised.

“Tabitha and I have always disliked each other. She was bound to target me, and you have already made up for it by standing up to that woman. I will need to speak to your grandfather. He knows that I want nothing to do with him,” Priscilla said, annoyed she would need to approach him.

“Why not let your husband speak to him?” Penelope suggested.

“I don’t like getting him involved in my past. It’s not easy to speak about an old husband. If not for my son, I would convince myself that I was never married before. I truly believe that woman wants to be me, or perhaps, she wants me,” Priscilla said, frowning the more she thought about it.

“I think she might be facing what you did. I have never heard of my grandfather being seen with another woman, so maybe it is his work. He is helping with the court now.”

Perhaps Cassidy was lonely because Edmund was busy.

Priscilla didn’t care for the reason. “What does that have to do with me? He is her headache now, so I am to be left alone. I am almost swayed to inform your father about it so he can settle this once and for all.”

“It has always been a little surprising that he equally shares my hatred for her. Edgar doesn’t want another mother,” Priscilla said, feeling warm inside that Edgar never accepted Cassidy.

Priscilla would have gone ahead with killing Edmund and Cassidy if they had stolen Edgar from her.

“He finds it overwhelming to put up with your antics, as he says, but it is evident he loves you. You should come with us when we leave Lockwood. You’ll be away from plotting women and, more importantly, my grandfather,” said Penelope.

“That sounds lovely, but my husband has his work here, and I don’t mind the ladies. I might have to hurt a few, but I’ve always enjoyed a good tussle. You did well today with setting those women straight without breaking a sweat,” Priscilla said proudly.

“I’ve learned from the best. It seems the battle is not yet over because there are ladies whispering amongst themselves. I noticed the frowns when I said I didn’t need a baby. Again, it is my mistake to think there is more for us to speak about than husbands or children,” Penelope said.

“There is far more for us to speak about, but many of the ladies’ whole world is their husbands. You married a prince, so they would think it is the same for you. Many will think you have lost your train of thought for not wanting a child.”

“Laura is returning,” Priscilla spoke fast. “Do not easily accept her apology. Let the ladies see that you will not let these mistakes go away easily.”