The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 445

Chapter 445: Ruining your name (6)
“They have both departed. Once again, I want to offer my sincerest apologies for what happened. I should have suspected something was wrong with the request to have Cassidy present, but I didn’t think anything of Faye,” Laura said, worried she would still be punished.

“Faye isn’t married. That should have been the first clue. I’m glad you sent them off so your gathering can continue as planned. I also hope there aren’t any more surprises waiting for us,” Penelope said, overlooking the other ladies.

“No, no. All the ladies who are present were on the list I sent you, and I have wonderful games planned for us. If anyone troubles you, I will send them away. I don’t have any ill feelings toward either of you, and I won’t make such careless mistakes again,” Laura promised.

“I know that you won’t. You were placed in a difficult position by being approached by Lady Tabitha. My anger isn’t directed at you, and we must carry on with the gathering. Please, feel free to speak with me,” Penelope encouraged the ladies. “I came here wanting to have a good time.”

“And a good time we shall have,” Laura said, clapping her hands.

Laura was not yet relaxed, and until she saw Penelope laughing or smiling, she wouldn’t be able to settle down.

“We should take our seats,” Laura told the other women.

Penelope stared at Laura, curious if the forced smile did not hurt. She truly wasn’t upset with Laura anymore, but even if she said this, Penelope didn’t think Laura would believe her.

With what the other ladies considered to be a show over, they sat down, eagerly waiting for what would flare up next.

Penelope finally noticed the wine Priscilla drank. “How were you able to get wine? The maids are walking around with teapots and jars with juice.”

“I have been coming to these gatherings long before you existed. They know what I like, and I am at the age where I enjoy sipping on good wine and enjoying myself. I have earned it,” Priscilla said, motioning for a maid to refill her glass.

“You certainly have. Perhaps I-”

“No,” Priscilla stopped Penelope in her tracks. “You are not to have any.”

“Not you too, grandmother. We just spoke of me not needing a child,” said Penelope.

“Oh, it is not for that. I have seen one too many ladies make a fool of themselves after having too much to drink. I need you to be in control of your body. Be careful what you drink and eat, even when sitting before these ladies,” Priscilla said, taking the wine glass from Penelope.

Though Priscilla attended many of the same events every year, she didn’t trust all the ladies.

“I see. I will stay with water,” Penelope decided.

“Princess Penelope, we are dying to know if you were invited to the private wedding of the king and queen. It is a shame some of us only got to be present at the coronation,” Laura said, attempting to stir up a new topic.

“I did attend. It was the king’s wish to have a small ceremony since there would soon be a big gathering for the coronation. I know Queen Juliette intends to invite some ladies to the palace so you may get to sit with her then and hear about the wedding,” said Penelope.

“Will you be present then?”

“No. I might be out of town by then. My husband and I are preparing our home outside of Lockwood, so we must leave to oversee it. I will return for most of the palace events, but I will leave soon,” Penelope announced.

Katherine, one of the guests, was disappointed. “How disappointing. The town had just settled down, and so many of us were looking forward to sitting with you.”

“I will be attending many events before I go, so we will have the chance to see each other again. It takes time to move,” Penelope said, enjoying the change in conversation.

It was a welcome breath of fresh air for the ladies to want to speak.

“You made your wishes clear today, but did you know there are many around the town speaking of when a royal baby would be announced? I’m sure with the new king and queen, there will be more chatter about it. I fear this will not be the end of hearing about babies for you,” Katherine said, pitying Penelope.

“My husband’s mother kept asking about babies from the day after my wedding, and when I finally had a child, she acted like she was the mother. Isn’t it bad enough that they linger around their sons too much and try to act as though they are the wife? Oh,” Laura covered her mouth. “I babbled too much.”

“Those who have been married for many years have faced this. Edmund’s mother was convinced she could raise my son better than I could. I’m sure somewhere in her mind, she was convinced Edgar was her son. Thankfully, she is no more,” Priscilla said, taking a sip of wine to celebrate.

Hearing the ladies speak, Penelope was even more grateful that Hazel was so understanding and did not push for her to have a child soon.

“Still, I shouldn’t say too much,” Laura said, tapping her mouth.

“Lady Hazel is not the kind of woman to push me to have a child soon or try to act like she is the child’s mother. Some of us are fortunate to have ladies who want the cycle of pressuring wives to end. Still, I thank you for sharing your stories,” said Penelope.

“Sometimes it is not the mother-in-laws, but other relatives who think themselves important. The aunts and other relatives whom you only hear of at the wedding. Keep an eye on them. One young lady lost her child to a jealous relative.”

Penelope frowned. “What could possess anyone to hurt an innocent child?”

“The relative was jealous of the attention the child received, and when alone, covered the child’s face with a thick cloth so it couldn’t breathe. You must be careful even with the maids. I pray I don’t let anyone evil around my children,” Laura said, having the ladies agree with her.

“There is plenty for you to keep your eyes on concerning your family. The time you are taking to wait might let you take notice of who to exclude from your life before you have a baby. I should have taken my time,” Katherine said, having regrets. “I was not going to do it, but pass the wine. Tea doesn’t suffice.”

The ladies all quickly turned to preferring wine over tea.