The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 457

Chapter 457: First step (1)
“What do you mean, and who are you speaking of? You confuse me at times,” Penelope said, yet to understand what her father meant.

“I’m speaking of any children you have with him. Please let our side win. Tobias hasn’t always been wise, and though I have confidence in Hazel, it is not enough.”

Penelope stared at Edgar, and not long after, laughter surrounded them. “That is what you think of? I assure you that my husband is quite wise. You make the mistake of thinking of him as his father, though I think Tobias is quite wise.”

“I always told your mother there was something wrong with your eyes. Picking him should have been all the proof she needed, but like you, she adores him. Let your wisdom prevail,” said Edgar.

“Should I have any, my children will be fine no matter who they take after. I am surprised that you have started to think of grandchildren. Are you like Priscilla in not wanting to be called grandfather? Do you worry about age?” Penelope wondered.

“Only those who are ageing poorly worry about such things. I would be a grandfather; therefore, that is what I would be called. I urge you to take your time. I am still recovering from all the money I have spent on you and your siblings,” Edgar said.

“You don’t need to spend your money on my children. You have already given Tyrion and me more than we need. You don’t need to worry about money for us anymore, especially since Isabelle is still in your care. Thank you for all that you have done for us,” Penelope said, grateful that her father was giving.

“Your mother likes to spoil all of you, and it will be worse once she is a grandmother. Fortunately, I have long prepared for this. About that walk you spoke of,” Edgar said, having a sudden need to be alone.

“You wish to get away from Tobias,” Penelope said, noticing Tobias making his way to them. “If we move quickly, we may be able to find a corner to hide in.”

“Go,” Edgar said, walking briskly beside Penelope.

Penelope laughed as she walked fast with her father to get away from Tobias, but it was almost impossible to hide from a man who knew the palace like the back of his hand.

Meanwhile, in the court, Kate sat with the ladies who came to visit her.

Kate glanced at the door, curious as to why the court was so noisy today.

‘Did someone die again?’ Kate wondered.

It was the only explanation for why the men appeared to be more frantic than usual.

Kate wanted to see Mark to get answers, but she was told that he was out of the palace.

“Be honest with what you write. I will know if you write lies,” Kate said to the ladies.

As Kate sat watching the ladies, she poked at her legs, hoping that she might magically have some feeling in them.

The door creaked open, disturbing the silence in the room.

Kate perked up in her chair, expecting it to be Mark, only for it to be the young woman she had recently spoken to.

“You finally decided to join us. You should choose a chair and sit down unless you plan to run away without a word again,” said Kate.

Harper looked around at the ladies in the room. They were either ladies she was not familiar with or ladies who had been ostracised. She sighed in relief that no one she knew was present.

“Are you coming in, or did you come here to learn who sits here? I won’t like you if it is the latter,” Kate said, losing patience with Harper. “The ladies here won’t bite you, and if you don’t feel comfortable sitting with them, then sit beside me for now.”

Harper was reluctant to enter the room. She had only been curious about what the ladies did here with Kate and meant to leave as soon as she opened the door.

Somehow, Harper’s feet moved against her will and led her to where Kate sat.

Harper sat down beside Kate and said nothing. What was she to say?

“Is your father well?” Kate asked, breaking the ice.

“No,” Harper answered softly. “He lashes out, though we are trying to help him, and he won’t let my mother touch him. Between this and our finances, there is much he is always angry about. He is upset that I didn’t marry a wealthy man, and it made him go to Quinn.”

“I could have married a murderer, but my father ignores it and tells me to find another husband quickly. I don’t know what to do. I fear he will end up choosing a man for me, and I don’t want him to,” said Harper.

“Then fight not to accept who he places before you. Your father shouldn’t fault you for what happened to him. I don’t know all that happened, but surely it couldn’t have all been your fault. Your family doesn’t sound wise,” Kate mumbled the last part.

“What? I didn’t hear you,” Harper said, leaning closer to Kate.

“Nothing. By the sound of it, your father doesn’t sound to be in his right mind and with what he might have endured, I understand, but don’t let it ruin your life. You’ll be stuck with the man you marry for a long time. Choose wisely,” Kate advised Harper.

“When I was around your age, I went chasing after men with status. I don’t think any of them could love me more when I am in this state than my current husband. I’m not saying to marry a man beneath your status, but be open to it coming from an unexpected place,” said Kate.

“If you marry a man who is well above you and your family has nothing to offer, unless he loves you, your marriage will not be good. It is in us daughters to want to please our fathers, but they have lived their lives.”

“That is easier said than done. I owe it to my father to marry someone who can help us. If word gets out that he was one of the victims, our family will suffer even more. I know he will never forget that I brought Cassius to our home. He hates me,” Harper said, partially blaming herself.

It was because of her that Cassius came to her doors, and then her father thought he could trust the two brothers.

“Well, your father sounds like a fool to me, and I don’t apologise for saying it,” said Kate.