The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 472

Chapter 472: Husband (1)
Penelope and Tyrion rode their horses to the market, followed by their guards.

Tyrion was on edge since he tried to push for them to take the carriage, but Penelope insisted on riding their horses and sending for the carriage if needed.

Tyrion had yet to deem the town safe, so as Damien helped Penelope off her horse, Tyrion kept looking around. They were gathering attention and rightfully so because of the many guards they travelled with.

“Milady, your hair,” Matilda said, rushing to Penelope’s side to tame her hair.

Penelope placed her hand in her hair. “That was fun. I was faster than everyone.”

“We know,” Damien sighed.

Penelope was going to stress the guards if she continued to ride too far ahead of them. None of the guards were familiar with the town, so they needed to follow Penelope’s lead to know where to go.

“It’s been a while since I got to ride my horse on such a long journey. He must have thought I abandoned him,” Penelope said, gently petting her horse. “I want to ride more often. Tyrion,” she called to her husband. “We have enough guards. You don’t need to be on alert.”

“Our carriage would have been better,” said Tyrion.

“The carriage with the symbols of the royal family? That would have placed more attention on us. Let the guards do their work whilst you enjoy the town by my side. The bakery is here. Can you smell the fresh bread?” Penelope asked, grabbing Tyrion’s arm to pull him along.

Tyrion was never surprised by the strength Penelope would have when it came to food.

Tyrion held the door open for Penelope as she entered. He looked back at the guards tying the horses and keeping an eye out on the people around.

“Chris!” Penelope’s voice filled the quiet bakery.

Penelope was surprised to see the young man placing bread on display. “Have you stepped in for your father?” She asked.

Chris’s mood changed when he saw the young miss. He looked behind her for the other Collins, only to find a man drawing close.

“I am. He’s a bit under the weather today, so I am doing the baking. Had we known your family was back, we would have sent pastries to your home,” said Chris.

“I am the only one who has returned at the moment. Well,” Penelope said, looking back at Tyrion. “My husband and I. I want him to taste the best bread in all the kingdom.”

Chris frowned. “Husband?”

“Yes,” Tyrion answered, coming to a stop behind Penelope to engulf her in a hug. “Husband, as in I stole her in the midst of the night and married her.”

Tyrion kissed Penelope’s cheek and received a tap on his chest.

“This is my husband, Tyrion. I shall tell you more about him another time. I want to buy some pastries to eat now and take home. Chris?” Penelope called the quiet baker. “Oh, does my marriage shock you? Last time you saw me, I wasn’t so sure about marriage.”

“No, you weren’t,” Chris said, still yet to believe Penelope was married.

The rings on her finger, as well as the ring on the man’s hand, should give it away, but Chris couldn’t believe Penelope was taken.

Chris looked down to avoid Penelope’s gaze. “My father would want me to offer you a slice of cake to congratulate you on your marriage. Pick out what pastries you need, and I will wrap them for you.”

“Thank you. I would like two of everything my family orders and some tea while we wait for them. I hope to see your father soon to personally share the news. If I had a wedding, I would have sent for your father to make the cake,” said Penelope.

Chris did not like what he was hearing. How was it possible that the daughter of a duke did not have a proper wedding?

Was Penelope supporting the man beside her?

All along, Chris thought that a woman like Penelope wouldn’t marry beneath her status, yet it seemed to have happened.

Penelope led Tyrion to the table with chairs and sat down. From here, they could look out to see their guards and the people passing by.

“It looks like Matilda is scolding Damien. I think she does it because she knows he is afraid of her. She isn’t like this with anyone else. What?” Penelope asked after noticing Tyrion’s stare. “Is there something on my face? I hope it isn’t a bug.”

Tyrion sat with his arms folded. Before he could speak of what he noticed, Chris placed a slice of cake before Penelope.

“Enjoy, Miss Penelope,” Chris said, flashing a smile. “You didn’t tell me what your last name is now.”

“It is a secret at the moment,” Penelope answered.

Chris placed a slice of cake before Tyrion and walked away.

Tyrion smiled. This wasn’t the type of entertainment he thought he would have when coming into town.

“You didn’t tell me about him,” said Tyrion.

“Who? Chris? I’ve spoken about the bakery many times. Their family is quite good when it comes to baking. Had we planned for a wedding, I truly would have let them do the cake. Try it,” Penelope said, eagerly awaiting Tyrion’s reaction.

Tyrion stared at the cake. He lifted the fork and broke off a piece of the cake.

“It is good,” Tyrion said after the first bite.

“The palace has good bakers as well, but there is something about here that I enjoy. Perhaps it is because I have been coming here since I was a little girl. My mother would have pastries sent to us during the winter, and we would enjoy them before a fireplace,” Penelope said, reminiscing on old times.

Alessandra gave Penelope plenty of traditions she wanted to continue now that she had a family of her own.

“I see. They appear to pour their love into what they make, and he might pay extra attention when serving the woman he loves,” said Tyrion.

Penelope chuckled. “Who?”

Tyrion didn’t respond to Penelope. Certainly, she had to know since it was easy for him to tell.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Every corner I turn, there is a man in love with you, but I don’t mind since I am the one who has you in the end,” Tyrion said, basking in sweet victory.

“Every man I speak to is not in love with me, Tyrion. I have known Chris since we were young children. I’ll have you know that he is quite popular here, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he is soon to marry,” Penelope said, dismissing the thought that Chris was in love with her.

“Or, he was a hopeless fool. Let’s test it.”