The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 478

Chapter 478: Peaceful gathering (1)
The next day, Penelope awaited the arrival of her friends and sisters.

Penelope thought it was best to welcome her sisters back and to introduce her friends to Tyrion by having a sit-down in her home.

There were still preparations being done to the home, but Penelope knew the ladies wouldn’t speak of it.

Tyrion sat on the stairs with a glass of wine Winston poured for him and a pastry he had stolen from the kitchen. “Is this nervousness or excitement you face? I cannot tell which it is?”

Penelope stopped pacing to look at Tyrion. “Can you stop taking the pastries from the kitchen? They are for my guests. Yesterday I had you apologise to Chris, and now you are eating all that he makes.”

“You wanted us to get along. Would you prefer that I go back to toying with him?”

Penelope pinched the bridge of her nose. “No, I want you to stop eating before the guests arrive. You have had many from the start of the morning.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let myself be weighed down by eating all the pastries. I am taking the men to train after I have been introduced to your friends. The knight’s quarters also need to be overseen,” said Tyrion.

Tyrion wiped his fingers clean with his handkerchief after the last bite. “There is a mansion nearby that sits on our land. I am thinking of buying it. Your father allows outsiders to stay in his homes across the kingdom for a price, right?”

Penelope nodded her head. “He does. He makes good money for it since the homes are grand, and many want to see the inside of his homes. Are you thinking of doing it to this home to earn money?”

“It is a swell idea. The home sits on our land, so we have control of what is to be done there. Perhaps I will follow your father and do it to other towns we travel to if it works here,” Tyrion shared his plans.

“From our walk in the market, there are a lot of businesses that would do well if they could reach other towns. I have the means to have what they sell be transported to other towns safely. The knights can do it. Fending off thieves will give them something to do,” said Tyrion.

“It is a good idea. I worried about the knights becoming bored and wanting to go back to Lockwood. Will you be generous enough to include me in these plans? I know the people here, so I can convince them to use you for trade,” Penelope said, crossing her fingers.

Penelope didn’t want to sit around doing nothing.

“Are you not the brains of this marriage? I will need your help so that, in time, we can have other towns using us for trade. Now, if you would be so kind to let me have another-”

“No,” Penelope sternly spoke with her hands on her hip. “You need to be cut off from what is sent from the bakery. Either you have a break, or I shall tell Chris of how much you enjoy his baked goods.”

“You are cruel, Penelope,” Tyrion said, indulging himself in wine since there wouldn’t be more pastries.

“I am only thinking of your well-being. No one should eat that many in a short span of time. Is this part of your freedom? Did they control what you would eat in the palace?” Penelope wondered.

“No, but there were concerns that someone might try to poison me. I know the baker wouldn’t try to do it, and neither would our cooks,” Tyrion answered.

Penelope felt bad for cutting him off now. “I didn’t think of that. Can you please just spread out how many you eat at once? It is not like Chris or his father will not send more for us. As much as I love them, I know it isn’t good to eat so many at once.”

“Pardon me, Milady. You have guests starting to arrive,” Winston informed Penelope.

“Thank you, Winston. Please have the food and drinks placed in the drawing room. While you are doing so, please get my husband a glass of water. Matilda, you must come with me,” Penelope said, then turned on her heels to go to the door.

Penelope was eager to see both her friends and her sisters. She had not been away from her sisters for too long, but it was enough to miss them. Penelope had been away from her friends since the start of the season.

As she walked outside, Penelope recognised the carriage arriving.

“It is June,” Penelope said as she walked down the carriage.

When the carriage stopped, June Carson exited.

“Penelope!” A cry filled the air.

“June!”

The ladies met each other halfway and hugged.

“It has been too long. I heard from my mother that there is much for you to share with me. Matilda,” June said, acknowledging Matilda’s presence. “I am upset that I couldn’t go to Lockwood to celebrate your marriage.”

“It is best you didn’t go since there was a bit of trouble there. It is safer now, so I am certain your family will be able to travel. My husband is inside,” Penelope said, linking arms with June.

“I have not seen the prince in forever,” said June.

The Carsons were the family of the Collins, and since June’s father, Dominic Carson, was close to Edgar, Penelope, and June saw each other quite often growing up.

“He is the same as you last saw him, but much taller,” Penelope said.

“And he is married to you. When you last wrote to me before you left for Lockwood, you said you would do everything in your power to avoid him-”

“Did she?” Tyrion asked, wanting to hear more about his plans. “I wasn’t told of this.”

“Because it is a private matter between the ladies, Prince Tyrion. Last time I saw you, you were having lessons to become the king, but here you are. The two of you didn’t keep your word on what you said you would do, but I am happy you are together,” June said, preferring this outcome.

“Penelope couldn’t avoid me if she tried,” Tyrion said, taking the moment to tease Penelope.

“You were the one who came to find me in the garden at the ball,” Penelope said, retelling the correct version of what happened. “I wasn’t going to see you that night.”

“I saved you from a very persistent Leroy,” Tyrion reminded Penelope.

“And I thank you for it. I would have never succeeded with my plans because Tyrion always finds me, no matter where I hide. I am stuck with him, and luckily for him, I welcome it,” said Penelope.