The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride - Chapter 489

Chapter 489: Reunited (4)
Penelope moved away from the other couples once her dance with Tyrion came to an end.

“Don’t look so relieved just yet. We will share another dance later in the night. It looks like my parents are considering joining when the next song plays. If my father is willing to dance, then it means that I have succeeded with the ball,” Penelope said.

“We have succeeded,” Penelope corrected herself.

“I didn’t have much to offer for the planning. You should reward Matilda and Winston since they were the ones always at your side,” Tyrion suggested.

“I will. When do you think your parents will arrive? I have arranged for the musicians to play their favourite song. I hope there isn’t any trouble in Lockwood to keep them from coming,” Penelope said, trying to tiptoe to find her in-laws.

“They aren’t coming. I didn’t want to spoil your excitement. They sent a letter that Hailey has fallen sick, so they don’t want to travel without her, but they will come as soon as she is well. You would have postponed the ball had you known.”

“I would have because it would only be right. I must send something to cheer up Hailey. We should plan a trip to Lockwood. Maybe when Elijah leaves, we can go with him,” Penelope considered, but she knew from Tyrion’s expression, he did not like it.

“There is always someone to worry about when you are in Lockwood. Weren’t you told not to stress yourself? My parents promised to come here and they will. We only need to wait a little,” Tyrion said, moving a loose strand of hair from Penelope’s face.

“Milady.”

“Matilda,” Penelope turned away from Tyrion.

“I am told that Sir Rafael and Elijah are outside, seemingly unwell. Should I offer them both rooms to lie in?” Matilda asked, wanting to act fast so the ball wouldn’t be spoiled.

“Are you certain they were not fighting each other? How is it that both Rafael and Elijah are not feeling well?” Penelope asked, feeling there was more to the story. “Do you know something?” She questioned Tyrion.

“I do not, but I want to see the state of them. I will take care of it,” Tyrion said, kissing Penelope’s forehead before he left her side.

Penelope counted on Tyrion to deal with the matter quickly. In the meantime, she would speak to guests.

Penelope noticed that her parents were no longer going to dance, so she walked to where they were standing.

“Is the music not to your liking? I tried to pick what everyone would like,” said Penelope.

“It is, but I suggested we wait for the next dance since all the young couples are going first. The ball is splendid so far. You did well with decorating and selecting the music. I am confident that one day you shall be known as a wonderful host,” Alessandra said, proud of how far Penelope had come.

“I learned from the best. Tyrion and I will join you for the next song. At the moment, both Rafael and Elijah are unwell, so Tyrion has gone to see what the cause of it is. I am most certain it has something to do with Rue,” Penelope said, looking in the direction Tyrion walked off.

“As long as it doesn’t disrupt the ball, it is fine. Are you going to join us tomorrow to look at the cakes we might have at Lily’s wedding? Chris is excited to do the work. It won’t be well without you,” said Alessandra.

“There’s nothing which could stop me from eating cake all day and being there for Lily. She is starting to worry about the wedding, so you must speak to her. Or, maybe father should do it,” Penelope suggested.

Edgar looked around the room in search of Lily. “If she doesn’t want to marry him-”

“That is not what she worries about. She is nervous about her appearance and whether the wedding will go well. You mustn’t try to take her away from marrying Kael. I thought you liked him since he is paying for the wedding. You have not changed your mind, have you?” Penelope asked, suspicious of her father’s plans.

“My mind has not changed, but if she changes her mind, I am ready to go. Still, I will speak to her to calm her nerves. There is concern if Lily is the one nervous,” Edgar said, pleasantly surprised since Lily was never like this. “Did you take wine from my cellar?”

“Father, I am a married woman with my own wine cellar. Why would I send a maid from my home to take a bottle of wine from your cellar when you are not home and bring it here for the ball? I don’t do that anymore,” Penelope confessed.

Edgar’s right brow raised as he finally found the little thief. “So, you were one of the culprits. I can think of two others who owe me a cellar full of wine and rum. I know there were more taken.”

“Well, you are wrong. There are four thieves. Oh!” Penelope gasped. She tapped her big mouth.

“Penelope Castro, did you allow Isabelle to drink?” Alessandra asked, concerned about what her children did in secret.

“Look! Tyrion is returning,” Penelope said, pointing to her saviour of a husband. “Why are you smiling, Tyrion? Are they not ill?”

“They are unwell, but they will survive. It appears that Rue gave Elijah something from the border, and when they fought over it, it split on their hands. They are unwell because of the scent, but they will survive. You should see them,” Tyrion said, trying to hold back his laughter.

If possible, Tyrion would like a portrait painted of Elijah and Rafael’s state.

“Well, I hope they keep the scent outside. The next dance appears to be delayed. I was just about to dance with my parents, so join me,” Penelope said, clinging to Tyrion as an escape.

Penelope wanted her siblings near before she would be the only one scolded for taking some of their father’s bottles.

“All of you want to dance? Wait here,” Tyrion said, unknowingly leaving Penelope to the fire with her parents.

Penelope kept her eyes forward, trying to avoid her parents’ piercing gaze.

“This isn’t over, Penelope. I will be having a little talk with you and your siblings about your days sneaking to drink wine with Isabelle,” Alessandra said, serious about scolding each one.

Penelope was even more worried since it was her mother who intended to speak with her. It was rare for her mother to get angry and scold them. When it happened, it was never pleasant.

Penelope welcomed Tyrion returning to her side. “Don’t leave me again,” she whispered. “Wait,” Penelope noticed something peculiar. “Why is no one going to dance anymore?”

“I arranged that this dance be for us and your parents. Care to dance again?” Tyrion asked, offering his hand to Penelope.

Edgar followed suit and offered his hand to Alessandra. “Now is your chance.”

“You truly have your moments,” Penelope said, accepting Tyrion’s offer.

Penelope walked hand in hand with Tyrion, along with her parents to her right.

Despite the attention which followed Tyrion’s kind gesture, Penelope wasn’t nervous. All that filled her mind was her husband and sharing this moment with her parents.

It had been somewhat of a rocky road to get to this moment, but Penelope was happy they all had endured it well to be here together.

“It looks like your parents are enjoying themselves,” Tyrion whispered.

Penelope glanced at her parents. Her father said something to make her mother laugh.

“They are. Perhaps we should keep my siblings here and let them enjoy their night. I feel pulled back to the night you proposed,” Penelope said, the moment vivid in her mind.

“You mean the night you rejected me at first?”

Penelope gave Tyrion’s hand a little pinch. “Must you remember the bad part of it?”

“Yes, I love every bit of it. I love knowing that you regretted your first choice and came to find me,” Tyrion said as his hand slipped to rest on Penelope’s waist.” We wouldn’t have our little blessing if not for knowing what we wanted then.”

Penelope couldn’t disagree.

There was much she would have missed out on had she allowed Tyrion to walk away.

Penelope squeezed Tyrion’s hand. “Each day, I am grateful that I did not let you go that night.”

Tyrion leaned forward for their heads to touch. “I share the same feeling. I finally have you stuck to me.”

Penelope shook her head. “Oh, what a horror,” she joked.