The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 142: Lady Priscilla (1)

When Tyrion returned home, Penelope didn’t have any questions about what he did during his time away from her. All that mattered was Tyrion returning home safely.

The next day, Penelope set off to visit her grandmother.

Matilda, Damien and two other guards joined Penelope on the ride. They were given strict orders from Tyrion not to let Penelope out of their sight. They should not be careless enough to let her out of their sight when a murderer was still on the loose.

Penelope made a quick stop to collect Rue to take her along for the ride.

Not only would Priscilla be helpful to Penelope, but she would also help Rue settle in.

Penelope smiled the moment she saw Priscilla’s gates. It had been too long since her last visit.

Rue examined the large mansion, wondering why anyone would need a home so big when it was only Priscilla and her husband.

Damien exited the carriage and offered his hand to help the women out one by one.

By the time Penelope started to make her way up the steps, the front door opened, revealing the butler.

It wasn’t long before the butler stepped aside, and Priscilla was present with her arms out to greet Penelope.

"Look at you," Priscilla said, excited to see Penelope. "You have turned into a woman overnight."

Priscilla pulled Penelope close for a hug and whispered, "You did not purposely forget to send me an invitation to your wedding, right?"

"Of course not, grandmother-"

Priscilla placed her finger on Penelope’s lips. "We have talked about this. When it is only the two of us, don’t call me grandmother. It makes me feel old."

Priscilla was haunted by the memory of Edgar calling her old. She was not ready to be called old, and it was why she forbade anyone from speaking of her age even on her birthdays.

"I’m sorry. It is good to see you, Priscilla. I have brought Rue with me," Penelope said, doing the introductions.

"I am well aware of who Rue is. I met her father many times, and her mother a few times. Is your grandmother, Lady Beatrice, still alive?" Priscilla asked.

"She is. Should she not be?" Rue answered.

"Hmm," was the only response Priscilla gave.

Priscilla didn’t get along with Beatrice. They could be cordial, but they were far from friends.

"Penelope, please don’t tell me that you took inspiration from Beatrice. She ran off with a knight, and you did so with the prince," Priscilla said, hoping it wasn’t so.

The only one Penelope should take inspiration from is Priscilla.

"No. It happened on the spur of the moment. It was rushed, so no one could meddle in the two of us getting married. I need your help. Some people oppose Tyrion and me living outside the palace," Penelope said.

Priscilla welcomed Penelope coming to her, but Penelope had someone better to use. "You have not forgotten who your father is, have you? He is better than I am at fighting the court. The last man from the court I dealt with was Edgar’s father."

Priscilla turned around to lead the way to where she had prepared tea and drinks.

"It is not anyone from the court. It is Tabitha Castro who troubles us," Penelope shared.

Priscilla stopped walking to face Penelope. "What has that old hag done now?"

Penelope gasped. "Grandmother! Priscilla," she corrected herself.

"Oh, stop it. We’re all thinking about it. What has she done now? Why is it that they are all still alive and well?" Priscilla wondered. "Tell me everything."

Had Priscilla known Tabitha was creating trouble for Penelope, she would have headed to the palace long ago.

Tabitha wasn’t an easy opponent to go up against, especially for a young lady like Penelope, who was sheltered from such women. Luckily, Priscilla was not afraid.

"She wants Tyrion to be king, so she wants us to return to the palace, but that is not what we will do. She believes that I am already pregnant and that is the reason for the rushed marriage. What is funny?" Penelope asked, puzzled by Priscilla’s laughter.

"Only a fool would believe that your overprotective father would let you out of his sight long enough for you to have a child before you are wed. Besides, your mother and I raised you to be a woman who protects her virtue. The old bat has lost her mind," said Priscilla.

Despite her laughter, Priscilla did not like what Tabitha was doing.

The women around the town could be so foolish to question Penelope’s virtue before her marriage, but a lady of Tabitha’s standing should not. It was worse for Tabitha to be a Castro since others would believe her words.

"Come with me. We must sit," Priscilla said, needing to sit down quickly. "You made a good decision to come to me. That woman is stubborn. More stubborn than I ever was."

"She scares me," Rue whispered to Penelope.

"She is lovely to those she cares for, and she will care for you," Penelope replied.

Penelope followed Priscilla to a balcony, which provided a view of the garden. "Is David not at home?"

"No, he had business to tend to, which is why the timing of your visit is perfect. We have been enjoying taking a break from the social world," Priscilla said, taking a seat.

It was partially to enjoy their time together, but the other half was because of an unfortunate run-in with the woman who was her former husband’s lover.

Despite Priscilla making it known that she didn’t want any kind of relationship with the woman who slept with her then husband, she was always approached with the same old repeated conversation filled with apologies and moving forward.

"Don’t waste your time thinking of how to fight against Tabitha. I will take care of her myself. I am quite certain you have many battles to face with your peers. I have heard the gossip about a curse," said Priscilla.

Priscilla had her little birdies to tell her which ladies were speaking about Penelope. They would not get away with it.

"I can take care of your peers as well. I know many of their secrets, and I am more than willing to make their lives miserable. They will think twice about speaking lies about your name," Priscilla said, willing to go low to achieve it.

Priscilla was a proper lady through and through, but she had her moments of playing dirty to get what she wanted.

"The next event you attend, I will be at your side. I will give you some insight on how to put those ladies in their places. Your mother knows how to battle at times, but her heart is too kind. You have two strong names behind you. Let us show how much they matter," said Priscilla.

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