The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 143: Lady Priscilla (2)

"I learned a lot from my mother and governess, but I learned so much more when I married Edmund Collins. His name and my father’s name were enough to stop the common folk from troubling me, but my peers were bold," said Priscilla.

"Most will fear Edgar and Tyrion, but others assume that you will not run to tell. Or that the fights they have with you will stay between women. There will come many times when you must show that you are a force to be reckoned without the help of your father and husband."

Priscilla remembered how ladies only feared her former husband, Edmund. They were afraid to say anything wrong before Edmund, but tried to trouble her. Behind his back. She had only married into the Collins family and didn’t have a close relationship with her mother-in-law, so she started rocky.

"My first year as Priscilla Collins was my hardest. When Edmund wasn’t at my side, the women tried to trouble me. I had to show them that I could stand on my own as Priscilla. I made them fear me," Priscilla said.

"I am a terrible person," Priscilla said, picking up a biscuit after she spoke.

Penelope frowned. "Don’t you mean that you were a terrible person? You are quite wonderful."

"To you, your siblings, and parents, because I care for you. To the other women, I am terrible, and I will not change it. It is how I survive," Priscilla replied.

Even at her current age, some women tested Priscilla. Priscilla did what she needed to remind them not to trouble her.

"I’ve done awful things to get my way. I have killed people who didn’t deserve to die, but how I have handled the ladies around me is not something I regret. I am telling you to kill anyone," Priscilla clarified.

Priscilla didn’t need Alessandra or Edgar coming to her door.

"All I am saying is you must give them reason to fear you. Most of your peers are cowards. They follow the lady they think will ruin them. You can ruin them, but you don’t make use of your father’s power; therefore, they don’t see you as a threat," Priscilla explained.

"Have you fought ladies who were wealthier or had more status than you?" Rue asked. freewebnσvel.cøm

"Well," Priscilla said, welcoming a moment to flaunt. "You would have to find one."

"Lady Tabitha was a former queen," Rue said, puzzled by how Priscilla could have more money or status.

"Tabitha beat me at status, but not wealth. I am the daughter of a very wealthy man, and then I married into the Collins family. They are notorious for their wealth. Tabitha couldn’t spend money like I could. Even now with my husband, I am very comfortable," Priscilla explained.

"I have always gotten my way. Well, besides my former husband having a lover and your mother," Priscilla said, recounting the times she lost. "Don’t pout. It’s no secret that I didn’t give Alessandra a warm welcome at first, but I have grown to love her."

Priscilla continued to say, "Tabitha has not changed her stubbornness after so many years, so do not for one second think you can win her over. She’ll take it as a sign of weakness and try to get you to do as she wants."

"You’re better off getting your father to imprison or, better yet, kill her-"

"Grandmother!" Penelope exclaimed.

Priscilla grimaced, wounded by the name she was called. "At this point, I must accept you calling me grandmother. I don’t see what the issue is. You cannot change that stubborn woman, so get rid of her. Your father placed me in a dungeon once."

Penelope palmed her face. "It is a story I have heard and didn’t want to believe was true."

"It is true, and I can admit that I deserved it. My actions caused someone to be killed and for someone your father loved dearly to almost be killed. That was the point I needed to realise my marriage was done as well. We are going off course," Priscilla said, not wanting to speak of the past.

"Do you intend to fight with Tabitha all your life? I fought with your great-grandmother for all of my marriage, and it was awful," said Priscilla.

"I don’t want to fight with her, but I also don’t want to kill her. She is Tyrion’s grandmother," Penelope reminded Priscilla.

"You don’t have to tell him that it was you or your father’s doing," Priscilla replied.

Penelope was stumped for a moment.

This wasn’t the kind of conversation Penelope often had with Priscilla, so she was surprised to hear what Priscilla’s plans were.

"I am starting to realise why many fear you. Aside from killing Tabitha, I do understand what you are saying. I have ignored when my peers poke at me, and I am well aware of the lady they follow," Penelope said, thinking about Amelia.

"Well, there is your start. Put her in her place, and the other women will not speak up so easily. You should have brought Lily along since there is so much she can learn as well. No more hiding," Priscilla said, starting now with her teaching.

Priscilla continued to say, "You will attend social events like you always have, and you will be ready for their attacks. Keep up with gossip about their families to know when to silence them. Flaunt your wealth and power. I would make them feel small."

Priscilla thought of sending for her dressmaker to make a few dresses quickly for her to attend gatherings and balls with Penelope.

"I need a few dresses to join you. I must look splendid when I see the old bat. I will need to use Erin," Priscilla said, certain the dressmaker’s connection to the duchess would make it go faster.

Penelope frowned. "I do not know if she will expect your business. Before I parted ways with my mother at the ball yesterday, she informed me that I must search for a new dressmaker. With all the gossip and lies about a curse, Erin will not do business with us. It is fine."

"Fine? How is that fine? Do you know where Erin got her start?" Priscilla asked, angry that Erin had some nerve. "Her mother was the famous one, but Alessandra gave Erin a chance and wore her dresses. Erin was noticed because Alessandra showcased her work."

Priscilla laughed at the audacity Erin had. "Now she would turn her back on the duchess. On me?"

Priscilla touched her forehead. "I cannot believe what I am hearing. Does she think the Scotts are so special that she can do this? Very well. Let us see how she can be without us. Dresses from Erin are considered last season from now on. Watch who she will turn to when the Scotts and her customers turn on her."

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