The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 157: Battle of women (2)

"We are around the same age," Tabitha said, annoyed by Priscilla’s presence.

Tabitha was certain Penelope invited Priscilla to a place she didn’t belong.

Tabitha didn’t have any issues with Priscilla since it had been some time since they last spoke, but she wasn’t thrilled to see the woman who convinced ladies it was a good idea to leave their husbands.

"Yet I have a more youthful look because I leave the young couples alone. Lily," Priscilla said, peering down at her granddaughter. "Be a dear and go one chair down. I need to hear even a whisper from Lady Tabitha. I’m sure her voice will be caught in her throat now."

Lily did as Priscilla wanted by changing seats. She looked forward to the show, so she didn’t mind moving.

Priscilla sat down beside Penelope. "You must pardon my tardiness. Only today, I will grant you the power to call me grandmother."

"You are not late. You came right on time," Penelope said.

"Why is it that made me right on time? What were you speaking of?" Priscilla asked, looking directly at Tabitha.

"How did you get here? I did not send an invitation to you," said Tabitha.

"I have my ways," Priscilla replied.

"How? You are no longer Priscilla Collins," Tabitha said, smiling.

"That is right, but nothing will change that I birthed the wonderful Edgar Collins. The man whom your son turns to for all he needs. Besides, I never needed a Collins or any other man to get what I want. I wouldn’t expect you to understand," Priscilla said.

Tabitha frowned. "I was a queen, and now, without my husband, I am surviving quite well."

"Are you surviving well? Quite frankly, I tend to forget that you were once a queen. You act more like an old hag with the way you try to ruin others’ love," Priscilla said, ready to address the issue at hand.

"Tabitha," Priscilla said with a sweet smile. "I suggest you stop bothering my granddaughter because you will wake a beast who will not bite her tongue. You have already angered me. Don’t push it because there is much for me to reveal."

"I have a right to question her as I see fit since she is now married to my grandson. She is the reason that he has abandoned-"

"Oh, stop it, you fool," Priscilla said, causing a wave of gasps to be heard at the table. "Isn’t it time we stop blaming women for the actions of men? Are you not a woman? I would expect a woman of your standing to fight for women being blamed."

"You should be careful with your insults," Tabitha raised her voice.

"Or what? What will you do to me? Will you run to the king to capture me? Go on," Priscilla urged Tabitha. "Let us see what will come from it. I have a son as well."

"I see why she is the way she is. When she has women like you and the duchess by her side, it makes sense she has become this way," said Tabitha.

"What way? What has she become?" Priscilla inquired, giving Tabitha the chance to speak. "Let us see if she has done anything wrong or if it is Tyrion’s actions you place on her. Go on."

"I don’t need to explain myself to the likes of you," Tabitha replied.

"Because you have nothing to be angry with her for. You are a stubborn woman who will die with no one at her side if you keep this up. Penelope has learned from two great women. The duchess embodies what a noblewoman should be," Priscilla said, speaking on Alessandra’s behalf.

Priscilla saw herself as the only one who could question Alessandra, but even then, she had nothing to say about Alessandra.

"I fear ladies learning from someone like you," Priscilla said, picking up the teacup with freshly poured tea. "A lady whose son hates her actions, her grandchildren avoid, and has quite an empty home. It is cold here from the lack of love you receive."

"I am well loved," Tabitha said, humoured by Priscilla’s words.

Priscilla chuckled. "By whom? The servants who smile and say kind words because you pay them? By the ladies who are only here because it is good for their reputation? You are one mistake away from your family cutting you off completely."

"You know nothing about the Castro family. You mustn’t believe what she tells you," Tabitha said, eyeing Penelope as the source.

Penelope sighed. "There is nothing for me to gossip about concerning the Castros."

"She did not run to tell me anything about your family troubles. I have eyes and ears. Many speak about your actions and what they cost you. Being a former queen does not mean your actions will be excused," Priscilla said, willing to be the one to hold Tabitha accountable.

"You have brought her here to fight your battles," Tabitha said, realising Penelope’s plans.

"She was raised well to know not to fight with her elders. You must stay out of their marriage, Tabitha. Your grandson doesn’t want to be king. He is the one who made that choice and proposed to Penelope. You must move on," Priscilla advised Tabitha.

Priscilla was once in Tabitha’s position, where she didn’t like Alessandra, and it led to her being placed in a dungeon. She didn’t know how far Tyrion would go to protect Penelope, but Priscilla was certain Tabitha didn’t want to find out the lengths men in love would go to.

"If the proposal and wedding had been done properly, then I would not have any issue welcoming her into the palace. There is one other matter which concerns me, and the town. They say that she is cursed-"

Priscilla’s laughter drowned out Tabitha’s voice. She placed her hand over her mouth.

"You must forgive me, but it is funny a woman like you would believe in such things. What is she cursed with? Killing anyone who looks at her? If that is true, why is no one dropping dead? You have all faced the duchess yet here you sit. A gathering of fools," Priscilla said, looking around at the guests.

Priscilla stood up to see better who was in attendance. "So, you all want to believe in curses. Very well. Many of you here are cursed. You are cursed with terrible finances, husbands, fathers and other relatives who used you. Terrible choice in dresses for such an occasion."

"And then there are others," Priscilla said, looking down at Tabitha. "Those who are cursed to make all their loved ones turn against them. If you think curses exist, then we should all be afraid of each other."

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