The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 167: Disagreeing (3)

Tyrion remained in his study, giving Penelope the space to cool down and understand his side. He could ask anyone else to speak with other women to find out what he needed. He would rather take the longer route than use Penelope.

To Tyrion, anyone was disposable as long as he could keep Penelope safe.

Since all these deaths were tied to the Collins family, Tyrion had to do everything in his power to end it quickly.

Hopefully, she would understand this was more serious than just looking for clues.

They both didn’t have the slightest clue who around them was involved in the murders and who was keeping an eye on all members of Edgar’s family.

Tyrion raked his fingers through his hair. "Don’t let this spoil the night."

Outside, Penelope made her way toward her room and on the way there, she came across Matilda.

Matilda knew right away that something was wrong with Penelope.

"Prepare water for the lady," Matilda ordered the maids.

The other maids needed to leave so as not to see Penelope in this state.

"Milady," Matilda said, following Penelope closely. "Is there something I can do for you, Milady?"

"A warm bath and help me get dressed for dinner," Penelope replied.

Matilda nodded.

Matilda continued to follow Penelope to be the one to undress her.

It was only when they entered the room and Matilda closed the door that she asked,

"Might I inquire what upsets you, Milady? Perhaps I can get rid of what troubles you."

"It is a kind offer, but there is nothing for you to help with. Truly, there is nothing to be upset about, but I stormed off. It is awful when they are right," Penelope said, knowing she was wrong.

Matilda tried to think of whom Penelope spoke of. "I’m afraid I do not understand."

"My father, surprisingly Elijah at times, and now Tyrion. He is right about what he said. I am adventurous and do have a habit of walking right into danger, but I would like to be of some help to him. Why isn’t there something I can do?" Penelope asked, thinking herself to be useless.

"Staying safe for his grace is something you can do. I am sure he would love your help, but if the matter is something dangerous, then the thought of losing you scares him. Perhaps you should consider what he feels," Matilda suggested.

"I do, which is why I know there was no reason for me to leave him alone. He has left the palace, so I want to help him as much as I can. I do not like this useless feeling," Penelope said, dwelling on this point. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"I do not think you are useless, Milady. Alongside Winston, this home is kept together because of you. Or is it more than wife duties that you seek to do?" Matilda asked.

"I do not know. It truly is something dangerous, but what I intended to do was safe. I was only going to sit with women, as I will do in the future. Maybe it is that I want him to trust that I will be careful now," Penelope said, taking a seat on the bed.

"I shouldn’t have left him. Now he will think that I am angry with him when I am more upset with myself. I have given him reason to have some doubts about me helping him. Why did it have to be like this?" Penelope wondered.

"There is something you can do to fix all of this," Matilda said, certain there was a chance to fix the night.

"I don’t want intimacy to be the solution to our disagreements," Penelope replied.

Penelope wondered what was wrong after Matilda wouldn’t look her in the eye. Matilda was flustered.

"Why? Is that wrong?" Penelope asked, puzzled.

"Milady," Matilda said, looking down at the floor. "I was speaking about apologising."

The room went silent for a moment.

"Oh, well. I intended to clear this up with him and apologise for leaving him. I thought you were giving me another solution. I," Penelope coughed, clearing her throat after. "Forgive me."

"It is nothing to apologise for, Milady. I can listen to everything you say," said Matilda.

Matilda had heard far more vulgar things from the guards around.

"Still, there are things I won’t say before you because I don’t want you to hear anything which will make you avoid my eyes. We have grown up together, but there are things you won’t want to hear about me. Are you fitting in well here?" Penelope asked, distracting herself with Matilda.

Matilda nodded her head. "I am getting along with the maids who once worked for your mother. It is taking time to adjust to the new maids. I will keep my eye on all of them to inform you if anyone is sneaking around. The butler and I will do our best not to let gossip leave your home."

"I am grateful for it. Matilda, you have friends from your childhood who work in other homes. Do you still speak to them?" Penelope asked, having an idea.

"I speak to them in passing on the days when I go to see my mother. Should I stop?" Matilda asked.

"No, not at all. Would you be able to find gossip for me? Even if you find it among the maids here who have heard gossip about ladies whose homes are in great need of money. It would be far safer if you spoke to your friends or the maids here," said Penelope.

"You can think about it. It concerns something important around the town."

"I will do it if it helps you," Matilda replied without a second thought.

"Thank you. You must be careful not to speak to anyone you can’t trust. This is tied to something dangerous, so you must be secretive. Do not let it show what rumours you want to know about. Let the maids speak while you listen and come back to me. You must be safe," Penelope said, holding Matilda’s hands.

"I will be safe," Matilda promised.

Matilda had always listened to the gossip shared by maids to listen out for anything said about her lady. It was hard not to hear gossip with the line of work Matilda did. Even as the maids cleaned, they spoke about what they overheard around the town.

Matilda was thrilled that Penelope found a way to keep herself safe, and with this, Tyrion would not have to worry about Penelope.

"The maids will soon be here with warm water for your bath. I must undress you now," Matilda said, worried the water might go cold.

"Right," Penelope replied, turning her back to Matilda. "Please arrange with Winston for our dinner to be sent here. I must make up with Tyrion."

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