The next day, Penelope departed from her ho to attend a gathering where Priscilla was going to be in attendance.
With Quinn held captive in the palace, gatherings would continue, and as a mber of the Castro family, Penelope had many events to attend before she would leave Lockwood.
"It is rather chilly," Matilda said, worried that the coat Penelope wore would not be enough. "Would you like your gloves?"
"Not now. I hate it when my fingers sweat in gloves. I will ask for them if it is chilly where the gathering shall be. We only need to stay for an hour or two before we can leave. I hope it goes well," Penelope said, looking forward to a calm day. "I might have just ruined it with my hopes."
"I am certain it will go well, Milady. Especially with Lady Priscilla present. If only your sister were present or Lady Rue," said Matilda.
"My brother was rather eager to write to about Lily having a special friend at the coronation. I won’t see much of her because we have different events to attend, but I must visit to hear what happened with Kael’s return. It is becoming exciting," said Penelope.
Penelope could not wait to tease Lily about her growing romance.
"I am happy he returned in ti before Lily gave up on taking part in the season. With all the guards running around, is there anyone who makes you feel like engaging in the season?" Penelope asked, wishing Matilda would also have fun.
"The season is for ladies of your status who are of age to marry, and I don’t want to marry anyone. It would take away from my work, and n are a bore," Matilda answered.
n were nothing but headaches. Matilda didn’t need another person in her life to take care of.
"While I do not intend to marry, I assure you that I am far from lonely. I make good use of my ti away from your side," Matilda said.
This piqued Penelope’s interest. "I won’t pry. It is good to hear that you are having fun. I should give you more ti to yourself so you can thoroughly enjoy yourself. Are you getting along with the maids? Even though ti has passed for everyone to have settled in."
"I am close to a few. Though we work under the sa roof, it cannot be expected that we are all friends. What matters is keeping our heads down and doing our work. I have pointed out maids who gossip about your marriage in secret, and they have been fired. Most are wary of ," Matilda explained.
"I’m sorry," Penelope apologised.
"Do not be sorry, Milady. I have watched how your parents’ estate is run. The servants there know not to speak to let gossip get out of the estate, and I shall do the sa for your ho. You should have only servants who listen. If I am to be a head maid one day, this is what I must do," Matilda said, not regretting her actions.
Penelope smiled. "Well, I will leave it to you. We have arrived, and I see my grandmother’s carriage."
Penelope took a deep breath, ntally preparing herself for whatever was about to co.
When the carriage stopped, Brendon opened the door for Penelope. He was back to work now that he wasn’t watching Tabitha.
"Oh, Penelope dear. A little longer and I was going to leave," Priscilla said, shooing away the servants around her. "They don’t have sothing warm prepared for their guests to drink when they arrive. So ladies don’t know how to host a gathering."
"You must guide them," Penelope said, trying not to laugh at Priscilla’s displeasure. "I must stay close to you. It is my first ti attending a gathering alone, acting as royalty."
"The way we spoiled you, you have always been royalty. I am not staying for more than an hour. All the ladies here tend to speak about marriage and children. Prepare yourself for it," Priscilla said, offering her hand to Penelope.
"The dreaded talk of children," Penelope sighed.
"You don’t need to answer it, but if you feel you must, dance around it. Say enough that it answers the questions, but doesn’t give them the answer they seek. I’ll help you only when you stumble, but other than that, I must let you take charge," said Priscilla.
Enough ti had gone by for Penelope to have learned how to face the ladies around the town.
"Thank you," Penelope said, confident she would not stumble.
As Penelope and Priscilla entered the ho, Penelope stopped rather abruptly.
"Grandmother," Penelope whispered, accidentally.
Priscilla gasped. "Penelope!"
"Why is that woman here?" Penelope asked softly.
Priscilla looked ahead, trying to find the source of Penelope’s behaviour. They hadn’t made it far inside the ho, and already Penelope had made a grave mistake.
"What woman?" Priscilla’s voice beca a whisper when she saw the woman she hated most. "They’ve got so nerve inviting her here when they knew I would be present."
"Should we leave? I can apologise to the host," Penelope suggested.
Priscilla cald herself. "No. I am not going to allow that woman to be the reason that I don’t stay. She tries so hard to get near , so I should give her what she wants today. Her and the one who invited her today."
Penelope didn’t like the sound of this. Everyone knew what to place Priscilla and Cassidy Collins in the sa room.
Penelope looked back at Matilda and her guards, hoping soone had a plan which would be useful now, but they all looked to be confused.
"Hold your head up high, Penelope. You’re royalty," Priscilla said, tightening her grip on Penelope’s hand so Penelope couldn’t leave. "I’ll show that woman why she should keep herself hidden. Co."
Penelope walked side by side with Priscilla to where the other won gathered.
Eventually, they had no other choice but to pass Cassidy, who curtsied.
"Greetings, Princess Penelope. Lady Priscilla," Cassidy said, her gaze still on the floor.
Priscilla looked down upon the woman who had been an eyesore for many years. The woman who used to try to dress similarly to her and play pretend that they were of a similar status. The woman who thought she was important, all because she finally got to marry Edmund.
Priscilla felt disgusted to be in the sa space. "We must find our seats, Penelope."
Penelope nodded in agreent. She questioned the host’s motives for inviting Cassidy, but once she saw Faye seated at a table, she realised what was happening.
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