The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 218: Cutting ties (1)

"She is trying to be kind, but Julie doesn’t seem interested in finding a husband this season. I am not worried since I wasn’t searching for a husband, yet I found myself married. What marriage entails scares her, and I understand," Eleanor said, fidgeting with Julie’s hair as she spoke.

"It is normal to be afraid of what will come, but once you find a good man to marry, your life will not feel like it is over," said Hazel.

"I don’t need her to marry a man who has a grand status or the most wealth. Choose for your happiness," Eleanor told Julie.

While the others spoke, Penelope pulled her mother away for a moment.

"I was doing some thinking, and while Priscilla has plenty to share, I would also love to learn from you as well. You have been a welcoming hand to ladies who have trouble fitting in the circles here. I wish to continue what you started," said Penelope.

Alessandra was surprised to hear this. She assumed Penelope would have stuck with Priscilla. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"It is wonderful for you to help others, but it is no easy task. You will need to be careful even with ladies who are considered to be outcasts. Once those ladies get a good footing amongst others, some will turn on you," Alessandra said.

Alessandra had her fair share of ladies who tried to use her to make their way up in the social world. They hadn’t thought of how often they would have to see her face after they tried to backstab her, and the power her name had.

"I will be careful," Penelope promised. "I know that I cannot help everyone. Some of the ladies who have not found their place in town are not all kind. I have seen it myself. I will only help those whose hearts are good."

Penelope held Alessandra’s hand as she walked. "I’m sure most will think I am only turning to them after my name was ruined for a moment."

"Your name was never ruined in my eyes, and Priscilla has acted fast to clear up all talk about a curse. No matter how old she gets, the ladies in town will always fear her. Priscilla is," Alessandra stopped to think of the right words.

"Grandmother will go low to make someone know their place," Penelope finished for her mother. "While it is good that she stands her ground, I don’t think I can go to the same lengths as she does. I have always watched you calmly fight with your words."

Penelope continued, "For so long I have heard that I abused my father’s power to get what I wanted, yet it was never so. Tyrion’s name still holds some weight, and by law of the palace, I am a princess. I will not have the ladies forget it."

"You shouldn’t," Alessandra agreed. "Many of your peers cannot speak to you so casually. Do not let them get comfortable doing it. I am not one to love conflict, but I have learned over the years that you need to put your foot down. The second you let them do as you please, they will get comfortable."

The battles amongst women were vicious. Penelope needed to stop her peers now, since this was the time which would set the tone for how she would be treated in the future.

"See, there is much I can learn from you, just as I can learn from my grandmother. While we are on the topic of grandmothers," Penelope said, her gaze going to the floor. "I have been meaning to tell you that I have spoken to Melanie."

Alessandra smiled, expecting to hear that the matter was resolved.

Penelope looked up. Her mother’s expression made this all the harder to do. "It is not happy news, so you shouldn’t smile. It is agreed that my relationship with her won’t be the same ever again. For years, she has tried to paint you as a villain in our eyes. I do not like it."

"I know Isabelle might still adore her, but I cannot go there any longer. I will miss speaking to Lewis, but my decision is final. She doesn’t see anything wrong in leaving you behind, and I have overheard the cause of it," Penelope said, her gaze on the floor once more.

Alessandra gulped, nervous about what Penelope could have heard. There were certain things that Melanie shouldn’t have shared with the children.

"She has made mention of how you came to be. That your father wanted a child-"

"Penelope," Alessandra said, stopping Penelope. "That isn’t something you should know. I don’t," she paused, needing a moment. "I don’t want you to speak of this."

"I wish I hadn’t heard it. It upsets me that you know of it as well, mother. It is her truth, and it is an awful truth, but as a mother, I would have kept that to myself," said Penelope.

Penelope looked in her father’s direction. Perhaps he should come soon since water filled her mother’s eyes. Alessandra smiled, but Penelope knew her mother’s true feelings.

"I am sorry you had to hear it. There are a lot of reasons why your grandmother and I have not moved forward over the years. I had hoped she could focus on her time with you and not speak of me," said Alessandra.

Penelope toyed with her fingers. "It is unfortunate that there is more to be said. Aunt Melody was there, and when they thought they were alone, Melody asked if grandmother saw you as her daughter. She doesn’t," Penelope shook her head. "It is only Melody and Claire."

Penelope didn’t linger to hear what else was said after this. Tyrion ushered her away, and she was grateful that he did.

Alessandra smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "I know," she replied.

Though Melanie had not said it out loud, Alessandra knew what her mother felt. Alessandra realised it from the time her mother first returned to Lockwood, and her sisters were glued to her mother’s side.

The interactions between Alessandra’s sisters and mothers weren’t something Alessandra could remember having. There was never any sympathy for what Alessandra endured at her father’s hands.

Every reaction Melanie showed seemed to be calculated because the children she cared for were near.

"You knew this," Penelope said, surprised. "All along you have known this, and let us visit her."

Alessandra nodded her head. " My mother’s return was something I could look forward to in my father’s home. It gave me hope that perhaps the next day she would return and take me away. I was in denial even then, thinking I had someone who wanted me."

"Because Melody was here, you were all curious about Melanie, so I allowed you to see her. I didn’t want to keep you from anyone you wished to see," Alessandra said.

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