Chapter 290: Warning (5)
"The Cromwells? Our mother always said that they wouldn’t welcome us. They are a private family," Claire said, repeating what Melanie told her.
"Private, yet Alessandra and her family could meet with them? They pick and choose who they wish to see, but we shall go to them. You will go," Luke said, since he didn’t have any birthright to go. "Melody has betrayed us."
"We should speak to her first. Perhaps she is fighting a battle that none of us know about. I found it strange how she acted as of late. Maybe it is that she is regretting that she didn’t marry during her season," Claire concluded.
Claire always wondered if Melody regretted not getting married and choosing to teach young girls.
"It doesn’t matter what she faces. Melody went behind our backs to speak to Edgar. Now she is the only one in his good graces. We need to go to our mother and prepare for a trip out of town," Luke said, moving to ready his carriage.
"She will not agree to go," Claire said.
Claire had many private talks with Melanie, and during those times, it was made clear that Melanie didn’t want to be close to the Cromwells.
"I will convince her," Luke said, confident Melanie would do it for him.
Luke would never forget how Melanie always treated him. He was loved so much by Melanie that many people didn’t believe he wasn’t her blood son.
Since Luke equally loved Melanie, she would do anything for him.
Luke always thought of himself as lucky to have a stepmother who came into his family and loved him like he was her own.
Claire didn’t share Luke’s confidence, but since she didn’t have any better ideas, she followed him.
"Do you think they would be so evil as to speak of what I said to my husband? I love him. I truly do," Claire said, worried they would ruin her marriage.
"Take a deep breath, Claire. It is not wrong for you to be curious about what could have been if Alessandra had helped you. She claims not to be interested in balls around the town, yet look at her daughters," Luke said, growing angrier with each passing second.
Luke had heard of many times when Penelope or Lily were at gatherings around the town with Alessandra.
Alessandra helped those she wanted to and lied to the others. In Luke’s eyes, Alessandra could have taken Claire to her side and introduced her to a nobleman. Even better, one of Edgar’s wealthy friends, but she didn’t.
"They allow her to act like a victim too many times. She is a grown lady with most of her children of age to marry. For how much longer must we walk on eggshells around our dear sister?" Luke asked, tired of it.
Luke didn’t do anything to Alessandra, but he was punished for what his mother did.
Claire remained silent, afraid that if she spoke, Edgar could somehow hear her and ruin her life in Lockwood. All she could do now was trust that Luke would keep her safe.
***
Back on the Collins estate, Penelope lay under a large tree which shaded her from the sun.
Penelope’s eyes were closed as she soaked in the warmth around her and enjoyed the peace.
"Didn’t you rest well last night?" Alessandra asked, noting how long Penelope rested.
Penelope opened her eyes and followed the source of her mother’s voice. "I rested well after going to the palace. Tyrion and I are to go back today to have dinner, and we have considered staying the night there."
"It would be wonderful for his family to see him in the palace again. I know that Hazel misses him dearly, and with the pressure for Teo to be king, he would like his brother to be near. There is still danger, but you only need to be cautious," Alessandra advised Penelope.
"I know that Tyrion would be overprotective. He acts like I cannot protect myself. All he needs to do is give me a gun, and I can defend myself. He has added two more guards to my side," Penelope sighed.
"He wants to keep you safe. There is nothing wrong with him taking those steps to keep you safe. I don’t worry about you these days since I know Tyrion is taking good care of you", said Alessandra.
"It sounds like you are starting to say that I should do something nice for him," Penelope noticed.
"No one should have to tell you to prepare something for your husband. I won’t do it. It is something you have to decide by yourself," Alessandra replied.
"I am always thinking of ways to make him happy. What do you surprise my father with?" Penelope asked, rolling on her side to get a better look at her mother.
Alessandra was stumped on how to respond at first. There was only one thought she had when it came to surprising Edgar, but she couldn’t tell Penelope.
"You get him something he wouldn’t expect," Alessandra responded.
"I think everything I could give him would be something he wouldn’t expect. I cannot surprise him with the king or queen coming to our home since there is much to do in the palace with the court gone. Perhaps I should lose," Penelope considered, thinking of the deal she had with Tyrion.
Would she truly be losing if she did it on purpose?
"Lose what?" Alessandra asked, curious.
"I promised Tyrion that I wouldn’t get involved in the case of the person behind all the deaths. It is hard since I am curious who it is, but I hate to lose. He would be excited if he thought he got me to lose," Penelope said, knowing Tyrion looked forward to the punishment.
"You shouldn’t be curious about any of it," Alessandra said, agreeing with Tyrion. "It is too dangerous. It is not as simple as your adventures running around the town at night. We must leave this to your father and husband."
Alessandra had trouble sleeping at night since she couldn’t think of who she had encountered that would be involved in the murders of the women and men around the town.
Alessandra laid down on the blanket to join Penelope in enjoying the moment.
Lily and Isabelle kept themselves busy with Melody.
Alessandra didn’t get to close her eyes long enough to enjoy the peace, as a guard came toward them.
"Duchess, pardon my intrusion. The dressmaker, Erin Scott, is at the gates. She says she has business with you and the duke. Should I let her in?"
Alessandra opened her eyes and sat up. By the time she looked to her right, Penelope was already sitting up.
Alessandra had been patiently waiting for when she would see Erin again. Was now the best time to do it?
"It is fine, mother. You are owed a conversation," said Penelope.
Penelope didn’t hold any ill feelings for Erin in her heart to stop her mother from speaking to Erin.
"Allow her in," Alessandra decided.