Chapter 321: Clueless (1)
"Caleb, do you know who that gentleman was? He seems to think I know who his father is," said Alessandra.
"He is the brother of the man who sent Penelope the carriage and someone the duke is looking into. It is best that when you or your daughters see him, you do not converse," Caleb advised Alessandra.
"I see," Alessandra replied, sneaking a glance at where Quinn stood with the town guards. "When we are done here, we should return home. First, Isabelle needs to visit the baker. I am ready when you are."
Caleb looked outside the shop, where Reed walked toward them. His brother managed to get away from the town guards, so it was one less headache to face.
"We’re leaving soon," Caleb said, waiting for the right moment.
Lily was puzzled by the guards rushing her family inside the shop. She had seen the man who spoke to her mother before, but didn’t know he was a threat.
Since they couldn’t go anywhere, Lily looked around the shop. To her misfortune, Lily locked eyes with someone she didn’t want to see.
"Miss Penelope," Harper greeted Lily.
"Harper," Lily returned the greeting.
"It is a good day to be out shopping, isn’t it?" Harper asked, eager to show what she had picked out.
"Indeed, it is. I see that you are buying plenty," Lily noticed from the boxes placed near Harper.
Lily was surprised to see what was being placed before Harper’s mother. Last Lily heard, Harper’s family wasn’t doing well with money.
’They must have struck gold,’ Lily thought.
Harper knew what Lily thought of and said, "The rumours weren’t right about our family."
"I didn’t care if they were true or not. I don’t gossip about you if that is what you thought," said Lily.
"It is good to hear there isn’t a lady believing in the rumours. I once could count on Selina to help me with the other ladies, but she has become distant now that your brother no longer favours her. Is she well?" Harper asked, hoping to spark Lily’s interest.
"I do not know. She is your friend, so you would know better, but you are here trying to speak of her troubles," Lily said, seeing through Harper’s act.
"Speaking of her troubles? I have not done such a thing. You misunderstood me," Harper said, annoyed by how the twins acted.
The other ladies were wrong to say that Lily was the easier twin to approach. If not for the duchess’s guards around, Harper would have assumed Penelope was standing before her.
"I didn’t misunderstand. Your intentions were clear as day, but no need to worry. I am not interested in speaking about what you said about Selina. I don’t want to keep you from your shopping, so please, excuse me," Lily said, more interested in her guards being so worked up.
"I will soon be hosting a gathering at my home. You are invited," Harper said, wishing she had an invitation present. "I hope you do not mind coming without your other half. Penelope and I are not in the best place at the moment."
"Is that so? Well, I am not one to go where my sister isn’t invited. I will have to decline your invitation and wish you well for your gathering. I believe this will be the first time that you are hosting. It must be exciting," Lily said, happy not to attend.
Harper wished to please others, so it was likely that many of the ladies Lily did not get along with would be present.
"Why can’t you attend without your sister? She has attended events without you, has she not? Surely, as a lady who is yet to find a husband this season, you would attend gatherings around the town," Harper said, hopeful Lily would change her mind.
"I will, but I do not want to attend the one at your home. I have respectfully declined the invitation, Harper. Do not make it so that I must be rude. I do not want to attend," Lily stood her ground.
"If you keep this up by following where your sister goes, you will not find yourself a husband before the end of the season. You must stop distancing yourself from the other ladies. They are all fond of you. You are the sister they find to be pleasant," said Harper.
"How puzzling. I find Penelope to be the one more willing to get close to others. The ladies will attend your gathering for you, not for me. Unless you are trying to fill the seats with ladies from notable homes. I advise you to invite ladies who will be there for you," Lily said, but she knew Harper wouldn’t listen.
"I have invited you in hopes you would become my friend. I have made every possible attempt to get to know you, but you turn me away and then claim that I place myself beside Amelia. Do you not think your actions are wrong?" Harper asked, annoyed that Lily did as she wanted.
Was this a privilege that came from being the daughter of a wealthy man?
"No, I don’t think I am wrong. There are plenty of young ladies around the town for you to become well acquainted with. We don’t all need to be friends unless you are trying to fill your gathering with certain names. We are not close," Lily said slowly, for Harper to get it.
Lily continued, "I will not be attending your gathering, not only because my sister isn’t invited, but because it is not worth my time. We are not friends, and I have nothing to gain from being there. Again, I wish you well."
For all Lily knew, Harper could be setting up a trap where she would be walking into a room filled with ladies who not only wanted to ask about who she would marry, but also inquire about Penelope.
"I will be engaged to a man who is becoming well-known around the town. My father’s business is thriving again thanks to his quick thinking. It won’t be long before I am worth your time, Lily. I am not someone you can keep overlooking," said Harper.
Lily snickered. "You must all stop thinking it has to do with money. When I said it wasn’t worth my time, I wasn’t thinking about money. I meant that the drama which will ensue there and all the gossip isn’t worth my time."
"No, no," Harper repeated, refusing to believe Lily wasn’t speaking of money. "You know that isn’t true. You didn’t think that someone like me could host a good gathering. I might not be on an estate, but I can create something magical. You will see."
"Harper?"
Lily looked at Harper’s mother, who was rightfully concerned.
"This talk will end here before it gets out of hand, and no, I will not see because I will not be attending. I wish you the best of luck," Lily said, returning to her mother just as the guards were ready to leave.