Chapter 276: Letting go (1)
The next day, Penelope arrived at the Collins estate because of a letter sent by her mother. She was thrilled to have Tyrion with her so they could both have more time with her family.
Penelope entered first, leaving Tyrion behind since she was excited to see her mother.
Tyrion followed in behind Penelope, thinking of whether she would accept them having chains on their hands so he wouldn’t lose sight of her.
"The lady is quick," Damien commented.
"And you need to be quicker so you don’t lose her," said Tyrion.
Damien folded his lips, regretting speaking up beside Tyrion. He should have learned from the last time he spoke of Penelope.
Damien looked to his right, and to no surprise, Matilda stared at him with an expression that read she agreed with the prince.
Matilda stared back at Damien, waiting for him to speak, and when he didn’t, she moved to follow Penelope.
"The lady doesn’t need any more guards with Matilda at her side. She should be taught how to use a weapon," Damien suggested once more.
"Matilda knows how to use a gun. When my wife is intrigued by guns, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that her maid knows how to use one. Keep bothering Matilda, and I might need to search for a new guard. I should get her a gun," Tyrion decided.
Since Matilda was always near Penelope, it would be wise to give her a gun when it came time for only ladies to sit together.
Tyrion thought of buying a gun from Edgar, and as he walked further into the home, he crossed paths with Edgar.
"When the ladies are done speaking, you and I have somewhere to go. Elijah will join us. Be ready when I am ready to leave," Edgar informed Tyrion.
Tyrion was caught off guard by this since the letter didn’t mention him going somewhere with Edgar. Still, he welcomed the offer to go with Edgar and Elijah.
"Might I know where we are headed?" Tyrion asked.
"You’re going to show me where you found Peter," said Edgar.
Tyrion’s right brow raised, intrigued by Edgar wanting to see the priest.
As far as Tyrion remembered, the priest nearly fainted when he realised who Penelope was.
"Keep it from the women," Edgar said as he walked by Tyrion.
"Father," Tyrion said.
Edgar stopped and glared at the young fool. "Every day I pray and hope that any children you have with my daughter will be more like her. For their sake, you should pray too."
"Finally, there is something we can both agree on, though I am a little puzzled. You once said that I take after my mother. Does that mean you think there is something wrong with her?" Tyrion asked, ready to share it with his mother.
"No. You had her sense for a long time, and now your father’s annoying side is coming out. You were going so well. What a shame," Edgar said, disappointed. "Move your hand," Edgar said, staring at where Tyrion touched him.
"My father always said when you get angry, it’s a good idea to touch you," Tyrion said, backing away from Edgar.
"That advice got him pushed off a rock. There are no big rocks here, little prince. You’ll find yourself falling from a window. Start moving before you are late," Edgar said, continuing on his way.
Melody was already present, so they were only waiting for Tyrion and Penelope to arrive.
Edgar led the way to the room where Melody, Alessandra, Lily, Elijah, and Penelope waited for them.
Penelope patted the seat beside her for Tyrion. She thought the visit to the estate would be for a happy occasion, but upon seeing the troubled expression that Melody wore, she knew it wouldn’t be so.
"We are all here," Alessandra said, wanting Melody to speak.
Alessandra didn’t understand why Melody wished to have all the older children present. Immediately, she thought something had gone wrong with Melanie.
"As you know, there is tension between some of you here and my mother. Recently, I gathered the family to have a talk about how we could move forward. There are some things I have to share with all of you and some to be said in private with you," Melody said, looking at Alessandra.
Melody still didn’t think it was right to bring up what Melanie said about Alessandra before the children. They shouldn’t know their grandmother was that awful.
"I have come here against my family’s wishes to ask all of you to end letting them use your names as they see fit. They have all benefited in some way thanks to your name, and since they are not in support of mending this family, you mustn’t be so kind," said Melody.
"That I agree with," Edgar spoke up. "What was said that you thought was important to come to us?"
"I had hope that we could move on. For my mother to understand your side and see where she went wrong. That didn’t go well. She does not want to make amends with Alessandra or with Penelope," Melody revealed.
Penelope wasn’t surprised to hear this.
Melody continued to say, "She is not pleased with how Prince Tyrion behaved, but he was defending his wife. I do not think it is fair that they can never see how they are wrong, yet they use your name. You were right years ago that all we wanted was to use you."
Melody vaguely remembered the excitement when it was revealed that their sister they knew nothing of, was a duchess and not only was she a duchess, but she was close to the queen. It was only Lewis who was upset since he knew nothing of Melanie having another child, and Melanie not liking that her past was dug up.
"You are not like that. You have gotten to know me and have never asked for anything," Alessandra said, to cheer Melody up.
Melody only asked for help for her to learn so she could become a governess. Once they moved past the misunderstanding that Melody wanted to use Alessandra to find a husband, they became close.
Melody helped Alessandra experience what having a sibling was like.
"You shouldn’t be so kind to them. While you have all been so generous over the years, they have only been thinking of money and status. Claire used your name to find a good husband, and Luke uses the duke’s name to find work," said Melody.
Melody knew her family wouldn’t be pleased to know she was doing this, but she had to. It wasn’t fair that only one side gained something when they did nothing.
"The matter of the mines has also come up. Luke thinks that instead of you being the one to share out the money or jewels, our mother should do it," Melody revealed.