Chapter 357: Respect (2)
Penelope walked down to the front door with Matilda to her left and Damien to her right. She had one goal in mind, which was to send the town guards off without her husband.
Penelope made her way to the drawing room, where the guests would be brought to speak and have a drink before being sent on their way.
Aiden lingered close by in case Penelope would need help. He was surprised to see the lady so calm since most wives would be in disarray at this time.
Winston served Penelope tea just before the town guards entered the drawing room.
Henry took off his hat and said, "Princess."
"Gentleman," Penelope returned the greeting. "Those of you who will speak shall sit."
Henry looked around for Tyrion. "Forgive me, but it is the prince I have come to speak with."
"Can you hear me?" Penelope asked.
"Why yes, princess. I can," Henry answered, curious about the trick question.
"Then you may speak to me. You will not find any challenges in speaking to me. Sit, or would you rather I send you away?" Penelope asked, willing to do so.
"No, princess. The matter I came to speak of is one that a lady such as yourself should not hear. It is rather gruesome, so perhaps you should ask the prince to come here. He doesn’t need to hide," Henry said as he took his seat.
Penelope smiled.
Now she understood why it was always so fun for her father to toy with the town guards.
"I have heard plenty of gruesome details over the course of my life. What you have to say will not come close to it," said Penelope.
Henry’s ears perked, seeing this as a good moment to learn about what the duke had done. "What gruesome things has a lady like you heard?" He asked.
"More has come out about the deaths around the town. My grandfather works with the court, and I have spent a considerable part of my youth in the palace, listening to the tales of cases. You seem disappointed," Penelope said, knowing what Henry expected.
Surely, the town guards wouldn’t walk into her home and think she would say something to put her father at risk. Truthfully, Penelope knew nothing of what her father could have done to have the town guards on his trail.
"I see," Henry replied, disappointed. "I thought you had something new to share."
"Rather than beat around the bush and expect my husband to show, you must speak of what you came for. It is rather time-consuming to care for a home of this size. I don’t have much time to offer you," said Penelope.
Henry was amused by the fact that Penelope spoke of hard work when she had servants at her side to do what she needed. The rich always humoured him.
"I must speak with the prince as well. You may be present, but it is important that the prince is here. It is a serious matter with accusations pointed at him," Henry said, standing his ground to wait for Tyrion.
Penelope noticed the disrespect the town guard displayed. It was just enough for him to get away with it elsewhere, but not here.
"This is my home, and since my husband is not well, I am entertaining our guests. You may leave and return later, tomorrow, or the day after, but you will find me seated before you. I urge you to fix your tone before you speak," Penelope said, a threat hidden in her words.
Felix thought Henry had a special talent for being on the bad side of not only the prince but also his wife and the Collinses.
Henry needed to be careful since there was already talk of him being removed as the captain because of a complaint made by someone.
If Felix had to guess, Tyrion was in the process of having Henry sent out of the town guards.
Henry sighed. "Very well, but don’t say I didn’t give you the chance to get your husband. A brothel owner was killed last night, and his business was set ablaze. I have heard that your husband was the one to go inside and attack him. For this, I must take the prince."
"You must take him? Well, you are about to have an awful day since you will not take him anywhere. My husband needs to rest, and I intend to keep him here. Now, I speak of tying him when he tries to move. What should I do if you try to take him?" Penelope wondered.
"Is that a threat?"
"No, I am taking suggestions," Penelope replied.
Henry ran his tongue along his teeth. The lady was a wise one.
"You should stay out of this and let the men-"
"Oh," Penelope chuckled. "Forgive me, but it always tickles me when men speak of letting them handle a matter. We allow you to do so, and yet we don’t get anywhere. My husband is not leaving our home."
"Princess, he was seen there," Henry said. He had enough to take Tyrion for questioning. "You mustn’t make this more difficult than it already is."
"I could say the same for you. I am a woman of my word, so when I say that my husband will not be going anywhere, it is the truth. Was there anyone who saw my husband kill this owner you speak of?" Penelope inquired.
"No, but he was there," Henry answered.
"Oh, so you wish to place this on him without having proof he was the one behind the murder," Penelope said, toying with Henry.
Henry grew frustrated as time passed. "Milday, I will not play these games with you. The prince was there last night. There is no such thing as a coincidence that he happened to be there with many of his knights, and Victor died. He was there."
"I am not questioning if he was there. Since there were many knights then, anyone could have killed Victor-"
"So you know the owner’s name," Hector pointed out.
"You said the owner’s name just now. Honestly, you must rid yourself of the idea that you will speak to my husband and take him away. I suggest that you find proof that he did anything to the owner. Our time here is done," Penelope said, leaning forward to pick up her tea.
"I’m afraid it isn’t. I am well within my rights to use force to get to the prince. No one is untouchable when it comes to matters of this town," Hector said, looking to Felix for him to get the guards moving.
Penelope set her cup back down. "Sir, you do not want to enter a battle with me. My guns are far bigger."