The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 214: Family gathering (3)

"Thank you, mother. While I enjoy being spoiled, it doesn’t need to be made into a contest. Well, unless it will help you two to bond even more. I need something to drink," Penelope said, purposely to change the subject.

"I will get it for you," Tyrion offered, a maid with drinks in his sight.

Edgar’s mood brightened when the little prince was out of his sight. "You have him perfectly trained."

"I haven’t trained anyone, father. You must be nice to Tyrion. I am willing to bet that you would enjoy your time with him. What?" Penelope frowned after noticing her mother’s gaze. It was the same one shown when Penelope was about to be scolded.

"Penelope, do you still gamble? You know your father and I do not enjoy this habit," Alessandra said.

"Of course not, mother. How could a lady possibly gamble? I was only betting something between father and I. Look!" Penelope exclaimed, taking the attention off herself. "The Callahans have arrived."

Edgar smiled since Penelope had saved herself from a good scolding.

Alessandra left to greet Rafael and Rue while Edgar remained with Penelope.

Penelope sighed in relief. "I forgot I am not to mention anything about bets around her. You should have saved me."

"Why is it my duty to save you? I am not getting in the middle of your troubles with your mother," said Edgar. He was the one who could be kicked out of bed.

"Well, there would be trouble for you if she learned that you were the one who taught me how to gamble and how to use a gun. I think we should look out for each other, shouldn’t we?" Penelope said, earning a smile from her father.

"I am glad you are out of my home," Edgar said jokingly. His smile fell when Tyrion returned with a drink.

Tyrion, on the other hand, smiled since he looked forward to a day of getting under Edgar’s skin.

Away from where Penelope stood, Elijah was forced into a conversation about a court he didn’t care for.

"Along with the prince, I say that you are the most desired man in the town. I hear of how you help Sir Rafael when it comes to matters of the border. You have your hands full these days," said Ally.

Ally’s hands were sweating since she was speaking to the man she adored. For the last few years, she had grown to love Elijah.

Ally grew up with Elijah thanks to her mother’s former work as the duchess’s maid, so she wasn’t a stranger to his kindness. She tried to avoid these feelings since he was the twins’ brother, but she couldn’t ignore it any longer.

This was her season to wed, and Ally intended to do her best to marry Elijah.

"I am busy. As for the most desired man, there are plenty of others alongside the prince. I hear that you have been getting many wonderful compliments during the season. It won’t be long before you are married," said Elijah.

Ally’s eyes widened with surprise. "I am surprised you have heard about it."

Elijah heard it only because of the times he would sit with his mother, and she would tell him what everyone was doing. He thought it was his mother’s way of telling him that he should be more involved in the season.

"Your grandmother helps you, doesn’t she?" Elijah asked, using what his mother shared with him.

"She does. I am thankful for the old connections she has in the palace, since I am invited to many gatherings around the town. She has taught me just as she would have taught the royals, so I am well prepared to become a wife," Ally assured Elijah.

Elijah nodded his head, agreeing that Ally would become a good wife. Marriage was all she would speak of in the past, so he wanted her dreams to become reality. freeweɓnovel~cѳm

Elijah noticed a young lady across the room doing everything in her power to avoid his gaze. He laughed since it was so unlike her.

"Elijah, would you also be attending-"

"Ally," Elijah stopped Ally in her tracks. "I am sorry for being so rude to interrupt you, but I have noticed your new interest in me. I might be wrong, so again, forgive me, but if I am right, I suggest you set your sights on someone else."

Ally didn’t know how to respond at the moment. She tried to keep her smile.

"I don’t. You have not given me a chance," Ally said, trying to keep herself together. She had barely built up this courage, only for Elijah to turn her down so quickly. Where had she gone wrong?

It hurt, and Ally knew that Elijah didn’t understand just how much he was hurting her with his rejection.

"There are many weeks left in the season, and while it seems so long before it reaches its end, it goes by quickly. I want you to spend those weeks courting a man who will return your feelings," said Elijah.

Ally bitterly smiled. "I finally dared to approach you. If you could only ignore that you know of my feelings a little more, and let me court you. Perhaps you see me as the girl who played with your sisters. I only need one chance."

"Your friendship with my sisters isn’t the issue. Trust me," Elijah said, his gaze fixed on Rue, who finally looked his way. "You already had your one chance without realising, and I don’t have any feelings for you."

While Elijah cared for Ally, he wasn’t in the mood to pretend to feel something for her to make her feel better. What he felt toward Ally hadn’t changed, and it wouldn’t change now that he knew of her feelings.

"I’ll pretend this didn’t happen so our friendship isn’t ruined. Excuse me," Elijah said, leaving Ally’s side.

Elijah walked over to where Rafael and Rue stood with his mother.

"Wonderful timing. Elijah shared that he has been going to the palace when you are there. It is good for you to have a friendly face. I wish for the next time you are in town, you can bring your other daughters and Annalise," Alessandra said, missing the energetic woman.

"If my talk with the court doesn’t get better, then my wife will soon come and take my place. Though if Annalise comes here, there won’t be a lot of talking. Luckily, the king has come up with a solution to my problems," Rafael shared, relieved that Annalise didn’t have to come to war.

"That is good to hear. Now that you are here, Edgar can have a friend to speak with. I need your help to have him enjoy so many people being in his home," Alessandra said, knowing Rafael could change Edgar’s mood.

"I will help you. Rue," Rafael said, first needing to leave Rue with someone else. Rafael glanced at Elijah. "You should go with Penelope and the other ladies."

"I will," Rue replied. "You don’t need to worry, father. We are safe in the duke’s home."

Rafael walked away with Alessandra, but he kept his eyes on Rue and Elijah.

"Your father looks ready to kill me for standing so near. Was there something you said to change how he views me?" Elijah asked, curious if she spoke of him at all.

"No. I don’t speak of you to my father," Rue answered.

"I see. Are you going to run away from me again?" Elijah asked, referring to their time in the palace.

"I don’t run away from anyone," Rue replied, challenging the man before her.

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