Penelope was thrilled to see Damien coming toward the room since it was the perfect time to use his services.
While Penelope believed Tyrion could get rid of Ines by himself, Penelope didn’t want him to be the one to do it.
They had guards around them for a reason, and Penelope refused to give more for Ines to add to her story when she returned to Tabitha.
Penelope was prepared to be branded the bad guy for sending Ines away from the start. Something told her that it might be twisted that Tyrion didn’t want Ines gone.
Ines didn’t like that she had to return to Tabitha with bad news, but there was nothing more she could do. Perhaps if she had arrived at a time when Tyrion was alone, she might have succeeded.
Or, Tabitha would need to arrive and ask that Ines find work.
Ines curtsied. "I meant no harm with my visit, Prince Tyrion. I will see myself out."
"No, my guard will escort you. Damien," Penelope said, allowing Damien to enter the drawing room. "Please see to it that Ines is escorted out to the gates. There is no reason for her to linger since she is not a guest anymore."
Ines gripped her bags. She did not like the way Penelope spoke, but there was nothing she could do now since she was only a maid while Penelope was a woman of status.
The one thing Ines could do was report all of this to Tabitha and watch Penelope have to eat her words. It was likely that since Tabitha wasn’t around, Penelope underestimated the lady, but she would soon find out how much influence Tabitha still had.
’Not even the duchess is a match for my lady,’ Ines thought.
Penelope watched as Damien escorted Ines away from their sight.
Penelope sat back down, taking a deep breath. She didn’t want this to be something she lingered on all day and ruin the night she had planned.
"Is it possible for people around the town to know we are looking forward to a good night? It is the only reasonable explanation for the arrival of visitors from the palace," said Penelope.
Tyrion flicked his hand, sending Matilda away so he could speak to Penelope alone. "I will visit my grandmother and settle this. It is bothering me how everyone wishes to send their servants. She shouldn’t have come in."
"I am not annoyed that she came here since I invited her in. I wanted some insight about your grandmother and the people around her. Regardless of how anyone feels or what orders they are given, I am still your wife," said Penelope.
Penelope continued to say, "Just as I am responsible for keeping Matilda and every maid in line, so is your grandmother. I have never allowed Matilda to speak poorly to any lady before me. The way I was dismissed gives me insight into what your grandmother feels about me."
It was evident that Tabitha was speaking poorly of her, and by sending the maid to speak to only Tyrion made Ines felt comfortable. Ines seemed confident that her lady would back her up when they were all done.
"Maybe they thought since I have only been your wife for a few days, that I would not be well informed, but they are wrong. There is a way to do things, and your grandmother knows it. Why would she send the maid to my husband instead of me?" Penelope asked.
Tyrion already knew his grandmother’s intentions were not pure.
"I do not want to fight with Lady Tabitha, but I must defend myself. I will not allow anyone to speak to me as they please or do something and expect me to sit quietly. If I let everything go to be the bigger person, then they will think they can walk over me," said Penelope.
"Do what you must, and I will support you. I will still talk with her," Tyrion promised.
"She wants you to be back in the palace. It has been announced that Teo is now the crown prince, but even your grandmother’s maid refers to you as the crown prince. Maybe it is just a habit since the switch of crown prince is new, but I do not fully believe that," said Penelope.
"Knowing my grandmother, she is still speaking of me as the crown prince, which won’t be good for Teo to hear. I need her kept away from Teo since she sometimes fails to be gentle with her words. This is why we need a dungeon," said Tyrion.
"For us to have the town guards at our doors? I am used to it on my father’s estate, but I thought I would be free from their visit here," Penelope said.
"Your father has a long history with the town guards, while they know very little of me. They will not be at our doors for the same reasons they are at your father’s doors. I cannot promise it, but the chances will be low," said Tyrion.
"You have men in the court upset with you. I’m sure in time, they will point fingers at you. What was said by the visitor from the palace?" Penelope asked, curious.
"I will need to add another guard to your side. Only the town guards and the palace know of this, so you can only tell your family. A young woman was found dead somewhere around the town. She was dressed up similar to the woman who died at the ball," Tyrion shared.
"At the ball? Wasn’t she dressed like my mother?" Penelope asked, panic starting to fill her mind. "Someone is targeting my mother. Has the palace informed my family?" She asked, abruptly standing up.
It wasn’t only Penelope who needed guards, but her mother and siblings as well.
"My father would not keep this from your father. Duke Collins is the best person to get involved. The issue is, the court and town guards wanted to keep it a secret from your father, but my father will not allow it," Tyrion said, holding Penelope’s hand to bring her some comfort.
Tyrion continued to say, "My father sent the palace guard to advise us to be careful. Two women being killed is not something this town has seen in years. It reminds my father of an old case, so he wants everyone to be vigilant. Your father will guard his family, and I will protect you."
Tyrion planned to return to the palace to help solve the case. If he weren’t allowed to work on it, then he would join Edgar.