"Tabitha will die long before she gets the chance to hurt you. You need to place yourself first and not worry about how he feels, having to decide between you and his grandmother. You didn’t put him in this position. She did," Edgar reminded Penelope.
"I know, but it feels terrible to see a family ruin. I admire the stories of how you effortlessly picked mother over grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s wishes. Was Rose truly like Tabitha?" Penelope asked, curious about the late Rose Collins. "W
Penelope never had the pleasure of meeting her great-grandmother, Rose Collins. There were differences in what Rose wanted from Alessandra and what Edgar wanted.
"She was stubborn like Tabitha, but there was a time when I loved her. I placed your mother first. Why would I place anyone above the woman I love, especially when your mother never troubled anyone? Have you picked fights with Tabitha?" Edgar asked.
"No. I’ve only ever responded to what she has done," Penelope answered.
"Then Tyrion will pick you, and if he is foolish to be conflicted, come home. You are like your mother to hate seeing a family torn apart," said Edgar.
Penelope shook her head, disagreeing with her father. "I do not mind if a family splits for the best, but when it comes to Tyrion, I feel bad because I am part of the cause. I feel like I’m intruding when I speak of his family, though they are now mine."
"That feeling will go away eventually, and all you will care about is your growing family with Tyrion," Edgar assured Penelope. "Soon, you will start to feel more like a Castro. A took your mother a moment to grasp she was a Collins."
"I will speak to Tyrion about what I suspected when I am alone. Are you going to speak with Tabitha?" Penelope asked, hoping he wouldn’t.
"No," Edgar answered. "I will leave it to your husband. It is a matter he needs to settle, but if she tries to hurt you, then I will be at her door."
Penelope leaned her head on Edgar’s shoulder. "How is the case? Are you close to solving it?"
"No. I don’t have the faintest clue about who will be taken next since everyone is so focused on putting on acts as though they have more money than they do. I have a few suspects, but I won’t share them with you, and if he is wise, he will not share them," said Edgar.
"Don’t worry. I will not go staring down the face of danger. I enjoy my life and do not want to be harmed," Penelope said, uninterested in joining her father. ’Who are your suspects so I can stay away from them? I can list one for you. Cassius."
Penelope had not seen Cassius in a while, but he was still on her mind because of Harper.
"What has he done?" Edgar inquired, curious about the brothers.
"Well, he came out of nowhere, and he has given me a bad feeling. It seems he and Harper talked about me. I tried to warn her to stay away from him, but she will not stay away from a man who appears to be within her reach," Penelope said, worried about Harper.
Penelope wondered if Harper and Cassius still spoke.
"I am annoyed just by the thought of my last talk with her," Penelope said, rubbing her temple. "She spoke as though I had some secret courtship with Cassius. That is far from the truth."
"I didn’t think there was some truth to it," said Edgar.
"With those two, I don’t know if he planted that thought in her mind or if she wanted to start baseless gossip. I told my mother that I would love to help ladies who need some guidance, but they won’t listen. They are stubborn," Penelope concluded.
"Says, my stubborn daughter. You don’t have to guide everyone. Should he hurt her after you have warned her, then it is her fault. You cannot help a fool. It seems her father’s business is back on track," Edgar said, remembering news he heard.
"There were rumours that her family was facing hardship. Perhaps she has found herself a husband, and he has helped her father. I am not fond of Harper, but I hope it works out for the best with her father’s business," said Penelope.
Penelope didn’t want anyone to have to suffer and worry about what they would eat the next day.
"You are too kind," Edgar said, since he wouldn’t care.
"I don’t want to live with so much hate in my heart for anyone. I can not be fond of her and still want her to do well. Have you spoken to grandfather yet? It seems we will be seeing more of him around the town," Penelope said, testing the waters.
Penelope glanced at her father, trying to grasp what kind of mood he was in.
"I will not get angry with you for speaking of him, or if you meet with him. You are old enough to do as you please," Edgar said, but he didn’t want Penelope near his father.
"I wouldn’t mind sitting with him, but I don’t want to meet with his wife, not only because of my grandmother, but because of what else I have heard. I would be open to having him here alone," Penelope considered.
Penelope thought that it was only fair that she spend a little time with Edmund to make up for the time he did not reside in Lockwood.
"I know he would try to surprise me with his wife. For a wise man who helped shape the laws of this town, he doesn’t know when to stop concerning himself with his wife. Would you ever speak to him?" Penelope asked, curious if there was a future for the pair.
"I see. Then, I know not to get his hopes up. There is a garden party I am to attend tomorrow. Though I am away from the palace, there are a few appearances I must make. Would it be so wrong for all of us to leave town so I don’t need to attend?" Penelope asked, close to saying no to the invite.
"No, it wouldn’t be wrong. Say the word and I’ll have a carriage ready," Edgar offered.
Penelope chuckled. "I can always count on you to be ready to leave. Thank you for coming," she said, delighted to have time alone with Edgar. "I have missed the moments we had together."
"Oh!" Penelope exclaimed, remembering something important. "I am having a gun range prepared so I can keep training. You are free to come here when mother says you cannot use a gun at home."
"It was my estate first," Edgar reminded Penelope.
"Yes, but when mother says there are to be no guns, you cannot go against her wishes. You must visit me regularly to train with me," Penelope said, crossing her fingers.
"Put live targets and I will come," Edgar stated his price.
"Father!" Penelope gasped.