The next hour continued with gifts and flowers being sent by men asking for Lily’s hand. Penelope received a few gifts, but the numbers had drastically dropped compared to the days before.
"Penelope," Alessandra said, approaching her daughter. "I would like to have a word with you."
"If it is about the gifts, do not be concerned for me, mother. I am grateful that any man who believes I cause misfortune or that I am cursed has decided not to court me. I would hate to get married to anyone who cares about such things," said Penelope.
Alessandra sat down beside Penelope. "Still, it is awful what they are trying to do. In these times, it becomes easier to judge who cares for you. Anyone who knows your heart will not believe rumours."
"I’m sure I shall lose a few friends, and that I do not mind. Maybe this is a blessing for me to get rid of people who care only about appearances," said Penelope.
Alessandra admired Penelope’s ability to focus on the positives, but she was still worried. "While it is good that you will know who your true friends are, I know that at some point, it will be too much for you to handle. It is overwhelming when they create such rumours."
Alessandra blamed herself since it was evident that the word cursed was attached to Penelope because of her. She never wanted her children to experience what she did.
"It is," Penelope admitted. "I have not walked around the town yet, but I do think of how they would stare and talk. It will not be easy, but all I can do is wait for this to pass."
Penelope continued, "It is hard to believe that mere gossip could have others believe that I am cursed. The people here will believe anything."
"It is how it happened to me. It was my sister spreading the rumours that I was cursed after one unfortunate moment when someone had died. This is what Lockwood thrives on," Alessandra said, angry that though many years passed, the town had not changed.
"Your sister did that because she hated you. Someone seems to be doing this because I have the prince’s attention. Could you imagine what it would be like if I were to enter the palace? All the plots they would have to ruin me," said Penelope.
"I can imagine it since I heard the tales of Hazel’s time before and after she was named queen. If you were to enter the palace, your father would protect you until his dying breath. Perhaps he would enter the court," Alessandra said.
"That isn’t enough to convince me to go. Even Tyrion wishes he could be elsewhere, but he is forced to follow his father. We are two people who shouldn’t be tied to the palace walls. I want to explore at some point," Penelope said, wishing Tyrion could do the same.
"That sounds like if you had the chance, you would run away with him. Do you love him? It is only us here," Alessandra said, wanting to know what Penelope truly felt.
"I don’t think it is love, but I do feel something for him. We’ve always had a special bond since we were children, but I don’t want him to leave the palace for me. He will be a great king and I will be great elsewhere," Penelope said, but it didn’t make her feel good to say.
"I’m sure you will both be great. Tyrion has always been unpredictable in my eyes. I wouldn’t count him out from the men you consider just yet," Alessandra said, standing up.
Penelope’s eyes widened. "Would you welcome him leaving the palace for me?"
"I wouldn’t push him to do it, but I think, unlike his father, he would be the one to go after what he wants, which is freedom and to be with you. I would support it. It hurts the more you stay where you are not happy. Always remember that," said Alessandra.
"I will never forget it. Have you heard anything from my grandmother yet? About the things I said?" Penelope asked, getting up to join her mother on a walk.
"I have not. I have to wait for my sisters to send me a letter about what was said. It could be that your grandmother is thinking over what role she played in what happened that day. Give it a little more time," Alessandra suggested.
"Have you thought of reconciling with her?" Penelope asked.
"I do think about it, but I would be taking many steps back if I did," Alessandra answered.
Alessandra had gone many years without her mother, and she would continue to be well without her.
"What about your sister Kate? You have very little family left around the town."
Alessandra frowned. "Kate and I will never be close. I don’t know what has become of her now, but she has done too many awful things in the past for me to move forward with her. We are better off staying away from each other."
Alessandra looked to her right at Penelope. "Sometimes it is needed not to fix relationships, even if it is with family. You have to be careful with whom you forgive and continue to be around. It might present a second chance to be hurt. I trust you to make a good judgment."
"Duchess. Miss Penelope," Gerald greeted the pair. "Gifts have arrived for Miss Penelope."
"Is it something that requires our attention?" Alessandra asked since the gifts were all stored in rooms where the girls could go to take a look.
"Yes. A carriage was sent by Cassius Monroe. Should I place it with the carriages belonging to the duke?" Gerald asked.
"A carriage?" Penelope repeated.
A carriage was an odd gift to send since many would send flowers or jewellery.
"You are certain my father didn’t get a new carriage sent to him? Perhaps it is one for Elijah since he has been asking," Penelop said, seeing this as the only reasonable answer.
"No, a servant came along to drop it off and said it is from his master to Miss Penelope. A letter came with it," Gerald said, passing the envelope off to Penelope.
"Cassius is the name of the man whose carriage collided with our carriage. He has been told that he doesn’t need to pay for anything," Penelope said as she opened the envelope.
Upon reading the letter, Penelope learned that the carriage wasn’t meant to replace the carriage he had damaged, but simply to show his interest in her.