The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 166: Disagreeing (2)

Penelope was interested in watching Tyrion get dressed up for her, only to take him out of his clothing when something caught her eye.

"Is that blood? Why is there blood on a handkerchief? Are you bleeding?" Penelope asked, her voice filled with fear as she tried to search for a wound.

Tyrion had to keep a strong hold on Penelope so she wouldn’t slip out of his arms. "I am not the one who bled. It has turned out that Cassius is a formidable opponent. He has returned the heads of men I sent out to kill him."

Penelope frowned.

Not only was she put off by the news that there were men dead, but she was surprised Tyrion was trying to kill Cassius.

Penelope needed a moment to think. Her earlier excitement was gone.

"Put me down. Please," Penelope requested.

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Tyrion did as Penelope wanted.

"I was going to tell you in time," said Tyrion.

Penelope raised her right hand to stop Tyrion from speaking. "While I am surprised that you tried to kill him, it is his nature that I am more surprised by. I have always felt there was something odd about him. I did not know he had such power to kill anyone and be so bold to send them here."

Penelope suddenly felt uneasy.

She touched her temple.

"I do not like to be around him. I know nothing about him or his family," said Penelope.

"Which is why I will get rid of him," Tyrion promised.

Penelope looked up at Tyrion. "You don’t know anything about him. I do not know if my father was fortunate to find anything out about Cassius. What is his interest in us? With me? He claims to be smitten, but he knows nothing about me."

"There are plenty of men who know nothing about you other than you are the daughter of Duke Edgar. They have fallen for your beauty, and I will have them keep falling right to their death," said Tyrion.

"I have been courted by many men, but never have I felt so suspicious of a man. It is always an uncomfortable feeling or being bored with their chatter. From the first day, I have not been at ease around him. I thought it was all in my head because I do not know him," Penelope said.

Penelope wondered if she was jumping too far ahead with her assumptions even now.

Since Tyrion sought to kill Cassius because of his flirtatious nature, Cassius was well within his rights to respond as he saw fit.

Still, Penelope had been around powerful men all her life. Even ones who were against her father, yet she had never felt so uneasy.

"You must find out more about him quickly. Not knowing where he resides or where his power comes from leaves me feeling this way. I hope his interest in me will pass soon," Penelope said.

Though Penelope wanted this, she didn’t want Cassius to set his sights on any other young lady when he was such a mysterious man.

"Why must men be this way?" Penelope wondered.

"As if the battles amongst women are better. They are claiming that you are cursed, and there have been instances where someone has died because their peers taunt them," said Tyrion.

"It is still not the same. Do what you must, but I do not want anyone else on our side to die. Why is it so hard to know who he is?" Penelope said, trying to think of anyone with the same last name. "I didn’t mean to pry, but I saw Sarah’s name amongst others. What were you doing?"

"She is tied to the women who have been killed. She is a troubling part of this case since she killed herself. Some people say her family left, but I don’t think it is true. They vanished after the talk about you killing Sarah ended," said Tyrion.

"So, they might have been in on this plot to frame me and went into hiding once it was over. I do not understand why they would allow their daughter to attend the gathering whilst knowing she would not return. Perhaps they knew nothing," Penelope assumed.

"Her family had been in debt, and for a moment, her neighbours reported to the town guards that their home was in good order for a month or so, before they had to let the servants go. The two other ladies who were killed came from families who fell into debt. It is worth looking into," said Tyrion.

Tyrion wished he didn’t have to speak of such things with Penelope since her brows were now knitted as she worried about what was occurring around the town.

"They are all from fallen homes. I suspect they received money from the killer, and it is how he or she has some control over them."

"I have tasked a man from the court to look into all the reputable homes that have found themselves in debt. It will take time to know who struggles and has to borrow money," Tyrion said, taking hold of Penelope’s right hand to rub the back of it with his thumb.

"It is not so difficult to keep track of who is in debt," Penelope said, having two sources the court needed at this time. "Women gossip. I have sat at a gathering and many times heard gossip of who faces financial ruin."

Penelope didn’t pay attention to it before, but now she would if it meant keeping others safe.

"All you need is a gathering and the right women present. One perfectly calculated conversation will have them spilling each other’s secrets. I am sure I missed plenty of gossip. I can help find out who you should keep an eye on," Penelope offered.

"No," Tyrion declined the offer. "I don’t want you involved in this case."

"It will go faster with my help. I am still invited to many gatherings around the town. Who else can get what you need as quickly as I can? Who will you send in place of me-"

"Penelope," Tyrion snapped, not wanting to hear any more of this.

"It is not like I am going in search of the culprit. I will be sitting amongst women as I have always done. Why can’t you allow me to help you?" Penelope asked, becoming frustrated.

"Because I know you. Once you find one clue, you will want to search for more. You are adventurous, and there have been times when you throw caution to the wind and find yourself in trouble. I want to keep you safe, so no, you cannot help," Tyrion said, standing his ground.

Penelope couldn’t believe her ears.

"Very well," Penelope replied, turning to go to the door. "I will not help you."

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