The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride

Penelope walked with Rue to the other ladies sitting outside. Julie, Ally, and Eleanor had arrived together.

"My mother and Eleanor are inside speaking. They are writing to the queen. Today is meant for distractions. Even in the darkest times, we must find ways to have fun. It will worry your father to see you so sad," Penelope said, swinging Rue's hand to try bringing out her playful side.

"I will try my best to have fun," Rue promised, but her mind was elsewhere. "I sent a carrier pigeon to deliver a note to my mother. I hope to see her soon."

"I hope to see her as well. I want her to join forces with the others to kill Quinn. I would have liked for you to see Cassius be tortured and killed. It feels like he wasn't properly held for his actions."

"All that matters is that he is dead. I once wished for it to be by my sword, but I cannot change the past, and I won't dwell on it. I promise you that I am well. I have come to terms with Gideon's death," Rue said, a bitterness lingering in her chest.

"I am going to leave Lockwood," Rue revealed, causing Penelope's smile to fall. "Gideon and the others will need a proper burial at home. I should be there to pay my respects to their family."

'Will you be returning to Lockwood after?" Penelope asked, wishing Rue would be around longer. "We are going to our home out of town soon. I wish you could join us there."

"I will return. There is still much for my father to finish up here. I am simply questioning if Lockwood is the place for me. There is a lack of freedom here," said Rue.

"I cannot argue with you there. If there's anyone to break the rules and find happiness here, I know it will be you. Don't let this be what ends your time here. Luckily for me, there might be someone to convince you to say," Penelope said, teasingly.

"Your brother would not be happy to hear you say this," Rue said, shaking her head at Penelope. She finally understood why Elijah said the twins teased him too much.

"When did I speak of my brother? Lily is not going to be happy to hear that you would think of leaving. She might hold onto your leg to prevent you from leaving. Why did you think of my brother?" Penelope asked, feigning ignorance.

"I will not have you pretend you were speaking of Lily. Does it not bother you that your brother would court me? We are friends after all," said Rue.

"How could I be bothered by it when I have married his friend? You are his friend as well. Thanks to you, we get to see Elijah acting like a fool. He has puzzled the town by courting a lady they didn't imagine for him. I am happy he puzzled them," Penelope said, thrilled the town had guessed wrong.

Those who speak of the kind of lady Elijah needed to marry did not know him. They were pushing their own wants onto him.

"What took the two of you so long?" Lily questioned, standing from her chair to greet Rue.

"We were just about to plot something fun. I say we go horseback riding and see who is the fastest," Julie suggested.

"I did not get dressed up to go horseback riding. Besides, the weather doesn't suit it," Ally said, rubbing her arms. "It is slowly becoming chilly. Shouldn't we be inside?"

"You must be sick since I don't feel cold," Penelope said as she sat down.

"It is your dress, Ally. It isn't suited for the weather. If you need, I can give you one of my dresses that I have never worn. You may keep it after," Lily offered.

"No, thank you. I will survive as long as we don't go horse riding. I was told we would stay inside, but that never happens with this group. Rue, I meant to write to you, but I apologise for not doing so. I hope that you are well," Ally said, happy to see Rue.

Ally was worried when she heard of not only Rue being the victim of an attack, but Julie as well. It was awful to occur after the conversation had taken place between Julie and their grandmother.

"I am well, thank you. As for the letter, there were far too many sent, so it would have taken some time to read them all. I was surprised by how many ladies sent letters," Rue said, but she knew most of them were putting on a show.

"They are trying to get to know you now for one reason. It has spread, most likely because of the palace maids, how Elijah ran around the palace searching for you and then hugged you like the queen was not present. Is it official now that he courts you?" Julie asked, distracting herself with gossip.

"He has spoken of starting to openly court me, but it hasn't come yet. It is to be expected since he is now helping to end Quinn. How has it spread already?" Rue asked.

It didn't happen so long ago. Rue didn't think that Elijah hugging her was worthy of being gossiped about.

"Whatever concerns Elijah Collins will spread like wildfire. Many ladies are eyeing the title of duchess, and now that they know you are in their way, they will try to get close to trip you," Penelope explained.

"There are others who don't wish to have Elijah, but want to be close to all future nobles. They will ask to meet with you to form a friendship in hopes of using your title should you marry. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes," Lily said, pitying Rue. "You are to face a great headache caused by other ladies."

Rue didn't like any of it. "This town is quite odd. All that everyone cares about is status and money. It exists at home, but not like this."

"That is why you must seriously consider if you could ever be a duchess one day. It is not an easy feat," Ally spoke up, bringing attention to her.

"I mean no disrespect to the duchess, but I am a princess. There are far more responsibilities that come with the title. My family doesn't just govern one piece of land, but rather a kingdom. I think I would survive as a duchess, but thank you for being so concerned," Rue said, flashing Ally a smile.

"So that our gatherings are not ruined by this in the future, I think you and I need to talk about feelings. It would be best done in private so neither one thinks others are taking sides," Rue suggested.

Rue expected the ladies to fight her for Elijah, and while Rue didn't intend to give those ladies any attention, she needed to speak with Ally since they were friends.