Chapter 12: Cursed (2)
Penelope greeted the host and then found a seat out of the way from the other groups. Lily sat down beside her, looking for their friends.
"Their gazes are starting to become too much. I can’t tell if they are looking at us or mother. I hope none of them would be so foolish as to bring up the woman from the ball. Mother has nothing to do with it," said Lily.
"You should avoid their gazes. The more you look, the more their chatter will continue. We should have Uncle Caleb block them," Penelope said, glancing at the guard standing close to her mother.
"He is not your uncle," Reed, Caleb’s twin, said.
"I think of you as my uncle since you are always near. Should I tell Aunt Eleanor you are the reason I won’t call her aunt anymore?" Penelope asked, referring to Reed’s wife.
"You’ll have her throw the same books she writes at me. You know she has a temper sometimes," said Reed.
"I recall you saying that you fell in love with the banter you had with her. We can help to keep that banter alive," Lily said, knowing how to get Eleanor riled up. "Is there something we don’t know about? Why are they watching us so intently? Did Elijah find a wife and not tell us?"
"You are always stared at. It won’t be long before you get your answer," Reed replied, keeping careful watch of the guests.
Reed’s right hand rested on his weapon as a group of young women approached.