Chapter 13: Cursed (3)
"I no longer envy that you are being courted by Tyrion. The women you will have targeting you will be a headache. Unfortunately, no one will ever be convinced you don’t want to believe you don’t want the prince," Lily said as she also didn’t believe it.
"Would they believe it if I took one of my father’s homes and never married? I can take one of the cats or two and live a nice, quiet life. Doesn’t that sound lovely?" Penelope asked.
"Perhaps to an old maiden, but you are young. Give it a little time, and you will start to enjoy the season. For now, don’t worry, mother," Lily said, smiling when they neared Alessandra.
Alessandra pinched Lily’s cheek. "I know that you are trying to hide something. I am to sit with the other young ladies’ mothers while you are to sit with your peers. Would you prefer that I sit with you?"
"No," Lily shook her head. "We must learn to handle these events by ourselves. It might not be long before we are married and must attend by ourselves. We will stay where you can see us, and we have Reed."
Alessandra planned to keep a close eye on her daughters. It was scary after the events of the ball, but she could not always remain at their side when they were learning to be on their own.
"Reed, at the first sight of danger, head to the carriage and leave. I shall find my way with my guard," Alessandra ordered Reed.
"Yes, Duchess," Reed replied.
Penelope watched as her mother joined the host again. "She needs this distraction more than anyone. I only want to find somewhere to sit until it is time to leave."
Penelope looked around for a spot where she could be in her mother’s view but also out of the way from the crowd.
Lily grabbed Penelope’s hand before she could go sit. "I know it is off to a terrible start, but I am not ready to sit. We can avoid Amelia and speak to the other ladies we like. For me," Lily pleaded.