His Wicked Revenge

Chapter 2

Lady Penelope glanced at her husband, who gave her a slight nod, giving her his approval to carry on the announcement. Fishing out the envelope from her wooden box, she cleared her throat attracting the attention of both of her daughters.

Faced with the inquisitive eyes of her family, Penelope finally spoke "Prince Oliver is going to get married seven months from now."

A stagnant silence prevailed for a while before Iris exclaimed "That snobbish cousin of mine is getting married! Who is that unlucky girl?"

Prince Oliver is the son of the Queen Rosemary, who by birth is the elder sister of Penelope Blackwood. Technically Oliver and Iris are cousins but in reality they can be called as the classical version of the frenemies.

"He is a Prince and by all stations, he is of a much a higher status than us and you will address him as such!" after correcting Iris, Lady Penelope continued "The lucky girl is none other than Lady Abigail Dunsworth."

"Traitors!" Iris exclaimed, with a sneer on her mouth she snarled "It's been five years since we met and now my friends send me their wedding invitation! How dare they hook up on my back?! I should sure fish the juicy details out of that minx!"

"Iris! Language!"

"Oh mother! How do you expect me to react to all of this. Don't get me wrong, I wish nothing but happiness for both of them. Heck! I even long fantasied about them becoming a couple!"

"Then why are you angry?" George questioned with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Papa! Oliver, Abigail and I have been friends since we were five! Due to his princely duties and Abigail's lady training classes, we have not met since the last five years. As time passed by, they stopped responding to my letters and I must thank mother, If not for her being the prince's aunt they wouldn't have remembered my existence!"

"Sister, Cousin Oliver and Sister Abigail must have been busy. Abigail is the daughter of the Duke Dunsworth and there will be certain responsibilities as the daughter of a Duke. As for Cousin Oliver, he is a prince and it was you who told me about the responsibilities of a prince..." Ruby spoke cautiously not wanting to upset her sister.

"Little Ruby might be right this time. They might have been busy with their duties. Don't take it to heart." George sided with his youngest, in a calm tone he asked "So, are you going to attend the royal marriage or not?"

"Is that even a question?" Lady Penelope rolled her eyes and for the first time Iris sided with her mother "Papa, this invitation is more like a summon. We would only be offending the Royal family with our absence. Not to mention, this is going to be our first appearance in the social circles of the wealthy."

"Mother, may I see the invitation?" Iris requested with a demure expression, the sudden change in her behavior noticed by all.

Penelope handed over the invitation with a puzzled expression whereas George sighed as he knew very well about his daughter, she was the one who treasured relationships and she was the one who strictly follows the saying 'tit-for-tat'. Since she felt neglected by her friends, he could only imagine various ways of her retaliation.

The prince and his bride are sure going to have a tough time, George sighed in his heart.

Iris studied the two invitations- One inviting their entire family to attend the wedding and the other addressed solely for her inviting her to the bachelorette party and all the other social parties hosted during her stay.

Since they invited her to the wedding so formally, then it would only be reasonable for her to attend as such.

Tilting her head down, she stared at her sun tanned arms and her riding dress adorned with an eagle brooch. As much she behaved like a rebel, she was not foolish. She knew of her looks, she was more like a soldier rather than a well bred lady. She was all what the elite society would love to point their fingers upon.

This was the first time the ladies of Blackwood family are going to attend the royal parties and she wanted to make her father proud. For Ruby to get better prospects in the future, she did not dare act irresponsible. After all, the sister's reputation always affects her younger siblings.

Tapping her fingers on the wooden table, Iris announced "I am going to attend the ball, as a proper lady."

Thud!

The wooden box in Lady Penelope's hands fell down, the impact with the stone floor creating a crack in it's lid.

"Am I hearing things?" With a genuine confusion painted on her face, Lady Penelope stared at her husband only to find the man shell shocked.

"Iris, what are you speaking of?" George stared at his daughter as if she grew three heads.

It was only Ruby who remained unperturbed by the sudden developments, adopting the stance of a by-stander, she carefully observed her family's drama.

Ignoring her puzzled father, Iris stared straight at her mother "Mother! I want you to teach me etiquette and all that is required to attend this wedding. I don't want to tarnish father's name by my unladylike ways."

"Nonsense!" George chided his daughter, in an angry tone "You were never an embarrassment! And you are perfect as you are, I don't see the need for you to reform yourself."

"Papa, I'm not going to change my ideas and attitude for some man. But, I can't attend the wedding wearing men's attire. As much as I like to, it would harm your reputation and Ruby's prospects."

"Sister..." Ruby began only to be shut by the stern gaze of her sister.

Sister can sure be scary sometimes..., she shivered as she lowered her head.

"I would like to have a word with your father. Could you both leave us for a moment?"

Taking their mother's words as the cue, Iris and Ruby scurried out of the dining and headed towards their respective rooms.

"George! As much as you love Iris, you need to marry her off." Lady Penelope began "She need to look and behave like a lady, if you want to see her as a wedded woman!"

George Blackwood stared at his wife as if it was only now that he realized his daughter's age. She was always a little girl in his eyes and the notion of marrying her off had never occurred to him, not until now.

"Marriage..." George mumbled absentmindedly. The daze in his eyes suddenly cleared, with his mind now clearer than ever before, he announced "Penelope, do train our daughter as you seem fit. I need some time to think."

Lady Penelope looked like she wanted to say something but stopped herself after a bit of hesitation. She knew that her husband loves his daughters more than himself and also that he needed to harden his heart, for daughters are never meant to stay by the side of their parents. With a heavy sigh, Lady Penelope closed the door behind leaving her husband to clear his mind and heart.