The Duke's Masked Wife 2: The Prince's Outcast Bride-Chapter 241: Advice (2)

"Did she say what I did to make her feel uncomfortable? This is the first time I am hearing of this," said Cassius.

Harper finally did well to bring him good knowledge of something he should be aware of.

"She only wanted me to be cautious with you, but I didn’t listen. I know she said those things because she doesn’t think I am worthy of being courted by a man like you. Others wouldn’t believe it, but she gets jealous easily," Harper revealed.

"Penelope acted like I had harmed someone when your name was said. She appeared guilty, as though she was caught having feelings for another man. I suspect the prince is a jealous man, so she feared he would hear your name. I spoke kindly of you," Harper said, hoping it counted for something.

"That is kind of you. The prince does seem to be a jealous man. My interactions with him thus far have not been pleasant. I’m curious what I could have possibly done to make her feel uncomfortable," Cassius said, feigning innocence.

Harper didn’t like seeing Cassius be so concerned about Penelope’s accusations. "I’m certain you didn’t do anything to Penelope. She has a nasty habit of speaking of others when she doesn’t know anything."

"Well, I cannot say that I haven’t done anything. Our carriages crashed into each other’s, and though I have apologised as well as sent her a new carriage, she hasn’t forgiven me," Cassius shared.

"You were the one who sent her the carriage," Harper mumbled. Why did he have to be the one who did it?

Harper knew she shouldn’t get jealous since it was only for an apology, but she didn’t like knowing that Cassius sent Penelope a carriage while he had only given her shoes.

Harper smiled, but her mood was ruined over one revelation. "It was a good gesture to offer her a new carriage. Perhaps she was offended that you thought she needed your help for a new carriage. Penelope is one of the ladies we cannot understand."

"If she ever tells the other ladies to be wary of you, I will be truthful and speak of how kind you have been to me. I will not allow a lady who speaks so carelessly to ruin you by telling lies to others," Harper promised.

Harper needed Cassius’s reputation to remain intact since it would affect her if they were to marry.

’How foolish,’ Cassius thought.

Cassius couldn’t stop thinking of how he had found the perfect fool, or rather, he wanted to call Harper a pet.

It was amazing how in love Harper was with him that she ignored what Penelope told her. It was best that she listened to Penelope, but Cassius wasn’t going to tell her.

Harper was unaware of how much she helped Cassius by speaking of Penelope’s discomfort. He needed to start to move around before Penelope’s husband came looking for him.

"You spoke of a shop," Harper said, trying to get a good look at where Quinn walked. "What are you in the business of doing? There is much I have to learn about you."

"I am a collector of many things, whilst my brother is a trader. We’re lucky to have interests so close together, so we work well. Another time when my brother isn’t so angry, I shall invite you for a visit," Cassius offered.

"I would be most happy to visit," Harper replied.

Harper wanted to see where Cassius’s wealth came from. She had to confirm with her eyes that he truly had wealth, and he wasn’t a man who showed off to impress ladies only to be after the ladies’ wealth.

There wouldn’t be anything to steal if Cassius were that kind of man.

"I wish that I could hold your hand without causing gossip to follow," Cassius said, looking around once more. His attention was solely on the town guards.

"I don’t think it would be so wrong for a gentleman to kiss a lady’s hand. I have seen others do it, and no gossip has followed them. It’s best suited for a parting," Harper said, offering her hand to Cassius.

Harper thought she had said enough, so she could leave Cassius right now.

Harper tried not to jump for joy after Cassius lifted her right hand and kissed the back of it. His lips didn’t linger too long, though she wanted them to.

There was much to share with the other ladies, and Harper couldn’t wait for her peers to see her standing with Cassius at a ball.

"I hope we can see each other soon," Harper said, hoping he would take the hint to come to her home.

Harper believed that if her father saw the lengths Cassius would go to court her, then there was hope for her father to send away the other men and then help her with Cassius.

"We shall see each other soon. You mustn’t walk around the town with only a maid when it isn’t safe. It would break my heart if something ever happened to you. Please make it home safely," Cassius said, bidding Harper goodbye.

Harper curtsied and, as Cassius suggested, she decided it was time to return home. Though she didn’t get to speak to Cassius longer and inquire about where he resided, the talk went well in her mind.

Cassius waited to ensure that Harper was leaving and she wouldn’t be waiting around to speak with him again.

Once she was at a good distance away, Cassius headed to the shop he used for his business with Quinn.

Cassius opened the door and found Quinn sitting on the sole chair behind a large table. He turned around to look out the windows. There was always a chance that they would be followed by a certain royal.

"What have you done?" Quinn asked, knowing Cassius had finally placed himself in danger.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I didn’t arrange to meet with her. I’m only looking to see where the town guards are standing. A lot of them are starting to gather all over the town. We should move," Cassius suggested.

"We’re not going to move because guards are near," Quinn replied.

"Then, we should move because the prince might come looking for us," Cassius revealed.

This got Quinn’s attention.

Quinn stood up from his chair and walked over to where Cassius stood. "Don’t move," he said, noticing Cassius’s hand on the doorknob. "Don’t you dare move. Enlighten me, dear brother. Why would the prince be coming to our doors? Didn’t I tell you to forget about Penelope?"

Cassisus looked down at the floor, but he was forced by Quinn, roughly grabbing his face, to look up.

"Look at me when I speak to you. You’ve been sloppy since we came here, or is it because you’re the older brother that you get to do as you please?" Quinn asked, repeating Harper’s earlier mistake.

Cassius remained still as Quinn’s hand moved to touch his neck. "That’s a misunderstanding," he said, dreading what Quinn would do to him. "She assumed I was older."