"She has died? How has she died? I know the height she fell from was high, but I did not think her injuries would be so bad that she would perish. Have they come here thinking I killed her?" Penelope asked, looking below at the town guards.
The guards remained by Edgar's side.
"They will try to tie it to you. She spoke of having troubles with you, where you threatened to kill her some days ago. Nothing she speaks of has any truth to it, and we shall clear your name," Alessandra promised.
Alessandra kept her hold on Penelope's hand. "You must keep calm and do not react in a way that they would think you are guilty of something. I know it will be hard, but you must keep calm. They will say things to get a reaction out of you."
"Duchess," Hector Roslew, captain of the town guards, said. He tried to approach where Alessandra spoke with Penelope, but was blocked by Edgar. "I am not here to fight with you, Duke Collins."
"It would not be much of a fight," Edgar replied.
"I need Miss Penelope to join us before she can be told what to say. She is old enough to answer our questions without her parents at her side," said Henry.
"If I am expected to accompany my daughter at social gatherings, then I will accompany her now. I will not be leaving her side," Alessandra announced, walking with Penelope to where the guards stood.
"Then, I only ask that you won't interrupt her answers. Miss Penelope, we received word of the incident at Lady Thea's home. We first went to inspect where the lady fell and visited Miss Sarah, who was dead by the time we got there," Henry shared.
It was an unfortunate situation, and for the sake of the young lady who lost her life, Henry would get to the bottom of this.
From what he heard from the young woman's family and a few of the guests who lingered around where the gathering was held, Penelope was the one and only suspect. Henry had seen something like this happen before, where women born into families like Penelope was got too ahead of themselves and troubled others.
"I would like to hear your version of what happened," said Henry.
"There was a drink spilt on my dress by a maid so myself, my sister, and guard went to a powder room to clean up. When I came out, I saw the young lady, whose name I do not know, was sitting on the wall," Penelope said, keeping her composure as she recollected what happened.
"I sent my sister off to find the host in hopes Lady Thea would be more familiar with this young woman," said Penelope.
"Her name is Sarah," Henry said.
"I told my guard to approach Sarah since he could catch her if she slipped. She started to scream, so I decided to approach. When I got near, she told me that she was put up to this, and someone had something to settle with my family. She screamed my name and fell," said Penelope.
"It is a different story from what I was told," Henry said, doubting some parts of Penelope's story.
"I am sure you were told otherwise. I can only share what happened before me. By the time she fell, I had already stepped back after she told me that she was set up to do what she did," said Penelope.
"That would be taking a joke too far, wouldn't it? She has now died. She has gone to great lengths to put this on you. Are you certain this is what happened?" Henry asked.
"I don't think it is a joke. I truly believe someone put her up to this. I am concerned about what this person she spoke of held against her to make her do this. I am innocent," Penelope claimed her innocence. "You may speak to my guard if you need to."
'"That won't be necessary," Henry replied, certain the Collins guard had their story sorted already.
"You've already made up in your mind that I did this, haven't you?" Penelope noticed, feeling frustrated. "I understand how you may feel because someone has died, but I did not push her. I tried to save her, only to end up in this position."
"I will be looking further into this matter. So far, the stories from other guests are divided. Some say they saw you push her, while others say you didn't appear close. I will speak to the other guests and look into the claims made against you before Sarah passed on," said Henry.
"The claims that Penelope threatened her long before that party?" Edgar asked, coming around to stand before Henry. "Those claims?"
"Yes. Miss Sarah confessed to her parents that Miss Penelope threatened her at another party recently-"
"What party? Since we've returned to Lockwood, we have only attended two balls in the palace and the gathering today. Was Sarah at the balls?" Alessandra asked.
It would be easy for Alessandra to find out since the queen was a close friend.
"I do not know," Henry confessed.
"It is unfortunate that this young woman has died. I know that she has all your sympathy since she is no longer here to defend herself, but you must set aside your feelings and find the truth," Alessandra said.
"I will always be fair, Duchess Collins. I will take into account everything said here and what is said by everyone who witnessed it. I will also look into what gatherings you two have attended together recently and make a note that you have not long returned to Lockwood," Henry said, being fair.
"Still," Henry continued. "I ask that you do not leave town, Miss Penelope. Until I have gathered all that I need and send the decision to the court, you must remain in Lockwood. Should you try to leave, the town guards will come for you."
"You must not go anywhere near Sarah's family, and I suggest you do not try to do anything silly like threaten her family," Henry said, his words directed to Edgar.
"I will do no such thing," Penelope spoke up before her father could. "I also hope you would look into anyone who might be after our family. I'm sure by now you must have heard what happened at the ball."
Penelope continued, "Sarah is no longer here, but I don't believe her parents don't know the truth. They must have noticed something useful. I will answer any future questions you have. I only hope you seek to find the truth and not jump to believe her side because it is the Collins involved."
"I will do my best," Henry promised.