I guess he isn’t all bad but he adopted a child and never gave it attention. Just assuming shes gonna love you without taking care of her, talking to her, and going out with her is ridiculous behavior. Never tried to make any memories or spend any time with her. Just threw money at her and tried to keep her safe/alive. Idk if I can like him. His indifferent behavior is what caused this mess so idk. I feel like he would have protected her because they shouldn’t mess with the family. Not her specifically. I mean not fully the bad guy but just in the wrong as the child has no one on her side till the day she died.
Yup I agree but. you also have to take into account that he adopted Penelope mostly because he took pity of her since he was thinking of Yvonne might be in the same situation as Penelope, living in the street or in bad poor situation asking money etc, when he saw her 1st time (her hair was lighter when she was young that's why she reminded him of Yvonne). Kinda like "if I can't help/save Yvonne who is lost and can't be found, I'll save this child at least".He didn't have in mind to be her "father" back then but just a benefactor that helped a starving kid out. Yet because of the similarity he taught he should adopt her so he can also ease up his sons that are shaken by their lost sister. It obviously backfired but he couldn't really kick her out after he adopted her and gave her a """""""better life"""""""" anyway kinda like how people donate money to kids in hospital but never checking on them personally if they are cured etc. He didn't saw himself as a parent to Penelope before only until Penelope addressed him seriously as such. he didn't see her as "his child" but someone he saved out of whim almost. That and plus him being in the dark and being told Penelope is problematic by everyone made him think 1) nothing is wrong, Penelope is just throwing her usuals tantrum 2) the staff are doing their best as usual and its just Penelope being difficult 3) his kids couldn't be lying since everyone is backing their framing
Basically he adopted her not with the intention of seriously having her as his daughter but to save her from poverty. Reason why he didn't commit to parenting initially (ngl I think he just gave up bc in his eyes she was problematic). He didn't feel any strong connection to her so he didn't bother checking on her personally. That and him not aware of the abuses, gave him no reason to worry. Penelope was the one who kept asking for jewels and we can assume the duke used that to calm her. From his point of view she was troublesome who keep spending money, doesn't call him father.. not really awakening father instinc. His approach is lazy and as the person who did the adopting he did a terrible job. I can only say he is trying to make amends for his wrong doing. I'm not gonna spoil but he was great help and comfort to Penelope later on without asking anything in return.
Man, prob one of my favorite character in this story... Of course he's not perfect but half of his bad parenting is caused by third parties imo.
He adopted Penelope to fill in the emptiness left by his missing daughter. I could be wrong but if I remember he picked Penelope bc her hair color was lighther before and well, he picked a kid from the streets. I feel like he could have been a good dad if his view of Penelope wasn't distorted by the servants and his kids. I mean it's very hard to believe a kid is not lying when EVERYONE called her problematic and a liar.
His distance from Penelope in later years is both caused by the servants/kids portraying her as bad and well Penelope acting reasonably like a problematic kid bc she's being targeted both inside the mansion and outside. Plus Penelope stopping calling him "father" after that stealing incident lower the chances of them developing a father and daughter relationship. bc the abuses are closed door, he didn't need to worry since he thinks she's being taken care of by the staff. Then again half reason of his disinterest to Penelope is because 1) he didn't see her as his daughter since Penelope put a wall between by not calling him father or reaching out to him because of distrust 2) I think when he adopted her he didn't expect it to be difficult to handle so he left her to the servants... And I assume he kept his distance bc he thinks Penelope doesn't see him as a father... Still despite her problematic actions real or not and distance towards him he never kicked her out.
He's not perfect and he did many mistake as a parent but idk he's not fully a bad guy in my eyes. Like he really cares for Penelope now. I think if he had know of the abuse he would care for her the same.