Chapter 17

“You’re slowing down,” Teresa called out over her shoulder, noting that Mendora and Ginger’s steps were widening the further they progressed around the park. Time with her sister had turned into a precious commodity and she grew saddened that Mendora seemed less interested in making up for the time they spent apart. All Teresa ever knew was life with her sister and the change had been cruel. How was she to focus on finding a husband when all she could worry about was her sister?

“Nevermind us, we require some respite.” Mendora returned with reduced energy, the soles of her feet aching, her forehead and cheeks hot and reddened from her time in the sun and the additional cloth and sponge beneath her dress had her additionally insulated. They’d been strolling for an hour, stopping here and there while Teresa and their mother spoke to other patrons promenading peacefully about the grounds.

“Your sister seems to be enjoying her first season.” Ginger hadn’t spent much time around Teresa since she had been out, their relationship wasn’t what it should be. Teresa viewed Ginger as a threat to her status as Mendora’s sister and had found it difficult to return the efforts of Ginger in forging a relationship. Even now Ginger pretended to be oblivious to the stray daggers Teresa sent their way.

“As they all do.” Mendora’s attention had been stolen by the need to search for a bench that was perfectly positioned in a spot of shade. “Shall we rest?” she posed to Ginger as she darted towards a large oak tree providing shelter to a bench. Ginger grinned, following her mistress’ steps.

Mendora plopped down with a heavy sigh as she wiped at her forehead and flushed cheeks. “If only I could dispense with all this clothes right here.” She pulled at the high neck, cool air brushing against her skin.

“Should your mother only hear you!” Ginger found no need to stifle her laugher.

“I hardly think she’d be entitled to horror,” Mendora balled her hands into fists as she tapped away at her legs. “I am already a social pariah, there is nothing more I can do that would provide shock.”

Ginger considered this, unsure if she’d really had an opinion. By the time she thought of a response a comfortable silence had descended and it seemed unnecessary to continue the conversation.

“About what you said last night,” she’d been holding out for a proper moment to have a different conversation with Mendora. Her mistress had put forward her interest in attending the surreptitious club Ginger had heard about. While Ginger harbored her own interest in exploring the unknown she was curious as to Mendora’s change of heart. Her mistress had seemed set against it. “what led you to your current state of mind?”

“Remind me of the words in your particular recollection?” Mendora remembered saying a great deal and yet most of it was a haze. She’d gone to sleep with the intentions of having the night fade and it did. A distant memory, almost a dream.

Ginger had scooted closer, the park had always been overcrowded come marriage season and today was no exception, unable to risk anyone getting wind of the topic, she lowered her voice. Mendora angled her neck to pay full, close attention to her friend, “You expressed your particular interest in the club and I am not certain if you were true or—”

“Miss Garrick, I hadn’t expected to see you here.”

Mendora’s heart leapt into her throat, the sudden assault suspending any other thought as she turned to face the intruder.

“Sir Henry,” she acknowledged him blandly, “is my presence better suited to someplace else in particular?” She’d cleared her throat, ignoring the stiffness in Ginger’s shoulders beside her.

“A women unlikely to be married in all her glory subjects herself to a common mating practice among the ton.” He’s gestured to their surroundings. It’s true that only those searching for marriage ventured about to take stock of their options and indulge in flirtation and courting, but that didn’t disqualify her presence. “I just thought your presence out of place in such a circumstance.”

Mendora could feel Ginger’s body heating at her side, ready to explode on the rude man, but it would only be seen as an impertinence and Ginger would be punished for her insolence and disrespect, and Mendora could not let that happen. She loved Ginger and would always seek to protect the girl but she had no real power to do so in such an instance. Shooting Ginger a glance, a quick smile and reassuring nod, the girl exhaled a bit of patience revived.

“I’m often in places that doesn’t correspond with the ton’s view of my projected future,” A part of her wishing she’d defy them all even if she actually didn’t want to get married. Perhaps sealing the mouths of the naysayers would make it worth it. “I don’t see why it should affect others if I remain unaffected.” She gave him a sweet smile as his lips thinned, quickly following up with, “Forgive me for not greeting you properly, I fear my legs have forgotten their purpose this day.” Mendora coated her words with a careful tone but the widening of her pupils and the clenching in her jaw a dead giveaway for her true emotions. No need to hide it either, she didn’t care about offending Sir Henry because he’d never thought twice on offending her.

He pivoted on the back on his heels as he regarded her with mock indifference and the petty side of her imagined how sweet revenge would taste. But, alas she was a woman and revenge was a luxury far beyond her means.

“I can excuse it.” He responded with that sanctimonious tone he’d sported when conversing with women. Never before had she found it to be so insufferable, then again they hadn’t spoken directly to each other since the last marriage season. When Mendora remained silent, her facial expression stony and unhuman in its portrayal he commented, “I jest, Miss Garrick.” He roped his arms behind his back as he let his gaze travel over the mighty tree. “A sense of humor would liven your spirits, I am sure of it.” He recommended.

“Of course, Sir.” Mendora responded, fixing her gaze past the outline of his shape, encouraging conversation with him was not on her agenda. But for certain, the only thing that would liven her spirits were if he had never shown his face to her this day, but what had been done could not be reversed.

She thought that remaining silent and unresponsive would cause him to scurry off to whichever pit he’d crawled from.

For a man of Sir Henry’s importance, self-felt, he had no intentions of being notionally dismissed. “May I hold an audience with you, privately?” he turned his attention upon her now, his eyes steeling away to gesture to Ginger at her side.

Mendora paused, knowing Ginger to be against it but she feared the longer she refused they more he’d persist. Men rarely took ‘no’ for an answer and women bared the responsibility of accommodating them because they were the weaker sex.

“Ginger please take a few steps to allow Sir Henry to speak freely.” Ginger hesitated, her eyes hot and angry as she moved out of earshot but she was sure to have a good view. There was no way she’d let Mendora out of her sight with that man.

Sir Henry followed Ginger’s steps with unabashed interest, catching the dislike potent in her eyes as she kept them trained to her mistress. “Quite insolent for a servant,” he thought it best to comment, “Perhaps your family should be free of her. I am excellent at instilling discipline; you should send her to me.”

Mendora wanted to scream at him that she’d sooner die than part with her friend to a man like him, for his intention was clear and disgusting. If only she’d had a dagger…

“Her manners are not lacking, Sir. I trust you’ll find that the truth.” Mendora responded, “Please speak your mind.” In a hurry to be rid of him.

“Right,” he recalled the topic of import. “As you know, I am in want of a wife and I have set my sights upon Miss Teresa and have made an offer for her hand but I am disheartened to have heard no sure response. Upon further investigations it was brought to my attention that you disapprove the match and I am at a lost as to why Mendora.” He stood like a pretentious peacock, sure in all his glory that she’d be quaking at the allegation but she only felt disgust and pity for the man.

“As an unmarried female with no familiar connection to you please refrain from referring to me so inappropriately, Sir. It is an insult to our acquaintance and our good breeding.” She responded sternly at the way he mentioned her by name as if she deserved no true respect.

Unimpressed with her manners and her tone, Sir Henry responded, “I remembered you as very agreeable young girl,” he called up the memory of her when she was naïve.

“And I remember you as a scoundrel pretending to be the doting gentlemen, and for that I will never recommend my sister to be your wife. What a misfortunate title indeed!” the hatred in her heart had exploded and the words rambled out as her chest heaved.

“I see your intentions as clear as day.” He said as Mendora rose to her feet, any pain she felt numb and she took advantage of that.

“Good day, Sir Henry. I wish you all the best in finding a wife that deserves you.” She hurried off without another word as she closed the distance between herself and Ginger.

“This pretentious existence is stifling,” she felt as if all her breath had left her, “I need an escape.” She said to Ginger, the girl waiting, measuring. “I want to go to that club I need to feel free. To feel me.”