Chapter 94
“Perhaps we should go back inside,” Ginger intervened, grasping at Mendora’s arm in an attempt to tug her backwards. Strange men approaching women without proper invitations were not something to entertain especially not under the cover of dark.
“I am not going back in there,” Mendora tugged lightly but Ginger refused to let her go. Funny enough she was more at ease out here than she felt inside. The sheer reminder of Solaire’s presence would suffocate her and reduce her to a quivering mess.
“I mean neither of you any harm,” the man took a step backwards, a show of good faith. He saw it as a necessity since the shorter girl’s caution erupted, seeping into the air. He had been hired to find them not scare them away and a few extra minutes would be worth it to save him time.
Mendora squinted her eyes to make out his features. He was almost as tall as Solaire, give or take a few inches. The outline of his face sharp and angular. His nose prominent on his face and probably the only distinguishing feature she could discern in the absence of proper lightening.
Not certain if she should heed his words. After all she could not trust her instincts when it came to men. Certainly not when it came to her own heart.
“And why should we apply your words with weight?” She crossed her arms over her chest, shifting her weight so that she was slightly leaning backwords. As if amused by her bravery or alternatively her stupidity; depending on how one was inclined to appraise the situation, Finn’s grin widened.
Choosing to admire the lady’s tenacity. She was a feisty one and here he thought this was to be another entitled woman of the ton. Although, his investigations into Mendora Agnus Garrick and his subsequent findings should have provided him enough foresight into the girl.
“You shouldn’t,” he answered, watching as her eyes narrowed almost convincing him that she too could be dangerous. “not with introductions,” he finished, inhaling a deep breath, “The name’s Finn Grueland, a private investigator of sorts,” when he wasn’t obligated to partake in tonnish life and fulfil his duties.
“And why should a private investigator,” Mendora paused, “of sorts,” she waved her hands in the air as she repeated his full description, “have need to search me out?” she could feel Ginger’s nervousness behind her. Her feet tapping on the ground, the sound mixing into the background noise.
“It’s a matter that might require some faith on your part I must admit,” he did not know how he was supposed to ease the girl into the news he had waiting for her. It was never easy to knock someone’s world off its axis.
“Then we shall agree that I can be open to listening but I make no promises to rest my faith in any matter.” The tears clumping her eyelashes were drying in the cool air, but Mendora found it growingly difficult to mask or ignore the gnawing feeling in her chest. A feeling that led to hollowness with every passing second.
“A fair judgement,” Finn did not require much time to consider her proposal. Instead he leapt at the opportunity presented. “I was hired to find the daughter of Viscount Elias Harley,” not at all wishing to have the image of those large innocent eyes widen in more emotion he quickly followed up, “I know this must be a shocking revelation for one to come across—”
“Is that my actual father?” Mendora had clamoured closer. Not much past their close circle knew that she was another’s off-spring. Could she dare to have herself believe this man?
Finn paused, searching her eyes. He’d learned of her abuse at the hands of the man purporting to be her father and he had no doubt that had Elias been alive still, he’d not stand it. “He was,” Finn nodded. “You were aware that Aldrich Garrick is not…” He had not been aware of that or rather it was a deduction he’d overlooked entirely.
Mendora turned to link eyes with Ginger, who was also stunned by the turn of events. Less frightened and cautious of the man despite him being larger than them both. “I recently got confirmation,” Shaking her head and returning her gaze to Finn, “what do you mean he *was*,” the words replaying in her head, fearing the worst.
“He passed a month ago,” Finn responded watching as her sadness seemed to amplify. It was not the best news he could offer her; of that he knew.
Mendora’s lips clasped. The news of tonight was only worsening. Was it natural to feel grief for a man you had not known existed for most of one’s life? “Then why are you searching for me and how does anyone know that I am his daughter now that he has passed and how do I even know what you are telling is the truth?” she rattled off the questions as they came. “There is one person could confirm or deny whether this man you’ve mentioned is my real father,” and Mendora had no desire to question her mother on this, especially not when her mother was settled inside of Solaire’s grand house.
“If I may,” Finn reached into his coat, retrieving a faded envelop, a remnant of the passing of time. The edges of it bent and fragile. “Perhaps you should read this,” he handed it to her. Her curiosity took over, causing her to waste no time in gripping the missive and unfolding it. Holding it up above her head, needing the light of waning moon to make out the letters.
Mendora’s eyes misted over as she noted her mother’s handwriting. The distinctive curve of her mother’s hand was not to be mistaken. The letter had been addressed to an Elias Harley. Her words were sweet, romantic and sad. “Are there more these?” Mendora felt as if she’d been slammed into a wall. This one letter had given her a glimpse of the woman her mother once was. A woman who had valued love and it had only hurt her.
“Indeed,” Finn returned, “To answer your queries, I was sent to find you by your brother. He has inherited your father’s title upon his death and upon learning of your existence, have dispatched me.”
“I have siblings?” Mendora’s eyes lit up, but the excitement in them immediately dissipated. She could not get excited to be related to people who might not accept her fully. Sure she was the late Viscount’s illegitimate child but he was gone.
“Just the one and well if I may, he is in the carriage you see behind me. That is, if you should like to meet him.” Finn gestured, hopeful that she would be open to it. Tristan had lost his mother a few years ago and now his father was gone. Having learned of a long lost sister had given the young boy hope of family again.
Mendora shifted her focus and swore she saw movement in therein. “Does he wish to meet me?” She could not dare think of another potential rejection tonight. She’d had enough to last her a lifetime. Mendora could not stand it if her own brother did not care for her for she felt as if she already loved him. A silly notion considering she’d never laid eyes on him or knew of his temperament.
“I can tell you that your father was a good man. Flawed like all humans but he valued his family above everything and Tristan Harley has all the best parts of him.” Finn could see the contemplation in her eyes. “Your father’s biggest regret was not having been a part of your life and on his death bed he exposed your existence to Tristan and asked him to ensure you were happy. The way he was promised that you would be if he were to stay away.” Finn did not wish to think what the late
Viscount would do if he’d only known that the daughter he left behind was not properly cared for. That she was made to provide for herself and protect herself. It even
ached his own heart for her and he always considered himself a man capable of dissociating his work and emotions.
“He was asked to stay away?” the revelations were not consoling her one bit. “How could they,” she muttered to herself. It was one thing if she’d had a good father growing up but an entirely other when Aldrich had not been kind to her in all her years. Mendora felt robbed, cheated and alone. She might never know the love of a father only the wrath of an insecure man.
She seemed to be an expert of attracting them. Insecure men that is.
“To answer your question, your brother wants to meet you, and he is ready to make up for the torment you’ve been subjected to as he knew your father would if he were alive,” Finn concluded. There was more Tristan would divulge to her when they were settled.
“There is nothing to make up,” Mendora replied, barely hearing the words as they slipped past her lips.
“I think there is,” Mendora had not noticed, her eyes were trained on Finn the entire time and this massive size of him was enough to block her view of a boy not much younger than her coming to stand beside Finn. “You have a birth right that had been stripped from you, my sister and I intend to give it all back. To right the wrongs, they’ve all done to you.” Weirdly enough, his voice matched her own. Musical and gripping. His hair lush, with same texture and curl. But it was his eyes that looked much like her own and Mendora swore she’d even heard Ginger gasp at his appearance. If there had been any doubts in her mind before, there were none now.