Chapter 104

“My Lord,” Lavinia scrambled to gather her thoughts as she circled around Mendora and Tristan, coming to stand before Solaire. “What a lovely surprise,” she threw a glance back at Mendora, who’s eyes were unmoving from Solaire. Her jaw set, the muscles bulging from her biting down. “And I must say, perfect timing since Mendora has just arrived,”

“Yes,” Teresa took the opportunity to plant a wide smile on her face, “especially since you’ve been anxious to see her since her departure. Such a happy occasion this has turned out to be,” she glanced around the room nervously. For the past month Solaire had been storming in and out demanding to be made aware of any news that would give an indication of Mendora’s whereabouts.

She’d never seen a man that desperate and angry before. It had convinced her that Solaire did love her sister. That and the fact that he’d told her so with his very own mouth. This, Teresa knew, was their chance.

“Seems more ill-timed in my estimation,” Mendora had not expected to be faced with Solaire this soon, neither at her mother’s house. The words had not been planned but the anger rumbling in her belly could not be supressed. When she’d seen him at the club, she’d wanted to run to him. To feel his body encasing hers, to be overwhelmed by his giddying scent but the humiliation rose up to mask her love. Just as it was happening now. She’d been fool enough. Used enough. She was done being the prized goose.

“Mendora!” Lavinia hissed, “whatever your grievances with the Marquess, he is a guest in this house.” She was appalled by Mendora’s outright disrespect for the Marquess. While she was ready and willing to support her daughter’s endeavours, they had to go about it subtly. The Marquess was not a man they could afford to outright offend.

“And her fiancé.” Solaire chimed in, “or has your little escapade across the country wiped your memory?” He ignored Lavinia, he’d spoken to her enough over the last month and more. Stepping closer, wanting to revitalize the fading image of her in his mind.

Mendora’s heart hammered, but she was distracted by Tristan’s change in demeanour. He’s stepped forward, inching in front of her subtly. A show of his protection. But it was not his fight. In an attempt to placate him, she gently grabbed his arm, noting his disagreement in the way his head flung back to watch her.

“It did everything expect wipe my memory,” Mendora responded, “that, at least would have been a mercy.” The sides of her lips twitched from forcing to keep her fake smile intact.

“To have forgotten me?” Solaire scoffed. He did not know what he was expecting, but it certainly was not this. To have her meet him with such hostility was bewildering.

“Should I really have to speak it plainly?” Mendora arched her back and pursed her lips, aware that they were putting on quite a show for the on-lookers, but she was preoccupied with him to notice much.

“Yes.” He ground out through his pearly white teeth. Their shine glistening in the stream of light peeking through the window. The movement distracting her and in that flash of light she swore images from their nights flashed before her eyes. “Speak it with your tongue that you wish to forget every moment we’ve spent together,” his eyes darkened as she inhaled sharply, standing her ground, “tell me the remembrance of my touch of my breath against your skin is something you long wished to have forgotten,”

“You bastard!” Mendora growled, embarrassed enough to have given herself to him so wholly and now her endeavours, or part of it were out in the open for her entire family.

Teresa’s mouth widened while Lavinia’s gasp filled the air. Neither of them able to look anywhere but the floor.

“I shall not allow you to disrespect my sister with such lewd imagery,” Tristan had stepped in, his cheeks flushed at the insinuation, even more startled that Mendora had not rejected it even happening.

“Tristan,” Mendora warned, not wishing for him to get involved.

“I think most of us can agree that I’m the one being disrespected. To be met with such hostility by one’s own fiancé.” Solaire shook his head as he looked at her. “To have been abandoned for over a month without a single word,” he scoffed, “and I am the villain?”

“I’ve never named you a villain,” Mendora clapped back, “but you’ve wounded me, My Lord,” her eyes narrowing on him. “I recall you wishing to marry me because I was an outcast, not because you cared about me,” the hurt and anger from that night surging in her veins. To remember how shallow he’d been, how much he’d wanted the world to continue to view her as unappealing. Like a proper charity case.

“Perhaps, we should all leave them to discuss their affairs in private,” Lavinia was already in the process of gathering everyone out. She had heard enough private information regarding her daughter to last her a lifetime of anxiety. More was not needed.

“Forgive me,” Solaire forced to ground out the words, “This was meant to be your reunion and I have so selfishly interrupted it.” He halted them from leaving.

“Mendora and I will have time to discuss our matters more clearly,” perhaps giving themselves some time to calm down would prove more fruitful. “I’ll take my leave.” He gave her a lingering stare before turning his attention to Teresa.

“I had other intentions in how I was to do this, but accept my congratulations on your engagement. Jonathon is a fine fellow and I could not have been happier in the match. He’ll make you happy.” Solaire had broken news that caused Mendora’s head to whip across to Teresa.

“You’ve been engaged?” For all her attention had now swapped. The anger and pain morphed into guilt. Teresa had gotten engaged and she was not here for it. For her sister. “Why haven’t you told me the minute I walked in?”

“I figured we had time to catch up on those matters,” Teresa shrugged, but Mendora was already hurling herself at her sister. “I am so sorry I wasn’t here.” She squeezed Teresa in her arms, the information remitting her to an emotional state. “I am clandestinely happy for you and with Jonathon,” Mendora pulled away, arms bracing on Teresa’s shoulders. “I could not have hoped for a better match,”

“I knew you would approve and it was a wonderful feeling being able to secure everyone’s approval for the being engaged to the man I love,” her words assuring Mendora that Jonathon was indeed a good match. She wanted love to be a part of her sister’s future and to see it coming to life was amazing.

Teresa turned back to Solaire. “Your opinion is highly valued,” Teresa answered him with unabashed affection that caused Mendora’s stomach to twirl. “And I appreciate you looking out for me,” she continued. Solaire had kept Jonathon close, had even ensured, in his own way, that the man was genuine in his affections. After all she could not have a repeat of what happened with Sir Henry. Especially not when she knew her feelings for Jonathon had been expanding far too much for her to contain.

“You’re my sister now.” Solaire answered as if it was of no consequence, “My protection will always be afforded to you,” he returned, “and to you now,” he turned his attention to Tristan. “I look forward to expanding our acquaintance.”

Tristan, who’d been on edge, not knowing how to trust his instincts and being overwhelmed by the mix of emotions towards the Marquess was even more stumped. He’d never had men take interest in him. He was always a cast out and to have a man like Solaire all but declaring him a brother was a lot to process.

“There’s a ball tonight, I suspect we should make an appearance now that you are back?” Solaire questioned, his eyes returning to Mendora.

“I suppose that is the best option,” she replied. The ton must not be suspicious of their union. Not now.

“I’ll have my carriage sent across,” he was looking to depart. “oh, and Mendora, tonight is not a night for you to bring your Finn Grueland.” He shot her a dirty, knowing look, “too much entertainment for the ton,”