Chapter 89

“Are you ready for our engagement to be announced on the morrow?” he drawled while running his fingers through her hair. Mendora was sprawled atop of him, the soft humming of the music in his club seeping through. It was another night of running away to be in his company but tonight had been different. While they remained hidden in the back room, neither of them made an attempt to descend into the throes of passion. Tomorrow was a day neither of them had thought would happen and their minds were equally heavily weighted.

Solaire had duly reported upon the date and event of the announcement. It was to be at Lansdowne Hall of all places for he refused to make the announcement at another’s gathering. It would be the first time in years since the owner of the Hall would host a party for his own behalf. The entire ton was already abuzz, speculating the reason behind this roughish man’s intentions.

“As ready as one can be.” Mendora chuckled, her words muffled from her cheeks pressing into his chest. In truth, her nerves were sending her into a state of hesitation. There had been multiple times where she had thought to abandon her plans altogether but she wanted desperately to be herself again. To no longer hide behind a compelling lie.

Most of all, she wanted to be at Solaire’s side as someone he can proud of.

“I’ll retrieve you for the party,” his eyes were drifting down. He could hardly count the hours they were laid up in bed together and he didn’t care too.

“No,” Mendora said too insistently. Recovering herself and allowing composure to hug her she replied more calmly, “I would very much like to meet you there.” She could not render it a surprise if it were to be spoiled before she had the opportunity. “Entering with my family is what I desire.” She responded.

“I shall grant it,” Solaire responded, his hands going still, circling around her more securely, “And Ginger is most definitely to be an invited guest since she is important to you,” he said as his eyes closed and his breathing altered. Mendora didn’t respond, knowing that any words she had to say would draw him out if his slumber.

Snuggling closer, she too closed her eyes. Tomorrow, all of London would know that she was to marry the Marquess of Lansdowne. Her fate would be determined and her course set. And while Mendora knew, with every breath in her, that she loved Solaire there was a pulsing in her chest that ceased her excitement.

For tonight she preferred not to dwell on those emotions. She was safe and comfortable in his arms and that was all that mattered for now. There was enough time to wallow in society’s judgement.

***

“I for one am utterly surprised that the Marquess was easily persuaded to have you secure your very own transportation,” Lavinia could not be stunned by the news of her elder daughter’s engagement to the Marquess of Lansdowne. Relief was the prevailing emotion. There was no doubt that Mendora and Solaire were having relations and it were best that their marriage was fixed before a tragedy were to occur.

Lavinia knew her heart would not rest easy until her daughter was made to be addressed as the Marchioness of Lansdowne. It warmed her heart and gave her a sense of satisfaction. Her daughter would be happy and her husband would have no reason to be bitter any longer. It was to be a grand alteration to their living arrangements.

“He does appear a possessive character, does he not?” Teresa chimed in as she laid her dress out on Mendora’s bed. She too was suspicious and half expected their plan to be thwarted by an impromptu visit from the Marquess.

“Can we refrain from speaking of the Marquess,” Mendora had been sitting before her mirror as Ginger combed through her hair. This was the first time since last season that her hair was to be properly done. “I am nervous as is,” she said, waiting for the opportune moment to fill their mother in on the plan for tonight. As far as the world knew, Mendora would show up as she had the past year.

Ginger smiled, for all her opposition of Mendora’s relationship with the Marquess there was a joy in witnessing her friend settling down with a man she actually wants. All Ginger had to do was hope and pray that the Marquess was deserving of Mendora’s affection.

“Nervous to see one’s fiancé?” Lavinia teased, “Why I’ve not heard of such a thing,” it was common to be nervous when one’s soon to be husband was a man with such a formidable personality but it had seemed that her daughter was quite comfortable in his presence.

“Perhaps my sister is nervous to be on the Marquess’ arm tonight,” Teresa chuckled, catching Mendora’s stern gaze in the reflection, “she is to marry the one man the ton has been attempting to trap for years,”

“All of their tongues shall wag tonight dearest,” her mother’s jovialness had tempered, “but you shall remember to pay them no mind,”

“Why should she pay mind to anyone,” Teresa brushed past her mother’s comment. “Mendora shall be the greatest beauty to mark the halls of Lansdowne and she’ll have her incomparable fiancé right beside her.”

The rendition had everyone pausing in their tasks. Ginger eyes Mendora, a signal that provided that now was the perfect opportunity to reveal the plan to Lavinia.

“Darling,” Lavinia struggled to form the words in the politest manner possible. Her daughter was stunning indeed, but she knew of the falsities that Mendora sported and could not pretend that Mendora looked even remotely pretty in her façade.

“Mother,” Mendora adjusted herself in the chair, turning around to hug the backrest as she commanded her mother’s attention. “I’ve something to share with you and the success of it shall rest on your approval,” desperately needing her mother to answer queries properly so as to sell the believability of the story.

“Now I am the one afflicted with nerves,” Lavinia could not mistake the alteration in the girl’s stance and her mind was ablaze with questions.

***

“Odd enough that your mother has been invited to this soiree,” Russell was circling the room in a cocoon of dreariness. His mood not at all improved since Solaire had mentioned his upcoming nuptials or rather his plan to go through with one.

“I rather think it would be unbecoming if I were to forgo an invitation to the woman who birthed me,” despite all her shortcomings as a mother. The latter part was a mere figment of mind’s thoughts and would not wish to voice it to anyone. Matter relating to his relationship with his mother was private and it should remain so until death.

“I imagine it would set the ton’s mind ablaze to have some scandalous thing to review,” Russell fished his pocket watch out to glean the time. He was to fetch his wife from home in half an hour.

“As if I give a pigs arse about the ton’s review; favourable or otherwise,” Solaire fixated his coat, glancing over at his reflection before giving himself an approval.

“You might not but what of your intended bride?” Russell all but scoffed at his own reminder of Solaire’s secret fiancé. “What of her opinion?”

“I can assure you that neither of us are particularly interested in the minds that do not reflect our own,” Solaire drawled, “and that includes your own.” He jabbed at Russell and his God brother had the audacity to appear hurt. His mouth clasped shut and he huffed.

“Then my presence here should not be of concern to you then?” Russell could not believe that the one person he thought to be his confidante did not regard him in the same manner.

“What is it that you are on about?” Solaire, unable to focus on Russell’s emotions and his own party could do nothing but stare at his God brother.

“The girl’s identity,” Russell steeled his spine and lengthened his body. Nowhere near Solaire’s height but he could very well attempt to make himself seem larger with the use of his confidence “am I really not to know until the announcement?” an absolute disgrace if he were to be asked.

“You do realise you’ve a little under an hour to be quenched of your curiosity?” Solaire narrowed his eyes on his God brother, not at all understanding the squabble.

“Yes, but I find it somewhat questionable if I were to find out at the exact time as everyone else who matters not one twit to you.” Russell could not conceal the annoyance in his tone and Solaire was struck with irritation and impressiveness.

“If I tell you will you refrain from any further questioning until the night is concluded?” Solaire could not answer Russell’s questions relating to the difference in Mendora’s body, not now. Not when his guests were due to start arriving.

“I give you my word.” Russell, calming down at the promise of being involved waited patiently.

“I am to announce my engagement to Mendora Agnus Garrick,”