Chapter 90
The image of Mendora could not be reconciled with that of the one seared into Russell’s mind of the woman he’d unintentionally seen with Solaire at the club. “Then who was the woman you’d publicly defiled at your club?” Russell, immediately excitable, continued as Solaire attempted to answer, “your actions are reprehensible! How could you dare to marry the girl while you’ve been out spreading your seed? I believe Mendora deserves much more than you,” he’d been hoping for the longest while for Solaire to admit the emotions he felt for Mendora. Now Russell could not be sure if the attraction and interest he’d seen on Solaire’s part for Mendora had been real.
How could it? Never before had he expected his God brother to be the typical ton husband.
“If you will seal your lips for only a moment I would be inclined to inform you that both women are one and the same.” Solaire could not pretend to be interested or riveted in the slightest by Russell’s tantrum. The man had taken to wiping away beads of sweat lingering across his forehead, his cheeks reddening to represent his repugnance.
“Do you take me for an absolute fool?” Russell scoffed at Solaire’s attempt to cloud his sound memory. “I am well aware of Miss Garrick’s size and shape and the woman you were with, carelessly so, had little in common with her.” He’d not the temperament to guard his words carefully or politely.
“Being the fool is your doing entirely,” Solaire brushed past Russell to stroll into the hallway. There was the unmistakeable clattering of carriages seeping into the walls of his home, signalling that it was time to begin receiving his guests. Puzzling the pieces together for Russell was not in on his agenda for tonight.
“How could you be this nonchalant regarding these issues?” Russell wasted no time, following Solaire out. Hot on his heels and not ready to let up on his line of questioning.
“My guests are arriving, I cannot have these conversations with you at this moment,” Solaire growled over his shoulder. “or at any time tonight.”
“I shall not keep silent unless you explain yourself and further I am not above taking Miss Garrick aside and informing her of your indiscretions,” he’d been upset, his vison shrouded in a sea of red that he’d almost bumped directly into Solaire as the man halted before him abruptly.
Russell scrambled to right himself, clearing his throat and strengthened his stance as Solaire rotated to glare at him. “I’ve already been truthful,” Solaire felt compelled to resolve this issue with Russell, not because he felt he owed an explanation to anyone. No.
It had more to do with the embarrassment Mendora would face having to entertain a conversation with Russell regarding the scene in the club. It was best she not hear of it from anyone who witnessed it. That was sure to lower her interest in their clandestine sexual life pursuits and Solaire could not bear for that to occur.
“I have not been showering my interest on multiple women.” Pulled at his cuffs to distract from the growing need to floor the man obstructing his way. “Mendora is the woman you’ve seen me declare my lust for, hence the reason for the engagement. I have been reckless with her honour and attempt to rectify such situation.” He took a breath, finding Russell’s stunned eyes and he could tell that his God brother was very much un-swayed in his disbelief. “There are matters that my future wife has concealed from society and I trust that you shall be honourable in guarding them,”
“I confess I am more confused at this moment,” Russell brought his hands to either sides of his temple. Swearing to himself that he could feel the vein throbbing with liquid heat, the coolness from the tip of his fingers dulling the sensation enough for him to focus.
“Mendora’s deformity is nothing but a concoction brought to life by a girl desperate to escape the fate shoved upon her by society.” Solaire clarified in a manner that
might be better suited to Russell’s understanding. He noted his God brother’s eyes widening as realisation and understanding struck a mutual cord.
“You do not mean to say what I suspect?” Russell could not begin to comprehend such commitment to a façade that has all but made the girl’s life unbearable. “The way she looks, is it not…” he let the words trail off. At risk of seeming shallow and apportioning judgement based on appearances, Russell could not continue his line of thought.
“Precisely.” Solaire confirmed. “The figure you’ve seen with me at the club is Mendora and I am marrying her. I’ve stolen enough from her to be a scoundrel of a husband so refrain from questioning my loyalty.” He’d taken Russell’s stunned silence as latitude to return to his initial course. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have guests to attend to and I believe you have yet to collect your wife.” His voice harsher than he would have preferred, but it had been years since he had hosted a gathering on his own behalf and the pressure fell upon his shoulders tonight to be a gracious host.
A title that was not most sought after in Solaire’s mind but for a man to announce his engagement he must have some redeeming qualities; even if it were just for the night.
The hall filled faster than Solaire had anticipated and before long he was able to truly comprehend it, all the guests had arrived. The unimportant ones that is. Mendora had yet to arrive and he found himself gazing at the doors as if it would aid in having her materialize.
“Darling,” Solaire’s jaw clenched as a different woman clouded his vision. His mother appeared radiant and at ease as she leaned forward to press a kiss to his cheeks.
“Mother,” acknowledging her with a nod, he angled himself to search once more for Mendora. He’d been holding out hope that she’d think better of attending but it was a fool’s thought to be sure.
“I was quite surprised to have been told you were hosting a gathering,” wasting no time in attempting to discern his motivates.
“Am I not allowed?” He mused indifferently, preferring to have her removed from sight before her most recent boy toy appeared at her side. The visual reminder of her activities would surely sour his mood.
“On the contrary,” she paused, rubbing her lips together in contemplation, “I am impressed. I do find myself wondering if there is an underlying cause for such an uncharacteristic event,” she pressed him for word but Solaire had no desire to reveal anything to his mother.
A surge of growing voices, muttering indistinctively wafted its way to them. “If you’ll excuse me,” a distraction that been forthcoming was already to be viewed favourably as he fitted himself to discern the source.
The entrance to the hall was clustered with a sea a bodies that had the sole purpose of obstructing his view. “Have the entrance cleared,” Solaire instructed a passing staff member, unperturbed of what would be open to his view. The ton were easily excitable. He recalled the matrons in a flurry at some point in the past all because a young debutante had worn bells on her shoes.
The staff member, aided by his peers, ushered the crowd away. The path cleared for Solaire and the first pair of eyes he met were those of Lavinia. Without hesitation he searched for Mendora. And she was there.
Not all of her. The parts of her that she’d shown to the ton were gone. She stood elegantly, her hair piled into a neat, glamourous hairdo atop her head. Her shoulder straight and poised. Without doubt he could sense the women appraising her, wondering what had changed. The men’s interest was more than mere confused curiosity.
Solaire had been impaled in position. Gawking at her in her unexpected but true form had not been an event he prepped for. Mendora, understanding that she might have caught him off guard, took a few steps forward. The epitome of good breeding and beauty. All the things she supressed in her pretence was shining forward.
“Have I been successful in surprising you?” Mendora beamed, her eyes sparkling and her uplifting mood contagious. Her family behind her sporting a smile with very much the same energetic wavelength.
“I have no choice but to answer in the affirmative,” he responded with a tight-lipped smile. “I see we already have a few things to lend our attentions to this night,” he’d leaned forward, the words only for her own ears. Mendora smiled, nodding as she inhaled a deep breath.
“Friends,” Solaire hooked Mendora’s arm in his own, turning to face the stunned crowd. The words about to filter out of his mouth were automatic as his mind and body grew numb to reality, “I’ve gathered you all here to rejoice in my engagement to Miss Mendora Agnus Garrick.”