Chapter 91

Silence. Uninterrupted and deafening followed Solaire’s declaration. It permeated the air like toxic gas. Affecting every person to have had the misfortune to have heard it. Smacked with two equally shocking revelations and Solaire could not blame the reaction. Each face a replica of the first. Anxious, confused eyes with agape mouths as they all looked to each other as if clarification would be given.

Mendora twisted at his side, her grip on him tightening but the more it did the more urgent the need to be separated from her grew. He needed time to anticipate what has come to pass. To at least understand.

“Oh, what wonderful news!” the silence pierced by the elated tone of none other than Lady Regina Damaris. She weaved her way to the front of the crowd. “I for one am filled with joy that my only son has finally thought to take a wife,” she gave Mendora a warming smile, her eyes alight with great pleasure and purpose as she stood on the other side of Solaire.

She distinctly remembers the girl having a different appearance the last time she was introduced but that face was unmistakable.

Shifting her weight, one foot to the other, she peered out at the crowd. Now emerging from their shock induced immobility to comprehend that the Marquess did announce an engagement. Not just any engagement but his own. The society papers would be awash with his name on the morrow and not regarding a scandal. Instead, all would want to speculate on the powers Mendora possessed to have seemingly tamed this wild stallion. The very man who shunned noble ladies and the prospect of marriage.

An interesting pair indeed. The unmarriageable and the rake.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say that this comes as a most welcomed surprise,” Regina continued “Oh, do not just stand there gawking,” she scolded the crowd with a large teasing smile, “Congratulate the Marquess on finding his Marchioness.” She willed them all to remember their manners and the crowd surged with life. Couples advancing to offer their congratulations while the couple nodded and smiled prettily.

“Miss Garrick is a beautiful creature, is she not?” Regina released herself from Solaire’s side, intent on making herself known to Mendora’s chaperone. “and I dare say it was smart of son to grab her up before any other,” she patted her son on his chest before walking off to take Lavinia’s hand, oblivious to the tightening of his jaw.

“Best to treat her properly, for there are many who will wish to steal her from you even in marriage,” Regina chortled over her shoulder before she conversed heartily with the representatives of the Garrick family.

But it was not humorous. His mother’s final words reaching out with a freezing grip to encapsulate his heart. He could do nothing past stand there while Mendora accepted the remarks from their guests.

Solaire could sense the interested gazes flooding their way and it was not out of admiration for him. Mendora’s transformation was already sparking interest in the lustful eyes of men and that alone chilled him to his core.

“You must tell us what had happened to you,” a young girl Solaire hadn’t known eased in beside Mendora and she wasn’t the last. Soon there had been a crowd and it had taken much for Solaire to easily slip away for the room was becoming all too stifling.

“I had not wanted to take your words too seriously,” Russell had slipped out onto the balcony where Solaire had found refuge. His arms resting against the balustrade as he looked out over the luxurious gardens he’d had installed when he first acquired the house. “But seeing her so…” Russell paused as he settled beside Solaire, “so normal, so vibrant and much unlike her usual self is really a thing to behold,” he scratched at his head, “I almost cannot truly believe it.”

“With the evidence so blatant for all of respectable London to see, I cannot aid you further if you so choose to be blind.” Solaire rumbled.

“For a man announcing his impending nuptials you seem rather pressed tight.” Russell scoffed, remembering how enthralled he was when he’d gotten engaged to his wife. A once in a lifetime moment signifying their eternal joining. He could not understand Solaire’s disposition, far less that the man had stolen away leaving his intended to deal with the engagement party all alone. “If there is anyone I pity it is most certainly that vibrant being left inside while you wallow out here. The poor girl truly has a lot to deal with,” Russell could not agree with Solaire’s behaviour. Yes, he loved his God brother. He looked up to him but his actions tonight have given Russell much to ponder on.

Mendora had fooled the ton for a good while and now, for Solaire she was out of pretending and if Solaire could not realise her motivations. Or worse, appreciate it and her then he could not be helped.

“Then your time would be best spent indoors I take it?” Solaire did not look at him. Not once and with a disbelieving nod of the head, Russell clamoured back inside. If Mendora’s fiancé could not help her navigate the wild animals in the hall he would take the responsibility. They were to be family after all.

***

“You tease us!” Mrs Boulder could not cease fanning herself at the topic.

“I cannot believe it was merely a disorder, our doctors have truly failed you,” A younger girl chimed in.

“I do not endorse that. Our doctors are quite experienced. But this particular doctor was not traditional.” Mendora was having too much fun fooling the ton once more. Leaning forward into the group she lowered her voice. Not to guard any secret for she knew the words would be spread all through London by the morrow, “she called herself a spiritual healer. Accosted me in the streets with promises to help me. Of course, I had not the sense to believe her but thinking I had nothing to lose I allowed her to provide me with special ground herbs she mixed into a paste.”

The crowd gasped, “were you not scared to be in the presence of such uncivilized culture?” Another one of the matrons pipped up.

“I was considered unfit to be a part of civilized society in the past due to my deformity, I felt as if we were somewhat kindred spirits.” She watched as they all lowered their eyes briefly, too ashamed to admit or take responsibility for the fact that they treated anyone who was different like a plague. “I had nothing to lose, but thankfully I found that day by day by body was returning to normal.” Mendora rushed to finish off, “ I am quite happy to be myself again,” Although she would have liked to be able to keep her aloofness but her vibrancy tonight was necessary to ensure no suspicion.

To convince them all that a miracle had occurred, but she had not forgotten the words spun and spread behind her back. She never would and she would never condone it being done to another. But life in the ton required some ebbing once in a while and tonight was just that. A game to ensure her future was smooth.

They began chattering among themselves, expressing their happiness for her but Mendora knew better. Her engagement was announced to the most sought after man in the ton and there was already talks of Solaire being bewitched by her beauty to forgo his life plan.

“Where is the doctor now?” one of the men joined the conversation, his eyes clear of his interest. Not in Mendora’s story, but in her. It had been long since she’d seen that look reflected in a man’s eyes where she was concerned. She found it made her uncomfortable. Perhaps that was the price of love. No longer willing to entertain any further attention. No matter how innocent or unrequited.

“She advised herself to be a nomadic traveller,” Mendora looked to the women around her in answering the question, not wanting to give him or any man the wrong impression, “I shall be lucky indeed if I were to ever set eyes on her again,”

Crowd was taken and overcome with her stories and she finally found her chance to escape. She had not had the chance to speak to Solaire, to tell him the story that she’d concocted. As she weaved through the sea of people, a familiar face came before her, “Ah, I must congratulate you and tell you I am most elated to find that you will be joining our family,” Russell had taken her hand, pressing a kiss on it.

“As am I,” Mendora responded. “I am sorry but where is he? I haven’t seen him in a bit,” she quickly asked after Solaire. Russell turned sombre for a second or perhaps it were a trick of the light.

“He’s out there,” he gestured with his eyes, Mendora smiled. Her excitement brimming as she rushed to speak to Solaire.