Chapter 95

“I am sorry you had to endure the loss of your parents alone,” Mendora ignored Tristan’s promises. Her heart was too battered to think of her life past this moment. That would require her to delve into the past, in the matters that happened only a few moments ago with Solaire. Matters that were threatening to tear her apart from the inside the longer she kept pushing it back down.

Tristan could not determine whether it was yet appropriate to approach Mendora any closer. He longed for his long lost sister’s approval and affection. She was now the only family he had left. The last couple of months had been difficult for him with his meagre eighteen years of experience in the world. Their father had spoiled him, the mantle he was now made to uphold a crushing weight upon his weakened heart and sagging shoulders.

“As I am,” he responded, clearing the emotion bubbling in his throat. “I apologise that I have now popped up to complicate your life further.” He kept rocking back and forth on his toes, anxious to have finally put a face to the woman he’d been obsessing over since his father’s revelation.

To have a sibling had been everything Tristan wanted in his young life. Perhaps, growing up would have been more tolerable with someone closer in age. He’d not been able to have much friends. Considered to be awkward by most men his age and somewhat of a freak. Their words not his. It had caused him to withdraw, his father had been his closest friend and companion.

Now that he was gone, the same men who trampled over his existence begrudgingly issued him the respect owing to his newfound title. But Tristan knew it be a falsity and it hampered his duties and the confidence required of him to make it happen.

“This is the least complicating event to have occurred in my life, I assure you.” A ghost of a smile spreading across her face. This was no exaggeration. There was nothing stressful about finding out she had a brother. In fact, it was boon in her ever hectic existence.

Tristan seemed to have been pleased by her words and it was first time she’d seen him attempt to smile. But it had been short-lived and he had reverted back to his grim exterior.

“I have heard that your engagement had been announced tonight, will your fiancé take issue with our messy family connections?” Tristan was not ready to disappear from Mendora’s life so quickly but he did not get along with most men and he could hardly think that her fiancé would be different. “Forgive me,” he immediately followed subsequent to Finn nudging him, “please accept my deepest congratulations to you for this momentous occasion,” this was exactly Tristan’s flaws. He lacked social etiquette at times for he often forgot the right things to say.

In this situation, however, he’d not forgotten it so much as it being an encumbrance. He’d not known he had an older sister for eighteen years and now that he’d finally found her they would not be able to establish a strong sibling bond. Especially not if she were getting married.

Men of the ton were very similar. Treating their wives as their property and considering they were half siblings her husband may not approve of their relations being publicized. And society will look poorly upon a woman keeping a man other than her husband close.

Mendora’s chest seemed to have caved in on itself at the congratulations and her ideas of running were reinforced. Solaire had not wanted to marry her. He wanted to marry the façade she had painstakingly created to protect his fragile ego.

There was no respect in his eyes where she was concerned. Mendora could not stand to be his wife. Her love for him be damned. As if her heart was hardening; the cumulative effect of her life finally crystallising to this point.

“I have no desire to marry him,” she blurted the words. Ginger grasped her arm, pulling her backwards to search Mendora’s eyes before either of the man had chance to question her, “You said you loved him,” a feeble attempt to whisper but the night was silent and the words were easily discernible by Finn and Triston.

“I do but how I feel is irrelevant. He does not love me and I was a fool to think him different.” Her eyes welled up with salty tears as her voice shook. “I am not going back to him or to Garrick manner. I’ve had my fill of disappointment.” Making up her mind was easy. Mendora had endured many things but she cannot be made to endure a loveless marriage with a man who was more ashamed of her as her true self. More proud to have her a outcast in society and mistreated than live the remainder of her life free.

Her only two options were to marry Solaire and endure another form of captivity or end the engagement publicly and return to the Garrick home where she was certain her father would attempt to abuse her again. One bird, two cages. She would rather live on the street.

“There is nothing left for you here then,” Tristan lowered his eyes, the words coming forth as if he knew all the emotions that was seething through Mendora’s compact frame in those few words. He’d not known his sister long but there was a kindred bond between them already and he felt her anguish. And her anger. “Come with us, take up residence in our father’s home. I promise to provide you with all the freedom you’ve been deprived off.” His breath caught, “You’ll be under my protection and safe,”

Mendora glanced back at her brother, “I could never impose on you in such a manner,” she shook her head. It didn’t seem right for her to become a burden once more.

“You cannot impose on your very own birth right,” he shrugged his shoulders, “You are a Lady. A daughter of the Viscount and a Viscount’s sister. It is now my duty to ensure you are cared for as our father wanted.” The mention of his father had his body going numb, “as he begged me to do while he took his final breaths,” he choked on the words and without thinking Mendora closed the distance, wrapping her arms around him while his body shuddered.

“I supposed it will be most convenient if we are to know each other better,” she rubbed at his back, pulling away slightly to flick the tears of the cheek of her younger brother. She already loved him, just as she loved Teresa. A fierce emotion as if he were now her responsibility.

“I shall be grateful for that,” she sniffled, allowing her to release him from her grasps, “besides, I have heard many tales of Miss Mendora Agnus Garrick. I must admit I am in awe of her bravery and intelligence and look forward to picking your brain on matters of business.”

“I shall be honoured for you to think me important enough to discuss your matters.” A knot formed in her chest. Part apprehension, part excitement. Leaving was what she wanted and yet the people she loved would stay behind but she made up her mind. She would return when she was healed.

“Then shall we depart?” Finn interjected, “Does my lady wish to venture home to collect any items?” Mendora’s head blanked, “No, I shall send someone to fetch them,” she feared if she went back she might alter her mind. Might get swayed by the love she had for her sister and mother and even Solaire to remain, to endure again.

“Are you sure you certain you wish to do this,” Ginger stole Mendora’s attention once more.

“I am,” she nodded, “and I shall understand if you do not agree. This is a decision you must make on your own.”

“On my own?” Ginger gasped, “if you think I am leaving your side or would ever consider it…”

“A friend of my sister’s will always be welcomed,” Tristan thought it necessary to interject before being led to the carriage by Finn.

“Now I must ask if you are certain?” Mendora directed the question to Ginger. Her friend merely smiled.

***

Solaire had searched high and low for any sight of Mendora. Alas, he approached her mother and sister.

“I have not seen her,” Lavinia’s relaxed features subtly turned pensive as she immediately took to pivoting on her toes to look over the crowd.

“I would not worry,” Teresa interjected. “my sister is known for wandering off when society becomes a bore to her. She will show up.” She assured the Marquess. “If you are intent on searching for her, I suppose your beautiful garden is a characteristic hideaway spot for her.”

“I am grateful,” he took his leave of the women and set off to search for her in the gardens. It could very well be that she was steering clear of him. He could not completely blame her, not when the supposedly happiest night of their lives had begun in a disagreement.