Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 4

Aldrich Garrick stumbled down the corridors of his family home in search of his wife and daughters. He enquired after their presence from the servants busy doing their chores. The sight was a rarity and the staff had come up lost for words at the initial inquiry. Aldrich Garrick had little care for his family, his time usually spent unabashedly wasting the family money on reprehensible entertainment.

“The ladies are in the parlour.” A sturdy woman with a basket in hand directed. He’d never paid much attention to the home affairs, it had nothing to do with him anyway, as a result, he wasn’t sure what this woman’s occupation in his home truly was, and neither did it concern him.

He waltzed through the parlour door and observed Teresa and Lavinia quietly at work. His wife sat scribbling away on a piece of paper with all the concentration she could muster, for she didn’t realize the parlour threshold was darkened by her husband. Teresa on the other hand was affixed with the task of practicing her sewing. He ignored the messy thread and the worry lines creasing his daughter’s forehead resolving the thought that she was pleasing enough to the eye for a husband to ignore her lack of skill.

Mendora’s eyes departed from the pages of her book on instinct. She gave her father a once over and returned her attention to the romance novel in her lap. She was very happy with the level of indifference her family paid to her most times, if not, she was sure to receive an earful for her choice in literature.

“Not five minutes ago I was in the company of a Sir Henry.” Aldrich’s voice carried throughout the room, all eyes now on him. A wave of tiny needle pricks swerved a path from Mendora’s nape to her spine. The very thought of Sir Henry in their home a powerful deterrent. She slapped the book in her lap shut. The opposite faces protesting with a thud of agony. She barely recalled the name of said book as she set it beside her in anticipation of her father’s future revelations.

Teresa and their mother’s reaction was quite the opposite. Lavinia seemed intrigued, any thoughts of household matters vanishing from her consideration. The thought of a daughter settled and happy bringing her enthusiasm to the fore. There was no question of Sir Henry’s visitation to their home. He’d paid specific attention to Teresa at the Bastille Ball. All the matrons present were still buzzing with the news, setting premature but welcome congratulations to the Garrick family. Sir Henry was a catch indeed.

“Oh my! Is it true papa?” Teresa leaped from her seat and took their father’s hand in her own. Aldrich gazed into his daughter’s gleeful eyes and smiled a rare smile.

“I would never mislead you, my dearest.” He placed a doting kiss on her forehead and led her towards a chair. His movements slow and careful, as were the norm where Teresa was concerned.

“What was the nature of Sir Henry’s visit?” His wife shifted on her seat, scooting closer towards her husband and daughter.

Mendora occupied a chair in the opposite part of the parlour, her view of her family was made predominately of their backs. She looked on at the scene, her fingers tapping steadily in her lap. There was no need to guess. There was only one reason.

“He has expressed an interest in our Teresa.” He shifted his gaze once again to his younger daughter jumping off her seat and taking an energetic turn about the room.

“What did you say, papa?” her voice took on a high note and Mendora wearily glanced at the glass frame about the mantelpiece.

“He is a fine fellow. I have no objections but I am leaving the decision up to you. I told him that he would be expected to receive an answer within the week.” Aldrich announced to his family. The light glowing in Teresa’s eyes filling him to the brim with contentment.

“You are all mad if you are considering this proposal.” Mendora was on her feet now. Her eyes concealing nothing.

“Mendora, I wasn’t aware of your presence child,” Aldrich commented with a brief gander in her direction.

“Do not blame yourself, Sir.” She replied, no part of her in any way surprised that her father once again did not notice her presence.

“What are you saying, Mendora?” Her mother was the only person willing to humour her opinions. Teresa on the other hand widened her eyes and pouted her lips. It was clear to Mendora that the talk she had with her sister took no residence in her brain. Wasted breath defined.

“Not this again, sister.” Teresa hung her head and sat next to her father once more.

“I’ve said it to Teresa nights ago and I’ll repeat it. Sir Henry is a scoundrel who will take his pleasures and no sooner after a wedding will ignore my dear sister for his many mistresses.” Mendora directed this towards her father, but his eyes never glanced in her direction.

“Which man would dare mistreat my most beloved daughter?” Aldrich thought it impossible. “Our family has been linked to the aristocracy for generations! Our very bloodline is not one to be trifled with.” It was his turn to place his weight on his feet. He turned his attention to Mendora now.

“What does a young woman, with no worldly experience know?” he directed the question at her. The tenderness they held moments ago for Teresa vanished.

No worldly experience indeed, and yet she’d had her fill. “I am without experience, Sir. I gladly accept such criticism. However, respectfully, it is not farfetched to assume that a man like Sir Henry would disregard you and your family connections once he is legally bound to Teresa. By law, then, neither you nor any of us can have a say in her life. She would move from the property of one man to the property of another who is less inclined to treat her the way she deserves.” Mendora’s tongue became heavy and her jaw pained.

“Mendora, Sir Henry likes me. He pays so much attention to me. I am certain this ugly business with mistresses will clean itself up once he and I are engaged.” Teresa interjected.

Mendora’s chest heaved and her eyes narrowed on the sight of her sister. “And what say you, Sir? In your experience, does a woman’s family and connection prohibit a man from courting his mistresses?” Mendora caught her father’s gaze. “Would a man like Sir Henry be so moved by the love of his wife and family that he would forgo the thought of any other female?”

Mendora’s knowing eyes rendering her father speechless. Teresa was still young and in her eyes, their father did no wrong. However, his relationship with Mendora, though nothing special in its own right, further deteriorated two years ago when she caught him with another woman in his matrimonial bed. Her mother had been called away to her maternal family’s estate to say her goodbyes to her mother who’d been on her death bed.

Mendora confronted him, screaming and crying. She pushed her way into the room and vowed not to exit until the truth was revealed. In hindsight, an eighteen-year-old had no right to be so headstrong. It had cost her though. She’d lost strands of hair from her father grabbing her by the head and dragging her out of the room all the while her left cheek burning from her father’s mark. It was also the last time she addressed Aldrich Garrick as her father, much to his delight. However, she remembered the slap most of all. He’d been wearing a ring on the assaulting hand and apart from a mere bruise, her skin broke. This was followed by a shaky story about her falling down the stairs to her sister and for anyone else who had felt the pang of curiosity.

All in all, her mother had known the whole truth. Mendora recalled sinking to her knees begging her mother to leave him, but her mother smiled at her, her eyes glazed over and told her not to worry. She swore, then and there, after the preceding events in her own love life, that she would never resign to such a faith, and neither would she allow it for her sister.

“Perhaps, my dear,” he turned his attention to Teresa, “You should enjoy this season. Sir Henry is not the only man who will take a fancy to you. How about you rack up your options and then have your pick.” Aldrich advised his younger daughter with a smile on his face. His eyes no longer clear and glistening.

“But papa.” Teresa would not have it. She’d already made a mental note of which friends and acquaintances would be the first to hear of her engagement.

“Sir Henry will be even more intrigued if you keep him guessing my dear. Think of it as you securing his affections, but in the meantime keep your options open.” Aldrich made his way to the door and left.

Teresa was in tears now, messy tears that could be heard throughout the corridors of their home. Mendora walked over to her sister and allowed her to sink into her embrace. She let out a heavy sigh. “I know you have a mind of your own but believe me when I say I only want the best for you. Sir Henry is not it. He will not make you happy.”

Teresa didn’t answer, her sobs grew louder and she tore out of Mendora’s grasp and fell at her mother’s feet. She buried her face in their mother’s lap and cried for the rest of the day.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter