Chapter 4: stunned beyond belief

Tristan sat in the dark of his old room, the only light was the moon streaming throw the large windows. He had come in here to grasp onto the little stability this house brought him. Instead, he found it stripped bare of his personal touch.

He also found that his old Muriel of inappropriate pictures were gone from the back of his dresser. He hoped it was just a maid that had found it and that his family did not see it especially his sisters. That would be bad.

He heard the floorboards near the other side of the room creek. The desk lamp flicked on. He turned around to see Harry. With a knowing look on her face

'Grandma found them….well actually the movers she hired to move out the furniture that reminded her of you found them' Harry was grinning and walked toward Tristan's bed with her arms folded behind her back as if she were addressing a roomful of jury members

'she then after one of the movers asked if it the dirty picture were hers…. proceeded to tear them down with her bare hands' Tristan was chucking a little at this point of the performance but was sent into hysterics when Harry told him about how prudence had been so outraged by the array of pictures on the back of the closet she went searching for other things by getting the floor boards ripped up.

"Charlie thinks that she thought you were growing pot or something…. Well anyway that was last year."

The Harry's tone changed a little dangoursly "But what she didn't anticipate was that me and Charlie would bribe the overweight movers with the Twinkies that penny keeps for us. To let us raid your room to save any of your stuff….."

She was sitting on his bed, pulls out a few things from her dress pocket, and then held them out for him to look at. Tristan walked over to her and sat down hoping that she did not find anything from his rebellious period. Granted he should have taken better care to destroy incriminating evidence before he left but he was not in that mindset before he left.

He looked at the first picture it was a bunch of girls dressed as a butterfly fairies and another kid dressed up as a witch.

'Oh my god….you dressed me up as a witch…why would you do that' Tristan was aghast

'Hey buddy you dressed your self, no one could convince you that witches were for girls. After taking away the costume, you went and put on Harry's fairy costume… took us an hour to get you out of it. You were such a troublesome kid. Thankfully your loving sisters have lots of pictures.'

There was a silence and Harry was looking at the floor the other papers in her hand.

Harry just handed him the final items and kept her gaze to the floor. This worried Tristan. One was a list written in various types of handwriting some with money amounts next to them most the names. In addition, most crossed out.

Most of the names where girls that his sisters had connections with.

There was also a picture taken from over a blonde girls shoulder. The girl was straddling Tristan who had a cigarette in his mouth. Smoke filling up the dark photo. The girl looked deliriously happy whereas Tristan just looked bored but was starring at the camera one cigarette between his fingers on his right hand and holding the camera with his left.

Tristan realized fast that this was not going to end comfortably. Tristan was ashamed with himself. The girl in the photo was Harry's best friend until she practically vanished when Tristan humiliated her in front of his friends who were among the most elibably men in Hartford a society girl's worst nightmare. She moved away somewhere and probably never spoke to his sister after that. Harry probably wondered what had happened but Tristan knew he had broken her heart ….for a bet.

'Were did you get this from' he asked knowing that if she found this she would have found more incriminating things.

The box you kept in the broken heating vent'

Tristan fell quite. 'So you saw…'

'You are been there done that box…oh yeah I saw it, got some souvenirs from it too a picture speaks a thousand words…'Harry's words were laced with distain

'Harry I'm sorry, I was stupid I was so caught up in this world please can we just leave this and I'll apologies to your friend if that's what you want' Tristan choked out with regret

'Oh Tristan I do not think that would help….see you forget that you broke some of my oldest friendships when you did god knows what with my friends. For months they would talk about a guy who was so amazing and I laughed along with them not know who they were talking about.'

'You know what I felt when I found that. Go oh guess' she was eerily calm Tristan stayed silent still keeping his eyes to the picture and his head down.

'I felt relief' this made Tristan look at her. She was not angry that he had taken her best friend to bed.

'I finally had an explanation as to why my class mates shunned me why I was getting picked on by my teachers, rumors spread about me and gossiped about in whispers as I walked into society parties. I will admit it I felt hatred towards you, I could not grasp that my brother my little brother was the one who humiliated a number of friends. Friends who are daughters of not only faculty members at my school but many influential people of the DAR… You know the way society works and you went around having this secret life that apparently everybody knew about except us.'

Tristan was silent he had not expected to get this from his sister. Harry was always the one who supported him in no matter what. Nevertheless, he had not thought about how it would effect his sisters the further he hid behind the playboy life the more he evaded his sisters.

'But then Harry gave me this.' She was holding up a letter and smiling at him

'When we found this stuff and I saw what had I found I didn't want Charlie to see it. She missed you so much and used to wait for your calls and letters. However, it was a few months after you left that people started to talk about how you had been seducing their girls. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and boy did you scorn those women.' So I am sure she knows that you are on are not on a pedestal. But our little sister is wiser then she seems.'

Harry opened the enveloped letter and unfolded it to the last page. Then held it up for him to see.

'Did you write this?' Tristan saw signature

'It sounds as if you got your heart broken pretty bad. You wrote it two months before you went away.' She handed him the pages. As Tristan flipped through the pages it came back to him when he wrote this and why. It was a last resort to have her in his life. However, he never got the courage to give it to her.

October 12th

Dear

I would have changed for you. I do not meet many people in the world I am from who are as amazing as you are. You are so naïve it kills me. I do not mean that as an insult it is just I cannot escape the impression I first left on you as this jerk who does not care about anything. That is not true I care a lot….especially about you.

I wish you would give me a chance. If I told you, I loved you I would never in a million years break your heart because you did not love me back. Having you talk to me means more to me then your boyfriend ever appreciate.

He takes you for granted.

I know that this letter is hopeless that you probably will throw it away when I get up the courage to give it to you, but don't because I need you to know that I was not always like this. I am seriously laying my self on the line when I tell you that I have three sisters who would be devastated if they saw me the way you see me.

The sad thing is I really do not know what to say to defend myself. All I can do is hope that you will read this.

Tristan

Tristan did not want to talk about this with his sister. He turned to see her looking at him expectantly. He sighed 'What about it'

Harry scoffed 'well if a boy wrote me a letter like that I would sure have a reaction, what did she say when you gave this to her. And who is this girl you sound like you cared about her'

Tristan Sighed he did not really want to go into a discussion about the one girl he actually liked from Hartford, but it did not seem like Harry was going to let this go. 'First off I was a jerk to her so I do not know what she would have done if I had given it to her. Plus she is much better off without me in her life bringing her down.' Tristan had thought about her if the first month he was at the academy. However, either she had faded from his thoughts or he had blocked her out because remembering her would just remind him of the lost opportunity of having someone genuine in his life.

Harry watched her brother who had barely looked up the whole time she had been in his room. She put her arm around him he was still a vulnerable kid to her. With her, head on his shoulder she said 'well reading that letter showed me that you were still the person I grew up with instead of the heartless jerk that everyone said you were. I am sure if this girl was as great as you think she will appreciate seeing you now you have grown up. You have changed a lot since you went to the military academy I am very proud of you.' They were interrupted by the sound of someone running up the hallway

Charlie burst into the room and ran to the bay window. 'Charlie the mother-ship is not here for you yet' Harry said in a soothing tone. Charlie turned and just stuck out her tongue 'just listen…..don't you hear it' then the sound of a car coming up the long driveway could be heard.

'You have the hearing of a dog' Tristan chuckled.

'You know what with that kind of remark I'm going to bring the Halloween picture to dinner'. She grabbed the picture of the table.

Tristan shot up and was trying to get it back when Charlie stopped and just stood mesmerized at the window. Tristan slowly joined her followed by Harry. A silver jaguar pulled up and a car door opened. Tristan could not take it and sat down on the bed while his sisters dictated what they saw.

Ooh nice Jaguar…...okay grand parents…..parents… umm. I haven't seen her before"

Tristan just stood rooted to the spot…. Charlie ran around the room 'oh my god she's so beautiful… your kids are going to be really cute' Charlie teased….

"Charlie my god he looks like he's going to fall over any second that's not helping" Harry patted Tristan on the back in reassurance

They all turned to look as Paul came in. Now Paul was a quite guy he was initially surprised when he realized the Dugreys had a different side then the front of this upper class dignified dynasty. Paul was a guy he was the answer for testosterone among for a balance with Tristan against the girls, although the longer Paul had spent around the sisters the more lively he became.

"Hey I was sent up to say and this is my best prudence imitation ….you had better not besmirch your last chance to prove the Dugrey name" Paul looked proud of himself the others just looked at him as if he was crazy 'he's your husband' Charlie said finally to Odie. This made Harry and Tristan giggle.

"Okay Showtime now Tristan……just meet her that's all don't charm her be kind to her and charm the parents usually the mother is older and hiding it so you can butter her up but I have don't really think this is going to work on this one". Odie Advised "Butter the grandmother up and you'll survive to see tomorrow."

Tristan felt like the one he was going to hurl he had been good at smoozaing society people before he had forgotten and changed his ways that he felt like it was his first event. Tristan walked out of the room with the Paul behind him 'Just meet her how bad can she be maybe she does not know me….'

Meanwhile outside

Rory wished her parents let her in to there secret that was assuring them such confidence. Rory looked toward her mother. She was looking at her father again; it was as if they had a secret language. Lorelei looked uneasy at first then liked she done this a million times before

Emily was so busy pruning her self she looked extra quaffed today. Richard looked a little more formal than usually as well. This some how brought back the events of before back with her mother trying to turn up to the dinner nude.

Tristan was now being called downstairs to come and greet there guests his mother and grandmother looked especially pleased like it was some huge burden being lifted of there shoulders. However, Tristan knew that if this girl knew him or worse liked him from before than he knew that he would not agree to this marriage.

Rory stood behind Chris with Lorelei they had both kept telling her it would be fine to trust them. Now Rory was not sure she did not see how it could be fine. If Emily wants her to be in society then she had the means and the advantage to do it.

Tristan was still standing at the top of the stairs with Odie now Odie was trying to get him to at least be in the foyer when she arrives to have at least a little courtesy to look the girl in the eye when he tells her family that he cannot go through with it. Odie main concern now was the wrath that prudence would incur on them all if Tristan embarrassed her; again, she had to admit no one could fluff her feather quite like her prodigal grandson.

Richard rang the bell the door opened promptly an old butler greeted them and invited them in…

"musk sticks musk I swear to god…that man is the luckiest in the world he get to smell like musk sticks," the elder grandparents just stared at her

"Lorelei please remember this is not your night it's Rory's" Emily hastily scorned at Lorelei as they walked into the house

"It's important that we make a positive impression of Rory" Emily was beginning to think for a moment that Lorelei and Chris were for the idea. It had started to become suspicious to her she expected Lorelei to object at first but then slowly settle to the idea when they see who they picked for Rory. Emily was beside herself Girls in society Rory's age would be so envious of her after this.

"I think your are going to be very happy with whom you're going to meet here tonight" before Rory had time to retaliate to the comment with an objection they were greeted by a maid who offered to take there coats to the cloakroom. There was no doubt this house was much grander than the Gilmore's mansion. However, it gave you the sense that if you did not keep up with the group you will disappear. Rory was dressed in an elegant maroon dress, which made her blue eyes stand out. Even though she was against being promised to someone, she rather hoped that if the guy's family said no to her it was not because of the way she looked.

Tristan and Paul were now sitting at the top of the stairs Tristan didn't want to go down stairs his grandmother had sent the made to detour them around so that Tristan could make it down before them…. Paul had now been sent to get Tristan by force if he had to. Though Paul was such a pushover that the other set up this farce of a tough guy for fun around the elder Dugrey.

"Okay am not sure now if your afraid of the rejections or that military school has now made you into some form of girl…. but trust me if your not sitting on that couch your sisters will beat my ass. That my friend is on your head… Plus your sisters are so worried about you and just think Charlie looks up to you." Tristan just looked over to Paul as his tough demeanor thawed and he started rambling

"If you show how afraid of this you are then what happens when someone comes around for Charlie and she goes running. That will be your fault because you take her unscathed reputation down with you when you run from this." Tristan just sat back and watched Paul getting worked up trying Unsuccessfully to relate to Tristan in the same way his sister does he was hiding his amused smirk as Paul continued.

"Okay. If you are going to sit there fine but to be honest, your grandmother scares me. And I don't mean a little I mean like Ursula sea witch type of scared." This is where Tristan was now stifling laughter…. "Okay you win but I'm going to pout and pull a face. Through dinner, they both walked down the stairs and went to the formal lounge area through the maid's passageways that weaved through the house. "I'm so telling my sister you are afraid of the witch from the little mermaid." Paul grinned and clapped him on the shoulder "What ever gets you though the night man..."

Okay this is just stupid it's been like three minutes to get to there" Rory heard her mother whispering to Christopher "wait light there is light is see light. I repeat light at the end of the tunnel"…they rounded a corner to see a circular room…. There sat a woman a little older then Emily dressed in similar clothes she was obviously a DAR society women like her grandmother. Rory's eyes wandered to the blonde woman who was almost going unnoticed she had wavy blonde hair she was perfectly coiffed with who was nursing a drink of alcohol. She had a sad face as if no one had looked at her in a while.

"Prudence darling how are you" Emily I'm Fine how was your journey...

"Fairly uneventful"

Well that's amusing to hear"… Chris Whispered to Lorelei and Rory "Showtime"…. "Now for the reason why we are here Prudence, This is our granddaughter Lorelei Leigh Gilmore also known as Rory"….Rory well that is a lovely name. She watched as Emily continued talking and ignored the other woman. Rory reciprocated the polite convocation.

"My Grandson shall be here shortly he is well a little detained at the moment but should be here shortly."

"Detained" Emily said curiously, there was no way they would jerk her granddaughter around if they were not as eager as they implied than Rory would not be waste on someone who did not want her.

"Emily Gilmore I see the doubt on your face but I can assure you your granddaughter is well sought after. But I will admit the reception from my grandson was a little less than desired."

Emily was not going too divulged while Rory was in the room that she knew it was her former Chilton classmate. Emily knew of how the girls sought after Tristan and although she heard about his conquests she let them fall on deaf ears as she was told by the DAR woman who were In the know about the people who were out in society that Tristan Dugrey was a Casanova although the news was biased as most the woman wanted him to pay his attention to there daughters. She heard laughter from prudence she looked over to Rory who was nodding along politely to prudence's questions about Yale she had just been accepted and was planning to be optimistic the same way as she was about Harvard.

Rory naturally could fit into situation with some of societies highest regard citizens and not bat an eye. This reassured her that this was the right thing to do.

Rory could hear laughter she felt a rush of déjà vu… she was getting butterflies in her stomach

Tristan rounded the corner laughing not realizing that the guest were already there he was genuinely laughing with his brother in law. "Tristan there you are I was wondering how much longer you would take to grace us with your presence never mind your hear now so you can finally meet"… "Rory" Tristan cut her off.

'I'm sorry have you meet before' prudence knew what this girl had meant to him this is exactly what she had been preparing for, she knew that Tristan went and broke into a safe because he was rejected but a girl when prudence enquired about the girl she learned that she was an remarkable catch. A very suitable young woman with great attributes to offer this family. Her grandchildren could only reverse the damage this family has suffered with (Tristan's parents).

Tristan was still standing at the in the archway staring at Rory with a poker face but still a little disbelief was showing through. Paul was now standing with him he hand stopped just before the archway when Tristan had been ahead of him Paul had been chasing him and Tristan had been running they were having a good time when Tristan had stopped at the living room and had a look of shock on his face Paul took this as his queue to retreat back a little until his wife got there they were perfecting themselves incase this girl had a brother. When Tristan had managed to speak he only said one word 'Rory'. This sent Paul into panic mode he bolted back down the corridor and went into the kitchen and then the pantry he needed to the other this is not good. Paul whipped out his cell and called Odie…."Honey…just listen you need to get down here now. Something unbelievably horrible has happen…No I'm not overeating its bad I think the girl he's meeting is Tristan's Mary" there was gasps on the other end. And then some crashes…."okay what happened." "Harry fell off the chair…..were on our way wait for us it will just make grandmother mad if we interrupt"… "Over and out"…Paul clicked the phone shut and hurried out through the pantry ignore the sniggers of the kitchen staff. Over his melodramatics.

Lorelei and Chris had figured it out when they pulled up to the house. This was Jason durgreys. They used to come here when they were teenagers as he threw the biggest parties. Jason didn't have children they would be close to the same age as Rory but his older brother Robert did. Lorelei also knew that Robert had one son. Who went to school with Rory. He got himself in trouble and was sent away.

Lorelei saw how Tristan looked at Rory when she went to pick Rory up from school a few times. She had been preparing for this big blow out. However, she and Chris had back up. They moved away from this world of this manipulation and they were not going to let Rory be sucked into the same traps they had fallen into.

Now she was watching Rory who was not freaking out at the sight of Tristan Dugrey she had a neutral look on her face, as she was not sure if this was bad. This worried Lorelei a little she did not like this feeling that she might have to deal with the match she had been thinking up escape plans. Not wedding plans.

Tristan was still in the doorway stunned beyond belief