CHAPTER 7

"So, how are the preparations going? Have you decided on a date for the wedding yet?" asked Candy when they were all comfortably seated in the cool shade of the porch downstairs facing the back side of the garden, iced drinks shared around the table.

"Well, we are thinking of sometime in the spring, next year" said Archie. "All the preparations take time, more time than you can possibly imagine!" he rolled his eyes but his face was full of pride.

"You must be very happy" said Albert, "we certainly are for you guys!"

The evening passed very pleasantly. Albert had to unfortunately excuse himself for a while to make a few phone calls and Archie wanted to go up to the cemetery to visit Stear's grave. The two girls were left alone to catch up.

"So tell me, how did he propose, aww Annie, you must be so excited, Archie is a wonderful man and he really loves you, I know he does! Let me see the ring again, it is absolutely gorgeous!" said Candy full of happiness for her friend.

"I am so excited about the wedding, Candy! I have started to think about my dress already, do you want to have a look?" she asked animated. "I would love it if you and Patty would be my bridesmaids..." she added shyly.

"Really!? Oh, but of course Annie, of course, I would be honoured to be by your side as you marry the man of your dreams... oh Annie... it seems like yesterday we were still running up Pony's Hill, two small girls... how different life was back them... and now... look at you, a grown-up woman, ready to join your life with Archie's... oof, I am getting emotional, I am sooo happy for you!!" she hugged her friend. "Oh go on, let's go and have a look at your catalogues, I am dying to see what we will be wearing on the big day!" she said elated.

The evening passed very pleasantly, the four of them enjoying a lovely dinner, chatting, laughing and teasing and Annie entertained them playing the piano. Albert was in a great mood and had them in hysterics most of the evening with the many funny stories he told them from his trips but also his impersonations of the frequent nagging from their Aunt Elroy. It was quite late when they said their good-nights and went to their respective bedrooms.

Candy got ready for her bed replaying in her head the rich events of the day. Her feelings were a mixture of sadness for Albert's tragic experiences in Africa, great happiness for Annie and Archie, memories of uncontrollable laughter from the entertaining evening they had just shared, but also confusion... she thought of Albert again. Was he really feeling so cheerful tonight or was he trying to suppress the strong emotions raised by their earlier discussion today...

Albert, you are such a mystery... And George... a thief... and in love with Rosemary? That still seemed incredible... and then Albert again. She tried to remember how she felt when she was in his arms earlier today, tried to remember the way he was looking at her. And when he caught her gawking at him, God, that was so embarrassing! She blushed again... She couldn't bear the look of his beautiful blue eyes full of tears, dear Albert, how I wish I could erase these awful memories from your mind forever... was she looking at him a bit too much over dinner tonight? Her gaze seemed to drift automatically towards him, she almost had to force herself to take her eyes away... but he looked so handsome...

She tossed and turned in her bed, the night was just too warm for comfort. She sighed... a gentle breeze was moving the curtains of her room lightly so she decided to go out onto the veranda for a while in the hope of some relief from the uncomfortable temperature. She stepped outside wearing only her nightgown, a long pink silky dress with thin shoulder straps, finely laced front and a knee-high cut on each side. She had no idea how lovely she looked in the moonlight with her long, curly hair down, framing her beautiful face and gracing her slender, soft shoulders. She rested her hands on the balustrade and took a deep, slow breath, her senses inundated by the delicate flower scents in the air, even more pungent in the unusual warmth. She was grateful for the light cool breeze; she threw her hair back and stretched gently bathing into the silvery light...

An owl hooted in the background. She tensed to listen carefully; and then she heard another sound. She turned to her left and next she saw him.

Albert was lying on the swing at the end of the veranda, wearing only the trousers of his pyjamas. He was holding a small glass with some dark liquid in his hand. He was swinging very slowly and seemed lost into his own thoughts.

Candy was about to greet him when he spoke "I am terribly sorry Candy, I didn't mean to startle you. I wasn't sure how long you would stand out here, I thought I shouldn't disturb you" he had a sip of his drink, his eyes on her, his gaze absorbing her lovely features...

She looked so beautiful, so innocent, so enticing... the flimsy fabric clung onto her slightly sweaty body like a glove adorning each and every of her womanly curves...

"Were you too hot as well?" she said quietly and moved towards him. "I couldn't get to sleep, maybe the heat... maybe the events of the day... my mind seems to be incapable of switching off..." she sat next to him on the swing and looked out into the garden.

Albert forced himself to push away the thoughts about how unbearably desirable she was and replied "yes, it has been an interesting day, alright."

She was suddenly sombre again. "I am really sorry I brought back all these sad memories... I had no idea..." she looked at him questioningly.

Albert put his drink down on the table next to him. He turned to face her and put his hands on her soft shoulders.

"Candy, promise me you will no longer get upset about what I told you today. All this belongs to a very distant past and I have made my peace with my loss. I am now focussing on the future and dream of the day my heart will find a special someone to love again."

"Love doesn't die because a person does, Candy. Love doesn't die because it has never been born; it is... it is like a long river... changing only lands and lips..." he said with a poignant smile on his face, as if he was talking to himself rather than her...

Candy went very quiet. She looked into his dark eyes, his hands still enfolding her bare shoulders. She didn't know why she was feeling so vulnerable, why she needed him to be close to her so badly that moment.

"Please, hold me" she whispered, trembling.

Albert looked at her intensely for a brief moment trying to understand her thoughts, but nevertheless did what she asked him. He put his strong arms around her and she nestled into his wide, muscular chest, breathing in his scent and listening to his heartbeat. Her small hand rested on his scars, as if she was trying to protect him from further harm. She synchronised her breathing with his and closed her eyes.

Albert was stroking her hair and back absent-mindedly, as the swing moved slowly back and forth in the silver light cast by the moon. None of them spoke for a long time, they were both content to just be there, holding each other, drawing strength from each other's embrace. None of them knew what it was exactly that created such powerful emotions in them that night and both of them were sure that the following day there would be embarrassed looks and their eyes would perhaps avoid one another's.

It was strange, she was relaxed and yet she couldn't quite relax. She couldn't decipher the messages her own body was sending her, was it appropriate that she was sitting like this with him, their bodies hardly clothed, entwined in an intimate cuddle; was this real, was she dreaming... if it's a dream... it's a beautiful one, she thought, I don't want it to end... it has to be a dream, and I am sleeping... her eyelids felt heavy...

"You know Candy, when I was little, my mother first and Rosemary then used to sing this old Scottish song to me, to put me to sleep." Albert whispered. "I can't quite remember all the lyrics or what the story is all about, but the tune goes something like this". Albert started to sing softly to her while still caressing her...

Speed, bonnie boat,

like a bird on the wing

Onward! the sailors cry;

Carry the lad that's born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,

Thunderclouds rend the air;

Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,

Follow they will not dare.

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,

Onward! the sailors cry;

Carry the lad that's born to be King

Over the sea to Skye.

"Some day we will go to Scotland together Candy, would you like that?" Albert asked, but there was no answer, other than Candy's relaxed rhythmic breathing on his chest.

He smiled, scooped her up gently and took her to her bed. She looked like an angel, her golden mane framing her sweet face. He tucked her in and spent a few brief moments simply looking at her, taking in her beauty.

I don't know what happened out there tonight Candy, he thought, but I do know it was very special. Sleep well, little girl, sleep well...

But she is not a little girl anymore, Albert. That voice in his head started again when he too was in his bed. She has grown up to become a beautiful, attractive woman. His mind's eye saw her elegant silhouette again; her slender features, her lovely round breasts, just slightly heavier than what you would expect for a woman of her slender frame, her soft shoulders. He saw himself tousling her golden hair, breathing in her intoxicating scent, caressing her back and her long slim legs... and wanting to caress and hold and fondle and awaken every part of her, wanting to lose himself inside her... he sighed heavily and tried to make the voice STOP!...

...and you are undeniably attracted to her, Albert, it went on... you've always cared a lot about her, there is no doubt that you love her deeply, perhaps she is the closest person you have in the world, but more and more your feelings are changing, Albert. She is becoming essential to your existence and happiness. What are you going to do? You know fine well this cannot go on... he turned sides and covered his ears with his pillow, his own internal voice driving him crazy...

"Oh, morning Archie, sorry I am a bit late this morning" said Candy, coming out into the veranda to enjoy an al fresco breakfast. "Had some trouble falling asleep last night, it was so warm" she added apologetically.

"Don't worry Candy, we've only been down a little while ourselves" said Archie folding the newspaper he had been reading before she arrived. "Any excuse for a lie in, I'd say!" he offered smilingly.

"Where are Annie and Albert? Are they not up yet" she asked surprised.

"Oh no, no, they have gone out riding, Albert wanted to show Annie more of the Estate, as she hasn't been here properly before, you see."

The two of them had an enjoyable breakfast together, then Archie suggested they too went for a walk. Candy was only too glad to join him, she felt a bit strange after the previous night's encounter in the veranda with Albert and while a part of her was eager to see him again, another part was feeling a bit awkward and she didn't know why...

They strolled along the garden and into the forest. It was yet another nice day, but thankfully not as hot as the previous one. A few white clouds gathered on the horizon.

"You must be quite happy Archie" started Candy. "At least, I am happy for you!" she continued merrily.

"Thank you Candy, yes, I am happy. Annie and I have been together for a long time now, she is a lovely person and I am delighted she has agreed to become my wife. I wish... I wish Stear was still with us so that we could all celebrate together... I talk to him in my head sometimes, it's as if he never left and he will show up soon, a new unusual invention to share with us..." said Archie wistfully, his large brown eyes sad.

Candy didn't say anything, she missed Stear terribly herself.

"How is Patty by the way Candy, she has gone Florida to spend some time with her family before she finishes off her studies, so we didn't really get a chance to see her" he enquired with genuine interest.

"Well... it's hard Archie, it is really hard for her... she loved Stear very deeply... we all miss him still... but I believe it was good for her to spend some time at Pony's Hill. Looking after the children doesn't leave you much time to think and keeping busy is a good way to let time heal your pain..." Candy said.

"Hmm... and is that what you are doing too, Candy? Staying away from your previous life to forget Terry..." asked Archie.

She shivered. She hadn't heard someone mention his name for a long time and it felt alien to her, it stung in a strange way but it didn't hurt as much as it used to. Was that a sign her heart was healing at last? She didn't answer, her gaze turned towards the river next to her. She had walked its length so many times...

"Do you remember Archie when I was foolish enough to take that small boat and go down the river? You, Stear and Anthony came to save me... my three wonderful knights, always taking care of me!" she changed the subject.

Archie didn't press her any further on the subject of Terry. "Yes, we certainly came after you little Miss Trouble! Poor Anthony, he was so upset he might lose you... I understood how he felt... I felt the same too. And Stear... we were all madly in love with you, my dear, our gorgeous princess, bringing light and laughter, and if I may so, mischief, into our lives..." laughed Archie.

Little Miss Trouble, she thought. Albert called me that too. Albert... it was Albert the one who saved me that night years ago. Albert...

"You know Candy... sometimes happiness is right next to us but we are too preoccupied to realise it" Archie said enigmatically. "For years I loved you dearly, no, Candy, let me continue" he said seeing her protesting face

"I loved you and hoped that you would reciprocate my feelings. But I am not sad or hurt this didn't happen, Candy. Because you see, Annie was next to me all along, waiting for me to notice her, to love her, to cherish her and share with her my thoughts, feelings, fears and dreams for the future. Her happiness is essential to my own now Candy, and I cannot imagine my life without her" he said plainly.

"God only knows how I miss my brother. I wanted him to be my best man at the wedding. But I know what he would say to me, he would tease me first, and then share some words of wisdom as usual and congratulate me on choosing such a wonderful woman to share my life with... " he closed his eyes, a sad smile forming on his face.

He then turned towards her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Candy, promise me that no matter what happens in life, you will somehow find the strength to keep moving forward. Promise me..."

Candy nodded.

"Happiness is sometimes only inches away from our face Candy but we are too blind to see it. Remember that, my dear friend, and keep your eyes and your heart open for love will find you again. And you will know when you have found your prince because you not only will you have a smile on your face but in your heart as well" he finished wisely.

Before she could reply Archie let her go and waved merrily at Annie and Albert who had just appeared on their horses from a clearing ahead of them.

"Hey you two, hello! We're here!" She turned around to see her friends too. Annie, bright and cheerful, Albert the perfect host and gentleman, as always. Nothing in his attitude showed that they had shared some intimate moments the night before, he seemed calm, comfortable and as charming as ever.

"Archie, I am afraid you will have to continue the entertainment of the ladies here, I have to get back to my study for a while, George is going to call from Chicago and we need to discuss a few business issues" he said.

"Oh, don't worry Albert, you have already done more than enough for us, I am so grateful for the time you spent with me this morning, I thoroughly enjoyed myself!" said Annie truthfully.

"Yes, Albert, on you go, we will be fine here, thanks for taking care of Annie" added Archie.

Candy didn't speak, she just smiled at him weakly. Albert glanced at her very briefly and smiled back, then bowed politely and galloped towards the house.

The day passed very pleasantly, the three of them walking around the Estate, enjoying a great lunch and discussing in detail the wedding plans.

"But first", said Archie, "I would like to ask Miss Pony and Sister Mary for your hand in marriage officially so Candy, we will all drive back to Pony's Hill together this afternoon, would you like that?" he asked.

"Aww that would be fantastic, my God, they will be so happy to see you both, oh Annie, you've no idea how happy they were when we got the news! Let's go get ready soon then!" she said eagerly and walked fast towards the house.