Chapter 8
"Towards the Horizon"
By CCLady Gato
Grandchester House in the titled Belgravia district of London had never shone as it did the evening of the engagement party. Even the Prince of Wales himself would grace the evening celebrating the upcoming nuptials of two of the exalted heirs of British Nobility, Terrence Graeme Grantchester and Elizabeth Barrington.
Yet as he tightened the French silk of his white Charvet bow tie, Terrence felt as if he was styling his own noose. He had to, must talk to Elizabeth this evening, despite the reason occasion. He just had to. He looked at the young comely man in the mirror as he went about tying the bow tie dispassionately, the emptiness of his impeding nuptials with Elizabeth coloring the leaden shade in his eyes. No, only the promise of fulfillment with Candice White propelled him. But only he could make that promise a true reality.
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Elizabeth Barrington tried not to chew her lower lip in nervousness as she greeted guests with Terrence at their engagement party. There was an uneasy complicity between them, as they thanked the guests that heartily congratulated them. They each knew they were uttering lies to the faces that wished them happy endings and wonderful forthcomings.
"Ah good show, eh? I'm most moved," the Prince of Wales had said, as he took Elizabeth's hand and deposited a proper handkuss on the tightly gloved hand. She had slightly blushed, whilst Terrence had imperceptibly brooded. "Grandchester, you old skote, I never thought you would be tamed by likes of Elizabeth Barrington" he had said to the groom.
"Indeed, Sir, I am quite bemused myself…" Terrence had indicated with a slight bow to his cousin second time removed. He had to talk to Elizabeth, the sooner the better. The sham could not continue.
Once the Prince of Wales had arrived, it signaled that the engagement party was officially underway. The gathering had assembled in the drawing room, engaged in small talk and small bites prior to the victuals. Terrence purchased his opportunity and in a low voice, asked Elizabeth to come with him to the study. She had been somewhat demure during the evening, and did not seem too disturbed with his request. They were about to depart from the receiving line when the announcement was made:
"Sir William Albert Andrew, Marquess of Cumberland!"
Elizabeth had blushed furiously…her Albert was here? She had been on edge all night.
William Albert Andrew had strode in confidently, wearing the tartan of the Ancestral Andrew clan of Scotland, albeit their Cumberland English title gave them the rank that merited the raised eyebrows at the gathering upon the recent turn of events.
Cecil, the head butler was busy with the bottle of Louis Roderer, had been primed to pop the bottle open at the Duke of Granchester's pronouncement "and now,my dear friends, it gives me great pleasure to announce…" yet he was cut off midsentencee by "that I intend to marry Miss Elizabeth Barrington and make her my own bride… by the blonde, longhair Andrew interloper. The cork had popped as planned, landing into the surprised hands of Terrence and the subsequent gush of bubbly had baptized the sullen Duke of Grandchester amongst the surprised gathering, including the Prince of Wales who had burbled, "Jolly good! Pass the bubbly,eh?"
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Richard furiously paced the parquet of his study. His only son observed him, unsettled and discomfited.
"Are you to say that Elizabeth had been in concert with William Andrew all this time?" He crossly asked. The evening had been ruined upon the eccentric aristocrat's declaration of intent. Lady Barrington had fainted upon William's declaration and an uneasy silence had befallen the revelers.
"I am quite surprised at this turn of events, Father, yet I only wish Elizabeth's happiness…" Terrence murmured, hoping to extricate himself, secretly relieved that his culpability in not corresponding to Elizabeth was not entirely reprehensible. In fact, he was darn glad!
"Oh, but of course you would!!" the Duke snarled, incensed. The catastrophe of the evening was compounding in his psyche. "Given your own recent proclivities!"
"I refuse to live my life as you did, Father!!" the younger Grandchester growled defensively, fed up.
"'Tis bad enough that I have been grievously embarrassed in my very own home, but you…you!" Richard accused seethingly, the remnant humilation of the evening having singed thoroughly...he would not feel the end of it, for some time.
"If Elizabeth loves and is corresponded in that love, I'm not one to stand in crosshairs by it!! I choose to follow mine own heart's desire!" Terrence avowed furiously.
"Terrence if you dare not follow what your duty dictaminates to you and defend the coventants I have set for you, then…then…" Richard menaced, slamming his hand on his bureau.
"Father, I don't care anymore…I don't ascribe to this gross hypocrisy any longer…nothing of what you offer me can dissuade me any further; I will marry and love Candice, come hell or high water!"
"Then come hell then, for I forbid you to selfishly seek your own desires!!! If you pass the front door following your foolhardly mind, then God as my witness, I'll disown you!!"
"Disown me then! This life would only stifle me! I am going to pursue my own bliss father, I care not to be called Grandchester!" Terrence strode out of Grandchester House, and did not look back.
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Candy had boarded the Maid of the Channel with trepidation. Even as Annie had merrily embarked on this journey to Paris, Candy was increasingly unsure. At some deep level, she felt, this was all wrong…it was as she was escaping something she did not need to leave behind. She had never been a coward. When last call aboard was made , she turned to Annie and declared "Oh, Annie, to leave England now…I feel as if I'm leaving my very soul behind…"
"Cheer up, Candy....after all you have been through, this change of scenery will do you good...besides Paris is the City of Love!" Annie had declared.
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He had pulled the bell, his heart racing out of his chest. "Miss Candy….I need to speak with her…" he asked, restraining himself, when the door had been opened.
"Master Grandchester, Miss Candy left to embark the the Maid of Calais earlier today…." had been the terse reply.
Calais! Was she leaving England for France? Oh, Dear God…no!
His dread impatience had carried him from London to the port of Southhampton. He had barely paid for his passage whilst he headed towards the berth where the ship left on its scheduled daily crossing across the Channel. He arrived only to see the stern of the vessel as it headed towards the horizon. He felt his whole life slide before him. "Candy!!! Don't go!! I love you!!!" he cried out, the dread hopelessness piercing his heart with finality.
