Delectable Candy
By Michelle Harris
Mayhem
Chapter 6
"Good morning, Mary Jenkins!" Mrs. Chandler announced enthusiastically, smiling as she walked by the other, yawning woman.
"I daresay, it is a much better looking day than yesterday," Mrs. Jenkins closed her mouth. She blinked her eyes a couple of times before she was able to focus them on the housekeeper. Mrs. Chandler was apparently on her way to laundry room.
"Why, yes it is," Mrs. Chandler agreed, smiling back at her friend. "Your breakfast is already in the dinning room. I've got to put these clothes into the laundry room and then I'll join you," Mrs. Chandler was already turning away when Mrs. Jenkins stopped her.
"I didn't think Candy had the nerve to wear the outfit Miakia gave her!" Mrs. Jenkins chuckled as she stared at the rumpled clothing in Mrs. Chandler's arms.
"Oh, I thought---well, I thought it was Miakia's clothing, that's funny…" Mrs. Chandler mused aloud before Mrs. Jenkins' interrupted her.
"Oh no, I certainly remember pulling it out of Candy's amour last night," Mrs. Jenkins answered, puzzled.
"But…. I thought it was strange to find Miakia clothing in Albert's rooms when she wasn't even here this week!" Mrs. Chandler added, thoughtfully. A moment later their faces turned bright pink as the implications dawned on them.
"Well, I see you two busy bodies are cooking up something, aren't you?" Came the distinctive, autocratic voice behind the ladies. They jumped, startled by the intrusion into their private conversation, as they did not realize that Mr. Potts had silently walked up to them.
"Why Potts! You likely scared the wits out of me!" Mrs. Chandler shrieked and laughed at the same time, as her hand went to her bosom with startled fright.
"Now there's a new thought!" The lively, Mr. Potts declared so, that Mrs. Jenkins couldn't help laughing along.
"I declare, you old reprobate! All we were doing is discussing Candy is all!" Mrs. Chandler defended herself, a chuckle escaping.
"Discussing Candy's whereabouts last night in a certain employer's rooms?" Mr. Potts added mysteriously, his white brow raising further then the women thought was possible on his long face.
"You heard all that?" Mrs. Jenkins asked, blushing at the thought, wondering how loud they were talking. She looked over Mr. Potts shoulders to make sure their employer was not within earshot.
"Oh don't worry, he left about an hour ago," Mr. Potts answered, seeing Mrs. Jenkins looking over his shoulder searching for a tall, distinctive form with wild, black hair and hard blue eyes. "Although, it's barely a little over sunrise--that's late even for him," Mr. Potts winked at the two ladies who twittered in response.
"I bet Candy sleeps 'til noon!" Mrs. Chandler chuckled.
"I'll bet you she doesn't!" Mrs. Jenkins added to the bet, that Mr. Potts' brows raised renewed interest in their conversation, muttering in the process about little old ladies who had nothing better to do with their own time than to spend it matchmaking.
It was nearing supper when Candy heard the rumbling of horses nearing the ranch. She ran to the parlor window and glimpsed outside, noting three additional riders accompanying Albert's return. She ran back over to the heart shaped, gold-gilded mirror that hung beside an elegant picture, pinching her cheeks for more color and smoothing her coiffure in the process. She really didn't need to pinch her cheeks for they were already flushed a becomingly pink color.
She had sat dreamily in the library, barely able to concentrate on the book before her. Her thoughts were centered for the better part of the day remembering the night before in Albert's arms. Remembering the delights of forbidden pleasure they had attained together. Suddenly, the heroine's adventurous life seemed dull compared to her own.
She had sighed wistfully, wishing that she could have awoken within his arms that very morning. Instead, she had to make do with the small bushel of wildflowers lying next to her pillow, the small petals tickling her nose. A small smile escaped her lips as she gazed at his thoughtfulness. She had stretched leisurely across her bed, remembering suddenly that she wore nothing underneath her covers, but her body remained unashamedly, relaxed. There was just something wicked and sensual about waking up nude and thoroughly satiated from lovemaking.
It was late in the morning when she descended downstairs to join Mrs. Jenkins and Mrs. Chambers for her breakfast, the smug smiles escaping her attention as she hummed a soft melody beneath her breath. She had smiled her thanks to Mrs. Chandler for the toast and creamy coffee, her regular breakfast fare, asking nonchalantly about Albert's whereabouts. Mr. Potts joined them, saying to the ladies that their employer was again in the neighboring town Nanyuki, and that he would be returning as soon as his business had concluded satisfactorily. Candy thanked the older man, smiling almost dreamily in the process and stared out the large, open window and into the warm day.
Candy tried to still her racing heart as Albert and the three other gentlemen entered the foyer. She had to nearly restrain herself from throwing her arms around Albert as soon as their gazes fused. She could not know how her eyes traced the manly planes of his face or how their other guests noted how her gaze seemed only for their host.
"I must say, Albert, how have you managed to keep such a beauty from Kenya society?" A young, handsome chocolate-haired man came up to Candy with a twinkle in his same colored eyes.
Candy smiled in response to the compliment, her gaze going to Albert, who flashed an annoyed, but playful smile to his friend and charge.
"Candy, may I present to you, Bradford Westin of Nanyuki," Albert swept his hands toward the other two men, "And this is James Farrow, recently from Nairobi." He indicated to the dark-haired man with friendly green eyes, standing beside Bradford. "And Bradford's friend, from California, Dom Fernandez."
The older man, flashing his gray eyes and bronze skin bowed low to Candy.
"Indeed, I must agree with Bradford, for you are a refreshing beauty among many in a harsh land," Dom said, lifting her limp hand and brushing the tops of her gloved hand with a light kiss. Candy started, her green eyes fluttering wide toward Albert's whose eyes had suddenly taken on a harsh gleam toward the rake, Dom.
Albert did not know about Bradford's friend, Dom Fernandez. Bradford told him that Dom was of their wealthy peerage, but refutably known as a rogue in the San Francisco society. He left a trail of broken hearts; mistresses and broken marriages in his lately wake. The mistresses were tolerated in their society, but he did not want Candy involved with such a man whose reputation was known only for using those to his own ends and his pleasure.
Besides, all this fawning over his charge was causing him to become irritable and he did not particular care for the way James or Dom's gaze continued to appraise his charge like a luscious gem for the taking. Although, it was his plan for Candy to meet eligible men of their society and for her to settle on a husband of means, he was having a hard time holding himself back from wiping those lustful leeriness off his friends' faces with his fists. He suddenly had the insightful thought that none before him were good enough for her picking, including himself.
The only one he wasn't worried about was young Bradford for he was just making his name within the Kenya society. His concentration was scholarly and noble. He knew that Bradford was not ready to settle down with marriage to any woman. But Bradford was good friend of Archie's and amicable, young man at that, that Albert had went along inviting him and his newfound friend from California to the ranch for a stay. He had mentioned his charge to the men, and they had readily agreed to meet her. James and Dom both were in the neighborhood for a bride with lineage and deep pockets.
Of the both, Albert did not really like the idea that James made an ideal husband. He was the same age as himself, handsome, wealthy and had blue blood within his heritage.
"Albert? This is a surprise!" Candy smiled graciously to their guests, her gaze searching Albert's. "I didn't know you were bringing home guests this evening," she felt a slight disappointment when he answered her query with that annoying, half smile of his. Was he really still up to marrying her off, she thought with alarming dismay? Especially, after the night they had shared.
"I ran into James and Bradford in town today," Albert shrugged his shoulders, indifferently, still watching her carefully. She had apparently taken the extra time with appearance today, he noted. His hard gaze swept the length of her elegant dress. A simple, deep purple, satiny dress that elegantly hugged her upper figure, nicely. Tiny puff sleeves adorned her arms, while the scoop of her dress dipped into a heart-shape, showing off her creamy breasts, enticingly. The rest of the dress flared from her rounded hips with layers upon layers of soft silk. Matching opera length gloves also in the purple gem color graced her arms. Her hair gleamed like a golden array of molten gold underneath the soft lightening within the parlor that they were currently walking into from the foyer. He sighed, remembering their time together that early morning. It ate at him, knowing she had been in his arms, exploring her wonderful body, delighting her with wonders of lovemaking. Even now, with a house full of men, his friends, watching her every move, he wanted her. He wanted snatch her from their prying eyes and make her his only possession.
It was sometime after supper, when the men had adjourned to the outside porch to part take in their cigars and port, did Candy allow a breath of relief flow out of her lungs. The supper had been long and despite the charming men, who entertained her was tiring. Albert as she noticed, did not join the other men in teasing her and flattering her with complements. Instead, he seemed cold, his manner almost indifferent. She sat quietly by the warm hearth, gazing into her glass of white wine, distorting the image of the fire that was reflected within the liquid. She knew that where she sat, the other men would not bother her, as they could not make out her figure from where they stood as she continued to contemplate her situation.
"Do you think it's odd that ole Albert has not snatched up such a lovely thing for himself?" James asked of Dom from where they stood. Albert had returned to the house, having stated that he had some paperwork to take care of.
Bradford chuckled at the comment, sipping his port. "If I may be so bold to say, something is definitely going on."
Dom raised his dark eyebrow at his new friend, "Well really, we are not asking you, Bradford. And since when, have you young ones become so perceptive into love affairs?"
"Yes, I agree," James chuckled at the younger man, "Candy seems quite the innocent, perhaps maybe a little charmed by her guardian, but still an innocent. She would definitely make a lovely bride to any man," he said almost thoughtfully to himself.
Dom stared at James, measuring him silently, "if you are seriously considering Albert's offer for her hand, I must forewarn you that you will have competition in that arena."
"You?" James exclaimed, surprised, "Are you saying that you are willing to give up your bachelor hood for her? A man with a reputation larger than the size of his estate?"
Dom coughed, laughing along with Bradford. "Why ever not? She is definitely worth her weight in gold. She would make a fine wife to any of us. Besides, I need a heir and soon."
"Well then, you will have a contender for her heart," James replied to Dom's raising of his eyebrow, "for I have every intention of pursuing her hand in marriage."
"Good luck Farrow, for you'll need it," Dom raised his glass in salute to James and Bradford, who in return raised their glasses. The two men nodded, the challenge had been accepted, and the prize was Candy's hand in marriage.
Candy paced her room, wearing a definite path on her marble floor. She waited the entire evening, watching the light from underneath the library door from her balcony to go out. She did not have the nerve to enter Albert's room as the night before, for to her it seemed as if their situation had yet again, changed. Her body so awakened to the pleasure of desire seemed to yearn again for Albert's embrace. Even after a day of absence from him. She did not know what to do, did not understand this burning heat that grew with each approaching hour. She only knew that Albert was the only one who could pacify the fires burning brightly within her.
Finally the light went out, and Candy fairly flew to her bed, throwing off her robe in process. Why, she acted so childishly she did not know as she tried to gather the netting into a neat disarray around her own bed. Her heart pounded loudly as she threw the covers over her shoulders, knowing the evening was still too warm for covers, still listening for Albert's heavy foot falls that had stopped before her door. She didn't hear the door open as she closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Then she heard him, moving silently around her room as if it were his was own. The sound of clothing dropping quietly by her bed caused her back to tremble with tremors, her breathing suddenly shallow.
She felt his hands reach over and pull her bedcover from her shoulders, feeling his warm breath across her neck, sending more shivering tingles down her back. She could almost see his insolent smile from behind her, could imagine the blueness of his eyes blazing at her from within the darkness of her room.
"Candy…." came the deep, husky call of her name.
She turned over, knowing she could no longer pretend sleep, her arms already slipping around his shoulders, pulling him toward her.
They kissed, deeply, hungrily.
"I could not stay away…. even though I know I should," he murmured against her lips.
"I know," she whispered back, arching her back against his hands that were already exploring her curves. Not wanting to end the detectable, delicious feeling of his hands touching and molding her breasts within his palms. "Albert....please…." she begged, her body twisting with mounting eagerness against his warm kisses that followed where his hands had been. Finally, after a day of near torture, they were back together, their shadows gracefully silhouetted against the calm lighting of the moonlight. And then there were no more thoughts or words between them, only the sounds of pleasure; their bodies joined once more in exultation and bliss.
The days passed quickly for Candy. The long, hot days shorten turning the Serengeti into a golden field of tall grasses and then the days turned into the weeks. Then finally into months. Most of her days were spent with the servants and Mrs. Jenkins, in a daily routine of helping the upkeep of the ranch. Needless to say, she was quite happy with her situation. She knew that Miakia had noticed a difference within her, but had refrained from asking her any personal questions. She knew that Miakia was still trying to work things out with her own husband and the new bride was now residing with them.
There were days where she entertained James and Dom in the parlor, as they were often visiting on a weekly basis to their ranch. Sometimes, the younger Bradford would join them, but often not. On those days, Albert would most likely not join them. She often noted a thunderous scowl on his face, his dark brow furrowing fiercely whenever Dom or James tripped over themselves in complementing her. Albert would often storm about the ranch in quite a temper, his face hard, his thoughts closed off from her. This of course, would set off Dom and James with much heated debate and speculation, their glances slyly touching in her direction.
It was then that Candy learned of when Albert was no more than twenty-one, he had fallen in love with an older woman, who had been close friends with his sister. The woman, who was reportedly known to be very beautiful, had also fallen in love with the young Audrey. However, the woman had turned down Albert's offer to marriage in favor of a higher title and a larger estate holding. Of course, the woman had no knowledge of the amount of wealth Albert would come into later into the years. James had commented to her that their love affair had badly scarred the young Albert from marriage. Candy found the story fascinating, and wondered about the woman. When she herself was trying to get over her own heartache with Terry, Albert himself was burying those same desperate pleas for love for another woman into the deep recesses of his heart. She knew that she still had a lot to learn about Albert.
Although Albert strode about the ranch in a ferocious ire when James and Dom were visiting, it was late at night when Candy would come to anticipate him with ardent eagerness. It did not matter one wit to her, that James and Dom were no further than a couple of rooms from her own. For she knew such times, would bring a silent and intense Albert to her bed. There was something about his fierce, burning dark gaze, that brook no argument, no words were needed then between them. He would mount her with such fervid fierceness that she thought she would break in half. The vigorous pace of his hips thrusting between her thighs would cause her to cry out at the splendorous, rapturous feeling rioting within her. Watching her with that piercing, penetrating gaze of his as he continued to move deeply, hungrily within her. He would groan her name, her own cry echoing his, as he clutched at her tumbled hair, collapsing atop of her, spent.
Oh but they were wondrous nights of exquisite indulgence, that she felt as if she had landed in some exotic paradise. Had she known such delights could be captured between two beings, she would not have hesitated in taking Albert sooner as her lover. She could not know how Albert felt his pupil was far too natural in her sexuality, her passion nearly equal to his own. She could not know how he thirsted for her eagerness, the exalting elation he felt holding her within his arms. But Candy also knew that despite the pleasures they attained as one, she knew she was beginning to drown, falling forever, emotionally in love with him. There were no other words that could describe such feelings of bliss and harmony she felt whenever she was with him.
She knew somehow, felt that their paradise of two would soon come to an end. And it did on that fateful, sultry evening. She was there within his rooms, indulging again in those forbidden pleasures with him.
Albert's trailing fingers swirled endless patterns on her smooth stomach, his face suddenly turning hard as he decided to bring up a subject that he had hoped avoiding but could no longer put off. He knew that bringing up this subject would ultimately bring their time together to an end, however much he did not want it to. James had approached him that day, asking for Candy's hand in marriage. And although he did not want to hear such words come from his friend, he had already made the promise to give Candy away to the man who he felt was worthy of her heart. Your so damn contradicting, he thought angrily to himself for the hundredth time. If James is so worthy of Candy, why are you here, in place where James should be?
"James has asked for your hand in marriage, Candy," he began watching her lovely, sleepy face.
She opened her green eyes slowly, noting the sudden tick beside his jaw. How could he talk of marriage to another when his hands were doing wicked things to her lower body, she thought drowsily? "I hope you turned him down. I'm perfectly content with the way things are," she lied. She did not want to forever be Albert's mistress. She was in love with him, surely he felt the same way?
"I accepted on your behalf," he simply stated, watching her eyes widen with disbelief.
"You're not serious?" She gasped, suddenly sitting up, not believing what she had just heard. Despite the fact that he had accepted another man as her husband, she watched his gaze helplessly dip to her full breasts as they heaved with emotion. No! This can't be happening she thought with panic. Here they were in bed together and she was supposed to just say okay?
"I'm very serious. What we're doing---we can't keep doing this," he stated, quietly.
"Then do something about, Albert," she pleaded bravely, her hand trembling, reaching out to touch his arm.
"I have," he said, getting out of bed. Jesus, he thought, what the hell am I doing? He stared at her stricken face. His heart clinched with piercing pain as he stared at the sudden tears that welled in her huge eyes. He turned away from her, reaching for his pants.
"I will not marry him. I-I lo--" Good Lord, she cut herself off her hand grasping her mouth as he turned her way again, his face an unreadable wall of ice. She had almost told him that she loved him. She slowly got out of his bed, slipping on her robe that hung carelessly off of his chair.
"You were saying?" He asked, coldly, carefully, trying to keep his voice neutral despite the turmoil boiling within him. There was a wrenching pain filling him as he continued to gaze at her, he wanted to wipe away her tears and tell her that everything was all right. But he could not, did not dare to move toward her. Otherwise he would never trust himself with the words that he wanted to take back but could not. He watched her shake her head at him, as if suddenly stricken with silence.
"I don't have anything more to say to you!" She gasped out as the pain seared through her heart like a slicing knife. How could he stand there before her so coldly, as if nothing mattered between them, she thought as the tears fell from her eyes. She wiped at them needlessly, still staring at him as she slowly backed away from him, clutching at her robe toward her as if to ward him off.
"You will marry him, Candy," he stated solemnly, "we cannot continue this situation the way it is and it is the least I can do for you," throwing on his shirt before striding to the door. He looked back at her standing in the middle of his room like a lost waif; a scowl erupted across his face. He turned his back on her, opening the door to his room and leaving her to collapse in a forlorn heap.
He was gone for no more than four hours. Riding the Loita Plains on his steed at breakneck speed, trying to erase her hauntingly beautiful face from his mind. How could she hope for more than his arms at night? It was all he could give her. He could not give her more than that, he told himself a thousand times over. His heart or what was left of it, he could not afford to loose it again. There was no such thing as love, only lust.
But Candy was not Catherine. She was far from the little, conniving bitch Catherine had been. A beautiful, deceiving witch is what Catherine had been. She had enticed him with the pleasure of her body and then threw his proposal back into his face when he could not possibly meet the expectation of the lord who had proposed to her. The last laugh had been on her of course. Catherine married her old earl, who in return did not die right away as predicted, but lived on for another five years. Unbeknownst to Albert, Uncle Allen had named him the only known heir to the Audrey fortune. He had inherited the entire Audrey fortune, from the title of a marquis, the ancestral home in Scotland, the banks and to the many estate holdings in London, New York and Chicago.
And Candy…. Candy Candy…. Candice White Audrey. He closed his eyes for moment, remembering the first time he had seen her, crying so dreadfully on that tiny hill. How beautiful he had thought her then, even for a child. He had been no more than a teenager then; he smiled wistfully into the hot breeze whistling through his ears. He had begged his uncle before he passed away those many years ago to adopt the little, golden girl with the sad, green eyes and sprinkle of freckles across her nose. How was he to know, even speculate, that she would grow up to become so breath-takingly beautiful that he had such a hard time relinquishing his tenuous hold on her to another.
He rode back to the ranch with hopes in piecing together Candy and his relationship. The servants, James and Dom were in an uproar when he arrived.
"She's gone!" Dom angrily glared at Albert as he dismounted from his horse.
"What? What do mean she's gone?" He snapped back at the man he did not particularly care for but had put up in his house for the past weeks.
"She left this note for you," James handed the letter to Albert. James recognized one of those grim sneers on his friend's face again; "I found it in the library. Dom and I were just getting ready to depart for Nanyuki."
Albert opened and skimmed through the letter, muttering an oath in the process.
"What did she say?" Dom asked, impatiently.
"None of your damn business!" Albert exploded, striding back into the house, bellowing sharp orders at the scattering servants.
Chicago, Illinois
A month later….
"My lady, there is a young woman asking for Terry and you at the door," Roger the valet, said to Susanna. She was currently entertaining two visitors in the parlor. Susanna frowned, wondering who as at the door. She stood and excused herself from the group of women, slightly limping to the door. Terry had commissioned a special man-made leg to be made for her from a brilliant doctor who also lived in Chicago. Thanks to the hard work and craftsmanship of the leg, she was nearly able get around with only a slight limp. It certainly made taking care of their newborn daughter, Corina, a lot easier for her, their wet nurse and Terry.
"Candy!" Exclaimed Susanna when she reached the doorway, to see the young lady standing in her foyer. Immediately, her wide eyes went to Candy's slightly rounded stomach.
"Susanna, I'm sorry for barging in on you and Terry. But I had no where else to go!" Candy cried out, the tears once again escaping from her eyes.
"Oh you poor dear!" Susanna came forward, her hands reaching out to the other's whose was trembling.
"Please, come into the library." Susanna ushered Candy into the library.
Candy smiled gratefully to the other woman. She wiped the wet tears from her face, knowing she was being over dramatic. She thought that even after a month on the ship that she should have cried all her tears over Albert. But it while she was the ship, did the doctor inform her of her pregnancy state and that she was already three or four months into the stage. Of course, she had been thrilled with the prospect of having her own child. More tears threatened to spill as she wondered how Albert would have felt, had he known that he was now a father. By God, even though she wanted to hate him for turning away from her and offering her to another man, she still loved him. She loved him with all her heart, even though she now knew that he did not return those same feelings. However, she was more than willing to raise their child on her own. She of course, wrestled with the thought of whether or not she should tell Albert. She knew however, that would eventually have to tell him.
Her hand closed over her stomach, protectively.
Susanna, who understood immediately how Candy was feeling, did not overlook the gesture. Gently, she asked, "It's Albert's isn't it?"
Candy nodded, looking up at the woman. "I love him so much, Susanna," Candy began sobbing again.
"Oh my dear," Susanna said again, sympathetically, taking her cold hands into hers. "Does he know?"
Candy shook her head negatively, still crying, "I ran be-because he doesn't love me."
"Oh Candy, Terry will not be pleased when he finds out…." Susanna muttered just as the library chair swirled around from the desk to reveal a frowning Terry.
"No, I'm not pleased…." Terry replied angrily before the two startled women. "He used you, didn't he?" He demanded, then without waiting for her answer, exploded, "that bastard!"
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