SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 2
"We're going to the ball…"
Georgie was in her room getting ready to go to bed. She had come back to England a week before to look for her origins, once again. Everything started when she'd learned the young woman they found her on when she was a baby was not her real mother. She was adopted as a baby. The orphanage had given the gold bracelet to her adoptive parents, which they had found in the carrycot in which she was abandoned. They told that her mom went back to America to start over far away from all the bad memories. Against Abel and Arthur's opinion, she left Australia once again, for England. She was killing two birds with one stone. She needed to get away from her "brothers". They were both in love with her. She loved them very much, but she couldn't choose one, without hurting the other. So after discovering all those things on her origins she decided to go look for her mother. Abel and Arthur were sorry to see her leave. She didn't want them to come with her, so they won't get any false hopes. Her decision was made, she won't choose between her two brothers. She thought about Laurent and the sacrifice she made to save his life. Because of his illness, she gave him back to his family because she couldn't provide any medical care for him. She had to make the most difficult decision of her life, to abandon the man she loved to save his life. She'd sold her gold bracelet, her only link to her mother. She went to the jewellery store to see if it was still there, but it had of course already been sold. She thought about the young man who thought she was his girlfriend. He was charming, and handsome. How did he call her again? Oh yeah, Candy. Did she really look like her? Maybe, she'll never know, her thought went back to quest of her mother. She prayed to find the bracelet, she didn't know how, but she had to find it. It was the only link to her real mother. But, where can she start? She remembered the words from the gospel "do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about it self, each day has enough trouble of its own". She decided to follow those nice wisdom words of the bible and she went to bed and fall in a sleep with no dreams.
Candy woke up very late the next morning. The day before, had tired her a lot, she slept until 12 o'clock. She took a shower and went downstairs to have something to eat. The innkeeper told her that Terry had gone out and had given the order to let her sleep. The innkeeper gave her something to eat. She finished her food and went outside for a walk.
Meanwhile, at St. Paul College, Candy's friends were stunned and sad that she'd ran away. She'd rather left the college than to stay there without Terry.
- Do you think she left with him? Asked Archie to his brother.
- "Him" who? Asked Stear a little distracted.
- That damned English! That Grandchester!
- Apparently, that's what's coming out of the simultaneous disappearance.
- What does he have more than me? Why does she love him so much? He was arrogant and…
- …wasn't the one her best friend was in love with. Come on Archie, you know she'll see in you only a good friend and in me too, for that matter. For reasons unknown, she first preferred Anthony and now Grandchester. You and I will only be good friends.
- But I miss her so much already. Her presence made this cold and brittle college into a nice place, almost a fun place.
Stear didn't say anything. He was suffering in silence of Candy's departure.
Annie and Patty were in their room they both had a gloomy expression. Their best friend had left them to follow her dreams, to be with the one she loved. The college wasn't the same without Candy. She always brought joy where ever she passed.
- You're thinking about Candy, Annie? Patty asked.
- Do you know why she left? Annie asked.
- She probably didn't want to stay here without Terry. He sacrificed himself so she could stay. I think she's in love with him.
- I hope they're together. But I miss her so much.
Sister Grey wrote to George to inform him about Candy's disappearance.
"Terrence Grandchester's sacrifice didn't do any good. She left instead of staying here without him. she said to herself."
Candy was walking outside and was wondering how will she explain her running away to Uncle William? He had the goodness to put her in that renowned college, so she can become a lady. But after Terry's sacrifice, she couldn't stay there without him. He had become the only reason that allowed her to like that cold and brittle college with the severe nuns. She loved Terry, she wanted to be with him, but she had to find her calling first. She wanted something, which was going to permit her to help others. Nurse… why not? If she went to nursing school maybe uncle William will forgive her for running away from St. Paul College. As a nurse, she'll be able to cheer up the patients from being sick, make them feel better at least morally. She was going to become a nurse. Her decision was made. She didn't want to confront Uncle William, she was afraid he'd send her back to the college. She had to tell Terry. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with her, but she also wanted to have her own career. She had time to talk to him.
- Penny for your thoughts… said the voice of her beloved, which brought her back to reality.
- Hello she said with a nice smile.
She hugged him with love, he hugged her back.
- I should be gone more often, hello freckles.
- Where were you?
- To use of my influence to get us an invitation to the royal ball tomorrow night…
- The one where they were looking for waiters and waitresses?
- Yes, only we're going to be guests. My godfather helped me out.
- But Sister Grey, must be looking for me…
- I don't think, she'll look for you at the royal ball.
- But it will probably be covered by the newspapers
- You know, sometime the best hiding places are in plain sight. I don't think that Sister Grey or Sister Margaret go to those society gatherings or read those kind of tabloids newspapers. But don't worry Freckles, I won't let anyone take you back to that cold and brittle college.
- From your mouth to God's ears!
- Now we have to go shopping. You need a party dress, a white one and accessories.
- White?
- Yes, it's on the invitation. Women wear white and men black.
- Ok, but don't come with me. I want to surprise you.
- Ok, no problem. We will separate downtown London. I have to buy myself a tuxedo.
They went downtown London and got to Trafalgar Square.
- I'll meet you here in two hours, that should be enough for you to buy a dress or will you need more time?
- Three hours will be better for me, Terry.
- Three hours? Ah women! Ok, in three hours her at Trafalgar Square. Be careful and don't look for trouble.
He gave her a large amount of money.
- That's way too much, Terry!
- Better safe than sorry. See you later, Freckles. Don't forget, the theme is black and white, your dress have to be white.
He kissed her on the forehead and they separated. Candy started window shopping at first. She looking at dressed across the windows. She finally got in a boutique called "At Nelly's" specialized in wedding gowns. She needed a white dress, why not a wedding dress? Wedding…marriage… will she marry Terry? Only the future knows. And it would her biggest dream come true. Eliza with her jealousy had reunited them unintentionally.
"I'd like to see her face if she sees me with Terry at the royal ball... she said to herself smiling I'm going to thank her the day I'll see her. She's going to burst with anger. Enough with that mean girl. Let's buy our dress."
Candy entered the boutique and was immediately greeted by a sales woman who brought her to Nelly, herself, so she'll take care of her.
- Good afternoon, Miss. Can I help you?
- I need a white dress for the royal ball tomorrow night.
- You do know that this is a wedding gowns shop?
- Yes, but your dresses are so nice and the women have to wear white so I thought…
- You're at the right place, then. I just wanted to make sure that you were in the right store. Let's see what we can do for you. What size are you? Small?
She went to get a few dresses and Candy started to try them on. They were all very beautiful, but none of them fitted Candy as it should. An hour later, she'd tried on all the dresses from the boutique without any results.
- I have one that's not quite finished; it's a new style I want to try. It's a little daring…
She went at the back of the boutique and came back with a sleeveless dress, very pretty in satin white. The skirt was long but not to full, no need for a metal underskirt, it won't be heavy at all. She liked the dress already. She went and tried it on. When she came back everybody cried a big "OHHH!"
The dress was perfect for her. The v neck was a little daring and was revealing her breast, which looked a little bigger than it was. Nelly wanted to put a veil on the dress to cover the top but Candy stopped her.
- No please, it's perfect like this.
- Yes, said another employee, it's perfect like that.
- Don't ruin it with sleeves and veil said another customer.
- Ok, Nelly said, that's what I thought, but I wouldn't dare…
- No one will pay attention when they'll see our radiant young girl in this dress said another customer.
- I finally have the dress said Candy, Now I'll need the accessories, gloves, shoes, cape, jewels, purse…
- OK, you find all that here. Come with me.
Candy bought a cape with a hood to go with the dress, shoes, gloves and a purse.
- For jewels we have a few fantasies, wait I think we have some in green… yes, here we are! It's the same colour as your eyes.
- Thanks, I'll take everything.
When she finished paying her bill, Nelly asked her where she was going to do her hair.
- My hair? She asked innocently.
- Yes, you have to do your hair for the ball, of course! I'll give you the address of one of my friend who has a beauty salon.
She went at the register and came back with a piece of paper with an address on it and gave it to her. She came out with all her bags and not too far from there. She made a appointment for the next day. She went to Trafalgar Square to meet Terry who had been waiting for her for twenty minutes.
- Terry?
- Finally! Miss Tarzan, it's never too soon!
- I'm sorry I'm late….
- Don't worry about it… it's been only twenty minutes he said helping her with her bags.
- I'll have to come back tomorrow…
- Tomorrow? Why?
- To do my hair, of course.
- Oh ok? Let's go back to the inn. By the way, do you know how to dance?
- Dance? We danced at the May festival under Anthony's music…
- Yeah, don't remind me. I know you can waltz but if there is a quadrille…
- A quadrille?
- It's a dance you dance by four hence the name "quadrille"
- Is it complicated?
- I'll show you. It's easy.
- That doesn't reassure me at all. Learning a new dance the night before the ball…
- Come on Freckles, it's going to be fun, you'll see…
The quadrille lessons were very fun. Terry was very patient to a point. Candy was a good student, she learned fast but also made a lot of mistakes. Terry was laughing a little at her mistakes, which made her a little frustrated. He liked to see her frustrated like in the beginning of their relationship, when she got frustrated every time he called her Freckles. There was another couple who seemed interested to learn the dance too. The young man asked if they could learn the dance with them.
- Why not, Terry said, you four people to dance it anyways.
- Great, my name is Sean and this is Sally.
- I'm Terry and this is Candy.
The quadrille lesson became easier with the other couple involve, what seemed complicated and ridiculous became crystal clear all of a sudden. Sally knew the dance and Sean needed lessons. So we had a young man who knew the dance and another one who didn't, and a young woman who knew the dance and another one who didn't. Two hours later the quadrille was perfect, except there was no music. But if they count their steps right, dancing to the music will be fun and simple. The two couples had dinner together. Sean and Sally were married. They were barely older than Candy and Terry.
- You didn't regret getting married so young? Asked Terry
- No, said Sean, if it were up to me, I would've married her the first day! You're going to marry Candy?
Terry was a little surprised by the question. He didn't want to ruin the surprise.
- Euh, some day, yes…
Candy thought he was cute. She looked at him with love.
- You love him very much, don't you? Asked Sally to Candy
- I'm madly in love with him! Said Candy laughing looking at Terry who winked at her.
- So, don't take anything for granted, do everything to stay together…there's nothing more important in life than to be with the person you love, the rest should fall into place later on…
- Believe me Sean we learned it the hard way…
- And we would never be separated again said Terry.
They spent the rest of the evening talking and comparing their experience.
Georgie was continuing the quest for her mother. She'd learn that her mother while she was in England had worked for Lord Brydon an aristocrat of London, as his assistant. She knew where Lord Brydon lived but the servants didn't want to let her in without an appointment. One of the maids, name Betty told her that Lord Brydon will be at the Royal Ball tomorrow night.
- If you crash the party you'll be able to talk to him without any problem. You'll know if he can help you. You'll need a white dress. That's the theme for the ball.
- But I don't have an invitation, said Georgie.
- I'll be working there as a waitress, I'll slip in by the back door.
- But I'll need a white dress by tomorrow night.
- Wait, Betty said. I'll lend you my sister's wedding dress. She gave it to me for my own wedding.
- Why are you so nice to me?
- I have a little sister, if she needed some help, I would like someone to help her too.
- Thank you very much, but I can go to the ball as a waitress.
- The servers can't talk to the guests. And there will be so many people I doubt they will even notice you. Come early at Bacchanalia, the palace where the ball will be, around 4. The ball will start at 7 you could get in by 8 when everybody will be busy dancing.
- Thank you very much, Betty. So I'll see you tomorrow. God bless you.
Georgie left there very happy. If the plan worked, she'll get more information on her mother. The boat for America was living in a little more than two weeks. She needed more information.
The next day, Candy went to the beauty salon to get her hair done. The ladies at the salon insisted on doing her nails, her face and her makeup.
Terry was waiting for her at the inn, but he had to go and change the reservations or at least add one room to it.
- I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid there is no more place available.
- But I need another room!
- Yours is a double. You can share it with your girlfriend.
- What do you mean, a double room? It was suppose to be a single!
- Probably a mistake that should arrange you…
- Yes but, sharing a room with her, we can succumb to temptation… he said to himself
- If you don't want to succumb to temptation, just marry her!
- I beg your pardon?
- Yes, the captain of the ship can do it for you.
- But…
- Unless you want to spend a week torturing yourself… I'm sorry, he said seeing Terry's expression, it was only a suggestion.
- Forget about it. Thank you sir.
Terry thought about the clerk's suggestion. Marry Candy? So early? It wasn't a bad idea. He loved her with all his heart. Marrying her was part of his future plans. If Eliza hadn't trapped them, they would still be in school. Eliza that stupid girl, how could someone be so mean! Destiny was smiling at them; why not take advantage of it? Nobody will be able to keep them apart. He'd already bought the rings… Thanks Eliza! Terry thought.
It was almost the end of the middle of the afternoon and Candy had just finished her day at the salon. She bought a scarf to hide her hair, she wanted Terry to be surprised. She was walking in the streets of London when she found herself in front of Covent Gardens the opera of London. There was a poster of "Romeo and Juliet". She thought of the May festival, the dance with Terry, the kiss, they had slapped each other, but it was so good. Candy would had never thought that a kiss would be so good. She decided to buy two tickets for "Romeo and Juliet". There was no more ticket for the whole next week so she bought two tickets for the day before their departure. Terry will be happy. He liked the theatre and he wanted to become an actor. She passed in front a boutique and saw a green dress in the window, the same colour as her eyes. It was perfect. She got in the boutique and bought the green dress and went back to the inn.
- Finally Terry said hugging her, I missed you Freckles.
- I missed you too, Terry, but I'm sure you'll be glad by the result. I have to go get dressed, so do you for that matter.
- Yes, let's go. I was waiting for you.
They went to their room laughing joyfully. Candy took a quick shower and got dressed. The innkeeper knocked at the door to ask her if she needed any help.
- You need a hand?
- Yes, please. I need help closing my dress.
- Ok, turn around.
Candy turned around and the innkeeper helped her close her dress.
- You're breath taking!
- Thank you very much. Can you help me with my necklace?
- It's the same colour as your eyes, says the innkeeper. You're going to be the belle of the ball. Let me help you with the cape. Have fun and I want all the details tomorrow! OK?
- Ok! Thanks again for your help!
She went down the stairs and went outside where Terry was waiting for her in front of a taxi.
- Freckles, you're late.
- I'm sorry Terry; I wanted every thing to be perfect.
He still hadn't seen the dress or her hair, which was now hidden under the cape and the hood.
- You know you'll always be perfect for me, Freckles.
She smiled and got into the taxi.
- You think the press will be there?
- Yes, I think so.
- But if Sister Grey and Sister Margaret…
- I think Sister must have written to your Uncle William to tell him about your disappearance. She'll have to wait for his response before doing anything, just in case you went back home, so they won't search for you in vain. That gives us a few days of grace. If we accidentally appear in the paper, I doubt there will be a legend saying where we're living.
Candy smiled. Terry and her were taking the risk of showing themselves in public with the cream of London society, but it was making the adventure pretty exiting.
They finally arrived at the Bacchanalia Palace where the ball was going to be held. The Queen's children were suppose to be there, but there was also the Prince of Liege, the heir to the Belgian throne, in visit at Buckingham, was also there. The ball was in his honour. There were lots of coaches and also lots of cars. They had to stand in line with their invitations in hand. Some people were talking among them.
- They say the Prince of Liege will be there, he's in visit at Buckingham said a young woman.
- Maybe he's after one of the Queen's daughters joked another young girl.
Candy and Terry arrived were they were taking the coats. Candy finally took her cape and the hood off… Terry was able to see the breath-taking beauty accentuated by the sleeveless dress. The jewels on her gracious neck had the same colour as her eyes. Terry was standing there open-mouthed. He heard whispers of admiration from other young men.
- You look magnificent, Candy!
- Thank you, Terrence, she said smiling, it's all for you.
- You're killing me darling!
He took her arm and continued with the line. The guests were still entering. When they got to the door there was a valet who'll scream their name after each guest whispered it to him. The rumour was true, the Prince of Liege was there and so are the Queen's children.
"This bal is going to be a delight Terry thought"Meanwhile, Georgie was at the back with Betty and was getting ready for the ball. She'd already put on the Betty's sister's wedding dress.
- Are you sure I'll be able to pass as a guest?
- Georgie, there's so many people and you're so beautiful, nobody will ask you anything beside for dancing of course, Betty said. As soon as see Lord Brydon, I'll tell you and all you'll have to do is talk to him.
- I don't know how to thank you, Betty.
- Don't thank me yet. Let's wait for it to work.
She was finishing putting on her some earrings and necklace. She put her long blond curly hair in a up-do.
- There you go Georgie, today, well tonight at least, you'll be Lady Georgie, the belle of the ball said Betty laughing.
Georgie took a deep breath and walked towards the ballroom. Most of the guests were there and Georgie had no problem blending in. All the women and young girls had white dresses on. All the nobility and the cream of society of England were there. The waiters and waitresses were also in uniforms the man had black pants and white shirts and the women, a black dress and white apron. Georgie took a flute of champagne on a platter and started to drink in little sips.