HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE …
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 10
"At the dawn of a new day"
At Lakewood, Stear, Archie and Anthony were talking in the library.
- In which school you think the Great Aunt is going to put us? Asked Archie
- I don't know said Stear, it would probably be another private school
- You think that Candy is going to come with us?
- If it's up to the great aunt, impossible said Anthony, but if it's Uncle William deciding, certainly
- How is it between you two? Asked Archie
- We're taking a break said Anthony, all this story in college has upset her a little
"A little?" though Stear and Archie looking at each other.
- A break? Until when? Said Stear
- I don't know said Anthony, she's at the Pony House for a few days. Ok, I have to go, the Great Aunt has summoned me. See you later.
The two brothers stayed alone and they continued talking.
- She must be getting over the pain Grandchester's sacrifice did said Archie
- At least she has the good sense to take a break with Anthony and stay away said Stear
- You think she's in love with him? Said Archie
- I have no idea, but she's feeling something for him, that, I'm sure of! Said Stear
- I know it's bad, but I would give anything to be in that damned son of duke's place, just to have Candy's attention…
- Archie… said Stear on a reproach tone
- You might never admit it, but I know that you think like me…
Stear didn't answer and he just became bright as red.
The following days at the Pony house, Candy announced to her two mothers that she wanted to become a nurse.
- Oh, but I thought you wanted to stay here to take care of the children said Sister Maria.
- It's not that, I don't like to take care of the kids, but I would like to have a job… I could always come back and work here later. Who knows? Said Candy
- I know the headmistress of the Mary Jane's nursing school. I'm going to make you a letter of recommendation, said Miss Pony
- Thanks Miss Pony said Candy with a smile
So Candy went to nursing school a few days later. She was sleeping at the dorm. She was sharing a room with another young girl with black hair and glasses named Flammy Hamilton. Flammy was cold and distant, but she liked what she was doing, which was learning to become a nurse. She didn't talk much with the others but concentrated on her work. Candy, despite Flammy's coldness, continued smiling at her and talking happily to her. She was not going to let Flammy blow her off. She was "Little Mary Sunshine" and everybody felt it, even Flammy.
The boys went to Chicago with the Great Aunt. They were going to leave in the big villa now. Stear was doing some engineer studies, Archibald was studying law and Anthony was going to med school. He didn't know that Candy was studying nursing. They hadn't seen each other since their return to America.
Candy was writing Annie regularly. Candy studying to be a nurse, gave the courage to ask her parents if she could study a special course too. She liked clothes, she wanted to be a designer and have her own store. Annie's mother recognised Candy's influence, but the father was very proud of his daughter. He helped her to get into a sewing school and told her he would help her open a store when she would be ready.
- But a woman have to depend on her husband said Mrs. Brighton
- Mom, it's the 20th century, women are working even if they have a rich husband
- You talking like a suffragette! It's Candy that's giving you those kinds of ideas?
- Stop blaming Candy for every decision I make and that you don't approve of, mom, I have a head too, you know…
- Well, I'm proud of you said Mr. Brighton, cutting the two ladies' conversation short, you should be too he added talking to his wife
Mrs. Brighton didn't say anything. Two against one, she had lost!
Neil and Eliza went to a local private school. Eliza's reputation had preceded her and the school's headmaster didn't want her in his school. The Great Aunt had to use all her influence and a big donation for Eliza to be accepted. Eliza didn't stop her ways, she continued giving herself to the pleasure of the flesh after school….once they were home.
Terrence G. Grandchester had found work with the Stratford troupe. Robert Hathaway had hired him after he heard his audition. He was able to see the exceptional talent the young man had, even though he was very young. It's only after hiring him that he discovered that Terrence was Eleonor Baker's son, a well-known actress. He then understood where his talent come from. He was proud to have hired him without knowing whom his mother was.
A young actress by the name of Susanna Marlowe had fallen under Terrence's charm at the moment she saw him. To see this young man so young and so full of life, full of charms, she was mesmerized. She couldn't stop thinking about him; she did everything to become his friend. But Terry was often alone in a corner, playing the harmonica. But that didn't stop Susanna, who at every occasion, would talk to him bring him food. She even defended him when the other actors accused him of being the favourite because he was Eleonor Baker's son. In normal time, he would have been flattered by Susanna's attention, and might have taken advantage of it, but in his heart all there was, was a young girl with green eyes, blond curly hair and freckles.
"I miss you so much Freckles. I want to see you so much. Are you still with him? Do you have plans? I should've never have let you, I should've taken you with me… but did I had the right to take you from that school?" He thought
- Terry said Susanna's voice, cutting his thoughts short, Terry, come on the rehearsal is starting
- Thanks Susanna. I'm coming
It was the routine for everybody. Time passed and Candy was transferred to St. Joan's hospital in Chicago. She was sharing her room with Flammy Hamilton again. Candy liked to be a nurse. She liked taking care of the patients, cheer them up. Flammy sometimes talked to her about it, but the patients defended her, saying that they couldn't wish for a better nurse. Candy had wrote to Annie that she was now in Chicago and her group of friends did the surprise of coming to see her one day after work. She was going for a walk.
- Hey Miss! Said Anthony's voice
Candy turned around.
- Anthony! She said with a smile, Annie, Archie, Stear and… Patty!
She ran to kiss her friends, she hugged them all. Anthony hugged her longer than the others. Candy was very happy do see Anthony. It was the first time they saw each other since their return to America.
- Come with us to the villa said Anthony
- Ok, my day is finish anyway
- How are your studies? Ask Annie
- Fine, what about yours?
- Very well, thanks
- Candy said Anthony, do you know that I'm studying to become a doctor?
- And me a nurse…
- You're going to make a good team said Archie
Candy and Anthony looked at each other, Candy looked down. She knew Anthony wanted to get back together with her. But, she couldn't get Terry out of her head, even after all that had happened. But Anthony was thinking he was going to get her back, that the damn son of duke was far, very far and won't come and bother them again. Candy was free and she will be his. He loved her so much and he missed her so much during all those months. Candy was thinking, they would have made a great team, professionally and romantically…. If she hadn't met Terry and fallen in love with him. She knew Anthony wanted to stop the break, but she wasn't very warm because she was thinking about another one. She loved them both, but it seemed that the love she felt for Terry was stronger.
They arrived at the villa? Villa? It was a royal palace! It was huge and the court was also big.
- Wow, it's like Buckingham Palace said Candy
- You've seen Buckingham? Asked Stear
- No kidding, said Patty weren't we all in London?
- Come Candy, said Annie let's go see the terrace.
Annie understood that Candy went to Buckingham with Terry, when they were alone or on 5th Sundays.
- Thanks Annie, you're an angel said Candy
- You're welcome, sweetie. So, how are you?
- I still miss him, I thought it was going to pass, but…
- Well, I have a surprise for you…
- What?
- You'll be able to see your lover boy…
Candy's heart jumped violently in her chest.
- Terry? She whispered, Annie if it's a joke it's a really bad one…
- Candy, you know that I don't joke on things so serious
- How will I see him?
- There's a play "The King Lear" that's going to play in Chicago on Thursday night. It's for a charity I think
- So? Asked Candy who still didn't understand
- The troupe that's going to play, it's the Stratford from New York, among the actors there's…
- Terrence G. Grandchester finished Patty who had just arrived
- Terry, said Candy with tenderness and love
Her eyes were lit up. The boys arrived and the girls had to change the subject. They talked about other things until Eliza and her brother arrived.
- Anthony, can you take me to the store? I need to buy a new dress to the play on Thursday night. The whole family is invited
- No, Eliza, I want to stay with Candy here
Eliza looked at Candy with all the disdain in the world.
- Look at what the dog dragged in. the sta…
- Eliza! Yelled Neil
- You're sure you want to take that route? Asked Annie
- Because, we'll have to clarify thing said Archie
She didn't finish her sentence, she was furious.
- By the way Candy, she said, you lover boy is part of the troupe that's coming on Thursday for the play. They said he's very close to his colleague, Susanna Marlowe. He quickly forgot about you… you were only a fling…
Candy became white as a sheet.
- Grandchester is part of the troupe? Asked Anthony
- All of a sudden, I don't really feel like going said Archie
- Terry made it, said Annie
- I'm going to go see him said Patty, are you coming Candy? Since these guys don't want to come with us…
- After all he's we to St.Paul with us, he made it, we have to encourage him, said Annie
Candy still didn't say anything. Anthony was looking at her. Every time Terry's subject was discussed, Candy remained silent.
"Damn you, Grandchester!" he thought.
Stear and Archie had to give in
- Ok, said Archie
- We'll be there said Stear, what about you Anthony?
Anthony turned to Candy.
- You didn't answer Patty's question, are you coming?
- If the whole family is invited, I'll be there, she said calmly
She didn't want to hurt Anthony, but she wanted to see Terry on scene. She wanted to see Terry, period.
- Then, it's settle said Anthony, I will come too.
Annie and Patty smiled. Neil had a disapproving look. Eliza frowned. How could Anthony still want to be with Candy after what she had done?
- You think it's wise, Anthony to see your girlfriend's lover on scene? Said Eliza
- Shut up Eliza! Said Archie
But Eliza played deaf.
- Unless you want to show him that you've won with your little blond at your arm…. I bet you that it wouldn't take a minute for her to fall into his arms
Annie took Candy and Patty in a room on the second floor. She closed the door behind them.
- Who's room is it? Asked Candy
- Yours, silly! Uncle William is keeping one for you in case you come and leave here, Archie told me said Annie
- Look at all those dresses, how beautiful said Candy
- They're yours said Patty
- Mine?
- Yes, Uncle William is taking good care of you said Annie
Candy couldn't believe it. There was in the closet, simple dresses, party dresses each more beautiful than the other… and it was hers!
- I'm totally in shock! Wow she said, getting into the closet and taking the dresses out
- What if we try the dresses? Said Annie, you have to look pretty for Terry
Candy laughed happily.
- Eliza has a venomous tongue said Candy
- No, said Patty, she's a viper!
They started laughing and were trying the dresses on.
They boys were alone and were talking.
- Eliza might be right, you think it's wise to take Candy see Grandchester? Said Archie
- I'm not her keeper, unfortunately said Anthony, and we're not together anyway
- But you're taking her see your rival said Neil
- Shut up Neil! If I have a rival here it's you!
- Ok, I admit I want Candy, which is more than your two other cousins over there, but she wants Grandchester, not you Anthony…
- We don't need to hear your lies anymore said Archie
- It's not lies, it's the truth, insisted Neil, I…
- The truth? You wouldn't know the truth if it hit you on the face said Stear
- But I…
- I said shut up! Yelled Anthony
Neil shut up, incapable of continuing what he had to say. He wanted to talk to them about the scene he saw the day before the barn fiasco.
The girls were having fun trying on different dresses and hair do. Annie was the designer, the hairdresser and the make up artist.
- Annie you're in your field said Candy, the fashion, the hair…
- And you as a nurse, you're going to cheer up the patients
- I still have to find what I like to do said Patty
- Don't worry Patty, you'll find it Said Candy
There was knock on the door. It was Stear who came to get them for brunch
- So girls, you abandoned your guys? It's time to eat
- We're coming, you big baby said Patty, don't cry!
Everybody was laughing. They followed Stear downstairs for brunch. While the others were eating, Neil came near Candy who was getting some food alone.
- Hi Candy said Neil
- I have nothing to say to you, said Candy
- Anthony wants you back, but I personally know that you prefer Grandchester…
- What!
- I saw the two of you that night, sucking your faces off. You were going to tell Anthony that it was over and stay with Grandchester. I was under your window and I saw you touching goodbyes… I felt like puking…
- That's why you set the trap in the barn to get rid of Terry and Anthony! Said Candy, and in the process, you uncovered your slut of a sister… you should be ashamed of yourself!
- But, I love you…
- Stop! When you love someone, you that person to be happy, no matter what!
- But that's what I want…
- With you? You really think that I would be happy with you! Neil I will never be with you, even if you were the last man on earth…
- Don't say "never" said Neil
Candy went near Annie, she was still angry.
- Are you ok? Asked Annie
She told him about the conversation she'd just had with Neil.
- That bastard! Said Annie, he's not threatening to tell Anthony?
- I don't care, but I don't think Anthony is going to listen a word Neil has to say. With all the lies he's told…
- Are you planning to get back together with Anthony? Asked Annie
- Annie, for now, I only want one thing…
- To see Terry said Patty smiling
The next day at the hospital, there was a staff meeting. The interns had to start doing the night shift. Every nurse received her program. Candy received hers, and opened her eyes with horror. Thursday night! She would be on the night shift on Thursday night, the same night as Terry's play! She tried to switch with her colleague, starting with her adorable roommate, Flammy, who refused of course. She tried with everybody they refused one after the other. There was only Julie left a young girl with brown hair, very likeable.
- Julie, you're my last hope said Candy I beg of you, can you work my shift on Thursday night? Say yes please….
Julie thought about it for a moment. Candy was always very happy and the patients loved her. She was always nice, even when people were mean to her.
- Who is it you have to see? She Asked
- The man I love, he's acting, Terrence Grandchester
- From the Stratford troupe? Asked Julie surprised
- You know him?
- Yes, I saw 'The King Lear" in Boston when I went to see my fiancé. He's a good actor, he's going to be big… but I won't be able to replace you all night, only until 9:00 pm. I have to take the 9:45 train for Boston. I'm going to see my fiancé.
Candy thought about it for a minute, she won't be able to go to the reception; she won't be able to talk to Terry. But she will be able to see him on scene and leave as soon as the play is over. But she wanted to see Terry so much. "When you don't have what you need, you content yourself, with what we have." She accepted Julie's offer, she won't be able to talk to Terry.
- Thank, Julie, the play starts a 7 pm, I'll do my best to come back at 9pm. You're an angel…
She hugged her.
- You're welcome said Julie. Now tell me how Terrence and you met…