Remember me
Chapter 6
"The debutantes' ball"
The next day, Juliet went with Eliza to shop for a dress for the debutantes' ball.
- What is this ball for exactly? Asked Juliet.
- To present us to society… said Eliza.
- What for?
- So that young men from the high society see that we're available, on the market…
- But I'm already engaged…
- I know, so you'll be able to have fun with Neil. We need white dresses.
- Like wedding dresses… that's should be fun. Eliza, you like Terrence? Asked Juliet, out of the blue.
Eliza thought that the question sounded weird coming from Candy, but she said:
- Yes, I adore him, and I hope to become Mrs. Terrence Grandchester…
"Mrs. Terrence Grandchester," repeated Juliet in her head.
Why did that name sound so familiar to her? "Mrs. Terrence Grandchester"… Well, she'll see that later. For the moment, she had to buy a dress for the debutantes' ball.
Mrs. Brighton told Annie about the ball, but this last one didn't want to go.
- What if Candy goes? Asked Patty who was there.
- She's engaged to Neil, he's not going to risk her meeting other young men.
- And we don't need any suitors, said Patty.
But later, at the Andrews, Terry told them that Candy will be at the debutantes' ball with Neil and Eliza.
- It's too late, said Annie, Darn!
- We could've seen her, said Patty.
- Don't worry, I'm going to go to the ball and I'll see her, Terry said.
- That's good said Annie, Oh… I should've think like Eliza and go too.
- Next time, we'll do to all those boring things, said Patty.
- What we need is a spy, said Terry, someone at the Reagans that will tell us about what they're doing.
- Yes, we need to find a maid or an employee that's not too afraid of them, said Patty.
- That won't be easy. They're afraid of their bosses, said Annie.
- We need to find one that doesn't like them, said Terry.
- That's easy, all of them!
- But they're afraid, said Patty.
- Well, I'll see when I'll be there, said Terry.
- How was it last night? Asked Annie.
- I asked too many questions in the beginning and she spent the whole evening at Neil's arm!
- That must've been hard to see…
- You have no idea! I wanted to punch Neil!
- You have to stay calm. Tell yourself it's for Candy, said Annie laughing.
- Believe me, Annie, it's the only thing that's keeping me calm and gives me courage.
Archie arrived.
- Hello, guys! Annie, you're not going to the ball? You're not dressed…
- No, I didn't think that Neil would take Candy to a ball where young girls present themselves to potential suitors…
- Annie, said Archie, you have to think like Neil, not like you!
- I know, I'm sorry, said Annie.
- You can still come, said Archie.
- We don't have any white dresses appropriate for the ball, said Patty.
- No problem, said Archie, there's a closet full of dresses in Candy's room upstairs. You'll find some white dresses for the ball there.
- Oh… said Annie, thanks, honey. Come on Patty, we're going to get ready.
- But it's not time yet, said Archie.
- They need time to get ready, they're ladies, said Terry. Ok, I'm going. I'll see you there?
- Ok, see you later, said Archie.
Archie was trying to put his hostility for Terry aside. Terry had come to help Candy, he was really in love with her.
The debutantes' ball was a tradition in high society to officially introduce young girls to potential young suitors of the same social class. It's like they were saying:
"Here's my daughter, ready to be married!"
When they explained that to Juliet, she said:
- I don't see the use of this ball… it's like we're begging the boys to be interested in us…
- A little, said Eliza.
- I think it's an excuse to have a ball and dance, said Neil.
- Have you ever been to a debutantes' ball? Asked Juliet to Neil.
- Yes…
- And you didn't find any girlfriends?
- Euh… said Neil blushing.
- Not at all, said Eliza quickly, he only had eyes for you!
- Oh… said Juliet sceptical.
She didn't know why, but all that sounded like a lie to her ears. Her instincts were telling her not to really trust Neil and Eliza. Or was it because of Terrence? He had confirmed her suspicions. Eliza left her alone with Neil. He came near Juliet.
- You're worried because you think there were others? You're the one I want, Juliet. You don't have to worry. I love you, Juliet, I love you so much.
He hugged her. Juliet didn't feel reassured, but she hugged him.
- I know, she said softly… I wish I could say the same thing but… it's the void… I'm sorry.
She was a little sad.
- Don't apologise, said Neil, it's not your fault. I'm not pressing you. Take your time. You'll learn to trust me…
- You saved me from the void, Neil.
- I could not rest until I found you.
- Neil, do you know when my uncle William will be back?
- Why?
- Didn't he adopt me? He's my adoptive father, and I would like to tell him at least that I'm fine. After all, I had disappeared for several months…
- I'm going to ask the great aunt, because, after all we're going to need his blessing.
- Neil, I don't want to get married without my memory.
- Of course. We're going to wait, said Neil against his will.
He knew that if she recovered her memory, she wouldn't marry him for all the money in the world! He hugged her tight and kissed her hair. Juliet knew that if she moved, he would take advantage to look for her lips. So she didn't move. After a while, Neil let go of her.
- I'm going to let you get ready. I'm sending Dorothy to help you.
- Thanks, Neil, said Juliet smiling.
- See you later.
Dorothy arrived to help her. Dorothy was helping her without saying a word. In the beginning, she thought Candy was playing snob, then she realised that she had no memory, and that Neil was taking advantage of the situation to make her believe they were engaged. Being only an employee, she couldn't say anything. But Juliet was always so nice and sweet with everybody… She will find a way to help her.
Juliet was finally ready for the ball. Dorothy had let her hair down on her shoulders; she had just curled her hair and put some hairpins with white flowers.
- You're very beautiful, Juliet, said Neil when he saw her, let's go. Eliza, you're ready?
- Yes, said Eliza, Juliet, you're very beautiful.
- You too, Eliza, said Juliet smiling.
- I hope Terrence will notice it too.
- He'll have to be blind not to see it, said Juliet.
Juliet didn't know how right she was. She didn't know that Terrence was actually blind when it came to the opposite sex, he only saw Candy… her. The parents and the great aunt were waiting for them in the car and they went to the ball.
Archie was becoming impatient. It had been hours since Annie and Patty were getting ready. They finally came down much to Archie's big relief.
- Annie! It's never too soon! What took you so long? You already have a suitor.
- Archie, it's not because I have fiancé that I have to neglect myself.
- You want to attract other suitors?
- I want those who are attracted by me to envy you…
- Of course, said Archie smiling, you're very beautiful, honey, and you too Patty.
- Of course, said Patty laughing, thanks.
- Thanks, said Annie. Shall we go? Our parents are waiting for us there.
In the ballroom, there were only mothers and young men. All the fathers were in a little room waiting for the young girls. For those who didn't have a father, or those whose fathers were absent, there were men dressed ready to escort them in the ballroom.
In another room, there were young girls, so many girls lined up, escorted by their fathers. Annie and Patty were late, Candy and Eliza were on time, and they were on the other side of the line.
- Do you see her? Asked Patty.
- No, there's too many people, said Annie.
- We'll see her in the ballroom later.
- The line is finally moving.
- At last! Said Patty.
The line was actually moving very slowly. Every young girl was escorted by her father or a valet; then her name was called out and a suitor stepped forward and took her out to the dance floor. Eliza's turn came; her father escorted her in the room and a young man named Billy Lewis invited her to dance. She wished it were Terry, of course. Neil followed another girl to give her a drink while a valet escorted Juliet to the ballroom. She looked for Neil with her eyes… Terrence Grandchester couldn't let this opportunity pass! He came forward and went to get Juliet. This last one, was a little surprised, but she went to dance with Terrence.
- You're very beautiful, Juliet.
- Thank you, Terrence. You know where Neil is?
- What am I? Chopped liver?
- No, she said laughing, it's just that I was supposed to be escorted to the dance floor with him.
- I'm sorry I ruined your plans.
- Oh no… thank you. Thank you very much, Terrence.
- The pleasure was all mine. I'm now one of your suitors, he joked.
Juliet felt a little funny. The idea of having Terrence as a suitor pleased her… she was feeling good in Terrence's arm. The scent of his cologne seemed familiar to her. The warmth of his arms was comforting. She didn't feel that good in Neil's arms. With Terrence, she didn't want to let him go, she even felt like kissing him… Wooa! Where did that come from?
She was engaged to Neil! She became distracted all of a sudden while dancing. Terrence realised it.
- Juliet, are you ok? He asked.
- Yes, she said blushing. I'm sorry, I was distracted… Thanks for the dance.
- You're very welcome. The pleasure was all mine, he said smiling, when the music stopped.
Juliet looked at him and felt like she was melting when she saw his smile… Neil… where was Neil?
- Terrence, thanks again for the dance, she said drowning in his deep blue eyes.
- Grandchester, can I have my fiancée back? Said Neil with a mocking smile.
Terrence felt like strangling him… but he said:
- Of course, Reagan. Thanks for the dance, Juliet.
And he left. Candy stayed with Neil.
- Where were you? Asked Juliet.
- I was looking for something to drink.
- You missed my presentation and the escort and the dance, she said disappointed.
- I'm sorry, he said, do you forgive me?
- If you invite me to dance.
- With pleasure.
He took her to the dance floor. Terrence was walking around in the ballroom. Eliza was with Billy Lewis. She smiled at him, she excused herself to Billy and he approached her.
- Terrence, good evening.
- Eliza, you're very beautiful, said Terrence.
- Thank you, she said glad.
- You want to dance? Said Terrence against his will.
- Of course.
He took Eliza to the dance floor and started dancing. He was looking around and he saw Juliet with Neil laughing together while they were dancing. His heart hurt. It was not supposed to be like that… He invited her to the premiere of "Romeo and Juliet" with a one way ticket. He wanted to marry her, to hear her laugh everyday and to wake up with her every morning… But fate had decided differently. He was saved by Susanna, and had a moral obligation to stay with her. But to see Juliet with Neil who was lying to her… No that's a portrait with which he would never get used to. If he had to kidnap her, he would, that would be big business and it was the worse case scenario… His eyes crossed Juliet's who looked away to look at Neil. He knew that Juliet was very loyal and would never betray anybody. He would have to work hard at convincing her in this case; it was the right thing to do.
After the dance, he went to wait for the rest of the young girls; to see Annie and Patty. It was Patty's turn, Archie had just escorted Annie, Stear was absent… Terrence stepped in to save Candy's friend. Patricia was really moved by his gesture.
- Thank you very much, Terry, Patty said with tears in her eyes.
- You're thinking about Stear?
- Yes, I miss him so much…
- Don't be sad, we're here for Juliet, but also to have fun. Let's go dance.
He went to dance with Patricia and told her stories to cheer her up and she laughed a lot. Eliza was sulking, but not for long; Billy came to get her to dance. When the dance was over, they all went to the buffet to eat something.
- Terry, thank you, said Annie.
- Yes, thanks. Stear would've been grateful, said Archie.
- What are friends for? We have to help each other… Said Terry.
- Were you able to talk to Candy? Asked Annie.
- I escorted her to the dance floor, said Terry.
- What? Where was Neil? Asked Annie.
- Drinking or looking at another girl, said Archie.
- Super! Said Patty.
- I'm not so sure, said Terry, she felt guilty…
- And she stayed with Neil, said Annie.
- The night is still young, said Patty, it's just starting.
The evening went on fine. Juliet was getting some fresh air outside at one point; she seemed worried. Annie and Patty couldn't really talk to her because every time, Neil came to take her away. Terry saw her and wanted to invite her to dance, but the music was "Anthony's music", and Terry remembered the May Festival…
"She danced this with Anthony…" he said to himself.
- Terry… said Annie, go and invite her to dance…
- It's "Anthony's music"…
- How do you know that? Asked Patty.
- At the May festival, in college, we danced and she told me that it was "Anthony's music"…
- Whooa! That must've killed the romance, said Archie smiling.
- No kidding! Said Terry.
- But you danced with her to that music too, said Annie.
- But… started Terry.
- Terry, this is not the time to be jealous of a poor boy that's no longer in this world…
- He's not your rival, said Archie, because she didn't know you when she was with Anthony, whom she loved a lot…
- Archie, said Annie, not now!
- Terry, go, said Patty, maybe she will remember something, don't miss the occasion, go quickly before Neil arrives!
Terry had a sigh and went against his will. He arrived near her; she seemed lost in her thoughts. This music seemed familiar to her, but why?
- Juliet, would you dance with me?
Juliet was startled a little; she had an impression of déjà vu ...
- Yes, she said like in a dream…
She followed him and they started dancing. Juliet had the impression that she'd already heard that music before, but the memory was foggy… she thought she saw a boy with blond hair that was smiling to her, but the picture disappeared… then she thought she saw Terrence dancing with her, but it looked like it was outside… the images were still blurry, very blurry.
- Juliet, are you all right? Asked Terrence.
- Euh… yes, I think. My head is spinning a little, that's all.
- You want to stop?
For a strange reason, she wanted to continue dancing and listen to that music.
- No. Let's continue our dance.
- Ok.
Meanwhile, Neil was looking at them mad. Archie, Annie and Patty came near him.
- Hello, cousin, said Archie, you think you're going to get away with this?
- What?
- Her memory is going to come back, said Annie.
- You're lucky, because the doctor told us not to tell her anything, said Patty.
- And we want her good, said Annie.
- She will remember on her own, said Archie and when that happens… - and it will happen - you'll have a lot of explaining to do.
- Not if I manage to convince her to marry me first, said Neil going away.
- I want to strangle him! Said Archie.
- He's a little too sure of himself.
- That's good, that way he won't see Terry coming, said Patty, let's hope that Terry manages to convince her.
Juliet closed her eyes and continued dancing. When the dance was over, she didn't want to leave Terrence's arms. She somehow felt comfortable, cherished and protected there.
- Juliet, said Neil, arriving, are you coming with me?
- What? Yes of course, she said dreamily.
Neil left with her. Terry went back to his friends.
- So? Asked Annie
- I think she had a flash…
- Of whom? You or Anthony? Asked Archie.
- I don't know, maybe the both of us… But she was dreamy.
Eliza approached them.
- Terrence, you're neglecting me… you want to dance?
- Of course, said Terrence against his will, but smiling.
- You were dancing with Candy-Juliet.
- Yes…
- Are you interested in her?
- No. I want to be her friend.
- Neil is in love with her… he spends every night in her bedroom, she lied.
- Really? Said Terrence playing the indifferent, but his heart broke into a thousand pieces.
- Yes, they can't stay away from each other, look at them…
He looked at them, and saw Juliet smiling and laughing with Neil who kissed her on the neck and she hugged him.
- Yes, I can see that, said Terrence.
- She's forgotten all about you and your loving, literally! Said Eliza with a mean tone and she burst out laughing.
Terrence felt like spitting on her again; but he had to restrain himself. It was a torture for him to be with Eliza. He was more determined than ever to get Juliet out of that trap. But he was wondering how long it was going to be before he explodes. Candy had slapped him when he kissed her. Even without her memory… no, Juliet told him the she didn't let Neil kiss her… no! Eliza must be lying… But seeing her so close and looking so intimate with Neil…
The evening was coming to an end and people were starting to leave. Juliet saw Terrence from afar with Eliza.
In her bed, Juliet thought about the evening, but more about the music that seemed so familiar. And Terrence, she liked being in his arms, the warmth of his body. But she had to stop that line of thinking. She was engaged to Neil. But even if she repeated that to herself a thousand time a day, she didn't feel "engaged" to Neil, she felt attracted to Terrence Grandchester and she felt good thinking about him.
Terry went back to his hotel, more upset than ever. Neil and Juliet intimate? NO! That thought was driving him crazy! Not his Candy, not his freckles with that coward, that awful Neil Reagan, who would have to lie to her to put her in his bed! She was so innocent… he's the one that should've… Why didn't he follow her that night in New York? Why did he let her go, when all his being wanted to hold on to her, to never let her go again? Susanna even told him to go after her… but he didn't. He had let her go, the heart in ashes. She took the train, heartbroken and was forcing herself to forget… the train accident, the coma, the amnesia… Neil Reagan fed her lies and now she was giving herself to him? That was too awful!
"All this, is my fault!" he thought.
But…
"I love you, Freckles, and I promise you that you will remember me… I don't believe what Eliza told me."
Archie in his bed, was also thinking about Candy and Neil. The picture was not a pretty one. Even though he was jealous of Terry, he'd rather see him with Candy than Neil, his coward cousin…
Annie and Patty prayed that Candy's memory would come back before it was too late.
Eliza was happy to have ruined "Juliet's" reputation to Terrence.
"He would never take her back, now that I made him think "spoiled goods"," she smiled evilly. "We'll see now how you regard your little pious goody two shoes hypocrite!"
She had a diabolical laugh and went to bed.