Chapter 13
Written by Tita Calderón
Translated by Fay
The cathedral bells were ringing, announcing everywhere that the ceremony was about to begin. The sun had not reached its zenith, but all the same it illuminated all of Chicago with its splendor. The sky was clear blue and a gentle breeze swept through every corner of the great city.
One by one, the guests arrived at the imposing church, in their most sumptuous clothes and most luxurious jewels.
Being invited made them feel important. And rightfully so, since one of the most powerful businessmen in North America was getting married. Invitations had only been sent to the families of the highest lineage in American society.
Innumerable flashes dazzled the entrance from time to time, trying to capture the most important people who would adorn the social columns of every newspaper and magazine all over the country.
Eliza Leagan smiled haughtily at her impending importance, as she looked contemptuously at the common people who had crowded with curiosity at the entrance of the church. Fortunately, everyone ignored her torture of those days, while she was expecting the long-awaited invitation. For a moment she had thought it would never come, but deep down she knew that Great Aunt Elroy would end up imposing herself if that devilish orphan insisted on not inviting them. What she didn't know was that it was Candy herself who had taken pity on them and invited them at the last moment. After all, they belonged to the family.
She took her brother's arm and walked haughtily among the photographers, closely following her parents.
Neal, on the contrary, felt heartbroken. He swallowed with difficulty from time to time, trying to soften his pain at seeing the girl of his dreams marry his uncle. Everything in his life had been a mistake. A cursed mistake! If only he had been gentle to her when she came to his house for the first time, surely he would be the one waiting for her at the altar. He sighed in resignation; it was no use thinking about what might have happened...It was late now...It had always been too late...
Being in different places, the bride and groom were oblivious to all that commotion. Tradition said that they should not see each other on the wedding day, and just in case, Aunt Elroy had sent William two days ago to the Cornwell mansion, which after so many years since it had been closed had opened again for the arrival of its owners. Archie's parents had decided to return for good under the pretext of William's wedding. They wanted to spend more time with their only son left, Archie.
Visibly nervous, Albert was trying to adjust the golden badge with the insignia of the Ardlays on his shirt. Fortunately Archie was ready, and helped him quickly, rather amused to see his uncle's nervousness.
-"Stop moving," he suggested.
-"I'm sorry. I think I'm late."
-"No," Archie reassured him, completely calm. "We still have time."
-"I don't want to be late."
-"You won't be."
-"I feel nervous," he admitted.
-"I can see that," Archie laughed. "No doubt a few days without seeing Candy have made you even more nervous."
Albert looked at him, inwardly wondering whether he should admit the truth of his words or not.
-"You are right...that makes me more nervous..." he smiled rather sadly.
-"She was worse than you," Archie told him, lowering his voice as if it were a secret. "Today she asked me about a hundred times if you were all right. I think she wanted to make sure you hadn't regretted it," he added laughing.
-"That's good to know," Albert declared, relieved to hear that Candy missed him. "And was she all right?"
-"Hmm..." Archie pretended to be thinking. "If I tell you that she pissed off Great Aunt Elroy a couple of times, do you think that is enough to assure you she was fine?"
Albert laughed while both of them exchanged an amused look.
-"Yes, that is enough for me...What did she do?"
-"I believe she wanted to wear pigtails with the veil...And she also said she had forgotten her vows...That almost finished Great Aunt Elroy."
Albert laughed again, imagining his aunt's tragic expression.
-"Ready," announced Archie, when he finished adjusting the badge.
-"Thank you."
Albert looked at himself in the mirror one last time before leaving, and took a deep breath trying to calm down his palpitating heart which had almost prevented him from getting any sleep.
Unbeknownst to him, Candy shared the same feelings with him. She hadn't been able to sleep either...A mixture of joy and anguish had woken her up at dawn with the knowledge that the long-awaited day had finally arrived.
-"George," she said, "do you think Albert will be there by now?"
George looked at her through the rearview mirror, trying to hide a smile...She was so beautiful...Surely William would be speechless when he saw her.
-"Yes, Miss Candice," he answered, turning his eyes to the road again.
He had better focus completely on driving; if a single hair of Candy's moved out of place because of him, William would skin him alive. He smiled again recalling his request...
…..
-"You are the only one I trust to take Candy to the church," he had confessed to him almost with concern.
-"And who is going to take you there?"
-"Richard, or I could even drive there myself; that's the least important thing."
-"As you say, William."
He hadn't objected to any order. Who could object to a man in love?
….
-"George...Aren't we going a little slow?"
Candy's question brought him out of his musings.
-"No, Miss Candice...In this way we'll give the guests time to arrive at the church before we do."
-"Oh..." Candy didn't stop playing with her fingers...It seemed to her that the car was moving in slow motion...
She felt relieved when she finally saw the dome of the church and the unusual crowd of people in the surrounding area.
-"Candy is here!" It was the voice of one of the children of Pony's Home who would act as a page along with other little friends of his, by special request of the bride.
Albert's heart stopped abruptly at the announcement. She was there at last. He took a deep breath of relief. For a moment he felt silly because of the excessive worry in which he had submerged himself since that morning. Only his aunt noticed the almost imperceptible change of his expression. She hid a smile observing her dear nephew's nervousness. It was unusual for him to look like that. She silently watched him as he adjusted his tie and fixed his jacket, getting ready for the long-awaited moment.
-"I think we should enter now," said Elroy to her nephew in an unusually sweet voice.
Albert just nodded slightly, trying not to show how anxious he felt. A slight signal from Elroy made the music start, as she took the arm of her beloved William, who in a few minutes would stop being only hers...
George opened the door of the car, and the bride nervously extended her hand in order to get out. Archie was there to help her...He opened his eyes wide in astonishment when he saw that angel getting out of
the Rolls Royce. He tried to recover so that nobody would notice his embarrassment.
-"Oh, Candy! I think Albert will faint when he sees you," he declared.
Candy laughed in excitement, knowing that he was already waiting for her behind those walls.
-"I think he's going to be breathless," added Annie, seconding her fiancé, while fixing the bride's veil.
-"I'd say he will lose his mind," said Patty. "You are very beautiful, Candy," she affirmed, making sure that the bouquet was in the right place.
-"Thank you..." she answered, a little embarrassed.
Several people gathered to see her. They wanted to take a close look at the woman who had managed to conquer the heart of the handsome businessman, but Candy was so nervous that she barely noticed them.
Archie proudly extended his arm to escort her into the church. Candy had asked him to give her away because he was like a brother to her. He had accepted, very flattered that such a great honor had been bestowed upon him.
The ceremony began with the entrance of the groom who was accompanied by his solemn aunt, in a slow march to give time to the delayed bride, and having the altar as a fixed point.
As he passed, hundreds of eyes rested on him with interest. Unintentionally he was causing concealed sighs from all women who had eyes to see.
Marian Smith who was among the guests couldn't help thinking that she had dreamed of that moment...She ascertained that despite the time that had elapsed her heart still fluttered when she saw him again, so tall, blond, and more handsome than she remembered him...She sighed with nostalgia.
Elizabeth Robinson squeezed tight her small purse...while she was cursing inwardly...because she was not the one whom he was waiting for at the altar.
Several hearts full of illusions were breaking as he passed by...When he reached the altar all the hopes of the marriageable girls would vanish.
Albert came to the altar. He turned automatically to see the entrance of his bride in all her splendor. He wanted to keep every moment of that.
As soon as the bride entered the last two bells rang announcing that the ceremony had just begun.
Candy's eyes widened with excitement when she saw the interior of the church adorned with Sweet Candy roses...Her eyes turned longingly to the main altar where he was; her best friend, her Prince on the Hill, her first and greatest love, was waiting for her.
She swallowed hard trying to hide the supreme joy that filled her eyes...She had never thought she would be as happy as she was that precise moment...not even in her latest dreams in which she imagined Albert was waiting for her at the altar.
As a child she had always dreamed of her prince...dancing with him, meeting him...but her wildest dreams always concealed that impossible wish: marrying him. But now reality surpassed all her dreams.
The choir accompanied her leisurely step with their soft singing. Dressed in white satin, she looked like another rose, but no doubt the most beautiful of all.
Archie was proudly escorting her with his natural elegance. For a moment he thought that maybe in another life...he would have been waiting for her instead of his uncle...He smiled sadly...Nobody but his uncle could make her happy, just as she deserved to be...He looked at Annie and was convinced that she was his true destination.
Neal felt his heart sinking...He shouldn't have come...It was all for the sake of the cursed appearances...Who cared about his heart? He swallowed hard thinking about his impotence while he was losing the woman he loved without even having had a single opportunity to show her that he could have made her happy too...He hurriedly turned his eyes away when she passed by him, and looked to the opposite side with a gesture that his sister interpreted as contemptuous...Eliza smiled triumphantly...At least her brother still shared her feelings.
Albert took Candy's hand as soon as Archie gave her away. He gently squeezed it. Both smiled nervously...but only Albert's smile was visible. Candy's face was covered by the veil.
Candy felt she was out of breath when Albert whispered tenderly to her:
-"I've missed you."
She remained speechless, without thinking anything for a few minutes...as always happened whenever he spoke to her in that way of his...Luckily the veil didn't allow anyone to notice the silly expression she probably had taken with such a welcome...She had to blink several times in order to come back to reality...
The ceremony began with all the rigor and solemnity of the time.
With every word, with every gesture, with every movement of the priest, their lives were being joined together. Their lives which had been united since the beginning of Creation, despite the fact that they ignored it...
From time to time, they turned their faces, searching for each other's eyes, exchanging smiles full of love.
-"I, William Albert Ardlay, take you...", Albert looked deeply into her eyes, "Candice White, as my legitimate wife...to love and respect you..."
His vows were spoken not only with his lips but with his whole heart...
Candy was looking attentively at him, almost immobile with excitement, fearing that it was just a dream and that at her slightest movement Albert would vanish from her life...
But to her relief the priest asked her to speak once the groom finished his vows.
-"I, Candice White, take you, William Albert Ardlay, as my legitimate husband...to love and respect you..." Candy was looking with adoration at the man of her dreams...her Prince on the Hill, who was observing her carefully with a tender smile on his face.
For a moment it was just the two of them, uniting before God and men...awakening to life with that union, free to love the right person since their hearts had been chained together without them noticing...
-"And I pronounce you man and wife, in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." The priest raised his hand to give them his blessing.
Everybody was looking at that union absorbed, while the newlyweds had forgotten the presence of the guests all this time...It was as if they were just the two of them.
-"You may kiss the bride," was the priest's final statement.
Albert slowly approached to lift gently the veil. He couldn't help admiring how beautiful she was...Her eyes were shining like stars, and her smile illuminated not only her face but his life too.
Candy was trembling with emotion while she was waiting with some disappointment that kiss to be placed on her forehead or her cheek at best...That was the most logical thing to happen in front of more than five hundred guests.
But to her astonishment Albert's face slowly descended until it reached her lips...Candy automatically closed her eyes when she felt his warm touch and for a moment she felt she was trembling like a leaf in the wind...
Virgin Mary! She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and never let him go but she could hardly reciprocate tenderly between the bouquet and the veil...
The applause managed to separate them. Candy blinked a few times, totally stunned at the power of attraction of those lips on hers. Albert smiled with that smile he had only for her...Only for her...
He took her hand and placed it tenderly on his arm...Now she was his wife! And he belonged to her...
When they turned, countless flashes blinded them for a few moments, and as slowly as they had entered they went out again, receiving thousands of congratulations on their way.
The black Rolls Royce was the last to arrive at the Ardlay mansion where the lavish reception would take place. And all that time their hands had been perfectly intertwined. They were exchanging glances full of love while silence enveloped them...It was such a special moment that none of them dared to interrupt it...There was no need for words; it was enough for them to know that from now on their lives would go the same way...
George was just driving silently...He didn't even dare to look at them through the rearview mirror. For a moment he thought they had got off the car but listening to their even breathing confirmed to him they were on the back seat.
The mansion was crowded with people everywhere, and after the implacable protocol, imposed not only by his aunt, but also by tradition, they could dance their first waltz as a married couple...
A soft and rhythmic dance enveloped them little by little...
-"You are beautiful," he whispered close to her ear.
-"Th...thank you," she stammered.
Candy avoided his eyes because she felt she was beginning to hyperventilate...
-"There are so many people..." she remarked, looking around her while Albert made her turn gently.
-"There are?" he asked, still looking at her. "The truth is you are dazzling me. I haven't been able to take my eyes off you since I saw you enter the church," he confessed.
An incredulous blink accompanied by a slight blush was Candy's silent reply, to which Albert responded with a gentle squeeze of her hand.
She still couldn't believe that her Prince on the Hill had her in his arms, let alone that he was her "husband"...
-"My Prince on the Hill..." she sighed.
-"You still consider me your prince on the hill?" he asked incredulously, with a tender smile.
Oh, for God's sake! She had been thinking out loud. She smiled sadly. Such things happened only to her. Only she could have thought of confessing to Prince on the Hill himself that he was her first love...Of course, neither of them knew who he was back then...but all the same she felt ashamed whenever she recalled having told him that...
-"Always," she replied decidedly.
She didn't care anymore. If she had made a mess of it herself, the least she could do was tell him all her truth.
Albert shuddered at that confession. Knowing that he was her first love was something unique, but the fact that she still considered himas her "Prince on the Hill" acquired an even deeper meaning.
-"Then, would 'my princess' allow me to kiss her cheek?"
Had he just called her "his princess"? Candy blinked, almost delirious, and only nodded timidly. At this rate she would remain speechless for the rest of her life. Albert leaned to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek, but his lips came dangerously close to the corner of her lips, yearning to taste them again. Candy trembled like a leaf in his arms with that light touch.
Several couples gradually joined the rhythmic dance of the newlyweds when the next melody started.
Annie and Patty were unfailingly watching the bride's veil, as her bridesmaids.
-"At what time are you going on your honeymoon?" asked Annie with curiosity, fixing her veil, and taking advantage of the fact that Albert had walked a few steps away with one of the members of the family council.
-"In an hour, as Albert told me. He's going to drive and we don't want to be too late," Candy said, lowering her voice.
-"Everybody is dying to know where you are going," continued Annie with a smile. "They think it's going to be a sophisticated and elegant place," she remarked, echoing the countless comments she had heard throughout the party.
-"It's that nobody knows what makes us happy..." said Candy cheerfully, recalling what he had told her: that he preferred nature to glory and wealth...just like her.
-"That's true," added Patty. "Will you go to that place near Lakewood you told us about?"
-"Yes," answered Candy. "So George will be able to locate it immediately if any problem arises. They are in the middle of some very important negotiations for some investments or something like that."
-"That's what Archie told me," added Annie quickly. "But he told me that Albert had said he would rather lose the business than his honeymoon with you! Oh!" she sighed romantically, wishing that some day Archie would also prefer her over all other things.
-"How romantic!" said Patty, sighing too.
-"Albert asked me to choose the place where I wanted us to go on our honeymoon..." Candy told them. "That's why I chose the mountain lodge, so that Albert will rest easy, and I will too..."
-"You thought very well..." murmured Patty, as if talking to herself, inwardly ascertaining that both Albert and Candy always thought of others before thinking of themselves...
Candy looked at her for a moment, stifling the desire to tell her the little secret Albert had shared with her a little while ago...He had sent
a whole team of investigators to the Old Continent to search more about his nephew's death. He had confessed to her that something inside him told him Stear was not dead. He knew there were several concentration camps for soldiers trapped in combat...There was a remote possibility that Stear was among them...Those soldiers were declared dead but were still alive...and Albert was clinging to the last hope that was left for him.
From afar, Neal was debating with himself about whether he should approach the bride or not...H took a glass of whisky and armed himself with courage.
-"Candy...would you give me this dance...please?"
The three young women looked at him in astonishment. Candy's first thought was to flatly refuse, but the last word made her look steadily into Neal's imploring eyes...There was so much pain in them that she was moved.
She accepted with a slight nod, while Patty and Annie were looking at her as if she had gone crazy.
-"Th...thank you..." stammered Neal.
Candy looked at him surprised. She had never thought she would hear those words from him.
-"I...I just wanted...wanted...to wish you...happiness...You deserve it; you have always been nice," mumbled Neal, almost shocked to dance with Candy for the first time. "Also...I wanted...to apologize for everything I've done to you..." He looked down in embarrassment.
-"There's no need to apologize, Neal..." Candy was looking at him incredulously, shocked at such words.
-"There is need..." He looked at her with a sad smile.
Albert didn't lose sight of them. Although Neal was his nephew, he hated to see him near Candy.
-"I don't think he has kidnapped her," said a female voice beside him.
He turned automatically, and at the same time reluctantly.
-"Marian," he greeted her with a bow and a slight smile. "Billy," he added, seeing his friend.
-"William, what a pleasure that I lived to see you married," remarked Billy.
They laughed.
-"The truth is that I came to think you would never marry," confessed Billy, amused. "And you would be in love..." he added with complicity.
William looked at him with a merry expression. He had also believed the same thing for a long time.
Marian skillfully concealed the painful memories of his rejection. She had fantasized so much about that man who had broken her heart, but seeing him married was as if her wound had been opened again...
She loved her husband but she had loved William too...He had been her first love...and first love is never forgotten. She avoided his gaze while she looked at Candy with a certain melancholy, and saw the adoration with which William was looking at his bride. Marian had to admit he had never looked at her like that. She pressed Billy's arm.
-"If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go to her rescue."
-"Go ahead." Billy smiled, pleased to see that his friend was also capable of loving with the same intensity with which he defended his principles.
Albert dodged a few couples before he got closer to his goal.
-"Allow me." He tapped Neal's shoulder.
Neal, having no choice, walked away, relieved for the first time that he had done the right thing.
-"Was Neal bothering you?"
-"No..." she answered, almost surprised. "He apologized; can you believe that?"
-"Sometimes people get better when they mature," mused Albert.
-"Do you think so?"
-"It's possible."
They kept dancing while Albert noticed that Neal was intercepted by his sister.
-"Why the devil did you dance with that orphan?" demanded Eliza.
Neal shrugged his shoulders. He knew how bitter his sister was. But he was tired of being influenced by her evil ways.
-"I wanted to ingratiate myself with the new aunt," he smiled.
-"You are a fool!"
-"Now she has as much power as Uncle, and it's better to have her as a friend than an enemy," declared Neal as he walked away.
Eliza looked at her brother and then turned her eyes to the newlyweds. She stomped her foot, trying to vent all her resentment towards Candy, but deep down she knew her brother was right. And that made her hate her even more...Great Aunt Elroy's inquisitive look caused her to fake a smile.
-"You'd better go and change; we're leaving soon," whispered Albert.
-"Now?" asked Candy, excited.
-"Yes, everything is ready now," he confirmed.
-"I won't be long," said Candy.
Albert accompanied her to the stairs where Annie and Patty were already waiting for her.
Before leaving, Candy had to throw her bouquet, and to everyone's surprise it fell into Patty's hands. Patty was astonished. Annie looked rather disappointed, as the bouquet had barely touched her fingers, while Archie sighed, visibly relieved.
Eliza hated her even more...That silly Patty had to be the one who got
the bouquet...The push she had received from Elizabeth to get her out of the way in a futile attempt to catch the bouquet of the cursed orphan so that she would be the next bride had been of no use. That idiot had thrown it straight into the hands of her friend who was certainly going to remain a spinster for the rest of her life...Eliza was jostled by several people...Everybody wanted to see the newlyweds leaving for their honeymoon...Somewhat annoyed, she got up on tiptoe, only to see Candy smiling as if she had the world at her feet and waving goodbye.
-"Alone at last," were Candy's words when they turned around the corner.
Albert laughed.
-"You are right...Alone at last!"
But the meaning of those words was different for both of them.
Albert loosened his tie with one hand while driving with the other, and Candy slightly adjusted her skirt.
Between comments, laughter and jokes they were traveling slowly towards their destination.
They had traveled several times in that car, but that was the first time they did it as a married couple, and despite all the responsibilities that weighed on them, they felt as light as the wind.
Before opening the door, Albert stopped, and without giving Candy time even to blink, he lifted her in his arms before he entered the mountain lodge.
-"It's tradition," he whispered with a smile.
Candy just gave him a look full of devotion. She could barely smile as her cheeks blushed faintly. That was beyond her expectations.
When Candy's feet touched the floor, reality hit her like lightning... They had been many times in that place but now it was different. She didn't remember ever having so many butterflies in her stomach as she had that moment. A mixture of contradictions flooded her. She had longed so much to be alone with him, but now she wasn't so sure of that...She bit her lip.
That moment a dim light illuminated the room. Albert had lit a lamp. It was getting dark.
Candy looked around the room while her eyes were getting accustomed to the semidarkness...That place had changed slightly since the last time they had been there. The furniture was new and made of wood. And what called her attention the most was a large sofa in front of the fireplace. It looked very comfortable.
-"You've changed everything," murmured Candy, taking a few steps.
-"Do you like it?"
-"Yes, it's all beautiful...Why did you do it?"
"Everything was deteriorated; besides, this is going to be our haven."
Our haven...our haven...our haven...Those words were echoing in Candy's head and made the butterflies in her stomach break free...It was not only Albert's anymore but hers too...She looked at him sidelong while he finished bringing their luggage inside.
-"Can I help you?"
-"No, all I need to bring is the box of supplies..."
Candy went quickly to the door of the bedroom where she used to sleep, taking advantage of the fact that Albert had gone out for the supplies. But her bed was no longer there. Instead, she saw a writing desk with three chairs, and some shelves with folders. Also, it seemed to her smaller than it used to be.
-"This is my little office," Albert said behind her in a soft voice.
Candy was surprised to feel him so close. But she had other questions in mind. If that was his office, then where would she sleep? The only remaining room was Albert's. Oh!
-"This room was very small," Albert explained to her. "You'll feel better in that one."
Both took a few steps. Albert opened the adjoining door and let Candy pass. Candy's eyes widened in amazement. She knew that room but now it had nothing to do with the last time she had seen it. Back then there was only a bed, a small nightstand and a chair where Albert would place his backpack. But now it looked like a king's room. There was an enormous bed with its nightstands and a huge dressing table with a chair and everything to match. The window seemed bigger and the curtains matched the color of the duvet. A little lamp was on each nightstand along with a small blue rug. That room was bigger than what she had remembered.
-"I didn't think this room was so big," said Candy as she entered timidly.
-"Actually, it wasn't that big." Albert ran his hand through his hair rather awkwardly. "I had this room expanded so that all the furniture would fit in, that's why the other room was smaller."
-"It looks very pretty."
Candy looked at the whole bedroom, realizing that there was only one bed...Of course that would be their bed...She swallowed hard...Little by little she began to decipher the marital life to which Aunt Elroy had referred.
She had thought it would be like it used to be before, when each had their own bed...They shared everything except the bed...She swallowed again, not knowing how to act before the imminent reality of being married.
Both felt somewhat uncomfortable for a few moments.
-"You can change in peace," Albert began. "I'll sleep over there." He pointed at the sofa in front of the fireplace...
She looked at the sofa Albert was referring to. For a moment she felt relieved but at the same time desolate. She didn't even understand herself.
-"It's still too early to sleep. How about putting in order the things we've brought?" said Candy, trying to be the same as usual.
-"That's a great idea."
They removed the bags and got down to work.
-"Look; it seems Dorothy has sent us a ready-made dinner," said Candy, showing him the well-sealed containers.
Albert smiled, recalling that he had asked Dorothy himself to send them dinner. He knew they would get there late and would be too tired to cook.
The small four-seater dining room was another one of the new acquisitions of the lodge. It gave a home-like atmosphere to the whole place.
It was completely dark by the time they finished their dinner. The sounds of the night along with the soft clatter of the dishes while they were being washed were the only things that could be heard.
-"I'm going to light the fireplace. The night is a bit chilly," remarked Albert, breaking the silence.
-"Good idea."
It was that moment when Candy felt a little cold, although only in her arms, since her new ankle-length skirt was much warmer than her old dresses. Now that she was a married woman she should wear long dresses. She smiled as she noticed the subtle change in her life.
-"What are you laughing at?" asked Albert, arranging the logs in the fireplace.
-"At my new dressing style..." She looked at herself from the waist to the feet. "Aunt Elroy ordered me to have everything new and when I looked for my clothes, there were none of my other dresses," she said with nostalgia.
Albert looked at her for a few moments and immediately he turned his attention to the fireplace. Looking at her against the light gave him the desire to rip off his own clothes.
-"It suits you well..."
-"Really? Don't you think I look too old?"
Albert laughed.
-"Of course you don't look old. You look...beautiful..."
They exchanged a look which said more than their lips could say.
-"Well...I think I'm going to change...It's time to go to bed..."
Albert just nodded. He couldn't speak.
He imagined himself holding her in his arms and stripping her off that skirt. He decided to vehemently blow the fire that was starting to burn in the fireplace, trying to turn off that one of his body.
-"Are you really going to sleep here?" asked Candy from the threshold.
Albert looked carefully at the flames, while having an inner struggle. The last thing he wanted was to sleep there, but he wanted to go slowly with Candy.
But how could he do that without his hormones going on a rampage? The mere thought of sharing the bed with her made a certain part of his anatomy turn rigid.
-"I think that...I'd better sleep here...Go and change in peace." He turned to the other side, pretending to look for another log.
Candy looked at him sadly for a moment, not knowing why it hurt her to know she would sleep alone...She had always done that...She shook her head as she closed the door gently.
Archie's mother had given her a nightgown as a wedding gift...and had told her to wear it on the first night. But when she did she felt naked. It was too low-cut and somewhat transparent, so she chose to put on her old pajamas. Albert had always seen her in those...
The fireplace had been lit and a soft warmth filled the room. Albert sat heavily on the sofa that would be his bed from now on, and put his hands behind his head, while his gaze was lost in the flames.
He had never thought it would be so difficult for him to tell her he loved her. It seemed so easy to say it when she was not there, but when she was in front of him, his courage failed him.
He, who had been prepared to carry all the heavy responsibilities of his name and to lead his family's business, couldn't face his own feelings. He had never loved with so much passion. He had never felt the necessity to speak about his feelings as much as he did at that moment.
It was true that there had been other women in his life, but none had touched so deep in his soul as Candy, not even that nurse with whom he had shared several nights of passion in Africa...
…..
Her name was Jane and when he saw her, the first thing that came to his mind was Candy...Maybe that's why it was so easy for him to surrender. Loneliness had driven them to break the rules of society. Both had the same free spirit, with no strings attached...
As the days passed, Albert began to notice that in Jane's eyes love was slowly starting to materialize, and then he knew he must leave...
The last night he spent with her was the decisive one.
-"I love you," she had whispered to him.
Albert had remained silent, staring at the ceiling.
-"I think it's getting late..." he murmured, without answering.
-"You're going away, aren't you?" Her voice was fragile, like the soundof a violin.
-"Yes," was his short and cruel reply.
That was the last time he had seen her. He had gone without looking back and without any regrets...
….
What he had felt for her was not at all like what he felt for Candy. Having her close to him was the only thing that made him feel complete.
Since he had loved her he had been left without wings, and at the same time he had turned into an eagle that hovered near her. He had become jealous of people, contrary to all his principles and convictions...
But how could he tell her without being at her mercy?
He had never thought he would love like that, to the point of breaking down all his preconceptions...
-"What are you thinking about?" Candy's question caught him off guard.
He looked at her intensely. There she was, owning his heart and his greatest despair, as fragile and innocent as a child, and at the same time with the power of the most heartless of murderers...She held him in her hands...
-"Albert?" insisted Candy, not knowing why he didn't answer.
-"I'm thinking about you...about me..."
About how to tell you that I love you...
Candy tilted her head, expecting him to continue...but he was just looking at her. Several minutes passed before Candy broke the silence again.
-"Are you really going to sleep here?" she asked, feeling suddenly nervous...
Albert took a deep breath, feeling his courage was gone.
-"That's for the best, Candy...Besides, I'm sure your snoring won't let me sleep," he joked, as he turned cautiously, avoiding to look at her.
-"I don't snore!" she protested.
He laughed.
-"I know...Go to sleep in peace. You must be very tired after so much bustle."
How could he tell her that if she remained standing there he would end up ripping off that pajama...
Albert could spend days in the open with no food, he could live with no luxuries, he could endure whole days of meetings, but resisting Candy was practically impossible for him.
-"Good night," whispered Candy.
-"Good night, princess."
Candy looked at him, containing the desire to throw herself on him... He had called her "princess" again...Like a gust of wind, all the nicknames she had been called passed through her mind; Miss Freckles, tomboy, orphan, stable girl, crybaby, Chief, Miss Tarzan, monkey...but never princess...She turned with a sigh.
Albert watched her as she was leaving through the door. He felt like an idiot, a coward for not running after her. He covered his face with his hands, repeating to himself that this was for the best.
Candy paid attention to the sounds around her, trying to listen to Albert's rhythmic breathing. Minutes passed and she could barely hear the crackling of the firewood...
A loud fluttering near her window took her unawares.
"Ahh!" she shouted frightened.
It was too late to stifle her cry. Albert opened the door abruptly.
"Are you all right?" he asked anxiously.
"Well...yes...I'm sorry to wake you up...I think it was an owl that passed out of the window and scared me..." she apologized.
Oh, God! Albert was shirtless...She swallowed hard. Darkness didn't let her see more.
"I'll go and see if there is anything else out there."
"No...it's not necessary..." she managed to stammer, while Albert was going out.
She could only hear the front door opening and then Albert's footsteps on the porch and near her window. She turned to look at him but she only saw his shadow. After a while, the door opened and closed.
"There's nothing out there," said Albert as he locked the door.
"Are you sure?"
"Quite sure," he announced, glancing again into Candy's room.
Candy thought she would see him without his shirt again but to her disappointment, he had already put it on.
Albert approached the window and made sure that it was well closed while Candy sat up in bed.
"Do you think the party is over by now?" she asked, so as not to feel like a fool following all of his movements.
"I suppose so..."
Candy's heart skipped a beat. Albert seemed more strange than before, as if something bothered him...
"Will you sit here for a moment?"
"Sure."
Deep inside him, a voice was telling him that staying there even a minute longer was not a good idea...but he ignored it.
He settled almost on the edge of the bed, trying not to lose control... Surely that was his punishment for avoiding family responsibilities for
so many years...
Candy did the same...but she felt uncomfortable...strange...distant. Minutes passed and neither of them said anything.
"Albert?" she whispered. "Are you asleep?"
Albert thought seriously of the possibility of not answering.
"No," he replied.
"Are you happy?"
"Yes."
Candy sighed somewhat sorrowfully.
"Do you doubt it?" Albert asked, without turning.
"Yes...No...Well, what I mean is...that everything was fine until we came here...It's as if something is bothering you," Candy confessed.
Albert closed his eyes, trying to find the words he needed to explain to Candy all that was happening.
But everything was gone when he felt her turning towards him...She wasn't close but she wasn't far either...
He turned slowly, trying not to scare her...
"Do you know what I want to do right now?" His voice had become deep and seemed to be caressing her.
"Go to the sofa?" she asked disconsolately.
"No," he answered with a faint smile, stealthily approaching her. "Do you want to know?"
"Yes." She felt dizzy when she sensed the soft mint aroma that came out of his breath.
"I want to kiss you," he murmured so close to her skin that she felt her whole body dreadfully tense.
Candy swallowed hard while in the semidarkness she could see those blue eyes looking at her with devotion.
"Is this a request?" stammered Candy, totally stunned by such closeness.
"No," he answered slowly. "This is a warning."
And without any more preambles, Albert held her face until he found her lips and melted into them...
