Letters to Juliet

by Leia

Chapter 21

(Please, forgive my poor English, it is not my mother tongue)

Sitting in the darkness on an armchair next to the bed, with bloodshot eyes by lack of sleep, he had spent the night watching her sleeping. He lifted his head up and saw by the window the pinked glows of the breaking down. It was almost morning. He had lost all sense of time that his mind struggled to calm down.

When arriving at Slim's appartment, Candy had immediately asked for sleeping and had collapsed like a light on the bed. Terry had taken her shoes off, had covered her with a blanket, and had sat down next to her and had not moved anymore, simply by watching her sleeping by the light of a single lamp, looking out for any frowning.

Thoughtful, his elbows leaning on his knees, his hands joined in front of his head, he sighed despondencily in front of his inability to chase the terrible images that were passing on a loop in his mind since the unbearable scene he had attended in the castle.

When entering the bedroom, he had at first let out a sight of relief as he discovered her alive. He had so much feared the worst while running to rescue her. She was alive, obviously, but half naked and ruffled, and for a few seconds, he had been unable to react, too much chocked by what was happening before his eyes. His brother was standing in foetal position on the ground, trying as much as he could to protect himself while she was hitting him with her fists and kicking him, screaming with a choked rage. With his high stature though, Rudolph could have, with one only movement, pushed her back, but he looked so terrorized by the furor that emanated from her, startling contrast with her fragile body which, mercilessly, was going at him fiercely. When she headed towards the huge candelabre that stood on the chimney, he rushed towards her to stop her. She had looked up with surprise and what he had read in her eyes had horrified him : a crazy gaze, full with anger but also with terror and disgust.

- Good god in heaven! - he had moaned as he embraced her – What has he done to you? What has he done to you?

He had held her tightly in his arms, saying words to her ears that were supposed to comfort her, but carried by her confusion, she had heard him and had struggled, groaning like a scared animal. Finally, his voice, this tender and deep voice that she cherished so much, had been able to pass over the barriers of her tormented mind, and she had collapsed in his arms, crying.

- You're fine? Tell me you are fine! - he had asked with a broken voice, as he touched her shoulders, her arms, her hands.

- I... I'm fine... - she had answered, sobbing. she felt she was coming out from a nightmare. But this time, the monster of her dreams was lying to her feet, floored, and it was a real relief. Never, never, she would allow someone to lay again his dirty hands on her!

The noise of a friction on the ground caughed Terry's attention who had turned around and seen his brother, who, taking advantage of their warmth, had stood up straigh and begun to run out of them. Unable to restrain the furious desire he had to settle a score with him, he had jumped on him and buntly had shaken him.

- You will pay for this, bastard ! he had screamed, pulling him by his hair, moving him for several meters, with no compassion for his cries of pain. Then his fury fell on him, coldly, without any words, just punches. He was in such a daze that he was now unable to remember exactly how he had treated him, nor how long it had lasted. He only remembered Candy's pleas to him to stop beating the poor wretch who was no longer human to him. He had only one idea in mind: eliminate this vermin so that it never hurts the woman he loved again! He would certainly have killed him if she had not managed to bring him to his senses. Thanks to her, he had not become a murderer, but he had still that feeling of something left unfinished that prevented him from being delivered from the guilt of not having been there when it was necessary. He knew that from now on he could not help but fear for her at any moment, and that made him terribly anxious.

How didn't I suspect anything he had in mind ...? - he kept wondering. He was terribly angry at having underestimated his brother, this brother he had not seen for years and about whom he knew nothing. The last time they had seen each other, he was just a pretentious and contemptuous teenager, whose cunning look should have warned him about the inner demons that already animated him. He knew he was stupid and cruel, but he never imagined he could behave that way. And yet, it seemed like it was not the first time he was violent with a woman because, while Candy and him were running away from the kitchens to join Slim and his companion waiting outside, he had surprised one of the servants saying to another:

- I hope we will never hear again of Sir Rudolph! He had to attack Miss Candy so that finally our master reacts! However, it is not as if we had not warned him about the brutality of his son. How many times haven't we fallen into the traps he set to us, how many times were we about to be beaten or raped? I should not say that but it's a good thing that he tried to rape Miss Candy, otherwise this monster would have continued to do with us what he wished!

At these words, Terry had stopped dead in front of them. The two young women had startled, paralyzed with fear, realizing that he had heard them.

- I'm... I'm so sorry My Lord, I did not want, I did not think ... - had she stammered, trembling, as the icy glare of that latter passed carefully from one to another. They were going to be fired, that was for sure! Against all odds, his eyes had softened and he had addressed them by bowing respectfully.

- Please, do excuse my family, especially my brother for all what he did to you, ladies. I can not imagine the hell you lived with him. I can promise you that he will not bother you anymore because I will personally ensure that he will never soil again this place with his presence.

With eyes wide of amazement, the two young women, as an answer, had nodded. They were expecting to be dismissed and were receiving in return the young Duke's apologies! That evening would remain engraved in their memory forever ... and in the minds of all! ...

Thus, Rudolph's violent and perverse character was an open secret ... How could his father have been deaf to the complaints of his staff? By his inaction, he had let his brother believe that he could afford everything and nothing could happen to him in return. How many women had he assaulted under the cover of the family's "blessing"? Really, this family turned his stomach and he was more than happy to leave it!

Subtle hits at the door interrupted his thoughts and he turned his head. Slim was standing in the small opening, holding a cup of tea.

- Humphrey has made some tea. Would you come and join us in the living room?

Terry's gaze wandered from Candy to Slim with hesitation.

- She's safe here ... - said that latter in a reassuring voice - Come on, come with us, it will change your mind rather than staying in this room, moping.

Slim was right. Candy was sleeping peacefully and there was no need to worry. Anyway, he would not be very far from her, a few meters at most ...

Reassured, he nodded at Slim's proposal and stood up, not without leaving the door ajar for more tranquility. That way, he could hear her if she woke up ...

Slim and Humphrey's apartment was in one of London's upscale neighborhoods, not far from the art gallery that Humphrey owned. Slim's works were exhibited there, but so were many other young talents', such as Christian Blake, whose gorgeous nudes were beginning to overshadow Candy's brother. Against all odds, this competition, far from demoralizing it, stimulated the young artist who saw in this rivalry a new motivation.

- I got success very quickly - explained Slim to Terry as he contemplated one of his works - And it's not very good for an artist, especially so young. I quickly thought that I had reached to the top and nothing could make me go down. Fortunately newcomers like Blake brought me back to reality, otherwise I would never have questioned myself and I would have soon become an old-fashioned painter. I suspect Humphrey overexposed Blake to put me to the test.

- You needed an electroshock, my dear - said Humphrey while handing Terry a cup of tea - And I did well because your last paintings are the most beautiful you've ever done. They are promised to be very successful.

- Let's hope you're right - said Slim, raising his cup as a wish for success. Terry raised his own and then lifted it to his lips, but the strange head he did at the first sip caused the loud laughter of his interlocutors.

- Hahaha ! I forgot to tell you that Humphrey is Scottish - Slim chuckled - and therefore he tends to put whiskey everywhere, especially in tea.

- You must have dropped the bottle, Humphrey! ... - cried Terry coughing loudly - But as a Scottish myself, I can only praise this initiative ... though surprising!

- I'm so glad, Terrence! - said Humphrey, clinking in turn - There's nothing better than a little whiskey to chase worries.

- May you be right ... - said Terry, sighing sadly.

- She will recover, do not worry - said Slim putting a comforting hand on his shoulder - There is no stronger and more courageous than Candy, I can testify!

Before the inquiring air that Terry was sending him back, he invited him to sit on the couch and told him the day when, while still living at Pony 's Home, he had gone in secret to visit her at the Lagan's. He had finally discovered that she lived in a stable, that she was their servant and that they were abusing her. Her life there was not easy, yet she had not lost her good humor or kindness.

- She has always been a model of courage and hope for me. When things were not going well in my life, I used to think about her and that helped me a lot. I know she will recover from this sad experience with Rudolph, certainly faster than that latter, given the state in which she left him ... This dork did not know who he was dealing with!

Terry did not answer, just staring, lost, at the contents of his cup.

- She has a lot more resources than you think ...

- Actually ... - said Terry sighing - I do not doubt about Candy's resilience. I think the one who will have the most trouble recovering, it's me ... Candy defended herself and defeated her assailant. While on my side, I have still that feeling of unfinished that does not leave me in peace ...

- Unfinished?

- Unfinished, yes. And I know that if I don't do something, it will haunt me for the rest of my life.

At these words, he got up and asked Slim.

- Can you take care of Candy for a few hours?

- Of course, but ... but ... where are you going?

- Finish what I had been unable to ... - he replied as he walked towards the front door.

- Don't do anything irreparable, Terry! - exclaimed Slim as the young comedian already passed by the threshold of their apartment - Candy needs you too much!

Terry replied with a wave of his hand and disappeared into the dark hallway. The two men looked at each other with bewilderment and dropped on the sofa wearily. What would they tell Candy if she woke up before her fiancé came back? That they let him leave to finish his brother? Slim shook his head to chase away this agonizing thought that unfortunately had the chance to come true. As well prepare for the adequate response that would avoid alarming her, a response he had to hurry to find, his friend having just appeared in the middle of the living room, yawning.

- Slim ... Humphrey ... Where's Terry?

The ocher colors of the rising sun were spreading slowly over the facades of the buildings that bordered the harbor. In the distance, silhouettes of boats returning from their nocturnal fishing, their nets filled with fish and crustaceans were seen to be sold at auction. It was early, but already many people were busy on the waterfront, with little interest to the dark-colored car passing by them towards a freight boat moored away. The car stopped in front of the freighter. The driver went out, rounded the vehicle and opened the rear door, revealing the head of Rudolph Grandchester, whose anxious forehead showed his deep frustration. He seemed to hesitate a few seconds, then straightening his chin proudly, he got out of the car.

He readjusted the back of his jacket, and looked up at the cityscape that was stretching behind him for the last time. Still shocked by the events of the evening, he struggled to realize what he was going through. The driver had just put next to him the only suitcase he had been allowed to take, and he looked at it with dismay.

Banished as a mess, him, the son of the Duke of Grandchester! How could he have come to that? It was this girl's fault, that bewitching girl of Candice who had made her eyes sweet all day, then refused to do so after drawing him into her room! Dirty American bitch! If she had not cowardly attacked him, he would not have been taken by surprise and he could have shown her who was the master and she would have liked that, the bitch! Her cries of pleasure would have attracted this jerk of Terrence who would have discovered her in full enjoyment between the arms of a man, a real one! ... How he regretted being so naive! He had been too good to her, he should have broken her jaw from the beginning, it would have calmed her down, this fury! And if that had not been enough, he would have broken her nose too! He had mastered more recalcitrant ones, and they had never complained in return! Another one who did not know what she wanted! ...

- It's time for you to get in this boat, Sir Rudolph ... "- Carson intervened in a voice without any emotion. The Duke had asked him to take care of the departure of his abominable son, departure that he wished discreet, and above all, fast! The butler had complied with this requirement with an enthusiasm and eagerness difficult to conceal. He had never appreciated this odious and contemptuous being, whose perversity he was not ignorant of, and felt great relief at finally being rid of him.

Drawn from his sordid thoughts, Rudolph turned his swollen face towards him and grined:

- Don't worry, Carson, I'll get on this damn boat! But don't rejoice too fast, as many as you are! My father is not eternal, and when the time comes, I'll come back, yes, I'll come back! I will be the new Duke and you will bow to my feet!

- You really should get on this boat before I could not longer resist to the urge to throw you in the river !

Rudolph turned with a start and recognized his brother whose silhouette in Chinese shadow was cut out under the rising sun.

- T ... Terry ? But what are you doing here ? - he exclaimed, stepping back cautiously.

- I wanted to make sure of your departure ... You are so coward that you are well able to run away! You are down to the last disgrace!

- You are not well placed to speak of dishonour, you, who did not hesitate to molest your own brother!

- My brother ? But what brother are you talking about? - said Terry coming closer, so close that his chest was against his, that he felt quivering, shaken by an uncontrollable fear - I have no brother since I knew his true nature ... Our ancestors must turn over in their grave!

Rudolph rolled his eyes, shrugging his shoulders.

- Stop this moralizing tone with me, brother! We know that they all say "no" but that it is the opposite they want! I could have proved it to you if you had not interrup...

An uppercut in the middle of his jaw threw him violently backwards, dragging him towards the edge of the wharf. This time, he was not going to escape! As he slowly straightened up, Terry was already gripping him by the collar, and, without any other form of trial, lifted him above the blackish water.

- But ... what's happening to you ? Are you crazy ? Nooooo! Stop ! - shouted Rudolph, leaning back, balancing on tiptoe. Paralyzed with fear, he did not dare to struggle, casting uneasy glances at the deep water that lapped under his feet.

Attracted by the cries, some sailors busy finishing the cargo, raised their heads in their direction, then shaking their heads disillusioned, returned to their work grumbling under their teeth.

- A settling of scores between toffs, here ... Now we've seen it all ! ...

- Sorry, Rudolph, but ... - said Terry, with a mocking air - You just said "no", right? Should I then interpret this as a "yes"? Because I did not quite understand your reasoning earlier. Is it a "no" meaning "yes" or a "no" meaning "no"? Be more explicit, "brother"!

- No, no, noooooo! - moaned his brother, shaking his head - I beg you Terry, don't drop me! I am a ... a very bad swimmer, you know it! Mercy!

For once, Rodolphe was right. He had almost drowned in the river when he was a child and had since then been sickly afraid of water. He really had to be scared, so hanging over the water. Petrified, he moaned and squeaked like a frightened beast. The attacker of defenseless women really did not look good!

Terry hesitated a few more seconds, then, with a sigh of weariness, pulled him unceremoniously towards him, who expired with relief on terra firma.

- You're really a shit, poor Rudolph! - said Terry with a pout of disgust - Get out of here immediatly !

But while his brother was complying, he held him one last time by the collar, and added in a most threatening tone.

- You will not have a second chance, Rudolph. I don't want to see you again, NEVER you hear me, otherwise, otherwise ... I'LL KILL YOU ! - he told him, jaw clenched - Understood?

Rudolph feverishly nodded his head, terrified by what he had read in his brother's eyes who had left no doubt on his determination, and he moved away from him with a piteous air.

- Go now! That we forget to your miserable person! ...

Undaunted, he took with a quick gesture his suitcase and enlisted on the bridge that connected the dock to the cargo ship. But, when getting to the other side, he turned on his heels and raising his fist, spoke to Terry and Carson:

- I will get my revenge! One day you will regret the way you treated me!

- Get out of here here or I'll immediately follow with my threats! - exclaimed Terry, moving quickly towards the bridge, determined to thrash once for all his coward of brother.

Brave but not reckless, the young man took shelter inside the boat and did not show up again ... Terry and Carson watched with concern the boat departure and got only their breath back when it disappeared on the horizon. Visibly shaken, they exchanged one of more eloquent look and walked silently towards the car. But as Terry was getting into the vehicle, he stopped and turned to Carson.

- I'm sorry, Carson, you had to attend this... I'm so ashamed of what my family is ...

- My Lord, what I saw today has just confirmed the great esteem you inspire me. You could have cast your brother and humiliate him in front of all these people. After all, he got what he deserved. But you did not lowered to this mediocrity. You are of noble blood, but you are above all of noble soul. This, in my eyes, symbolizes the true nobility that you naturally embody. You are a good man, Terrence, and it is a great honor and pride for me to be able to serve you ...

The butler immediately put his hand to his mouth, horrified by the familiarity of his words.

- I'm terribly sorry, my Lord, I don't know what happened to me to call you by your first name ...

- Don't worry, my friend - said Terry, putting a loving hand on his shoulder – I don't take offence. On the contrary! And if you don't mind, I would greatly appreciate you continuing to call me that way when we are together ...

- I ... I will try to, My Lord, sorry, Terrence ... But I think I'll never really succeed ...

- Hahaha! That's what we'll see, Carson! Count on me to remind you!

At these words, he was getting ready to get into the car when a female voice called him.

- Terry?

- Candy! he cried, surprised, as she threw herself into his arms with a sigh of relief.

- Oh my god, Terry, I was so scared for you !

- But why, my dear? - he asked while gently caressing her cheek. The sun's rays was playing with the iris of her eyes, making them translucent. How beautiful she was and how he was dying to kiss her!

- When I realized that you would be here - she answered in a voice troubled with emotion - I was so afraid that you would commit the irreparable!

- To be honest, I could not resist putting my fist in the face ...

- And? she inquired anxiously, looking around for Rudolph.

- And nothing more ... I looked at him and saw only a pitiful being for whom I felt nothing but contempt. I did not want to be affected by his defilement. So I mainly made sure that he was leaving, and that he had understood that he must never come back ... He is now far away, my beloved. Do not worry anymore ...

- Oh, Terry! she exclaimed, hugging herself into his arms. - Do not disappear like that, I beg you. I really thought I would die of anguish!

- I will never leave you again, Candy. Our destinies are forever linked. Come on, let's get ready to pack up and get out from here! I want to return to America as soon as possible and have you as my wife!

- You could not make me better proposal! - she said, smiling maliciously.

- But before that, will you let me? ...

- Let you what?

- Will you let me kiss you one last time on the British soil, Freckles?

Candy frowned on hearing this nickname she hated so much but did not push him away as he took his pretty face between his hands and put his lips on hers. The heat of his breath invaded her whole body and she answered to his kiss with a tender modesty, her cheeks blushing with hidden desire. In a few hours, in a few days, they would be free, far from all obstacles. Free and stronger for two, for eternity ... What Candy did not know was that she would need all her strength to overcome the new challenges that awaited her when she returns ...

End of chapter 21