Chapter 22
(Please forgive my poor English. It is not my mother tongue !)
Leaning against the railing, her hair swept by the wind, Candy was watching Southampton Harbor slowly moving away at the pace of the liner that was carrying them. In spite of the immense joy she was feeling by going back to America, she still had a heavy heart to leave Slim and Humphrey, but also Cookie, which was still far from recovering. The Duke of Grandchester had promised to take care of him. She had no doubt on that point, but she was still annoyed at having found them all back and not being able to stay with them any longer. Really, this country had brought her many happinesses but also many sorrows, gently distilling moments of sweetness to withdraw them just as quickly. It was nevertheless in this country that she had met Terry on a New Year's Eve, and despite all the obstacles that life had sown thereafter on her way, it would remain for that reason, eternally dear to her heart.
Almost a week had passed since the Rudolph's attack, a tragic event which had precipitated their departure. Candy had not returned to the Grandchester Castle, but Terry had made a last visit to his father, and especially to face these two vipers of Beatrix and Sybille, which, feeling the wind turn to their disadvantage since a few days, had unsurprisingly excused themselves, fleeing somewhere in the provinces. This farewell visit had quickly turned into a settlement. Not having recovered from the fatal episode that had happened on the night of his engagement, he had seized the opportunity, while he was alone with his father in his study, to firmly condemn the guilty silence of the family on the deviant behavior of his brother, silence that allowed him to act with impunity for years.
- Do you realize, father - he had exclaimed, clapping his fist on the desk - that if Candy had not been able to defend herself, he could have ... He could have!
The words had strangled in his throat as he thought back to this unbearable scene. The duke had lowered his eyes seriously. He had the features of those who had not slept much in days. Noticing his distress, Terry had felt guilty. He guessed that he had hurt him with his reproaches, and the anger he felt at his arrival, had immediately fainted. As a sign of appeasement, he had gone to take a glass of whiskey and handed one to his father, whom he had agreed by a nod of his head.
- I ... I deeply regret what happened here ... - finally pronounced that latter after several sips, staring at the amber liquid that danced in his glass - I did not want to recognize the evil that slept in your brother. I preferred to see in him a seducer, a ladies' man rather than a ... You know, Terrence, it's very hard for a father to accept that his son is a ... monster ...
His hand had trembled at this evocation, then he had recovered, and had continued, sadly:
- I made the mistake of closing my eyes, preferring not to see, as if it did not exist .. Mal took me! I am well punished, and our family too ...
He had said his words grimly in pain, bruised by the dishonor that had struck them, aware that it would be many years before they could get up again. He was convinced that he would not see that day ... Although only a few people and staff knew about it, he knew how fast the rumors spread, like an infection, spreading more credible horrors than the truth. His helplessness to fight this evil gnawed at him and affected him deeply.
In front this this displayed fragility, the feeling of guilt had increased in Terry's heart. He no longer recognized his father, this man so hard in appearance, was ultimately human, with his strengths and also his weaknesses. With a lump in his throat, he had approached him and put a hand on his shoulder.
- What is done, is done, father. Throughout the centuries, our family has experienced many dramas and tragedies, and it is not this one that will shoot us down. You made the right decision by chasing Rudolph. I guess how much it must have cost you. God willing, I will be a father in my turn someday, and I am not unaware of the complexity of the task ahead of me. And if I had to face a situation identical to yours, I know that I will go through similar torments. To deny the flesh of one's flesh, to recognize the demons that inhabit it, requires a lot of courage. This courage you showed it to me that night, firmly and without any hesitation. You defended us, Candy and me, in front of your wife and your son, in front of all those people who, apart from that, are still wondering about my affiliation. That night, for the first time, I felt like I was really your son ...
The Duke of Grandchester had looked up to Terry, his eyes filled with tears and stammered:
- Forgive me, once again, Terrence, for having been ... such a bad father ... for making you think, out of modesty, that you mean to me less than my other children, while you have always filled me with pride. I was very awkward and cruel to you, I know it and I regret it ... You are my son, and you are undoubtedly more worthy than your brother and your sister who are only a perpetual disappointment ...
- Father ... - murmured Terry, swallowing hard.
- You are a love child, don't forget it ... You are what I have dearest in the world ... - exclaimed the Duke by drawing his son against him.
Upset, the two men had hugged each other for a long time, sighing loudly, to finally leave, their faces bathed in tears.
- You ... You will come to my marriage, will not you, father? - mumbled Terry, his voice broken by emotion.
- It will be an honor for me to attend ... " - he had responded just as emotionally, while wondering if Eleonore would be there at the same time. What a fool! Of course, his son's mother would be there! And his heart had started beating a little faster at this prospect ...
The two men had been chatting for a while, then the time to separate had arrived. All these confessions had upset them and they found it difficult to leave each other. By the time he reached the threshold, Terry had turned one last time.
- Coming here, I also wanted to share with you a decision I made, father ... - And in front of the inquiring look of that latter, he added - I will take back the name of Granchester ...
And without giving his father time to react, he had disappeared in the corridor. Shaken by this unexpected news, the Duke's legs began to flinch, and he dropped into an armchair, the sight blurred by the emotion that overwhelmed him ...
When Terry joined Candy on the deck, she noticed that he was displaying a sullen face ...
- What's going on, my beloved, why do you look so upset?
He opened his mouth to answer her, but the sound of strident cries coming from inside, interrupted him in his tracks.
- What is it ? - she said with a mocking smile, looking at the cause of the noise - Have your Verona admirers followed you here?
- Pfff! - grunted Terry ,shrugging - If you knew! ...
Then appeared on the deck a swarm of young girls, who like bees on a pot of honey, gathered around a silhouette that Candy had trouble distinguishing.
- Rudolph, Rudolph! - they screamed, hopping around the stranger, whose face she still could not see. For a minute, on hearing this name, her blood froze at the thought that it could be the horrible brother of her future husband, but she quickly realized that it was impossible, especially since the face of the young man she had just glimpsed between two curly heads had nothing in common with the ugliness of the banished Grandchester son.
- Rudolph Valentino ... - she murmured while holding a hand to her heart - My god, Terry, It's RUDOPLH VALENTINO !
- I can see it well, I'm not blind ... and I'm not deaf! ... - he grumbled, crossing his arms.
- My god, Terry, I saw all his movies, you know!
- You don't say! - he sighed, rolling his eyes.
Indifferent to the sarcastic tone he had used, she continued her soliloquy with a feverish voice, staring at the seductive young brown man who was spinning among the young women with the grace of a ballet dancer.
- I can not believe he's here in front of me, in the flesh! He is so handsome, even more handsome than in movies!
- Handsome ? - Terry exclaimed, with a shrill voice - That slicked bof ? But what do you all find to him ? He is only good to flutter eyelashes in front of a camera! He ... He does not even know how to speak !
- My word, Terry, you're jealous!
- Me, jealous ? Are you serious? - chuckled that latter, proudly straightening his chin - How could I be jealous of this traveling fraud?
Unconvinced, Candy began to giggle which had the effect of increasing his irritability that he struggled to conceal. It was then that the crowd moved towards the lovely couple they formed. Rudolph Valentino then had a momentary pause in front of Candy whose innocent charm did not let any man indifferent. In response to the eloquent glance that the dark handsome man laid on her, Terry brought her closer to him by passing a firm and protective arm around her waist. Rudolph Valentino lifted his head and opened his eyes with surprise as he discovered those, furious, of Terry who threw him, teeth clenched:
- Take care, you fool! Preserve !
Take care, guignol! Preserve !Pretending to have noticed nothing, the famous actor turned on his heel and walked away in the opposite direction, taking with him the horde of enamored girls who had been chasing him since his arrival. Stoically, indifferent to the din, he turned his gaze to the horizon and began to think that these five days of travel to New York would be funny to say the least ...
Terry was fulminating with rage! He might have done his best to avoid him, this Rudolph Valentino was always on their way! The first day's pack of groupies having vanished, thanks to the close guard's good care that he had carried in his luggage, the latter strutted now freely, enjoying the admiring glances and murmurs on his way. All this ridiculous ride to attract attention was making Terry perplexed, having never understood the craze for this man who owed his fame to incongruous roles of sheik or toreador. It was at least the high opinion he had about movie actors, and this fop-eyed with embers eyes did not deserve a more complaisant judgment, all the more since he was constantly turning around his fiancée ! Fortunately, the crossing was coming to an end. According to the captain, it was expected that they reached New York on the next afternoon, with a few hours in advance, needless to say he was eager to get to destination, this game of cat and mouse having put his nerves to the test.
Indeed, every evening, the young couple was invited to the captain's table with other high-ranking guests as well as this thorn-in-the-side Valentino who always managed to take place in front of them . Although dumb in his films, the guy knew how to handle his language in public, revealing a quick wit and a great talent to entertain his entourage, and in particular Candy who did not hide to appreciate his company. How many times hadn't he wanted to crush his aristocratic fist on the nose of this amateur pizza chef who made eyes to his sweetheart throughout the day. Not a moment of respite he left them! Whatever they do, wherever they go, the infernal tone of his voice, with his singing and cooing accent, rose at the bend of an alley or of a room, as if he were watching for any of their least movements. All this tended to affect the heir of Grandchester's mood but especially his relationship with Candy as he found her too indulgent towards this celebrity junk.
- Please, Terry - was she blaming him while he was driving her back to her cabin (a single door separated from his ...)
- Try to be a little more friendly with Rudolph. Looks like all the time you are about to go to his throat!
- I'd like to...! I don't like the way he looks at you ...
- You are imagining things! He's just trying to be nice! You have not noticed how interested he is in your job, and all the questions he asks you about it? Even when he invites me to dance, it's to talk about you. He really admires your career!
- Yeah ... It's just a hijacked way to better coax me while he's charming you ... I'm not fooled! I saw his foot just now in search of yours as I leaned under the table in search of my towel! I almost put my fist in his face!
- God, you are suspicious! He was certainly trying to stretch his legs. This gala dinner was a long one, there is enough to have the limbs numb! I assure you, Terry, your jealousy is really not justified!
- Not justified? That's a funny one! How do you want me not to be jealous when I see you are going into ectasies at the least of his jokes!
- It may be because they are funny! It must be said that with the sullen face that you offer every time he is there, you don't make people want to talk with you! And for your information, I'm not ecstatic. I admit that I appreciate his company because I find him nice, that's all.
- You see, you just admit it! You appreciate his company!
Exasperated, Candy shrugged and hurried to her cabin, which could be seen in the distance.
- This conversation is turning ridiculous! I prefer to go to bed (without you) hoping that you will have recover your minds tomorrow morning!
- Don't bank on it! - he roared while mistreating the lock of his own cabin - I do not want him to approach you any more, did you understand me?
- You do not want anymore ? But I'm not your thing, believe it or not!
- My thing, maybe not, but my wife, soon, yes!
- It remains to be seen! I have no desire to marry a jealous and possessive man, who can not bear another man talking to me!
- What a nice description of me! There is still time to change your mind, Miss Ardlay, I would not want to bother you with my so detestable company!
- I am sick of it, I do not want to hear you anymore! Good night ! - she exclaimed, slamming the door.
- All right, good night ! he replied, slamming his own.
It was without taking into account their damn character! Through the partition that separated them, their noisy and animated exchanges continued, one reproaching the other for the ridicule of his behavior. As the tone got louder and louder, Terry was about to open the connecting door to face the shameless when he noticed a small envelope that had just slipped under his door. Abandoning Candy to her virulent soliloquy, he picked up the envelope, opened it, and remained a few seconds gaping at the reading of the words it contained.
The interest I've read in your eyes tonight is driving me to boldness. Join me in my cabin and let's drift to this night of love that awaits us ... Rudolph
It was too much ! And to think that this fool was stupid enough to slip his word under the wrong door! Haha! What a nice surprise you'll have my fellow! I promise you a beautiful starry night, you'll see!
On these beautiful thoughts, he threw the crumpled note on the ground, opened the door furiously, and strode off in the direction of his rival's bedroom ...
After a while, Candy realised that she was talking in the void, no echo to her attacks coming back to her .. She decided to open the connecting door and could only see Terry's absence. Annoyed that he let her fall in the middle of the game (which she was leading with enthusiasm), she noticed then the piece of paper strewing the ground and picked it up. Her reading left her panting, but as soon as the surprise passed, the anguish strangled her throat, smothering her grip.
- God, he'll kill him! - she thought, panting - I must find it before a tragedy occurs!
On these words, she rushed out the door that Terry in her haste had left open, and jittery, ran as fast as she could, her long evening dress slowing her down in her movements, to the quarters of the famous actor.
When reaching her destination, she was surprised not to hear any noise. She knocked on the door, waited, then repeated her gesture. No answer ... She pressed her ear against the door and it was then she heard coming moving! With a trembling hand, moved by the horrible anxiety that invaded her, she turned the handle. Unexpectedly, the door opened, revealing to the young woman's eyes a terrible scene:
- God, Terry, what happened here ?
Rudolph Valentino, visibly naked under a silk kimono, was laying motionless on the ground, face down! Terry, all disheveled and his shirt torn, was standing in front of him, staring at him haplessly.
- Candy ... - he stammered, deathly pale - I'm afraid I killed him ...
End of Chapter 22