CHAPTER 5

"Well, William, as you are aware, I am due to return to our house in Chicago tomorrow morning. Before I leave, I wish to clarify the guest arrangements regarding Archibald's engagement party we will host here, since you are not going to be around long enough for this to be discussed nearer the time..." started Aunt Elroy during dinner. "I really do not see why that ill-educated, disrespectful girl has to come along, William."

Albert raised his eyebrows but did not interrupt.

"Yes, yes, I do recognise she helped you out when you were unwell, although one does have to question the morals of a young woman taking into her house a total stranger, but anyhow this is more than just a family gathering to celebrate the engagement, it is an official occasion for you to become better known to our social circle and establish yourself as the head of the Ardlay family" she added wryly.

"I honestly don't think that girl belongs in this environment (and the sooner you see this yourself, the better for all of us, she thought to herself). I do not have to remind you of the scandal that followed her so-called engagement to Neal and the great distress she caused us!"

Albert was listening to her dispassionately. He was expecting this reaction and was prepared for it.

"My dear Aunt, for better or for worse Candy is a member of our family (she cringed on hearing Candy's name) and a very precious one to me, for that matter. She is also Annie's closest friend, and I am sure she would be most upset if Candy was not to come. Surely you must appreciate that it would look very suspicious if she weren't here and the last thing we want of course if for the high society gossip machine to start, don't you think?"

"There is no need for you to worry" he continued, "as I am sure she will conduct herself with the greatest appropriateness for the occasion. And I would rather not discuss that so-called engagement, as you rightly put it", getting irritated now.

"It is just as well Sarah and her little dears are off in Florida, or I don't know what I would have done if I had caught Neal in my hands!"

Elroy pursed her lips and returned to her dinner, clearly displeased. She could tell when she had lost an argument.

"I see that you have made up your mind William and no matter what I say will obviously not make a difference. I have yet to comprehend what it is about that girl that got you and Anthony so obsessed with her", her voice wavering a little on mentioning the name of her late nephew;

"But I hope you understand that you are no longer a carefree young man roaming the countryside with no worries in the world. You are the Head of the most important family in the whole of Chicago, in full charge of numerous businesses and responsible for the wealth and welfare of thousands of people. You may not want to hear it, but what you do and who you see..."

"I think we have said enough on this matter, my Aunt", interrupted Albert.

"My decision is final regarding the party arrangements and I expect you to treat Candy as graciously as you would any of our honoured guests. I am sorry you cannot find it in your heart to see that Candy is an exceptionally fine young lady, but please, try to remember that I possibly owe her my very life, so on that account alone, I suggest you put whatever reservations you may have to the side, and comply with my wishes. Now, what's for dessert?"

Elroy didn't say anything else. She obviously didn't have a choice on the matter so she would have to tolerate Candy for the duration of her visit. Elroy was certain that what Albert needed was to find a wife and start his own family, and then inevitably he would forget about Candy, but how to get him to show an interest in social events, which he avoided like the plague... she would have to talk to George about it, he should be able to provide some insight on how best to entice her unenthusiastic nephew.

Albert retired in his study still annoyed with the conversation over dinner. He didn't particularly like arguing with his Aunt for whom despite their difference of opinion, he held deep respect. When he was young their relationship was prickly, he wanted to be free to get away and explore the world, and escape the confines of his pre-defined life, she, on the other hand wanted him to follow on the footsteps of his father and get involved in the family business as early as possible. In the end, especially after Rosemary died and Albert was wholly heartbroken, they managed to come to some sort of reconciliation, whereby he was allowed to keep himself away from the lights of publicity associated with his name, and in return he was to complete his studies in London and return to take over leading the Ardlay family at the age of 24.

Alas, his accident in Italy and subsequent period where he had amnesia meant that the future of the family was left uncertain while Elroy and George made all efforts possible to trace him. Albert knew that his Aunt was extremely worried while he had disappeared, he found out later that her doctor was particularly worried about her health... she was getting old after all, and life hadn't been easy on her either... He looked out of the window. The sky was heavy with dark clouds and it looked as if it would start raining any minute now. Good, he thought, the garden could do with some rain after the dry spell of the past few weeks.

Albert went to his desk and tried to concentrate on the pile of paperwork in front of him. Annual reports, capital expense forecasts, presentation reviews... his mind kept going back to that conversation over dinner... and Candy. He hadn't seen her since the gathering at Pony's Hill and that felt ages ago. He had been too busy to get in touch, she must have been too from what she said in her letters. How is she? Candy... I have missed you so much, why is it that Aunt Elroy is so blinded by prejudice she doesn't want to see what a wonderful, wonderful person you are...

He gave up on work, he knew he wasn't going to be able to focus tonight. He walked down to yard, past the garden, the scent of Rosemary's roses pungent and sweet swallowing eagerly the nourishing raindrops now falling thick and fast, and got to the stables.

With steady hands he placed skilfully the saddle on his favourite horse and within seconds he was out riding into the forest surrounding the mansion, savouring the soothing smell of the freshly moistened soil, feeling the rain on his body washing away his tormented feelings. He came back to the house about two hours later totally soaked, his body grateful for the evening exercise to dissipate the tension of the past few weeks. He was a very handsome, athletic man, used to strenuous and regular physical activity and his new lifestyle attending meetings and being closed inside an office the whole day was draining him...

He changed out of his wet clothes, dried himself roughly and collapsed on his bed without bothering to get dressed. The night was still quite warm, despite the refreshing rain and he liked the feeling of the clean, soft sheets on his naked body. He let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes.

It wasn't long before he was fast asleep.... his dreams filled with happy, sunny days in Africa where all that mattered was getting food for the day and helping out in the small local clinic to save a life or simply to bring back a smile on a child's face... and then the scenery changed. Chiara was there with him, walking alongside him holding hands, both smiling, enjoying the end of a splendid day, the first traces of a beautiful sunset just about tinting the horizon. They went to their favourite secret spot right next to a gorgeous waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation and singing birds. He saw himself undressing her slowly, mesmerised by her exquisite beauty, her bright green eyes fixed on his; he could hear her soft moans as she nestled in his arms, their coupling loving, playful, intense...

But when he opened his eyes to look at her it wasn't Chiara looking back at him anymore. The lustrous mane of golden hair in his hands, the emerald green eyes locked into his gaze, the velvety lips responding hungrily to his passionate kisses were those of... he melted inside her whispering her name again and again, I love you so much, I need you so much... Candy...

He woke up abruptly drenched in sweat, his heart beating like crazy, his sheets a crumbled mess on the floor. For a few moments he couldn't remember where he was, the dream was so vivid, he almost expected to turn round and find Candy there but... what the hell is the matter with me!! His brain had finally woken up too.

Candy is my closest friend, far more than that, she is my adoptive daughter for God's sake, how could I possibly dream of us together... like this... he got up sharply and went to the bathroom to throw some cold water on his face. He saw himself in the mirror, his features bleary and hard. He let a short sarcastic laugh into the night then said aloud,

"Who are you kidding Albert, even if it was legally possible, she is never going to see you in this way". He groaned and went back to his bed, the rest of his sleep thankfully dreamless...

***

A dashing, young man tapped lightly on Albert's shoulder. "Ehm, excuse me Sir William, are you planning to monopolise this lovely lady the whole evening? Don't you see there is a queue of smitten admirers also waiting for their turn to dance with her?"

Albert turned back laughing and said apologetically to Anthony "yes, OK, you are right of course, on you go she is all yours!" he gave Candy a gentle kiss and left her to dance with her son while he attended to their guests.

"Well, mum, you really look stunning tonight, all eyes are on you and rightly so!"

"Oh, Anthony, you are such a dear, thank you for your kind words and also for organising this great anniversary party with your sisters, it is the most wonderful surprise your father and I could have hoped for!"

"Mum, it is us who should be thankful for all you've done for us over the years, we couldn't have asked for better parents, especially given the kind of hardship you both went through in your youth. So please, don't thank us, just relax and enjoy this special day".

He planted a tender kiss on her cheek and whispered in her ear "there is some other news I want to share with you, but no-one else knows yet, we want to keep it a secret for a little while longer."

Candy looked up at him with enquiring eyes, "is everything OK dear, has anything happened, you can always tell me, you know that."

"Och mum, would you stop worrying" Anthony laughed, "it's nothing bad, it's just that... Elaine... she is expecting a baby...and..."

"Anthony!! Oh Anthony, darling, I am sooo happy for you, oh but this just wonderful, we are going to be grandparents, I can't wait to tell your dad... it's OK to tell him, isn't it?,

"He-he mum, of course it is, and we will announce it soon anyway, but for now, since we just found out ourselves, better to keep it quiet for a while".

Candy looked at her son, her eyes full of pride. My son is going to be a father, she thought, God, how does time pass, I can still see him as a little boy, my precious little Anthony running around the rose garden with Elroy and Rosemary, shouting and playing together, Candy and Albert showing them how to climb trees and ride horses, to fish and look after animals, teaching them the constellations of the night sky, going camping, kayaking, reading together, singing together... so many happy days... so many happy memories...

"Mum, are you still here?" teased Anthony noticing her glazed expression. "The baby is due in March, hope you and Dad are around at that time, it would mean a lot to us to have you here when the baby comes".

"Sure dear, we plan to be back before Christmas anyway, so don't worry, and please, if there is anything we can help with in the meantime, please, do not hesitate to ask, OK?"

Anthony gave her another hug, "Yes, mum, I know. And thank you, I know our child will have the world's greatest grandparents and Elaine and I are simply over the moon!" he exclaimed, his face beaming with pride.

"Oh, but I must go and talk to her and I am actually getting a bit thirsty", said Candy, "Go on, go and find yourself another dancing partner young man and we will speak again later" and with these words she gently detached herself from his loving embrace and went to talk to her daughter-in-law.