CHAPTER 10
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..." Jimmy was "conducting" the children's choir up at Pony's Hill, as the children were putting up their Christmas decorations.
Mr Cartwright had given them a large Christmas tree and every single kid (and the adults too!) were busy at work decorating it with glass baubles, candles, and their own handmade ornaments.
"Ooh this one is even bigger than the tree we had last year, isn't it?" said Jimmy to Candy, both very pleased with how it looked once they had finished.
"Aww, but it looks spectacular!" said Sister Mary, "thank you children for your great work, we will have a wonderful Christmas this year!"
The orphanage was full of laughter and happy chattering, the kids were so excited, talking about nothing else other than the big party that was planned for Christmas day, the visitors that were coming and their presents. Candy was in high spirits too. Yes, she was a bit apprehensive about going to Lakewood, but she had so missed Albert, she couldn't wait to see him. She knew that once they saw each other, any awkward feelings or misunderstandings would just melt away.
Albert, my dear Albert, it has been so long since I last saw you! She was restless with anticipation but the general excitement at Pony's Hill gave her an excuse to hide the real reason of her unusual liveliness.
"The car is here Candy, are you ready then dear?" asked Miss Pony.
George had just parked the car outside the front gate. Candy jumped up and ran to the front door.
"George!! It is so nice to see you!" she said genially shaking his hand.
"And it is great to see you too, Miss Candy" George replied with a warm smile "it has been quite a while since we last met."
"Please, come in Mr George" said Sister Mary who had also come to welcome the kind gentleman.
"You must be tired after your journey, do let us offer you a cup of tea or coffee."
George admired their nicely decorated Christmas tree "will you have any energy left Miss Candy to help do another one? We are got our tree this morning at Lakewood. Mr Cornwell and his fiancée are also due to arrive today, so I think we will need to make quite an effort to match your results here!" he said amiably.
"Oh, yes, Annie and Archie!" Candy said excitedly "I look forward to seeing them again, it will be great, I am so happy we will all spend these holly days together" she said beaming.
"Shall we get going then Miss Candy, the snow seems to have started again" he said peeking out of the window "and it will make our journey longer" he added.
"I can't wait to see Lakewood again" said Candy when they were in the car and on their way. "It was summer when I was last there, time passes so quickly!"
George smiled kindly "well, yes, actually we haven't had the chance to go there much either – I think we only managed one more time since your visit last summer."
"How is Albert then, from his letters I got the impression that he has been extremely busy and travelling frequently" asked Candy.
"Indeed Miss Candy, it has been a terribly busy period for him and he very much looks forward to a short break now and especially to seeing you. He has missed you a lot" said George.
Candy felt her cheeks go red "I look forward to seeing him too" she said softly with a shy smile on her face.
George seemed pleased but didn't comment.
The rest of their journey was quiet; the snow continued to fall and the day started to grow dark quite early. Candy turned on her side and dozed off. She was slowly waking up when she heard a pleasant male voice outside the car door.
"Well, well, who have we got here!" She opened her eyes and saw Albert standing there, a big bright smile on his irresistibly handsome face.
"Albert!!" she said and jumped out of the car and straight into his arms. He held her tight.
"Hey, little girl, it is nice to see you again" he said warmly caressing her hair. "It's been a long time, a very long time... but you are here now..." he said and gave her head a small kiss.
She was unusually still, she was just happy to be in his arms after all these months, and she didn't want to say anything to spoil the moment. George had left them discreetly but looked back one last time as he went up the stairs, the sight of the two of them embraced warming his heart.
Candy looked up at Albert tenderly, her green eyes drowning into his loving gaze. She still couldn't believe they had finally met again after all this time. He was looking at her so affectionately too, it was hard for him to suppress his feelings, he wanted to kiss her and hold her forever but...
"Come on, then, or we will freeze out here" he said and picked up her suitcase.
She nodded and followed him into the house. A giant Christmas tree was flat on the hallway floor "my goodness!" she exclaimed "this is huge! It will take us hours to decorate!"
"Hmm, just as well you had a nap in the car, then. We will need plenty of energy to put this up" he teased her.
They heard fast footsteps running down the stairs;
"Annie! Archie! You are here already!" she screamed. She ran over to her friends and they all embraced.
"Candy, you are looking really well" said Annie "oh, but it is so wonderful to meet up again!"
"I have some news for you all" said Archie "Great Aunt Elroy just called from Chicago, due to bad weather she decided not to make the journey to Lakewood today, she will come instead the day after tomorrow – she wishes all a Merry Christmas and asked that you give her a call later, Albert. She will spend Christmas with the Rangans, she said."
"Thanks Archie, yes, I will get in touch with her later" said Albert. "But for now, I suggest we get something to eat and get going with this tree or we won't have it ready on time for tonight!"
After lunch they started decorating the tree, chatting, singing Christmas carols and enjoying some mince pies and mulled wine. It looked quite spectacular when they had finished, though they were all a bit tired. Albert was a superb host, as always, and they all found themselves feeling very much at home in the mansion.
Candy was somewhat relieved that Great Aunt Elroy wouldn't be there that evening; her hostility towards Candy was well-established and did not seem to abate over the years. She shared the thought with Annie when the two girls found a moment to be alone.
"Well, Candy, I didn't want to say it myself, but I am also quite glad she decided not to come, she can be very awkward, and if not anything else, I think Albert at least deserves a peaceful holiday. As for those Rangans... Elisa has been truly horrible recently, saying all sorts of nasty things to Archie about me. As expected, I guess..." said Annie.
"Oh no, Annie, I am so sorry to hear this, when is that girl ever going to grow up and start showing some respect and consideration to other people! When I think about that devious Neil!" exclaimed Candy frustrated.
"Listen Annie, you must just ignore her, paying attention to her will only make her even more determined to cause problems" said Candy.
"Yes, you are right, Patty said the same thing. Archie does not listen to any of her comments of course, but it can still be painful sometimes. Anyway, as you said, we are so busy now with the wedding preparations that the last thing I intent to bother about is Elisa's unpleasantness" said Annie.
"But how are you Candy, I am sorry I haven't had the opportunity to write to you recently, as I said we have really been inundated with all sorts of preparations..."
"Come now, Annie, there is no reason to apologise, I totally understand what it's like, so don't think about it. Well, I am fine, I am actually coming back to Chicago in the New Year to start working at the hospital again – and I am looking forward to that! It also means I can see you guys more often, won't that be great?" said Candy excited.
"Goodness Candy, this is fantastic news! Yes, it will be lovely to have you close again, and Patty too! I will have to tell Archie at once when he comes back, where have they gone actually?" asked Annie.
"Ehm, I didn't quite catch what Albert said to be honest, something about bringing up some more wood for the fire, or checking the wine cellar? Ach, maybe they needed some "boys" time too, you know!" she winked at Annie.
Annie laughed "yes, you're probably right. Speaking of Albert, Candy... it is so nice to see him so happy and relaxed at last. Whenever we met him in the last few months he seemed distant, distracted, probably tired with so much he has to do... but today, he really is a different man... I think it's because of you actually, Candy..." said Annie.
Candy froze in her seat "what do you mean?" she asked surprised feeling suddenly exposed.
"Well... it's not something specific, obviously, perhaps it's just a feeling I have" continued Annie "but he always seems to be so happy when you are around. And if I may say so, Candy, you too look more like your old cheerful and lively self when he is close..."
Candy's face went red, her heartbeat was inexplicably faster. She was about to respond to Annie, when the door opened and Albert and Archie walked in talking and laughing, carrying thick wood logs into the room and walking straight towards the large fireplace.
"Well, ladies, after all your hard work with the Christmas tree today, we wanted to make sure you were nice and warm tonight" said Archie with a smile and a gentleman-like bow.
"You are a lucky woman, Miss Brighton" added Albert amiably "this young man here is definitely going to make sure you are well looked after" he said putting the logs down.
"Oh, I know that Albert, I know, and I couldn't be happier" said Annie grinning and gave Archie a small kiss on the cheek.
Candy felt momentarily uncomfortable. Her friend's words minutes earlier about Albert and the open display of affection between her and Archie, all of a sudden made her feel very vulnerable. She made an excuse about feeling a bit tired and went out of the room.
Albert seemed concerned, he knew Candy well enough to be able to distinguish between genuine tiredness and emotional upset; he too got up and with the pretext of having to return Aunt Elroy's call, asked Archie to sort out the wood in the fire and left the room.
He saw her on her way up the stairs and called after her
"Candy? Are you OK, can I get you anything." She turned back, surprised to see him there.
"What? Oh, hi Albert, thanks, no, I am OK, just a bit tired, you know, with the car journey today, the preparations... maybe I overdid it with the mulled wine too" she smiled at him.
"Let me walk you to your bedroom at least" he said firmly and placed his hand around her waist.
"You are right, it has been a busy day, we ought to get some rest before dinner actually."
"Thank you, Albert, I appreciate your concern" she said softly. They reached the landing together;
"You know Candy, you can always talk to me about anything" said Albert.
She looked at him, her heart beating fast; could he read her thoughts, she wondered.
"Albert..." she started.
But she couldn't tell him this time, she couldn't tell him that perhaps he was the reason she was feeling weak... and a bit sad... his face was so close to hers, she felt she would drown into his striking blue eyes, she could feel his breath caressing her cheek... no, she couldn't tell him the real reason of her upset.
"Thanks for walking me to my room, I will rest now and see you later" she gave him a faint smile.
"OK then" said Albert "but if there is anything you need, please, do not hesitate to ask me, promise?"
If there is anything I need... she thought to herself bitterly after she had closed the door behind her. I need you, I need you to hold me, to take care of me, to be by my side, I need your love... but I have no right to ask for it, and even though I am so happy to be close to you now, I feel a part of me is dying every day we are apart... and these things Annie said... God, oh God, how did I get myself into this mess, what am I going to do?
She felt better after a nap, she was indeed tired and it did her good to rest for a while. She got up and changed for dinner. As she went down the stairs she could already hear the piano and a trio of cheerful voices singing Silent Night.
"Hey, you're up, that's good!" said Archie looking up from the keyboard.
"Hello Candy" said Annie "hope you are feeling better now."
"Dinner will be ready soon" said Albert "I bet that will wake you up properly" teased Albert.
"OK, OK all of you, I can't have slept for that long" she pulled a face at them; they all laughed.
This was going to be a lovely evening and they were all very happy to be spending Christmas together.
Dinner was superb, roast turkey with all the trimmings, steamed winter vegetables, cranberry sauce and potatoes.
"Gosh, this is just delicious, I am stuffed already" said Candy, "I need to keep some space in my stomach for our pudding, yummy!"
After dinner they moved into the sitting room to enjoy their coffee close to the gloriously decorated Christmas tree and a nice, warm fire.
"This was a truly excellent meal, Albert. Thanks a lot for having us here and looking after us so well" said Archie.
"Yes, I can't imagine spending a nicer Christmas" added Annie "and look, it's still snowing... hmm... do you think we will be OK to drive up to Pony's Hill the day after tomorrow then if it continues like this..." she said doubtfully.
"Ah, don't worry about that, as long as we leave early enough and put chains around the wheels, the cars will manage" Albert reassured her. "So, how about a game of cards now?" he proposed.
The rest of the evening was great; they played games, sang Christmas songs together, chatted happily and relaxed. Annie suppressed a small yawn a few hours later;
"Oh dear, I am afraid I will have to leave you my friends, though I do not want to, I am having such a fabulous time..." she said.
"It is alright, Annie, dear, I am getting tired too, I suggest we go upstairs, I will take you to your room" offered Archie.
Candy and Albert got up too to say goodnight to their friends.
"Well guys, thanks once more, this has been a truly memorable evening" said Archie giving Candy a warm hug;
"Yes thank you, this has been the best Christmas Eve ever!" said Annie sincerely.
Albert was beaming, he was very happy his guests had been enjoying themselves.
"The pleasure is all mine, and yes, I agree, this has been the best Christmas ever!"
Annie and Archie were on their way out of the room when Annie turned back and said light-heartedly "oh, you do know what they say about those standing under the mistletoe, don't you?" she winked at them.
Albert and Candy looked up simultaneously; for a few seconds they were both lost for words, Candy's face a beetroot red, Albert also looking self-conscious. He quickly regained his composure and said humorously,
"Ah, alas that custom did not account for men with adoptive daughters! Goodnight my friends, we will see you tomorrow, the festivities are not over yet!"
Candy breathed a sigh of relief when Annie and Archie had gone.
What on earth had got into her friend's head, she almost fainted when she realised what Annie had really meant by that comment. She sat in front of the fireplace, looking into the fire, silent.
Albert sat close to her, his unfinished drink beside him. He wasn't talking either. They both spent some time gazing at the fire, Albert occasionally poking the logs to keep it going.
"It hasn't stopped snowing all these hours" he said at last. "It is quite a storm, don't you think" he asked.
Candy didn't respond immediately. Then she started hesitantly... "Albert... that thing Annie said... about... about the mistletoe..."
Albert's heart almost stopped for a moment, his whole body tensing.
"Would it have made a difference... if... would it have made a difference if I wasn't your adoptive daughter..." she heard herself uttering these words, stunned she had actually said them out loud.
Albert didn't answer immediately, his heart beating like crazy. He swallowed hard and without turning to face her he said very softly,
"I think that yes, it would have made a difference, Candy".
Candy didn't say anything, she continued to look at the fire, her insides burning brighter than the flames in front of her.
"Can we pretend... just this once... that I am not your daughter?" she whispered almost without realising it.
Her heart was beating faster... a ripple of something went down her spine at the mere fact he was sitting next to her. When he was close to her every moment seemed more intense, the light more blinding, the smells sharper; as if he somehow possessed the ability to turn up the volume on her senses.
Candy didn't notice how still Albert was, until she felt his hands in her hair, his dexterous fingers pushing away her beautiful curls to reveal her neck, softly grazing her flesh where her pulse beat frantically with every breath she took.
His sheer magnetism alone was enough to imprison her, but when his arm snaked out to wrap itself around the narrow indentation of her waist and made the prison physical, she knew this was the kind of prison she' d never want to escape from...He lightly touched her chin in a caress, then lifted her face up to him. His eyes looked suddenly soft and sweet – just like dark treacle. She started at the luminous orbs, her heart hammering away within her chest. He touched his lips to her bare shoulder, and slowly kissed his way all up her neck until he felt her shudder with unspoken surrender. Softly, he brushed the tips of this fingers over her lips, and then... he leaned towards her and covered her mouth in a most tender, sweet kiss that stole her ability to even think.
She kissed him back with abandon.
For what felt like a lifetime, they clung to each other and didn't let go, their bodies meshing in the old familiar way, their hands exploring the sweet paths of their mutual desire. He'd filled out, she thought, his shoulders wider, his hips more narrow. Since going back to Pony's Hill, she'd slimmed down, toughened up. She felt a fleeting sense of anxiety; her soft teenage curves had been replaced by a leanness born of strenuous exercise. Would he find her attractive?
She didn't have to ask. Albert murmured deep in his throat and dropped his hands. His fingers followed the lines of her hips then smoothed their way to her buttocks. He almost lifted her up as he brought her close and for a moment, she halfway expected him to do just that. She did nothing to stop him, either. She wanted to feel him against her, wanted even more. The need must have made itself known.
Like a heated torch, his touch imprinted itself against her skin, and Candy gasped. In her mind, she'd imagined it, but all those images had fallen short of the sweet surrender she was experiencing in his arms. She knew then that no one but him could make her feel like this.
No one.
Nothing meant anything but this, the moment taking on a life of its own. Their mouths still locked, they fell into each other's arms, their kiss deepening with a passion sending them straight into heaven...
"Albert..." she groaned, but it came out as a whimper as his mouth took hers again and again and his hands slid up and down her curves, exploring, sampling, molding her into a mass of trembling urgency.
"Candy…" Albert shuddered, hoarsely against her neck, his breathing rushing through his lungs as if he had just been running. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at him, dazed, wondering where she was for a moment. She didn't let go of him though, she already missed his lips against her mouth. Even now, hesitantly, her hands continued to roam his strong, muscular body; he shuddered against her hands, sensitive to her tentative, fleeting caress. He wanted her so badly it physically hurt. He took her hands in his gently, clearly straining to regain control of himself.
"Albert…I…" she started.
He looked at her, trying to imprint that lovely picture in his memory forever. Her breath uneven, her hair slightly dishevelled, her cheeks stained by a deep shade of pink, her trembling lips part-opened and parched… and her eyes… her beautiful, emerald green eyes looking into his adoringly… he let a deep, shuddering breath then…
Dear Lord, what have I done, the shameful questions started to flood his brain causing him to panic.
He got up, without warning, without looking back and walked towards the window. Candy was left on the floor, perplexed, her senses still reeling from his passionate kiss, trying to understand his sudden departure. She opened her mouth to ask him what was going on, when he said quietly
"Candy… I think you should go to your bedroom now… ",
She got up too and walked towards him; she stood very close to him, raised a hand to touch his back – he saw her reflection in the window and turned slowly towards her. He took her hand in his...
"Candy..." he said again. "It's very late..."
"Albert..." she started hesitantly.
He gave her a small smile and touched her cheek fleetingly with the back of his hand "sweetheart... I will see you tomorrow, now go...please"
She didn't want to leave him. She wanted to talk to him, to tell him that what happened there between them a few moments earlier was possibly the most intense and wonderful experience of her whole life... she wanted him to hold her and kiss her again and again, as if there was no tomorrow...
Instead, she nodded and whispered "OK then... goodnight Albert" and left the room.
She ran up to her room for fear that any of the servants would spot her. Her face was still flushed, she thought that if anyone saw her they would immediately know what had happened. It was in the safety of her bedroom that she could finally sit and think...
Albert also went to his room, his steps quick and somewhat unsteady; he too wanted to avoid unwanted encounters within any of the house staff – or worse – George. He sensed his friend would see straight through him and draw conclusions that were not correct. Albert knew he would have to tell him about tonight at some stage, but not right now, he was not in a position to talk about this with anyone.
A single, white wall divided Albert's and Candy's rooms. One wall, one tormented soul on each side. As they both lay in their beds, awake, confused, straining to hear what the other one was doing, a flood of powerful emotions washed over their recently aroused bodies.
She was so soft, so sweet, so adorable... a deep sigh left Albert's lungs, as he turned his body to face her side of the wall.
He was so hard, so strong, so passionate... a deep sigh left Candy's lungs, as she turned her body to face his side of the wall.
It was going to be a long and tortuous night for both of them...
***
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your patience again" said Anthony with a bright smile on his face, "I promise this is the last speech for this evening."
There was laughter following this remark.
"I sincerely hope you have been enjoying yourselves so far tonight. However, this special evening would not be complete without a special present for our parents" announced Anthony.
"Would you please all move to the designated dancing area by the marina, thank you very much..." there was a sound of shuffling feet as the guests moved slowly where Anthony had directed them.
"Mum, Dad, Elroy and Rosemary have composed a special piece and they would like to perform in your honour tonight. It is called Amor Aeternus, and is dedicated to Candy and Albert!"
There was loud applause. The pair were visibly touched by this announcement. They shook hands with the many people who came towards them to congratulate them once more. Both their daughters were gifted musicians, Elroy played the harp and Rosemary the violin, and they frequently entertained the family.
A beautiful melody filled the air as the two girls started to play. Candy closed her eyes and rested her head on Albert's shoulder, Albert put his arms around her tenderly. Amor Aeternus...
A billion stars looked kindly down upon them and space and time mattered no more; for theirs was the kind of love that made them feel completely alive, where every sense was heightened and every emotion magnified.
And they both knew. They knew how blessed they had been all these years, for in a universe of ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once, and never again, no matter how many lifetimes you live...
The sound of the beautiful music ended to be immediately replaced by that of excited clapping.
That brought them back to reality; Candy opened her tearful eyes and waved at her guests graciously, her face full of radiance.
Then Albert moved forward and said "and now, my present to my precious wife!"
He unfolded a piece of paper and read slowly
As I upon my travels here passed this proud rose, it called to me
Look, it said, look at me...nature's penultimate beauty.
How can you resist my siren call? I but shook my head and smiled.
Rose, I said to it, while you are quite lovely, there is one lovelier still who awaits me...
and though in your company would I gladly spend time,
yet must I be about my way to where she lays.
"Candy, my Rose, this is for you" and his head pointed over to his side.
"To let us travel the wide seas and see the world together."
The crowd along with Candy turned their heads in the direction Albert was pointing. There was an awed silence in the relative darkness. At that moment, at the end of the marina a multitude of colourful lights came on to illuminate a beautiful yacht named Sweet Candy, a white rose printed on its sails.
Before Candy could react, a thousand fireworks pierced the night sky. The crowed ooh-ed in amazement. Albert was soon back next to her holding her tight, and she was shedding tears of happiness in his arms.
"Albert… my Albert… thank you, this is the most wonderful gift... I love you, I love you forever!"
He was beaming as he whispered in her ear "me too, my love, me too."
***