CHAPTER 15
"You can't be serious!" said Aunt Elroy almost hysterical. "You simply can't be serious, William! Are you completely out of your mind, what is this nonsense you are telling me?"
Her face was red and contorted with anger. She was almost shaking with rage. Albert had walked in, interrupting her afternoon rest, and then, without wasting a second, he had matter-of-factly announced to her that he was going to get married. To Candy!
"Oh no, oh no, this is not going to happen William, so you'd better get this ludicrous idea out of your mind. Are you forgetting who you are? The esteemed Head of the Ardlay family to marry this.. this..."
"This perfectly nice young lady, perhaps" Albert's voice was calm but cold.
"A person who has helped me and supported me throughout my whole life? Who made sure I had a roof over my head and food to eat when I was lost and sick and thrown out of hospital... a beautiful woman who is caring and kind, warm-hearted and loving, a loyal friend, a thorough professional... hmm.. God forbid, how could I even consider her as a suitable wife..." his lip curled in an ironic grimace.
"William, how dare you say such things!" Aunt Elroy interrupted him.
"Don't you understand the scandal this is going to cause, the sole heir of the most important family in the whole State to be married to an orphan of no social standing, no manners... that girl... that wicked girl has brought nothing but pain and shame to our family, and now you want to marry her! No, no, I cannot allow this, I don't know what the matter is with your judgement, William, but this wedding is never going to happen!"
Albert was way too happy to be disturbed by his Aunt's antics. He smiled at her with an expression of some unfamiliar yet deep and mature understanding, and said calmly,
"Aunt Elroy... I love Candy more than I love my life. The family riches, titles and social standing as you put it, mean nothing to me. I can say goodbye to the whole lot tomorrow, and live a very happy man. You never understood this and I can see that you never will. This matter is closed and there is nothing more to be said about it. Candy will become my wife and no-one – and I mean no-one – is going to to stop this."
She looked at him incredulous, clutching at her chest, trying to control her rising blood pressure.
"However, should you insist with this intolerant attitude, I can arrange very easily the denouncement of this name and associated wealth as well as all my precious titles, and you can make alternative arrangements for someone else to run this family, as you see fit" he pierced her with an icy stare.
She gulped.
"You wouldn't, William... you couldn't..." she said breathlessly. She knew fine well that if Albert walked out on the family, that would be the end of the Ardlay dynasty.
"Hmm... I certainly can and sure will, should we continue this discussion along the lines it's taken so far" he stated in a businesslike tone. He walked towards the table and poured himself a drink.
"Now, come Aunt, try to see sense" he said more softly seeing her despondent face. "Candy is a wonderful woman, and I am the happiest man in the world to have the honour of becoming her husband. Try to give her a chance, and you will see, she is a truly special, truly unique person..."
"Please, spare me, William" his aunt said caustically. "I can see you have made up your mind and I am not in a position to be negotiating. I hope you have thought this through and fully appreciate the consequences of your foolish actions. I fear I will not be condoning this act of madness..."
Albert looked straight into her eyes, his own betraying the deep sadness and disappointment in hearing that statement. He started calmly.
"Aunt Elroy... you are my closest relative, the only real family I have left. All these years you have been a solid rock for me, helping me as best as you could to get through the most terrible losses. My parents, Rosemary, Anthony and now Stear... also overseeing my education and allowing me to express other sides of myself, giving me the chance to work with animals, to travel and see the wider world. For all you've ever done for me, I will be forever grateful – and I want you to know that. In many ways... in almost all ways, you have been a mother to me and this is how I hold you in my heart."
She turned her head away from him, each one of his words having a deep impact on her, but not wanting to show it. Albert continued,
"At the same time, I cannot deny or ignore the very strong feelings I have for Candy. Yes, you are correct, she doesn't fulfil the typical credentials of a high-society lady perhaps, but then, come to think about it, neither do I."
Aunt Elroy faced him again and opened her mouth to protest, but Albert continued.
"You know that yourself, my dear Aunt, all I want to do is be out in nature and look after plants and animals, do charity work and stay away from the suffocating office environment to which I am currently enslaved. I am the one who doesn't fit into the culture of our family's heritage, not Candy. So I ask this of you, Aunt. I will do all I can to keep our family business profitable and successful, to secure the welfare of our relatives and our many employees. I will toil as hard as my mind and body allow, to ensure that all my ancestors worked so hard for does now go to waste but instead grows and flourishes further."
He took a deep breath and continued.
"However, I must ask of you to support me in this endeavour and to please, please, welcome into our family the one woman I love more than anything. Even if it's hard for you, and I do appreciate how hard it is... I love her, Aunt. She makes me happy... it's as simple as that. Surely, after all we've been through you do want me to be happy, don't you... Aunt Elroy... Mother..."
He walked slowly towards her, reaching out a hand of reconciliation. And then, in a reaction so unlike her stern, austere character, she gave her nephew a reticent embrace, but an embrace nonetheless. Albert was taken aback for a short moment, but he too put his arms around his aunt.
When she spoke to him again, her voice sounded a touch softer.
"William... you have indeed been to me the son I was never destined to have. I care about you more than anyone else in the world. Much as it pains me to accept Candy into our family as your wife, your happiness has always been my highest priority."
Albert dared a small smile.
"However, you will need to remember that this too is a great sacrifice on my part. I approve of your commitment to look after the family's business as you described, and I, on the other hand, will do all I can to facilitate Candy's new position next to you. I trust that she will reciprocate the effort" she added firmly.
"My dearest Aunt, your words are like music to my ears!" Albert said happily.
"Yes, I am sure we will work things out, thank you so much for giving me... I mean giving us, your blessing, you have no idea how much it means to me" he kissed her hand respectfully.
"You are my most honourable guest at the wedding... I hope you will accept the invitation..." he hesitated for a moment. "Aunt... will you be there for me?"
Elroy looked at him and remembered many years ago another young man, blond hair, striking blue eyes, with a strong athletic build, asking her exactly the same question...
"Sister, you are my most honourable guest at the wedding... will you be there for me?"
"Of course, William. Yes, I still have many reservations about this wedding, but I will certainly be there to witness this special day in your life" she said.
***
There was a knock on the door of Albert's study.
"Come in!" he said pleasantly.
The door opened and a smiling George walked in.
Albert looked up at him and smiled too.
"You know, I suppose" he said.
"How could I not know, your Aunt's ehm... dulcet tones could be heard throughout the house" he suppressed a laugh, then turned serious again.
"I am both very happy and very proud of you, Albert."
Albert got up from his desk and walked towards his assistant and good friend. The two men shook hands.
"Thank you, George. I am not sure I would have gone through with this if it hadn't been for your support and encouragement. I owe you a lot, my friend" Albert said genuinely .
George nodded.
"The most important thing is that you two are finally going to be together. There is no doubt in my mind that Candy is the right woman for you, Albert. You will be very happy, you'll see."
Albert smiled once more then said,
"George... we need to annul Candy's adoption as soon as possible. I was just going through some papers here myself to see what has to be done about this. "
"Of course, Albert, leave it with me, it shouldn't take more than a few days" offered George immediately.
"And... and there is something else... a favour. I need to ask you a favour."
"Certainly, Albert, you know I am always glad to help out if I can" answered George somewhat intrigued by Albert's hesitant face.
"George... I would like to ask you to be my best man at the wedding" said Albert seriously.
"You have always been like a brother to me and it was your wise words and persistence that helped me find the courage in my heart to ask Candy to be my wife... so... Would you do me this honour?"
George was quiet for a moment, his face a mixture of affection, surprise...emotion...
"It would be my great honour to marry you and Candy, Albert" he replied, misty-eyed. "I am very touched you thought of me for such a role at the wedding. Thank you..."
Albert patted him on the shoulder and said "come on then, we have lots to organise; but I must be off to see Candy, she will be thinking that Aunt Elroy has had me exiled or imprisoned, I've been away from her for hours!"
***
Candy was waiting patiently for Albert to return to her little flat. She was sitting at the table writing letters to Sister Mary and Miss Pony, Annie and Patty – she was bursting with excitement and wanted to share her wonderful news with all her friends. From time to time she would stop to look at her hand again, to admire Albert's sparkling diamond ring around her finger.
She remembered again the morning's events and her face unconsciously wore its most gorgeous smile... Albert... Albert, my love... Albert, my husband... she spoke his name again and again.
After they came home, they walked up the stairs together holding each other by the waist and giving small kisses every so often. When she went into the flat, she immediately noticed the bright flowers in the vase on the table.
"Albert, was that you? How on earth did you get inside the flat? Aww they are beautiful!" she turned to him, and hugged him tenderly.
Albert didn't say anything, he simply smiled, delighted to see her face lighting up with joy and excitement.
They cooked breakfast together, laughing, hugging, teasing each other, just like they used to do. There was an odd familiarity in sharing these small things together, yet something was completely different. From now on, they would share life's ups and downs as husband and wife, and judging by the frequency and intensity of their kissing, keeping their hands off each other till the wedding was going to be a challenge...
They sat by the fire to have a cup of coffee after breakfast.
"Candy" Albert started "I need to see Aunt Elroy... and explain to her this new situation... I do not expect her to be particularly happy or accommodating..."
Candy's face clouded over; there were already problems on the horizon...
"However, I need you to trust me and to know that I am going to make sure that you are accepted in the family as my wife. I will fix it, my love, I promise you. Now don't look so miserable" he added softly and took her face in his hands.
"I know Albert... but... I am a bit frightened... Aunt Elroy never really liked me... I just don't want to be the source of further disharmony in the family... she has suffered a lot too..." said Candy quietly.
"Candy... no matter how strict and awkward and stroppy she seems sometimes... well OK, most times... she is not a bad person. Perhaps a bit misguided, but for sure she wants me to be happy. And you, my precious love, you make me happier than anything in the whole world. So please, don't worry, it will be fine..." he gave her a sweet kiss on the forehead.
"Now, I think I should be going, as I also have to start the process of cancelling your adoption. I will try to be back as soon as possible, I promise, OK?" he got up and started to get ready to leave.
That, however, proved a bit more time-consuming than planned, as they found it impossibly hard to let each other go.
"Mmm, I wish I could keep you here a bit longer" Candy murmured hiding her face in his chest.
Albert kissed her again and again.
"I still can't believe we are going to be married, Candy. I am so happy... " he whispered.
With tremendous effort, he gently pushed her away from him.
"Sweetheart, I really must go now. I am not sure for how much longer I can resist your charms" Candy smiled and blushed at the same time "but much as we both dread this, I do have to see Aunt Elroy and inform her of our plans."
Candy's smile disappeared from her otherwise rapturous face, but within moments she was back to her old optimistic self.
"Of course, Albert, you're right. I hope it goes well..." she said "but promise you'll be back soon to continue where you left off" she added with a mischievous look on her face.
"You bet I will!" Albert laughed and gave her one last cuddle.
Candy giggled and let him go.
"I love you!" he had said going down the stairs blowing her a kiss.
***
It had been four hours since Albert had left. Now Candy was getting a bit worried; what if Aunt Elroy rejected their plans and caused problems for Albert... Candy was under no illusions regarding Aunt Elroy and her feelings towards her; if she didn't actually hate her, she was definitely feeling something close to it. Could the old woman ever find it in her heart to accept Candy? She sighed...
Where are you Albert... why is it taking so long... I wish I could be there with you, to talk to her, to explain...
She was so tired; the party the night before, her lack of sleep, the unexpected events of the day (not that she was complaining!) but nevertheless she felt exhausted. She tidied away the dishes from their breakfast and went to her bed to lie down for a while; within seconds she was fast asleep.
She woke up slowly, the sensation of a warm hand stroking her face somewhere within a dream. But was it a dream, it felt so real... she opened her eyes sluggishly and was delighted to see that Albert was lying next to her holding and caressing her in her sleep.
"You know... I could get used to this..." she croaked and closed her eyes again.
Albert bent over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
Within a few minutes her eyes were finally wide open. She pulled herself up so that she could face him.
"Well? How did it go?" she asked eagerly.
"Hmm, as well as it could be expected, I guess. She wasn't exactly thrilled, let's say, but she did agree that my happiness is the most important thing here, and since you are the one who makes me happy..." he said with a smiling face.
"Come on, Albert, this is serious. What did she say exactly?"
Albert sat up and rested his back against the bed's headboard.
"OK then. She said she will do all she can to help you feel welcome in the family as my wife, and in return she expects you to behave accordingly so as not to shame the reverent Ardlay name. At least that was the gist of her words."
Candy went quiet.
"Don't worry my dear, what I think she is implying is that it may not look so good if you continued to work at the hospital once you are my wife... you know, for someone in our class most people would probably find that unacceptable..."
He put his arm protectively around her and Candy hid her face in his chest again. She loved the feeling of his warmth against her and his fresh scent had a relaxing effect on her.
"However, I am not going to stop you Candy, if working is what you choose to do, so there is nothing to be worried about" he said seriously.
She sat next to him concentrating hard on his words.
"I know that Albert; you have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams even in the face of severe adversity and I wouldn't expect any different from you. I can see, however, where Aunt Elroy is coming from regarding this issue."
Albert looked at her puzzled. Candy continued.
"No, don't look so surprised" she smiled.
"Of course I love my work, I studied hard to get where I am now and I thoroughly enjoy looking after my patients... but... you travel a lot and I will probably have to help you out with some of your duties... and in any case, it would be awkward for me to continue at the hospital with everyone knowing I am your wife... not to mention that if I go on, another nurse who needs the income would not be able to work there... and... Albert, it took me so long to realise just how much I love you and need you in my life... I am not willing to be away from you ever again" she said emphatically.
Albert held her close, deeply touched.
"Candy... Candy my love, my beautiful, precious love... you have no idea how much your words mean to me. I too, don't want to spend a single moment away from you... but I really don't want you to give up on the excellent work you do as a nurse... can we come to some kind of compromise?"
Candy looked at him curiously.
"A compromise? How do you mean?"
"Well... I haven't thought it through obviously... but say... say you did some part-time work for Dr Martin? You don't have to accept money from him if you don't want to. And perhaps help out at the small clinic up near Pony's Hill when we are visiting Lakewood? Would that be any use for a start? Hmm?"
Candy's face brightened up immediately.
"Of course! Of course I could do something like that! What a great idea, thank you Albert! This way I get to spend as much time as possible with you but I also maintain at least some of my nursing skills – and it gives me the chance to keep in touch with Dr Martin too."
"Not to mention keeping him off the drink a bit!" teased Albert.
Candy laughed "yes, there's that too, I guess."
Will you ask him then?" said Albert encouragingly.
"Of course, I will! In any case I have to deliver his wedding invitation, haven't I?" she winked at him.
***
They went out for dinner to a lovely, cosy restaurant.
"I plan to woo you, my dear" said Albert filling up her glass with wine for the second time.
"Flowers, candlelit dinners, dancing under the stars, walks by the river... anything to see you happy."
"But I am happy, Albert. Being with you is all I need to be happy, I thought you already knew that" she answered sweetly.
"Nothing will ever be enough Candy" he took her hands in his; "If only I could make you understand just how much I love you... I don't think there are words strong enough for me to express my feelings."
Candy's face went red. She raised her hand and caressed his slightly stubbly cheek. She loved the harshness of his skin against her soft hand.
"In that case, I look forward to all your plans to charm me, my love" she said affectionately, a sultry look on her face.
They drove back to the flat; Albert parked the car by the entrance. Candy looked at him shyly.
"Albert... you can stay tonight... if you want."
Albert leaned over and gave her a small kiss.
"Candy... there is nothing else in the world that I want more than to be with you..." he kissed her again, more passionately this time "but..." another kiss "I hope we can wait until we are properly married before we share a bed..." he added breathlessly.
"Mmm..." said Candy lost in the heat of the moment her hands already exploring bravely the expanse of his strong shoulders.
"In which case... I think we should get married as soon as possible" continued Albert hoarsely "how about tomorrow..." their kisses deepened.
Candy pushed him away gently and laughed.
"Tomorrow? If only we could! No, you are right, we'll have to wait... it's exciting... and frightening at the same time... I am not sure how to feel, it all happened so suddenly. This... this has been the happiest day of my entire life" she said honestly, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Albert smiled and caressed her hair.
"... and I owe it all to you, Albert" she went on.
She waved back at him until he had completely disappeared down the empty street. She turned back and walked up the stairs, a spring in her step all the way. She was happy, no, she was more than happy, she was ecstatic, rapturous, elated, jubilant... she ran out of adjectives in her head. Albert, Albert, Albert... her dreams were filled with his smiling face and passionate embrace. She couldn't wait to become his wife!