The official part of the engagement began and the guests were offered to take their seats.
Candy and Neil stood in the centre of the room, surrounded by tables that the invited Andrew's family members and other guests were sitting at. Madame Elroy and Legan couple approached them.
'Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for visit …'
'Thank you!' one of the children screamed, and Emily coughed.
'…Ghm, that you honoured us by visiting our house. It's a great pleasure for me to inform that this reception is arranged in honour of the engagement of Candice White and our relative - Daniel Legan.'
Madame Elroy was obviously nervous, because she did not know exactly how to declare an engagement, observing all the rules. Traditionally, the bride's parents or her guardian announced the engagement, but Candy refused to be related to the Andrew family, she could no longer be represented as an stepdaughter.
All these conflicts remained unresolved in the old woman's mind, but the musicians were already playing, and the guests began to approach the couple, congratulating them and presenting gifts.
With a sigh of relief, Madame Elroy moved to her seat of honour, when she suddenly heard giggle behind her:
'… second time! Yes-yes! The last time this orphan denied his proposal in the public eye, there was a scandal …'
Emilia called all her self-control not to turn around and not to speed up the step. Damn! Of course, she expected such discussions, but how humiliating is to hear them!
The bride and groom smiled and accepted gifts, which were immediately given to servants who carried them to a separate room. Candy felt like it was a dream, and only the presence of Neil next to her made her feel alive. What cold eyes all the relatives have! What fake smiles! The girl suddenly wanted to run away and hide somewhere from these tenacious looks, from this unkind attention.
At first, she thought she had misheard, but then she clearly heard the words and the laughter:
'…to be such an idiot. This orphan denied his proposal in front of the whole Andrew family, but this time, apparently, he managed to persuade her.'
'Probably, she is pregnant. After all, last time she had so clearly denied the engagement with Daniel!'
'Hahaha! We'll see. Groom-cuckold. But he looks happy…'
Candy turned around with horror, trying to see the owners of these nasty voices, she felt terrible shame and humiliation. Neil's eyes became dark and, although he smiled, his eyebrows moved to the bridge of his nose.
What a horrible thing!
Daniel put his hands on the bride's shoulders and slightly turned her towards him.
'Do not worry,' he said quietly the same words that were so often said about him and Elisa. 'Do not be afraid.'
Her wide open eyes, long eyelashes, her eyes in which you can drown. Ajar mouth. Damn it, who invented these stupid rules? After all, what's the difference, they are already being discussed.
Neil bent down and kissed Candy. They stood and kissed in public eye, the guests fell silent, and even the music abated. It seemed that the whole world was waiting for the lovers to enjoy each other.
When Neil finally lifted his head, he smiled.
'We are very happy! Thank you all!'
Some guests clapped their hands – it was Tom Steve and the children from the Pony House, as well as their educators, but most of the guests were shocked and kept silence. Mr. Legan also began to applaud, and at that moment, the musicians played again to hide the awkward pause.
The servants brought snacks and salads and began to serve the guests, who were eager to share their opinions about the bride and groom improper behaviour.
Some couples began to dance, and the betrothed couple followed their example. Photographers began to take pictures.
But it was impossible not to notice the lovers' glances that the groom and the bride sent to each other. It was so obvious and indisputable that it was impossible to deny. Every movement, every touch was full of tenderness lovers express their feelings to each other.
Their shining faces were expressing genuine interest to each other, their conversation when dancing, smiles, laughter, all that even the most cynical person dreams of in the depths of the soul.
Happy people are pleased to see a couple in love, but for those who are less fortunate, it's often suffering to see this.
Here they stand, embracing, waiting for the next dance, the bride says something enthusiastically to the groom, and he only looks into her eyes, not noticing anything around.
Here Candy, gently touching the young Legan's hand, carries him to the table, they pass food to each other, filling this process with some special meaning that is clear for them only, their smiles, their words they say to each other…
Archibald Cornwell shifted in his chair. He had not yet managed to come and congratulate the betrothed couple and, however, he did not feel a burning desire to do this.
Candy looked like a shining star, but not only diamonds on her neck and gown sparkled. Her eyes glittered when she looked at this ... this ... Neil. No, it was impossible to play that way, she really was in love.
The young man took a sip from the glass. Food and drink seemed tasteless, and the world around was black and white.
Legan whispered something into Candy's ear, and she laughed with her beautiful laugh that echoed with thousands of bells.
Yes, they are clearly in love with each other. It's clear about Neil, it's just impossible not to fall in love with Candy, but what did she find in this mummy's boy?
Did she forget all the wounds, all the insults caused by him and his sister?
Archie was looking at the couple who was having fun and winked, but his eyes saw the past, it was also the Andrew mansion many years ago.
The news that the maid became the Andrews stepdaughter enraged Legans - brother and sister, oh, how muny efforts they made, came up with various intrigues, and eventually Candy was taken to Mexico.
But now the girl stood in a beautiful dress, and next to her were her knights - Archie, Steer and Anthony.
Aunt Elroy did not want to listen to Neal's confession that Candy was not a thief, but still this slug could not escape, unlike his sister, and the retribution was supposed to happen.
They did not want anything bad - just to give this scoundrel a lesson, they wanted Neil to apologize to Candy in the way that himself came up with for her. To kneel.
And when the knees of this scrub were bent, She… interfered. She stopped them, she forgave him, she is a generous, kind Candy!
Yes, probably this was just the point - she never really remembered the evil, and she just forgot and forgave Neil for all he did to her. So it is useless to call her to her memory, prudence, wariness.
She, like a child, did not see the evil in this world, and she saw only the best features in any person. Even if they were not there.
Neil has never been an enemy to her, and when he pay his attention to her, she surrendered. Women like scoundrels and insistent men types.
But how to stop her?!