Letters to Juliet

Chapter 18

The big day had finally arrived. Nervousness was growing in the castle as the hours elapsed. Tables with white tablecloth had been settled in the garden, as well as a platform for the little orchestra that would accompany the meal. Some tents had been anticipated all around in case the sun decided to let them down. Weather was so changeable in England!

The Duke was watching the last preparations carefully. Everything had to be perfect. Though it was just an engagement, he wanted a real ceremony. His son had made the choice not to marry on his ancestors' land, but he could offer him a beautiful feast, surrounded by the most noble and aristocratic. It was his own way to definitively recognize him as his legitimate son, which might lead to some teeth gnashing but he didn't care. The Duke of Grandchester was accountable to no one! It was precisely the message he had relayed to his spouse, Beatrix, who was fiercely resisting when it was about Terry. He remained for her this bastard she had been forced to accept and bear for many years, that child rebellious to any discipline who looked at her with the eyes of the one her husband had never ceased loving. Each time he approached her, she would feel a fierce jealousy and would chase him violently to have him out of her sight and her mind. It was her who had tried to send him to a boarding school when he reached six years old, but the Duke had refused categorically. Nevertheless she had finally achieved her aims when he was ten years old, proposing Gordonstoun School, in north-east Scotland, with the simple reason that some crowned heads had studied there. The Duke had clearly understood that if she had been able to send him to Lapland, her choice would have been that one. She wanted so badly to send Terry away from his family. This is why he had proposed Saint Paul Academy which was not very far from London and would allow him to visit his son whenever he wanted to. Their relationship were still tense but he had preferred, Terry asserting himself more and more, to keep him close to him and look after him. They had had many arguments and many clashes, but he was very proud of his son who had made his own way, built a carrier that everyone admired, and was loved by this delightful blonde who had brought joy all over the house. He was even now used to Cookie's presence and to his keen and subtle mind, to his sarcastic humour that reflected the distance he had about life and people. Nothing impressed him, Beatrix even less who avoided him like the plague. She had not had dinner with them since her return, pretexting each time and headache or an extreme fatigue. Only Sybil dared to appear, but her hurtful remarks were always unable to cross the ironic barrier that Cookie had put up to her, so concerned he was to defend Candy and Terry.

The Duke however remained alerted regarding his spouse's behaviour. That latter had grandiloquently told him that she would not be part of this masquerade, which came down to wondering why she had come back to the family estate while she could have stayed comfortably in Bath. But he knew the reason why: it simply was for spiting him, for defying him as always, but this time, he did not intend to give in for peace of mind, and it was very threatening that he had declared:

- I do not ask but want your presence on this engagement day. For the moment when the first guest puts a foot in the alley, I want you there to welcome him. And don't get me wrong. I'm quite prepared to come and pull you out from your bed and to drag you in your nightgown in front of everybody. I would be very sorry, but you would be even sorrier!

With this, he had coldly greeted her then had left, leaving her mute of puzzlement and trembling of rage. His threat seemed to have been successful since on his way back to the castle, he saw her walking towards him, dressed with all her finery.

- Does this outfit match with your expectations, my dear?... – she said ironically, looking at him insolently.

- I don't care, honestly... - he retorted with a deep indifferent look – As long as you just stick to the role you've been given, the perfect hostess's one. Moreover, it would be wise you start watching out for our guests' arrival that won't be long now. Terrence is already in the courtyard, ready to welcome them...