The Call of Love

By Mallory Quinn

Chapter 1

"A happy encounter"

The sun was shining, but the air was fresh, that early in the morning. Georgie was in advance to her appointment. She was in a little restaurant in London and she was looking at the passers by, the cars, the carriages passing, but she wasn't seeing them. Her eyes were drowned in memories of the events that had happen years before...

She had followed Laurent to England. Laurent she loved with her whole heart, but she was also looking for her father. Her two brothers, Abel and Arthur, had followed her, of course. So many things have happened; she ran away with Laurent. They tried to live without any money, but Laurent's illness had forced her to give him back to his family, to stop him from dying. She had saved his life. Abel and Arthur and their problems...Dankelin, that infamous tyrant...Arthur died drowning. And she went to see Abel in prison, he had to be executed for killing a man. Oh...Abel! She didn't tell him that Arthur was dead, if there was a paradise; he will find his brother there.

• Abel, said Georgie in tears.

• Georgie, I'm going to be executed tomorrow, I can't die without telling you...

• What?

• I love you Georgie, not like a sister, but like a man loves a woman. I know that for you, I'm only your big brother...But I knew from the beginning, I knew that you were not my sister, I was crazy about you, Georgie, and the only thing I regret, it that I won't be able to you anymore...

Georgie was stunned, Abel, her brother, her big brother was in love with her? Her heart broke into a million pieces... and now he was going to die, so young, without having a family, without having the woman he loved, without any children to continue his bloodline...the woman he loved...that was her,,, without thinking, she suddenly said;

• Abel...Oh Abel, I love you too, with all my heart, like a woman...

And she jumped to his neck and hugged him hard...Laurent... Abel was going to die, she loved him too, and Arthur was no more...she had lost Laurent and she was about to lose Abel too. Life was too cruel!

• Georgie, are you telling me the truth? You love me? He asked all happy.

As an answer, she put her lips on his and kissed him passionately and very deeply. Abel was ecstatic. It was something he dreamed of, ever since he was old enough to have those kind of feelings. When they stopped, breathless, Abel said:

• I want you to be mine, let me love you, Georgie...but I want to respect you, Georgie, will you marry me?

Georgie looked at him flabbergasted. Marry Abel? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes, because she knew that it will make him very happy, one last time...

• Yes, Abel, I want to be your wife.

• I'm the happiest man on earth, said Abel with tears in his eyes.

Abel made arrangement with the prison guards and a priest was suppose to come and marry them. While they were waiting, they were curled up in each other's arms, caressing, cuddling, kissing. Georgie kept on crying. Why was fate against her? She was abandoned or more like she was found on a dying woman... she had lost her adoptive father, he died saving her life. Her adoptive mother, who hated her already, hated her even more, blaming her for her husband's death. He died saving the life of a girl he found, she wasn't even theirs! Her two sons were mesmerized by Georgie. According to her, Georgie was the cause of all the bad luck in their family. She died of a broken heart...Georgie for her, was evil incarnate and her two sons were lost because of Georgie. Georgie had left Australia to look for her real father and Laurent...

The priest arrived and performed the wedding ceremony. Then the guards had left them alone. Georgie and Laurent consummated their love in the calm and passion, all the passion they would be deprived of because of the cruel twist of fate, life had not been nice to them. Georgie abandoned herself in her brother's arms, her best friend, her lover, her husband...Tomorrow morning, she will be a widow but for the moment, she was Mrs. Abel Bateman, who was spending, her first and last night with her husband...After an unforgettable night, full of passion, the morning came and Abel was killed by Dankelin, that monster, the cause of all their bad luck... Georgie cried for days and days. Life was not fair! Abel was so handsome and so full of life...Her real father, Earl Gerald, had helped her take a course and she became a designer. She threw herself into work, so wouldn't think too much about her problems. She was working for a nice lady, Charlotte Wells who liked to change clothes and styles. Georgie was so preoccupied by her work, that she didn't pay attention to her physical state. Charlotte, her boss talked to her about it.

• Georgie, honey, you health is not very good, or you're having a baby...

• A baby? She Asked surprised.

• You're glowing...but go see my doctor to be sure.

• Ok, said Georgie still a little dazzled, a baby?

The doctor confirmed that she was pregnant...Abel's baby...But the doctor told her that she was almost six months pregnant..

• What? Six months? But...she said stunned.

Her wedding to Abel was only 4 months old...

• Oh my God, Laurent! She cried, no, it's not possible!

The doctor looked at her when he heard Laurent's name, but didn't ask for anything at first, but he finally said;

• Mrs. Bateman, the baby is not yours husband's?

• My husband is dead, doctor... this baby...

She burst into tears. Life couldn't be so cruel to her, again! Laurent's baby? Their last night together before she gave him back to his family... she was convinced they weren’t made for each other. She loved him so much...then there was Abel, her brother, her friend her husband for a day...she had to get a hold of herself.

• This baby is a gift from heaven, a souvenir of my deceased husband... she said, he would've been so happy...

No one could know that she was having Laurent's baby, his family could take the baby away from her... Charlotte took the news pretty well, too well, even.

• Georgie, that's wonderful, it's the most beautiful gift your poor husband could’ve made you... I'm going to be a grandmother! That's wonderful! Thanks Georgie.

But the joy was short lived, the baby didn't make it...Georgie thought she was going to die, she was hurting so much. Her baby, her poor baby...Laurent’s baby... Charlotte consoled her the best way she could. She was very attached to Georgie who's kindness and compassion, despite all the bad luck that had happened to her were limitless. She legally adopted her, and gave her, her name and her fortune. Georgie opened a store with her help, a clothing store. Years passed. She was now a successful business woman with a factory and a chain of stores. Charlotte's investment was well placed.

• Mrs. Bateman, said a voice.

Georgie got out of her daydream, her morning appointment was there.

• Mr. Wilson, good morning, said Georgie smiling.

• I didn't make you wait too long, I hope?

• No, I was a little early...

• You're more beautiful than they'd told me...

• Thank you. Let's talk business...

Candy was looking at the boat leaving...Terry was going to America, to pursue his dreams. So did Albert. What did she have? The royal college of St. Paul, full of severe nuns? Without Terry? Terry... she loved him so much. She missed him when she was locked in the donjon. Damn that Eliza! She only lived to make her suffer ever since the first second they met... Eliza also loved Terry, and couldn't stand that he's rather be with Candy...Now, he was gone. That was not the result Eliza was hoping for. Candy didn't feel like going back to that cold and brittle college, without Terry! She couldn't believe she thought he was unbearable in the beginning...but she couldn't stop thinking about him. He had saved her from Neil and his friends. The summer in Scotland, the most beautiful summer in her life, until now. The summer spent with Terry. She was alone at the harbour and she decided to go back to London to find some work to gain enough money to buy herself a ticket to go back to America. She took a carriage that got her the centre of London. She thought about going back to St. Paul...for a fraction of a second, no, not without Terry. She went to Hyde Park to rest a little. She was sitting on a bench and was looking at the people without seeing them. Her eyes were full of tears...Terry, oh Terry, why did he left her behind? If he had asked her to, she would've gone with him to the end of the world. She was crying in silence, the heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

Georgie was done with her business appointment, and she was walking in the park after blowing off her new partner for the thousandth time. The fact that she was a beautiful business woman, single; men had all tried to seduce her. This was a man's world, where women were considered inferior in business. Some men were trying to take advantage of it and Georgie knew she had to be intransigent, sometimes. She sat on a park bench to get some air, before going back home. She was looking at the people, when she saw a young girl with blond curly hair, crying in silence. With her natural generous nature, Georgie approached her. She saw herself at that age, young and vulnerable.

• Are you ok? She asked the young girl.

• No, said the young girl.

• What's wrong?

• I lost the man of my life...

• Lost? Did he die?

• No...

• So how? Did he get married?

• No... he left for America without me...

• Oh... and you wanted to go with him. Did you ask him?

• I didn't know he was leaving...

• How come?

• We were in school together, the St. Paul College. My cousin, who was jealous, set a trap for us and we fell right into it. I had to be expelled, but he left so I could stay.

• But you're not in school...

• I followed him to the harbour at dawn... but the boat had already left... he didn't even say goodbye!

The young girl burst into tears. Georgie held her against her and console her, but let her shed her tears. She knew better than anyone that tears were a good relief. The young girl finally calmed herself.

• I'm sorry; I didn't want to bother you with my problems. Thank you for listening to me...

• You're very welcome. What's your name? Asked Georgie.

• Candice White Andrew, but they call me Candy.

• Pleased to meet you, I'm Georgie Bateman...

• Pleased to meet you Mrs. Bateman

• Call me Georgie...

• Ok. Georgie...

• Your boyfriend is going to America. You’ll meet again, you'll see. Especially if you're destined to be together.

• You think so?

• Yes, I think so. Now, do you want me to take you to St. Paul College?

• No. I don't want to go back there without Terry.

• Terry?

• Terrence Grandchester...

• Like the duke of Grandchester?

• He’s his father...Terry is his son.

• Oh... so what are you going to do?

• I'm going to look for work, to gain enough money so that I could pay my ticket for the boat to America

• Do you know what you want to do? In what area you want to work?

• I'm pretty much polyvalent, I can do the dished, bake bread, take care of children, do the laundry and other stuff… I'm a quick learner...

Georgie thought about it for a moment. She saw herself in this young girl. She couldn't abandon her, her instincts were telling her to help this poor young girl.

• Candy, she said, I have a clothing factory, I'm a designer, and I have a chain of stores. I can hire you as my assistant...to serve my visitors, take notes, answer the phone, do reports...

• But you must already have an assistant…

• Yes, you'll be...my junior-assistant... It's really well paid, and it comes with a whole wardrobe...

• A wardrobe...?

• Yes. Since I'm a designer, I make my female employees wear my designs, those working in the factory wear uniform, I designed...you're all a walking advertisement.

• Oh, that's a good idea. But I don't know how long I will be able to work for you, I wanted to go to America right away... well as soon as I earn enough money...

• Let's take time slowly. "Man proposes, God disposes..." So, what do you say?

• I accept of course! Oh thank you so much!

Candy jumped to Georgie's neck, and she hugged her back. It was a reaction she would've had, if they had given her that kind of job at that age.

• Where am I going to live? Asked Candy, can I rent a room somewhere?

• You're going to live with me, of course. There is no way, that I'm going to let a young and innocent girl live alone.

• Thank you, Georgie said Candy touched.

Georgie took Candy to her place. It was a big beautiful house. They were greeted by the butler.

• Mrs. Bateman, good morning, he said.

• Good morning Timmons. We have a guest, Miss Candice White Andrew, tell Eugenia to get the room next to mine ready. Take her luggage.

• Very well, Madam, said Timmons taking the luggage.

• Candy, come, don't be afraid. Have you eaten anything? I don't think so, after spending your time running after your boyfriend... I'll tell cook to prepare something ...

• Thank you, Georgie.

• Sit down, I'll be back in a moment.

Candy sat down in the luxurious couch in the big living room. The furniture was Louis XIV style, very luxurious. Candy told herself that she was very lucky to have met Georgie... But she thought about her friends, they were going to be worried...

It was recess at St. Paul College and Annie was talking to Patty.

• Candy, is still not here, said Annie.

• Maybe she's still punished...said Patty.

• No, I heard that Terry left so she could stay.

• Oh, so Candy followed him... she's in love with him.

• She didn't want to stay here without Terry. I can understand that.

The boys came near them.

• Where is Candy? Asked Archie.

• She's gone, said Annie.

• What? Said Archie.

• She followed Terry, said Patty.

• Followed Terry? Said Ali, but...

• She didn't want to stay here without him, said Annie.

• This is all Eliza's fault! Said Archie, the pest!

• Yes, this time our dear cousin made a pretty mess, said Stear.

• By wanting to get rid of Candy to have Terry, she got rid of the both of them, said Annie.

• She must be pleased by the result said Patty, no more Candy, but also, no more Terry either!

• She must be going nuts! Said Stear.

As a matter of fact...

• What? Terrence is gone? And Candy too? But how? Cried Eliza.

• They say he sacrificed himself so that Candy would stay, but she followed him, said Louise.

• I don't give a damn about Candy! But Terrence...

• Apparently, he really loved her, he'd rather leave instead of letting her get expelled, said Louise.

• No, he's in love with me...

• Maybe that's why he spit on you! Said Louise with a mocking tone.

• Shut up Louise! Said Eliza with rage, Terrence...

Annie, Patty and her cousins arrived.

• Congratulations Eliza, said Archie, you've manage to get rid of Candy.

• But at what cost? In the same time, Terrence, the love of your life is gone too, said Annie.

• You must be proud of yourself, said Stear.

• Good job, Eliza, said Patty.

• Oh shut up! Cried Eliza leaving.

• I hope she's fine, said Annie. Oh Candy I miss you so much...we all miss you!

Candy was peachy. She was eating with Georgie a very big breakfast. They were talking about all and nothing. Candy was telling her she liked climbing trees.

• You too? I loved climbing trees! Said Georgie.

• I still love to climb trees! Said Candy, that's how I went to the boys’ room at night...

• You went to the boys rooms at night?

• My cousins' room...

• Oh...

• But I landed in Terry's room once by mistake, but we were not close at the time...

"She is so pure and innocent and good said Georgie to herself"

They finished eating, and they went to the bedroom that Georgie had arranged for Candy. It was the one next to hers. There was a big canopy bed and the room was very big. In the closet Georgie had asked for dresses Candy's size from one of her stores, while they were eating.

• This is all mine?

• Yes...

• But Georgie, that's too much! 5 or 6 dresses would've been enough!

• Candy, I make dresses, literally! I have to enough to sell! Said Georgie smiling.

Candy burst out laughing. She ran in the closet and got a really pretty purple dress, and Georgie helped her putting it on.

• It fits you perfectly, said Georgie... now, let me arrange your hair.

• Ok

Georgie took out Candy's tow pigtails, and bushed her hair for a while. It's true that Candy didn't really have the time to do her hair; once she was out of the donjon, she went to the mother Grey's office, and then she ran to Terry room, found the note, and just went after him after packing quickly.

Georgie did a half ponytail, like she used to do when she was younger.

• Georgie, said Candy, why are you doing all this for me?

• I see myself at your age, and I wished I had someone that had helped me.

• Thank you so much, said Candy jumping to her neck.

• You're very welcome, Candy. Now, let's go to the office.

• Ok, said Candy smiling.

Chapter 2