Snowbound Fairy Christmas

by Hunt, Brenda

  “Are you hungry?” she asked as she turned back to him. What was she to call him?

  “Yes, but I need the privy first.”

  Dulcey nodded and pointed to the screen near the door to the lean to.

  Nathaniel swung his legs over the side of the bed and realized he was only in his underpants. Wrapping the quilt about him, he walked gingerly to the screen. He was a little more wobbly than he first thought. Having relieved himself, he joined Abby and Dulcey at the table that sat in the middle of the room.

  He looked around him noticing it was just one large room with the fireplace against one wall, a large cooking fireplace, the door to the lean to at the corner of that wall. The bed he had just vacated lay on the wall across from the entrance door. In the far corner stood a spinning wheel and loom and in the other corner stood a cupboard of sorts. An old trunk stood at the foot of the bed. There were only two windows in the cottage, one on each side of the door. The table he sat at stood in the middle of the room with only two chairs. A large rocker stood before the fireplace. So this was his woodland fairy’s home.

  Dulcey put a bowl of porridge in front of him, “My lord, I also have rabbit stew if you would like.”

  “I think we have gotten past the “my lord” thing. I am Nathaniel Beckham. Nate, to most of my friends.” He held out his hand to her.

  Dulcey took his hand in hers and she immediately felt warmth flow up her arm like liquid fire. For a moment, she almost dropped his hand like it was a hot rock, too hot to touch. But she didn’t. She smiled nervously.

  “I am Dulcey, Dulcey Langely,” she made a small curtsey.

  Nathaniel smiled. Here they were snowbound in this small cottage of hers and she was trying to observe proper etiquette. Proper etiquette was out there in the snow storm. In this small cottage of his woodland fairy, proper etiquette had no place, for here he sat at her table in his underpants wrapped in a quilt. Proper etiquette indeed.

  “This porridge will be just fine.” He took a bite and realized he was indeed hungry. He finished it in short time and felt much better having food in his stomach.

  Abby silently watched her uncle eat.

  “Well, ladies, I do think I need to observe some semblance of decorum.”

  Abby frown and asked, “What is decorum?”

  “Decorum, Poppet. It means proper manners, behavior. It means I need to put my pants back on.”

  Abby giggled. “It was funny taking them off.”

  Nate looked up and met Dulcey’s eyes. They twinkled even though a blush stained her cheeks.

  “Abby, how about you and I look at the spinning wheel while your uncle puts his pants on?” Dulcey guided her to the spinning wheel in the corner. She had her looking at the yarn so their backs were to him.

  Nathaniel made quick work of putting his pants on. They were stiff and dirty in places. His tailor would be screaming and having a severe case of the vapors if he saw the condition of his jacket and pants. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

  “Very well ladies, you may turn around now.”

  Abby turned around and smiled. “You’ve got your decorum on, Uncle Nate.”

  “Yes, it seems I do. Now tell me Poppet, have you been helping Dulcey since she was nice enough to find you and bring you to her home.” He sat in the rocker and Abby crawled into his lap.

  “I helped her decorate for Christmas Uncle Nate. Look,” Abby said as she pointed to all the decorations they had put up earlier. “Will we be here for Christmas?”

  Nathaniel shrugged, “I don’t know. As long as it continues to snow, we shall have to stay here, if Dulcey will let us. I would not want us to get lost in the storm again.”

  Abby looked at Dulcey.

  “Of course, you can both stay as long as you need to. I do not want either of you out in the snow. We are safe and warm in here and here is where we will stay until this storm is over.”

  “Good, cause I like it here,” said Abby.

  Nate looked at Dulcey. “Me, too.”

  Dulcey blushed and looked away. She wanted to say me, too, as well, but she didn’t. Instead, she took the quilt from the bed and folded it. But looking at the bed brought last night to mind and the memory of his body against her. She had never experienced such feelings and now, she must spend possibly the next few days in his company within the walls of her tiny cottage. She convinced herself, he was ill at the time and did not remember any of what had happened. She needed desperately to believe it.

  Nate watched her intently and wondered why she was suddenly so skittish, like a young colt bolting from a sudden sound. She intrigued him. What was she doing living here all alone? He was ever so grateful she had found Abby. He did not even want to contemplate any other possibility.

  “Uncle Nate will you tell me a story. Dulcey told me a story about fairies. Dulcey knows fairies. They teached her how to make the medicine to make you better.” Abby looked at Dulcey then remembered, “I’m sorry, I told your secret, but Uncle Nate can keep a secret, can’t you, Uncle Nate?”

  Nate looked from Abby to Dulcey. “Of course, I can keep a secret especially one about fairies and Poppet it is taught her not teached.” Nate watched Dulcey and wondered why she looked relieved. What was this talk of secrets and fairies?

  “Well, I don’t know stories about fairies so I’ll leave Dulcey tell you those stories since she knows all about them. How about I tell you a story about a prince knight in shining armor who rescues the beautiful princess?”

  Abby nodded and relaxed against his chest.

  “Let’s see, there was this very handsome prince. He got lost in the woods but he found this most beautiful princess living in a little cottage all by herself,” said Nate as he looked at Dulcey.

  “No, Uncle Nate, she lived with some very special fairies,” added Abby. She was determined to have fairies in her story.

  Nate smiled. Dulcey returned his smile.

  “Yes, there were some very special fairies with very special powers.”

  “What kind of special powers?” asked Abby, looking at Dulcey.

  Nate looked at Dulcey. “I’m not familiar with fairies and their powers. Dulcey can you help us? What kind of special powers do fairies have?”

  Dulcey relaxed and realized Nate was making up the story as entertainment for Abby. She would play along. “Special powers, of course they have special powers. Let’s see, they loved roses so there were roses everywhere.”

  Nate smiled. “Yes, and they do not like snow. So, it never snows.”

  “But what about the prince and the princess, Uncle Nate?”

  “Ahh, the prince got lost in the woods.”

  “You said that already, Uncle Nate.”

  Dulcey turned to hide her smile.

  “Yes, as I was saying. The prince got lost in the woods but the fairies took pity on him and showed him the way to the princess’s cottage. There were roses everywhere and no snow. When the prince saw the princess, he fell madly in love with her. The fairies had put a spell on him so he would fall in love with the princess. For you see, the fairies knew the princess needed someone to protect and love her.”

  Abby nodded slowly, her eyes closed and she sighed.

  “The prince took the princess to his home and they lived happily ever after.” Nate looked down at the sleeping child in his lap and then up at Dulcey. Was he wishing he was the prince and Dulcey was the princess? He was aware he had only known this young woman before him only a few hours but there was something about her that touched him.

  Had the fairies Dulcey told Abby about, put a spell on him? It almost felt like it. He had never in his entire life been so attuned to a woman. It wasn’t like he hadn’t had a woman in some time. Actually, he and Yvette had a last fling before he left for Brandanlyn. Then they had gone their separate ways. But there was something about Dulcey that touched him in so many ways. It was strange but a good strange.

  Dulcey stared into those bright blue eyes of his, mesmerized. She felt with
certainty, a disturbance in her life force. A strange intense disturbance, the likes she had never experienced before. She looked away afraid he could read what she was thinking.

  “I’m going to check on the animals,” said Dulcey feeling the need to put some distance between them. It was the only thing she could think of.

  “Shall I go?” asked Nate.

  “No, I’ll be but a moment. You should not disturb Abby.” Dulcey grabbed her coat and was out the door before he could say more. She took her time checking on his horse making sure he and the goats had enough hay. She would need to muck out the lean to in the next couple of days. Hopefully the snow would stop by then. She had milked Lizzie earlier so she had no need to do it again. She looked around again and knew she had stayed in here more than long enough. She could no longer delay going back into the cottage.

  She entered the cottage quietly, careful not to awaken Abby. She smiled when she saw Nate had his eyes closed and a soft snore could be heard. He was asleep, too. He sat in Grammy’s rocker with Abby in his lap both wrapped in one of the quilts. It was a special man who could be so kind and concerned with a child. Her senses did tell her, he had a kind heart.

  Dulcey went quietly about her cottage, putting things back in order not that there was much to do. She added more peat to the fire to make sure it stayed warm. She would see about making bread when Abby woke up. She would let Abby help. She would enjoy that.

  Dulcey sat at her loom and worked. It always quieted her chaotic thoughts. Her hands deftly plied her shuttle through the threads continuing the pattern she had begun weeks ago. Slowly her thoughts quieten and the familiar feel of the thread and shuttle in her hands brought balance back into perspective. She lost herself in her weaving and the rhythm.

  Chapter 3

  Her lips were frosted with sugar and faeriedust.

  Allyse Near

  Nathaniel woke slowly. The nap had helped him. He felt stronger. Abby was safe in his arms of which he was so very grateful. It sounded quiet outside. No wailing of the wind as before, just the sound of the crackling of the fire in the hearth and the soft humming coming from the far corner. He shifted ever so slightly and watched as Dulcey rocked slightly as she worked her loom. She looked so content, like she was one with the loom.

  He wondered exactly who she was? Why was she living here all alone? Surely, Lord Fergers knew of her. She was residing in a cottage on his land and she admitted to hunting on the land. Yes, who was this Dulcey Langley? He had several questions she needed to answer but he couldn’t ask her with Abby in ear shot. No, Abby did not need to be privy to these questions. She had become attached to Dulcey. He did not want to upset her. She was of no threat to anyone by living here.

  Abby stirred in his lap and looked up to him with her big blue eyes. He had taken over her care a little over a year ago when his older brother and his wife died. So much had changed for him at that time. He had inherited the title and all the responsibilities that went with it. Abby had wrapped herself around his heart like a clinging vine he welcomed gladly. He could not think of not having her in his life. Thanks to Dulcey, he would not have to even think along those lines. He would be forever in her debt.

  “Hi, Uncle Nate. Are we still lost in the snow?”

  “Yes, Poppet, we are still with Dulcey in her cottage.”

  Dulcey heard their exchange and immediately got up from her loom. “Hello, you two. Did you have a good nap?”

  Abby popped off her uncle’s lap. “Uncle Nate says it’s still snowing.”

  “It is still snowing but not as hard as it has been. I think it may stop soon.”

  Abby looked to Nate.

  “Just because it stops snowing does not mean we will be able to leave. I’m going to have to go outside and check to see how deep the snow is.” Nate explained.

  Abby nodded. It did not matter to her that they would be forced to stay here longer. She liked it here. She liked Dulcey.

  “I need to make some bread. I thought maybe you could help me. Have you ever made bread before?” asked Dulcey. She thought this would keep Abby occupied. Besides, they needed bread to eat.

  Abby looked to her uncle. “Of course, Poppet. Dulcey needs your help. Do you need mine as well?”

  Dulcey looked at Nathaniel with skepticism. She could not imagine him making bread, getting his hands full of flour.

  “I want to help. What do we do first?” asked Abby.

  Dulcey set up all the ingredients on the table and patiently instructed Abby how to mix the flour mixture. By the time Abby was finished, there was flour everywhere. Several times, Nate chuckled at their antics for which he received several narrowed eyed looks from Abby. Nate tried to be serious but was not very successful.

  The bread was near the hearth rising. “Since you’ve been such a big help to me making our bread, how about we make some gingerbread planks? Grammy always made them for Christmas.”

  Abby nodded eagerly. “Gingerbread, yes.”

  “Very well then, let me get what we need.” Dulcey went to her cupboard and got the extra ingredients they would need. She would be sharing a tradition Grammy had shared with her. It made it seem all the better.

  She helped Abby in mixing it all together and then rolling it out. She took out the cookie boards Grammy always used and with Abby’s help stamped them. Even Nate got involved taking a knife and making designs for them. Dulcey soon had them baking and the sweet aroma of gingerbread filled the cottage.

  Abby talked non-stop about everything, the house they lived in, her nanny governess, her dolls, how much she wanted a puppy. Sometimes Dulcey answered her, sometimes Nate did.

  Dulcey removed them from the oven and put them to cool. When she let Nate and Abby eat one, she watched their faces.

  Nate closed his eyes, savoring the taste. These were good. These were very good. “Umm! Heaven!”

  “I like these Uncle Nate,” said Abby with a mouthful and took another big bite.

  “I like these too, Abby girl.” He looked to Dulcey with a look of total pleasure on his face.

  Dulcey smiled. Grammy’s gingerbread planks were the best. She was glad to share it with them. She had decided after Grammy died, she would be alone for the rest of her life. But the last couple of days with Abby and Nate, she realized exactly what she was giving up.

  There was a strange tightness in her chest and tears came to her eyes. Till this moment, she had not realized how much, how very much she wanted this. She turned away from them before they saw the longing in her. This kind of life was not meant for her.

  Nate had watched Dulcey closely and saw the happiness suddenly change to such a sadness, it made him hurt. He watched her turn away but not before he saw the tears in her eyes. He walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. Those big green eyes glistened with unshed tears. What had brought this on? He dropped his gaze to her lips, pink, soft and so very tempting.

  Slowly, he lowered his head and claimed those lips. She tasted of gingerbread. His tongue licked her bottom lip. This was just a taste and oh, how, he wanted more. He wanted all of her. He could feel every part of him responding to her especially his manhood. It was bulging with need. Never had he felt such a connection with a woman like what he felt with this woman he held in his arms. The strength of passion that coursed through his veins was formidable.

  When Dulcey felt his hands on her shoulders and he turned her around to face him, she knew she was lost. She wanted him to kiss her, to feel his lips on hers and when he did it was more than what she had experienced last night. So much more. And when his tongue licked her bottom lip and she felt it all the way down into that secret part of her. She clung to him knowing her legs would not hold her.

  Last night had been a prelude. This time he was awake and he knew what he was doing. And she wanted more. She wasn’t sure what more was, all she knew she wanted more. She sighed, her lips opened slightly, she felt his tongue penetrate her mouth and tease her tongue with
his. Had he not had a tight hold on her, Dulcey was certain her legs would have completely given out.

  “Uncle Nate what’s the matter with Dulcey?”

  Nate released her mouth reluctantly. “Dulcey has some flour in her eyes. I’m helping her get it out.”

  “Oh, can I have another gingerbread?”

  “Yes, Poppet but just one. We don’t want to ruin supper.”

  “Thank you.”

  Nate looked down at the woman he held in his arms. Dulcey had her forehead leaned against his chest. He couldn’t see her eyes. With his fingers, he raised her chin until she looked him in the eyes. The passion he saw reflected in them thrilled him, yet frightened him at the same time. He knew he wanted her, but he also knew she was an innocent. Yet, something deep down inside of him told him he had to have her. There was something about her that made him whole. He didn’t understand it, just knew it was there and obscured every rational thought about this situation.

  “Dulcey,” he needed to say something. He just didn’t know what and that had never happened to him before.

  She pushed away from him, but he refused to let her go. “This shouldn’t have happened,” she whispered.

  “You feel this connection just as I do. It’s bigger than both of us.”

  “No,” she shook her head, refusing to look at him. “We come from two different worlds. I could never fit into yours. You are the new baron and I am the witch in the woods. No,” she pushed harder and he let her slip reluctantly out of his arms.

  Dulcey stood by her loom staring at it unseeing. Her emotions were so out of kilter. Never had she felt the forces around her so jumbled. Usually, they were crystal clear showing her the way to go. Even the deaths of Grammy and Lord James had not affected her as Nate did. She sighed deeply. She needed to get back to reality. Nate was a dream, an unattainable one.

  Dulcey turned to Abby. The table was a mess from their cookie making. It would need to be cleaned for supper.

  “Oh my, look at the mess we made,” said Dulcey as she approached the table and began cleaning it up. She did