Snowbound Fairy Christmas

by Hunt, Brenda

  “Nathaniel?” a loud feminine voice from the top of the stairs called out.

  Dulcey watched as a woman with gray hair walked regally down the stairs. Every hair in place, the lavender gray dress, the latest fashionable style, no doubt. Dulcey could feel the haughtiness from the woman across the space that separated them. It was like a solid wall, impenetrable.

  “Grandmother,” called Abby as she ran to the woman.

  The woman stopped several feet away and held out her hand to stop the charging child. The frown on her face was enough to stop anyone.

  “Child, you are a dirty mess.”

  Abby stopped dead in her tracks, as though she was used to this type of behavior from the woman.

  “I’m sorry, Grandmother but I got lost chasing the bunny and Dulcey found me and then Uncle Nate found us.” explained Abby.

  A young woman slightly older than Dulcey appeared behind the gray haired woman. Her dress, plain brown, her brown hair pulled back in a tight bun. She reminded Dulcey of a little brown wren.

  “Thank God, you are here, Miss Bennett. Please take this child upstairs and see to it she is cleaned and properly dressed.” The woman waved the child away.

  Abby turned and ran back to Dulcey and hugged her tightly. “Thank you, Dulcey. I am so glad you came home with us.”

  Dulcey hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. “So am I, Poppet. Now go upstairs and get cleaned up. So will I, and then we can meet again.”

  Abby nodded and grabbed Miss Bennett’s hand and bounded up the stairs.

  “Nathaniel.”

  “Yes, mother.” Nate raised an eyebrow. As much as he loved his mother, he was not blind to her faults. She was a snob, breeding and proper behavior were the only things she considered important.

  “Where have you been? You are filthy. You had everyone worried, when you left as you did.”

  “I believe Abby explained it all to you just moments ago. Were you not listening?”

  “Of course, I was, but children have such a perchance to exaggerate so greatly. You can’t believe what they say,” replied Nate’s mother. She looked from Nate to Dulcey with disdain.

  “Well, Abby was correct. She got lost chasing after a bunny. Dulcey found her and brought her to her home. I left to look for Abby, knowing the snow storm would be a bad one and I did not want her in it. I was lucky to find Dulcey’s cottage, half frozen when I got there. So mother, had it not been for Dulcey and her cottage, your son and granddaughter would have most probably died in that snow storm. She saved our lives,” explained Nate, irritated with his mother.

  Nate turned to Dulcey, “Dulcey this is my mother, Lady Roberta Beckham, Dowager Countess of Shefley. Mother this Miss Dulcey Langely.”

  Dulcey dropped a small curtsey. She did not offer her hand knowing how dirty she must look. It appeared the Countess of Shefley was not in a receptive mood. She had the same blue eyes as Nate and Abby, but these eyes were cold and hard and regarded her like soiled baggage. She could feel the contempt like a battering ram against the forces around her.

  “Forgive me, Countess. I would much rather continue this discussion, once I have bathed and changed.” Dulcey needed to get away from her to breathe again.

  “Yes, very much so,” stated Nate, hoping to avoid one of mother’s intense questionings. “Evers, can you see to it a room is prepared for Miss Dulcey.”

  “I’ve seen to it that her suite was ready, as soon as I saw, she had accompanied you, m’lord.” To Dulcey, he said, “Peggy, I am certain is waiting upstairs for you, miss.”

  “Thank you, Evers,” replied Dulcey, then turned to the Countess, nodded and walked up the stairs to her room. She could feel their eyes watching her, but she kept her shoulders straight, her head erect.

  Nate looked at Evers for further explanation. “Miss Dulcey has had her own rooms at Brandanlyn for years, m’lord. She has spent much of her time here, while growing up.”

  Nate nodded. There was much more to Dulcey Langely than he was first led to believe. He watched her go up the stairs and turn down the hall like she knew this house very well.

  “Nathaniel, I demand that you tell me who this woman is? The only saving grace is that Abby was with you. Not the best of chaperones but given the circumstances, it will have to be enough.” Her son needed to explain this woman to her.

  “Mother, I am cold. I am tired and dirty. And I am most definitely hungry. I am heading to my suite for a bath and a change of clothes and then Evers, I would like a large lunch set up in the small dining room. Once all of those have been dealt with, then I will be most pleased to answer all your questions. Until then, they will have to wait.”

  “Nathaniel William Hollins Beckham. You will not speak to your mother in that tone.” She could not believe her son was speaking to her in such a manner. This was beyond tolerable.

  “If you continue mother, I may not speak to you at all.” With that said, he turned and walked up the stairs. He noticed the slight smile on Evers lips.

  No doubt, his mother was wrecking her usual havoc. He could hear his mother muttering but at the moment all he wanted was a warm bath. He would deal with his mother later. His father had spoiled her immensely and she had taken advantage of it. Since his father’s death, he and his brother had continued spoiling her. It had made it easier for all concerned, especially Grayson. He, Nate had avoided her for the most part, being the younger son had been able to. Well, it was time she realized, she could not control him. He was not Grayson.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Dulcey entered her room. She had not been here since Lord James’s death in August. She loved her rooms. The soft greens and golds of the bed hangings and drapes and the butter cream on the walls made this her ultimate sanctuary. Lord James had spared no expense when he set up this suite for her. It was at the end of the far hall. It had its own dressing room and its own sitting room. It allowed her the privacy, she always sought.

  Peggy was there waiting for her as she stepped into the room. “I have a tub of hot water waiting for you. I have put out your favorite soap, Miss Dulcey. You look so tired. Shall I help you with your hair?”

  Dulcey sighed. “I think, I would like that very much, Peggy.” Dulcey allowed Peggy to help her remove her clothes and slip into the tub of hot water. Again she sighed, as she felt the stress of the last few days drain from her body. Peggy began washing her hair gently rubbing her hair, her fingers massaging her scalp. She had never wanted Peggy’s help before. Now, she wondered why, because this felt like heaven. Dulcey felt the bucket of water pour over her head, rinsing her hair. Peggy held a large bath cloth as Dulcey stood up and stepped out of the tub and wrapped it around her. Peggy took another towel and wrapped it around Dulcey hair.

  Dulcey sat down in the chair in front of the roaring fire. Peggy hand rubbed her hair. Slowly she brushed Dulcey’s hair using the heat of the fireplace to dry the long tresses. It was the first time Miss Dulcey had let her assist her in this manner. She sensed Miss Dulcey did not want to talk. Peggy merely did what was needed without talking.

  Dulcey sat for a moment savoring the peace. But she knew she could not hide here for forever. “Which dress should I wear Peggy?”

  She turned to Peggy to find her holding a soft wool dress of deep rose. It was one of the dresses she had never won.

  “This one would look lovely, miss.” Peggy wanted Miss Dulcey to look her best. The master, the new baron was a handsome man. She wanted Miss Dulcey to be able to hold her own with the Countess, too.

  Lord James had bought her a total wardrobe after Grammy died, when he believed she would move in here permanently. He had been so disappointed when she had refused. But she had compromised with him and stayed more often and for longer periods of time.

  Dulcey nodded and dressed. Peggy did her hair very simply with a dark rose velvet ribbon. Dulcey looked at her reflection in the mirror. The soft wool clung to her body accentuating her every curve. She wondered, what would Nate think of this Dul
cey? No, she was not of the same class as Nate. She had heard his mother comment, as she walked up the stairs.

  “Thank you Peggy, for all your help.”

  “You know it’s always a pleasure to help you, miss.” Peggy smiled. Everyone loved Miss Dulcey and all only wanted what was best for her.

  Knowing she could no longer delay going downstairs, Dulcey left her room to see what awaited her.

  Chapter 5

  Suspicion is the companion of mean souls

  And the bane of all good society.

  Thomas Paine

  Upstairs in the master suite, Nate found his valet, Simmons waiting for him with a tub of hot water.

  “Good gracious, m’lord, you look a sight worse for wear,” said Simmons as he helped Nate off with his jacket. “But I am glad to see you have returned in one piece. Many of us worried about you and the little one. T’was a bad snow storm.” Simmons had been with his lordship for years and though he had worried about him, he knew the earl could take care of himself and find the little miss, Abby.

  “That it was Simmons. I was lucky this time to have come across the cottage and then to find Abby safely there, too, was a God send,” replied Nate as he sank grateful in the tub of hot water. It was just the thing to get the chill out of his bones from walking through all that snow. He let out a deep sigh of relief for so many things.

  “Aye, the staff believed you would stumble onto Miss Langely’s cottage.”

  Nate looked at Simmons thoughtfully. “What does the staff say about Miss Langely?” Nate knew if anybody could find about Dulcey, it would be Simmons.

  “She is very well liked by all here. It seems the baron doted on her. She visited often, sometimes, for several weeks at a time. The baron thought she would come to stay after the grandmother died, but she did not,” explained Simmons as he laid out the earl’s clothes.

  “Do they know what her relationship was to the baron?” questioned Nate. Usually, the staff knew as much or more about the nobility they worked for. This whole situation was very curious to him.

  “That’s the strange part, m’lord. No one knows for sure. There are speculations, but no one is certain. But the one thing of certain, she is well loved here. They are worried you will send her packing and turn her out of her cottage. I’ve never seen you do such a thing and have said as much, but the Countess has made some rather odious remarks on the issue. ”

  Nate sighed in exasperation. “I take mother has been her usual charming self.”

  Simmons snorted. “Begging your pardon, m’lord, she has been exceptionally difficult. Nothing here has pleased her. I have had to reassure the staff that you are not -----.”

  “Like my mother. Thank you, Simmons. I knew I could count on you. I’m afraid it may get worse. I have brought Miss Langely back with me.”

  Simmons raised his eyebrows. This did not bode well. The Countess would not like this at all. He shook his head. The Countess could be a formidable foe and she was not in the best of moods having been coerced into coming here.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Nate made it downstairs in a better mood. A warm bath and clean clothes had made a big difference in how he now felt. He went to the sideboard and poured himself a liberal glass of whiskey. It burned as it went down but it tasted so good. He would need this to deal with his mother. He heard the door open, turned to find her striding purposely to his side. She must have been lying in wait somewhere close.

  “Nathaniel, I am deeply upset by your very rude behavior earlier to me, your mother,” she began through pursed lips. Nathaniel was being extremely condescending as far as she was concerned. He knew better than to speak to her in such a manner. She would simply not allow it.

  “Mother I was not about to let you be rude to our guest.” He took another sip of whiskey

  “Humph! Your father would be rolling in his grave if he had heard how you spoke to me earlier, all because of that girl.” She stood before him, intent on him answering all of her questions.

  “You seem to forget that girl saved my life and Abby’s.” Couldn’t his mother understand the importance of that fact. He took another sip of whiskey.

  “Who is she, Nathaniel?” demanded the Countess staring him in the eye.

  “She is a friend of the Baron,” answered Nate and looked away. Actually, that is all he knew about her.

  “The Baron’s whore or by blow? I do know about these things.” She was determined to find out which, especially if she had spent two nights under the same roof with her son.

  Never had she seen the fire in her son’s eyes as she did at this moment. It was like his eyes were ablaze with anger. It frightened her more than she cared to admit. But she would not show her fear to him.

  “Never, I repeat, never put those two words in the same thought as Dulcey. Do I make myself clear? Father spoiled you and allowed you to get your way. Grayson allowed it to continue for the most part, until he married. I, for the most part have allowed it to continue as well, because it was easier for us. But rest assured mother, I will not hesitate to pack your bags myself, put you in the carriage and send you back to London.” Nate tightened his hand on his glass. He was surprised he had not broken it. He was just that angry. She put his own suspicions into words.

  Countess Shefley took a step back as though her son had physically hit her. Never in her entire life had she ever been talked to in that tone or manner. She was shocked and at a complete loss for words.

  “Now, mother, I need to talk to Evers so that he may send someone upstairs to check on Dulcey. I am hungry and I would like her to join me for lunch. You are welcome to join us as well, as long as you behave yourself. Do I make myself clear?”

  The countess nodded slightly. But she was not about to let this be. She would find out more about this woman.

  “Good,” replied Nate and walked out the door in search of Evers. He stopped at the stairs, for coming down the stairs was undoubtedly the fairy Dulcey described to Abby in her stories. The soft rose wool clung to her body temptingly. This was not some borrowed dress like he first believed she would find. No, this dress was made especially for her.

  Her hair had a golden shine, the color of rich honey. The soft tendrils framed her face as the rest was tied to allow it to fall softly down her back in curls. His first thought was what would it feel like to have it wrapped around the both of them. He shook his head slightly to dispel that vision in his mind.

  But it made him ask, what was Dulcey relationship to the Baron? His mother had put some rather ugly scenarios in his mind. No, he would not listen to his mother and her ugly innuendos. She always loved thinking the worse of people. She thrived on gossip and immensely enjoyed spreading it about. The more damaging, the better she liked it. Just not this time.

  He held his hand out to Dulcey and assisted her down the last few stairs.

  “I must say you look very charming.” He smiled. He had realized in the cottage she was something special. But to see her dressed as she should be, was striking. There was a fresh clean smell about her. He couldn’t place the fragrance, but it suited her to perfection, light and airy, fresh and clean. She fit in here like she was supposed to, like she had been here all of her life.

  Dulcey laughed softly. “You’re not so bad yourself, m’lord. You no longer look like a frozen icicle.”

  Nate laughed. “I am famished. I know you tried your best but you were not prepared for guests. Evers is luncheon served?” he asked, as he saw Evers coming toward them.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Nate safely tucked Dulcey hand through his arm. “Then let’s eat.”

  “Nathaniel,” called the countess, as she watched the exchange. No, this was not good, not good at all, she thought.

  Nate looked over his shoulder and replied, “You are more than happy to join us, mother.” He walked into the dining room with Dulcey on his arm, his mother followed, much to Nate’s chagrin.

  He escorted Dulcey to the chair at his right, pulled her chair
out. He went to his mother’s chair and held it out for her. He would need to placate his mother somewhat for now, in order to have some semblance of peace.

  As the food was served, the Countess began her inquisition. She was determined to find out more about this girl that her son seemed to be so enamored with. This infatuation, he seemed to have developed for this nothing girl must be stopped, at all cost. She would not allow this whatever to disturb her life, especially her son’s life. No, she was not going to allow that to happen.

  “My dear, I understand you stay at a cottage on this land, yet, you know your way about the manor, as well.”

  “I grew up and lived with Grammy Digby at the cottage. She died two years ago. I have always come to Brandanlyn ever since I was a child. Grammy would bring me two, three times a week and Lord James tutored me,” explained Dulcey.

  “Tutored?” asked the Countess. Young ladies were not tutored by an elderly gentleman.

  “Yes, I can read Latin, Greek, and French and a little Spanish and German though, not as well. Lord James also taught me writing, science, mathematics, geography, or whatever I showed an interest in. Lord James believed females should have the same opportunity to education as men.” He had stressed that fact to her time and time again, until she firmly believed it.

  “I heartily agree. That is what I want for Abby,” answered Nate. He was impressed to know this about Dulcey. She continued to surprise him.

  The countess was not impressed. She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. She firmly believed that women did not need to know all these things. Such things were useless and wasted. “But I still don’t understand. Why?”

  Dulcey shrugged and looked away from the cold blue eyes that stared at her. “I’m not exactly certain myself. I just know it was something he and Grammy Digby agreed upon.” Dulcey herself had asked the same question many times. Grammy Digby would just say that was the way it was. Lord James had told her after Grammy Digby died, that one day soon she would understand.