by Hunt, Brenda
“I take it that you lived with this Grammy of yours because you have no parents,” continued the countess. She was not getting the information she needed. The girl was being obtuse, perhaps on purpose, thought the countess.
“My parents died when I was about two,” explained Dulcey. There was not much of her past to tell.
“Who are your parents, my dear?” continued the countess. Surely, the child knew who her parents were.
Nate eyed his mother through narrowed eyes. He was suspicious. What was his mother up to?
“My mother’s name was Anne and my father was George. I was told Lord James knew my father very well before he died. That is all I know.” Dulcey wished she knew more.
Enough of the inquisition thought Nate and turned the conversation to Christmas preparations, now that he was back here at Brandanlyn. He wanted to make a memorable Christmas as this was Abby’s first Christmas without her parents. To have gotten lost as well must have frightened her, too.
The food was good. Cook here was very good. He wanted to talk to her about what to serve for Christmas. He wanted it to be special. He would get Dulcey’s help.
He was surprised. His mother was, far the most part, rather sociable after he changed the subject to Christmas. Still he did not trust her. She was up to something, of that, he had little doubt.
Dulcey turned to Nathaniel at the end of the meal and rose from her seat. “I’m going upstairs to check on Abby.”
Evers was waiting in the grand hall. “My lord, several of the staff would like to go outside and cut the greens for the decorations. We know it should be done tomorrow on Christmas Eve but we thought to start the celebration early, especially since you and Miss Abby have returned safe. We will do a special yule log to bring in tomorrow.”
“Yes, Evers, of course. Do you need my help?”
“No, your lordship. I think perhaps you have had enough of the snow,” Evers said with a slight smile.
Nate chuckled. “I think you may be right, Evers. We will help once you bring it in.”
He watched as Dulcey climbed the stairs. He liked watching the way her hips swayed. Oh, how he wanted her. In fact, the need was only getting stronger. There was that dream of her under him. He wanted it to be reality and not a dream.
The countess watched her son with pursed lips. She knew when a man wanted a woman and her son wanted this girl. Not if she had anything to do with it. She needed to find something about Dulcey that would change Nathaniel’s mind. It shouldn’t be hard to do. She was a nobody. There was bound to be something. She would not stop till she found that one thing that would bring her down.
“Mother, I shall be in the study. Lord James left several legal papers I need to go through. Please behave yourself.”
“M’lord, there is a reply to your letter to Mr. Kinley, his lordships solicitor. I have placed it on your desk,” said Evers.
“Thank you, Evers. Mother?”
Countess Shefley gazed at him with innocence. “I shall be on my best behavior.”
Nate looked at her doubtfully. “See that you do,” he said as he reminded her. As much as he loved his mother, he knew her too well. He did not trust her. She would try to destroy Dulcey just for the simple fact she was not of what his mother called noble birth.
He walked to the study at the back of the house with Dulcey very much on his mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dulcey walked to the nursery. She could remember using it as a child. The countess had brought back many questions to her mind concerning Lord James. Some she had asked him or Grammy but had never gotten any meaningful explanation. She had felt for a long time, they were hiding something from her but she had no clue to what it was. Even her visions had never showed anything to her.
Dulcey opened the door and Abby was sitting at a small table having tea with her governess, a bear, and a doll. “Hello, Poppet.”
Abby ran to her. Dulcey bent down and hugged her. “Oh, Dulcey, you look like a fairy princess.”
Dulcey smiled. “And you my little one, look very nice, too.” Dulcey extended her hand, “I am Dulcey Langely.”
“I am Franny Bennett, Miss Abbigail’s nurse, governess. I am sorry Miss Abbigail got away from me and caused you so much trouble.”
Dulcey looked at the young woman in front of her. She was sure Franny was but a few years older than she. She wore her brown hair in a soft bun. She had soft brown eyes. She was petite in statue. Her smile echoed in her eyes. As their hands met Dulcey felt a calmness about the young woman. This was a kind and gentle young lady. She was good for Abbigail.
“It was no trouble having Abby. I enjoyed her visit very much.”
“Dulcey tells stories about fairies.” Abby looked up the Dulcey and asked, “Can I tell her our secret? Please?”
Dulcey looked at those big blue eyes and realized Abby was not very good at keeping secrets. Dulcey nodded.
“Dulcey knows real fairies and they teached her how to make medicines.”
Franny immediately corrected, “taught her.”
“Yes, taught her. She knows fairies.”
Franny looked up with a smile. “How lucky for you, Miss Dulcey. Fairies.”
“You must keep it a secret, Miss Franny. Uncle Nate knows, too.”
Franny nodded. “Lord Beckham knows the secret, as well. Well, if we tell too many people, the fairies may not tell Miss Dulcey any more of their secrets,” she whispered to Abigail very seriously.
Abigail stood there very thoughtful and nodded. “You mustn’t tell anyone, Miss Franny. The fairies have to talk to Dulcey. It’s very important you keep her secret.”
Dulcey and Franny looked at each other and smiled, knowingly. As long as it was Abby talking about fairies, everyone would think it was her childish imagination, thought Dulcey.
“May I join you for tea?” asked Dulcey.
Immediately, Abby started talking about her doll and tea. Dulcey and Franny sat at the table with her and pretended with her.
“Poppet, I need to go back to my room.”
“Will you come tell me a story tonight?” begged Abigail.
“Now, Miss Abigail, Miss Dulcey has other obligations,” answered Franny.
Dulcey took Abby’s small hand in hers. “I promise Poppet, I will tell you a story for bedtime, every night I am here.”
Abby looked at her still not sure. “You promise?”
“Yes, poppet, I promise. But you must listen to Miss Franny.”
Abby nodded. “Yes, I promise.”
“Good. Then I will see you tonight.”
Chapter 6
Morality is the attitude we adopt
Toward people whom we personally dislike.
Oscar Wilde
Dulcey left the nursery. She walked down the hall with the intent of going to her room to rest. She should have known, it was not to be. The Countess was lying in wait for her down the hall.
“My dear, I was just going to my sitting room. Would you join me for tea? I think we need to talk,” said Countess Shefley.
“Yes, of course, my lady. I will be glad to join you for tea,” replied Dulcey. She could feel the hostility from the countess likes waves against the forces around her. She had felt it earlier when first introduced but now, it was more pronounced. As jumbled as the forces were, she could still feel intensity of this woman’s animosity. She would have to tread very carefully around her. This woman was going to be a formidable adversary. This was not going to be a pleasant tea. Dulcey followed the Countess’s to her private sitting room.
The tea tray was there awaiting them. “Please sit, my dear.” Dulcey choose the small rose brocade settee across from the Countess’s rose brocade wing chair. She watched as the Countess poured. “Sugar? Milk?”
“Yes, please,” replied Dulcey, nervous about the coming questioning. She didn’t know what more she could tell her than what she had said at lunch. Nate was not here to keep her in check. She was about to know what the inquisition felt l
ike.
Countess Shefley smiled sweetly as she handed Dulcey her cup of tea, a smile that did not reflect in her eyes.
Dulcey smiled nervously. She was not accustomed to the social obligations, even though Lord James had made certain she was trained to attend such. She felt that she and the countess would always be at odds. She would always be considered an enemy to the Countess.
“Tell me about yourself, my dear. You seem to be very comfortable here.”
Dulcey felt like she was one of those insects Lord James made her look at under the looking glass. “As I said earlier, I have been here many times.”
“So you have said and that your parents died when you were about two?” the Countess asked. She needed to know more about this woman, no matter what her son said. It was because of him, she needed to find this information. It would simply not do for him to get involved with this young woman.
“My mother and father died when I was a baby. As I said earlier, Grammy Digby raised me.” She didn’t know what more she could add. She didn’t know very much herself.
“Is this your grandmother on your mother or father’s side? You did not say earlier.”
“I am not certain. I never asked.” Dulcey had often wondered but had never asked Grammy. There were many questions she had asked but Grammy had not wanted to answer them. She always said one day, she would understand. She had hoped after Grammy died, Lord James would tell her but he never did.
“How is it you don’t know?” questioned the Countess. How could she not know about her family and her past? There was a secret here and she was determined to find out what it was. She needed more information from this young woman. Information, she could use to show her son, this woman was not right for him in the least. She was a nobody, way beneath his title and rank. She needed her son to realize it. This was not a good match for him. She should have argued with him more, when he suggested she come here.
Dulcey shrugged. “I have asked both Grammy Digby and Lord James many times but both refused to answer me and always said one day, I would understand. Now, they are both dead and I was never told anything.” She did not know what more she could add. She simply did not know. She had never been told.
The countess eyed her sharply. “So, you have no idea who your parents are.” Can this child woman truly be that ignorant about herself. She was hiding something, she had to be.
“Their names were Anne and George Langely. That is what I have been told.” Dulcey did not know what more information to give her. “I was only two when they died. I don’t remember them at all. I truly wished I knew more.”
A knock sounded at the door just before Nate walked in. Evers had informed him his mother had ordered tea. Peggy had stopped him at the head of the stairs and informed him she had seen his mother escort Dulcey into her sitting room. Dulcey was not equipped to handle his mother when she decided to interrogate. He had seen his mother’s frown of disapproval. That did not bode well.
He could feel the tension in the room when he walked in. “Ah, so this is where you both are. The staff has come back with the greens to decorate. I thought you would like to give your suggestions since you have done this here before. I was on my way to get Abby. She did have some definite suggestions at the cottage, didn’t she, Dulcey?” He could see his mother’s sour expression.
Dulcey smiled, grateful for Nate’s rescue. She was certain his mother was just getting started with her questions.
Nate’s heart skipped a beat when Dulcey turned her smile on him. Something in him stirred, that made him want to see that smile, every day from now on. It was something, he would need to work on.
“Are you coming downstairs, Mother, to help out?” Nate asked, as he offered his hand to Dulcey.
“Of course, I would not miss it,” replied the Countess. She was not about to have her son alone with this young woman. He had already been too much in her company.
Nate looked surprised. His mother was never interested in Christmas decorations before. The staff always saw to it.
Dulcey followed Nate with his mother close behind them as they walked to Abby’s room.
When they entered Abby’s room, Franny was reading to Abby.
“Poppet, we are going downstairs to decorate. Would you and Miss Franny like to help us?” asked Nate.
“Like Dulcey’s house?”
“Yes.”
“Yea!” replied Abby, jumping up and down.
Immediately, the Countess admonished, “Young ladies do not act in that manner. Stop this display at once.”
Abby stopped abruptly, her eyes wide with fear.
“Oh, mother, it’s Christmas. Abby is excited. Come, Poppet, let’s get downstairs and get started.” He took Abby’s hand in his and with Dulcey at his side, he escorted everyone downstairs.
A large bundle of evergreens stood in the entrance way, just to the side of the door. Evers stood nearby.
“I’ve brought down the rest of the decorations, Miss Dulcey” said Evers.
Dulcey smiled. “Thank you, Evers.”
The countess eyes narrowed. This young woman was way too familiar in this house, with the servants and the running of it. She needed to be put back in her place. This all belonged to her son now. She had no right to be giving the servants orders like she was the lady of the house.
“We will not be putting up all the decorations, Evers,” ordered the Countess.
Nate turned with a questioning glare. “And why ever not, Mother?”
“Why in observance of proper mourning for Lord Fergers, of course.”
Dulcey nodded. The Countess was right. But it was Lord James most favorite time of year. He would not like the fact they were not celebrating Christmas as it should be. He was never one for following proper protocol.
“Evers, let’s just put some greenery on all the mantles throughout the manor and above the front door. We must do something for Abigail,” replied Dulcey.
“Yes.” replied Nate. “Where shall we begin, Abby?”
Abby directed the placement of all the greenery throughout the manor. Dulcey made suggestions of how best to use them in the places Abby wanted them. Amid the laughter of all involved, except the Countess who looked on disapprovingly, the manor was decorated. Upon completion, Dulcey looked around and smiled. Lord James would have loved this. Had it not been for the Countess most sour disposition and constant complaints, it would have been perfect. Abby had the best time, especially after Nate took his mother aside and spoke to her and the complaints slackened.
Dulcey had told Abby the story of the mistletoe at the cottage. Abby was determined it was to be hung on top of the doorway to the green salon where guests were entertained. Dulcey stepped through the doorway in search of more ribbon when Abby called for her to stop. Little did she realize, she had stopped right under the mistletoe.
“Uncle Nate, you have to kiss Dulcey,” chirped Abby.
Dulcey blushed and made as if to continue on, but Nate would have none of it.
“Tradition is tradition, my dear,” said Nate as he grabbed her hand. He bent his head and lightly brushed her lips. It took every ounce of his willpower not to take her in his arms and give her the kiss he so desperately wanted. Problem was he wanted much more than a kiss, he wanted all of her.
Dulcey looked up and past Nate to find his mother staring daggers at her.
Abby stood clapping her hands. “Yea, it works.”
Dulcey gently pulled away, turned and continued on her way for more ribbon. Her emotions were in turmoil, not just from her reaction to Nate, but from the looks of his mother. This had not been a good idea in coming here. She could feel the forces of change surrounding this house and the people in it. It was all so muddled. She could feel the force of change growing ever so strong. Soon, that was all she knew, soon. That change felt like it would affect her most of all. It frightened her, but she knew it was coming and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She would just have to let it play out. She sighed in resi
gnation.
Nate had Abigail and her nanny join them for supper much to the Countess’s displeasure. To all others, it was an enjoyable time. Dulcey followed Abby and Franny upstairs to tell her the bedtime story about fairies just as she promised.
Dulcey walked slowly down the hall to her rooms, deep in thought. She would stay until after Christmas for Abby’s sake, but she would need to leave soon after that.
“Huh hum.” Nate had watched for her, wanting to talk with her. Actually, he wanted to do more than talk, but he knew his mother was lurking about.
Dulcey looked up. “Nate?”
“I didn’t get to tell you, but I received word from Lord James’s solicitor here in the district. It seems he wishes to talk to both of us. Lord James it appears has some special bequests that concern us both, especially you.”
Dulcey looked at him puzzled. “Why does he wish to speak to me? I thought it was all settled. That is why you are here.”
“No, I was told I inherited the title because of lack of male heirs and though the relations were distant, it seems it traced back to my brother and since his death to me. Even Mother did not know of these relations. Whatever it is, Kinley will be here two days after Christmas to discuss it with us.”
This meant she would have to remain here another few days. This was proving to be more difficult than she first imagined. Just being this close to Nate simply talking, Dulcey could feel the strange pull between them.
Dulcey slowly leaned toward him, but quickly pulled away, when she noticed the Countess behind Nate.
“I am on my way to retire for the night, I suggest we all do the same, as I am afraid tomorrow being Christmas Eve, will be quite busy,” suggested the Countess.
Nate frowned. Mother again. “I suppose you are right, Mother.”
“Yes. Will you walk me to my room? There is something I would like to discuss with you.” She needed to
separate her son from this young woman. There was something between them. She could feel it. It must not be allowed continue.
“Yes, I was heading toward my room myself.” She nodded to each in turn. “Goodnight, Lady Shefley, good night, Nate.” Dulcey turned and walked on down the hall.