Snowbound Fairy Christmas

by Hunt, Brenda

  “There are no such things as fairies,” snapped Lady Shefley. She was not about to argue with this child and this

  woman. How dare they disagree with her!

  Dulcey looked at Abby who had tears in her eyes. What kind of woman destroyed a little girl’s beliefs, especially on Christmas Day? She had never met a woman as heartless as this one. Her heart ached for Abby, to be constantly subjected to this woman.

  “Mother, enough of this! It is Christmas, after all. Please allow Abby her beliefs. She is still a child.” He was so frustrated his mother was ruining another holiday. Why did she have to make everyone lives so miserable?

  Lady Shefley narrowed her eyes as she looked from Nate then on to Dulcey. Yes, this woman needed to be dealt with and soon.

  “Come, Abby,” said Dulcey, “let me put it on you. Do you know why they say the moonstone is good luck? Someone went out on the full moon and caught the moon beams and put them in the moonstone,” explained Dulcey, wanting to put some magic back into the day.

  Nate gave his mother a narrowed look and shook his head in warning.

  Abby looked at Dulcey, then to her grandmother and finally to her Uncle Nate. When he nodded, she went slowly to Dulcey’s side.

  Dulcey took the pendant from Abby’s hand and placed it around her neck. Abby looked down at the pendant, then up to Abby. “Do you think it was the fairies that catched the moon?”

  Dulcey smiled. “Grammy never said who caught the moon beams but I think you may be right. Fairies and moonbeams. Yes, I think you are right.” She looked up to Nate who had walked over.

  “Fairies are real, Dulcey, aren’t they? They teached you about the medicines.” Abby asked, but looked over to her grandmother.

  “If you believe they are real, then they are. I believe,” answered Dulcey.

  Abby looked to her Uncle Nate, who stood beside her. “Do you believe in fairies, Uncle Nate?” If Uncle Nate and Dulcey believed, then that meant they were real, no matter what Grandmother said.

  Nate looked at Abby and saw the wistfulness in her eyes. He was not about to destroy her childish beliefs. Besides, maybe fairies did exist. Didn’t Dulcey say so?

  “Poppet, I think you and Dulcey are right. I have never seen one, but then I have never looked for one. I think you can’t see them, unless you believe. So now that I know for sure they exist, I think I might just get the chance to see one. What do you think?” explained Nate, hoping this satisfied Abby.

  Abby nodded. She lifted up the pendant to show Uncle Nate.

  Nate looked at the pendant Dulcey had given her. It was a small tear drop moonstone attached to a silver chain by a simple wrap at the point of the teardrop. Very simple, but he was certain it meant a lot to Dulcey. For her to give it to Abby, meant she truly cared for Abby.

  “Very pretty, Poppet. Dulcey must truly like you.” He looked to Dulcey. This also meant a lot to him, that she would give Abby a part of herself.

  Abby turned and hugged Dulcey tightly. “Thank you, Dulcey. I love you.”

  Dulcey was looking at Nate when Abby said those words. The pain that followed, knowing she had come to love Abby, too, was almost unbearable. She closed her eyes and hugged Abby back, committing the feeling to her memory. Years from now, she would want to remember once upon a time, she was loved by a child. It would have to last her a lifetime.

  Nate watched the pain cross Dulcey’s face before she closed her eyes and buried her face in Abby’s hair. He didn’t understand why this would hurt her.

  “Well, I for one have had enough talk of fairies. Now, that all the presents are opened, I think it’s time Abigail went back to the nursery,” said Lady Shefley. She had had enough of all this. Abby, it seemed brought the two of them together. She did not like the way this was all progressing. It was all so frustrating. No matter what she tried to do to separate Nate and that woman, none of it was working.

  “I want to stay down here,” cried Abby.

  Nate looked at his mother. There was no reason for Abby to go back to the nursery. It was Christmas Day. Did his mother ever consider someone else, beside her own selfish needs? When he had insisted she accompany him here, he had thought maybe, they would be able to tolerate each other. Well, he had hoped, but it had not worked out. All his past memories of dealing with his mother were now back in focus. Every day in her company, reminded him why he had had such little contact with her once he had reached of age and later over the past several years. With each day, he better understood the complaints Grayson had made. But he was not Grayson.

  “Yes, Poppet you will be staying down stairs with us. I have other celebrations for us planned,” he assured Abby. To his mother, he added, “Mother, if this is too much for you, we will understand your need to go back to your room.” He was hoping she would take his suggestions. She did manage to put a damper on all of this.

  Through pursed lips and narrowed eyes, Lady Shefley replied, “I was just thinking of Abigail.”

  Nate doubted it. He sighed in frustration. It appeared his mother did not take the hint. Well, she had better behave herself, otherwise, next time it would be more than a hint. It would be a command.

  “Miss Franny, I do believe I remembered when I hired you, you did say you were able to play the pianoforte?” questioned Nate.

  “Yes, my lord, I can play,” she answered.

  “Good. Dulcey can you play?” he asked.

  Dulcey shook her head and laughed. “I was taught, but I seem to hit more bad notes than good.”

  “Well, Miss Franny, it appears as though you are the chosen one. Shall we go to the music room and sing Christmas carols,” suggested Nate. Hopefully, this would occupy their time without his mother starting one of her tirades.

  Miss Franny played the pianoforte and everyone but the countess sang carols. She sat on the chair and watched like a hawk watching her prey. Nate had hoped she wouldn’t follow but she did.

  No longer able to tolerate the strain in the room, Nate began making up words to the songs, silly words, till he had Abby giggling and Dulcey and Miss Franny shaking their heads. It had been worth it, to dispel the tension his mother brought into the room. He could see her disapproving frown without turning to look at her. He refused to let her put a damper on their festivities.

  When Evers announced dinner, Nate offered his arm to Dulcey and Abby and escorted them to the dining room, still singing silly Christmas carols. He left Miss Franny to walk with his mother. Dinner proved to be amusing. Nate kept them all laughing with stories. Several times, he gave his mother a look to remind her not to ruin this for Abby.

  As soon as everyone had finished their plum pudding, Abby asked, “Dulcey will you still tell me a story tonight? Maybe, it can be about the Christmas fairy?” She liked Dulcey stories about the fairies. Now, she had Dulcey’s moonstone necklace, maybe, she would get to meet one of the fairies. She touched the stone about her neck.

  Dulcey smiled. “Of course, Abby. I did promise you. A Christmas fairy, I think I can think of one.”

  Dulcey, Abby and Miss Franny all rose from the table as did Nate.

  “Mother, I think I will forego drinks and escort these lovely ladies upstairs. So, I’ll say good night, Mother.” Again he offered Dulcey and Abby his arm.

  “Good night Grandmother. Thank you for the dress,” said Abby as she walked passed her grandmother.

  “Good night, Abigail, Nathaniel,” she replied.

  Nate raised his eyebrows, then narrowed his eyes. It was a deliberate shun by his mother. He looked at Dulcey to see how it affected her.

  Dulcey was very much aware the Countess had snubbed her. She met Nate’s questioning look with a slight shake of her head. The more she encountered the Countess, the more aware she became of the spiteful forces about her. Forces that were as visible to Dulcey as the light shining from the candles on the table, a dark light filled with venom. It hit her like hundreds of tiny pin pricks against the forces that surrounded her. It felt good to walk away from her. />
  Abby kept up a steady strain of conversation about the moonstone necklace and fairies. Dulcey tried to answer her questions but Abby had some very definite ideas about fairies. In Abby’s room, Miss Franny had her change to her night dress.

  Nate came to Dulcey, but Dulcey shook her head. She did not wish to talk about his mother in front of Abby. She knew Nate was very displeased with his mother. She just didn’t know what to tell him. Out of the Countess’s sight, she felt more relaxed.

  Abby jumped into her bed. Nate placed a chair at her bedside. Dulcey sat down.

  “Goodnight, Miss Franny,” said Abby. Nate and Dulcey echoed her words. Nate went about extinguishing the candle all except the one by the door.

  “Good night, Miss Abby. Good night, Miss Dulcey and Lord Beckham,” she replied and walked into the adjourning room and closed the door.

  “A story about a Christmas fairy, please, Dulcey.”

  Abby still wore the moonstone about her neck. Dulcey noticed Nate leaned one shoulder against the door jam. She knew he was listening.

  She began. “There once was a fairy princess who was in love with a fairy prince. But the man in the moon also loved the fairy princess.”

  Abby looked at Dulcey skeptical. “A man in the moon?”

  “Yes, don’t you know that story?” asked Dulcey.

  Abby shook her head.

  “Well, it is said, that this old man was banished to the moon because he had stolen something very valuable from the fairy king.”

  “What did he steal?” asked Abby with a yawn.

  “What did he steal?” Dulcey looked up to Nate for help.

  “He stole the king’s watch. He had hoped he could get the fairy king to stop time so he could woo the princess,” added Nate. He wanted to stop time.

  “Like I said earlier, he was banished to the moon by the fairy king. He loved the fairy princess but now, he had to watch her from the moon. He watched as the fairy prince courted the fairy princess. But when the moon was dark he couldn’t see them. He wanted to keep watch over them. So the man in the moon sent moon beams down to earth and his sister captured them and put them in a stone.”

  “Like my moonstone,” said Abby, sleepily.

  “Yes, like your moonstone,” answered Dulcey. She watched Abby close her eyes her fingers holding the moonstone. “His sister gave the fairy princess the moonstone as a Christmas present. The sister did not tell the fairy princess, the man in the moon had sent it down for her. The fairy princess put it around her neck. Little did she know the moon beams captured in moonstone allowed him to see the fairy princess, even when the moon was dark.”

  Dulcey watched for a moment. Abby was asleep. Christmas had been a busy day. She smiled and then a sadness enveloped her. Telling fairy stories to Abby would end in a few days. She would not think about that. After all, it was Christmas. She would be grateful to have had this time with her.

  Dulcey looked up to Nate at the door. She envied him this kinship he had with Abby. She would never have that. It left an empty place in her heart.

  “She’s asleep,” said Dulcey, as she met Nate at the door. He nodded and blew the candle out. He softly closed the door behind them. Outside the closed door, Dulcey turned and said, “Good night, my lord.”

  “You were calling me, Nate.” He watched her closely. He had noticed the sadness in her eyes, the glisten of unshed tears. Something within him wanted to wipe away that sadness, only he did not know what caused the sadness.

  “Here, you are the lord of the manner,” replied Dulcey softly, staring at his chest. She couldn’t look him in the eyes. She knew if she did, she would drown in those crystal blue eyes of his. They would pull her in. She was as certain of that fact as she was of breathing.

  He offered her his arm. “Let me walk you to your room.”

  Dulcey shook her head. No doubt, the Countess was lurking somewhere in the shadows. She could feel the pins again shooting at her.

  “Please,” she pleaded and looked up into his eyes.

  The tenderness, she saw reflected in him, tested her resolve greatly. She must get to her room, to the safety of her room.

  Nate softly touched her cheek. The ache he felt for her was unbearable. Never, no never had he felt this way about a woman. Hadn’t the thought about marriage to her crossed his mind earlier? Yes, he could consider marriage to Dulcey. The plea he saw in her eyes made him realize, though she felt something for him, she felt she was beneath him. His mother and all her contemptuous barbs had done this to her.

  Reluctantly, he said, “Merry Christmas, Dulcey. Good night.”

  She smiled, relieved he did not ask for more from her because she firmly believed, she could not have resisted no matter how resolved, she thought she was.

  “Merry Christmas, Nate,” she whispered, turned and walked away. It was the hardest thing she had ever done. She felt so vulnerable here. How she longed for his arms around her to keep her safe. Safe from what, her forces would not tell, show her. But she knew, there was something here, trying to change her.

  Nate watched her walk away. It appeared he was watching her walk away from him more than he cared to. He liked watching the way her hips swayed when she walked away, but the fact she was walking away disturbed him. Nate shook his head, turned and walked to his room. As he passed his mother’s room, he noticed the door being softly closed. She had been watching. He sighed deeply with frustration. Mother, what was he to do with her?

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Boxing Day proved to be uneventful. With Dulcey’s help, Nathaniel was able give all who worked at the Manor their monetary gifts. For Miss Franny, Dulcey had a beautiful light green scarf she had woven months ago. Miss Franny was very moved to receive it.

  The countess had stayed upstairs in her rooms claiming a migraine. No one had missed her. Miss Franny and Abby spent the entire day with Dulcey and Nate. The atmosphere in the manor was so much easier without the countess lurking about, ready to put a constraint on any and all activities.

  Dulcey was appreciative that Miss Franny and Abby kept them company. She did not think she could have spent the day alone with Nate. Even with the two of them as company, there were times when she felt Nate’s eyes on her. She would look away but not before she saw the longing in his eyes.

  As much as she enjoyed the day, she was glad to retire to her rooms. She told the story again about the man in the moon. Abby did not go straight off to sleep. Nate stayed and talked with her. It warmed her heart, to see how much he cared for Abby.

  As Dulcey got ready for bed, the feelings that had plagued her all day were more intense. She could feel the forces of change swirling, fluctuating about her, never giving her a clear picture. It made her feel anxious about the meeting with Mr. Kinley.

  She sat on the edge of her bed and placed her hands together in prayer. “Grammy, please give me a vision of what tomorrow will hold for me. I know it will change me, I just do not know how. I am frightened. I have never had the forces so cloudy, yet at the same time, so strong. Why?”

  Dulcey closed her eyes and waited. No visions came. Still she sat and waited. All she could see was swirling mists of colors, shades of gray with a swirl of bright red that changed to blue almost indigo and then back to shades of gray that turned to black. She opened her eyes quickly and the colors disappeared. Her heartbeat quickened. She took a deep breath to calm her breathing and heart.

  Why could she not see clearer? It troubled her greatly. With a deep sigh, she laid down and closed her eyes, knowing sleep would elude her till the morning’s light. Tomorrow, she would know. Tomorrow!

  Chapter 10

  There are two kinds of fools:

  Those who can’t change their opinions

  And those who won’t.

  Josh Billings

  Percival Kinley entered Brandanlyn as he had done dozens of times in the past. He and Lord Fergers had been friends, as well as solicitor and client. They had argued several times about the handling of this matter, b
ut in the end, the ultimate decision had been Lord Fergers.

  Evers escorted him into the study. It was a room he was very familiar with.

  Lord Shefley met him at the door. He could see Dulcey sitting in a chair in front of the desk. An older woman dressed in the latest of the London fashion, sat in the chair near the fireplace. An empty chair stood between them. He assumed his lordship had occupied it.

  “Mr. Kinley, welcome,” stated Nate, shaking Mr. Kinley hand. “I have cleared the desk for you.”

  “Thank you, Lord Shefley” replied Mr. Kinley.

  “I am aware, Lord Shefley is my official title now, but in my mind Shefley will always be my brother. I rather go by Beckham. Dulcey is here as you can see. This is my mother, Lady Roberta Beckham, Countess of Shefley.”

  Percival bowed, “Countess Shefley,” and then turned to Dulcey, “Miss Dulcey.”

  The countess merely nodded as though this was of great inconvenience to her.

  Dulcey smiled. She had met Mr. Kinley many times here, talking with Lord James. “It is very good to see you again, Mr. Kinley.” She was slightly nervous about this meeting because as much as she tried, she could not see what was coming. So much had been cloudy these last several days. She did not know what to make of it. Never had she ever felt, so isolated. Her visions were always so clear in the past, showing her the way to go. But now, she was at a loss, waiting to see how it all developed. This was scarier than the visions, this not knowing. She sat her heart beating in trepidation of what was to come.

  Percival Kinley sat at the desk and pulled several papers out of his satchel. Two of them appeared to be two sealed letters, one thin, one thick. For a moment, he looked searchingly at Dulcey. He sighed and realized he could delay, no longer.

  “As you know Miss Dulcey, I have been Lord Fergers’ solicitor for many, many years. I have been aware of all of this from the beginning.”

  “The beginning of what?” asked Lady Shefley. “How does all of this involve my son? We were told he is the heir.”