by Hunt, Brenda
“Of course, my lord. Will you be staying at Brandanlyn?” he asked.
Nate smiled. “Yes, for a time. I found I have liked it here.”
“Good. I will be glad to assist with the arrangements with our rector here, Reverend Treadwell,” offered Percival.
“Thank you. I may need that help. Does he know Dulcey?” He would make all this easier for Dulcey.
Percival smiled. “Yes, very well. In fact, he has told Dulcey countless of times, her special gift comes from God.”
“Does she believe him?” Nate hoped so.
“I believe so. But it is hard to know for sure with Lady Dulcey,” Percival answered.
Nate nodded. “Thank you, Percival.”
Evers was at the door and escorted Percival Kinley out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nate climbed the stairs and headed towards his mother’s rooms. He would have rather gone to Dulcey, but he needed to make certain his mother accepted his plans. She would balk at the idea and probably throw one of her temper tantrums, then pretend to get ill. She had done it so many times in order to get her way but this time, it was not
going to work.
He knocked, without waiting for her to bid enter, walked in. He found his mother reclining on her chaise. Not a good sign. Well, let the battle begin. He was armed and ready.
“Mother, we need to talk,” he started.
She looked at him through narrowed eyes. “Yes, indeed we do.”
“Before you begin your tirade, Mother let me inform you that if you disagree with any of the plans I have made, you are welcome to pack your bags and go back to Shefley Hall, pack your belongings there and move in with Grandmother at the Dowager House.” Nate watched his mother’s eyes grow wide and the color drain from her face. He had had enough of her interference, first in his brother’s life and now his.
“What did you say?” she asked in disbelief. No, there was no way he had just said what she thought she heard. He would not.
“I believe you heard every word I said, Mother. I stood by and watched as you made Grayson and Caroline’s life miserable. Grayson always told me he had you under control, but I watched as you took pleasure in upsetting Caroline. I will not allow you do that again,” stated Nathaniel emphatically.
“I never did any such thing,” argued the Countess. “I cared for Caroline."
“No, you did not. You never cared for Caroline. Poor Caroline was afraid of you. Grayson did not want to hurt you for fear of you retaliating against Caroline. I will not be so malleable.” He was determined, she would not interfere.
Lady Shefley pursed her lips together. Nathaniel was just being stubborn. She would bid her time.. He would not go through with his threats. She must handle him differently. He had always been the more stubborn of her two sons, even as a child.
“First thing this morning, I sent a missive to Worth requesting he procure a special license from the Archbishop for me.”
Lady Shefley’s eyes widened in disbelief and sat up from her reclining position with a start. No, he did not. No, she would not allow it. The Duke of Worthingston of all people. Caroline’s brother. No, this must not be allowed to happen.
“Nathaniel, she is a witch,” she argued. “My God, the gossip mongers will have a field day. We will be shunned by everyone, especially when it is known her mother was burned because of it. Nathaniel you simply cannot do this. I forbid you to. Think of our good name.” How had this gotten so far?
Nate narrowed his eyes. He wanted to shake her but he knew he couldn’t. But it was so tempting. “Mother, listen to me, as I am only going to say this once. I have already told you what will happen if you hurt Dulcey in any way what so ever. I am determined to marry Dulcey. I have set the process in motion. Nothing you say or do will dissuade me. Please, realize I set this all in motion before I knew of Dulcey’s true relationship to Lord Fergers. ”
Lady Shefley stood up and faced her son. “I forbid you put this family in danger by marrying that witch. This marriage you speak of will not take place. I forbid it,” she demanded.
“Then I suggest you have Leta begin packing. I can have the carriage ready to go in an hour.” He was tired of arguing with her. He needed to tend to Dulcey, to make certain she was all right.
Lady Shefley’s eyes narrowed in anger. He could not be serious. She was his mother. He would never do what he threatened. “I will not be leaving.”
“Then I take it you have accepted my decision.” Nate did not trust his mother. She was up to something. But he was adamant. He was not Grayson and would not tolerate his mother’s interference.
“This decision will bring you, all of us, nothing but harm. It will be the ruination of this family. Think of Abigail. How will she be accepted by the ton if you marry this witch woman?” Maybe if she brought Abigail’s welfare into the discussion, it would change his mind.
Nate raised his hand. “Enough, Mother. Call her a witch one more time and I will pack your bags myself and put you bodily into the carriage. One more word Mother. I mean it. If you stay, you will abide by my decision. The choice is yours and I need to know your decision now.” He had had enough of dealing with his mother. He needed to be talking to Dulcey, yet here he was dealing with his mother. But for Dulcey’s sake, his mother had to be dealt with first before she did irreparable harm. He could see her plotting.
“I am waiting for your answer, Mother.”
Lady Shefley turned and walked to the window of her room and looked out. She knew Nathaniel had always been the difficult one but this was beyond her understanding. How could he put their good family name in such jeopardy? Oh, what a field day the gossip mongers in London would have. She had to be a witch. She had put some sort of spell on Nathaniel. Somehow she must see to it, this wedding would never take place. That meant she must stay, in order to accomplish that.
So, for the time being. “Very well, Nathaniel. I will abide with your decision.” She turned back to face her son.
Nate nodded. “I will hold you to this, Mother. I will not think twice about sending you to Shefley Hall and the dowager house if you do anything to hurt Dulcey. This
is not an empty threat.” He did not trust her but he would give her the benefit of the doubt, at the moment. Perhaps, she realized how serious he was about this decision.
Lady Shefley nodded.
“Good. Now I need to see to Dulcey.” Nate strode out of his mother’s room into the hall with one purpose on his mind. He turned to go down the hall to Dulcey’s suite.
“Uncle Nate,” whispered Abby.
Nate looked around and found Abby hiding under a table near the staircase. Nate knelt down to her level. “Poppet, why are you hiding here?”
Abby looked toward her grandmother’s rooms. “Dulcey is gone. She gave me a hug and said she had to go back to her house.” There were tears in Abby’s eyes. “I heard grandmother tell Leta, Dulcey needed to go away and never come back. She said she would make her. I want Dulcey to come back.” Her bottom lip trembled.
Nate pulled her out from under table and held her close to him. “Shh, Poppet. When did she leave?”
“I don’t know.”
“Shh, dry your tears. I promise, I will bring Dulcey back here. I plan on going to the cottage to bring her back. Now, I don’t want you to worry. It may take me a couple of days before I get back. But I promise you, I will not come back until she comes back with me.” He wiped her tears from her cheeks.
While talking with his mother, Dulcey had left. He should have gone to Dulcey first. But he thought making certain his mother did not make things worse was more important. Damn, mother had interfered again. He should have realized how difficult all of this for Dulcey. He was not surprised she had gone back to the cottage.
“You promise?” Abby asked in a trembling voice.
Nate smiled at her. “Yes, I promise. Now I want you to smile,” he looked up and saw Miss Franny. “Go with Miss Franny.”
He turned to Miss Franny,
“Would you take Abby back to the nursery? I have just explained to her I am going after Dulcey, to bring her back to Brandanlyn. Please try to avoid contact with my mother as much as possible while I am gone.”
Miss Franny took Abby’s hand in hers. “Of course, my lord.”
Several steps away, Abby turned, “Promise, Uncle Nate?”
“I promise,” replied Nate, crossing his heart with his finger.
Abby nodded and followed Miss Franny to her room.
Nate turned and walked back to his rooms. Simmons was waiting there.
“I’ve heard, my lord. I’ve pack you a small valise,” said Simmons.
Nate chuckled, shaking his head. “Thank you Simmons.”
Simmons handed him the valise. “Good luck, my lord. I know my opinion doesn’t matter, but she belongs here.”
Nate smiled. “No, Simmons, it doesn’t matter, but I still like to hear it. And you are right. She does belong here. Hope you like it here, for I don’t plan on going back to Shefley Hall any time soon. In fact, I’ve sent word to Worth to procure a special license. Think you can deal with me as a married man?”
Simmons grinned. “I think I’ll have no problems, my lord. And by the way, I’m beginning to like this country life very much myself.”
Nate grinned back. It meant a great deal to him that
Simmons approved. Simmons had been with him for the past ten years. Of all the people on the earth, Simmons knew him best of all. He took his valise and said, “Keep an eye on mother. I know she would never listen to you but----------”
Simmons nodded. “Of course, my lord. I have learned to maneuver around the Countess when need be. And I will watch out for little Abby, as well.”
“Good. I shouldn’t be more than a couple of days,” said Nate as he walked out of the door.
Downstairs, he met with Evers in the hall. “She left about an hour ago. She went out the back stairs thinking none of us had seen her.”
Nate nodded. “Have my horse saddled and brought around for me Evers while I talk with Cook.”
Evers raised an eyebrow in question.
“Seems we ate all of Dulcey’s food when we were snow bound,” he continued. “It may take a couple of days to convince her, she belongs here at Brandanlyn. I would not want either one of us to starve to death.”
Evers returned his lordship’s smile. It appeared Lord Beckham was not very concerned that Miss Dulcey, no Lady Dulcey, he must remember that, had left. He was bringing her back to Brandanlyn. That was good. “I’ll see to your horse immediately, my lord.”
Nate walked off to kitchen to talk to Cook. When he emerged several long minutes later, he carried a sack of food Cook had packed for him and Dulcey. From the feel of the sack, it was more like for a couple of weeks than a couple of days.
Max awaited him outside. Nate gave his sack to the groom who tied onto his saddle, his satchel already there. He turned to Evers. “I should return tomorrow or the day after. Keep an eye on things Evers, while I am gone.”
“Of course, my lord. We will all be waiting for you
and Lady Dulcey’s return.”
Nate nodded and rode off at a gentle cantor. He would be with Dulcey soon.
Chapter 11
Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul,
That you never knew was missing.
Torquato Tasso
Dulcey sat in the rocker wrapped in one of Grammy’s quilts in front of the fire. The fire was finally beginning to chase the chill from the cottage. She had not realized how cold she had gotten on her walk from the manor house to the cottage. She had been too engrossed in her thoughts to notice. Perhaps, it was not just from the chill of the weather but the chill that surrounded her heart that made it feel so cold.
She had cried, gotten angry, and cried again, only to come to realize, there was nothing she could do about it. When she entered the cottage, she realized there was no warmth here awaiting her. It made her realize, she was a changed woman from the one who had left here several days ago. Her life would never be the same again.
She was Lord James’ niece. He was her uncle. How she wished, she would have known that all along. Would it have truly made a difference, she wondered. Now, she would never know. She mourned the loss of that relationship. Yet, she had known all along, there was a special bond between them. The forces had always showed her, he was important to her. Now, she knew how and why.
Sitting staring into the flames, she had to come to several decisions. She now knew who she was. But what exactly did that mean? Who was she and how had all of this changed her? She was not a nobody, as she had always believed, been led to believe. She was the niece of Lord Fergers. Her mother was the daughter of a Welch earl and as such made her the granddaughter. But she was also the daughter of what many called a witch. Now, she understood why Grammy Digby would get so agitated when someone talked about witches.
This gift her mother had passed on to her, this ability to see into the future. It seemed hers was not as pronounced as her mothers. But it was there none the less. From an early age, it had frightened her. She did not understand it. She had tried, finally she had come to tolerate it, accept it as part of who she was.
Now, to learn it was the reason her mother and father had lost their lives, it frightened her more. Could something like that happen to her? Lord James said he had protected her identity all this time, but what if that madman was still out there, waiting for her. She mustn’t think that way. After all these years, nothing had ever been found of him. Surely, after all these years, she was safe and he was no longer a threat. Surely.
But what if someone like him came to believe as he did, she was a witch because she could see into the future. Would that someone want to kill her, as well? No, she had to believe she was safe. She had to believe it to be so. For if it was not, then she would be putting all those close to her in danger.
All of these thoughts and more ran rampant through her mind during the long walk to the cottage. It had taken her a little under an hour. Once she had started walking, her emotions had set the pace. Her feet had moved quickly, covering the familiar path to the cottage. She hoped they hadn’t missed her, yet. She didn’t know why, when she thought of they, she meant Nate.
She knew Nate would follow her. It was one of the things she had seen. She just hadn’t seen why. With Nate, it was all hazy. She never got a true picture. Now was the time she needed to see the future, to see Nate’s future. Why, oh, why could she not?
Nate confused her. No, it was more than that. There was a connection between the two of them. A connection that was stronger than any she had ever felt. He made her feel things she did not understand and that frightened her. All she knew was that she wanted him with an ache she knew was all consuming. She couldn’t think straight when around him. All she could do was feel.
Yet, with everything he made her feel, she still felt incomplete, wanting more from him. The more was what frightened her, for she had no clue to what the more was. She just knew it was there, pulling at her with a force she did not know.
She heard a noise in the lean to. All her animals had been taken to the Manor days ago. She knew it was him. She didn’t think he would have been here so soon. She thought she would have more time to deal with and understand these feelings of hers. She sat huddled in a ball in the rocker staring at the door, awaiting his entrance. She had no idea what she would say to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nate walked through the door of the lean to. He carried the large sack and his valise and placed them on the table. His eyes never left Dulcey’s. He had not been surprised to find she had left the manor house. Just as he knew, she would come here. There were many things they needed to discuss. Here would be the best place to discuss such things.
She sat all wrapped in a quilt in the rocking chair in front of the fireplace. She did not look as devastated as she had in his study. She just looked lost. He was not surprised.
He pulled a chair next to
her rocker. “How are you?” He studied her face. He could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were red and they still glistened with unshed tears. His heart ached for her. It had been a shock this afternoon, learning who she truly was, what had happened to her parents. So much to take in, to deal with. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her but he hesitated just as he had earlier.
Dulcey nodded. “I am all right.” She looked to the bag on the table. “What’s in the bag?”
Nate smiled. “I remembered we ate nearly all your food. I had Cook prepare some food for us for a couple of days. I think she misunderstood. I think there is enough food here for a couple of weeks.”
She smiled softly. Cook would have done that. It appeared as though Nate was not leaving any time soon.
“We need to talk,” said Nate never taking his eyes off her face, watching her intently, hoping to see some sort of reaction out of her.
Dulcey shrugged slightly. “I believe everything that needed to be said was said earlier.” She was thinking of the Countess’s words. She kept hearing them, repeating in her mind, over and over again. It was bad enough to learn she was not who she thought she was, but she knew everyone would think as the Countess did. They would never remember she was the granddaughter of an earl or the niece of a baron. She would always be the daughter of a witch.
“I most heartily disagree,” argued Nate.
Dulcey sighed and looked away. She knew if she continued to stare into those blue eyes of his she would be lost. “What good will it do? It will not change things.”
Nate took her hands from her lap and brought them to his lips. He kissed one palm and then the other, never taking his eyes off of her. He watched her reaction closely. Her abrupt intake of breath made him smile. She was not immune to him. She had not pulled away.
“You are right. Some things have not changed. Others have. These feelings between us have not. No, that is not truly correct. If anything they have gotten stronger. You feel it, just as I do. This connection between us.”