Snowbound Fairy Christmas

by Hunt, Brenda

  “You would not dare, Nathaniel. That would ruin this family and our good name. We could never show our faces in London again.” He would not do such a thing. When she said we, she truly meant, she would never be able to show her face in London again. She was appalled that he would even consider such a thing. To put such a thing to be bandied about would be disastrous for all involved. No, he would not dare.

  Nathaniel smiled. For the first time, he had shut his mother up. He knew it was her biggest fear, that she would be the object of the ton’s gossip. He would use it to his advantage.

  “I think I’ll go upstairs to see if Dulcey and Abby have decided on a dress. Oh, and mother, we don’t need your assistance. I believe we can handle this,” said Nate as he walked out the dining room leaving his mother speechless.

  Nate found Dulcey in Abby’s room with Miss Franny. Several dresses were scattered about the room. Abby was in her undershift.

  “Uncle Nate, we decided, we like the yellow one best. I tried all of these on but we like the yellow one,” explained Abby, as she held up the yellow dress.

  Nate looked it over very carefully. He knew nothing about little girls’ dresses. But it did look very pretty. If Dulcey said it would do, then who was he to argue.

  “Looks very pretty to me,” replied Nate, looking at Dulcey for direction. When Dulcey nodded, he added, “Yes, very pretty. I think you did well in choosing that one, Poppet.”

  Abby nodded. “This is my dress. Now, we need to choose Dulcey’s dress.”

  “Let’s save that for tomorrow, Abby. I need to look for something special. And I need to write a note to Reverend Treadwell, to invite him for dinner tomorrow. We will need to talk with him about our wedding plans,” explained Dulcey.

  “Can I talk to Reverend Teadwell, too?” asked Abby.

  “Reverend Treadwell, Abby. And yes, you can. Maybe, he can tell us what you will need to do, because I’m not sure.”

  Abby nodded.

  “Come Abby, let me dress you back into your clothes,” said Miss Franny, holding out Abby’s dress for her.

  At the door, Abby asked, “Will you still come tell me a story about the fairies before I go to bed?”

  Dulcey smiled. “Of course, Poppet. Always.”

  Abby nodded and let Miss Franny dress her as Dulcey and Nate walked out.

  Out in the hall, Nate grabbed Dulcey and brought her to him. “Will you tell me a bedtime story?”

  Dulcey smiled. “Every night, Nate, I promise.”

  Nate slowly kissed her. He had her back at Brandanlyn. Wedding plans were in the making. All was right with his world. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his mother’s maid slip into his mother’s room. But the taste of Dulcey’s lips and his body’s response, he forgot all about it.

  When at last he tore his lips away, Dulcey was breathless and aching with need for him but, “I think I need to stay in my rooms tonight.” When he looked like he was about to argue, she continued, “Abby and your mother.” It was the hardest thing she ever had to do, to deny him what she wanted, just as much as he did.

  Nate sighed deeply. She was right. It would only mean a few nights. A few nights, too many. After the last two days at the cottage, this would be the hardest thing he had ever done, but he realized, she was right.

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “Yes, you are right. But I don’t have to like it, my love. I have enjoyed waking up to you in my arms.”

  Dulcey smiled. “So have I. It will only be for a few nights.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him lightly on the lips. Anything more and she would have given in to him. “Good night, my soon to be husband.”

  Nate watched her turn and walk away towards her rooms. Damn, how he liked watching her walk, the sway of her hips nearly undid his resolve. It would be a long several days and nights. He turned and reluctantly went to his rooms.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Reverend Treadwell was a portly man with very thin gray hair. His wife was as thin as he was portly. She wore her gray hair braided in a crown around her head. Both had the lightest blue eyes and smiles that made them well liked by the patrons of the church. Lord James had liked them. Dulcey had met with them many times, at church services and here dining with Lord James, no Uncle James, Dulcey corrected. She had had many a philosophical discussion with the good Reverend concerning her abilities.

  Reverend Treadwell took Dulcey’s hand in his. “Mr. Kinley told me what Lord Fergers had done. I always knew you had to be family. There was something about you that always reminded me of him. You and he had some of the same mannerisms.”

  “Yes, my dear, Isaiah has always said that. I am so happy for you that you are his family and now to be marrying the new baron,” said Mrs. Treadwell. “Lord James would be so happy, I know he would be.”

  Dulcey smiled. “Reverend and Mrs. Treadwell, this is Lord Beckham, the Earl of Shefley,” introduced Dulcey as Nate joined her. “Nathaniel, this is Reverend Isaiah Treadwell and his wife, Esther.”

  “Very pleased to meet you both. Mr. Kinley spoke highly of you. I truly hope you can help us with our wedding. I have a request in for a special license with the Archbishop. I am hoping it will be delivered within the next few days,” explained Nate. He wanted to get them on his side before his mother had a chance to say something that would influence them in some way.

  “Of course, Lord Beckham,” said Mrs. Treadwell. “Oh, a wedding will be just the thing for everyone about. Everyone has been most anxious to meet the new baron and to have him marry our Miss Dulcey, will be much cause for celebration. I hope you know how much everyone about here cares deeply for our Miss Dulcey. Oh, I must get used to calling you, Lady Dulcey, my dear. Forgive me, my dear, if it takes me some time.”

  Lady Shefley came down the stairs just in time to hear Mrs. Treadwell words. She would get no help here. Had this woman bewitched everyone here?

  Nate saw his mother. He had hoped she would not join them, but he should have known better. “Mother, this is the Reverend Isaiah Treadwell and his wife, Esther. Reverend and Mrs. Treadwell, my mother, Lady Beckham, the Countess Shefley.”

  Lady Shefley acknowledged the introductions just as Evers announced dinner.

  Nate offered Dulcey his arm. “Shall we?”

  The reverend offered Lady Shefley his arm. She hesitated a moment but maybe, just maybe, she could talk with him and convince him how wrong this marriage was.

  Nate had Dulcey on his right, his mother on his left, with Mrs. Treadwell next to his mother, and the reverend at Dulcey’s side.

  Dinner talk consisted of talk about the wedding.

  Lady Shefley tried to deter the talk, saying it should not be entered into so quickly, but Mrs. Treadwell appeared to be a romantic and thought this was the best thing. They were definitely not going to be of any help to her in stopping this fiasco from taking place.

  Nate watched how well Dulcey got along with the reverend and his wife. Her manners were impeccable. But then he had seen that from the beginning. How could his mother ever think Dulcey could not hold her own in London was beyond him? It was not something they were considering anytime soon, anyway. If Dulcey did not want to go to London, he was more than content with that.

  Lady Shefley could no longer be quiet. She had to ask. The reverend was a man of the cloth. Surely, he had something to say about her status. Since he lived in the area, he knew she was a witch.

  “Reverend Treadwell, since you have known Dulcey for such a long time, what is your opinion on these claims she is a witch?” Lady Shefley asked innocently.

  Nate wanted to reach across the table and shake her. His eyes narrowed threateningly at her. How dare she do this?

  The Reverend looked at the Countess, confused for a moment. “Lady Dulcey has never been considered a witch,” stated Isaiah emphatically.

  Mrs. Treadwell asked. “Do you mean, Lady Dulcey’s healing ways or her gift of seeing into one’s future? Yes, we all know about that. I can’t see how that wo
uld make Lady Dulcey a witch. I think it makes Lady Dulcey, very special.” She had always thought so. She knew Lady Dulcey had doubts about her gift but she and Isaiah had firmly believed Lady Dulcey was a special child of the Lord.

  “Yes,” agreed Reverend Treadwell. “Our Lady Dulcey is very special. I have counseled her many times how this was a gift from God. She has always used her gift for good. There was nothing wrong or evil about it. It has worried her for many a year, but I have assured her time and time again, she is a special child of God for he would have not blessed her so.”

  “But some have called her a witch,” continued Lady Shefley. “Her parents were burned because of it.”

  Both the Reverend and his wife gasped. “Is this true, Lady Dulcey?” asked the Reverend.

  Dulcey hung her head. Why had the Countess brought this up? Now, the Treadwells would know her dark secret from her past. “I’m afraid Lady Shefley speaks the truth. Lord James explained it all to me in his letter.”

  Reverend Treadwell placed his hand over hers on the table. “Oh, my poor dear, how terrible to learn such news!”

  Mrs. Treadwell asked, “Oh, my dear, I heartily agree. How terrible! What happened? Surely they must have misunderstood what happened.”

  Dulcey looked up to see Lady Shefley smiling smugly. She was determined to have everyone know her past. She would do or say anything to accomplish her downfall. Dulcey could feel it, like hundreds of tiny arrows being shot at her. She was afraid it would never end.

  “It seems the new vicar’s wife died and the vicar blamed my mother. He called her a witch and burned their house down. My father was able to get me out but when he went in for my mother, the house collapsed,” explained Dulcey.

  She could not look at anyone, including Nate. The forces said Nate was safe, but what if her forces were wrong. She had not been able to trust them of late.

  “Oh, my poor dear, no wonder you have questioned your gift. You are no witch. I have watched you grow. You are a special child of God whom he has given very special gifts. All of us are given special gifts by the good Lord. How we use those given gifts for good or bad is up to us. My dear, you have always used your gifts for good. I will not consider any other explanations. I don’t care what some people say. You, my dear have a good and kind heart.” stated the Reverend firmly.

  “Yes, my dear, I so heartily agree. That poor vicar must have been so distraught with the death of his wife, he did not understand what he was saying or doing. You must not allow that one incident to color your gift. Everyone here knows you have always done good, my dear,” stated Mrs. Treadwell. She could now understand Dulcey’s reluctance to admit to these special gifts of hers.

  Lady Shefley wanted to scream in vexation. Didn’t these simple country folk understand what kind of havoc this knowledge would cause, if it became common knowledge in London? Her son’s life would be ruined. This woman was a witch, no matter what these stupid country people said or believed. Dulcey, no doubt, had them under a spell as well.

  Nate watched his mother’s plans to discredit Dulcey amongst her friends totally fall apart. He could see how vexed his mother was.

  He smiled and turned to the good reverend. “I, too, have told Dulcey this several times. I am so glad to hear that you so agree with me. Her gifts are special, just as she is.”

  “You are most correct, my lord. Our Lady Dulcey is a most special lady as are her gifts,” said Reverend.

  Before any more could be said, Abby burst in followed closely by Miss Franny. “Are you talking about the wedding yet, ‘cause I’m going to wear my yellow dress. Dulcey said so. She said you would tell me what I’m supposed to do.”

  “Abigail Beckham where are your manners. You do not interrupt!” admonished Lady Shefley.

  Abigail stopped dead in her tracks and looked down at the floor.

  “Who is the lovely young child?” asked Mrs. Treadwell. She glanced at Lady Shefley and thought poor child.

  Dulcey looked at the Countess. Why did this woman always berate this child? “Abby, come here. This is the Reverend Treadwell and his wife Mrs. Treadwell. This is Abigail Beckham, Nate’s niece and ward.”

  Abby came to Dulcey’s side and stood between Nate and Dulcey but looked tentatively at her grandmother. She looked to Dulcey. “I just wanted to hear about the wedding.”

  Nate laughed. “She has been so excited since we have told her about the wedding.” He gave his mother a look that warned her not to say anything more.

  “Of course,” replied Reverend Treadwell. He had two daughters but they were grown and married. He remembered how excited little girls got about weddings. “You said your dress was yellow. Yellow is a very pretty color, is it not Esther?”

  “Oh, yes, yellow is a very good color for a wedding, especially for a flower girl, my dear. You do know the flower girl is very important to a wedding, a very important help to the bride,” explained Mrs. Treadwell.

  Abby eyes grew big with awe and excitement. She looked to Dulcey.

  “Yes, Poppet. I told you I needed your help,” said Dulcey with a smile.

  She looked to her Uncle Nate who smiled and nodded. “What am I supposed to do?” she asked.

  “You are a very important person. You will walk in front of Lady Dulcey and scatter flower petals on the floor before her,’ explained Mrs. Treadwell.

  Abby smiled. “I can do that.”

  “Yes, Abby, you can, that is why I asked you to do this for me,” said Dulcey.

  “And you will stand on the altar at Lady Dulcey’s side while she marries Lord Beckham,” explained Mrs. Treadwell again. “You can hold her flowers during the ceremony.”

  “I can do that, too,” answered Abby nodding.

  Such a pleasant child, thought Esther Treadwell. She could see how attached the child and Dulcey were to each other. She smiled. She had always thought Dulcey would make a wonderful mother. She was happy Dulcey would now be able to experience such joy. And this child

  would have such a kind and loving person in her life.

  “Well, my dear, have Lady Dulcey bring you the church on Sunday for service and afterwards, I can show you exactly how to do it,” suggested Mrs. Treadwell.

  Abby looked at Dulcey for an answer.

  Dulcey in turned looked at Nate. “I think that is an excellent idea,” said Nate. He, too, was wondering, what he would have to do. He had not attended very many weddings himself. He had avoided them for the most part.

  “Good, then we shall see all of you at church on Sunday,” stated Reverend Treadwell.

  “I think it’s time for bed, Poppet,” said Nate. He could see his mother getting irritated and he did not want a scene. “Now you know what your duties are for the wedding.”

  Abby nodded. “But Dulcey hasn’t told me my story about the fairies. Dulcey knows the fairies. They teached her about her medicines.” Abby suddenly put her hands over her lips, her eyes wide. “It’s supposed to be a secret.”

  The Reverend tried very hard not to laugh. This child reminded him very much of his own Elizabeth. “It’s very important to keep secrets. But this secret is safe with us. I have thought for a very long time Lady Dulcey has had some help. Fairies can be very big help.”

  “Do you believe in fairies? Grandmother doesn’t,” said Abby matter of factly, looking at her grandmother.

  Nate could see his mother was uncomfortable with the question. He smiled.

  Reverend Treadwell looked at the Countess. “With some people it is hard for them to believe. For some people like us, it is hard not to believe.”

  Lady Shefley had had enough of this talk. “It is your bedtime Abigail. Miss Bennett, please take Abigail back to the nursery.”

  “But Dulcey needs to tell me my story. She promised,” cried Abby.

  “Then by all means, she must keep her promise,” stated the Reverend.

  “How about we all retire to the drawing room Reverend and Mrs. Treadwell? Dulcey can join us after her story,” suggested Nate.<
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  “Excellent idea, my lord. Good evening to you, Miss Abby,” replied Reverend Treadwell.

  “Yes, my dear, go hear your story about fairies. Pleasant dreams,” said Mrs. Treadwell with a smile.

  Dulcey rose. “I shan’t be long,” she told her quests. She took Abby’s small hand in hers.

  “Take your time, my dear,” said the Reverend, as he and Nate rose.

  Dulcey smiled. She and Franny escorted Abby upstairs. Dulcey made her story a little shorter than usual, in order to join the guests downstairs.

  Dulcey walked into the drawing room to a strained atmosphere. She could see the Reverend and Mrs. Treadwell appeared agitated and the Countess appeared smug. Nate looked like he wanted to shake his mother.

  “Lord Beckham, it has been a most interesting evening. We look forward to seeing you at services this Sunday,” stated Reverend Treadwell as he rose from his seat on the green brocade sofa. He offered his hand to his wife and assisted her to her feet.

  “Yes, Lord Beckham. It will be our pleasure to assist you and Lady Dulcey with all the preparations for your wedding. We look forward to it. It has been a pleasure to meet you, Lord Beckham, Lady Shefley,” replied Mrs. Treadwell with a smile.

  Nate rose to accompany them out. “The pleasure has been ours. We look forward to Sunday. We appreciate all your help with the wedding ceremony.”

  Dulcey waited at the door as they joined her. “Yes, thank you, so very much, Reverend and Mrs. Treadwell.” Dulcey took Nate’s arm as they escorted the Treadwells to the door.

  At the door, Mrs. Treadwell kissed Dulcey on the cheek and whispered in her ear, “Patience dear. She will come around.” She looked back to the drawing room.

  Dulcey nodded and smiled. She stood with Nate at the door and watched as the Reverend and Mrs. Treadwell’s carriage drove away. At the bottom of the stairs, Dulcey sighed and leaned her head against Nate’s shoulder. The mental strain of having to deal with Lady Shefley was taking its toll. “It seemed rather strained when I came back from telling Abby her bedtime story.”