by Hunt, Brenda
“Uncle Colin,” cried Abby as she ran to Worth’s open arms.
Dulcey watched as the Duke of Worthingston gathered Abby in his arms. He was taller than Nate, a little heavier than Nate as well, but it appeared to be all muscle. His hair was light brown with streaks of gold. He wore it brushed back from his face, a face that supported a square stubborn jaw, a long narrow nose above thin narrow lips. His clear brown eyes held flecks of gold and at the moment twinkled with joy as he held Abby in his arms.
Dulcey smiled. He cared about Abby, just as Nate did. That was good for Abby.
“Uncle Nate said you brought him a present. Did you bring one for me, too?” she asked.
“Abigail, you do not ask for presents. It is not proper for a young lady to ask for presents,” admonished Lady Shefley.
Worth could feel the joy leave Abby’s small body in his arms. It took every bit of his control not to turn and give the Countess the tongue lashing he was known for. Instead, he turned and looked at the Countess with narrowed eyes.
“Mother, Abby is but a child. I beg you to remember that,” said Nate. Why did she continue with this type of behavior?
Worth raised Abby’s chin till she looked him in the eye. “Yes, Poppet, I would not come to see you without a present but I am afraid you will have to wait for it. I packed it in my carriage and my carriage will not arrive until tomorrow,” he explained.
“Can you tell me what it is?” she asked. Uncle Colin had brought her a present, too.
“Now, it wouldn’t be a surprise then would it?” replied Worth.
Abby pouted for a minute then she caught sight of Dulcey. “Uncle Nate’s getting married. I’m going to be in the wedding. I’m going to be Dulcey’s flower girl.” she explained as he put her down beside him.
“I’ll tell you a secret,” said Worth. Abby looked at him. “I’m going to be Uncle Nate’s best man.”
Abby nodded but had to ask, “What are you going to do? I’m going to put rose petals for Dulcey to walk on and then I’m going to hold her flowers.”
“You, Poppet, have a very important part in this wedding. All I have to do is stand next to your Uncle Nate,” replied Worth, happy to see Abby excited about the wedding.
Abby frowned. “That’s all.” Poor Uncle Colin, he didn’t have a very important job at all.
Nate laughed. “My love, this is the man who was so kind as to procure for us the special license and was good enough to bring it to us himself. This is Colin Hallwell, Duke of Worthingston.”
Dulcey curtsied as Lord Fergers had instructed her to when being presented to a duke. “Your grace.”
Worth smiled as he looked into the greenest eyes he had ever seen. She did have that pixie look about her. No wonder, Abby called her a fairy. He saw the look on Nate’s face as he looked at her, but most important he saw, how Dulcey looked at Nate. The love shone bright from both of them But as important as that was, he had watched from the door the look on Abby’s face as she looked at her fairy. He could see the love between the two. That was very important to him.
Worth took her hand in his and brought it to his lips and just brushed the top of her hand. “Family and friends do not observe the formality, my dear. Please I am Colin or Worth.”
Dulcey smiled as he took her hand. She could feel so many swirls of the forces around him. This man exuded power. It surrounded him but Dulcey could see through it to man underneath. Here was a man capable of strong loving. “Lord Worth.”
Worth smiled. “No, just Worth, my dear.”
Dulcey returned his smile. Here before her stood an ally. From the feelings, she could feel from Lady Shefley, she and Worth did not get along. It would be nice to have a duke of the realm on their side.
Evers was at the door, “Shall I serve tea now, Lady Dulcey?”
Dulcey looked up and smiled, “Yes, please, Evers.”
“Very well,” replied Evers as he pushed the tea cart in. He brought it to Dulcey’s side.
Dulcey sat on the green brocade sofa. Nate joined her. Worth took the big gold winged chair at the side of the sofa. Abby sat on his lap. The countess sat across from them separated as though off on her own.
Worth observed as Dulcey poured tea and her interaction with Abby. Nate was right. He could see the loving relationship between the two of them.
Worth accepted his cup of tea and waited till everyone had their cup when he asked Abby, “What’s this about fairies? Nate tells me-----“
“Uncle Nate, it’s a secret. Dulcey talks to the fairies. They teached her about the medicines.”
“Taught Abigail, not teached,” corrected Lady Shefley tersely. Here they were talking about fairies again. Did Worth know this Dulcey woman was a witch?
Abigail gave her grandmother a disgruntled look. “Do you believe in fairies?” asked Abby. “Uncle Nate and Dulcey does. But grandmother says they are not real.”
“What do you believe Abby?” asked Worth. He had noticed the worrisome look that crossed Dulcey face. Was she afraid he would judge her? He smiled.
“I believe in fairies. They helped Dulcey find me and make Uncle Nate better,” explained Abby.
“Then, Poppet, I believe, because if they help Dulcey with all of that, they must be real.” Worth looked to Lady Shefley. He could tell she did not like this conversation and smiled.
“They are, cause, look Uncle Colin, Dulcey gave me this necklace. The fairies catched the moonbeams and put them in the necklace,” explained Abby, as she pulled the pendant away from her dress to show him.
Worth took the small pendant in his fingers. It was rather old looking. Something, no doubt, Dulcey must have had. For her to give it to Abby, said much to him. “Moonbeams. Then this is a special necklace indeed.” He looked to Dulcey who smiled. Yes, she was going to be good for Abby.
Nate grabbed Dulcey hand that lay on the couch between them and held it. He rubbed the palm of her hand with his fingers. It sent shivers to that part deep inside of her. Dulcey looked up to him and smiled. Nate could feel her response. He was pleased Worth had accepted Dulcey. He had had such a difficult time from his mother. It was such a relief to have someone supporting his relationship with Dulcey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supper proved to be a delightful affair since the Countess had sent her regards saying she would not be coming down due to a migraine.
Worth sat at her left. Dulcey found herself between him and Nate. He entertained her with stories of the escapades, he and Grayson often found themselves in and how often Nate accompanied them, rather tagged along. Dulcey could not help but laugh. She was learning a whole different side of her husband to be.
Nate tried to halt some of the stories but to no avail, so began adding to them from is point of view.
“Do you remember that time when Grayson brought you to that brothel in--------” started Worth.
Nate shook his head. “Don’t you dare tell that story Worth,” warned Nate.
Dulcey looked from one to the other. Worth had that look of pure mischief about him. Nate had a look of desperation on his face. She could almost swear there was a touch of blush to his cheeks. What was this about, she wondered.
Worth held up his hands in surrender, then turned, leaned over to Dulcey and touched her hand. “Ask him, my dear, about Bristol,” stated Worth, with a conspiratorial wink.
Dulcey smiled at him and then closed her eyes. The forces about him were strong. They showed her a path for him. He was a powerful man very used to getting his way. Of being in control of all things about him, but he was about to meet his match. His life was about to change and he was going to be embroiled in a merry chase. She opened her eyes and looked from Worth to Nate and back again.
“You were gone for a long moment, my love,” stated Nate. He had never seen her go off like that. No, yes he had. Just before they left that first time from her cottage, she had gotten that look, that far away look.
Dulcey smiled and looked from one to the other. “I am sorry. Y
our forces were strong Worth, when you touched my hand.”
Worth shrugged slightly, but was curious. “And you saw something?”
Dulcey smiled. “I saw something or I should say someone in your near future.”
“A special someone,” asked Nate, curious.
Dulcey nodded.
Worth laughed. “All this talk of love and weddings has you seeing such things as that for everyone.”
Dulcey laughed softly. He wasn’t the first to not believe her. “She is going to give you a merry chase, your grace. But eventually you will get her attention. Hair of red comes across.”
Worth looked at her through narrowed eyes, then shook his head and laughed heartily. “Should be interesting and when will all of this happen?” he asked. He thought back on any acquaintances but none with red hair stood out. He would play along with her fortune telling. Others may believe in such things. He was a realist and did not.
“I’m not sure, but I would think soon because the force was strong,” explained Dulcey. She smiled. She would enjoy when the time came and she would be able to remind him of this conversation in the future.
Worth looked to Nate who shrugged. “This is new to me, as well,” he replied.
Dulcey smiled. “Gentlemen, excuse me. I will leave you to your drinks. I believe our Abby will be most upset, if I do not go upstairs and tell her a bedtime story. I have promised her.” She rose as did Nate and Worth. She turned to Worth, “Good night, your grace. I am so very glad that you have come.”
Worth nodded. “Good night, Dulcey. I am most pleased to be here.”
Dulcey stopped at Nate’s side. He touched her cheek with his hand then leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “Good night, my love.”
Worth watched the exchange and envied his friend. To have a woman look at him like that was a dream, but not one for him. He knew he had to marry to ensure the continuation of the family with an heir but he had resigned himself, in all likelihood it would be a marriage of convenience. He would not have a love match such as this.
Then he remembered her words just moments earlier. “Hair of red.” He smiled. If only what she said came true but he knew better.
Nate watched Dulcey walk away. He would never tire of watching her walk, of watching the sway of her hips. He could feel himself responding. Soon, he told himself. He turned to Worth with a smile.
“You’re a lucky man, my friend. She is a special young woman,” said Worth.
Nate nodded. “I heartily agree.” Then he added with a chuckle, “Seems you’re about to find yours, too."
Worth laughed. “We shall see. We shall see.”
Chapter 15
And now fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee,…
The Riddling Knight
Traditional English
The days to the wedding sped by. The atmosphere in the house changed with the Duke’s arrival. The Countess for the most part was quiet, at least when the Duke was present. Yet, Dulcey could feel the forces about her influenced by the Countess’s malice. Dulcey felt there were eyes in the hall, watching her, constantly watching. The forces about her told her so, but who it was, was not clear. It was time such as these, she sometimes wished her power was not a hit or miss thing. At times such as these, Dulcey had decided long ago, it did her no good, to force the seeing. No matter how desperately she wanted to see, it was best to allow it to show itself.
They all attended church services. Dulcey introduced Nate and Worth to all of the locals who it seemed filled the church, curious in meeting the new Baron especially after having gotten invitations to the wedding breakfast for the Twelfth Ninth celebration. After services, the Reverend Treadwell and his wife went over the wedding ceremony. Abby took her part in the wedding very seriously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The morning of the wedding shone brightly. The temperature had warmed to nearly spring like. Peggy had brought her breakfast earlier, but Dulcey had been too nervous to eat very much. After a quick bath with Peggy’s help, she had dressed. She had chosen a dress of cream colored silk with roses embroidered in a slightly darker hue along the bottom with tiny vines and leaves of dark hunter green. Embroidered roses embellished the puffed tops of the long slender sleeves, as well as the fitted bodice. The back of the dress lengthened to a short train, the embroidered roses hemmed it and ascended up the middle.
Peggy had braided her hair and wrapped around her head like a coronet with soft tendrils allowed loose to frame her face. A ring of small cream colored flowers adorned the top of her head with several long ribbons of cream hung from the back. A string of perfectly matched cream colored pearls hung about her neck, a gift from Lord----Uncle James for her sixteenth birthday.
Dulcey stared at herself in the long mirror. The young woman who stared back at her was beautiful. The colors that surrounded her were colors of joy and happiness. She smiled at her reflection. She turned to Peggy.
Peggy had tears in her eyes. “Oh, my lady, you look just like an angel, you do. Lord James would be so proud.”
For a moment, Dulcey eyes teared. Yes, he would have loved this, she thought. She had felt his presence, ever since she had awakened earlier. Her hand went automatically to the pearls around her neck. She smiled.
Abby burst into the room with Franny close on her heels. Both stopped, as Dulcey turned to face them. Abby’s eyes were big round orbs, her mouth hung open. “Oh, Dulcey you look like a fairy princess.”
Franny stopped in awe, too. “Miss Abby is correct, Lady Dulcey. You do look like a fairy princess.”
Dulcey smiled and looked Abby over. “Poppet, you look like the perfect flower girl. You do know, I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Everybody’d gone to the church. It’s just us left,” informed Abby matter of factly.
“Then I suppose it is time for us to leave,” replied Dulcey as she grabbed hold of the small posey of roses from her bed. The roses in the conservatory had bloomed as though they knew they would be needed for the wedding.
Dulcey and Abby walked down the stairs. Franny and Peggy followed.
Evers stood at the bottom of the stairs, a lump in his throat. He offered his hand to aide her down the last few stairs. “You carriage awaits, my lady. You look beautiful, my lady.” His voice crackled with emotion. He had been the only one to know of Dulcey’s history from the beginning. Lord James had entrusted him with that secret from the day he brought her back from Wales. He had been entrusted with the job of making certain every visitor who came to Brandanlyn was not after doing harm to the child. That small child had turned into a very beautiful lady, both on the inside as well as the outside.
Dulcey smiled. Evers had always been there. He was a trusted friend as well as servant. She allowed him to drape the softest wool cloak of darkest green about her shoulders. She wanted to say something but the words caught in her throat making speech impossible.
Evers nodded. “Everything is ready for your return as the new Countess.”
Dulcey nodded. Evers had not allowed her to see the grand ballroom, the staff had prepared for her wedding breakfast. He had explained, the staff had wished to surprise her. It was to be their wedding present to her and Nate.
He escorted her to the waiting carriage. It was a black shiny coach with the Shefley crest emblazed on its side. Dulcey found the interior to be opulent. The softest of benches alighted the inside covered in brown velvet. Abby followed as did Miss Franny.
Dulcey thought she would be nervous but she was not. A peace settled upon her. She was marrying the part of her soul, the part that made her whole, the part she never realized had been missing until she met Nate. The forces about her were calm and gentle. Dulcey listened to Abby prattle on about the wedding and her part. The ride to the church seemed to take forever yet, at the same time, Dulcey suddenly found herself outside the church.
Several of the townsfolk were waiting for her outside the church. Abby and Miss Franny disembarked. With the help of Mr. Kinley, Dulcey alighted fr
om the carriage. Many of the people curtsied as she passed them. She smiled at the respect they gave her. She saw Mary out to the side. When she rose from her curtsy, she gave Dulcey a broad smile and big wink. Dulcey smiled back at her.
Mrs. Treadwell awaited them at the door of the church. She led Dulcey off to the side. Mr. Kinley assisted her with her cloak while Mrs. Treadwell gave Abby her instructions again. Abby gave Dulcey a look, smiled, turned and began her walk down the aisle dropping rose petals on the floor.
Mr. Kinley offered her his arm. “My dear?”
She nodded. She had asked him to walk with her. It only seemed like the right thing to do. As they stepped on the aisle, Dulcey saw the church was filled. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the altar where Nate stood next to Worth waiting. He was dressed in a dark chocolate brown coat. His pants and waistcoat were cream colored to match her dress.
Dulcey’s breath caught in her throat for a moment. This handsome man at the altar, in moments from now, would become her husband, for all of eternity. She smiled with joy bursting in her heart. She felt Lord James’ presence in the church walking beside her as much as Mr. Kinley was at her side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nate stood at the altar not nervous but impatient for the ceremony to take place. In his heart and soul, Dulcey was already his wife. This would only make it official to the rest of the world. He watched Abby walk down the aisle, dropping her rose petals and smiled. Abby took her place, just as she had rehearsed. He pulled edge of his waistcoat for what seemed to be the hundredth time. The hush of the church alerted him and he looked up.
There stood Dulcey on Mr. Kinley’s arm at the end of the aisle. A beam of sunlight streamed through one of the stained glass windows directly on her. He would have sworn in that moment his heart stopped beating and when it began beating again it wanted to burst out his chest. His chest tightened, his lungs could not be appeased. She looked like one of those fairy princesses she described to Abby in her bedtime stories.