A Drakenfall Christmas: A Novel

by Geralyn Corcillo

  Then Maisy let him go and tore past him, running into the back passage.

  Chapter 29: Daisy May Clay

  Mark stood there, stunned, as his wife ran away from him. He walked back to the whispering couple. “Mr. and Mrs. … Clay?”

  Nay Daisy May Clay.

  Or née Daisy May Clay. Maisy Potter had been born Daisy May Clay.

  The man nodded.

  “Yes,” the woman said.

  “Welcome,” Mark said, but this time his smile was sad.

  “Lord Shiley,” Glynis called, coming up behind him. She had seen Maisy tearing through the snow into the night in her Christmas ball gown, without boots, coat, or rational provocation.

  “Glynis,” he said, forestalling anything she had to say. But then he stopped talking, hit by how breathtaking she looked in a lush emerald gown that made her look like a queen. And her golden hair, usually reined in so tightly in her chignon, coiled intricately away from her face. “Uh .. you look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. But I just—”

  “This is Mr. and Mrs. Clay,” he cut in. “Maisy's parents. Please make them comfortable.” He turned to the couple. “This is Glynis Ferry, Drakenfall's house manager. You are in good hands. Excuse me.” He smiled at Glynis, looking her over for half a second. “Wow.”

  And he strode out of the front hall.

  As soon as he was in the back passage and out of sight, he ran as fast as he could to the east entrance and out into the night.

  But once he got so far from the house he could no longer discern Maisy's footprints or dress-trail in the dark, he stopped for the scantest of seconds and tapped the flashlight app on his phone. He continued in his pursuit of Maisy, though a bit more slowly as he followed the beam.

  The path he tracked didn't lead to any of the nearest outbuildings. Not to the garages, stables, or tool sheds. She was headed toward the farm animals. As he got closer to the small barns, he saw that she was in with the sheep. He followed the trail to the roughly hewn door, but before he even opened it, he heard her sobbing inside as if the whole village had been bombed.

  He opened the door as quietly as he could and stepped carefully inside. Maisy had thrown herself right into a mound of hay meant for the sheep to eat. A number of the animals just stood back, surrounding her, watching her. Wondering when she was going to get off their dinner. A few were getting bold enough to step close enough to the crying woman to munch at a few wayward blades. And Mark noticed that the hem of Maisy's gown was in imminent danger as he tried to catch his breath.

  But he just found it harder and harder to breathe as he watched her cry.

  “Oh, Maisy.” And he threw himself into the hay with her. He landed on his knees next to her. He bent over her shaking shoulders and covered her freezing skin with his body as he held her. “Maisy. Maisy. Please talk to me. You have to know, you have to, that it doesn't matter who your parents are! I love you. You. Maisy Potter-Prebys. YOU.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him, just one, quick, terrified glance before she buried her head in her arms and cried even harder.

  Mark pulled her up then, into sitting position, holding her close. “Maisy, it doesn't matter to me that when you were born, you were given the name Daisy May Clay.”

  “You know?” she wailed. “Did they tell you?”

  “No. They haven't said anything. I found the envelope. Nay Daisy May Clay.”

  “You found it?”

  “When I was looking for a place to hide your Christmas present.”

  Maisy cringed away from him. “Did you look inside?”

  “No. Of course not. I just stumbled across the envelope in the drawer.”

  “So you knew I was hiding something,” she whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “But you didn't look?”

  “No.”

  She looked at him then, her eyes shining with wonder … and heartbreak. “Mark ...” But she couldn't continue.

  “Maisy,” he said, pulling her to him and hugging her hard. “When we met, I didn't tell you everything about my real name.”

  But Maisy was shaking her head. “It's not that.” She pulled away and looked him squarely in the face. “It's not that they're my parents or that I was Daisy May Clay until I was eighteen. Mark, they make me feel awful. They can do that to me. I'm still not free of them.”

  “How can you be? Ever? They're your parents.”

  “But when I was growing up … my childhood …” She looked down. “Mark, they're … dogging me and trying to make me feel bad and guilty. They've done it before. When I sold Mystic Gyld to Gaming It and made all that money, I thought that would be the end. I tried to end it. I bought them a house, gave them money. I said we were done. I walked away.”

  Mark ran a thumb under her wet eyes, across her wet cheeks. “Maisy.” And his voice was so soft, so gentle.

  Maisy met his eyes. “But now look at me. I'm a sobbing wreck. One stupid card from them and I start quivering like a rabbit and hiding things from you. And then they show up and … and ...” She gripped his hands. “I'm not strong enough, Mark. I don't belong at Drakenfall.”

  Mark's eyes bugged out in something like terror. “Don't belong?”

  “I don't deserve to be here. I'm not strong like Pippa, who walked away and survived. And I'm sure as hell not strong like you. You always know who you are. You stand so tall and proud. Sometimes I feel that way. And since I came to Drakenfall, I feel that way most of the time. But I've still got this kryptonite in my life.”

  “Maisy—”

  “I haven't been strong enough to shake it off. I thought I was. When I went to college, I never went back. I legally changed my name. And when I bought them the house, I thought that part of my life, the really unhappy part, was behind me. But they're back. They make me miserable. And I don't know how to get rid of them.”

  “Maisy ...” He looked into her watery eyes, desperate for her to understand. “Maisy, I was lucky. I never knew the father who wanted nothing to do with me. I have no idea how I would have handled him if I'd had to. But I have a mother who's strong and bold and she loved me fiercely and she never let me near that knobhead. I was lucky.”

  Maisy sniffed. “But Pippa wasn't lucky. She was sixteen and homeless. But she's strong. She's a winner. All on her own.”

  “On her own? Maisy, the day I met Pippa I wanted to adopt her, swear to God. She's a survivor, no kidding. But she's not on her own. Not anymore. She found us, just like you did. She's part of the Drakenfall family. Just like you. And none of us, not one single one of us, ever has to be on our own again. Ever. What you bring to Drakenfall is immeasurable. And there isn't one person here that would let you go.”

  Maisy sniffed again.

  “You're Maisy Potter-Prebys. That is the woman you choose to be, the woman you are. The woman I love. You have a past. A past that can reach into your life and hurt you. But we can handle it, Maisy. You and me. And everyone at Drakenfall. We can handle anything.”

  “They'll poison Drakenfall.”

  Mark shook his head. “We won't let them.” He ran his hand up her neck, cupped her cheek. “You don't have to fight them yourself. You've got me. And Glynis. And Pippa and Kafi and Cook and Mrs. Browning and Kendrick and everyone. We are your family. We love you. And you love us.”

  “Mark.” She sank into him and held him tight.

  “And maybe we won't have to fight them off,” he murmured into her ear. “Maybe they won't try to make trouble.”

  Maisy shook her head. “Then it means caving to them. You don't know them like I do.”

  Mark ran a hand up and down her back. “I'm not doubting you, not for a second. But maybe they've mellowed. Or maybe Drakenfall will bludgeon them into acquiescence.” Mark pushed Maisy away from him so he could look into her eyes. “It breaks my heart that they make you so unhappy. But we'll deal with them together. With an army behind us. Please, Maisy. As long as we're together, we can do anything. You belong at Drakenfall. A
nd if anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have all of Drakenfall and Tippingstock to answer to.”

  Maisy's face crumpled into tears again. “Really?”

  “God, yes, Maisy. Yes. Never doubt the strength and love of all of us. Ever.”

  They fell sideways then, back into the sheep's dinner, holding onto one another for dear life. Both felt exhausted and spent, as if they'd survived some great deluge.

  When one hungry beast began nipping at Maisy's shoes, she stirred. “We better go.” She sat up, pulling Mark with her. “We've got an evening with kids a LOT less lucky than me and we've got some serious work to do.”

  “God, I love you, Maisy.” Mark hugged her one more time.

  He took her hand and led her out of the pen. He went to one cupboard, opened it, took out a clean towel and gave it to Maisy to wipe her face and blow her nose. And as Maisy did that, he went into the feed room where he got a fresh bale and unleashed it for the sheep to devour.

  When they stepped out of the sheep house into the bitter cold, Mark whipped off his tuxedo jacket to cover Maisy's bare skin.

  As she slipped her arms into the sleeves, Mark nudged her. “Look.”

  Maisy glanced up and saw the Rover idling about fifty yards away, with someone standing just near the hood.

  “Oy!” young Kendrick called.

  Maisy laughed and took Mark's hand.

  “See?” he said. “We've got your back.”

  As they walked toward him, Kendrick hopped into the car and drove down to get them.

  Chapter 30: The Disquieting Glynis Ferry

  Glynis bustled around the sitting room in the southwest corner of the house, making Mr. and Mrs. Clay feel as welcome as any cherished guests. The room was small, pastel, and cozy, with colours neutral enough not to be cloying but rich enough not to be austere. The room was seldom used, and was, in fact, kept in reserve for just such dire situations when the utmost privacy was desired. And with its small but well appointed bathroom, it suited perfectly for events of some duration. In years past, Jamie Tovell's father had often conducted business in the very room.

  Glynis handed Mr. and Mrs. Clay their plates of cake and sandwiches. Roast beef and tomato or turkey and pickle or ham and cheese, all with copious daubs of the mayonnaise Maisy liked so much. The coffee was hot and the juice chilled.

  “Please,” Glynis said, sitting in the chair across from where they sat on the couch. “Relax and eat up. All you want. And believe me when I tell you that you can relax. It's true that we don't know much about you as Maisy doesn't often speak of her family or her past. But whatever your relationship, I can tell you this: it is Christmas at Drakenfall. So there will be good will and welcome. Phineas has retrieved your luggage from the front steps and all is well. Now please, eat your fill. After a trip from America? You must be famished.”

  “Ms. Ferry?”

  Glynis turned to the door and saw Finola standing there, curtsying briskly. “Mrs. Browning needs you in the kitchen. Uh … now.”

  “Oh, Mrs. Browning is feeling better—how wonderful!” Glynis turned back to Maisy's parents with a smile. “Please excuse me.” And she hurried out of the room.

  But when Glynis stepped into the passage, she could see no trace of Finola. Just then, strong arms snatched her back into the corner of the hall.

  And Glynis found herself facing Mr. Shaun Fletcher. “Mr. Fletcher!”

  “Shhh.”

  “What are you doing?” But Glynis made this demand in a whisper.

  “Getting you out of there so those people can eat.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I heard you telling them to relax, but do you have any idea how hard it is to relax around you?” He stood back and looked her over, head to toe. “Uh … especially tonight. You look … like the Empress of Terabithia.”

  Glynis fumed. “Mr. Fletcher! Terabithia isn't an empire. It's a kingdom. What would Cheryl say about such shoddy attention to detail?”

  “Right. Sorry. You remember Cheryl?” His eyes lit up, then he looked her over again with decided appreciation. “But you do look … like it would be very hard to relax around you.”

  Glynis sucked in a sharp breath and … but … mmmm. … Mr. Shaun Fletcher smelled good. And he looked … nice. Haircut. Jacket. Dark trousers, corduroy but highly suitable. Neat shoes, not boots. “Well, you … look well turned out, too.”

  He shrugged. “It's a Christmas party. And even if I'm only working it, those kids from Grant Street deserve to know how special an occasion they make it.”

  Glynis parted her lips to say something, but what could she say to this man who just knew and understood the best things?

  So instead of saying anything, Glynis decided to just enjoy the heat of the moment. And so she moved right into him and kissed him. Perhaps he felt a jolt of surprise for a second, but it took only another second before Shaun's arms went around her, and he wrapped up her whole body with his. Glynis sank further into the kiss as he pulled her closer.

  But suddenly, they both got still, hearing at the same time the sound of people scurrying down the hall. So Mr. Shaun Fletcher let Glynis go, and she almost fell backwards, so unbalanced was she by the kiss. He reached out to catch her, but she sprang back from him. “What do you mean, it's hard to relax around me?”

  But then the footsteps were upon them.

  “Oh!” Pippa pulled up, surprised to see the pair of them outside the sitting room and dressed fancier than she'd ever seen them. “Glynis, we thought maybe we might find Maisy's parents some duds upstairs,” Pippa offered. “Get them feeling more comfortable for a ball. We can't find Mark or Maisy, so do you think we can just take them upstairs, see what we can find?”

  Glynis smiled. “Good idea. Mrs. Clay looks like she might be about Lady Shiley's size. Take her into Mark & Maisy's rooms and find something in Lady Shiley's closet. As for Mr. Clay, he's bigger than Mark …” Glynis crinkled her brow in thought for a few seconds. “The Tenth Baron. Mark's grandfather. He was a bigger man. I think his uniform from the war is in a chest in one of the attic rooms in the north wing. Right. Get going, both of you. See what you can find.”

  Chapter 31: On Deck in the Halls

  Kafi peered out the east door until he felt forced to shut out the cold night air. Mark and Maisy had disappeared into the darkness and that was bad. Not detrimental to the evening, Kafi knew. They had a solid crew and everyone was ticking along like clockwork. But something had to be wrong to make Kendrick drive off into the snow looking for Lord and Lady Shiley, who'd been spotted running around on a blustery night wearing nothing but their finest formal wear. What had so upset Maisy that she'd gone tearing off into the snow with Mark following her? Surely nothing to do with the project or Pippa?

  Oh, God. Kafi leaned back against the door.

  Lady Shiley had something else going on. All this time, she'd had something else plaguing her, yet she'd helped him. She'd been assisting him with his project and with bringing some cheer into Pippa's life. When something was upsetting her so much that she was abandoning the Drakenfall Christmas Ball.

  Kafi shook his head as he made his way down the back hall. And wasn't Mr. Tovell being just as generous with him? It was clear as spring dew that Jamie Tovell had a thing for Ms. Sinclair. But he'd brought her here to convince her, at worst, to back off and not interfere with the project. At best, to persuade her to back the job centre with her whole heart and full support. And perhaps tonight they would succeed in winning over Lea Sinclair. But Mr. Tovell wanted so much more from her than Kafi's project or any business proposal could net him. Yet here he was, helping Kafi make the night spectacular.

  Kafi hoped he could be as strong as Mr. Tovell and Lady Shiley someday. He hoped he would be able to sail forth in his career, making differences in people's lives, regardless of what inner turmoil he might be feeling. Because if tonight didn't work on Pippa, if she still didn't see ...

  “Hey.” Fletcher came up behind him and clapped him on the shoulder.<
br />
  Kafi turned around. “Hey. Stables all set?”

  “Cozy and safe.”

  “The manger scene all set up?”

  “It's all perfect,” Fletcher assured him. “The kids eating dinner?”

  “Cook has their bellies warmed up and they're all as happy as can be.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Mark and Maisy?”

  “No word.”

  Kafi shook his head. “Poor Lady Shiley. What's happened to get her so spooked? Has she had some bad news?”

  Fletcher looked down. “Her … uh … parents are here. They arrived just before five.”

  Kafi turned his wide eyes to Fletcher. “What?” he hissed. “But she and her parents … they don't get on. She's never said much … but …”

  “Glyn—Ms. Ferry fed them and Pippa and Matt are finding them something to wear to the party.”

  Kafi shook his head, smiling. “Kill them with kindness, eh?”

  Fletcher smiled back. “There are worse ways to go.”

  They heard some bustling then from the kitchen. “That's me,” Kafi said. “Time to herd the kids into the sitting rooms for wardrobe.” But before he left, he looked right at Fletcher. “Wish me luck,” he said. And he meant it. He needed a touch of magic and he was asking Fletcher.

  “Good luck, Kafi.”

  “Thanks, man.” And he took off down the hall, twirling an imaginary lasso above his head.

  Chapter 32: Good-bye Daisy May

  Sandy Clay looked in the mirror. She had showered in her daughter's bathroom and put on some make-up from the things the girl Pippa had given her. So unfair that the stupid airline hadn't let her bring her own stuff! But all in all, what she was using wasn't bad. And that Finola had made her hair look nice. The girl had asked Sandy how she liked it, and then she'd helped her do it that way, instead of just fixing up whatever she thought was stylish. Finola hadn't acted like she worked at some stuck-up salon. No. Finola had been nice and respectful. And Pippa had been, too, finding them clothes to wear for some big ball. And not just cast off rags in a bin. Nice clothes.