Here I introduce a character of my own, thrown in for pure entertainment. Set during Mollie's first Christmas. Sorry if I screwed the time line a bit, just go with it.
Enjoy!
Summary: Sir Fleming just wishes to be friends, but apparently, that's asking for a little too much.
Millie's playing a game she doesn't quite know how to play.
By all accounts, she's confused by this young man's interest in her. She isn't pretty like Elizabeth and Henrietta, and although she's questioned him on it, he carries no interest for her pretty inheritance. He thinks he has enough money on his own.
He also doesn't have much interest in magic – his own, he finds hers quite dashing – as he has no real talent in it. He just seems like a normal boy, and while he doesn't quite impress the way the Christopher does, she'd be lying if she said he wasn't handsome.
What is most confusing is his decided interest in her. Despite from her friends at the castle, she's unused to this sort of attention. It's pleasant, but at the same time, just as strange.
He's part of the massive family present at Chrestomanci Castle over the Christmas holiday. While Millie would still believe this is a heathen holiday, she finds the overall spirit quite pleasant. In fact, everyone is so jolly, she can't help but to catch the fervor as well.
Henrietta and Elizabeth take her to town to buy gifts with some money she's saved up from allowances. At the castle, they teach her to wrap each parcel in pretty paper and a bow. When she's done, she goes to place them under the tree, and when she stands, she finds Fleming there to stand beside her.
"Presents?" He guesses, and she nods. He smiles brightly at her, telling her to hold on a second. He fishes down into his pocket and pulls out a small box. "For you." He says, smiling bashfully.
She takes it from his hands gingerly, still confused. "I thought the presents were supposed to be given on Christmas morning." She says to him. He nods, but then shrugs. "I thought it'd be good now."
Deciding that is a good enough excuse, she curiously opens the small box. Inside is a necklace made of small stringed pearls. Nothing dashing, but it's beautiful and sweet.
Smiling gratefully, she takes his hand and promises a gift in return. He shakes his head, saying that she didn't have to, but she insists. "I want to." She tells him, smiling at her first gift.
Later, before dinner, she's fastening the necklace when a knock comes at her door. "Come in." She calls, already sure she knows who it is. In saunters Christopher, looking quite something in his special green suit with frills and cuffs. "Are you ready yet, Millie?" He questions, placing that vague look of boredom on his face.
She rolls his eyes, knowing his act when she sees it. "Yes." She says, smoothing at her dress. She steps towards him, stopping when he won't lift his eyes from her.
"What?" She asks, wondering if there is something on her face.
"Where'd you get that necklace?" He asks curiously. Just as well, as he was the one who seemed to know her wardrobe and choice of jewelry from the inside out.
"It was a Christmas gift." She explains to him, touching the pearl necklace. "From Sir Fleming." She adds, feeling a little idiotic when she can't keep the smile off of her face.
Christopher stares at her for a moment longer, then, without warning, turns and marches away. She knows that walk, the strut he uses when he's upset or his ego has taken a blow. She calls out to him to tell her what in the world is wrong, but he doesn't hesitate.
She sighs, giving up. Understanding Christopher was a task too large for her, so she simply runs after him as fast as her dress will allow.
#1 in the Jealousy series! If you can't guess, there will obviously be others, and while Fleming won't appear in all, he will definitely be a guest star.
