Page 23 of Promises Made at Midnight
She widened her stance and was about to give a nasty retort when she saw her knight coming to her rescue. He just didn’t realize he was about to do so, and she was more than happy to have Ulrick put Godfrey in his place.
CHAPTER16
Ulrick rose from the tub whilst a squire poured rinsing water over his head. The lad finished and stepped down from the stool to hand him a drying cloth. Ulrick thanked the boy, dismissing him. The lad gave a curt bow and hastily left the chamber. Rubbing the cloth over his furred chest and the rest of his body, he went to his bed and began donning his attire.
He paused momentarily when he reached for the tunic he had chosen to wear this eve. ’Twas one of his finest and he wondered if Bridgette would notice the richness of the blue fabric. He was not one to boast, but he wanted to impress her as much as she had done him this day on the lists.
Aye, impress him she did and who would have thought a woman from the future could wield a sword passably well.Guard his back indeed, he mused with a deep chuckle. Well, if someone was going to watch it, he would not mind if ’twas the fair lady herself. She did remarkably well, considering how she attempted to hide the fact her hands must be smarting toward the end of their training.
She had laughed when he asked if she had had enough for this day. He should have listened to the inner voice and let her save face by saying he needed to see to Godfrey’s training. Yet, he had also wanted to see just how far she was willing to push her limits. He would not have expected her to last yet another hour.
Ulrick did not miss the fact Bridgette sought out Kenna’s hut afterwards nor would he forget to take extra care with her apparent need for adventure. Aye, she was a kindred soul, wanting to enjoy every minute of her fall into the twelfth century. To Ulrick, this was just the life he led daily but, to Bridgette, everything was to be enjoyed to the fullest potential.
Your lady is in need of your assistance, Ulrick. Go to her and quickly.
Rolf’s voice came inside his head, and he hastily threw his tunic over his head, reached for his belt holding his sword, and began racing out of his chambers and down the turret stairs. He had no idea of where he should be looking for said lady until a premonition overtook him and he headed out of the keep.
His eyes quickly adjusted to the sunlight, where he espied his lady having speech with none other than Sir Godfrey. As least he could say the young man had good taste, and yet Bridgette did not look pleased with the attention she was receiving.
Ulrick came forward with a short bow. “My lady, all is well since you went to Kenna’s hut?” he asked, mildly curious about how she would play out her ploy of seeing the castle’s healer.
“Oh, aye, Sir Ulrick. Mistress Kenna and I were just getting acquainted.”
His brow raised at her obviously falsehood, not that he would call the woman out in the presence of another. “If you insist.”
“Why else would I need her?” she inquired, although she nervously shuffled from one foot to the other.
An amused grin momentarily lit his face, but he would let the issue go, for the moment, at least. He turned his attention to the young knight, who had obviously been unknowingly annoying the lady. “And what of you, Godfrey? Are you in need of Berwyck’s healer?” Ulrick was not pleased that the youth watched Bridgette most intently.
“Nay. I had but hoped Lady Bridgette would favor me with a dance this eve after we sup,” Godfrey finally replied. His look of longing was not missed by Ulrick, and he did all in his power not to growl out his frustration. Yet, he did not have an understanding with Bridgette, so there was only one reply he could offer the man.
“I am sure the lady will oblige you but, as you can see, she must needs change so she may join the festivities.”
“I look forward to our dance together this eve, my lady,” Godfrey beamed, knowing he had gotten what he desired. Time alone with a beautiful woman. He made his bow and then departed.
Ulrick extended his hand toward the lady. It was swiftly grasped until he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. Bridgette winced, and Ulrick could only imagine the state of her hands that were hidden from his view by the soft leather gloves she wore. He gazed down upon the fair maiden, who only offered him a small smile. They began to make their way silently into the keep and Ulrick continued escorting her to her chamber on the upper fourth floor.
He opened her door for her and waited for Bridgette to enter. Instead, she turned, practically staying close within his embrace. She seemed to be struggling with what she wanted to say and, when she raised her face to him, Ulrick swore he lost a bit of his heart.
“Why did you say I would dance with Godfrey this evening?”
Ulrick was uncomfortable since he had no idea why he had given the lad hope when he himself wished to occupy her every moment. “I am sure many a knight will ask such a request of you.”
“And what about you?” she whispered, taking a step closer to him.
There was so much hope in her tone that Ulrick smiled. “Most assuredly, I will be amongst them.”
Bridgette smiled brightly. “You may normally appear rough around the edges, but I think there is a soft side to you that you don’t let too many people see.”
“Soft?” Ulrick scoffed. “There is nothing soft about me.”
She surprised him by reaching up to gently caress his cheek. “We shall see,” she replied softly, before leaving him there alone in the passageway, staring at the closed door.
His hand actually went to knock so they could finish their conversation before he balled his hand into a fist and marched back down the stairs to await the evening meal. He would require a good deal of wine to dull the ache that suddenly found its way around his weary heart.
* * *
Bridgette twirled around her chamber, wishing for the hundredth time that she had a full-length mirror so she could get the entire effect of the dress she was wearing. Where it came from, she could only guess. She would like to think Ulrick had some hand in it, since the blue of the fabric would match the tunic he was wearing when he came to her rescue just a short while ago. The sleeves were long with flowing fabric at the elbow that reached the floor. A white under tunic barely concealed the cleavage of her breasts at the scooped neckline. And she could breathe, thank the good Lord above, since she didn’t have to wear a corset and stays in order to fit into the garment!
