Page 25 of Promises Made at Midnight
“I believe you gave me the honor of this dance, my lady,” Godfrey commented dryly, all but taunting Ulrick with the tasty treat that was about to be swept away from his side. Since he himself had foolishly given the young knight permission, he could in no way take back his hastily spoken words… unless Bridgette declined Godfrey’s invitation. Her next words had him cursing inside his head at his own stupidity.
“Excuse me,” she said rising from the table. Before she left him, she placed her hand upon his shoulder and leaned over to whisper in his ear. “I wish you hadn’t given Sir Godfrey permission for a dance.”
There was some consolation to his injured pride that her words confirmed the lady would rather stay in his company. “Has he offended you?” Ulrick answered instead, ready to come to the lady’s defense if necessary.
“No. It’s something else.”
“Explain…” His words trailed off as he awaited her answer.
“Later,” she replied. Patting his shoulder, she proceeded, none too happily it seemed, considering the grimace she attempted to hide, to join the others who began to form a circle in the middle of the floor. Ulrick’s mood soured, wondering what could possibly be troubling the lady where Sir Godfrey was concerned. The man was full of pride but, on the whole, Ulrick did not fear that Hawkins was a threat to Bridgette or the people under Lord Dristan’s care.
He carefully watched the pair as the knight of his musings began to show Bridgette the pattern to the dance. Again, Ulrick observed nothing in the younger man’s actions that were anything other than courteous. He never once placed his hand any place other than where it should be, which gave Ulrick no need to demand satisfaction. Nay, Sir Godfrey conducted himself as any knight would when dancing with a lady, especially one who had been taken under his liege lord’s wing. But ’twas clear Bridgette was uncomfortable. Ulrick could only ponder what was causing the look upon her lovely visage, as if she were wishing the dance would come quickly to an end.
The music at last faded as the final notes echoed throughout the hall. Before Ulrick could rise to claim Bridgette, he saw Bertram making his way across the stone floor. He gave the man a glaring warning from across the room but, given the smirk of satisfaction on his comrade’s face, he undoubtedly had no intention of heeding such a silent command.
Ulrick reached for his goblet of wine and drank deeply, although it had no taste whilst his eyes wandered around the room, watching Bridgette’s every move. A laugh erupted from Lady Amiria sitting next to him and he turned his attention toward her. She was watching him intently.
“I fear I remember another similar situation with one of Dristan’s knights years ago,” she murmured gaily.
“You mean Riorden de Deveraux?”
“Aye. Are you out of sorts with the lady?” she asked, taking a sip of her own wine.
“Nay, I am not.”
Setting her chalice down, Amiria turned in her seat to watch him. “I thought mayhap you had a falling out, given the frown upon your brow. I have said this once before to Riorden so I will repeat my words to you… if you do not want others to dance with Lady Bridgette, then you should go and dance with her yourself,” she declared calmly.
As another tune came to an end, Drake now came to claim the lady with a flourished bow, bringing a smile to Bridgette’s countenance. Now that she was no longer dancing with Godfrey, her whole demeanor had changed as she all but threw herself into the dancing. She learned the steps just as quickly as she had been learning everything else, with an exuberant amount of energy surrounding her.
“There is no need to be jealous, Ulrick,” Amiria said, as though she knew the lady’s heart.
“I am not jealous,” Ulrick replied, taking another sip of wine and watching Bridgette over the rim of the cup.
“Then go to her. I think she would much rather be dancing with you than any other.”
Ulrick finally rose, coming to the same conclusion. He bowed. “My thanks for the wise words of wisdom and your counsel, Lady Amiria.”
“You are most welcome, Sir Ulrick, although I am sure I said nothing you yourself have not been thinking. Enjoy the eve,” Amiria declared, trying to hide her smile behind her chalice.
“My liege, if you will excuse me?” Ulrick asked.
“Aye, of course, Ulrick,” Dristan answered with a wave of his hand.
Taking his leave, he made his way around the table even as the last chords to another tune came to an end. He watched in amusement when Godfrey came from the opposite side of the room to attempt another dance with Bridgette. They reached her at the same time, and Ulrick made his bow to her before turning to the younger knight.
“Godfrey, I believe you have already had the honor. This dance ismine,” Ulrick declared, all but claiming the woman as his own. Godfrey looked askance at Bridgette, but she only gave the man a small smile before placing her hand within Ulrick’s.
“Of course, Sir Ulrick,” Godfrey said, before excusing himself to go stand near the hearth, defeated in his quest for the lady’s attention.
The music once more began with a soft and pleasing melody. Ulrick began showing Bridgette the steps, but they could have been alone in the hall instead of it being filled with the others with whom they came in contact as the dance progressed. They met in the middle of a circle. Their hands touched whilst strange tingling sensations coursed through his fingertips. They broke apart only to dance one on one before Ulrick took Bridgette about the waist and lifted her high. She slid down the length of him and he swore he felt every glorious inch of her even through the linen of their clothing. She moistened her lips and Ulrick wanted to lean down and taste the sweetness that surely would drive him mad.
What the devil had come over him that a mere woman he had only just met could draw such a reaction from him? ’Twas those damnTimefairies meddling in people’s lives when a person did not wish for the interruption.
“’Tis nothing tae do with fairies, ye stubborn, man,”came a woman’s voice inside his head.“Just enjoy the gift ye have been given or else she may be taken away if ye dinnae accept it!”
His eyes widened at words that would have torn his heart asunder. Aye, and mayhap that was the reality of the problem he faced. Thoughts of Bridgette leaving him left him in a foul mood, as if his fate with the lady had already been decided whether he willed it or not.
As he glanced away from Bridgette’s smiling face, he caught the briefest glimpse of Amiria’s grandmother. She gave him a saucy smile, waved her finger at him as if in warning to heed her words, and then disappeared from view.
