Page 39 of Promises Made at Midnight
Dristan heaved a heavy sigh. “The two of you can forget trying to make it appear as though you have not seen each other yet this morn. Ulrick has confessed all to me along with his desire that you both be wed. Father Donovan will be more than happy to perform the binding of your troth.”
The priest stepped forward. “The flesh is weak and your sins will be forgiven. Shall we begin?”
Bridgette’s eyes widened before her attention turned to Ulrick who appeared pleased with himself. “Excuse me for just a moment, Father.” She pulled at Ulrick’s arm and walked with him down the main aisle before taking a seat on one of the rear benches.
“Is there something you’d like to ask me,” she inquired while nervously placing her hands on her lap.
“Ask you? Nay. I spoke to Lord Dristan this morn after you left my chamber. He agreed we should wed posthaste,” Ulrick said before reaching for one of her hands and bringing it to his lips. “Does this not please you?”
“Yes. It pleases me very much, but don’t you think we should be having this discussion between us first before you and Lord Dristan go ahead and arrange a hasty marriage ceremony? It’s not exactly the most romantic way of going about things.”
“You mentioned your shame, this morn, and your words brought me sorrow that you would think our coupling was anything but a joy to your heart. I wished to remedy the situation,” he replied, with a frown. So, her comment had bothered him, just as she thought it would.
“And does it bring a joy to your own heart?” she asked.
“I should think you would know my answer,” he replied, looking nervous, which was so unlike him. Ulrick always showed the world an outward appearance of being in control, but the emotion of love was apparently new to him.
“Sometimes a woman likes to hear the words that will make her heart sing.” She waited for his answer, but he only continued to stare at her. She gave a heavy sigh. Obviously, he wasn’t quite ready to declare his love out loud. “I am sorry for my words this morning. It’s a modern saying and I shouldn’t have said it. I’m not ashamed to be sharing your bed, Ulrick. Please forgive me.”
“I do not wish to dishonor you or your name by continuing to go on as though you do not mean all to me.”
Ah… there it was.The beginnings of learning what was in his heart. Her heart swelled to near bursting at his declaration, but she wasn’t about to let him off so easily. “Your words bring me much comfort, knowing that you care for me.”
“Of course, I care for you, my lady. Why else would we be getting married?”
He was adorable when he became flustered, but she would in no way be getting married to a man who had not asked her for her hand first. “We will not wed today,” she said before standing.
“Why ever not?” His frown marred his otherwise handsome features.
“Because you haven’t asked me to become your wife,” she declared in a huff. “Besides, we have another priority and that is to see Eustace and Eva today. You did promise me you’d take me to them, didn’t you?”
“I had plans to take you after the ceremony.”
“Since I won’t be rushed into a hasty marriage, then we’ll have more time to spend with the children,” she replied, before leaving the pew to curtsey before Lord Dristan and his priest. “My lord… there shall be no wedding today. There are certain things between Ulrick and me that must needs be clarified first. I am certain you understand.”
She gave them no time to discount her words and headed out of the chapel to return to the keep. She had a feeling she was going to need a full stomach to survive whatever else would get thrown in her direction this day.
CHAPTER27
The woman was near impossible! Frustrated that the lady of his choosing had decided they would not wed this day, he watched her walk ahead of him through the village. She had become familiar with those in the market who sold their wares, chatting with one person after another and calling them by name. Ulrick had never taken much time to learn or care what these people were called. He had other more important things to do each day, like his training.
And yet, as he watched her flit from one person to the next, Ulrick held back his smile. Bridgette brought so much light into his life, even though he had not confessed as much to her as yet. He could easily see her at his own home at Dunster Castle. God’s Bones… how long had it been since he had been in his own hall? His, as he had been born there, and even more his since his older brother died, leaving him to take up the demesne. He knew his mother continued to receive the monies he sent for its upkeep, but he had yet to set foot on his lands. Would he even recognize Rowan and Seraphina after all this time?
Thoughts of home made him long for a time when he would be raising his own family within its walls. He had always felt he had time to find himself a wife. Now that he took a step back and looked at his own life, he realized that time was swiftly passing him by. Ulrick had been with Dristan since their early days together as squires for Sir Fletcher’s father. That seemed as though ’twas but yestereve, but it was more like a decade and a half. At the ripe old age of seven and a score and a half, he was unsure how many years he would still grace this earth.
He shook his head to clear his memories of simpler days gone by and returned to watching Bridgette. She would marvel at one trinket or a bolt of cloth and when she moved on, he would pass a coin to the merchant and a servant readily gathered the items that had been purchased. When the man’s hands were full, Ulrick motioned for him to return to the castle and Ulrick caught up with his lovely lady. He offered her his arm as they neared the outskirts of the village. The well where they first met became visible and Ulrick suddenly had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“Look, Ulrick!” she exclaimed happily. “This is where I first met you.”
She began to rush forward and, of a sudden, the well began to glow whilst golden light burst from its depths. Bridgette skidded to a halt and turned back to face him with fear etched on every feature of her face.
The pull ofTimemust have been strong as she began walking backwards toward the well, her face showing it was against her will.
“Ulrick,” she shouted, with her arms outstretched for him to reach her.
He wasted no time lessening the distance between them. Catching hold of her hands, he gave a fierce tug, bringing her into his embrace. Her head upon his chest, they watched in amazement when the well hummed as if in protest that Bridgette was not returning to her own time. The glowing ring around the stone edges soon disappeared and it looked like an ordinary well and not a vessel for time travel.
He leaned down, pressing his lips over her mouth, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and finally her forehead. Cupping her head, Ulrick gently pushed it back down upon his chest whilst he stroked her hair. Her body shook within his arms, telling him she knew just how close she had come to vanishing right before his very eyes. “BySt. Michael’s Wings!” he swore. “I cannot bear the thought of losing you to Time,ma chérie.”
