Page 40 of Promises Made at Midnight
Her arms circled his waist and she held on tight. “I had no will of my own, Ulrick,” she whispered with a catch in her voice. “It was as though the twenty-first century was telling me to get myself back where I belong.”
“You belong here with me, Bridgette. For now and for always. ’Tis my fondest wish that you become my wife. I adore you,mon amour, and will love you until the end of time itself,” he declared honestly. If she did not understand his heartfelt plea for her to become his, he had no notion of how else to verbalize his feelings. Her head raised from his chest, and he saw tears brimming on the edges of her eyes.
“You love me…” The awe in her words were like a calming balm to his soul.
He traced the tears that ran down her cheeks before kissing them away. “Aye. A thousand years could pass by and my soul would always find yours,” he vowed, bending down to seal his promise with a kiss. ’Twas not a kiss born of passion but one of a commitment to her if she but chose to accept him as her own.
“Ulrick…” his name escaped her lips when he at last let her take a breath. “I love you with all of my heart and all that I am, or will ever be, while at your side.”
“Then mayhap now is a good time to ask you to take me as your husband,” he said, with hope for his future residing in her answer.
“You honor me with your request, Sir Ulrick,” she answered, so formally he thought mayhap she thought him incapable of the riches that might see to their life together.
“If you are worried that I cannot provide you with monies to see to our future, have no fear. I have an estate that I have neglected but ’twill be a good place to raise a family.”
Her eyes twinkled in delight. “You wish for a family.”
“You do not wish for children of your own?”
“Nothing would make me happier than for us to have children together. I was only teasing you, Ulrick. Now ask me again, so I might answer you properly.” Her smile brightened his day as though he already knew her reply.
“Will you wed with me, Lady Bridgette. Be mine… and I shall be yours for all eternity.”
“Yes… aye… I will marry you, Ulrick.” Standing on the tips of her toes, she kissed him. He lifted her up and swung her around and around whilst their laughter rang out in the air.
“You have made me truly happy,” he finally said, setting her back upon the ground before kissing her forehead once again.
The sun burst out behind a cloud and Ulrick shielded his eyes from the brightness before he realized they were no longer alone.
Amiria’s grandmother showed herself to them in a vague whisper of a ghost. The woman appeared very pleased with herself. “’Tis about time the two of ye finally declared yer love. I was about tae give up hope of such a union. But beware… there are still obstacles in yer path tae happiness. Do not allow them tae settle into yer hearts tae tear ye apart. They will be yer test lest ye ferget what ye have pledged tae each other this day.”
Just as quickly as she appeared, she was gone and Bridgette shook her head. “What more couldTimehave in store for us other than what we just went through?”
“I have no idea, but we best heed Lady Maya’s words. Her matchmaking brought you to me and I am most grateful for her meddling.”
Bridgette chuckled. “As am I.”
“Shall we continue on our way to see the children as I promised you?”
“Yes… and let’s never come near this well ever again.”
“I could not agree with you more, my lady,” he said, offering his arm. “We can return to Berwyck on a different route.”
They made a wide berth away from the well and continued on their way past thatched covered roofs for the dwellings of the serfs who lived near the fields they tilled. Ulrick could see that Bridgette was anxious to see the children, as her gaze continued to seek them out.
They came to one of the last huts and an older woman sat outside sewing some garment in need of attention. When she saw them approach, she dropped what she had been doing into a nearby basket and stood, lowering her head.
“We have come to see Eustace and Eva,” Bridgette began. The woman pointed toward the field.
“The lad be out there where ’e belongs. The lass be nappin’.’”
Ulrick took Bridgette’s elbow. “Shall we go see the boy, my lady?”
Bridgette appeared as if she were about to protest before she decided against the outburst. “Aye, of course, Sir Ulrick.”
Ulrick nodded to the older woman who once more sat and took up her sewing. “We shall return shortly to see Eva.”
The woman gave them no mind and Ulrick dismissed her before leading Bridgette toward the field. Many serfs were busy attending to the sprouts that were rising from the ground. Eustace was among them and, when he saw them approach, he waved his hand in greeting before rushing forward.
