Page 45 of Promises Made at Midnight
Drake’s brow rose at Ulrick’s implication that he was leaving. “What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?’ he snapped whilst he lowered his cup.
Lord Dristan raised his hand when the knights around him all began speaking at once. “It means that Ulrick and his bride will be leaving us. ’Tis time for him to return home to his estate. ’Tis the way of things and should not be questioned. One day you, too, shall leave to return to the lives you left when you joined me.”
Several of the men grumbled a reply and the mood between them took a downward plunge. However, ’twas not long before one spoke up in an attempt to brighten their mood.
Turquine winked at his brother Taegan. “Perchance we will be as lucky as our comrades who have found one of these future women who continue to appear at Lord Dristan’s gates!”
Taegan gave a warning glare to his brother who only laughed at his expense. “I have no desire to look for a woman to wed. There are plenty of women to see to my needs that I do not need to marry,” Taegan muttered into his cup, causing those around him to burst out in laughter.
“That is because you have found her, you fool. I honestly do not know why you are still here at Berwyck. You should be high tailing it back to Lancashire to make amends with Lady Amy!” Drake announced to another round of loud guffaws.
Taegan growled his frustration. “The lady must needs cool her temper and learn her place in life.”
The knights all took turns at calling Taegan one name after another for his foolish comment.
Nathaniel also had his cup refilled. “Personally, I continue to ponder if there will be any of us left to guard Berwyck’s walls. We seem to be diminishing as the recent months pass us by whilst those around us find wedded bliss.”
Cederick nodded before pointing toward one of the knights who was dancing with his wife Kenna. “At least Geoffrey will remain.”
Bertram held out his hand to a passing servant who refilled his goblet. “The night is yet young and this is no place to become melancholy like a bunch of old warriors who have nothing better to do than relive their days of glory. This conversation can wait for another day. We must continue to celebrate!”
Morgan laughed. “Mayhap not for Ulrick. If I was in his place, I would not be wasting time drinking here with us when he has a beautiful woman waiting for him!”
Ulrick smiled, whilst his eyes wandered throughout the hall before they landed on the woman who now held their attention. Aye, he was indeed a blessed man, and perchance ’twas time to leave the men to their drinking and for him to enjoy time with his wife. Her smile when their eyes met across the hall was as intoxicating as the lady herself and when she gave him a come-hither look, Ulrick had no hesitation about what was in store for the rest of the eve.
Ulrick was not the only one who had noticed the unspoken command for Ulrick to follow his lady to their chamber.
“You lucky sod, Ulrick,” Turquine said with a laugh.
Taegan turned away from the sight of Lady Bridgette looking over her shoulder with a beguiling smile before ascending the turret stairs. “Another damn happy couple. I need another drink,” he snapped, before leaving the group.
Ulrick chuckled as he gave a nod to his friends. “Gentlemen… if you would excuse me…”
His words trailed off and he did not wait for their answer. There was no need. They were well aware a knight should never keep a lady waiting!
CHAPTER31
Bridgette entered Ulrick’s chamber, removing the floral circlet from her head and placing it on a table that served as his desk. She had never paid much attention to the parchments that were there but a quick glance revealed the wordDunsterin several places, the only words she could read of the medieval writing upon it. She shouldn’t have been surprised that her husband had been receiving reports from his home… her home… their home.
A shaky breath left her and she strode to the hearth where she poured wine into a chalice. Taking a sip of the red heady brew briefly calmed her nerves, although why she was nervous she couldn’t say. Was it because she had learned that a title was now linked with her name? She was an American. A title was only associated with royalty for those who lived across the pond. She never could have imagined that Ulrick was an earl. He never mentioned it and Bridgette had never thought to ask. Why would she?
Wondering how long it would take before Ulrick joined her, she quickly began removing her gown and carefully folded the lovely green fabric. One of Amiria’s ladies had done an amazing job of embroidering a floral pattern at the wrists, neckline, and hem and Bridgette took another moment to marvel at the work. She had always admired people who had the ability to sew their own clothes, which would explain why Bridgette had always bought her own outfits for the fairs she attended. It was expensive, but a girl had to do what a girl had to do when your abilities to create something so beautiful was not in your wheelhouse.
She reached for the dark red robe that had been placed on the bed for her. Wrapping the soft linen around her body, she then went to sit by the hearth before undoing the small braids that formed a crown around her head. Giving her hair a shake made her black tresses fall free down her back in a cascade of heavy black waves and she gave a heavenly sigh. It was this scene that her husband witnessed when he walked through the door. Ulrick’s gaze went to her and his eyes practically sizzled with desire.
He turned to bolt the door but didn’t lessen the space between them. Instead, he leaned against the wood and looked his fill before a wicked smile graced his face. Bridgette gulped at the sight of him. Seeing him from across the room made her entire body quiver with longing. My God… this man was really and truly her husband. How had she ever gotten so lucky, and would this turn of events shape her future self? She dismissed the notion. Now was not the time to worry over such matters. She gave Ulrick a welcoming smile before crooking her finger for him to come to her.
He finally crossed the room and took her into his arms. “I have never seen such beauty in all my life,” Ulrick murmured into her ear and she trembled to hear the rich vibrato tone. Her knees weakened and he pulled her closer into his embrace to steady her. “And to think that you shall be mine until the end of time itself.”
“Hello, my love,” she whispered, running her hands up his massive chest. She could feel the muscles beneath the fabric and her tongue ran across the seam of her lips in anticipation of what the night would offer.
“Hello, indeed, my lady. Was it only me or did the festivities last entirely too long before we could make our excuses in order to retire to our chamber?” he asked, continuing to stare upon her face as though memorizing every feature.
“Far too long,” she answered before cupping his cheek. “You are here now and that is all that matters.”
“I can now officially make you mine by claiming you as my wife,” he said, with a twinkle in his vivid blue-grey eyes. He took one of her hands and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist. She sighed again in pleasure before a short laugh escaped her.
“I thought we did that when Father Donovan joined our hands in marriage,” she teased, as she once more felt the bulging muscles beneath the fabric of his tunic.
