Page 47 of Promises Made at Midnight
“Aye and the children, as well, so we must needs pack and quickly. We will not be returning to Berwyck and can send for anything we must leave behind. From Bamburgh we will continue on to Dunster so I can claim my lands that have been neglected for many a year.”
“Berwyck has been all that I’ve known since I slipped throughTime, Ulrick,” she said in what sounded like shock. He stopped rolling the parchments on the table before him to watch his wife’s eyes flit around the room. ’Twas not like her to panic, for she had always appeared up to the challenges of being thrown into a time not her own.
He returned to her side and took her cold shaking hands in his, bringing them to his lips. “There is nothing to fear,mon amour,” he whispered, before bending forward to place a quick kiss upon her mouth. “We are only beginning a new adventure, you and I together, as husband and wife.”
“I know. It’s just that I guess I never thought we’d be leaving here and all the people I’ve come to care for,” she answered before he pulled her from the bed.
He gathered her into his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head. “I shall keep you and the children safe, and you have no need to fear, Bridgette, but please hurry. Lord Dristan does not like to be kept waiting, especially when he must needs appear before the king.”
“Of course, Ulrick. As you are aware, there’s not much for me to pack since I came here only with one gown that wasn’t even for the right time period,” she proclaimed, before leaving his arms and scurrying around the room to gather what she felt must be packed.
“I will rectify that upon our arrival at Dunster. No wife or children of mine shall ever go lacking in the basic necessities of life,” he answered, feeling guilty he had not adequately provided for her.
She must have known the bitterness of his words for she rushed to him. “I only need you, Ulrick,” she said putting her hand around his neck, gently pushing so he leaned forward. She quickly kissed his lips. “The rest doesn’t matter in the least to me. As long as we are together, that is the only necessity of life I shall ever need.”
Her words reassured him, and he gave her another kiss. “Then off with you now and see to packing else I shall take you over to that bed and make love to you, which will surely irritate our liege lord.”
He heard her giggle and mutter something about him making it up to her later. He went back to the task at hand. He had much to see to and as the room began to empty of his belongings he, too, had a moment of melancholy fill his heart. He put on his black tabard with a red dragon embroidered on his chest, a dark blood red cape flowed from his shoulders… the last time he would wear Dristan’s colors before he began to wear his own. He had followed Dristan since his youth, but Berwyck had been his home for the past nine years since the siege. Now ’twas time to move on with his life and leave the past behind. ’Twas a new beginning and at last he had a woman whom he loved to share his life with. He was blessed.
* * *
Bridgette went to a nearby wagon, two blankets in hand. Stepping into the conveyance, she began tucking the wool around Eustace and Eva to ensure their warmth from the coolness of the morn. Eva was snuggled into the boy’s side, her thumb sucking away inside her mouth. Bridgette smiled at the cuteness of the both of them. Eustace had become quite attached to the little girl and she prayed there would come a time when they only thought of each other as brother and sister.
“Will the journey take long, Lady Bridgette?” the boy asked, as he looked around the busy outer bailey filled with knights who were beginning to mount their steeds.
She reached over to caress his cheek, knowing there would come a time when such a sign of public affection might be considered a sign of weakness as he grew. “Nay, the ride will not take long but I do not know how much time we shall remain at Bamburgh before we continue on to our new home.”
She gave his cheek a little pat and began to withdraw but he grabbed her fingers in a fierce grip for one so young. Fear flickered in his brown eyes, and she bent forward to kiss his forehead.
“There is nothing to fear, Eustace. Lord Ulrick and I now consider you and Eva our children. You shall be taken care of as befits your new station in life. Never doubt we care for you as if you had been our very own.”
He gulped hard. “Aye, milady.”
She gave him a reassuring smile and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “I know that we can in no way replace your parents, Eustace, and I am sorry they were not among those who were spared. But when the time is right and you are ready, nothing would please me more than for you to call memother.”
Sitting back on her heels to watch the lad, his eyes misted up before he wiped them with his sleeve and a sniffle. “Aye… mother,” he replied with a nod.
Her heart melted right there on the spot and Bridgette had her own moment of weakness, knowing these two precious souls were her responsibility.
“Very well, then. Now take good care of your sister, Eustace, and let any of the guards know if there is anything you need. I will be riding nearby with your father,” she said before jumping down from the wagon.
“I shall take good care of her, mother,” the boy beamed.
“Thank you, son.”
With a final look at the children and knowing they were settled, she made her way to Ulrick, who was talking with Lady Amiria. She would miss this woman, who had become her first friend since the unexpected arrival at her gates. When she approached, Amiria wrapped Bridgette in an unexpected hug.
“You shall be missed, Bridgette,” Amiria said, her violet eyes reflecting her emotions that were usually kept hidden from view. “Who shall I spar with when my husband deems I am once more capable of lifting a sword after this babe is born?”
Bridgette laughed. “I am certain any one of Lord Dristan’s guards shall be up to the task, my lady, as they were before my arrival.”
“Aye. I suppose this is true. However, I enjoyed training you to become the swordswoman you are today,” she said sweetly.
“I am far from being of the same caliber as you are, my lady,” Bridgette answered, with a blush rushing across her face.
Ulrick put his hand around her waist. “I shall make sure she continues to do you proud, Lady Amiria.”
Amiria nodded. “See that you do,” she said, reaching out for his hands. “You and I have been through much, Ulrick, and, while we may have started out as enemies many years ago, ’tis an honor to now call you my friend.”
