Page 56 of Promises Made at Midnight
“I suppose you are correct, my dear, but I find it odd that my brother Lief was also killed in a riding accident whilst attending the outskirts of our land several years ago. By the time a runner had arrived at Berwyck, he was long since buried and my mother said there was no need to come home.”
Bridgette frowned. “Not come home? But you are now the Earl of Somerset since both your father and brother were deceased. Why wouldn’t you come home to run the estates?”
“Mayhap I was too full of myself thinking Dristan needed me. I should have returned sooner. And then when I thought my return was long overdue, a certain young woman fell into my lap by a well. As much as I was needed here at Dunster, I could not leave you nor burden you with the happenings here when I myself had not been home in many a year.”
Bridgette once more halted their steps and she began holding out her fingers as she spoke. “Let’s recap this situation. Your father is killed, your step-father is killed, Lief is killed, and that obviously leaves you as the successor to the title and lands, not that your step-father would have inherited the place. What else are you not telling me?”
“Monies are missing from Dunster’s coffers. I asked for the ledgers from my steward, and the records do not match,” he replied, in concern.
“How long has Hadrian been Dunster’s steward?” she asked, as they began to walk again.
“Many a year, since the time prior to my father’s demise.”
“Well, we either have a lot of unfortunate accidents that are plaguing your family or we have a murderer in our midst who is picking off Dunster’s heirs, one by one,” Bridgette surmised, before she shivered. Ulrick brought her into his arms.
“I will not allow anything to happen to you and the children, my lady,” Ulrick reassured her before placing a kiss upon her lips.
“I believe I’m more concerned with your own life, Ulrick. You may be targeted next.” She grasped his waist tighter, as if she was the one who would protect him.
“We must keep alert to anything that possibly appears unnatural.”
Bridgette once more shuddered. “That’s easier said than done, my love. There are many ways to kill someone. How would we know if our food or wine wasn’t poisoned?”
“Poison is a woman’s ploy,” Ulrick muttered in a low growl. “I cannot believe my mother would stoop so low. She is grasping to remain in control of Dunster, I know, but to kill off her own family?”
“Then that only leaves your steward. He is in charge of keeping an accounting of your books, Ulrick, and ledgers can be altered sufficiently if a person knows how to hide the income. He appears as the likely suspect.”
“They both must needs be watched. Although in my heart I cannot imagine my mother would arrange such horrendous deeds, I have not been in her presence to know the true depths to which she may have fallen.”
“She has a lot of hatred in her demeanor,” Bridgette exclaimed, “which could account for her disposition upon your arrival with a ready-made family. But this could also be explained by the fact the poor woman has lost much in her life. To lose two husbands and a son? That’s a lot of pain that could cause anyone to become very bitter. No parent should ever outlive their own children.”
“Aye. Mayhap this explains much of the woman who barely resembles the lady of my youth. But enough of all this for now. Let us catch up with the children and try to make the most of the rest of our day. I wish such unpleasant conversations did not need to take place, but I needed you to be aware of what I have learned since we have returned home.”
Ulrick leaned forward to kiss her lips again whilst his wife snuggled into his side. Arriving back inside the barriers of Dunster’s stone outer walls, he swore he caught a brief glimpse of his mother watching their arrival. Aye… she needed to be watched in case she was the culprit behind everything.
CHAPTER40
Bridgette finally managed to get dressed after another horrible morning that had been anything but pleasant. She had thought she might be pregnant prior to leaving Berwyck over a month ago. Her stomach seemed to agree with her diagnosis. She continued to get ill after trying to eat her morning meal each and every day. Ugh! Morning sickness in the twelfth century was going to be disgusting, because she really didn’t wish to run down the passageway to hang her head into the smelly garderobe to throw up the contents of her stomach however long this would plague her!
Luckily, Ulrick was one to rise early, sometimes even before the light of day touched the horizon. She had succeeded in hiding a deep enough bowl she kept under the bed and, with the assistance of a servant who managed to bring her a light meal, Bridgette had been able to keep her secret from her husband… at least for now. Knowing how easily it was to have a miscarriage early on in a pregnancy, Bridgette didn’t want to give Ulrick false hope in the event she lost the child.
But soon time wouldn’t be on her side, since she couldn’t hide her pregnancy forever. She could already detect the subtle changes in her body and, considering how in tune Ulrick was to every aspect of her, he, too, would notice eventually. Already, she had observed his gaze lingering on her from time to time. Somehow, Bridgette had the notion he already guessed her condition but had remained silent until she decided to tell him her news.
Four rapid knocks at the bedchamber door had her rushing to see what was so urgent. Opening the door, she witnessed Lady Helena’s worried expression.
“You must hurry,” she urged, grabbing hold or Bridgette’s arm and rushing her down the passageway.
“What is the matter?” Bridgette asked, trying to keep up with the woman who was all but running toward the turret stairs.
“’Tis Eva. She somehow got away from her nursemaid and fell. She may have broken her leg, the poor little lamb,” Helena said frantically.
A startled gasp left Bridgette. “Take me to her!”
Helena looked over her shoulder before she scowled. “What do you think I am doing?”
Her abrupt answer left Bridgette wondering what was wrong with the woman but she dismissed her nasty attitude and instead decided she was only concerned for the welfare of the child.
They made their way outside and Bridgette moved her hand to her forehead to block the glaring sun from her eyes. The bailey was relatively quiet for this time of the morning but this, too, Bridgette dismissed. Helena’s next words, however, startled her.
