Page 6 of Promises Made at Midnight
“What wish?” Bridgette asked, moving forward in line. She turned to wait for the woman’s reply, but she had disappeared. Bridgette twirled around in a circle trying to find out where the lady had gone but she was nowhere to be seen. How odd was that? She looked behind her again, only to see another woman point to her that the line was moving forward.
With no further thoughts on the grandmotherly woman, Bridgette entered the restroom, took care of her business and exited into the bright sunlight. She frowned. Good God…he even followed her to the friggin’ bathroom! She scowled, causing Brad’s smile to widen. It was going to be a long ass day!
CHAPTER5
Ulrick gazed out to the distant horizon whilst the sun rose, painting a stunning display of bright red and orange pigments across the sky. It was a peaceful time of the morn and he took solace in the time to himself here on the parapet of the battlement wall. His brief respite was short lived when he felt a presence behind him.
He should have known she would eventually join him here, since ’twas her ritual to greet the sun each day and also to watch it set. She came to stand beside him and he noticed she was in a lovely gown instead of her normal garb of boots, tunic and hose.
“No training this day, my lady?” he inquired.
“Nay,” she whispered. “I am a mite weary this morn.” Her answer was somber as she came to rest her hands on the battlement wall to look over its edge down into the inner bailey. The fear of heights had never been an issue with the fair lady.
“Surely not?” he replied, but could see for himself the dark circles underneath her violet eyes.
She gave him a small smile. “I am afraid so. I fear ’tis the babe who is not agreeing with me.”
Amiria began to pat her stomach as if ’twas a common habit to discuss such a delicate matter in front of a man who was not her husband. Ulrick became uncomfortable and began to squirm, for he knew of only one other woman who also acted so boldly.
“You sound much like the Lady Katherine,” he said, trying to find his composure.
“I miss her friendship,” Amiria confided and she must have noticed how he attempted to change the subject of her pregnancy. “I am sorry, Sir Ulrick. I know most men would prefer women in our condition to be hidden away until our children are born.”
Ulrick shrugged. “I suppose I must needs get used to such talk with all these future women landing on your doorstep, although I still am not sure I believe such rot.”
A twinkle lit in Lady Amiria’s eyes. “And yet you yourself have been to Riorden and Katherine’s home. Beyond that, we have Sir Rolf who occasionally lets his presence be known. Surely, if you can believe in a ghost, you can believe that all things of this nature are possible?”
“I miss his friendship,” Ulrick repeated his lady’s words but moments ago.
“Aye, I understand completely but he is still near and if you have need of him, I am most certain he will hear your call. All you have to do is speak his name with a sincere heart and he will appear before you.” She said this so convincingly that Ulrick had no doubt she spoke the truth.
They stood in silence again before Ulrick notice her swaying stance. “My lady, are you ill?”
“Mayhap just a little. May I ask you to escort me down to my bedchamber?”
“But of course, my lady,” he declared holding out his arm.
“My thanks, Sir Ulrick.” She took hold of his arm and they began slowly making their way from the parapet and down the turret stairs. “I am most likely just weary from trying to keep up with Royce and his antics. Garrick, our piper, helps keep him from too much mischief but my son is almost more than we can handle.”
“You could always leave his raising to others,” Ulrick suggested. “’Twould allow you more time to see to your own needs.”
“Aye, I know, but after Katherine told me how much she would enjoy and cherish every moment of her child’s development, I wanted to do the same, even though this is hardly normal for our times.”
“I am not sure how all these changes will be good for us. But who am I to gainsay you? I only worry that you are unwell.”
“’Tis worth it when I see my children’s smiles. My son is much like I was at his age, never stopping to catch his breath before he is on to his next escapade. I am hoping Jocelyn might have a quieter disposition, much like Lynet. With the trouble this one is giving me so early on in my pregnancy, I can only assume this child will have a disposition much like my dragon.”
Ulrick ignored her reference to her current condition. “Even the Lady Lynet became more and more like you, my lady, as she grew to womanhood.”
“We are a stubborn lot, we MacLarens, which my brother would attest to if he would but return home where he belongs,” Amiria said sternly, with a frown.
“I am sure he is just attempting to make a name for himself and prove to the king he would be worthy of any lands he may be granted,” Ulrick answered, reaching for the handle of her door. “Do you wish me to get Lord Dristan?”
“Nay, ’twill not be necessary. I will just rest a while and, if needed, I will send one of my ladies to fetch him posthaste,” she declared. “I had so wanted to go the festival in the village but mayhap I will feel up to the excursion after a short nap. Do you plan to attend?”
“Aye, I am sure most of the garrison will attend to prove their worth in the games,” Ulrick replied.
“Then I wish you the best of luck, Sir Ulrick, and do not forget our conversation about Sir Rolf,” she replied.
