Page 15 of Promises Made at Midnight
“Why?”
Rolf shrugged. “You met the older woman, you tell me. You must have voiced a desire to have a lady brought into your life.”
“I did no such thing,” Ulrick voiced, sullenly.
“Well, no matter. She is here now.”
“I did not ask for a future woman, and I certainly never spoke such a desire aloud. These women who keep showing up amongst Dristan’s knights are trouble with their passing strange ways,” Ulrick grumbled, before looking over the battlement wall, trying to distract himself.
“A lady of this time or from the future… what does it matter from whence she hails?”
“It matters to me. I do not need a woman who is bold in her ways or one who continually speaks her mind. I want someone who will obey my commands,” Ulrick argued.
Rolf laughed, causing Ulrick to raise a brow. How he had missed his friend. “And you would be completely bored,mon ami.I somehow think Amiria’s grandmother had your best interest at heart, if she went so far to bring you a woman worthy of you,” Rolf said knowingly, pointing a finger in his direction.
“What am I to do with her?”
“Love her,” Rolf simply answered, as he began to fade.
“But she does not belong here amongst us,” Ulrick yelled.
Rolf gave a broad grin. “Aye, my friend, she does.”
Ulrick opened his mouth to give a sharp retort but Rolf gave a salute before disappearing from view. He knew his friend was not completely gone since he could hear his merry chuckle on the breeze blowing in from the ocean.
Ulrick made his way below yet again, wondering—not for the first time this day—why he had been chosen to see to the needs of a woman who was not of this time. He halted on the last step, almost hoping, as he peered into the passageway, that the old woman would answer his question by appearing to him or at the very least answer inside his head. But there was no one there other than a servant who rushed out of Bridgette’s chamber carrying some linen.
Ulrick was about to make his way to her room when Dristan motioned to him from down the corridor. He followed his liege lord to his solar, where he closed the door behind him. He waited for he knew not what as Dristan went to pour wine. Ulrick took the goblet Dristan held out and they drank in silence.
“I know not what to say,” Dristan began, running his hand through his hair and making his way to the window. Opening the shutter, he took a deep breath almost as if to collect his thoughts.
“My liege?”
Dristan returned his attention to Ulrick. “I have the distinct feeling you will also now be leaving us.”
“Have I offended you in some way, my Lord Dristan?” Ulrick asked, in concern that he was being released from his oath of fealty.
Dristan waved him off. “Nay, of course not, and yet it seems to be the way of things when these future women come traipsing to my door. First Riorden, Fletcher, then Thomas and now you. Even Taegan boasts of one of Lady Jenna’s friends to whom he has taken a fancy, even though they have had a falling out. With the loss of my retainers, ’tis the reason I am recruiting for men who are capable of taking their places.”
“I have no desire to leave your service or Berwyck for that matter.”
Dristan’s gaze swept over him. “I have been expecting you to take your leave since word came about the passing of your brother.”
Ulrick’s sigh was heavy. He was still regretting not going home for Lief’s burial. “My responsibilities were to Berwyck and the training of new men. My mother can continue to manage Dunster.”
A muffled laugh rumbled in his liege lord’s chest. “Your mother has managed your estate for far too long if you ask my opinion. You have been given a rare opportunity to have a woman to love and, with such a commitment, you will want to claim your birthright and lands,” Dristan surmised.
“I did not ask for such a prospect to present itself,” Ulrick groaned.
“One never does, but when the love of a good woman comes your way, ’tis best to not let such a treasure leave your side.”
“I barely know the woman, Lord Dristan, and surely cannot profess to love her.”
“Be that as it may, she will remain in my care until such a time as you come to a decision about whether to pursue a relationship with her,” Dristan declared. “But be warned, I will not take kindly to another of my knights taking advantage of a woman I claim as my ward. Wed her if you so desire, but do not bed her without the union being blessed by a priest, lest you wish to test my wrath.”
“I give you my word, my Lord Dristan,” Ulrick responded with a short bow of respect.
“Good! We shall see where the winds will take you and the Lady Bridgette.”
