Page 43 of Promises Made at Midnight
Ella leaned over to kiss Bridgette’s cheek before taking her leave. Today had been full of conversations that would shape her future. She only had to hold on to the love she found with Ulrick in order to have her every wish come true.
CHAPTER29
Amiria’s solar was usually a place to find quiet solitude. This day, however, was a bit different as ’twas filled with several of Dristan’s most trusted knights and children. Amiria and Dristan’s son Royce, who was eight summers, was playing with Eustace in a corner as they thrust wooded swords at one another. Liliana, their daughter of only three summers, paid close attention to Eva who was being held in Bridgette’s arms. Killian and Ella were also present as was their son Conrad who stood proudly next to his father. All in all, ’twas quite the domestic scene and one Ulrick never thought he would be included in… family spending time together. ’Twas all possible because of Bridgette.
A knock sounded at the door and, at Dristan’s call to enter, Godfrey opened the portal and stepped inside heading straight to his liege lord.
“A runner just arrived from Bamburgh Castle, Lord Dristan. The missive has the king’s seal,” Godfrey explained, handing over the parchment.
The once noisy room quieted. All eyes turned toward Dristan who broke the red wax. A slight frown marred his brow before he passed the message to Killian, who read it quickly. Amiria came over to the men and the missive was given to her outstretched hands.
“I have been summoned to Bamburgh,” Dristan announced to the room before he continued, “along with many of my guardsmen.”
“’Tis some time since you needed to attend the king,” Amiria said, turning her eyes toward her husband. “I had hoped he would leave us in peace.”
Dristan pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “He does not specifically say I must travel with my contingent of men to wherever he wishes them to go. Only that I join him at Bamburgh. We can hope for the best, but I still must answer his summons. I am certain we shall learn more upon our arrival.”
Ulrick watched Bridgette’s eyes light up before she handed Eva to one of Amiria’s ladies in waiting. He knew that look and could only assume they were to get into another argument as to their fate. She crossed the distance between them and he pulled her close and held onto her waist. He did not dare look down upon her.
“Nay,” he responded in a hushed whisper before she had time to ask him anything.
“You do not even know what I was going to ask,” she replied, just as quietly although he was pleased she remembered not to use her future way of speech.
“You wish to join us as we travel to Bamburgh. ’Tis not going to happen. You shall remain here with the children at Berwyck where I know you all are safe.”
“But it isBamburgh Castle, Ulrick,” she said urgently. “I have only seen pictures of the place and I would love to see what it looks like in this time.”
His brows narrowed and she covered her mouth at what she had confessed. He shook his head. “’Tis but a keep and some outbuildings. Nothing special.” Ulrick crossed his arms over his chest with feet spread apart. Most would notice his formidable stance and stop trying to bend him to their will. He somehow doubted his lady would see him as anything other than stubborn.
She assumed the same stance and lifted her chin in defiance. Inwardly, he gave a heavy sigh. This was becoming a standard for her… standing up to him whenever she had a point to prove. “We are better together than apart,” she retorted, “or have you forgotten this already?”
“Nay. I have not forgotten something of such import.”
“Then why do you wish for me to remain behind while you go south without me?”
All eyes were upon them and Ulrick knew this discussion was not for everyone to hear. He turned toward his liege lord. “Lord Dristan… if you would but excuse Lady Bridgette and me?”
Dristan looked upon the pair and nodded his acceptance with a wave of his hand. Ulrick took Bridgette’s elbow and escorted her from the solar, down the torch lit passageway until they entered her bedchamber. He bolted the door behind them.
She quickly turned to him, a small burning flame flaring in her brilliant green eyes. “What can you say to me here in private that could not be said before the others?”
“You do not understand why I wish you to remain behind and why Bamburgh is not safe for you.”
“I am not safe anywhere if I am not with you. Can’t you understand this yet?”
“Mon amour… ’tis not that I do not wish for you to join me—”
“—then what could possibly be your reason to keep us apart?” she fumed. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. ’Twould surely be his downfall.
“Because there is aTimegate in one of the turrets at Bamburgh,” he yelled as frustration got the better of him. “I refuse to take the chance on your welfare thatTimemay decide our fate and take you from me!”
“What?” Bridgette took hold of his hands, and he rubbed his thumbs across the back of her soft skin. Her tender touch calmed his rising anger, or mayhap ’twas fear. Aye… fear of losing her had begun to consume him.
“’Tis true. Lady Katherine and her friends traveled throughTimein one of the turrets at Bamburgh just as Lady Jenna landed on the beach north of Berwyck. ’Tis the reason why I never take you in that direction. I will not lose you toTime, Bridgette.”
She loosened her hands from his and brought them to his cheeks before he bent down to place his lips upon her own. His arms wound around her, bringing them chest to chest and he forgot all else except this woman who meant all to him. His heart began to beat a rapid staccato and he was amazed that a woman could completely melt the ice that had surrounded his heart. He had kept himself guarded for years whilst women of all sorts tried to persuade him to marry them. None had captivated him or even interested him in offering for them until Bridgette had fallen into his life.
He heard her moan of pleasure and became aware she was attempting to draw his tunic off his body. He stilled her hands, not because he did not want her, but because he knew Lord Dristan’s patience would only last so long. If they did not return to the solar, his liege lord would certainly come looking for them.
