Page 53 of Promises Made at Midnight
She was about to respond when Ulrick came into view and began to stride in their direction. Her breath hitched at the sight of him because, no matter how sad or angry she was with him, she still loved him with all of her heart. He must have seen something in her face for his features softened for the first time since the incident in Bamburgh’s turret.
“Are you ready to go ashore, my lady?” he asked quietly, offering her his arm.
Her fingers trembled as she felt the muscles beneath her fingertips. “Aye, my lord,” she answered for those close enough to hear their conversation.
Ulrick nodded as he began to escort her from the ship before speaking over his shoulder to his friend. “Turquine, ensure our horses have been offloaded and have been well seen to. I will ride with my wife and the children to the castle.”
“Aye, Ulrick. Taegan and I will see you there shortly.”
The wagon was nearby, and it took a moment for Bridgette to get her footing once on solid ground, since she had become used to the swaying of a ship beneath her feet. Ulrick’s arm swept around her waist for support, and he looked down upon her in concern. So, there was something there that hadn’t vanished after all. She had begun to wonder if he was lost to her, and she shouldn’t have doubted the connection that still existed between them.
“Are you unwell?” he asked, while holding her firmly against his own body.
“Not from the journey but only with what awaits me upon our arrival. You have told me nothing of the place that shall be our home.” She lifted her head to stare into those blue-grey eyes and saw for herself the tension he had kept hidden from her.
“My apologies, madam,” he replied, before continuing their walk to the wagon. He lifted her up onto the bench, noted the children were settled, and came to sit beside her while taking up the reins.
“We have barely spoken to one another since Bamburgh, Ulrick,” she frantically whispered. “How long do you plan to punish me for something that I unwillingly did?”
She heard him curse beneath his breath before he cast a quick glance in her direction. He returned his eyes to the road before he answered her. “’Twas not my intention to worry you so.”
“And you think not speaking to me about an important issue that has put a wedge in our relationship is not a matter that should immediately be discussed?” She swore her anger was about to get the better of her, but now was not the time with the children overhearing every word.
“’Tis a matter of grave import, Bridgette, but one I hoped to discuss once we were settled at Dunster,” he said but still did not look upon her.
“Tonight then?” she asked.
“Aye… this eve,” Ulrick replied and flicked the reins to keep the horses moving.
They did not have to ride far, and Bridgette saw the stone walls surrounding her new home. Soon they passed through the main gatehouse entering the inner ward or bailey of the castle. The four story keep rose majestically and she saw only one turret, along with what she assumed was a chimney for the fireplaces inside. The large iron door opened and out came a middle-aged woman along with Ulrick’s brother and sister. They were younger than Bridgette expected. The girl appeared as though she was around sixteen, the boy maybe two years older.
Ulrick’s mother waved her hand in welcome and, as the team of horses came to a stop, a lad ran from the stables and took the reins. Ulrick helped Bridgette from the cart, along with the children, before asking her to wait and leaving her to head toward the keep. Ulrick gave his brother and sister each a fierce hug before turning toward his mother. He knelt before her, bowing his head, until she placed her hands upon his hair as though giving her blessing on his return. He rose and kissed both her cheeks. They began to have a brief conversation and his mother’s appearance quickly changed. She now seemed upset while she turned hostile eyes in Bridgette’s direction.
The last thing Bridgette expected was for Ulrick’s mother to dislike her. She could only wonder what further angst was now going to surround their lives, especially when they all lived under one roof!
CHAPTER37
Ulrick barely concealed the rage he felt at the woman who gave him life whilst she reprimanded him for taking a wife without her knowledge… as if she actually had a say about who he could or could not wed!
“How could you do this to me, Ulrick. Marry some woman who brings nothing to fill your coffers. And who are these children? From what you just told me, you have not been married long enough to sire them yourself,” his mother screeched.
“Lower your voice, madam, for you do my wife and family an injustice with your words,” Ulrick warned, in a low tone.
“You place this woman above me and your brother and sister? How can you be so cruel to Rowan and Seraphina?” Her eyes flashed in anger before she continued her tirade. “’Tis because I remarried after your father died, even though my second husband is also long gone from this world. You wish to usurp the children’s connection to Dunster. Is this not so?”
“Mother!” Rowan and Seraphina called out in unison. Shock etched quickly across their features whilst they looked between each other and Ulrick.
Ulrick held up his hand to his brother and sister, knowing they did not agree with their mother’s words. “She is my wife. They are my children,” he reiterated with another warning his mother apparently had no intention of heeding. “You are all a part of my family, and no one is above another in my heart. Dunster has always belonged to me after Lief’s passing, but this does not mean my brother and sister do not have a place in my household. This also includes you, madam.”
She cursed beneath her breath. “Your father must surely be distressed in the heavens above for you to treat me thusly,” she said, crossing herself.
“This is not about you, mother. Be civil whilst I introduce you to my family,” Ulrick said, before raising his hand and flicking his fingers for his wife and the children to come forward. He watched Bridgette’s brow rise at his unspoken command and hoped for once his willful wife would just obey him instead of asserting her own sense of independence. Now was not the time for her to voice how her own life was led.
Bridgette placed an arm around each of the children and they moved forward until Ulrick took her hand to bring her to his side. “Bridgette… may I present my mother, Lady Helena,” he said, whilst his wife curtsied.
“My lady,” Bridgette said before rising. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you.”
Ulrick was about to berate his mother once more, since she silently stood there inspecting Bridgette as if she were a peasant invading her home. But apparently ’twas not necessary.
