Page 7 of Promises Made at Midnight
Before he could answer, she reached forward, cupping his cheek, and then closed the door without another word. Women with child were indeed strange. Shaking his head, he decided he might as well head down to the Great Hall to see if he could as yet break his fast.
Making his way down the torch-lit passageway, he looked ahead, and a vague wispy bit of smoke took the transparent shape of Sir Rolf. He gave a brief bow that Ulrick returned but, before he could speak the thoughts rushing to his head, Rolf disappeared as if he had not been there at all. Ulrick turned to look behind him to see if his friend had appeared behind him, but he was once more alone in the corridor.
Harrumph!You would think he could at least stick around for a bit of conversation,Ulrick mused, as he began descending the turret stairs.
I miss your kinship as well, my friend.
Startled, Ulrick almost missed a step as Rolf’s voice came inside his head. “Stop that, Rolf, and show yourself,” he demanded, only to hear his friend’s laugher once again in his head. “Damn ornery ghost…”
I heard that…
Ulrick shook his fist in the air as if that would prove something, but he knew not what. Seeing that food had not arrived on the tables, since few had risen to break their fast, he noticed Godfrey near the hearth. He made his way to the youth, grabbed him by the scruff of his tunic and began pushing him toward the kitchens.
“Come with me,” Ulrick urged, grabbing some bread and cheese and encouraging Godfrey to do the same. “There is time enough to get in some training before the faire begins this day.”
“But I do not have my chainmail on as yet,” Godfrey complained bitterly.
Ulrick glared at the young man, who snapped his lips shut. “You may not always have the luxury of fighting in full gear, Godfrey. We train light this day.”
Opening the door to the brightness of sunlight, they made their way to the lists. With his sword in hand, Ulrick swung the blade in front of him as his confidence returned. He would enjoy his training and wonder what the day would bring later.
CHAPTER6
The crowd of spectators opened a path for the procession of richly garbed men and women. “My lady,” a knight declared when Bridgette passed him by.
She caught his stare and he gave her a bow that was polished to the point of perfection. With the briefest of nods to acknowledge him, Bridgette smiled, continuing her stroll as one of the “Queen’s” ladies in waiting.This was so much better, she thought. She would have to tell Megan that they needed to purchase another gown so from now on they could both be dressed as she was today.
The purple gown was in her favorite color, with long flowing sleeves and a black under tunic that poked through the various slits to puff up the upper shoulders of the gown. The corset and stays she could do without, but she had to admit she would never have a waist this size without them or fit into the dress. They may inhibit her ability to take a deep full breath or eat a huge meal but it was worth the sacrifice to feel this… well… beautiful.
The heat she could also do without, or at least the humidity. It was still early morning. Already the temperature was rising to the point that it was going to be one of those scorching summer days where Bridgette would normally find herself shopping in an air conditioned mall.No sense complaining, she thought, and once more returned her attention to playing her part at the fair.
She opened the pretty lace parasol that had been a recent purchase to shield her eyes from the glaring sun. Perspiration formed on her upper lip and it took everything within her not to wipe the moisture away while she had the eyes of the crowd upon her. Seeing the Queen’s tent up ahead, Bridgette followed along, already wishing for a glass of ice water to cool herself down.
They continued forward and she saw Zoe’s booth, where a line had formed as the tourists waited their turn to find out what their future held. Bridgette gave a slight nod toward her friend and Zoe gave her a bright smile. She waved… which was odd, considering she had a paying customer in front of her. But Zoe recovered quickly, shuffled her tarot cards and continued on as though she hadn’t just broken her cardinal rule of giving her undivided attention to the person in front of her.
Bridgette took a linen from her sleeve and dabbed at her lip, the heat finally getting the best of her.What’s the matter with me?she wondered, hoping she wasn’t catching a cold or something else she might have picked up from all the tourists who attended these events. Normally, the heat never affected her like it seemed to be doing today. Maybe the strings of the corset had been tied too tightly. She was certainly finding it difficult to breath. Whatever the reason, Bridgette needed to either loosen them or drink lots of water before she did the unthinkable and faint.
The Queen seated herself under the awning of her tent and, before Bridgette could get to one of the lower stools or chairs, they quickly filled up, leaving her no other choice but to stand to the side. Megan came, bearing the same ewer of water that she herself had carried yesterday and began filling the pretty jeweled cups that were thrust in her direction. Their eyes met and Megan’s brow rose in a silent question, asking if she was okay. Bridgette swayed.
Megan came to her and pulled her behind a sheet that would allow for some privacy for the women who may need to attend to their costuming.
“What’s the matter?” Megan asked, concern etched on her face.
“I don’t know,” Bridgette answered. “Can you check the ties of the corset and dress to see if they’re too tight? I can’t seem to catch my breath.” Megan went behind her and loosened the strings, but Bridgette didn’t feel any form of relief.
“They’re not that tight. Do you want to take it off and just wear a chemise?” Megan inquired, holding out a cup of water to her friend.
Bridgette took small sips of the cool liquid. “I’ll never get the dress on if I’m not wearing them…you know that,” she snapped.
“No reason to get angry with me. It’s not my fault you’re not feeling well.”
“Sorry…” Bridgette murmured.
“Do you want to change costumes with me or go back to the hotel?”
Bridgette shook her head. “No, I’m sure I’ll be fine and I’d hate to miss something we’ve been waiting all year for.”
“There’ll be other festivals, if you’re not feeling well,” Megan replied obviously still concerned.
