“He died a warrior’s death, Ulfric,” Thorvald offered in their defence.
“You mean the blood-eagle? That’s not an honourable death to a Norman.”
“You had nothing to do with it, my brother. Forget him, he brought you nothing but trouble and don’t forget Juliana, she would have been giving birth to your child in Bertone if he hadn’t dragged her halfway across the country.”
“I know. Part of me is glad he’s dead, but I don’t know how I’m going to tell his father.”
“Don’t tell him anything.”
“I can’t leave him with false hope that one day his son will return.”
“No, I suppose not.” Thorvald gave up trying to make excuses.
“I’m going to get Juliana, the woman and boy. I’ll bring them here under your care, Ragn. I understand you have promised to find work for the woman in this house?”
“Yes, it’s the least I can do for her. She has looked after my niece like a mother, she will be honoured among my household. The boy will continue working for Hjarter, it will be a useful occupation for him. Take one of my servants and a wagon for their belongings.”
Ulfric left the other men and instructed a servant to hitch up a wagon and horse to collect Juliana and Kristen. He had visited her every day for a week now but had not stayed with her overnight as the room was too small for all of them. Ragn had taken pity on Ma and she was more than happy to work for him and live in his house. At least she and her son would be fed and clothed.
Juliana was waiting with Kristen in her arms when Ulfric appeared at the door. He dropped a kiss on his baby’s head and then turned his attention to his wife who had dressed in the clean clothes sent to her by Ragn. Her hair shone and her eyes were bright. Her smile took away Ulfric’s breath and he thought he had never seen her look more beautiful, motherhood certainly became her.
“What are you looking at? Is there something wrong with my dress?” Juliana asked, inspecting her gown.
“I’m just thinking that I’m the luckiest man in the kingdom to have such a beautiful wife. Come wife and kiss your husband. Tomorrow we leave for Bertone.”
Juliana grinned her pleasure and handed Kristen to her father. “Really, Ulfric? We can go home?”
“Yes, and the sooner we get there the better. I’ve had enough of chasing you around the country.”
“Yes, but you caught me in the end, didn’t you?” she said mischievously.
Ulfric was suddenly serious. “Juliana, I have something to tell you.”
Her smile left her lips and concern clouded her eyes. “What is it, Ulfric, my love?”
“It’s de Gant,” he said shortly. “He’s dead!”
Juliana swayed as the shock hit home and Ulfric reached out to steady her. The news was not unwelcome, in fact she was relieved to hear that he would not be causing any more trouble for her, but somehow it seemed so final.
“How? When? Who?” was all she could say.
“A few days ago. He apparently angered one of Ragn’s friends who’s still not averse to disposing of Normans, especially those he suspected of dallying with his daughter.”
“Poor Giselle, she loved her brother.”
“I know, but my problem is how I’m going to break the news to his father.”
“Well, the sooner we get home the sooner we can sort everything out.”
Loading the cart did not take very long and Ma did not even look back as they left, but Juliana did.
“Never look back, my lady. Always look forward to the future,” Ma patted Juliana’s hand.
“You are a wise woman, Ma. I am indebted to you.”
“You have healed my heart, Juliana. I can now remember my daughter with pride instead of pain so no, you owe me nothing. I am indebted to you.”
***
The journey back to the coast was simple thanks to Ragn offering to go with them as far as the Humber. They took horses and carts which would return with Ragn and a few of his servants before they headed back to York. Juliana was quiet, nursing her baby and singing songs in a soft lilting voice that Ulfric found comforting. When they stopped for the night at an inn, Ulfric was amazed to find Alice and her family were happily running the place. Alice too was relieved that she would no longer need to be looking over her shoulder for Sir Richard. Ulfric was glad Alice was happy and in good health, but Juliana still seemed distant and quiet. Once they were alone and she was nursing the baby, he asked, “What ails you, my sweet? You have been very quiet these last days.”
Juliana seemed sad as she replied, “I keep thinking about everything. I want to know that my mother is well but also I dread to go back and find she is no longer there.”
“Is that all? I feel that you are keeping something from me,” he asked gently.
Juliana thought her heart would break if he continued to question her so gave him a sidelong glance which he could not fathom. He had not seen that look for many months, she was angry with him, but for what he had no idea. Her eyes flashed and he edged away knowing that her fiery temper was something to avoid, but it also attracted him. She was unique in the way that she could be ice one minute and fire the next. If it had not been for the baby in her arms he felt that she would have struck him, so fierce was the look she gave him. He was about to argue in his defence of something he knew nothing about when he saw her face crumple and her shoulders shook with sobs.
“Juliana, my love, what’s wrong with you? I don’t know what I’ve done but I’m sorry for upsetting you.”
He edged closer to her again and put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned her face on his chest and cried. All the pain, anger and suffering she had absorbed and held inside fell in a torrent of tears. Ulfric was at a loss, he was useless to her in times like these, but if he was to be a husband he would have to get used to it. Was it his fault his own mother had sent him away? If it had not been for Sir Baldwin de Gant, Richard and Giselle’s father, he would never have known a kind word. His childhood had been loveless, no woman had ever shown him a mother’s love, but he knew that the love Juliana had shown him was the real thing. A feeling of protective love and desire for this woman crying in his arms overwhelmed him and instinctively he let her cry until she was spent. Their daughter suckling at her breast had fallen asleep so he took the child and held her in his other arm. Juliana stopped crying and pulled her gown together. Ulfric felt she was somewhat embarrassed by what had happened.
“Our daughter is asleep, Juliana. See how like you she is?”
“I think she has your ears,” Juliana said.
“I just hope she doesn’t have your temper,” he replied smiling at her joke. “Tell me, my dearest one, what is troubling you?”
Juliana took a deep breath, “I’m sorry I forced you to marry me, Ulfric.”
Ulfric looked amazed at his wife. “You didn’t force me, Juliana. I had already made up my mind to marry you at the first opportunity. I just hadn’t realised it would be so quick.”
“I saw your face when I told you to fetch the priest. You looked terrified.”
“I am a warrior and not used to such things as softness and love. I have known nothing but fighting and killing since an early age. The circumstances in which we were married were urgent but I too wanted our daughter to be born in wedlock. Juliana, believe me, you didn’t force me to marry you. I wanted to – with all my heart.”
“Are you certain? I could not live with you knowing that you hated me for trapping you.”
“I’m certain, and I don’t feel trapped. I love you for who you are. I love your tenderness, I love everything about you – except maybe your temper,” he added laughing.
They both laughed together and their baby slept on undisturbed.
***
It was a bedraggled group who entered the Hall at Bertone. Everyone seemed to be about their work and ignored them. The hour was late and food was being served but it was as if they had stepped into a familiar but fantastical scene. They knew they belonged there but why was no one
coming to greet them? Ulfric helped Juliana to sit in front of the fire and Thorvald was still looking around for someone to speak to when Erik walked into the firelight.
“At last, we’d just about given up hope,” he said with a matter-of-fact air.
He studied their bemused faces and then laughed saying, “Sam has been watching for you for the past two months, he saw you coming half an hour ago and ran back to let us know.”
“Well, thank goodness for that. We thought we had entered the wrong hall,” Ulfric laughed in return.
Juliana looked amazed when a woman resembling her mother, picked up the baby from her and began walking back and forth, singing lullabies.
“Who is that?” Juliana gasped.
“Do you not know your own mother? Surely you haven’t been away that long.”
Hilde grinned at her daughter and then laughed out loud.
“Mother, I... I was afraid you...”
“Had died?” Hilde finished for her. “I’m made of good stock, Juliana. Giselle managed to bend but not to break me. I am recovered thanks to Sara and my friends here. They told me that you had been taken but I knew you’d be back. You have mine and your father’s strength.”
Juliana let go of all the tension she had carried regarding her mother and relaxed into her chair reaching for Ulfric’s hand.
“I hope the coin around your neck means you are married, Juliana. It would dishonour our family if you have brought a child into this world with no vows having been said,” Hilde remarked.
“Yes, Ulfric found me and we were married just before the child was born. We hope that Father Matthew will bless our marriage once we’ve had time to settle again. We will exchange rings this time though, instead of swords.”
“I’m glad,” was all her mother said.
Erik beckoned into the shadows to call someone forward, and Ulfric’s eyes opened wide as Sir Baldwin de Gant limped to his side to shake his hand. “It’s been too long, Ulfric. We’ve a lot of news to tell each other, but that can wait until after we’ve eaten.” He turned around and brought Giselle forward. Juliana caught her breath when she saw her. She seemed to have shrunk in stature and looked much older than her years.
“Congratulations, Ulfric, on your wedding and your child,” she said with as much grace as she could muster.
Ulfric nodded to her accepting her good wishes but wondered how and why she had left the nunnery. “Sir Baldwin, my wife and I are tired and would like to eat and then retire. We will speak in the morning, but before we do I have to tell you that your son is dead. I’m sorry to be the bearer of this news, but it seems better to get it out of the way. With your permission I will tell you about it tomorrow.”
“It is only what I expected, Ulfric. I’m not surprised you killed him – he was always a thorn in your flesh.”
“No! I didn’t kill him, believe me. I wasn’t even there.”
Sir Baldwin looked relieved but unconvinced. His demeanour was a conflict of grief and chivalry at that moment. He turned to introduce Luke. “There is another member of our party who would like to meet you. Come – let’s sit at the table and we can begin our meal.”
Luke knelt at Ulfric’s feet paying homage to the lord of the manor. Ulfric waved him up to the table and Luke explained about his and Giselle’s plans for the future. Giselle sat silent, numb from the coldness in her belly and heart after the news of her brother’s death had hit her. She was already scheming and plotting her revenge.
Juliana was pleased to be home. Her baby had been fed and changed into fresh cloths by her grandmother. The Hall enfolded her like a comforting blanket. She was home. Her mother was healthy once more and her husband sat at her side. The servants were smiling but she longed for the peace and quiet of her chamber where she and Ulfric would live and love for a lifetime – or so she hoped.
Chapter 26
The sun beat down from the deepest blue sky. It was high summer and the fair had arrived in Bertone bringing with it a sense of freedom and relaxation for everyone. The servants and the townspeople gathered together and laughed as the tumblers leapt and fell head-over-heels for their amusement. Stalls were busy selling trinkets and offering games of chance for anyone who had enough coin to join in. The aromas of roasting pig, and game floated through the air tempting people to buy slabs of meat, pies and bread to mop up the gravy. Fires burned and smoke billowed into the clear sky while troubadours played lutes and pipes and children danced around them.
The only person who did not raise a smile was Giselle. She sighed deeply and Sir Baldwin and Luke tried to distract her from her grief but she was having none of it. In the end the older man tried a firmer stand, “Giselle, please try to be happy again. I know you are still grieving for your brother, but what is done is done. He was always a trouble to me in his youth and his behaviour on the battlefield was less than honourable. His abduction of the lady Juliana was also his undoing so please let go of his death and join in the celebrations.
Giselle looked at her father with loathing in her eyes and half-turned away from him, “Yes, that’s right, spoil my memories of my brother. You never loved us, either of us - you were always wrapped up in your protégé, Ulfric.” She almost spat his last name.
Sir Baldwin was taken aback by the force of her venom. “That’s not true, Giselle. I always treated you both as I did Ulfric and Thorvald. They entered the same academy and learned the same skills and you were afforded every comfort.”
“Don’t lie. You always favoured Ulfric and even his pet Norseman more than us and you’re probably glad that my dear Richard is dead. At least he won’t be a problem anymore.”
Sir Baldwin shook his head and moved away, leaving Giselle with Luke who was staring at her as if he had never seen her before.
“What are you looking at me like that for?” she demanded.
“I really don’t know you at all, Giselle, do I?” he asked in wonder.
“Don’t be so stupid,” she snapped in return.
“Giselle, come and sit with me, let’s talk about this. I’m beginning to be afraid for your sanity.”
“My sanity?” she repeated astonished at his lack of understanding. “My heart is broken, Luke, shattered into the smallest pieces. My brother was the only person who loved me.”
Luke put his arm around her and they left the laughter behind them until they came to a small wooded quarry. “That’s not true, Giselle. Now sit down, my love and tell me about Richard.”
“What can I tell you?” she began miserably. “He was my brother and I loved him. He always believed in me and we had the same ideas. We plotted together many times, sometimes for fun but sometimes in earnest, especially to get rid of that interloper, Ulfric.”
“Ulfric has given us a home, a roof over our heads and food to fill our bellies. What has he done that is so terrible?”
“He took away my father’s love. He was a doting father until his precious Ulfric turned up. We were forced to play with him and Thorvald, share our things with them and treat them as if they were part of our family. But they weren’t!”
“Can’t you let go of the past now, Giselle, for me?”
“Let go of my memories, for you? Why? Who do you think you are that I should part with the best part of my life when Richard and I were allies?” Giselle got to her feet confronting him, “You are nothing to me - do you hear? Nothing!”
“But... Giselle, we are to be married. I didn’t give up the church for nothing. I love you.”
“Love? You don’t know the meaning of the word. Go! Go back to Barrow and the monastery if they’ll have you. I have no further use for you.”
Luke got to his feet and reached out for her but she dipped out of the way. As he reached to catch her his foot slipped on the dry earth at the edge of the quarry and he fell backwards grasping at thin air. He cried her name begging for help but she stood unmoving and watched him fall. Over and over he went down the quarry side, banging his head and body on stones and tree roots until
he came to rest against a large elm. All was quiet when the dust settled leaving Giselle peering over the edge looking at the broken body of the handsome young man she had duped. Feeling nothing at all she walked away without looking back.
***
Juliana had excused herself to move away from the crowd as Kristen was crying for her feed. Ulfric watched her walk to a more secluded place and as she turned to wave she noticed he was admiring the swish of her skirts as she walked. She smiled to herself wondering where such happiness came from. She had been very wrong to doubt her beloved husband and she knew that he loved her with all his heart as she did him. She settled herself down and began to feed Kristen noticing Giselle wandering back to the fair and wondered where she had been and why Luke was not with her.
The tension between the two women had not eased greatly and Juliana was careful not to leave Kristen alone with Giselle. If anyone was to look after her for a while then Juliana would seek out her mother who was only too glad to be in charge of her granddaughter. Since hearing about her brother’s death Giselle had become morose and bad tempered, taking it out on anyone she came across and bearing in mind her previous conflicts with her, Juliana was always wary. She would be glad when Sir Baldwin took her back to Normandy.
When Juliana had finished nursing Kristen she lay back on the grassy slope and enjoyed the sunshine, cuddling her baby close. The sounds of the fair receded and became echoes in her mind as she dozed peacefully. How long she lay there she had no idea but she suddenly became aware of a shadow blocking out the sun. She opened her eyes and saw Giselle standing next to her holding Kristen in her arms. Juliana shot up onto her feet and made a grab for her daughter but Giselle was too quick for her and pulled the babe roughly to her body.
“Not so confident now are you, bitch?” Giselle’s voice was low and menacing.
“Give me my baby,” Juliana tried to smile but it wobbled on her mouth and never quite succeeded.
“What’s the matter, Saxon? Are you afraid?” Giselle taunted.
Fire and Ice Page 16
