Plumping the rabbit fur pillows on the wooden settee, she motioned for him to sit in front of the hearth.
He complied, taking hold of her hand to pull her down beside him. Nervous and jumpy, he stroked her hand within his, as if searching for the right words to say.
Cardin swallowed forcefully, a desperate hope in his vulnerable gaze. “I love you, Ulla. I’ve come to ask you a question that I’ve been longing to ask for quite some time.” He raised her hand to his trembling lips. “I wrote a letter to my brother Bastien, requesting permission to return to my position as castle archer atle Château de Beaufortin Finistère.”
Ulla’s heart leapt to her throat.
“I can’t go back to Biarritz.,” he stammered, his deep voice quavering. “I could never leave you. Or Lukaz. I love you both too much.” He fervently kissed her shaking hand. “I couldn’t ask you this before, since I had no home to offer. But now that King Guillemin has granted my request, I can ask you the question that’s been burning inside me.” He dropped down to one knee in front of her, piercing her soul with his penetrating gaze. “Ulla, will you marry me? Become my wife, and a mother to my son? Come live with us atle Château de Beaufortin Finistère?”
She flung her arms around his neck, nearly toppling him to the floor. Tears of joy streaming down her face, she nodded vehemently and kissed his grinning face.
He jumped to his feet, pulled her into his arms, and devoured her lips. “You’ve healed me, Ulla. Opened my eyes. Reunited me with my son.” He gently gripped her face between his calloused hands, showering her with soft kisses. “I’m whole again. Reborn. And happier than I’ve ever been. I love you and always will. With every beat of my heart.”
Cardin retrieved a small wooden box from a pouch strapped to his leather belt. He opened it and showed her the rings inside. “These belonged to my grandparents. My mother gave them to me for us.” He removed a magnificent ruby ring and slipped it on her finger. “It’s a bit too big,” he remarked, noting the loose fit. “And this one is too small for me. But the local goldsmith can adjust them in time for the wedding.”
Ulla’s breath caught as he stood and pulled her into his arms.
“Mamansuggested that we get married on Twelfth Night.” He lifted her hand and kissed the ruby ring. “Bastien, Gabrielle, and their four children will be arriving in mid-December, with King Guillemin and his royal entourage as well. The whole family will be here to celebrate Lukaz’ birthday on the Winter Solstice.” He kissed her smiling, incredulous lips. “We’ll feast all through the holidays. Dance, rejoice, and celebrate. And culminate the Yuletide season with a Twelfth Night wedding for you and me.”
Her spirit overflowing with joy, she rested her head over Cardin’s thundering heart.
He lifted her chin and lowered his lips to hers. Dark eyes aglow with longing and lust, he whispered huskily as he led her toward the bedroom. “Come,mon amour. Let’s seal our betrothal with love.”
Chapter 17
Message for Basati
The vaulted wooden walls of the Great Hall inle Château de Landucwere adorned with Yuletide garlands of holly and ivy, the shiny dark green vines interwoven with an abundance of bright red berries and stalks of spicy, aromatic cloves. On the opposite wall facing the elevated dais where Cardin sat at the table of honor with Ulla and Lukaz, a crackling fire heated the vast chamber against the early December chill. Above the mantel of the enormous hearth, fresh evergreen boughs and white hellebore blossoms perfumed the festive air with a sweet floral fragrance and the crisp, clean scent of pine.
Along each side of the room, knights and ladies feasted on frumenty pottage, platters of venison, wild boar, poached salmon and pike, the celebration dinner concluding with sweet tarts and pastries, candied fruits and cheese. As castle servants cleared the tables and refilled goblets of fine French wine, Cardin’s father, Esclados le Ros, lord of the castle, rose from his seat to propose a toast.
“Messieurs, dames, tonight we celebrate the betrothal of my son, Sir Cardin de Landuc, to the lovely healer, Lady Ulla de Montreuil.” The deep baritone of his father’s voice reverberated through the great hall. “They will be married here on the sixth of January. A Twelfth Night wedding—the culmination of our Yuletide season—atle Château de Landuc.” White teeth gleaming in the candlelight against his coppery burnished skin, the famed Red Knight raised his goblet high, prompting guests to follow his noble lead. “Let us drink to the betrothed couple. To Sir Cardin and Lady Ulla. To their son Lukaz. To their future together as a family in the Kingdom of Finistère.”
Amid cheers for the upcoming wedding, lively melodies from viols, rebecs, fiddles, and flutes enticed the jovial celebrants into the adjacent ballroom as musicians began performing and guests began to dance.
While Lukaz remained at the table with his grandmother Laudine, Cardin swept Ulla onto the dance floor to join inla carole. Fingers linked with other dancers’, they twirled in circles around the room, Ulla’s beautiful face alit with silent laughter and sublime joy.
When the evening ended, they tucked Lukaz in bed together. And—while guests retired to their quarters or returned to their nearby homes—slipped quietly from the castle, back to the cottage in the woods.
****
The sumptuous red velvet was perfect. The deep scarlet hue would enhance the dazzling ruby in her exquisite bridal ring. Overwhelmed with gratitude by Laudine’s generous offer of the luxurious fabric, Ulla watched in awe as seamstresses sewed the elegant Yuletide wedding gown she would soon wear to marry Cardin.
She and Laudine had just finished preparing herbs and were savoring a cup of chamomile tea in the cozy alcove off the castle kitchen. “The village goldsmith has adjusted the wedding rings. They were delivered this morning.” Laudine sipped her steamingtisane. “The tailor is creating a gold velvet tunic and black woolen breeches for Cardin to wear. With an elegant black hat adorned with a fine feather plume.” Laudine rose from her seat, fetched something from the corner cupboard, and placed it on the table in front of Ulla. Anticipation and excitement widened her expressive eyes.
An ornate bridal wreath—dual strands of ivy and holly were braided with a ribbon of rich red velvet and adorned with sparkling rubies. From the center back of the headpiece, a veil of gossamer golden silk cascaded to the floor. “I created this to match your wedding gown.” Laudine placed the wreath on Ulla’s head and bent down to kiss her cheek. “You will be a most beautiful bride.” She wrapped her arms around Ulla’s shoulders and whispered in her ear. “Thank you for healing my son, the Basque Wolf of Biarritz.” Tears glimmered in Laudine’s grateful gaze. “And my Little Wolf Lukaz, too.”
Ulla removed the velvet and silk headpiece, laid it carefully upon the table, and rose to embrace Laudine.She taught me healing herbs when I was a young priestess. Took me in when my parents died. Welcomed me back when Romain and Fjall were killed. My teacher, my mentor, my friend. And soon—Goddess willing— my mother-in-law as well.
Amid heartfelt laughter and tears of joy, Laudine rocked Ulla in her loving arms, then released her gently. “Come, let’s visit Rozenn and her babe to check on their progress. By the time we return, Cardin and Lukaz will be finished training with Quentin and the horses.” Laudine slung her satchel of herbs over her shoulder, and grinned at Ulla. “I hope Maëlys makes a delicious pottage with the pigeons from today’s hunt, with fresh rosemary and thyme from myverrière.”
****
The pigeon pottage was superb. The rich broth was full of carrots, mushrooms, leeks, and onions. The savory herbs perfectly enhanced the tender bits of poultry and the grainy oats. Ulla smiled as she watched Lukaz devour every last bite, sopping up the hearty soup with a large chunk of meslin bread. He licked his fingers, drank several gulps of watered ale, and fixed his large blue eyes on his watchful, bemused father.
“After the wedding, I’m going with you and Lady Ulla back to Finistère? We’ll be a family? And live together inle Château de Beaufort?” Fragile hope illuminated his bright, eager face.
Seated beside his brother Gaultier at the table in the private solar, Cardin grinned at his young son. “That’s right. After the wedding, you, Ulla, and I will travel withTontonBastien andTatieGabrielle back to Finistère. I’m returning to my position as royal archer for King Guillemin, We’ll be riding home with the king—and four dozen royal knights fromle Château de Beaufort.”
