Fire and Ice

Chapter 7



The evening wore on and Juliana became restless. She became bored with hearing stories of past glories and touched Ulfric’s arm.

“My lord, I am tired and need my sleep. I beg that you release me to go to my bed.”

Ulfric was immediately concerned and took her hand to escort her to the stairs. Hilde looked curiously at them but was mollified when Ulfric returned to the table after watching her daughter climb the stairs. Her satisfaction did not last long as he finished his wine and excused himself, whispering something to Thorvald before he moved away from the table. Thorvald winked at his companion, slapping him on the back as he made his way to the stairs.

“What was all that about?” de Gant enquired, slurring his speech as was his custom after good food and lots of ale.

“None of your business,” Thorvald replied, not even bothering to look at him.

De Gant rose from his seat and shouted for Alice, and Hilde’s face paled and glanced at Thorvald who saw her hesitation. “She’s still unwell,” he answered for her.

De Gant did not look convinced but Hilde threw a grateful glance at Thorvald as her mind had gone completely blank and she could not think of any excuse as to why Alice was not there.

“I’m off to bed anyway,” de Gant grumbled and after a loud belch he proceeded to stagger to his room.

***



Upstairs in the lord’s bedchamber Juliana was pacing the floor still unsure of how she would handle the coming encounter with Ulfric. She jumped as the door opened and he walked in smiling at her. She did not return the smile but looked anxious, her eyes avoiding contact with his. His heart sank when he saw her anxiety and he was about to speak when there was a tapping at the door. With ill-humour he yanked the door open, “What is it?” he roared, causing Hilde to back away unsure of whether he would beat her for the interruption.

“My lord, I wish to speak with Juliana if I may, it won’t take long.”

“You’ve had all night to speak to your daughter, why now?”

Juliana pushed past him and ushered her mother to her chamber, throwing Ulfric an impatient glance over her shoulder as she closed the door behind her.

“What is it, mother?” she asked when Hilde hesitated.

“It’s Alice, she’s expecting de Gant’s child and is horrified at the prospect. She’s unwell and says she cannot go home as her parents will disown her.”

Juliana looked stunned but then shrugged her shoulders, “It cannot be helped, mother. When I think of how many times he has taken her to his bed it’s not surprising she is with child. Does he know?”

“No, and I don’t think he should get to know either. If he knew, I fear he would beat her so badly she would lose the child anyway. I think we should send her to Jorvik to stay with my family until the baby is born. There are many people who will take a child in if they are paid enough.”

“Does she want to go to there?”

“I haven’t asked her yet. I thought I would speak with you first.”

“I’ll have to speak to Ulfric as you and I have no money of our own and it would mean the loss of a valued servant.”

“I told her you would speak to him about the situation. I just pray he will be kind.”

“Don’t worry, mother. I know what to do.”

Juliana went back to her room and found Ulfric sitting up in bed waiting for her. A candle spluttered dimly on a small table at the side of the bed and he looked as if he was waiting for her decision. She did not hesitate but went to sit at the side of the bed and faced him.

“Well, Juliana? Are you ready and willing to join me at my side, not only here but as my companion?”

“I believe you mean mistress, Ulfric, but yes I am willing to join you, but first I would like your help with something.”

“Of course,” he said, all smiles now that he was going to get his way at last. “What can I do?”

She told him about de Gant and Alice and his eyes darkened with fury. “He must be made to marry the girl!” he shouted. “His father has always given him everything he’s ever wanted and consequently he values nothing.”

“No, my lord, she doesn’t want him to know. He’s quite capable of beating her to death and would think nothing of it. Please – we just want to send her to my mother’s family in York where the child can be taken in by a childless couple perhaps, unless she wants to keep it of course. It’s for her safety that I ask this of you.”

Ulfric saw the pleading in Juliana’s eyes and found he could not deny her anything. “Yes, of course she must go. You can send her tomorrow while I keep de Gant away from the Hall. He won’t know where she is or why. We’ll send the carter with her and I’ll make sure they have enough coin to buy food and lodgings along the way.”

Juliana smiled her appreciation and leaned forward to kiss him gently in thanks. He was taken aback by such a show of affection but was not displeased. He reached out for her but she slid easily away from him, “No, my lord, permit me to undress first.”

Ulfric watched as she removed her veil and head rail then stepped out of her lilac gown. She then released the ties on her shift and it slid down revealing a plainer white shift underneath. Ulfric was disappointed that she did not continue but she moved to the other side of the bed and cautiously lifted the fur pelts and slid beneath them, still wearing her white shift.

She rested her head on the down-filled pillow, her hair spread out in all its glory. Inside she was terrified, unsure of what to expect, but Ulfric leaned over her and kissed her deeply, moving his mouth gently so as not to alarm her. He slid his body down until he was facing her and moved his lips to her neck and then back to her lips and eyes, quick butterfly kisses which thrilled and confused her. Her breath was short and she could feel the familiar flame ignite inside her which spread its heat throughout her body until she was panting. She felt Ulfric lift her shift over her head and discard it, her senses began to reel as he slid his hands over her body caressing the rosy peaks of her breasts and teasing her with his kisses until she could hardly breathe. When, eventually, his body loomed over her she was not frightened but welcomed him inside her. His movements were gentle to begin with and she felt a brief pain but after that her senses melted but she found herself somewhat let down when he moved away from her. It was his turn to lie panting next to her and for a moment she felt like asking him why he had stopped but shyness and inexperience overtook her and instead she felt tears prick her eyes as if she’d missed something that she was unaware of.

She turned her face away from his and let the tears fall onto the pillow. Her thoughts crowded in on her and she felt dirty and used – a whore who chose to lie with the new lord of the manor rather than keep herself pure for a future husband. She felt Ulfric turn to face her back and felt his strong arms enfold her once again.

“You are beautiful, Juliana. You have made me very happy tonight but I know it must have been difficult for you.”

Juliana sniffed her tears away and hoped he had not noticed but she did not reckon on his sensitivity, even in the dark he knew she was crying. He pulled her round and hugged her close, kissing her forehead and wiping away her tears with his thumb. “It will be different the next time, you’ll see,” he whispered in her ear.

“Ulfric?”

“Yes, my fire maiden?”

“You told me earlier that you weren’t Norman - tell me about your family and how you came to fight for William.”

“It’s a long story.”

“We have all night, sire.” She settled herself into the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest, somehow feeling safer than she had ever done in her life before.

Ulfric sighed, “My mother was from Normandy but my father was Saxon, his family came over to England with the first settlers and eventually married into English nobility. He met my mother during a visit to Normandy and brought her back here. He was killed when I was a boy and my mother married again. Thorvald is my step-brother and his father is Hlodver Thorvaldson whose ancestors reach back to Halfdon, known as The Kind, and also include Ivar Halfdansson who was King of Sweden. When I reached the age of ten I was sent away to stay with my mother’s family in Normandy and Thorvald came with me to learn the art of knighthood and chivalry under the supervision of de Gant’s father, Sir Baldwin. He took me under his wing and even paid for me to attend the same schools as Sir Richard so I suppose it was only natural that I would answer William’s call when I heard of his plans to claim the crown of England. In my youth I followed no man or king. I fought hard for my living once I left the academy and learned my skills on the battlefields of anyone who would pay me the most. I had met William, who is some years older than me, and was impressed by his intelligence. I was also introduced to Matilda, and William asked me to join his knights. At that time I had heard of his plans to oust Harald, and Thorvald said it could be profitable so we became William’s men.”

Juliana thought of Ulfric as a young boy being sent to a foreign land and thrust into a life of war and fighting. She felt sorry for him and moved her hand over his chest to hug him closer but could feel scars she had never seen and moving her fingers down to his waist there was an indentation she assumed had been a sword wound.

“You have suffered greatly in your choice of profession, Ulfric. I do not envy you.”

Her voice was low and warm and she felt Ulfric respond to her caress and felt his hands move over her body again. Within seconds her body responded to the fire within and she gasped at the speed of her reactions as once again he took her, this time taking his time to ensure she too experienced the delights of his love. Juliana moaned and her eyes opened and stared into his as their bodies convulsed with ecstasy which left her once again in tears. Ulfric knew she had experienced the full potential of her womanhood.