The Faintest Flicker of a Smile

Bertha’s Tale: A Novel - episode 5

A creative retelling, based on truth but not intended to be read as historical fact.

Cantwareburh/Canterbury, c. A.D. 580.

Her breath caught in her chest as she had her first glimpse of Æthelberht.

He was taller than she’d imagined, towering a full head height above the man standing next to him, whom Bertha presumed to be his father, Eormenric. Æthelberht’s chestnut hair curled at his nape and around his ears, shorter than the Frankish fashion for shoulder-length hair. The skin of his neck was tanned; he must spend hours outside each day, she thought, training in fighting perhaps? From his broad shoulders hung a thick woollen cloak of deep red, with gold trim around the neckline and hem. It fell to his knees, below which his legs were protected from the cold by linen boots tightly bound by leather straps, delicate gold buckles encrusted with sparkling garnets.

Hearing footsteps behind them, the two men looked over their shoulders before turning to face the little group stood at the entrance to the hall. Æthelberht locked eyes with Bertha: as the only female in the party, he was sure to know who she was. His face seemed blank, almost expressionless as he studied her, his blue eyes taking in her appearance. They traced her outline, slowly, working from her face, down to her dress and, finally, her shoes. He returned to her eyes, an alluring green, and the faintest flicker of a smile escaped across his face; her heart leapt.