Claude was the last person she wanted to see right now. To make matters worse, he overheard her conversation with Augustin. She was going to have to say something quickly to try to explain without giving away her secrets.
“This is Augustin.” Evelina introduced the man to Claude.
“Yes, I know,” answered Claude with a nod of his head. “Lady Rose said he is your brother. Funny, but he doesn’t look anything like you. He is also much older than you.”
“I could say the same about you and your little sister, Charlotte,” said Evelina. “After all, you are fifteen years apart in age if I’m not mistaken.”
“Hmph,” Claude scoffed.
“My brother has secured passage on a merchant ship back to France, but I don’t think we should leave because I have a commitment to tend to Lady Rose until her handmaid returns.”
“I’m sure Lady Rose can find another handmaid,” said Claude.
“Yes, I agree.” Augustin reached out and grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her out the door. “Let’s go.”
“Then again,” said Claude, causing the man to stop. “Lady Rose is quite fond of Evelina, and it wouldn’t be good to upset her since the birth of her baby is so close.”
“Aye, I think you are right,” Evelina agreed.
“I can’t leave her here unescorted,” snapped the guard.
“Unescorted?” asked Claude, sounding suspicious. “That is an odd choice of a word for a commoner to use.”
“He just means that he’s afraid for my safety,” said Evelina.
“Oh, I see,” said Claude. “There is no need to worry. I will watch over Evelina during her stay in England.”
“Nay, that’s not necessary,” stammered Evelina, not wanting him watching her every move.
“She’s not staying here.” Augustin dragged her toward the door.
Claude took two long strides and gripped the man’s wrist. “Get your hands off of her,” he warned him. “I said I would protect her and it starts right now.”
“I’m her older brother,” growled Augustin. “She will do what I say.”
“If you think I am daft enough to believe that story for one minute, you have another guess coming.”
“We have papers to prove it,” snarled the guard.
“Papers that are no doubt forged. I recognize you as a mercenary,” Claude told him. “I believe I hired you a few years ago, and you told me you didn’t have any family. Have you forgotten so soon, Augustin?”
The man’s hand slipped off of Evelina’s arm, but he stayed quiet.
“Evelina, you can stay if you want to, but I’m leaving.” Augustin turned on his heel and headed out to the courtyard.
Claude was glad to see the mercenary go. He’d been wracking his brain trying to figure out why the man seemed familiar. Then, when he saw Augustin pull Evelina out into the hall, it all came back to him. He was a mercenary and not a good one at that. Claude used him once, but when he found the mercenary stealing from his coffers, he let the man go. He really should have cut off his hand or hanged him, but that is not the kind of lord Claude wanted to be.
Claude had money. If the man had just asked, he would have helped him out. There were a lot of poor people that he’d helped over the years, even bringing the peasants into his castle walls for meals several times a week.
“Thank you,” said Evelina once Augustin had left.
“Who are you?” he asked her.
“I told you. I am Evelina . . . Evelina du . . . de . . . I’m just called Evelina,” she answered, almost sounding as if she couldn’t remember who she was.
“You told me your surname was Du Bisset.”
She looked startled when he corrected her.
“Yes, that’s my name.”
“Why are you lying to me, Evelina?”
“Lying?” Her face became red.
“I knew from the moment I met you that you weren’t who you claimed to be. I have figured out who you are and why you came here from France, even though you won’t tell me.”
“Y-you have?” she asked.
“You are a merchant’s daughter. Perhaps a spinster.”
“Why would you think that?” She faked a laugh.
“I’ve seen the way you eat and the way you conduct yourself. You are certainly not a servant. I have also seen the way you stitch. It is as if you were born with a needle in your hand. That mercenary kidnapped you and brought you to England, trying to get ransom from your family, didn’t he?”
“What? Nay. That’s not true.”
“Then there is only one other option.”
“And what is that?”
“He was your lover.”
“That is preposterous! He most certainly was not my lover.”
“Then perhaps my squire was right. I saw you exchanging money with the mercenary. Mayhap you are a whore, and he wasn’t satisfied and demanded his money returned.”
That earned him a hard slap across the face. Evelina glared at him and stood with her hands on her hips looking as if she wanted to tear off his head.
“Don’t ever speak to me that way again.”
As she stormed off, Claude chuckled to himself. He knew the mercenary wasn’t her lover and she was no whore. He only said it to get her flustered so she would hopefully tell him her true identity but it didn’t work. Well, he’d find out who she was because now he was not only Rose’s protector but Evelina’s as well. The closer he got to her, the easier it would hopefully be to figure out why he was having these odd feelings for a mere commoner.
Chapter 8
Evelina threw open the shutter and took a deep breath of fresh morning air. “My lady, it is time to awake so you are not late for mass,” she told Rose.
Rose let out a soft moan and turned over in bed. “I am not feeling all that well today. I think I will stay in my chamber and not go anywhere.”
“Lady Rose, is it the baby?” She rushed over to the bedside.
“I think I’m just tired, that’s all.” Rose pushed up to a sitting position in bed. The sheet slipped off of her, and the bulge of her stomach under her shift moved.
“I – I think I just saw the baby move,” gasped Evelina.
Rose chuckled. “Yes, it is amazing. Here, give me your hand. You can feel the baby kick.” Rose reached out, and Evelina stretched out her arm. Rose placed Evelina’s hand on her large belly. “Right there. It should be any minute now.”
A kick knocked against Evelina’s hand, and her eyes opened wide. “I felt it. I felt the baby kick!”
Rose giggled. “You act as if this is the first time you’ve felt the kick of an unborn baby. Haven’t you been close to anyone giving birth before?”
“Nay,” she admitted.
“I thought since you are a nursemaid, you must have been present for many births when you were back in France.”
“I . . . I wasn’t always a nursemaid,” she said. “The only time I’ve been around a pregnant woman was when my brother’s wife and her baby died in childbirth.”
“I see.” Rose looked down at her belly and rubbed her hand over it in a loving manner. Suddenly, she seemed very sad.
“Oh, my lady, I am sorry.” Evelina felt awful that she had just mentioned her sister-by-marriage dying in childbirth. “I am sure you will be just fine and so will your baby. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Nay, it is all right, Evelina. I was just thinking of the two babies I lost and was wondering what Toft would have done if I had died as well.”
“Don’t talk that way. Please,” said Evelina, cradling Rose’s hand in hers.
“Toft and I want a child desperately. My mother died in childbirth, and I lost five siblings as well, so I am very worried.”
“I’m sorry, my lady. That is awful, and I am sure very hard to accept.”
“Do you want children someday?”
No one had ever asked Evelina this before. She liked someone asking what she wanted in her life instead of telling her how
it had to be. “Aye, I do,” she said. “But I need a husband first.”
“I’m surprised you are not married already.”
“I want to marry someone I love. Just like you and Toft. I don’t want to be married to someone just because my father wants me to be.”
“Ah, now I understand why you left France. Your father wants you to marry someone, and you don’t agree.”
She looked down and wrung her hands in her lap. “I would rather not be married at all than to marry a horrible, mean man.”
“I’m sure he’s not as bad as you make it sound. Perhaps you should go back to your father and have a talk with him about this.”
“Nay. I won’t do that.” She sprang up and paced the floor.
“What does your mother say about all this?”
“My mother is dead.”
“I understand how hard it is for you. I lost my mother at a young age. I was so happy when Isobel came into my father’s life because now I have another woman to confide in.”
“So, you couldn’t talk to your father about things either?”
“I blamed my father for my mother’s death. But once I realized it was not his fault and how foolish I’d been, we became close. I can talk to my father about anything now.”
“My father will never understand.” Evelina shook her head in sorrow. “I need to find the man I’m to marry on my own.”
“Claude is very nice. He is not married.”
“Claude?” She spun around so fast that she almost fell.
“Mayhap, you should get to know him.”
“He has been nothing but cruel to me,” she told Rose.
“Claude? Cruel?” That made Rose laugh. “I honestly don’t think the man has a mean bone in his body. You must have just started off on the wrong foot with him.”
“Claude is a nobleman,” Evelina reminded her. “I’m sure he would only consider marrying a noblewoman.”
“I’ve seen the way Claude looks at you, Evelina. He has eyes for you even if you don’t think so.”
“Nay, that can’t be. He is still in love with you.”
“Me?” Rose stopped laughing and held her hand to her chest. “I’m married.”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you as well, my lady. I don’t think Claude will ever marry anyone if he can’t have you.”
Rose’s face became somber, and she nodded slightly. “I know what you mean, Evelina. I have noticed it, too, since he returned from France. But I have a feeling that is all going to change soon. We are only good friends. I am sure Claude knows it.”
There was a quick knock at the door, and it opened a crack. Rose’s stepmother, Isobel, peeked into the room. “Are ye awake, Rose? If we are goin’ to buy shoes in town, we will need to get an early start. I have a lot of shoppin’ to do.”
“Come on in, Isobel.” Rose swung her feet over the edge of the bed.
“I thought you said you were feeling ill and tired and wanted to sleep some more.” Evelina got the distinct feeling Rose had just been pretending.
“I am always tired, lately,” said Rose. “However, I suddenly feel better.” She looked over to Isobel with a wide grin on her face. “I’m never too tired for shopping for shoes.”
Isobel and Rose giggled. Leaving the door open, Isobel quickly crossed the floor and sat down on the bed with Rose. “We are goin’ to have to find a new place to hide the shoes or Conlin will have my head when he returns.”
“Don’t worry, Isobel. I will add them to the rest of the stash. Evelina, open that trunk in the corner.”
“This one?” Evelina walked over to a trunk and lifted the lid. There was a baby blanket folded neatly at the top of the trunk. “Oh, what a beautiful blanket.”
“I made that in the ladies solar. All the ladies helped to quilt it,” said Rose. “But that isn’t what I wanted to show you.” Rose got up and walked over to the trunk along with Isobel. “Pick it up,” she told Evelina.
Evelina picked up the blanket. To her surprise, the trunk was packed full of shoes.
“Shoes!” she said. “Lots of them.”
“These are some of my favorites,” said Isobel, picking up a pair of side-laced, soft, suede slippers with embroidered colorful stitching of flowers on them. “These look about yer size,” said Isobel, perusing Evelina’s feet. “I would like ye to have them.”
“Me?” Evelina held her hand to her heart. “But . . . these are the shoes of a noblewoman. I am only a handmaid.”
Rose and Isobel looked at each other, grinned, and then looked back to Evelina.
“We want you to have them,” said Rose. “Mayhap, they will help you attract a husband.”
Evelina reached out with a shaky hand, feeling very deceitful. How could she take such a gift when all she’d done was lie since she’d met these wonderful women? “I can’t,” she said, pulling back her hand. “Not until I tell you both something first.”
“Good morning, am I missing something in here?” Claude walked in the open door and made his way over to the women.
Evelina groaned inwardly. She wanted to confide in the women, but she didn’t want to tell Claude who she really was. If he knew, he would be sure to haul her back to France himself.
“You’re not missing anything unless you’d like a pair of shoes, too,” giggled Rose.
“Evelina was just about to try on her new shoes,” Isobel told him. “Go ahead, lassie, put them on.”
With everyone staring at her, Evelina had no choice but to try on the shoes. She decided she would tell Isobel and Rose her secret later. She wanted to wait until Claude wasn’t around.
“They fit ye like a glove,” said Isobel.
“Yes, they do.” Evelina lifted the hem of her skirt and admired the beautiful shoes.
“Don’t they look good on her, Claude?” asked Rose.
“Huh?” Claude glanced down at the shoes and then back up to Rose. “Yes, I suppose so. Rose, are you ready? We are going to be late for mass.”
“I’m not going,” she said. “I am spending the day with Isobel. We are headed to town to shop.”
“Not going to mass?” asked Claude in surprise. “Why not?”
“It is a pregnant woman’s prerogative to change her mind, Claude.”
“All right. I’ll have my squire prepare the horse and cart, anon.” Claude turned and headed for the door.
“You are not coming with us,” said Rose.
Claude stopped and turned to face Rose with a perplexed look on his face. “What do you mean? You will need an escort. I am supposed to be watching you.”
“My father’s guard can escort us,” said Rose. “I have another task for you.”
“You do?” Claude furrowed his brow. “What could be more important?”
“I have a craving for rosemary and lavender soul cakes.”
“Soul cakes? It’s not even close to All Hallow’s Eve,” said Claude. “Where am I going to find those?”
“I know a woman who makes them fresh every day at the White Cliff Inn,” Rose informed him. “That is where you can find them.”
“The White Cliff Inn,” repeated Evelina. “Where is that?”
“It’s in Dover,” said Isobel.
“Dover is several hours’ ride each way,” protested Claude. “Can’t you ask your cooks to make some here in Sandwich?”
“Oh, please, Claude,” said Rose, rubbing her belly. “I have a craving for them. I am not sure the cooks here even have the proper ingredients to make them.”
Claude sighed and then nodded. “As you wish, my lady. I will hurry and return to your side as soon as possible.” He turned to go.
“My handmaid, Evelina, will be accompanying you.”
“What?” blurted out Evelina and Claude at the same time.
“I’m in need of some new undergarments that they sell at the clothier’s shop in Dover,” Rose told them. “It is the only place I know of that sells clothes already made instead of making them to order. I wouldn’t think
of asking a man to purchase undergarments for a lady.”
Rose looked over to Evelina and winked. Suddenly, Evelina knew where this was leading. Hadn’t Rose suggested that Claude would make a fine husband for her? She squeezed her eyes closed, knowing Claude was going to protest.
“I don’t suppose you can have your clothier make them here at the castle, can you?” asked Claude.
“These are already made and are some of the finest. I will give Evelina instructions as well as money to purchase what I need.”
“All right,” Claude agreed, causing Evelina’s eyes to spring open. Where was the protesting of having her along that she expected? “But we’re riding horses because a wagon is only going to slow us down. I will be back before sunset, Lady Rose.”
Claude left the room. Evelina stood speechless, not knowing how to respond.
“Rose, I have a feelin’ ye are no’ really needin’ soul cakes or undergarments at all,” said Isobel. “What are ye up to?” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Rose from the corners of her eyes.
“Isobel, whatever do you mean?” asked Rose, walking over to the pouch of coins on the table and scooping it up, giving it to Evelina. “Here you go. That should be more than enough. Be sure to pick up a nice gown for yourself as well while you are at the clothier’s shop.”
“A gown? For me?” asked Evelina. Rose leaned in closer and whispered. “Claude likes the colors of blue and purple the best. And if you have a chance, get yourself a bottle of rosewater too. The scent of rosewater is one of his favorites.”
Evelina gripped the pouch of coins tightly in her hand. Her heart beat faster. Thinking of being alone with Claude sent a spiral of heat surging through her. “How do I know what kind of undergarments to get for you?” asked Evelina.
“Oh, just get whatever you’d like. I trust your judgment.” Rose swiped her hand through the air in a dismissing manner.
“Thank you, Rose,” said Evelina, feeling uncomfortable. She couldn’t take what was offered until she told Rose the truth. “I need to tell you something first. Once you hear what I have to say, you might change your mind.”
“Evelina,” came Claude’s bellow from the corridor. He appeared in the open doorway with a scowl on his face. “God’s eyes, what is taking you so long? We need to move faster. If you are going to be tagging along, I won’t have you slowing me down. Do you understand?”
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