Super Summer Set of Historical Shorts

by Laurel O'Donnell

  “Lady Rose will love it,” said Evelina, hoping the shop owner would think it was for a noble and sell it to her after all. “Wrap it up along with the undergarments,” Evelina told Beatrice, pulling her coin pouch open and dipping her hand inside. “You wouldn’t happen to have any rosewater, would you?”

  “Nay, I don’t,” said the woman. “That is something only found in the baths of nobles.”

  “Please hurry,” said Evelina, hearing the low rumble of thunder outside. Claude was sure to be in a foul mood since the storm was approaching and they had yet to return to the castle. In a matter of minutes, she was climbing onto the bench of the cart with the package in her hands.

  Felix hopped up next to her, grabbing the reins and directing the horse back to the inn. No sooner had they left when the sky opened up in a downpour of rain. By the time they got back to the inn, they were soaked to the skin.

  Claude stood at the door of the inn with his arms folded over his chest and a frown on his face.

  “I’ll take the horse and wagon to the stable and meet you inside,” said Felix, helping Evelina from the cart.

  In the pouring rain, she ran with the package, stopping at the door directly in front of Claude.

  “What took you so long?” he growled. “I told you it was going to storm.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I had no idea we were gone that long. Please step aside so I can come in out of the rain.”

  “Why bother?” he asked. “As soon as the soul cakes are done we’ll be leaving.”

  Felix ran up just then, coming to a halt right in front of Claude. He was dripping wet as well. “I can’t wait to get in front of a warm fire with a tankard of ale,” said Felix.

  “Lord Claude says we shouldn’t bother coming in out of the rain since we’ll be leaving soon,” Evelina explained.

  “Leaving? In the midst of a storm?” Felix didn’t like the sound of this, and neither did she.

  As if on cue, a loud crash of thunder rumbled the earth. Two more flashes of lightning split the sky. Evelina was so cold her teeth started to chatter.

  Claude looked out at the sky, and a dark shadow crossed his face. It seemed as if the storm upset him. “We need to get back to Lady Rose, but perhaps we can wait for a little while and see if the storm lets up. However, if we wait too long, we will be riding in the dark.”

  “I would rather ride in the dark than in the rain,” said Evelina. “Please step aside and let us in to warm our bones. You need to stop being so unlikable.”

  Claude felt shaken by the storm, as his memories of his time in Hastings Castle overwhelmed him still to this day. The last time he’d seen a storm like this, he’d almost died in the tower when his father’s castle fell into the sea. He also didn’t like the fact Evelina was so cold that her teeth were chattering.

  He stepped aside and let them enter. “I’ve secured a table by the fire. I’ll have the innkeeper send over some wine and ale and a hot meal.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” said Felix, eagerly heading for the fire. Evelina started to follow him, but Claude’s hand lashed out and grabbed her by the wrist.

  “Are these the things for Lady Rose?” He took the package from her.

  “I can hold on to them,” she told him.

  “You are dripping wet. I won’t have Lady Rose’s things ruined. Now go sit by the fire, and I’ll have the innkeeper hold the package along with the soul cakes until we are ready to leave.”

  She didn’t seem happy that he was offering to hold the package. But with another shiver, she nodded and followed Felix over to the fire.

  Claude brought the package to the innkeeper. “Bertram, will you hold on to this package along with the soul cakes Josephine made until we are ready to leave?”

  “Of course, my lord,” said the man. “But by the looks of the storm brewing out there, I don’t think you’re going anywhere tonight. I have one room left if you’d like me to hold it for you before it’s gone.”

  “Nay, we won’t be staying.”

  “The girl with you is cold and wet and tired. If you take her anywhere in the rain, she is likely to get sick.”

  “She’ll be fine.” Claude handed the man the package. “Can you send over some wine and ale and a hot meal for my friends?”

  “Do you mean your squire and the maidservant?” asked the man.

  “Aye, that’s who I mean.” He dug into his pocket for money to pay the innkeeper. Behind him, the door to the inn blew open, and a group of soldiers entered.

  “It’s getting worse out there,” said one of the men.

  “A tree blew over and nearly took our lives,” said one of the other soldiers.

  “No one better leave anytime tonight, or they’ll be walking into the den of the devil,” said another of the men. “Innkeeper, we need a room for the night.”

  “I’ve got only one room left,” Bertram called out.

  Claude glanced back to the fire where Evelina had her arms wrapped around her, trying to get warm. Her teeth chattered and her body shook. Water dripped from her hair and clothes. His squire sat next to her on the bench and underneath them was a large puddle.

  Claude decided he couldn’t take them out in the storm. He didn’t want Evelina to get sick and die. Nay, he didn’t want anything to happen to her because he cared about her. He was traveling with her, and it was his responsibility as a knight to protect her even if she was only a handmaid.

  “Nay, you don’t have any rooms available,” Claude told him, handing Bertram a fistful of coins.

  “My lord?” asked Bertram in confusion.

  “I’ll take the room for the night as well as a hot bath. Can I pay to stable my horses in the barn tonight as well?”

  “You are welcome to the room as well as the barn for your horses, my lord. There is no charge since you are a noble.”

  “I might be a noble, but my friends aren’t so I want you to take the money.”

  “Yes, my lord,” said the man, greedily scooping up the coins and shoving them into his pocket. “Josephine,” he called to his wife. “Have a bath sent upstairs for Lord Claude.”

  “It’s not for me,” he told the man, looking back at Evelina. “It’s for the lady.”

  “The lady? You mean the handmaid?” asked the man. “My lord, where will you spend the night?”

  “I’ll sleep on the bench by the fire along with my squire,” he told him.

  “Pardon me for saying that I don’t understand why you’d give up your room and bath for a mere maidservant, my lord.”

  “Nay, I don’t suppose you’d understand. I can’t say that I entirely understand either. All I know is that I am not going to let her shiver in wet clothes, being subjected to a bunch of drunken men all night. Now, do as I ask and do not question my actions again.”

  “Aye, my lord. At once.”

  Another crash of thunder shook the building, and Claude felt a knot forming in his stomach. This was going to be a very long night.

  Chapter 11

  After two cups of warm, spiced mead and a bowl of hot pottage, Evelina finally stopped shivering. Her clothes were still wet as well as her hair, but they had no chance of drying now that the inn was crowded with travelers all gathered around the fire.

  Felix came in from outside, barely able to close the door since the winds were so strong. Tree branches and leaves flew through the air. Out the window, she saw the waves hitting the cliff and splashing up so high they were almost touching the inn.

  Felix wove his way between the soldiers, peasants, and merchants that filled the inn. Finally, he made it over to where Evelina and Claude were sitting.

  “My l-lord, the h-horses are s-secure in the b-barn for the night,” he said, shivering worse than before Claude had sent him out in the storm.

  “Good job, Squire.” Claude pushed a bowl of pottage across the table. “Now have some food and warm up.”

  “T-thank you, my l-lord,” he said, taking the bowl in two hands and gobbling down t
he food.

  “I’ll get you some spiced mead as soon as I can get the server’s attention.” Claude raised his hand in the air, but the place was so crowded that no one even saw him.

  “Here, take the rest of my mead,” said Evelina, handing Felix her cup.

  “T-thank you,” said Felix, drinking it down quickly. “The s-storm is bad out there, my lord. I d-don’t think we should go anywhere yet.”

  “I agree,” said Claude.

  A fat, smelly man squeezed onto the bench next to Evelina, looking over and smiling at her, almost making her gag from the smell of his breath.

  “My lord,” said Josephine, making her way through the crowd. “Your bath and room are ready. It is room number one up the stairs and at the end of the hall.”

  “Thank you,” said Claude, handing the woman a coin.

  “I put your package as well as the soul cakes in the room,” the innkeeper’s wife explained. “With the crowd in here tonight, I didn’t feel they would still be here come morning.”

  “Good idea,” he told her. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint Lady Rose.”

  Evelina was becoming quite disgusted hearing Claude talk about Lady Rose all the time. She also thought it was rude of him to secure a bath and room for himself while she and Felix were cold, wet, hungry and tired.

  As soon as Josephine left, Claude stood up. “Come,” he said.

  “Where are we g-going?” asked Felix, looking up from his mead.

  “I wasn’t talking to you, Squire. I was talking to Evelina.”

  “Me?” She stood, only because she felt the fat man’s hand wandering over to her leg and she was in a hurry to get away from him.

  “I’ve had the innkeeper prepare a hot bath for you. You’ll sleep in the room on the pallet tonight.”

  “What about m-me?” asked Felix.

  “You’ll stay here by the fire with me.”

  “It’s c-crowded in here. C-can’t we all share the room?”

  “Nay. It wouldn’t be proper. The room is only for Evelina.”

  “I d-don’t think she’d m-mind,” said Felix. “Would you, Evelina?”

  “If you don’t like the arrangements, you are welcome to stay in the barn tonight with the horses,” Claude announced.

  “N-nay, my lord. T-this is fine.” Felix buried his nose in the cup of mead.

  Evelina followed Claude up the stairs, glad to be away from the crowd, the drunks, and the noise. When they got to the end of the hall, he reached out and opened the door. She was about to enter the room when he stopped her.

  “Let me make sure it is safe, first.” He drew his sword and walked into the room.

  Evelina thought he was overreacting. “I hardly think it is -” She stopped speaking when Claude pulled someone out of the shadows and held his blade to the person’s throat. It was a young boy perhaps ten years of age. He had the package in his hands.

  “You thought you’d steal from me, did you?” growled Claude.

  Evelina stood there with her mouth hanging open.

  “Please, don’t kill me, my lord,” begged the frightened boy.

  Claude ripped the package from the boy’s hands and threw it onto the pallet. “Why are you in here?”

  “I am just a peasant,” said the boy. “I work for the innkeeper and just finished bringing hot water for your bath.” He pointed to an empty bucket on the floor.

  “You were trying to steal my package,” said Claude, using a voice that sounded very threatening. “You should know thieves stealing from nobles have their hands cut off.”

  “I wasn’t stealing it,” squeaked the boy. “I was just curious and wanted to know what was in it. Please don’t cut off my hand, my lord.”

  “Sir Claude, please don’t hurt the child,” begged Evelina. “I believe he was just curious, that’s all.”

  Claude sighed and lowered his blade. “Take your bucket and go,” he told the boy. “Next time I catch you touching my belongings, you will find your hand next to you on the ground.” He gave the boy a push, and he landed on the floor next to his bucket.

  “Thank you, my lord,” said the boy with wide eyes, still staring at Claude’s sword. He picked up the bucket and ran out of the room.

  “Thank you for not hurting the boy,” said Evelina once the child had left the room.

  “I wasn’t going to hurt him. I just wanted to scare him.” Claude slid his sword back into the scabbard. “If he doesn’t learn his lesson now, someday another lord will cut off his hand or do something worse. A little fear as a child goes a long way.”

  Another rumble of thunder shook the building. Claude’s body became rigid. He hurried over to the window and secured the shutter.

  “You seem a little jumpy tonight,” she told him, skimming her fingers over the surface of the bath water, sinking down to sit on the edge of the tub. The water felt hot and inviting. A fire burned in a small hearth at the other side of the room making it very cozy. The room was small and plain. The only other furnishings were a pallet lying directly on the floor and one chair.

  “I don’t like storms,” he told her.

  “Why not?”

  “It doesn’t matter. Now use the bath before it gets cold. I will be sitting outside the room to make sure nobody enters.”

  He grabbed the chair and headed for the door, but she reached out and touched him. He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

  “Thank you, Claude,” she said, not using his title. Her eyes met his. She was alone with him and wanted to kiss him. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek in her hand. His eyes closed and he seemed to be holding his breath.

  Evelina was taking a chance but she no longer cared. Claude’s eyes were closed, and she used it to her advantage. Standing on her tiptoes, she reached up and gently kissed him on the lips.

  His eyes snapped open. He almost looked frightened for a split second. Then his gaze became hooded and he leaned forward, his face coming closer to hers. And just when she thought he was going to return the kiss, he stopped.

  “You are wasting hot water. Now use it before I throw you in the tub.” With that, he turned and left the room carrying the chair.

  Claude closed the door and sat on the chair, raking his hand through his hair in confusion. Evelina kissed him! And when she did, everything inside him came to life.

  Damn, he liked it. The touch of her hand on his face and the gentle way she’d caressed his lips with hers about drove him out of his mind. He wanted to kiss her back, but he didn’t. His feelings for her made him want to throw her down on the pallet, strip off her clothes and make love to her, but something made him stop.

  She was only a handmaid. He shouldn’t want her as much as he did. It was more than lust, and this is the part that scared him. He had a feeling deep down that somehow, some way they belonged together even if it didn’t make any sense. Claude was a noble, and she was only a servant. Nay, he couldn’t feel this way about her because love between a noble and a servant wasn’t right. It was forbidden.

  He also felt that by feeling this way he was somehow being disloyal to Rose. He understood that Rose was happily married to Toft, but a small part of him still held a flicker of hope that they would eventually end up together.

  That was why he’d never married. Rose had broken his heart years ago. If he became vulnerable by falling in love with a woman and then she said she didn’t want him, he wouldn’t be able to face the pain. Being rejected by Rose was bad enough. He didn’t need it to happen with another woman as well.

  “God’s eyes,” he spat, hating himself for feeling this way. Rose didn’t want him and made it very clear that they were only friends. So, why couldn’t he let go?

  He wanted Evelina, but the part of him that was still in love with Rose wouldn’t let him feel the same way for Evelina. He leaned his head back against the wall and groaned. His body ached to have Evelina, but something was different than with past servants. He cared for her in a different way. She wasn’t like any of the girls he’
d bedded before. Something about her was special. Thinking about making love with her almost seemed sacred in his mind. When she looked into his eyes, he felt as if she could see into his very soul. She seemed to know him better than he knew himself. It wasn’t just feelings of lust filling his emotions anymore. He cared about her as well.

  However, she wasn’t honest, and that bothered him. She never answered his questions directly or made it clear why she was in England in the first place or where she’d lived in France. He couldn’t let down his guard and feel so strongly about a woman who was being deceitful. She might end up breaking his heart. He had to forget about Evelina. Nay, he had to forget about Rose. His head spun in confusion. The problem was he never wanted to forget either one of them, and that made him feel as if he were going mad.

  * * *

  Evelina removed her wet clothes and shoes and laid them on the floor in front of the fire, then slipped into the hot tub. Resting her head back against the side of the tub, she let out a satisfied sigh and closed her eyes. The water warmed her cold body. It felt comforting not to be in the tavern downstairs with a room full of smelly, drunken men.

  Yes, she missed her life as a lady and decided it was time to make her identity known. She had a feeling Rose already knew she was a noble even though it was never mentioned. Evelina didn’t think Rose or Isobel would blame her for taking on an alias trying to escape a betrothal and find love on her own. After all, both of them seemed to have found love with their husbands. Why couldn’t it happen to her as well?

  Even though she felt hurt that Claude hadn’t returned her kiss, in a way it was probably for the best. She didn’t want to deceive him anymore. It was time to tell him the truth. Evelina decided she would finish her bath and then tell Claude everything.

  She hadn’t meant to fall asleep. But she was so tired that when she awoke, the water in the tub was already cold. Climbing out of the tub, she dried herself with the towel that the servants left on the pallet. Finding a small vial next to it on the bed, she popped it open and took a sniff.