“One more push and it will all be over,” Evelina told her, not sure if it was true, but wanting to give Rose hope.
“I will do it,” said Rose. “I can do it,” she said with determination in her eyes. Rose was a small girl like Evelina, but her will and determination were bigger than even the strongest warrior. One more push and Rose screamed louder than before. And then, as if it were a miracle, Evelina heard the sound of a crying baby.
“You did it,” exclaimed Evelina, seeing the midwife hold up one of the biggest newborns she had ever seen. “Your baby is born. I knew you could do it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Rose told her, holding out her arms for her baby. The midwife cleaned it up quickly and laid it on top of Rose’s chest.
“She’s beautiful,” said Evelina, wishing that someday she would have a child of her own. She wanted to marry Claude more than anything and hoped it could be so.
* * *
Not a half-hour later, Toft, Conlin, and Claude rushed into the bedchamber.
“Rose,” called out Toft, running to her side. “I am here, Rose.” He stopped in his tracks when he laid eyes on the baby. “Y-you had the baby?”
“I did,” said Rose with a smile. “Our daughter is alive and healthy. So am I. We have Evelina to thank for talking me through this.”
“Rose, thank God you are all right,” said Conlin, rushing to the bedside to be with his daughter. “When we got the message, we came right away. King Edward sent us home, and he sends his best wishes as well.”
“Our daughter is beautiful and so are you, Rose.” Toft scooted onto the bed next to her and put his arm around his wife. “What will we name her?”
“I felt like Daniel in the lion’s den birthing her,” said Rose with a smile. “Mayhap, we should name her Daniela.”
“I like that,” said Toft. “Daniela, it is.”
“Rose, I am so glad you and the baby made it through this.” Claude, who was standing silently and watching, stepped forward and kissed Rose on the head.
“Thank you, Claude, for staying in England with me. That meant the world to me.”
“I would do anything for you and your baby.” Claude reached out and ran a finger lightly over the baby’s head. “After all, what are good friends for?”
“Thank you, Claude,” said Toft with a nod of his head. “If anything had happened to Rose, I don’t know how I would go on without her.”
“Claude, I was hoping we could talk now,” said Evelina softly.
For the first time, Claude turned to look at her. But to her surprise, he was not smiling.
“I think a talk is in order. But first, someone is waiting in the great hall to see you.”
“Me?” she asked, not knowing what he meant.
“When I went down to the docks, I found Lord Conlin and Sir Toft, but they were not the only ones I found.”
“Who did you find, Claude? I don’t understand.”
“There was a ship from France that had just docked,” Claude explained. “To my surprise, two men approached me and asked if I knew a girl named Evelina.”
“They did?” It was evident where this was leading, and it wasn’t good.
“Evelina, or should I say, Lady Evelina, your father, Count Du Pont is waiting for you in the great hall along with Lord Onfroi Faucheux – your betrothed.”
Chapter 15
Claude left Rose’s room and headed down the corridor, wanting to get as far away from Evelina as possible.
“Claude, please wait,” Evelina called out, running after him. “I need to talk to you.”
“It’s a little too late for that,” he growled, having been devastated to hear that Evelina was not only a lady pretending to be a servant, but also already betrothed to someone else. First, he’d had his heart broken by Rose. And then when he decided to open his heart to a woman he thought he loved, the door was slammed in his face, and a dagger pushed through his heart once again.
“Claude, please.” Evelina reached out and grabbed his arm and he spun around on his heel, feeling angrier than hell.
“Why, Lady Evelina?” he asked. “So you can make a fool of me once again? Why didn’t you tell me who you were and that you were already promised to another man before we made love?”
“I tried to, but you didn’t give me a chance.”
“You had more than enough chances, but yet you continued to lie. I gave my heart to you, but you thrust a dagger right through it.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Claude.” Tears formed in her eyes.
“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you, but I let down my guard. That is what I get for making the mistake of falling in love.”
“I love you, Claude.”
“God’s eyes, Evelina, stop already.” He threw his hands up into the air. “I bent down on one knee in front of everyone and asked you to marry me although I thought you were only a merchant’s daughter pretending to be a maidservant.”
“I wanted to tell you, but Rose was dying. Please, you need to believe me that I never meant to make a fool of you.”
He ignored her pleas and shook his head. His top lip curled up as he said his next words. “I took your innocence. Now, I might go to war over it. I am an honorable man and would never take another man’s bride.”
“You don’t understand. I don’t want to marry Lord Onfroi. He is evil and hurts women. I love you and want to marry you.”
“We can’t be married, Evelina. You are betrothed to another man. So, once again, you are forbidden to me.”
“I’ll ask my father to break the betrothal. I’ll tell him it is you I love and no one else.”
“I am disappointed in you,” he told her. “I truly loved you, and now you’ve broken my heart.”
“I didn’t break your heart. Everything I said about loving you is true.”
“How can I believe you? You have done nothing but lie to me since the day I met you. Even if we did marry, how could I trust that you wouldn’t tire of me and go looking for another husband instead?”
“I would never do that, Claude.” The tears ran down her cheeks. He longed to reach out and comfort her and wipe her tears away, but he couldn’t. She belonged to another man. He had no right to love her. Once again, he had fallen into a trap and found himself in a situation with a forbidden love.
“Go to your betrothed, Evelina. You belong to him, not me.” Claude turned and quit the keep, heading for the stable to take a ride alone to clear his very confused mind.
“Evelina,” said Celestine, coming up to her side. “I saw Claude leave. Is anything wrong?”
“It is,” she told Claude’s mother. “I have done something very foolish. I am afraid I have hurt Claude deeply. I am a lady, but I didn’t tell him. I left France because I didn’t want to be betrothed to a man my father chose.”
“You need to talk to Claude.”
“I did. He doesn’t want to listen. He thinks I purposely betrayed him just to hurt him, but I didn’t. I love him. He asked me to marry him earlier, but now he wants nothing to do with me.”
“Claude asked you to marry him?” Celestine seemed surprised and pleased.
“I never even had a chance to give him my answer. Now it is too late. Oh, Lady Celestine, what am I going to do?”
“The first thing you need to do is to confront your father and your betrothed.”
“I’m frightened,” said Evelina.
“We’ll go with ye to talk to them.” Lady Isobel and Lord Conlin walked hand in hand down the corridor toward her.
“Come, Lady Evelina,” said Celestine. “Face your fears the way you taught Rose and Claude to face theirs. Everything will work out in the end.”
“Did you have a vision?” asked Evelina hopefully.
“I did not. However, I know what a strong woman you are and that you would never give up on love and a man you believed in, would you?”
“Nay, I won’t give up on Claude,” said Evelina. Holding her head high,
she entered the great hall behind Lady Isobel and Lord Conlin.
“Evelina, thank God I found you.” Her father, the Count of Tarbes, rushed forward with Lord Onfroi right behind him.
“Father,” she said, swallowing forcefully, wishing Claude were at her side to help her through this. “How did you find me?”
“The mercenary returned and told us that you paid him to escort you to England,” said Onfroi. “Why in God’s name would you do that?”
“Aye,” said her father. “And why are you wearing a gown covered in mud?”
“Augustin told us you were posing as a servant,” added Onfroi. “Are you daft? I should take you across my knee for even playing such a game.”
Evelina shuddered, knowing Lord Onfroi would have no qualms with hitting her.
“Pack your things, Daughter, we are heading back to France at once,” said the count.
“Count Du Pont,” said Conlin, stepping forward. “It is a shame you have to leave so soon. I would like to show you the docks and, perhaps, talk about a trade since you’ve come all the way from France.”
“What kind of trade?” Onfroi broke in. “You are a Baron of the Cinque Ports, aren’t you?”
“I am,” said Conlin. “And who would you be?”
“I am Lord Onfroi Faucheux of Grenoble. I am Lady Evelina’s betrothed.”
“Ah, I see,” said Conlin. “So, your betrothal to Lady Evelina is an alliance.”
“Of course, it is,” the man snapped. “Why else would I be marrying her? Look at her in that bedraggled gown with dirt from head to foot. When she’s my wife, she will never walk around looking like that.”
“Some men marry for love,” Conlin told him. “It isn’t always about money or what you can gain.”
“That’s nonsense,” he spat.
“We married for love,” Isobel spoke up.
“So did my daughter,” said Conlin.
“What is this all about?” asked the count. “Why are you even saying this?”
“Father, I am in love with another man. I cannot marry Lord Onfroi,” Evelina blurted out.
“You’re what?” gasped her father.
Evelina continued. “His name is Sir Claude Jean Montague. He is a French, just like us.”
“He is?” asked the count. “What holdings does he have?”
“I don’t know,” said Evelina, “but neither do I care. I would marry him even if he were penniless because I fell in love with him.”
“She’s lying,” spat Onfroi. “Besides, she is already betrothed to me. The deal has been made.”
“Hold on, Onfroi.” The count held up his hand. “Where is this Sir Claude Montague? I would like to meet him.”
“I – I don’t know where he went,” said Evelina. “He became angry when he found out I hadn’t told him the truth and he left me.”
“There,” said Onfroi with a satisfied smirk. “The man doesn’t want her anyway, so I see no need to continue this conversation. Come, Evelina, we are going back to France to be married anon.” He grabbed her by the arm, but she pulled away.
“Nay! I don’t want to marry you.”
“You’ll not talk back to me and get away with it.” His fist shot out to hit her. Lord Conlin’s body blocked her, and he grasped the man’s hand and squeezed.
“We don’t hit women at Castle Briarbeck,” Conlin said through gritted teeth. “Show some respect, for God’s sake, and stop acting like an ass.”
“I’ll show you who is acting like an ass.” Onfroi pulled out of his grip and went for his sword, but the tip of another sword pressed up against his throat and stopped him.
“You try to touch her again, and I’ll have your head no matter if you are her betrothed or not,” said Claude, coming to her rescue.
“Claude,” cried Evelina, so happy to see him.
“I heard everything, Evie, and I believe you love me. I don’t want to see you married to a cur like this.”
“Lower your sword, Sir Knight,” commanded the count.
Claude glanced over to Evelina, and she nodded slightly. Slowly, Claude lowered his sword and backed away.
“Are you Sir Claude Montague who my daughter says she wants to marry?” asked the man.
“I am.” Claude kept his mouth in a firm line and nodded his head as he shoved his sword back into the sheath.
“You are very brave to stand up to Lord Onfroi when you know he is betrothed to my daughter.”
“I fear nothing when I am protecting those I love,” Claude answered.
“There is that word again. Love,” said the count, chuckling and nodding his gray head. “When Evelina’s mother was alive, she believed in marrying for love as well, although I always believed in marrying for alliances.”
“What are you saying, my lord?” asked Claude.
“I am saying I like you, Sir Montague. I didn’t know until today that Lord Onfroi intended on hurting my daughter.”
“She needs to be kept in line,” snarled Onfroi. “A good beating is what she needs, and I’ll be the one to give it to her. After today, she will never run off or lie to us again.”
“After today, you will need to find a new wife,” said the count. “I am sorry, Lord Onfroi but I cannot let you marry my daughter.”
“We made an alliance,” shouted Onfroi. “Do you want to go to war with me over this?”
“If I have to fight you to protect my daughter, then I will do it. Now, I suggest you leave the castle immediately because the longer you stay here, the more you are making me want to run my blade through you myself.”
“You’ll pay for this, Du Pont. You won’t get away with crossing me.” Onfroi left the great hall, making Evelina let out a sigh of relief.
“Claude, can you ever forgive me?” asked Evelina. “I am sorry for everything. I promise that if you can forgive me for my mistakes, I will never make them again.”
“You hurt me deeply,” Claude admitted. “But when I left here in anger, I realized that I was only hurting myself.”
“What do you mean?” asked Evelina.
“You were the one who taught me that I have to let go of the past or I will never be able to enjoy the future. Well, I want to look forward to the future, but only if you are a part of it as my wife.” Claude got down on one knee again and took Evelina’s hands in his. “Will you marry me, Lady Evelina? I love you and want you to be my wife.”
Evelina wanted this more than anything, but she needed her father to agree to it first. She realized she should never have gone against him without talking to him and explaining how she felt. Knowing now that her mother believed in marrying for love, she could see if she had tried harder to talk with her father they might have been able to come to a decision that benefited both of them. She looked up at her father, feeling her heart beating rapidly in her chest, waiting for his permission.
“Go on,” said the count with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t want to get in the way of a love like that.”
“I will,” said Evelina, feeling as if her dreams had come true. “I will marry you, Claude Montague, and I am honored to be your wife.”
Chapter 16
Three days later
Claude stood atop the cliff at Hastings, having just said his vows and marrying Evelina. She looked beautiful wearing the purple velvet gown that was now clean and fit for a princess. A circlet of freshly picked flowers crowned her head. They left the priest and crowd of people at the foot of the cliff because Claude wanted to bring Evelina up to the ruins of Castle Hastings. It was such a big part of his past.
Claude had chosen to be married in Hastings because it was once his father’s demesne and where Claude’s life changed forever.
The count had stayed in England for the wedding, and Lord Onfroi hadn’t been seen again since he was sent away. Everyone was there to celebrate, including the Barons of the Cinque Ports and their families, and even Rose and Toft and their new baby, Daniela.
“I can’t believe we’re married,” said Evelin
a, glancing down at the ring on her finger. Claude had given her a ring that was his late grandmother’s, on his father’s side. His grandfather insisted Claude take it for good luck.
“I can’t believe it either,” he said, looking up to the ruins where half of the castle still clung to the cliff hanging over the silted-up harbor far below.
“Claude, why are we here?” asked Evelina, looking over at the ruins. “This doesn’t seem like the best place for a wedding.”
“I think it is a perfect place,” he told her, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. “This was once my father’s castle. It was his pride and joy. There was a bad storm one night, and he lost almost everything – except his family and those he loved.”
“Go on,” she said, urging him to continue.
“See that broken tower,” he told her, pointing up to the castle.
“I do.”
“That is where I almost died.”
“Oh, Claude, that is horrible.”
“Nay, not really. My father saved my life that day. Then, my mother and I saved his life in return. It was also where my grandfather took his own life.”
“I still don’t understand why you would want to come here to get married.”
“It wasn’t the act, but the love I felt that day that made me want to return. I learned a lot at the young age of five and ten years. I learned to forgive, and I learned that love is stronger than any blade. It is all that really matters.”
“That is beautiful, Claude. I think I understand now.”
“There is more,” said Claude. “I realized that wanting to return here was only clinging to the past. And since I am looking forward to the future, I want to leave the bad memories behind and only bring with me the good feelings from now on.”
“That is wonderful, Claude. I am happy for you. Now, you need to show you are leaving your past behind by throwing something into the sea.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“Not me,” she said, causing both of them to laugh. “Take this,” she said, removing her crown of flowers and handing it to him. “By throwing it into the sea, you will be releasing everything from the past that has been holding you back. The flowers symbolize life. As they float in the water, they will either wash out to sea or back to shore, but it doesn’t matter. They symbolize new life, new growth and new love.”
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