Forbidden_Claude Page 9

  “Trust me. I know about storms. There is one coming,” Claude grunted.

  “Well, perhaps, we’d best be on our way then,” Evelina told Felix.

  While Evelina would have rather had Claude take her to town, she was thankful to be with Felix as well. He was much easier to talk to. Claude seemed very upset and fidgety today and a few minutes away from him might prove to be relaxing for all of them.

  “Here’s the clothier’s shop.” Felix stopped the wagon and tied the horse’s reins to a post outside the shop. The town was small but, for the most part, in good condition. Several dirt streets were lined with buildings. Peasants, merchants and stray dogs filled the street.

  There was a church at the far end of town. A group of men and a few women who looked like whores congregated outside the brewery. She noticed a cobbler’s shop, a bakehouse, and a fishery on one side of the street. There was a furrier, butcher, and cordwainer’s shop on the other. She thought about Lady Rose and Lady Isobel going shopping together for shoes. A part of her wished she was with them right now. She had never had any close friends, and those two seemed so happy.

  “Let me help you,” said Felix, guiding her from the cart to the wooden sidewalks.

  “Thank you, Felix. I shouldn’t be long.” Evelina entered the shop to find a plump woman sitting in a chair, sewing. A man who was most likely her husband was standing behind a counter.

  “How can I help you?” asked the man.

  “I am here to purchase . . . some things.” She felt apprehensive asking the man for lady’s undergarments. Their store was a small shop with a few long, suspended poles with hooks in them holding finished gowns. On the table were bolts of material and in the corner behind the counter was a bin with what looked like undergarments.

  “Well, what is it you need?”

  She looked over at the woman. “Lady Rose of Sandwich sent me to get . . . undergarments.”

  “Harold, I will help her.” The woman put down her sewing and pushed her plump body from the chair. “Right this way.” She led her over to the bin while her husband disappeared into the back room. “What size is Lady Rose?”

  “She is nine months pregnant,” answered Evelina.

  The woman chuckled. “I don’t have anything for pregnant women. Most garments are made to order, but I try to have a few things on hand. However, some of the things in this shop would fit you.”

  “I didn’t think you’d really have anything to fit Lady Rose,” said Evelina, realizing this was Rose’s way of getting her alone with Claude. But Claude wasn’t even near her. “Lady Rose did tell me to choose something for myself.”

  “A pretty young thing like you needs something like this.” She plucked a shift and a drawstring pair of drawers from the pile and held them up. “By the way, my name is Beatrice.”

  “Thank you,” said Evelina. “Those will be fine. I would like to look at your gowns as well.”

  “I think I have the perfect gown for you.” The woman led her over to the pole and pulled down a simple gown made of wool. It was more for a commoner and did not look pretty at all.

  “What else do you have?” asked Evelina, looking through the gowns. Each one was just as drab as the one before it. She was never going to catch Claude’s eye wearing one of these.

  “That’s it, Missy.”

  Evelina noticed the gown the woman had been sewing when she walked in. It was made of purple velvet. “What about that gown?” asked Evelina.

  “Oh, no. That is a gown for a noblewoman, not a commoner like you.”

  “Can I see it?” Evelina was tired of pretending to be a commoner. Perhaps if she dressed like a noblewoman, it would make it easier when she revealed her true identity to Claude. Then again, she wasn’t at all sure that was a good idea. Everything confused her lately. Rose put thoughts in her head that Claude liked her, yet Evelina didn’t see it. Perhaps, she should tell him she was a noble. Then, mayhap, he would treat her the way he treated Rose.

  “It is one of my best works,” said Beatrice excitedly, holding up the gown. “I even added lace on the bodice. Look at these tippets that trail all the way down to the ground.”

  Evelina ran her hand over the velvet, feeling empty and sad inside. She couldn’t go on much longer pretending to be someone she wasn’t. She had thought by running away from her problems that she would be free. Instead, she had only created more. Would Rose and Claude hate her when she finally told them the truth? No one likes to be deceived. Even though she was a noble, she had deceived nobles. As far as she knew, she could be punished for that.

  Perhaps, she should have stayed in France and married the evil Lord Onfroi of Grenoble after all. Now that she’d run away, her father was sure to be furious with her. And if Lord Onfroi was as evil as he was ugly, he was sure to raise a hand to her in punishment for trying to avoid him.

  Evelina felt so alone with no one to confide in. Watching Claude and Rose had made her want the kind of friendship they had. Watching Rose and Toft made her feel as if she would never be in love the way they were.

  “Evelina, are you almost finished?” Felix stuck his head inside the shop. “The sky is becoming very dark. I do believe Lord Claude was correct in saying a storm is brewing.”

  “I’ll take it,” said Evelina, pushing the gown back into the woman’s hands.

  “But I can’t sell the gown to you,” said the woman. “You can’t wear the clothes of a noble.”

  Felix wandered inside and perused the gown that Beatrice held up. He whistled lowly. “That is one fine gown that any noblewoman would love. But I don’t think it is going to fit Lady Rose until after the baby.”

  “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 dar
k.”

  “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 the 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.
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br />   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.”