“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?”
Evelina felt as if she were never going to be able to tell Rose the truth. She didn’t move, not knowing what to do.
“Whatever you have to tell me can wait until later,” Rose told her.
“That’s right,” said Isobel. “Now go on and get outta here so I can take Rose to town. Our shoes await us.”
“Thank you,” whispered Evelina, clutching the pouch and hurrying to join Claude.
Chapter 9
Claude hurried to the stables, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Evelina was keeping up with him. Bid the devil, why was Rose sending him on errands? That was what servants were for. Servants like the handmaid, but not nobles like him. He was supposed to be there to take care of Rose and protect her. He needed to be there for her when she birthed her baby. He didn’t like the idea of being so far away.
“Squire, do you have those horses saddled yet?” Claude stormed into the stables.
“My lord, we are working on it,” said Felix, saddling two horses with the stable boy helping him. “You just gave me the order not five minutes ago.”
“Well, we’ve got to move fast,” said Claude, reaching out and securing the straps on the saddle himself. “It will take a good part of the day to ride to Dover and back. I need to be here for Rose.”
“She is in good hands with Isobel and your mother,” Evelina told him.
“Rose is my concern,” he said, securing the travel bag to the horse. “I promised her father as well as Toft that I would protect her and watch over her until they returned.”
“Don’t you think you are going a little overboard with all this?” asked Evelina. “After all, Rose is a grown woman. She’s not the young girl you once knew.”
“If you are going to be riding to Dover with me, I must warn you now; I don’t like chatter.”
“She’s coming with us, my lord?” asked the squire. “Shall I saddle another horse, then?”
“There are no more available horses,” the stable boy told him.
“What about that one?” asked Evelina, pointing to the only one left in the stall.
“That one is being used to pull the wagon to town,” said the st
able boy. “Lady Isobel told me to have it ready, so I need to hurry.” The stable boy ran over to take care of the horse and cart.
“I suppose I could stay here,” said the squire.
“Nay,” said Claude, not sure he wanted to travel alone with Evelina. “Your place is at my side, Squire.”
“But there are only two horses, my lord,” said Felix. “Did you want me to run alongside as you ride?”
Claude shook his head. “Nay. That will take too long. The handmaid will have to ride with you.”
“Evelina is going to ride with me?” Felix sounded much too excited at the suggestion. “I will hold you tight so you don’t fall off the horse, Evelina.” He leaned lazily on the stable door and smiled.
Claude didn’t like the idea of Evelina riding with Felix now. He thought back to the other day when Felix and Evelina sat on the back of the cart together talking and laughing. He wanted Evelina to laugh and be lighthearted around him. Nay, this would never do.
“Get on your horse and stop gawking.” He kicked the gate. When it swung, Felix fell to the ground. “The girl will ride with me.”
“My lord?” Felix jumped up and brushed off his clothing. “But I thought you just said she was riding with me.”
“I can see now that having her on your horse will only be a distraction. The way the two of you will be chattering away, it is sure to slow us down.” He mounted the horse and directed it out of the stall. Then, reaching down, he extended his hand to Evelina. “Let’s get a move on,” he said.
Evelina stared at Claude’s hand, not understanding at first what he wanted.
“Give me your hand.”
“Oh,” she said, tying the pouch of coins at her waist and reaching up, letting him help her mount. She plopped down across his lap in the sidesaddle position with both legs on the same side of the horse.
“Not like that,” he grumbled. “Spread your legs.”
“S-spread my legs?” she repeated, feeling that heat rising in her body again. Why had her mind wandered to wanting him to say that in bed?
“Ride like a man,” he told her.
“I don’t think I can.”
“Then let me help you.” He took hold of her gown and hiked it up to her knees.
Evelina reached out and slapped him.
“Bid the devil, if you don’t stop slapping me every time you are near me, I swear I will tie you to a rope and pull you behind the horse instead. Now spread your legs.”
Before she had a chance to object, he’d picked up her leg and placed it on the other side of the horse. She felt like a strumpet with her legs spread and her gown pushed up to her knees. Her bottom end was wedged in between Claude’s legs and pushed up against his groin.
“That’s better,” he said with his mouth pressed up against the side of her head.
“I’m ready, my lord.” Felix directed his horse out of the stable and Claude followed.
As soon as they got over the drawbridge, Claude directed the horse into a run. Evelina jerked and almost lost her balance.
“Don’t worry; I’ve got you.” Claude’s arm slipped around her waist and pulled her closer to him. With his body pressed up against hers, she felt heady. Safe in his embrace, the wind blew her long tresses up into the air. With her eyes closed, she focused on the feeling of the warm sun on her face and the scent of Claude’s leather doublet. It felt right to be in his embrace, and she couldn’t stop wondering how it would feel to kiss him.
“You need to wear a wimple,” he growled, bringing her out of her daydream.
“I lost it on our last ride and no longer have one.”
“Well, get your hair out of my face. It is blowing into my eyes and mouth.”
“So sorry, my lord.” She reached up and pulled her hair to one side.
Claude could barely concentrate on the journey with Evelina sitting wedged between his legs. With his arm wrapped around her small waist, he felt like he wanted to protect her as much as he did Rose. Her scent filled his senses, and her hair kept blowing in his face, embracing him in her essence of rosewater and fresh air.
He tried to sound gruff because he didn’t want Evelina to know her presence was affecting him. Hell, he was even starting to feel randy with their bodies pushed together like this. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea to have her ride with him after all.
And then she moved her hair to the side, exposing her long, smooth, milky-white neck. It took all of his control not to lean forward and kiss her. He already knew what her hair tasted like, but now he wanted to taste her skin and her lips as well.
They’d been riding for about an hour when he felt himself getting hard with the bouncing motion of her bottom end against his groin. If he didn’t get away from her quickly, it was going to prove to be a very embarrassing situation for him.
“We’ll stop to rest and water the horses just up ahead at that brook,” he called out to Felix.
“Aye, my lord,” said Felix.
“I am glad we are stopping because I need to use a bush,” Evelina told him.
Claude stopped the horse and slid off before it even came to a complete stop. Then he reached up and put his arms around Evelina’s waist, helping her dismount. With her hands on his shoulders, she slid down his chest. Claude was award of every womanly curve of her body against him and beneath his fingers. Then, she looked up, and he found himself falling deep into her bright eyes.
Sunshine illuminated her oaken hair as it lifted in the breeze. She was beautiful. Just as beautiful as any noblewoman he had ever known. Why hadn’t he fully realized this before?
“I’ll be right back,” she said, turning and walking into the foliage. He watched her go, feeling the bulge in his breeches growing even more. Damn, he wanted her. By right, she was only a servant, and he was a noble. He could command her to go to bed with him and she couldn’t deny him.
But Claude wasn’t like that. He didn’t possess the ways of his father or some of the other nobles. Nay, he had never taken any woman, not even a servant, to his bed without her consent. Bedding Evelina was out of the question. It was evident the girl didn’t like him because she kept slapping him.
“Do you want me to tend to the horses, my lord?” asked Felix.
“Aye,” he said. “I need a few minutes alone, so don’t bother me.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Claude went down to the water to douse his face and, hopefully, extinguish the fire burning inside him. With Evelina along, this was going to be a very long trip.
Chapter 10
After stopping to water the horses, Claude had Evelina ride with Felix. She was a little disheartened and wondered why. He had also been adamant that she ride behind Felix instead of in front of him.
“This is it,” said Claude, hopping off his horse as soon as they approached the White Cliff Inn. It was located at the top of one of the white cliffs of Dover, overlooking the channel. Dover was the closest point from England to France. Evelina had often been able to see the white cliffs of Dover from the shores of France on a clear day. The blue-green waters shone in the sun, and the vast sky was filled with swirling clouds.
“The view is breathtaking,” said Evelina from atop the horse.
“Let me help you down.” Felix reached up for her.
“Nay. You tend to the horses. I’ll get her.” Claude was there instantly, reaching up and wrapping his hands around her waist and helping her dismount.
“Thank you,” she said, staring out at the water. “Isn’t this beautiful?”
Claude didn’t even seem to notice the beauty all around them. “Stay here and look at the water if you want. I’ll go inside and pick up the soul cakes. Then, we’ll be off to get the rest of the supplies and be on our way back to Sandwich.”
“But we just got here,” protested Evelina, wanting to take some time to enjoy her surroundings.
“I have a job to do and need to get back to Rose’s side.” Claude was stubborn, and it would probably do no good to c
omplain. He was in a hurry to get back to Rose and nothing she did was going to stop him.
“I’m hungry,” complained Felix. “Something sure smells good coming from the inn.”
“We’ll eat when we get back to Briarbeck Castle and not before,” growled Claude.
Claude left Evelina standing there, hurrying to the inn.
“What is the matter with him?” she asked Felix.
“I’m not sure,” said Felix, tending to the horses. “I have never seen him act this way before. It is almost as if something is bothering him.”
“Do you think it’s me?” she asked.
“You?” Felix laughed, running his hand down the neck of the horse. “How could you bother anyone? You are a pure joy to be around. And a sight for sore eyes as well, I must add.”
“You are too kind, Felix.” She looked over at the inn. It was a small and quaint establishment made of wood with a clay-tiled roof. The aroma of food drifted on the breeze, making her mouth water. “I just wish I knew why Claude doesn’t like me.”
It wasn’t but a few minutes later when Claude came out of the inn with a scowl on his face.
“Why the frown, my lord?” asked Felix.
“The innkeeper’s wife says they are sold out of soul cakes. She needs to make more.”
“How long will that take?” asked Evelina.
“She has to send one of her servants out to get more rosemary and lavender. She said it might take a few hours before they are ready.”
“Good,” said Felix. “That will give us time for an ale or two and mayhap a bowl of pottage.”
“Nay. You’ll take Evelina to town to get the rest of the things Lady Rose needs,” said Claude. “I will wait here for the soul cakes.”
“But the horses need to rest,” complained Felix.
“The innkeeper has offered to lend you his horse and wagon. Just don’t tarry.” Claude looked out over the channel. His eyes narrowed. “There is a change in the wind. I have a feeling bad weather is on the way. I want to get back to Sandwich before it starts raining.”
“Rain?” Evelina looked out over the sea. The sun was shining although there were clouds in the sky. “It is a beautiful day.”
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