Claude moved his hips slowly at first, sliding in and out teasingly, making her want to scream.
“No more teasing, Claude. I need you now. I am so close to my release.”
His actions quickened. He thrust into her again and again, faster and faster as she lifted her hips to welcome him.
She couldn’t get enough of him. She met him over and over in the throes of passion, feeling the vibrations of love bringing her to a precipice that she had never climbed before. Then Claude released his seed with a shout, and the excitement of it brought her to climax as well.
She had never felt so hot in her entire life. Neither had she ever felt so sated and satisfied as she did now.
Claude collapsed next to her on the pallet, holding her up against his chest and kissing her behind the ear.
“That was beyond words,” she told him.
“You are the girl I have been waiting for my entire life,” said Claude.
“Really?” Her heart beat faster. Mayhap, she had found a husband and wouldn’t have to marry the wretched Lord Onfroi after all.
“I think I am falling in love with you, Evelina.” His eyes closed partially, and he looked drained. “Why do I always fall in love with the wrong women?”
“Wrong?” She didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
“You know we can’t be together forever because I am a noble and you – you are forbidden to me.”
That was it. The time had come when she could finally tell him she was a lady and that they could be together after all. “It’s not true,” she said, staring at the ceiling. Claude’s actions stilled, and his breathing slowed. “I tried to tell you before when I wore the gown, but you didn’t give me a chance.” He said nothing, and so she continued. “Claude, my real name is Lady Evelina du Pont. I am from the southern regions of France near Toulouse. My father is a count, and I ran away because I was betrothed to a man I didn’t want to marry. But now that I found you, we can be married. I will talk to my father and convince him to break the betrothal. I love you, Claude and I want to be together forever. Don’t you want that, too?”
He didn’t answer. She started wondering if she’d divulged too much information too soon. Perhaps, she should have sprinkled in the truth little by little until he could accept it.
“Claude? Please don’t be angry.” Still, he didn’t answer. “Claude?” She sat up to look at him just as he released a loud snore. He was sound asleep and hadn’t heard a word she said.
Rain pounded down on the roof, and the winds continued to whistle through the cracks in the walls. The heat that had encompassed her suddenly left. Now, she felt chilled and frightened. What if Claude didn’t want to marry her, even if he knew she was a lady? She hadn’t considered that. If he turned her away, then she had doomed herself by giving her virginity to a man she couldn’t have.
No man would want her if she weren’t a virgin. And when her father found out that she’d acted like a strumpet instead of a lady, he would be so angry with her that he would probably put her in a nunnery for the rest of her life.
A tear dripped from her eye as thoughts filled her head that there was a life worse than marrying just for alliances. If she were in a convent, she would never feel love between her and a man ever again. Then again, if Claude turned her away, she wasn’t sure she would ever want another man, because he was the one she loved.
Chapter 13
Claude woke the next morning to find Evelina lying next to him on the pallet. The fire had died, making the room cold. He slipped off the pallet without waking her and lit the fire. Then he came back to cover her with the blanket so she wouldn’t be cold.
He stopped and stared when he noticed the bloodstain on the blanket. Clenching his jaw, he swore softly to himself.
God’s eyes, she’d been a virgin! Why hadn’t she told him? This thought upset him since he had meant to tell her this morning that what they did last night was a mistake. He sat down on the edge of the pallet, brushing back her hair and leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead.
She made a noise that sounded like the purr of a kitten, turning and burying her cheek against the pillow
He felt awful for losing control last night. But his feelings for Evelina were strong. He couldn’t remember exactly, but he thought he might have told her he was falling in love with her. Had she told him she loved him, too? He didn’t think so.
What had he done? He fell in love with a merchant’s daughter who liked to pretend she was someone she wasn’t and told lies constantly. She’d even gone as far as telling him the gown was for her and that he should call her lady. Evelina was like a toxic drink to him. He had to have more, but when he did, it only shot pain through his heart that he never wanted to feel again.
Why had he been so careless? Now, he had only made things worse for both of them. He quickly dressed, and then peeked out the window to see that the storm had stopped. Claude never meant to be here this long. He was supposed to be with Rose and, instead, he was here doing things that this morning he wasn’t proud of at all.
He’d taken a young woman’s virginity, and now he was going to have to break her heart. But what did it matter since his heart was broken, too?
Claude picked up one of the travel bags and started wrapping soul cakes in Evelina’s peasant gown, shoving them into the pack.
“My lord, my lord,” came Felix’s voice as he pounded on the door.
Claude hurried over and opened the door, scowling at his squire. “What is wrong with you, making so much noise so early in the morning?” He noticed a guard from Briarbeck Castle standing at Felix’s side. “What is it?” he asked. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s Lady Rose, my lord,” said Felix.
“Rose?” His heart almost stopped. “Bid the devil, don’t tell me something has happened to her.”
“It’s her baby,” said the guard. “It started last night in the storm.”
“The baby?” Claude’s body stiffened. “What is it? Has the baby been born?”
“Not yet,” said the guard. “Lady Rose is having a hard time. The baby does not seem to want to come out. She sent me to find you. You need to return anon. My lord, I am afraid Lady Rose might not make it through this, and neither will her baby.”
“Damn you,” spat Claude, dropping the travel bag and gripping the man by the front of his tunic. “Why didn’t you get here faster?”
“The storm was too dangerous, my lord,” said the guard. “As it is, I rode in the rain to get here this morning. I had to wait until sunup because too many roads are washed away. I had to find an alternate route.”
“Let’s go,” said Claude, rushing back into the room to grab his weapon belt and fastening it around his waist. He scooped up the travel bag and stepped out into the corridor. “We have no time to waste.”
“Claude?” Evelina peeked around the door with sleepy eyes, clutching the blanket around her bare body. “What is happening?”
“Damn,” he spat, forgetting momentarily all about her. He had no time to wait for her to dress, and riding double was only going to slow them down. “Felix, you’ll wait for Evelina, and bring her back to the castle with you.”
“Are you leaving?” asked Evelina. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s Rose,” said Claude, taking one last look at Evelina. He wished things were different and wanted nothing more than to go back to bed and hold her tightly in his arms.
“It’s Rose?” she asked, looking at each of the men in turn.
“She needs me,” said Claude. “I should have been with her, but I was here instead. Now, because of my foolishness, the woman that means everything in the world to me might die!” He hurried away with the guard, only hoping he could make it back to Rose before it was too late.
Evelina packed the soul cakes into a travel bag and went to get her old clothes by the fire, only finding the shoes. She smiled at the shoes Rose had given her, running a hand over the soft, embroidered slippers. Then she
picked up the purple gown and pulled it over her head. It had felt wonderful being a lady for the night, although she couldn’t say she wasn’t embarrassed at the way she’d conducted herself around Claude.
But making love to Claude felt right, even if she had given her virginity to a man that might not marry her after all. By the way he said Rose was the woman who meant everything in the world to him, it sounded like he was still in love with her after all. She thought things would be different after last night and that he’d care for her the way he cared for Rose. But this morning, he almost seemed to forget she was even there.
She hurriedly shoved the rest of her things into the travel bag, worried about the fate of Rose as well. It bothered her how Claude took off in a hurry to be at Rose’s side, not even taking a moment to say good morning to her. Was she being selfish and petty in such a time of need? Mayhap so, she wasn’t sure.
Had their coupling meant nothing to him? He told her he was falling in love with her, but he certainly didn’t act like it this morning.
“Evelina?” Felix knocked and then stuck his head in through the partially open door.
“Felix, I am ready,” she told him. “Let’s hurry to help Rose.”
“I’m afraid we can’t leave yet,” he told her.
“Can’t leave? Why not? Rose is in trouble.”
“I understand. But unfortunately, the horse we are using has thrown a shoe.”
“Well, get a blacksmith, quickly.”
“The blacksmith is in town, so we’ll have to walk with the horse until we get there.”
“Walk?” She looked down to her velvet gown and soft slippers. “Then I will have to change into my other clothes.” She looked through the travel bag but couldn’t find them. “Where are they?”
“Perhaps they are in the travel bag I saw Lord Claude take with him.”
“Well, then I will have to wear my good clothes, but I am afraid they will get ruined.”
“You look very pretty today,” said Felix. “Isn’t that the gown of a lady?”
“Aye, it is,” she told him. “I am wearing it because I am a lady, pretending to be a handmaid.”
“You are?” Felix’s eyes opened wide in surprise.
“My name is Lady Evelina du Pont from France. My father is a count.”
“By the rood,” said Felix, holding on to the doorframe for support. “Does Sir Claude know this?”
“I tried to tell him, but I don’t think he understood. Or at least, he didn’t believe me.”
“Why are you pretending to be a handmaid?” he asked.
“I will tell you all about it on the long walk to town.” She picked up the travel bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“Nay, let me carry that, my lady,” said Felix, taking the bag from her. She smiled. Felix accepted the news easily. Now, if only Claude would feel the same way, it would help. However, somehow, she thought he would have an entirely different reaction.
Chapter 14
Riding like the devil was on his heels, Claude made it back to Briarbeck Castle in good time. Even with the flooded roads and alternate route, he didn’t let it deter him from getting to Rose’s side.
He rode into the courtyard, jumping off the horse and tossing the reins to a stable boy. Then he grabbed the travel bag with the soul cakes in it and ran toward the keep. His mother was there to greet him just outside the great hall. She had a discontented look on her face, so he knew the news was not going to be good.
“How is Rose?” he asked, giving his mother a quick hug and peck on the cheek.
“Not good, Claude. She is having a very difficult time with the birth of the baby. It is too big and does not want to be born. The midwife said she has lost a lot of blood. The longer it takes, the less chance of Rose or the baby surviving.”
“Nay,” shouted Claude, “I will not let Rose or the baby die. It is my responsibility to protect her. This is all my fault since I was not here.” He rushed down the corridor toward Rose’s chamber with his mother right behind him.
“This is nobody’s fault, Claude, so don’t blame yourself. It is just an act of nature.”
“I won’t let her die!” he said, bursting into her room and stopping short when he saw Rose lying on the bed looking whiter than a ghost. Rose’s stepmother, Isobel, was with her as well as the midwife and several servants.
“Claude!” Rose called out, trying to raise her hand but dropping it to the bed since she was so weak. “You came.”
“Of course, I did.” He hurried to the bed, putting down the travel bag and taking both of Rose’s hands in his. “I am here to protect you and the baby. If I have to reach in there myself and pull the stubborn thing out, I swear, I’ll do it.”
Rose smiled slightly. A peaceful look washed over her face. “Now that you are here, I can die in peace. I only wish Toft and my father were here as well.”
“You are not going to die, and neither is the baby,” Claude told her. “I promise you that.”
“I sent men out in the storm last night to get a message to yer faither and Toft as well as Claude,” Isobel told them. “Hopefully, they will be here soon.”
A vein in Claude’s jaw ticked in aggravation upon hearing this. So, the guard had lied about not being able to leave until morning. He had probably stayed holed up in a tavern all night long. Claude was so tired of being lied to.
“I brought you soul cakes to make you feel better,” said Claude, ripping open the travel bag and grabbing Evelina’s coarse, woolen gown that he’d wrapped them in. “Here,” he said holding out one of the round cakes that fit in the palm of his hand and was very similar to a bun.
“Claude,” said Rose, reaching out and laying her cold hand on his. She feigned a smile. “I didn’t really want soul cakes. I only said that to give you time alone with Evelina.”
“What?” he asked, pulling back the cake.
“Where is Evelina? I need her here as well.”
“She is coming later with Felix.”
“Why didn’t she come back with you? Is everything all right between the two of you?”
“Shh, Rose, don’t use your energy to speak. She will be here soon.”
Rose cried out with pain, sending a shiver up Claude’s spine.
“Breathe,” commanded the midwife, looking under the sheet and between Rose’s legs. Then the woman looked up at Isobel and shook her head.
“What’s wrong?” asked Claude. “Someone tell me.”
“Claude Jean tu dois être tranquille. Vous allez seulement effrayer Rose.” His mother told him in French to be quiet and still so he wouldn’t scare Rose. Then she told him if he didn’t behave he would have to leave the room.
“I am not going anywhere,” Claude told her, taking hold of Rose’s hand. “You will be fine, Rose. Just be strong.”
“I don’t know if I can do it, Claude. I think I am going to die giving birth, just like my mother. It is my biggest fear.”
Claude remembered what Evelina had told him last night. He needed to tell Rose the same thing. “If you don’t let go of the past, you will never find happiness in the future,” he told her. “Don’t think about what happened before, think about what is yet to come. You and Toft are going to be parents, and I envy you, Rose. You have a wonderful life and need to know it.”
“Oh, Claude, you are right.” Rose’s eyes began to close. “You need to marry Evelina because you two are meant to be together.”
“Hush, don’t speak,” he told her.
“Nay. I will say this if it is the last thing I ever say. Claude, you are my best friend, but you are blind when it comes to love.”
“What do you mean, Rose?”
“Don’t let her slip away. Evelina loves you, and I know you have feelings for her, too.”
“She’s a handmaid. I’m a knight.”
“Where love is concerned, status shouldn’t matter.” Rose had another contraction and cried out in pain.
“You need to push, my lady,” said th
e midwife. “Push, push.”
“I can’t. I am too tired and weak. I want my father. I want Toft.” Tears flowed from her eyes.
Claude felt so helpless that it caused him great pain as well. “I will see if they’ve returned yet,” said Claude, jumping up and heading out the door. His mother followed.
“Claude Jean,” she said, causing him to stop and turn around. “The baby hasn’t moved for some time now. The midwife thinks it is going to be stillborn.”
“Nay. That will break Rose’s heart.” Claude paced back and forth.
“I heard what Rose told you about Evelina. Do you have feelings for this girl?”
“Aye. Nay. I don’t know.” He dragged a hand through his hair in frustration. “I am confused, Mother. I think I am in love with Evelina, but I know a marriage between us would be forbidden.”
“There are a lot of things forbidden in this lifetime, but not unless we want them to be. Now go, look for Conlin and Toft. I need to get back to comfort Rose. I only hope she will not die because that would be the worst thing for all of us.”
Claude made his way out to the courtyard, so upset he couldn’t think straight. He didn’t see Toft or Conlin, but Felix rode through the gate with Evelina holding on to the back of him.
“Felix. Evelina.” He ran over to join them, lifting Evelina from the horse, looking at her oddly and shaking his head. Her new gown and shoes were covered in mud. “What happened to you?” he asked.
“We had to take a few backwoods roads to get here, and they were not in the best condition,” said his squire. “Not to mention, when the horse got spooked, Evelina fell off in a puddle of mud.”
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“Never mind me, how is Rose?” Evelina wiped her dirt-streaked face with the back of her hand.
“It isn’t looking good. Rose is weak and has lost a lot of blood. The baby hasn’t emerged or even moved in quite some time now. She has been asking for her husband and father, but they have yet to return.”
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