Forbidden: Claude (Second in Command #2)(24)

“Nay, that can’t be. He is still in love with you.”

“Me?” Rose stopped laughing and held her hand to her chest. “I’m married.”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you as well, my lady. I don’t think Claude will ever marry anyone if he can’t have you.”

Rose’s face became somber, and she nodded slightly. “I know what you mean, Evelina. I have noticed it, too, since he returned from France. But I have a feeling that is all going to change soon. We are only good friends. I am sure Claude knows it.”

There was a quick knock at the door, and it opened a crack. Rose’s stepmother, Isobel, peeked into the room. “Are ye awake, Rose? If we are goin’ to buy shoes in town, we will need to get an early start. I have a lot of shoppin’ to do.”

“Come on in, Isobel.” Rose swung her feet over the edge of the bed.

“I thought you said you were feeling ill and tired and wanted to sleep some more.” Evelina got the distinct feeling Rose had just been pretending.

“I am always tired, lately,” said Rose. “However, I suddenly feel better.” She looked over to Isobel with a wide grin on her face. “I’m never too tired for shopping for shoes.”

Isobel and Rose giggled. Leaving the door open, Isobel quickly crossed the floor and sat down on the bed with Rose. “We are goin’ to have to find a new place to hide the shoes or Conlin will have my head when he returns.”

“Don’t worry, Isobel. I will add them to the rest of the stash. Evelina, open that trunk in the corner.”

“This one?” Evelina walked over to a trunk and lifted the lid. There was a baby blanket folded neatly at the top of the trunk. “Oh, what a beautiful blanket.”

“I made that in the ladies solar. All the ladies helped to quilt it,” said Rose. “But that isn’t what I wanted to show you.” Rose got up and walked over to the trunk along with Isobel. “Pick it up,” she told Evelina.

Evelina picked up the blanket. To her surprise, the trunk was packed full of shoes.

“Shoes!” she said. “Lots of them.”

“These are some of my favorites,” said Isobel, picking up a pair of side-laced, soft, suede slippers with embroidered colorful stitching of flowers on them. “These look about yer size,” said Isobel, perusing Evelina’s feet. “I would like ye to have them.”

“Me?” Evelina held her hand to her heart. “But . . . these are the shoes of a noblewoman. I am only a handmaid.”

Rose and Isobel looked at each other, grinned, and then looked back to Evelina.

“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?”