Forbidden: Claude (Second in Command #2)(29)
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 dark.”
“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.