Forbidden: Claude (Second in Command #2)(38)

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.”

“I need to go to her,” said Evelina very determined. “I will not let her or her baby die.” She started to hurry toward the keep, but Claude pulled her to him and kissed her passionately on the mouth.

“Uh, I think I had better tend to the horse,” said Felix, slinking away.

“What was that for?” she asked him, looking up with bright eyes.

“I wanted you to know that I love you, Evelina.” He used his thumb to brush the dirt off her cheek.

“I love you, too, Claude. I am not sorry for what happened between us last night.”

“Neither am I.” He knelt on the cobblestones and took her hands in his.

“Claude, get up. What are you doing?”

“Marry me, Evie. I want you to be my wife.”

“What?” That seemed to surprise her. “You would ask me to marry you even though you said a marriage between two people of different statuses is forbidden?”

“Rose and my mother helped me to realize that I’ve been acting like a fool. You helped me to see that I have been stuck in the past and therefore blind to the future. What is your answer, Evie? Will you marry me?”



Evelina couldn’t believe Claude was down on one knee in the middle of the courtyard asking her to marry him. Her heart soared with joy but, at the same time, she felt frightened. She’d yet to tell Claude who she really was. She couldn’t tell him yes until she got out of the other betrothal with Lord Onfroi. Why was everything so complicated?

“My lord,” said a female servant, running from the keep. “Lady Rose is asking for her father and husband. She is slipping in and out of consciousness. Lady Isobel sent me to ask if you have seen her husband arrive.”

“Claude,” said Evelina. “I am honored by your proposal, but before I give you my answer, we need to talk. It will have to wait because, right now, Lady Rose’s life is at stake.”

“Of course,” he said, getting to his feet. “I apologize, I am not thinking clearly.”

“Why don’t you ride to the docks and see if any ships have arrived with Lord Conlin and Sir Toft?” she suggested, seeing that the events of the past few days weighed heavy on Claude’s mind.

“I need to be with Lady Rose,” he protested.

“I will be there, and so will your mother and Lady Isobel. There is nothing you can do for Lady Rose but find her father and husband. It is her request.”

“Then I will go anon. Squire,” he called out. “Fetch me a horse. We are riding to the docks. When we return, I swear we will have Baron Conlin and Sir Toft with us. This is Lady Rose’s request, and I will not let her down.”

Evelina was glad Claude left for the docks because she couldn’t give him an answer before having a long talk with him. But right now, she needed to be with Rose. If Rose died, there would be a lot of people, especially Claude, who would never be the same again.

She hurried into Rose’s chamber, stopping at the door when she saw her nearly lifeless body on the bed. Rose cried and writhed in pain.

“Lady Rose. I am here.” Evelina hurried forward, but the midwife stopped her.

“You are filthy. Do not come near Lady Rose like that,” warned the woman.

“Nay, I want her here.” Rose lifted her hand and reached into the air. Evelina ran to her and cradled her head in her arms, trying not to get her dirty.

“Evelina - your gown,” said Rose, looking up with tearstained cheeks.

“I bought the gown of a lady, just like you suggested.”

“I don’t think that dirty gown will attract any man, let alone Claude.”

“It wasn’t dirty when I got it.” Evelina forced a smile, hoping it would help ease Rose’s pain. “How are you, Rose?”

“I am dying,” she responded.

“You are not dying,” Celestine told her, coming to the other side of the bed. “I had a vision of you and Toft with your healthy baby. My visions are never wrong.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Rose, screaming out in pain once again. “I can’t do this,” she cried. “I am finished.”

The women all looked at one another, and the midwife shook her head.

“Do not talk that way,” scolded Evelina, trying not to let her fear show in her voice. “Do you want the last thing that Toft remembers of you is that you gave up? He loves you, Rose. Don’t let him down. If you won’t keep trying for yourself or for the baby, then do it for your husband.”