Forbidden: Claude (Second in Command #2)(5)

“Me too,” said Claude, holding tightly to Charlotte as he dug his heels into the sides of the horse and directed the animal into a run. He felt like a man heading to the gallows. Going back to the castle where he would have to watch Rose with her husband was the last thing he wanted to do right now. But Rose was counting on him. She was frightened. How could he leave her when she had been there for him in his time of need?





Chapter 2





“Evelina, slow down,” exclaimed Rose as Evelina drove the cart much too fast for having a child and a pregnant lady aboard.

“I’m sorry, my lady.” Evelina slowed the cart as they headed for the castle.

“You are acting very uptight ever since we came to the docks,” said Rose. “What is the matter?”

Evelina had kept hidden when she saw the ship from France. At first, she had thought her father was aboard it, or perhaps her betrothed. She didn’t want to marry the wretched Lord Onfroi Faucheux of Grenoble. That is why she left France in the first place. She realized alliances were necessary, but she was not willing to offer herself up as a sacrificial lamb. Nay, she would not marry the evil man because if she did, her life would be over. He was old and cruel and liked to beat women. She’d even heard from the kitchen maids that Lord Onfroi had tied up some of the servant girls from his castle and forced himself on them.

Her father didn’t believe her, and there was nothing she could do to convince him it was true. So, she did the only thing she could to keep her from this doomed fate. She stowed away on a ship to England wearing the clothes of a peasant. Accompanied by no one but Augustin, one of her father’s mercenaries, she was lucky enough to meet the kind-hearted Lady Rose on the docks who had taken her in as a nursemaid.

Of course, Evelina had forged a letter of recommendation, being skilled in faking signatures and handwriting of any kind. To get Augustin to be her escort, she had to pay him dearly. Their story was that he was her brother, even though he was a good fifteen years older than her. He was hired as a guard at Briarbeck Castle so they could stay together. Evelina’s real surname was du Pont, but she was using the alias of Bisset.

For a fortnight now, Evelina lived in disguise, giving up her life as a noble in hopes of finding an Englishman with whom she could fall in love and marry. If anyone discovered her true identity, she would be sent back to France immediately and be married off to Lord Onfroi in a heartbeat.

“Naught is wrong, Lady Rose. I just don’t think it is safe for you to be on the docks, that’s all.”

“We were in no danger with Lord John and Sir Claude there,” Rose assured her. “Now that Claude will be here in my father and husband’s absence, I am not even afraid to give birth.”

“He’ll be here that long?” Evelina didn’t like the fact Sir Claude was from France and wasn’t leaving anytime soon. Plus, she’d made a mistake when she spoke, and he was now aware she was French as well. If he stayed at Briarbeck Castle, there was no doubt he would be asking questions that she didn’t want to answer. She didn’t know him, but what if he knew of her?

“I am sorry, my lady. I spoke out of line.” Evelina played the subservient position of a servant even though she was the daughter of a French count. She enjoyed being around children, and Rose was a kind person. Still, it was hard having to remember that she now had to sit below the salt and eat with the commoners. She couldn’t wear velvet or jewels anymore and had to sleep on a pallet on the floor in Lady Rose’s wardrobe.

As awful as this all was, the one good thing was that she could come and go without being noticed. She could also observe the eligible Englishmen and would, hopefully, find one who took her interest. She planned on finding a man to marry here in England. Then she would send a missive back to France and, hopefully, convince her father to change her betrothal.

Being in England gave her the opportunity to do this, although it was probably a risky and foolish thing to do. However, if she had stayed in France, everyone knew her and she would never be able to hide in the shadows like she was doing here. It was her last chance to make her life the way she wanted it to be. Her two brothers were already married. Being the youngest and only daughter, her father had plans for her that she didn’t agree with and never would.

“I have known Claude for a long time,” said Rose as Evelina brought the cart to a stop. “We are good friends. Did you know he wanted to marry me at one time, but I turned him down?”

“He did?” Evelina handed the reins to a stable boy as she slipped off the driver’s seat. “He is very handsome, my lady. Why would you turn him down?” She held out her arms for Harry, lifting him from the cart and holding his hand.

Rose walked around the cart, coming to Evelina’s side. “I had just turned three and ten years of age at the time. I was in love with my father’s squire, Toft. That is why I married him instead of Claude. My father agreed because he wanted me to be happy, even though Toft was not from a rich family and didn’t own an estate. Oh, here is my husband now.”

Evelina stepped to the side as Toft rushed over to greet his wife. He hugged her and kissed her in front of everyone, scooping her up into his arms. That made Rose giggle.

“Pick me up, too,” said Harry, holding out his arms.

“Toft, put me down,” scolded Rose. “If you don’t, I might deliver this baby right in your arms.”