Forbidden: Claude (Second in Command #2)(6)

“I wish you would,” said Toft. His bright eyes sparkled in the sun, and his honey-colored hair gently lifted in the warm breeze. “If you did that, I wouldn’t have to worry about you every minute I am away.” He placed Rose on her feet.

Evelina’s heart melted, watching the couple that looked to be so much in love. That’s what she wanted, too. She wanted a man to fall in love with her. Someday, she hoped to have a kind and handsome young husband who would kiss and hug her and care about having a child so much that he didn’t want to leave her. Yes, she wanted someone just like Toft.

“You don’t have to worry about me being alone when I birth the baby, Toft,” Rose told her husband.

Toft looked over to Evelina. “Aye, I know you have the nursemaid.”

“And me,” said Harry. “I will help my sister.”

“I’m sure you will,” said Toft, ruffling the little boy’s hair. “Your mother will be here, too, but I don’t feel as if that is enough.”

“Sir Toft, I heard what ye said.” Isobel, Rose’s Scottish stepmother, approached holding on to the arm of Rose’s father, Lord Conlin de Braose. Isobel was once sent as a proxy from Scotland but ended up falling in love with Conlin, and they were married instead. “I assure ye I will take guid care of my daughter and her bairn. Ye have nothin’ to worry about.”

Conlin spoke up next. “The only thing you have to fear is if my wife will have the baby’s feet in shoes by the time we return,” Conlin said with a chuckle.

“I don’t understand,” said Evelina.

“My father is jesting.” Rose threw a sideways glance at her father.

“Like hell I am,” mumbled Conlin. “We have all seen Isobel’s crazy infatuation with shoes, and there is no telling what is going to happen next where that is concerned.”

“Conlin, ye are exaggeratin’,” said Isobel. “I havena even bought a new pair of shoes for some time now.”

“Really?” he asked, glancing across the courtyard. “Torrence, Dunmor, come here,” he called out to their eight and six-year-old sons who came running.

“What is it, Father?” asked Dunmor.

“You aren’t leaving yet, are you?” Torrence inquired.

“Nay, boys. I won’t be leaving until the morrow. Harry, come here, too, please.”

Harry ran over, and Conlin scooped him up in his arms.

“Conlin, what is this all about?” asked Isobel.

“Show me your shoes, boys,” said Conlin.

“Our shoes?” asked Torrence, confused.

“That’s right,” said Conlin, holding up one of Harry’s feet. The little boy giggled. “Let me see your shoes.”

Torrence and Dunmor held one foot in the air, showing off brand new boots.

“Uh huh,” said Conlin with a nod.

“Conlin, what are ye doin’?” asked Isobel.

“Boys, you were wearing shoes, not boots this morning, weren’t you?”

“Yes, Father,” said Torrence.

“So, why did you change them?”

“Mother bought us new boots, and she wanted to see how they fit,” Dunmor blurted out.

Evelina had to hold back her laughter when she saw Isobel’s face redden at the tattling of her son.

“Isobel?” asked Conlin in a low voice. “What do you have to say about that?”

“Oh, all right, so I bought the bairns some new shoes. But I didna buy any for myself.”

“Good thing,” said Conlin, placing Harry on the ground. “Any more shoes and I will have to add a room to the castle just to store them all. Now, come on, boys, we need to get to the great hall for someone’s birthday celebration.”

“Me? Do you mean me?” asked Harry, sounding so excited that Evelina thought he would wet himself.

“Yes, you,” said Conlin. “We have a celebration! Now, everyone get to the great hall so we can start.”

“Did you want me to watch over the children?” Evelina asked Conlin.

“Nay, not tonight. I’ll watch the boys. You stay close to my daughter, instead,” Conlin called back over his shoulder. “If she shows any signs of starting to birth the baby, report to me or my wife immediately, do you understand?”

“Aye, my lord,” said Evelina with a nod.

“Rose, I don’t think I should leave tomorrow,” Toft told his wife. “You might need me.”

“Thank you, Husband, but you don’t have a choice. It is your duty as a knight to serve the king when needed. And as I was saying, I will be in good hands. Claude is here. Here he comes now.”

“Claude de Bar is here from France?” Toft looked up to see Claude dismounting his horse. “Claude. Over here,” shouted Toft, waving his hand in the air.

“Remember, he is Claude Montague now since his father has claimed him,” Rose told her husband. “Sir Claude. He is a knight as well.”

“Aye, that’s right.” Toft chuckled lowly. “I can’t help but wonder how that scrawny little boy with the long hair in his eyes managed to become a knight.”

“He doesn’t look like that anymore, Toft, so please be nice.”

Evelina saw the handsome Frenchman looking in their direction. He helped his young sister from the horse and sent her over to his parents before he headed over. Evelina kept her eyes downward, not wanting the man to see her face.