Soul Of A Highlander (Lairds of Dunkeld Series) (A Medieval Scottish Romance Story)(16)

“What do you mean, my lady?” she asked. “You're not unwell, are you?”

“No,” Claudine said, “at least, no more than this wretched malady. But my thoughts are all confused.”

“How so, milady?” Bernadette sat down on the seat opposite the bed, brown eyes wide.

“Well,” Claudine sighed. “I met someone the other night...someone different.”

Bernadette just nodded. “Mm?”

“Well,” Claudine felt the sweet sensation that filled her every time she simply thought of Francis. “He's...foreign, more or less. From the country – it's his first time in court – but he's not that unrefined...not like that would make you expect.”

Bernadette giggled. “Go on,” she said.

“Well, he...” Claudine swallowed hard. “It seems – I sound silly – but it seems as if he and I, well, we share so much. He doesn't belong, nor do I.”

Bernadette frowned. “Now, my lady...”

Claudia shook her head. “I know, Bernadette. You'll say I shouldn't feel that way. But what am I to feel, when I am so slow, so ill?”

Bernadette sighed. She looked at her hands. “Go on,” she said after a moment.

“Well,” Claudine paused. “I...the young man and I are – it seems we like each other. I feel like nothing I've ever felt before, near him. Like my whole world is happier just from knowing he exists.”

Bernadette smiled. “It sounds wonderful, milady. Like love.”

Claudia shot her a look. “It does?”

Bernadette nodded. “Yes, milady. It does. You must have heard the minstrels sing of things so similar?”

“Well,” Claudine hesitated, blushing slowly. She supposed Bernadette was right. They did sing about such things. “Yes, but...”

“No 'but' about it,” Bernadette interrupted briskly. “That is a wonderful thing.”

“Is it?” Claudine asked. “I mean, it is. Of course it is. But...”

“But what? Is there some difficulty? The young man's lineage is wrong?”

“No,” Claudine murmured. “I mean, it's true he's lowborn for a duke's daughter, but I think my father would cheerfully see me wed, just to see an heir born.”

Bernadette frowned. “You know, don't think like that,” she cautioned.

Claudine gave a mirthless snort. “I know all too well that Father would rather see me wedded to an inconsequential noble and safely out of his responsibility.”

“No,” Bernadette soothed, though they both knew it was quite likely to be correct.

“I know, Bernadette,” Claudine said sadly. “But I also know this young man is different. Not like the others. Not shallow.”

Bernadette smiled. “You are right,” she nodded. “Many of them are.”

“Quite.”

They both laughed. After a moment, Bernadette looked serious again.

“You have yet to tell me. Why so sad?”

Claudine frowned. “It's...uncle, mainly. He's being strange!”

“How strange? Doesn't he approve?” Bernadette asked.

“No,” Claudine shook her head slowly. “At least, I think he does not. He is strange with this man. As if he challenges him at every turn.”

“Perhaps he just seeks to find if he is worthy of you,” Bernadette said.

Claudine nodded. “Mayhap yes, friend.”

In her heart, she felt less certain about that. She had never seen her uncle so quickly take against someone. Somehow his approach was not as if he sought to test Francis. He was more trying to scare him off.

No! Stop being fanciful, Claudine...why would he?

He was just protective of her. Concerned for her welfare. That was all.

She recalled his cutting words that morning and shivered. It was unlike her sweet, usually affable uncle, to be so ruthless. Why would he be? It must be to protect her. It could be no other reason.

“So this young man?” Bernadette asked slowly.

“Mm?” Claudine felt dreamy as her mind veered abruptly from the topic of her uncle and back toward the topic of Francis. The feel of his lips on hers, his body near hers, his hands on her shoulder...

“He is easy to find?” Bernadette asked.

“You mean...” Claudine trailed off. “You mean, to arrange to meet?” she felt her heart thump slowly in her chest and looked round-eyed at Bernadette.

“Yes,” Bernadette nodded. “I am your chaperone, after all,” she added with a big smile. “So I reckon it would all be fair and above reproach if I were to accompany you. Cautiously, of course.”

“Bernadette!” Claudine felt herself grinning broadly. “Oh, you darling...”

Bernadette blushed as Claudine embraced her sweetly. She felt reassured by her maid's calm, solid presence.

“Now,” Bernadette said when she had moved back, her nose blushing pink and her eyes strangely moist, “the first thing we need to do is find a place to meet.”

“Yes...”

“I was considering the terrace,” Bernadette said. “What with the sunny weather, many people will be out enjoying the afternoon. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't see him there.”