Soul Of A Highlander (Lairds of Dunkeld Series) (A Medieval Scottish Romance Story)(40)

Claudine nodded. “I would like that. The afternoon sun is so pleasant.”

“Mm.” Bernadette nodded. “We should make sure to wear hats.”

Claudine smiled. Trust Bernadette to think of something like that. She was always thinking ahead, considering what one would need to be comfortable. “Yes.”

They donned head-dresses – Claudine wore a flowing satin scarf over a starched frame that held it out like two shimmering wings on either side of her face. Bernadette wore a similar one, only more modest.

They headed out into the sunshine together.

“Out for sun gazing, eh?”

Claudine jumped. She hadn't expected to hear her uncle just then.

“Uh, yes, Uncle. A good afternoon for it, I think?”

“Mm,” he nodded. He pursed his lips, handsome face considering. “I am glad to see you looking so restored, my niece. It makes a change after the toll on your health of all that activity last week.”

“Activity?” Claudine frowned. Her heart thumped and she felt Bernadette tense beside her. How did he know? Had he seen Francis leave her rooms?

“I referred to the ball you attended,” he said smoothly. “And the number of times you watched the sword-skills practice in the yard.”

“Oh.” Claudine felt herself relax a little.

“You seemed intensely eager to follow the progress of our young nobles.” He raised a brow. “I was surprised.”

Claudine blushed. “Well, Uncle. It seems sensible to take an interest in the force that could preserve one's life one day.”

He huffed a sigh. “Well, your life is delicate, my dear. It takes much to preserve it. And I'm not sure involvement with a swordsman would match with that.”

Claudine bristled. Was he suggesting that she was looking for partners by watching the fighting? She colored at the thought that she had been doing just that. “No, Uncle,” she murmured softly.

“Exactly, my dear. I sometimes wonder if it would tax your health too much to marry at all.”

Claudine's brow shot up. Why was he saying this now? What had he discovered?”

Bernadette beside her went tense. “I think I trust the words of Father Jeremy in that respect,” she said quietly. “He made no such predictions.”

Claudine saw her uncle's eyes widen and then narrow. Was it her imagination or did he wish her not to believe the old physician?

“Your maid, it seems, interrupts us,” he said thinly.

Claudine stared at him as if he'd slapped her. “Uncle, I'm sure Bernadette didn't mean...”

“No matter,” he said, smiling gently. He was suddenly the sweet, protective uncle she had always known. “I should hurry along. I have an audience to attend at four of the clock. Enjoy the sunshine, Claudine.”

Claudine swallowed. She suddenly felt very disloyal for her stab of resentment toward her uncle. What was she thinking? He cared for her when no one else did.

“Thank you, Uncle,” she said.

He smiled fondly and carried on down the hallway.

When he had gone, Claudine and Bernadette looked at each other.

“Well. I didn't like that talk much,” Bernadette said. Her gentle face wore a puzzled frown, mouth turned down in worry.

Claudine shook her head. “Oh, Bernadette. Uncle meant no harm by what he said. He cares for me.”

“Be that as it may,” Bernadette said ominously.

Claudine looked out over the edge of the terrace, looking down into the courtyard where, only a few days prior, Francis was. She felt wistful and sad, but at the same time she felt a gentle pleasure in the memory.

I so enjoyed watching him. The way he moved so gracefully, almost like a dancer, but savage. With that fast strike and lively motion and those big shoulders rippling under his tight linen tunic.

She felt herself blush as she thought that. What had possessed her lately? She couldn't help noticing things about him: the strong muscles of his back, his well-developed calves, the way he tensed and flexed when he made his strikes with the sword. Those long arms, supple and heavy with muscle. That narrow waist.

What am I thinking? Why is my poor body tingling all over at these thoughts?

It was the strangest thing. Claudine frowned.

“Thinking about something?” Bernadette asked gently.

Claudine smiled. “Oh, nothing, Bernadette.” Then she paused. “Well, actually...”

“Mm?” Bernadette frowned. “What is it, milady?”

Claudine saw Bernadette's brown eyes instantly focus; always tender and mindful of her. She smiled.

“Well, I feel a bit silly asking you this, but...” she trailed off, cheeks burning.

“No, milady,” Bernadette protested gently. “No need to feel silly to ask me. Tell me anything.”

Claudine felt bolder and licked her lips, framing the question that had been on her mind for the last days.

“What is...what does it mean, when men and women wed? I understand the spiritual aspect, at least as much as anyone does. But the physical implications...” she blushed, throat closing with extreme embarrassment.

Bernadette raised a brow. Then she smiled. “Well! I'm right glad you asked that, milady. It's all well and good to take an interest in such things. It means you're healthy.”