Page 28 of Forbidden: Claude

“I blamed my father for my mother’s death. But once I realized it was not his fault and how foolish I’d been, we became close. I can talk to my father about anything now.”

“My father will never understand.” Evelina shook her head in sorrow. “I need to find the man I’m to marry on my own.”

“Claude is very nice. He is not married.”

“Claude?” She spun around so fast that she almost fell.

“Mayhap, you should get to know him.”

“He has been nothing but cruel to me,” she told Rose.

“Claude? Cruel?” That made Rose laugh. “I honestly don’t think the man has a mean bone in his body. You must have just started off on the wrong foot with him.”

“Claude is a nobleman,” Evelina reminded her. “I’m sure he would only consider marrying a noblewoman.”

“I’ve seen the way Claude looks at you, Evelina. He has eyes for you even if you don’t think so.”

“Nay, that can’t be. He is still in love with you.”

“Me?” Rose stopped laughing and held her hand to her chest. “I’m married.”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you as well, my lady. I don’t think Claude will ever marry anyone if he can’t have you.”

Rose’s face became somber, and she nodded slightly. “I know what you mean, Evelina. I have noticed it, too, since he returned from France. But I have a feeling that is all going to change soon. We are only good friends. I am sure Claude knows it.”

There was a quick knock at the door, and it opened a crack. Rose’s stepmother, Isobel, peeked into the room. “Are ye awake, Rose? If we are goin’ to buy shoes in town, we will need to get an early start. I have a lot of shoppin’ to do.”

“Come on in, Isobel.” Rose swung her feet over the edge of the bed.

“I thought you said you were feeling ill and tired and wanted to sleep some more.” Evelina got the distinct feeling Rose had just been pretending.

“I am always tired, lately,” said Rose. “However, I suddenly feel better.” She looked over to Isobel with a wide grin on her face. “I’m never too tired for shopping for shoes.”

Isobel and Rose giggled. Leaving the door open, Isobel quickly crossed the floor and sat down on the bed with Rose. “We are goin’ to have to find a new place to hide the shoes or Conlin will have my head when he returns.”

“Don’t worry, Isobel. I will add them to the rest of the stash. Evelina, open that trunk in the corner.”

“This one?” Evelina walked over to a trunk and lifted the lid. There was a baby blanket folded neatly at the top of the trunk. “Oh, what a beautiful blanket.”

“I made that in the ladies solar. All the ladies helped to quilt it,” said Rose. “But that isn’t what I wanted to show you.” Rose got up and walked over to the trunk along with Isobel. “Pick it up,” she told Evelina.

Evelina picked up the blanket. To her surprise, the trunk was packed full of shoes.

“Shoes!” she said. “Lots of them.”

“These are some of my favorites,” said Isobel, picking up a pair of side-laced, soft, suede slippers with embroidered colorful stitching of flowers on them. “These look about yer size,” said Isobel, perusing Evelina’s feet. “I would like ye to have them.”

“Me?” Evelina held her hand to her heart. “But . . . these are the shoes of a noblewoman. I am only a handmaid.”

Rose and Isobel looked at each other, grinned, and then looked back to Evelina.

“We want you to have them,” said Rose. “Mayhap, they will help you attract a husband.”

Evelina reached out with a shaky hand, feeling very deceitful. How could she take such a gift when all she’d done was lie since she’d met these wonderful women? “I can’t,” she said, pulling back her hand. “Not until I tell you both something first.”

“Good morning, am I missing something in here?” Claude walked in the open door and made his way over to the women.

Evelina groaned inwardly. She wanted to confide in the women, but she didn’t want to tell Claude who she really was. If he knew, he would be sure to haul her back to France himself.