Page 36 of Forbidden: Claude

“It’s getting worse out there,” said one of the men.

“A tree blew over and nearly took our lives,” said one of the other soldiers.

“No one better leave anytime tonight, or they’ll be walking into the den of the devil,” said another of the men. “Innkeeper, we need a room for the night.”

“I’ve got only one room left,” Bertram called out.

Claude glanced back to the fire where Evelina had her arms wrapped around her, trying to get warm. Her teeth chattered and her body shook. Water dripped from her hair and clothes. His squire sat next to her on the bench and underneath them was a large puddle.

Claude decided he couldn’t take them out in the storm. He didn’t want Evelina to get sick and die. Nay, he didn’t want anything to happen to her because he cared about her. He was traveling with her, and it was his responsibility as a knight to protect her even if she was only a handmaid.

“Nay, you don’t have any rooms available,” Claude told him, handing Bertram a fistful of coins.

“My lord?” asked Bertram in confusion.

“I’ll take the room for the night as well as a hot bath. Can I pay to stable my horses in the barn tonight as well?”

“You are welcome to the room as well as the barn for your horses, my lord. There is no charge since you are a noble.”

“I might be a noble, but my friends aren’t so I want you to take the money.”

“Yes, my lord,” said the man, greedily scooping up the coins and shoving them into his pocket. “Josephine,” he called to his wife. “Have a bath sent upstairs for Lord Claude.”

“It’s not for me,” he told the man, looking back at Evelina. “It’s for the lady.”

“The lady? You mean the handmaid?” asked the man. “My lord, where will you spend the night?”

“I’ll sleep on the bench by the fire along with my squire,” he told him.

“Pardon me for saying that I don’t understand why you’d give up your room and bath for a mere maidservant, my lord.”

“Nay, I don’t suppose you’d understand. I can’t say that I entirely understand either. All I know is that I am not going to let her shiver in wet clothes, being subjected to a bunch of drunken men all night. Now, do as I ask and do not question my actions again.”

“Aye, my lord. At once.”

Another crash of thunder shook the building, and Claude felt a knot forming in his stomach. This was going to be a very long night.