Page 4 of Forbidden: Claude

“Evelina is right, we shouldn’t be here,” said Rose. “I was so excited to see you that we didn’t even wait for an escort. I wanted to meet you on the docks when you disembarked and had Evelina drive the cart. You look so different. You are . . . a man now, Claude.”

Rose smiled at him and then nodded to her nursemaid to take them back to the castle. They sped away over the wharf leaving Claude staring after them, not knowing what to think.

“I am sorry I didn’t tell you, Claude,” said his mother softly. “Rose asked me not to. She thought if you knew she was pregnant, you wouldn’t come.”

That was the truth. Claude wouldn’t have set foot on English soil if he’d known Rose was pregnant. He also hadn’t heard until now that she’d lost two children before this. Then again, it was probably his fault since he purposely never asked about her, wanting to forget her. He had told his mother to never mention Rose’s name, and so she had respected his wishes and never said a thing.

“Are you going to go back to France now, Claude?” Charlotte looked up at him with sad eyes.

How could he leave her? He had to be there for his sister. Not to mention, now he felt as if he needed to be here for Rose as well. He couldn’t let either of them down. It was his duty as a knight, a brother, and a friend. Anger gripped his gut, but he held back the emotions threatening to spill forth. “Nay, of course not. I won’t leave, Charlotte,” he said, kissing his little sister atop her head. “I came for a birthday celebration, and that is what you are going to get. Just wait until you see the present I brought you.”

“A present? For me?” Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Oh, Claude, give it to me now.”

Claude chuckled. “Nay, my sweet, little sister. You are going to have to wait until the feast. I will not give you your present a minute sooner.”

“Then hurry, Claude. Ride fast to the castle. I can’t wait to get there,” Charlotte urged him.

John turned and led the way, but Celestine stared at Claude with pity in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Claude,” she whispered as he rode past.

“Me too,” said Claude, holding tightly to Charlotte as he dug his heels into the sides of the horse and directed the animal into a run. He felt like a man heading to the gallows. Going back to the castle where he would have to watch Rose with her husband was the last thing he wanted to do right now. But Rose was counting on him. She was frightened. How could he leave her when she had been there for him in his time of need?