Page 9 of Forbidden: Claude

“Oh, that’s just because he is still in love with Lady Rose,” blurted out Felix.

“I can see that. What I don’t understand is how Lady Rose could have been in love with someone like Lord Claude. He is handsome but not very likable at all.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” warned Felix. “Lord Claude had a hard life. Did you know when he first came to England and met his father, Lord John thought he was a girl?”

“A girl?” She giggled, letting her eyes roam over to the back of Sir Claude. The man was well built with broad shoulders and looked to have muscles under his tunic and cloak. He wasn’t as tall as some of the other knights she’d seen, but he was still a good two heads taller than her. His face was covered with a dark stubble of whiskers. “It is hard to imagine that Sir Claude once looked like a girl.”

“I’ve been told Sir Claude was very skinny and soft-spoken,” the squire explained. “His hair was long and kept getting in his eyes. Supposedly, his own father took his blade to Claude’s hair because everyone kept calling him a girl and John didn’t want a son that they thought was a daughter.”

She giggled again, and Claude turned his head, looking back over his shoulder.

“Is something funny?” he asked. “Mayhap you would care to share it with the rest of us?”

Evelina looked at Felix and shook her head slightly. “Please, don’t tell him,” she whispered, not thinking Claude would appreciate his squire revealing all his secrets.

“Nay, my lord,” answered Felix in a loud voice. “I am just making conversation with the nursemaid. Evelina is very nice. And also pretty.”

“Why thank you,” she told him.

“Evelina is a lovely name,” said Felix. “It suits you.”

“Thank you, once again.”

Claude looked over his shoulder for the second time. Evelina couldn’t miss the scowl on his face. Something about Felix complimenting her and making her laugh seemed to upset him. Was there nothing that made this man merry?

“Felix, hurry to the great hall and find my sister. Tell her I will give her the present now,” Claude commanded.

“Aye, my lord. Right away,” Felix answered. Then he looked over to Evelina and winked, holding a finger to his lips. She giggled again as he ran off to the great hall.

Watching him go, she paid little attention to where she was walking and crashed right into someone. Putting out her hands to steady herself, she looked up to find she was touching Sir Claude’s chest. His arms wrapped around her and he glanced down at her with partially hooded eyes.

“Sir Claude! I didn’t see you,” she said, stepping back and straightening her gown.

“You are not very trained in your duties, Nursemaid.”

“What do you mean?” she asked him.

“You giggle at silly compliments and are not even aware where you are going.”

“I didn’t think Felix’s compliments were silly at all. And it wasn’t the compliments that made me giggle. I am sorry I crashed into you, but the last I knew you were headed for the great hall.”

“Well, I changed my mind as well as my direction. Does that bother you?”

“Nay, my lord. It just surprises me that a man can’t make up his mind. After all, that is more of a trait of a . . . girl.” She giggled again and stepped around Claude, hurrying to catch up to Lady Rose.