Page 13 of Forbidden: Claude

“Careful,” he told her. “You might hurt yourself.”

She, along with everyone in France knew about the old man, Lord Pierpont de Bar who had watched his wife burn at the stake because she was accused of being a witch. Hadn’t the squire said something about Claude’s grandmother burning at the stake? It was also said that the de Bar family was cursed and some of the relatives were witches. Could he be part of this family? “Why did you say de Bar?”

“I said Montague,” he told her.

“Nay, you didn’t. I distinctly heard you say de Bar. Are you a de Bar or aren’t you?”

“I told you, I am Sir Claude Jean Montague, but thank you for asking.”

“That’s a lie,” she said under her breath.

“What was that?” asked Claude.

“I said that’s a tie. It looks like the race is going to be a tie.”

“That’s not what you said.”

“Of course, it is.” She looked directly at him and smiled.

The crowd cheered for the children as the music stopped. Charlotte and Harry both ran back to the start, somehow managing to keep the eggs balanced on the spoons. Harry crossed the line at the same time as Charlotte.

“You won, Charlotte! Congratulations, Sister.” Claude scooped her up, causing her egg to drop to the ground and break. “You should be proud to be a Montague.” He looked at Evelina as he said it.

“Harry crossed the line at the same time as Charlotte. Just like I told you, the race was a tie.” Evelina picked the boy up in her arms and held him to her chest.

“My brother said I won,” shouted Charlotte.

“Nay, I won.” Harry looked like he was about to cry.

“It’s all right, Harry. Better luck next time.” Claude reached out and ruffled the little boy’s hair. Harry opened his mouth and let out a wail.

“Harry doesn’t like anyone ruffling his hair,” Evelina told Claude.

“It’s just my way of showing affection,” said Claude. “There is no harm done.”

“Then, mayhap, you’d let Harry return the same affection by ruffling your hair as well. Unless that would bother you.”

“Why would it bother me?” asked Claude. “As I said, it is all done in fun. Go ahead, Harry. Ruffle my hair.” Claude leaned over. Evelina urged the little boy to do the same to Claude as he had done to Harry.

With tears in his eyes, Harry slapped his hand atop Claude’s head. However, the egg was in his hand and it broke on Claude’s head. Slimy egg white and yolk slid down Claude’s hair and face.

Evelina giggled while Claude clenched his jaw, not saying a word.

“Oh, Harry, what did you do?” Rose rushed over with Toft, eying up the antics of her little brother. Isobel hurried over with Claude’s mother as well.

“Claude, you have egg on your face,” said Celestine.

Suddenly, all the children were crowding around, and everyone, including Rose, laughed at Claude. Claude wiped the egg out of his eyes and licked his lips.

“I’ll have a tub of water sent up to your solar for you, Claude,” said Rose. “I’m sorry that Harry did that.”

“Harry was only ruffling Claude’s hair as Claude did to him,” stated Evelina. As everyone continued to laugh, Claude’s gaze met with Evelina’s. The anguish and despair in his eyes told her that this situation had hurt him deeply.

“Excuse me, my lady,” Claude said, bowing to Rose with egg still dripping down his face. “I think I will retire for the evening.”

Claude hurried through the great hall with his squire at his heels. No one but Evelina seemed to notice the turmoil on Claude’s face. Her heart went out to him. It was her fault since she’d told Harry to ruffle his hair. Now, she regretted her action. It wasn’t anger she viewed in Claude’s eyes as he hurried away. It was pain. A more profound pain than she’d ever seen in anyone’s eyes before. She wanted to run after him and tell him she was sorry, but couldn’t. She was only a servant, she reminded herself. She couldn’t step out of line again or her secret might be revealed.

Every part of her wanted to comfort Claude and make him smile. Why did she feel this way when everything the man had done so far had been nothing but belittling to her? Then again, his actions were typical for a nobleman and the way they treated servants. Her actions were not normal for a servant, just like Claude had told his squire. Pretending she was someone that she was not was becoming more difficult all the time.