Page 25 of Forbidden: Claude

After a quick glance around her to make sure no one was watching, she hurried across the hall to join him. Taking Augustin by the elbow, Evelina led him away from the crowd. She stopped in the foyer area leading to the outside.

“What is it, Augustin?” she asked. “I told you never to bother me in the great hall.”

“I wanted to tell you I am boarding a ship back to France in the next hour. I found a merchant ship that is going that way, and I’ve secured passage for both of us.”

“What? Nay,” she said. “We can’t leave now.” Her thoughts went to Claude. She didn’t want to leave yet. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, and she had even been dreaming about kissing him. Even though she had been feeling as if she wanted to distance herself from him, France was a little too far away. If she left now, her life would be over. As soon as she returned to France, her father would make her marry Lord Onfroi, and she would never have a chance to find love. She would also never know how it felt to kiss Sir Claude Montague.

“We must hurry because the ship won’t wait,” he told her.

“Augustin, I don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?” asked Claude, showing up behind her. He must have seen her leave the room and followed her. “Mayhap I can help you decide.”

Claude was the last person she wanted to see right now. To make matters worse, he overheard her conversation with Augustin. She was going to have to say something quickly to try to explain without giving away her secrets.

“This is Augustin.” Evelina introduced the man to Claude.

“Yes, I know,” answered Claude with a nod of his head. “Lady Rose said he is your brother. Funny, but he doesn’t look anything like you. He is also much older than you.”

“I could say the same about you and your little sister, Charlotte,” said Evelina. “After all, you are fifteen years apart in age if I’m not mistaken.”

“Hmph,” Claude scoffed.

“My brother has secured passage on a merchant ship back to France, but I don’t think we should leave because I have a commitment to tend to Lady Rose until her handmaid returns.”

“I’m sure Lady Rose can find another handmaid,” said Claude.

“Yes, I agree.” Augustin reached out and grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her out the door. “Let’s go.”

“Then again,” said Claude, causing the man to stop. “Lady Rose is quite fond of Evelina, and it wouldn’t be good to upset her since the birth of her baby is so close.”

“Aye, I think you are right,” Evelina agreed.

“I can’t leave her here unescorted,” snapped the guard.

“Unescorted?” asked Claude, sounding suspicious. “That is an odd choice of a word for a commoner to use.”

“He just means that he’s afraid for my safety,” said Evelina.

“Oh, I see,” said Claude. “There is no need to worry. I will watch over Evelina during her stay in England.”

“Nay, that’s not necessary,” stammered Evelina, not wanting him watching her every move.

“She’s not staying here.” Augustin dragged her toward the door.

Claude took two long strides and gripped the man’s wrist. “Get your hands off of her,” he warned him. “I said I would protect her and it starts right now.”

“I’m her older brother,” growled Augustin. “She will do what I say.”

“If you think I am daft enough to believe that story for one minute, you have another guess coming.”

“We have papers to prove it,” snarled the guard.

“Papers that are no doubt forged. I recognize you as a mercenary,” Claude told him. “I believe I hired you a few years ago, and you told me you didn’t have any family. Have you forgotten so soon, Augustin?”

The man’s hand slipped off of Evelina’s arm, but he stayed quiet.

“Evelina, you can stay if you want to, but I’m leaving.” Augustin turned on his heel and headed out to the courtyard.