Page 15 of Forbidden: Claude

That took her by surprise. “Mayhap, I shouldn’t have ventured into your room at all. You sound so ungrateful.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He put down the cup and took a few slow steps toward her. “Am I being . . . unlikable?”

She swallowed deeply, not liking the way he almost seemed to stalk her. By the rood, he knew what she’d told the squire. “Nay, my lord. Not at all,” she said, dropping her gaze to the floor.

“If I’m not unlikable, then why don’t you look at me, Nursemaid?” He lifted her chin with his palm and, ever so slowly, she raised her eyes until she was gazing right into his swirling blue orbs. The sadness she’d seen earlier was gone. Replacing it was mischief and if she wasn’t mistaken, a bit of lust as well. “What was the real reason you came here tonight?” he asked her.

“I told you,” she said in a soft voice. “I came here to apologize.”

“I don’t believe that is entirely true.” His eyes focused on her lips as he leaned in closer. “Then again, I don’t believe you are who you claim to be, either.”

“Y – you don’t?” Her eyes fell to his mouth as well. “Who do you believe I am, my lord?”

She could feel his hot breath on her when he spoke. Her tongue darted out to wet her parched lips. He was going to kiss her, she was sure of it. This handsome knight was going to give her a sensuous kiss, and she welcomed it. Evelina closed her eyes and let her head fall back, waiting for the feel of his mouth pressed up against hers. Would the kiss be quick or long and drawn out? Would it be filled with lust and hunger or, perhaps, instead, filled with love and passion? She had to know.

He released her, never touching her mouth with his. “I think it is time for you to leave now, Nursemaid.”

When she opened her eyes, he had turned and was walking away. He dropped down on the bed, lounging back, raising his arms behind his head to use as a pillow. Now she was the one who felt like a fool, standing there with her head back and eyes closed waiting for a kiss like a lovelorn adolescent. In worrying about the pain and turmoil she’d caused him, she’d release the wrath of displeasure upon herself. This wasn’t at all what she had expected.

“Why are you still standing there?” he asked. “I told you I don’t want you in my bed, so why don’t you understand that?”

“You are a wretched cur, no different than any other man I’ve ever met.”

He released a deep chuckle. “I’m sorry if I am not living up your expectations, but I am not used to having a woman play the aggressor. I suppose if you are adamant about staying here, I can make an exception. It has been a while since I’ve bedded a servant.”

“How dare you!” she blurted out, no longer caring that she was not acting like a servant. This man made her blood boil, and she was not going to put up with his rudeness. Even if she were a servant, he had the manners of a pig!

His smile disappeared and he pushed up to a sitting position, watching her intently.

“I should report your actions and your brash words to Lady Rose immediately.”

“Your threats don’t frighten me because I know you would never do it.”

“Why would you say that?” He scooted to the edge of the bed.

“Sir Claude, my only reason for coming here tonight was because I felt sorry for you.”

“Sorry for me?” Anger flashed in his eyes. “I don’t need your pity. And neither do I know what you mean.”

“I saw the pain in your eyes when everyone laughed at you in the great hall. I especially noticed your despair when Lady Rose laughed at you as well. It hurt you, didn’t it?”

“Who are you to ask me such a question?”

“You care what she thinks about you and are trying your hardest to leave a good impression.”

“I don’t need to impress anyone,” he scoffed.

“You don’t. Yet it means everything to you that Lady Rose sees you in a light that matches that of her husband. Doesn’t it?”

“Stop it!” he commanded.

“You wouldn’t want her to know I was in your solar while you were naked because she might think you are a cur instead of the honorable knight you want her to believe you are.”

“I am an honorable knight and not you or anyone else can say differently.”

“Really?” It was her turn to raise a brow. “Suppose I go to Lady Rose right now and tell her that I came to apologize to you and you tried to kiss me, seduce me, and take me to your bed?”

“You wouldn’t!”