Soul Of A Highlander by Emilia Ferguson

Author:Emilia Ferguson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-04-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THREAT AND HAPPINESS

THREAT AND HAPPINESS

T he morning sunshine washed through the window onto Francis' eyelids. Memory of where he was rushed back to him. He was upstairs in the attic at Evreux. With that, he abruptly remembered the rest of the situation. Claudine was here. He was, to all intents and purpose, her physician, and a monk. He should maintain that disguise.

“Right. I'll head to the kitchen and then to her chambers.”

After breakfast, Francis felt his heart thud with excitement. He climbed the stairs in the elaborate, though small, manor and headed to her bedchamber. There, he knocked at the door. Bernadette answered.

“Father Alexandre!” she said. Her eyes widened and then her worried frown descended. “Come in. The...patient...is awake and ready to see you.”

Francis felt his belly clench with sweet excitement. He walked in briskly, a big smile on his face. He found Claudine sitting at her dressing table, a long white dress on, her hair curled. She looked indescribably lovely and his loins ached as his eyes lingered at her full bust. Then he looked into her eyes and his heart warmed.

“My lady,” he said, bowing. “If I may say so, you look remarkably well this morning.”

She smiled, a faint flush coloring her cheek. “Thank you, my lord. Uh, Father. I feel much better.”

He grinned. “I'm pleased to hear it,” he turned to Bernadette and whispered quietly to her. “Is it safe?”

Bernadette nodded. “His lordship is out. You can speak freely. I'll keep watch at the window. He might not be gone long.”

“Thank you.”

Francis lowered himself to sitting in the chair by the bed. He reached out to take Claudine's hand. She gripped his fingers tightly.

“Francis,” she said. Her face was warm with happiness. “I'm so pleased to see you. I trust you slept well?”

He smiled. “I did. And really, you do look well today.”

She colored. “I feel better. Thank you.”

Francis bent and raised her hand to his mouth, kissing the cool, fragrant knuckles. Her hand, and her whole person, smelled of rosemary and sweetness. His body tensed with longing for her.

“Claudine,” he whispered. “I...would you run away with me?”

Claudine's sweet pink mouth fell open, surprised. “Francis! I...no.”

Francis blinked. “No?” the answer surprised him. He felt quite hurt, if he was honest. Of all the things he'd expected, outright denial was not one of them. “Why?”

She closed her eyes. She looked pained. “Francis, please. We must be sensible. You know I'm ill. I must ask if you've thought about this even for just a moment or two?”

Francis coughed. He felt quite upset by that. “Claudine! Why do you say that? What's wrong?”

Claudine looked sad. She gently moved her hand out of his grasp. Looked up at him with those big eyes damp with sorrow.

“Francis, I'm not well. You know that. I am much improved but, be that as it may. I am weak. I may never bear a child. You are the heir to Annecy. Your family would not wish you to choose...such a woman as a wife. I am no use to you.

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