A Lady's Charade (Medieval Romance Novel) (25 page)

Chloe looked so dejected, so frail. It ripped at Alexander knowing the fear that raged inside her. Hadn’t he calmed her with his words?

Mayhap he should go about this a different way?

Chapter Fifteen

Maude fumed in the little abandoned cottage she’d found in the woods. Only a day had passed since she delivered the incriminating satchel to Lord Hardwyck. She had a spy in the village, who was supposed to rush to her as soon as the lord punished Chloe, but still she sat without a word.

She worked hard to find someone who understood the seal of the jewels she’d found. As soon as the poor man finished, she gave him a special drink that sent him into eternal sleep. No one could know about this but her. She didn’t want to take any chances that someone else would give the evidence to Lord Hardwyck. Leaving the portrait of a very noble Chloe and some man in the satchel would surely show the lord she was an imposter. The jewels she’d keep for herself, sell them she would, and be a rich woman indeed. This was her way of getting back her life, paying that slut back for what she’d done.

Her anger soared and Maude kicked the dirt floor, sending particles of dust up into her face, which only served to increase her ire. She stomped her feet and shouted curses to the ceiling.

She hadn’t heard a thing about Chloe. She hadn’t seen the sneaking, conniving traitor thrown out on her rear. Why bloody hell not?

Didn’t Lord Hardwyck understand the minx was a traitor?

Didn’t he know the good deed Maude had just done him? Didn’t he understand that she was a loyal servant? She knew he was back in the village. She’d told Harold that what the satchel contained was of the direst importance for the lord to read—that it was a matter of life and death. She knew Harold, being so loyal to Lord Hardwyck, would have given him the news immediately upon his return. So why, after hours and hours after the lord had returned home had she not heard of the vixen being hanged?

That bitch ruined Maude’s life, her son’s life, and was certainly bent on ruining Lord Hardwyck’s life. If only he understand that. If he knew Maude was trying to save him, then maybe he would let her son go. They could return to their former life and her son could care for her when she became too feeble to work.

Maude patted her skirt and smiled. With the jewels she had stolen from the satchel, it wouldn’t be too hard to support herself now. But she still wanted her son home with her.

Something had gone wrong. Perhaps the witch had gotten a hold of Harold, and he looked through the satchel and gave it to her when he realized it contained her things.

Yes, something must have gone wrong. Once Lord Hardwyck saw the contents of that satchel, he would have had to do something about the twit. She was a traitor, a villainous, conniving traitor. Chloe had taken everything from her!

****

Chloe opened her chamber door and was surprised to see a holly sprig on the ground. Attached to the stem was a note. She looked around but could see no one. Who could have left her a note?

The thought of someone waiting and watching caused her stomach to sear with pain. She was already tense with pent up nervous energy and fear. She picked up the holly and the scroll and shut her door quietly. Going to the window, she read the scroll with the light of the rising sun.

Mademoiselle Chloe,

I believe that I owe you a ride. Please meet me in the courtyard.

Lord Hardwyck

A ride? To her doom?

Chloe shook her head. Why give her the note on the holly? It was almost as if, after last night, he was—no! This is what courting had been like when she’d been in Scotland, only a thistle was given to her there, and in France pretty spring flowers... Was he courting her? Impossible. The world began to spin and Chloe collapsed onto the bed as all the events from the night before came tumbling back to her.

He knew. There was no denying it now.

She recalled the story he’d told her and if it wasn’t about her, then it was a damned coincidence that his bride seemed to share the same history. A shiver passed through her. Would today decide everything? Would he be contemplating her fate—then passing judgment on her?

Just what did Lord Alexander intend to do? Was he going to take her somewhere secluded, away from all of the villagers and then use force to make her tell him? Or worse?

What would she tell Harold? Would he think it was odd that she was going riding with the master at this hour of the morning? Chewing on her lip, she realized Harold probably knew already…

Swallowing her apprehension, Chloe smoothed out her gown and gently patted her brother’s dagger, which she still wore strapped to her thigh. If Lord Hardwyck did try to dispose of her, at least she would have some form of self-defense.

Walking to the door, she had a fleeting regret that she wasn’t wearing something prettier than her simple charcoal gray wool gown.

Chloe nervously smoothed her dress again and took as deep a breath as she could with her tight stays. It seemed tighter since she had first received it. Having a steady supply of meals and hard work had truly brought her figure back. With her curves she felt more womanly than when she had first arrived, looking like a starved child.

Now why would she want to look womanly for Alexander? This was the man who had taken everything from her. But she couldn’t help it. She new without a doubt that she wanted to impress him, to look nice for him. She needed to.

Why do I need to?

Chloe was again struck with the realization she’d fallen in love with Lord Hardwyck. As much as she’d tried to push it aside, she couldn’t. Her heart soared at the thought, and her stomach flip-flopped. Her feelings for him were so mixed, so confusing. Sometimes she hated him, feared him, was angry at him. At other times she felt sorry for him, pitied him. And then at other times, she felt like flying with the joy love brought to her.

That just wouldn’t do. How could she love him? He was her enemy, for heaven’s sake. Hadn’t he been the one to taunt her, and flaunt what could have been her future in front of her? He dangled the fact that he knew the truth over her head, and he was holding her here with that knowledge, holding her in his home like a prisoner.

Yet she knew that wasn’t true. She hadn’t been locked in the dungeon, she hadn’t even been locked in her room. If anything she had been treated like a member of the family or at least a close friend. She had been given a home, a place to work, food to eat and clothes to wear.

She felt like she had a permanent place here. That was what she wanted, what she needed, permanence. She needed to feel secure, she needed to feel loved.

Chloe felt those things. But somehow the illusion had been cast in front of her. Even with all the fear and fretting about being found out, she hadn’t really worried about her fate. Until now.

When she thought about it, she guessed he had known all along. Why now, after he’d confirmed it, did she feel threatened? And even more so when he’d taken the portrait from her?

Then he’d completely floored her by not talking about the matter until she was ready for him to do so—even though he’d given her a deadline of this morning.

She couldn’t believe it. He had said that he thought she meant to kill him. Why the sudden change?

She wasn’t going to get the answers she needed in her room. It was time to go. Time to meet him—deal with reality. Confronting Alexander and telling him the truth was going to be beyond hard.

She was so scared. She didn’t know what to say, or how to say it. How would he take it? What would he say? Could she go through with it? Would he accept it?

Too many questions and absolutely no answers.

Pinching her cheeks, she told herself that she could do this. She was in control. She was confident. He hadn’t thrown her in the dungeon or locked her in the tower. Yet. Things would turn out all right. She had done a lot to better his village. She had saved his life.

If anything she could barter that. A life for a life.

But the truth was that she was in love with him. So in love, that she was willing to risk her neck to tell him who she was and hope against hope that he would accept her. She nodded to no one, but it helped her to affirm her affections and her plan. She would tell him, but she needed to know for certain how he felt, and whether or not he would hold her past against her, or if he would forgive her for transgressions that were not of her own choosing.

****

Alexander saw Chloe coming before she noticed him. Sitting atop Hero, he couldn’t help but be transfixed by the vision of her walking down the steps to the keep. She simply didn’t belong in her setting. She looked like an imposter as she sauntered up to him, her gait purely noble. The drab servant’s gown she wore would have looked just as plain on anyone else, but on her, it was stunning. Perhaps it was the way the lines of the gown clung to all the right places. Curves that had appeared overnight it seemed. Or was it that the dull grey fabric made her vibrant eyes look more blue than he had ever seen, and the black of her hair shinier than his shield.

He sucked in his breath. His emotions were running away with him. He had tried to fight them, but they overruled. He wanted her. He wanted all of her. She would be his. Taking her on a ride this morning was a good idea. He wanted to establish further their connection and when she was comfortable, tell him the truth. His plan would work; he couldn’t see one flaw with it.

When Chloe did notice him, she scowled. Obviously, she didn’t share his feelings. No matter, he would soon be able to change her mind. He had a plan, and he was sure that his plan was going to work.

“Of course you did. You would assume such a thing. I am grateful at least this time I am to ride in a decent ladylike manner.” She sniffed at him and turned her nose into the air.

The lady was exasperating, but Alexander had to go along with it. She was most assuredly feeling very vulnerable right now. Her haughty attitude was her protection, he assumed. Laughing, he helped her atop the horse. Her posture was perfect, as any lady’s would be.

“You are correct, Chloe, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She frowned, ignoring his comment, her hand delicately caressing the beautiful saddle that had been made for her. She looked down at him sharply, possibly remembering their conversation in the barn about the saddle being for his bride.

“Is something wrong?” Lord Hardwyck asked.

“No my lord, I was just admiring this beautiful saddle.”

“I had it made for someone special.” He winked at her with a devilish grin and watched as her face flushed. “You seat the horse well, Chloe. Where did you learn to ride?”

A look came into her eyes that made him hot for her, and memories flashed from the last time they went on a ride together. All too quickly her expression changed, closing him out.

“I told you already when I first came here. I come from a place that had many horses. Noblemen are not the only ones who learn to ride.” With that said, she nudged the horse forward into a gallop, leaving him in the dust.

Alexander stared at the cloud of dust that used to be Chloe for a moment in amazement, before jumping upon his own stallion and racing after her.

When he finally caught up to her, he could see laughter and pure enjoyment in her eyes for the first time. They rode side by side for an hour before stopping at a warm spring in a clearing. It was one of a few that led to the shallow river outside the walls of the village. The spot was secluded.

Alexander dismounted and then helped Chloe down from her mare, his hands lingering a little longer on the gentle curve of her hips than was necessary.

“Let us wipe down the horses to cool them off,” Alexander said, beginning to remove his horse’s saddle. He was surprised to see how deftly Chloe removed her saddle, grabbing a handful of grass and wiping down her horse. She crooned in the animal’s ear and practically made Alexander’s heart soar with her gentle nature.

After completing the task, he walked to the edge of the water and splashed liquid onto his face. It was little chillier than usual, but come spring would be quite warm. Alexander glanced to his side to catch a glimpse of the Scottish nymph. Chloe was staring at the water with hunger in her eyes. He could only guess what that hunger meant. He knew she’d been able to bathe often at his home, so it wasn’t for want of a bath. Maybe she had swum while in Scotland? It was very uncommon, yet nothing about this woman was common.

“Would you care to take a dip? It is a bit chilly, but not too terribly. It would be refreshing after our hard ride,” he suggested to her and began to remove his boots. She looked at him and then back to the water. “Come, it will be a perfect delight for you.”

She gave him an incredulous look, as if he were crazy for suggesting such a thing.

“But my lord, you have just come out of a fever from such a swim. Do you think it is wise to risk it again?” Her delicate eyebrows were raised in question, and the curve of her mouth turned in concern.

“It is much warmer today and the water not as cold. Besides I will build us a nice fire to warm ourselves by afterward. Come, remove your gown, I will look the other way until you’re in the water.” With his words she seemed to give the idea some thought.

She must have been a swimmer. He would have to ask her about it.

He did remember seeing a beautiful spring on the grounds of South Hearth. Perhaps she had gone swimming there. He could imagine her perfect creamy white body swimming in the steamy spring as her lady’s maid stood watch. What a lovely sight that would have been.