A Lady's Charade (Medieval Romance Novel) (20 page)

The satchel.

How did it get here? She looked frantically about the room waiting for someone to pop out at her. Seeing no one about, she stepped into her room and shut the door quietly behind her.

Scared she would be caught, Chloe made sure to put the wooden bar in place so no one would be able to enter. She then practically ran back to her bed where the satchel had mysteriously appeared. She shoved the realization from her mind that whoever had left it here had seen the contents of it, and thus knew it belonged to her. She worried for so long about it being missing, she couldn’t possibly think about how it had gotten there. Would everything still be inside?

She nearly ripped it open, her curiosity was so intense, and then almost as suddenly drew her hand back. Sweat beads formed on her upper lip. She quickly swiped them away, only for them to reappear. Her mouth went dry with anticipation. Her stomach swirled and clenched. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, willing her stomach to cooperate, willing the nausea to go away. She hadn’t realized how nervous she was. Her thoughts were like a whirlwind going this way and that. She found it hard to concentrate.

She continued to breathe deeply. One slow deep breath, in and out. And then another. And then another. The act seemed to calm her a little. Her stomach still cramped but at least the nausea had faded.

Chloe knew she needed to be patient, but she also needed to see what was left inside, especially before she was missed. She didn’t want to be interrupted from her discovery, and she wanted to have time to think after.

Reaching out her hand again, this time more slowly, she fingered the buckle that held the satchel closed. The metal was cool against her fingertips and the leather was soft. A part of her held back. Perhaps she ought to throw the entire thing into the fire and be done with it.

Slowly she opened it and gazed inside. Her gown, slippers and head dress rested inside. She sighed in relief. No one had taken them. She dumped them onto her bed and then ran her hand along the inside of the satchel.

Where was it? Her eyes widened and she wrenched the bag open, nearly sticking her head all the way inside. The compartment was gone!

Before leaving the hut she’d sewn a secret pocket into the inside of the bag—now the pocket along with its contents was missing.

Dear Lord in Heaven, she was ruined.

Chapter Twelve

Chloe felt like her head was floating. She stood on unsteady legs, afraid she may faint. She ran to the chamber pot just in time as her last meal rose in her throat and burst forth.

She would be put to death. Another convulsion overtook her.

What am I to do?
Her voice nearly shouted inside her head. She stumbled away from the chamber pot and fell back onto the bed.

And someone knows! Who could know? I am not safe here. I have to leave. Now.

Suddenly she was very scared. Scared for her life.

Chloe bolted up right, her hand flying to her chest to try and calm the erratic beating of her heart. This couldn’t be happening. It just couldn’t.

Her identity had been revealed to someone. And that someone wanted her to know they knew!

Tears that had threatened to spill down her cheeks did so with a vengeance. Her entire body racked with the sobs. She threw herself down on the bed and buried her face in her hands, and continued to let the pent up sadness, loneliness and terror she’d felt over the last months pour out of her.

Worn out from purging and crying, Chloe got up from the bed and walked to the little washstand in her room with the water pitcher and bowl. She splashed water on her face. Her skin still felt hot and swollen. She couldn’t leave her room for awhile. Anyone who saw her would be able to tell that she’d been sobbing. Besides with this new threat, what was she to do?

This was all Alexander’s fault! The nerve of him! Why couldn’t he leave well enough alone? Why had he come all the way to South Hearth to steal her away? Forced her to live a life in hiding only to pull her back in again anyway!

Her despondent state abruptly turned to one of hatred. It burned inside of her with such ferocity that if Alexander walked through the door, she would attack him.

But she couldn’t do that. She needed to get control of herself or she would be letting everyone here know exactly what was going on.

She shoved the pile of cloth around suddenly realizing she’d also left her small reticule in the satchel, which contained a portrait of herself and her brother. She’d carried it close to her since his death. The painting had been done just before they’d parted last. She sighed with relief, the reticule was gone, but the portrait remained. She clutched the miniature to her heart, glad to have it back.

She tucked the portrait between the mattress and the thick wooden bed frame, so no one would be able to find it. Anger rushed through her veins at having to hide and she took deep breaths in an effort to calm herself.

I must get a hold of myself.
But that was easier said than done… The secret pocket of her satchel had contained her own family jewels. A ring and pendent with the Fergusson crest. Her true identity was now revealed.

I must get out of here, before he realizes who I am. If he should find out, I now know for sure I will be doomed. No escape. Nothing.

At that moment she heard someone trying to open the door. Chloe quickly shoved her gown, slippers and headdress under the mattress and kicked the satchel under the bed. Then she ran to the water bowl and splashed water on her face once again. Walking to the door, patting her face with linen, she hoped to hide her whirl of emotions with the nonchalant action.

She unhooked the latch and the door swung open. There stood Alexander, looking at her with murder in his eyes. He folded his arms over his chest, blocking her escape.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked glancing around Chloe as if to see if someone else was inside.

Chloe looked behind her also, confused about why he would think such a thing. She turned back and stared at him, making sure to keep the linen close to her face to hide her tear stained cheeks, and the anger that had flushed her face upon seeing him. Her anger at his presence continued to build and she worked hard to calm herself.

“I merely wanted some privacy. I needed a few moments rest,” she answered smoothly, raising her chin up as she tried her best to look down her nose at him. The feat proved impossible considering he was nearly a foot taller than her.

His glare intensified as he looked around the room again.

He’s looking for something, not someone.

Her perception was validated when he pushed past her and continued to look about the room.

“Can I help you with something, my lord?” she asked keeping the bite from her voice.

He knows the satchel was here!

At that thought her stomach tightened into a thousand knots that twisted and turned in her body until she felt like she was being choked from the inside out.

“Yes.” He narrowed his eyes on her. “You could tell me why my keep, my fortress, smells like a flower garden?”

His intense stare caused heat to pool in her belly. “My lord, I thought you would like a fresh clean home that smelled of more than sweaty men and rotting food.” She tried to keep the exasperation out of her voice. He hadn’t really come to complain about the keep smelling nice, and they both knew it.

“It smells like a lady’s solar, and this is a man’s keep, inhabited by men,” he snarled.

“I understand, my lord. I only thought that even a man would prefer the scent of a woman over the scent of garbage. Perhaps next time I shall ask the staff to the fill bowls with rotten meat and vegetables instead of dried flowers and herbs.” Chloe lifted her chin slightly as she waited for his comeback. She hoped he understood her ribbing about preferring a woman. She thought it to be quite clever.

He opened his mouth and then closed it again, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Perhaps it is an improvement,” he allowed. “Just do not go overboard. While my men enjoy the scents of women, we do not need them dallying with thoughts of women when they should be concerned with training. What other changes have you made?” He looked at her suspiciously.

“Just a few changes in some of the meals and I’ve added some herbs to the herb garden for the spring.” She waved her hand, not really wanting to share the other changes, like the women’s healing group and the children’s school.

“Hmm.” His eyes began to study the room again, and he moved in further.

He was still looking for something. The brief conversation had not been his only intention for coming to her room.

“My lord, if there is nothing further, I should be getting back to my duties.” She hoped that was good indication that he was to lead the way out of her room.

He made no move for the door. “Yes, you should continue with your duties. I’m sure being in your room doesn’t help the progression of completing tasks.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. He definitely was not planning on leaving her chamber, and even further still seemed as though he was trying to push her from the room.

“My lord, I can’t help but wonder what it is you may seek in my chamber?” She raised her eyebrow at him in challenge. Would he admit that he knew about the satchel being there?

“I think you know what I seek, Chloe.” He stated in a low voice, still searching the room.

So, he did know the satchel was there. Terror gripped her stomach for a fleeting moment until she realized that he may only have suspicions of its whereabouts. But then again, perhaps she could play on his more sensual side.

“I’m afraid I don’t.” She kept her voice strong and sauntered toward him, willing her fear to subside. She ran her tongue along her lower lip and smiled slightly with satisfaction when his eyes were drawn to her mouth. A muscle worked in his jaw.

“Harold delivered something here that was intended for me,” he said through tight lips, as a thin cruel smile came her way.

“I did not see anything here
for you
,” she said, her hands coming to her hips. She was tired of playing the game.

“Ah, but it was,
ma cherie,
” he said, coming to stand right in front of her. His frame towered over hers as he looked down at her. He was an imposing figure and she found herself suddenly feeling very vulnerable.

Quickly she took her hands from her hips and fisted them at her sides. Her gumption came back when she thought of the pain he had caused her. How much she had suffered at his hands. She refused to listen to reason—that if her father hadn’t retaken South Hearth in the first place she wouldn’t be here. But, no! She couldn’t think like that! South Hearth was hers, by right! The English had stolen it from them—twice now.

“Perhaps, if his lordship would describe to me what was
yours
that was brought to
my
chamber, I could help you locate it?” she asked, pasting a cheerful look on her face.

Two can play this game.

“Is that how ‘tis going to be? All right then. It was brown and leather. A bag. In case you don’t know what leather is, ‘tis made from an animal’s skin. And ‘tis mine,” he growled the last words down at her.

A shiver passed through her. She wanted to be angry but she wanted to kiss him at the same time, feel his sinful mouth pressed to her flesh, licking the very essence of her.

“I am terribly sorry, my lord, but I have seen no such thing,” she said, keeping the plastered smile strictly in place and trying desperately not to show how much he affected her.

“Perhaps we could look around?” he asked sarcastically to her as he went to the carved oak wardrobe in her room and opened it. He began sifting through the clothes inside.

“Anything in there of interest, my lord?” she asked, stifling a giggle. Playing this game of cat and mouse sent a thrill of excitement through her. He slanted a glance her way as his hands glided over one of her plain servant gowns. She imagined she was inside that gown, feeling his coarse hands caress her body. Chloe shivered, and bit the inside of her cheek.

“Absolutely not,” he shot back.

The sharp bite in his voice brought her back to reality. She shouldn’t be playing this game. She should be grabbing her belongings and getting out of here. It would only be a matter of moments before he moved to her bed to inspect her mattress.

Walking casually to the bed, Chloe sat down on top of where she’d hidden her possessions. She pretended to fluff her servant’s gown, although all for naught since he was intently searching the wardrobe. She held her breath as she reached under the mattress and quickly drew out the portrait.

Standing up and turning her back to him, as if to peruse the room, she made a coughing sound to hide any noise of the friction between her portrait and the fabric of her stays as she shoved it down the front of her gown. Looking down and smoothing it out, she took a deep sigh.

Now that the portrait was safe, she felt much more relaxed. Although, there was still the matter of the gown hidden under her bed. She could always say her last mistress had gifted her with the clothing. She contemplated throwing them into the fire, but thought better of it. She didn’t know when she would need them and better to have such fine things on hand then none at all.

She wanted to tease him one more time. If only to keep the memory of his reaction burned in her memories. Watching his uneasiness brought delight to her overtaxed mind.