Unbidden (The Evolution Series) by Jill Hughey Page A

perspective,” he mused.
    “Yes, indeed, sir.”  A beatific smile broke on his ruddy face . “And marriage to such a worthy lady. My great sir, you must have pleased the emperor immensely. It is an honor to you both to be noticed so specifically by our leader.”
    Rochelle stood as rigid as one of the chapel pillars, her expression clearly not one of a woman feeling honored . David inclined his head at the clerk. “We are overwhelmed. In fact, the lady is overset by the entire experience. If we could just move on to the betrothal agreement?”
    The clerk became instantly solicitous . “Forgive me, my lady, I should find a chair for you.”
    “No!” she said, her overly loud protest echoing off the stone walls. “No, thank you. I would simply like to do whatever it is the emperor requires. Today.”
    David took notice to that last word she added . Did she really consider the signing of the contract as another stalling tactic?  The girl’s mind never stopped working.
    The clerk beckoned them . “Here, then, over to this little table. I have the two copies,” he said, offering one to David. “One for you and one for the emperor. Would you like me to read aloud?”
    “No, I can read it,” David answered, not surprised by the clerk’s raised eyebrows . Most noblemen hired little skinny fellows just like this to do their reading and writing. He skimmed over the brief document, finding it exactly as he expected. David turned to Rochelle. She stared at the parchment in his hand as if it was a poisonous snake. “Shall I read it to you?”
    Her eyes met his, once again startling him with their color and forthrightness . “I would prefer to do so myself,” she replied. David cocked one eyebrow up. She blushed. “My father loved books. He even owned a few with drawings. He used to show them to me. I could not help but learn letters and words.”
    “Will the surprises never end?” he asked rhetorically.
    “Probably not,” she assured him sharply.
    David’s loud laugh filled the atrium. He handed her the contract with a courteous bow. She read it with much more care than he had, her expression becoming more confused with each word. When finished, she studied his face as though it hid a secret.
    “Will you really bring all this treasure to your marriage?”
    “Ah, so now I surprise you.”  He crossed his arms over his chest. “You thought I was a poor wastrel with no ability to make his own way in the world.”
    “No, I –.”  She stumbled over her words, clearly at a loss.
    The clerk cleared his throat. “If you could just sign so I can take the emperor’s copy back. He gets rather agitated when work does not progress efficiently. Your friend here can be our witness,” he added, gesturing toward Theo.
    “What if I do not sign?” Rochelle asked suddenly.
    Theo groaned.
    “Not sign!”  The clerk’s cap began jiggling on his head . “Everybody signs!  This parchment contains the emperor’s words, his wishes!  And people just, well, they just sign!”  He mopped his brow again.
    “Rochelle,” David warned.
    She gave a tinkling laugh as she fluttered her eyelashes at the clerk. David watched with interest. Here was a side he hadn’t seen of her yet:  Rochelle as a flirt. “Pray, kind sir, what is your name?” she asked.
    “My name?  You do ask the oddest questions . My name is Audulf.”
    “Audulf . Such a distinguished name. You obviously know the way things work here. But I,” she laid a slim hand on her chest,” I have never been to a palace before, much less been called in front of Louis himself. I am only asking, hypothetically of course, what would happen if some rebel simply said ‘no, I will not sign it.’”
    “The whole idea is preposterous,” Audulf announced.
    “Yes, but what if?” Rochelle pressed. When he didn’t speak, she gushed, “It must be so exciting to work so closely with Louis. You are probably privy to such important events!  I am just wondering what he