The Contract (17 page)

I nodded solemnly, my eyes wide at the thought. “Will this Gregory take her? Kasta is not nearly as beautiful as Callista.”

“He’ll take her. I’ll see to it,” Max said. I was still trying to keep the images of what I might see out of my mind before I pulled Max to our bedroom. Max turned to go, but then stopped. “Oh, and Katrina, what is it that you won’t tell me?”

I looked over at him still flushed. “What?”

“You were telling Callista you wouldn’t tell me something. You understand that I will not have the two of you keeping secrets from me?”

“Well…” I stalled, trying to think of how to handle this.

“Katrina,” he said with a warning lilt to his voice. He turned and again took me in his arms. “You need to tell me. Callista has done nothing but lie to me. I can’t…won’t stand for it. Tell me.” His voice was turning harder, and I knew that no matter that I’d said I wouldn’t, I’d better tell him. No matter what Callista asked, Max had my ultimate loyalty. I wondered when that had happened.  “She asked me not to tell you she’d said she’d tried to keep us apart.” I shrugged to show him I thought it of little importance. “I told her that I was glad you’d married me, but she is very afraid of you.”

“She should be,” Max rumbled.

“Would you really kill her, Max? Really?”

Max looked at me. “I do not threaten. If I’ve said it, I mean it. So yes, I would. Her sister…” a strange expression came across his face. I wondered if it was vulnerability. If so, it was an expression very few saw. I felt closer to him than ever. “Was a great shock to me.”  He kissed me somewhat absently. “I wanted to kill her then, but I also wanted her to befriend you.” His eyes sharpened. “I am not a man who will put men or women in a dungeon to rot away. I would prefer a clean death to such an end, so I give others that as well. And it’s my experience that someone you cannot trust who wishes you ill will always come back to try to hurt you later. So I don’t give them the opportunity.”

“Max, I…” I was going to say, ‘love you.’ But I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. Instead I smiled at him, reaching up on my toes to kiss him. “Thank you for telling me that.”

“And thank you for telling me what Callista had said.” He quirked a grin. “Without me threatening dire punishments.“As his arms loosened, I stepped away and moved to the door.

“Of course, husband, although…” I hesitated with my hand on the doorknob. Finally I took a breath and gave him a glance over my shoulder. “Sometimes I think I might not mind being punished again, as long as you’re the one doing it.“I left Max looking at me in surprise.

Chapter Sixteen

I had my chance to deal with the ladies later that day. Kasta was absent, and although my mind flitted to images of her with Max, I was steadfast in shoving those disturbing thoughts away. The rest of the core group of what I thought of as my ‘tormenters,’ were seated in front of the fire, and as I walked across the hall, there was some laughter as there often was when I was about. But this time I did not ignore it as I’d always done but changed my direction until I was standing near the five of them in their tight little circle.

“Good afternoon,” I said calmly. I wished I’d thought this out ahead of time, now I had to think fast. “It’s come to my attention that some of you have trouble with me in my role as lady of the castle.” I smiled at them as they looked at each other, one of them actually smirking at me. Vendevar, of course. “That is unfortunate, for I have decided to chose my ladies, and anyone who has been unkind to me at anytime in the past will not be among them.”

Vendevar said, “The Regent will not let you be cruel to Kasta. She is special to him.“I felt as if she’d slapped me, but then I remembered about Gregory.

“Yes, Kasta will no doubt get just what she deserves,” I said calmly. “Max will handle her.” I let their little titters flutter around me but did not lose my cool. “However, the rest of you are my responsibility, and I’m sorry to say at this time none of you, in my opinion, deserve the title of lady. In this castle, everyone must have a purpose, and you have no purpose that I can see. I will ask Max what he does with women who come begging. Perhaps you can work for your keep, or possibly you can find some poor fool to marry you. And, of course you are all welcome to pack your belongings and leave my husband’s lands.“The ladies were no longer smiling. In fact, they looked quite angry. I fervently hoped Max would indeed back me up in this or I would look weaker than ever and deserve to be laughed at. “You have one week to decide what you will do.”

“You can’t do this,” Vendevar said, outraged.

“I assure you Max has directed me to handle the ladies. Except for Kasta, of course, who gets his special attention. I would suggest you do not go to him with complaints since he has much to do and not much love for the politics of women.” I gave them all a clear hard look. “You have all been gleefully dedicated to making my life difficult. Now you will regret that.” I smiled. “Have a nice afternoon.”

*                                  *                                  *

Gregory arrived and was seated with us at our table at dinner. Max had not yet seen him, and Gregory was looking around for the woman who was to be his wife. He was a nice looking man, with blond hair tied back at his neck that would probably be past his shoulders if down. Most titled had long hair, although neither Max nor Devlin did. I’d heard it was considered fashionable for men to let their hair grow long. Not that Max cared a whit about fashion.

He was already seated with Devlin, who had met him when he’d arrived, when Max and I came in. Devlin and Max’s eyes met, and I knew Max had told Devlin about Gregory and Kasta. Communication flowed between the twins, and I suddenly wondered if Max had told Devlin about watching the couple tonight. My cheeks immediately flushed and Gregory asked if I was well. I nodded, feeling a little faint.

Callista hadn’t come to dinner tonight. I’d hoped she would stay away, but hadn’t seen her to tell her to. Maybe Devlin had told her to eat elsewhere. I doubted Max would even speak to her yet. After introductions, we began to eat, talking about the new King. Gregory was of the opinion that Max should simply take over the entire Kingdom, but Max mostly ignored his talk and advice. Finally Max said, “While I assume your interest in my affairs is simply that of a lord of the area, your continued discussion of this issue may lead me to wonder if you have an interest that borders on problematic.” This caused Gregory to immediately change the subject.

It was several minutes later when Devlin was in conversation with Gregory that Max touched my hand. I’d been daydreaming a bit, or possibly it would be better described as nervous imaginings of what we would witness tonight. Max’s touch brought me back to the here and now.

“I had a visit from several ladies this afternoon.” His voice was slightly annoyed. I opened my mouth to explain and apologize since I hadn’t warned him. He moved his finger to touch my lips to forestall my words. “They complained you had overstepped your authority and had told them they must marry, serve or leave.”

I looked at him anxiously, wondering if he was angry I’d done that. “Yes, that’s what I said.”

“If you’re interested in my response, I told them you could hang them by their thumbs in the courtyard if you so desired, and that I would suggest that very action to you if they ever came to me and thought to complain about you again.“I bit my lip. My eyes shone as I said, “Thank you, my lord.”

Max’s face softened slightly. “I approve of your taking the ladies in hand. One of them did admit you’d warned them not to bother me with this, and although they didn’t heed your advice, I think they’ll be more careful henceforth. Marriage might be an option, but only if I give my consent, and that will depend upon the luckless man chosen. I doubt any will choose to leave since they’d be doing it without any supplies, escort or horses. That leaves their fall from the titled to servant. I’ll take their lands, if they have any, and let you choose where they will serve. I assume this group will show the rest of the ladies of the castle that things are not as they seemed. You will be afforded much more courtesy and respect henceforth, unless I miss my guess.“I didn’t know what to say. Max didn’t seem to think about it any more and returned to the conversation among the men.

Finally talk turned to Gregory’s intended woman. Max said, “Kasta, come over here.“Kasta looked surprised, but then sauntered over, looking at Max like a dog looked at steak.

“Gregory, meet Kasta, a good friend of my late wife. I give her to you as your bride.”

Gregory looked at Kasta, bemused. “I thought you said her name…”

“Is Kasta,” Max said firmly. “Is there a problem? Perhaps you wish to change your mind? If so, that is fine, however, as we discussed, I do need to ensure your complete loyalty to my name, and that would make me wonder.” He gave Gregory a look that Katrina knew well, since he’d turned it on her a time or two. It always made her swallow nervously, and it looked to be having the same effect on Gregory.

“No, no problem, Regent,” Gregory said.

Kasta was staring at Gregory as if she’d just been hit in the head. “What? My lord…” she began.

Max rose and turned to her. “Come along Kasta, let’s get you prepared,” he said, leading her away. He went over to a couple of the other ladies, but as they left, Kasta turned and decisively grabbed Max’s arm. I glared over at them. Max bent his head down to hers, and they spoke together. Max straightened and left to return to the table, leaving Kasta staring bemusedly after him.

Max seated himself and gave Gregory a warning look. “I hope you can handle her. She has had the run of the castle and occasionally fancies herself the mistress. If you think she will be too much for you there are other ladies who might suit you better.”

Gregory actually looked more interested now, not less. “No, I will have her my lord, and never fear, she will not tread all over me.”

“Good. And in return, you can keep that lovely shire that you manage in my name. I had wondered if that might be better off with another, but you’ve eased my mind as to your fealty.”

I managed to keep my comments to myself until we were rising and walking over to where an impromptu wedding would be held. I stepped close to Max, and he obligingly lowered his head. “Max, you’re incredible! If I understood all that correctly, you managed to foist off Kasta on him and reward him with lands he already manages?”

Max shot me a quick smile, then rearranged his face into its usual austere look. “Well put, my lady,” he said.

“It’s a good thing I do not count myself as devious. I would cry at the thought of trying to attain half your skill.“Max raised an eyebrow at me. “You are not devious, wife, which is one reason you have pleased me in our marriage so far.”

“Just my lack of deviousness pleases you, husband? I shall have to try harder to find something else I do that you will enjoy, if that is the case.”

“One of the reasons, Katrina. Just one.” His hand came around my waist and settled there, holding me securely to his side.

For the first time, I saw that people of the castle noticed how Max was showing me affection, and they seemed pleased, as if they wanted Max to find some happiness. Or maybe they thought he would be easier to live with if he had a wife who pleased him. Either way, it was nice to see.

The wedding was quick and simple, as most weddings here at the castle were. Callista had told me tales of complex weddings lasting hours requiring dozens of attendants and ceremonies. I was very glad that wasn’t the case here. Kasta looked beautiful in her finery, but she looked over at Max several times as if hoping he would change his mind.

I asked Max in a whisper, “What did you say to her to get her to agree to this? She looked quite shocked after you spoke to her.“He looked down at me and considered whether to answer me or not.

“Well, wife, I told her that you’d asked me if you could kill her, and I thought this might be better. She seemed somewhat surprised that I would allow you that latitude, but I explained that you were very bloodthirsty and were determined that she should die, and I hadn’t the heart to tell you no.”

“You’re teasing me,” I accused, trying to keep from giggling.

“If you get the chance, ask her,” he replied. “I stated nothing but the truth.“After the wedding there was drinking, and Kasta seemed to imbibe quite freely. I didn’t drink much more than a glass of wine. My stomach was quite weak where spirits were concerned, and unless I wanted to spend the night throwing up in the chamber pot, I knew I needed to take care.

I noticed that Devlin had coaxed Callista out from wherever she’d been hiding and was sitting with her, talking. Callista looked nervously over at Max a couple of times, and at one point Devlin caught my eye and smiled. The evening was winding down when Callista caught my sleeve. Max had gone to speak to someone, and I was briefly alone.“Katrina, please.”

“Callie? What is it?”

“Please, you have to tell me what will happen tomorrow night! You would never tell me much, and I don’t know what he’ll want. You said I can’t just lie there cold, but I don’t know what to do instead!”

“So you are a virgin?” I’d wondered if she’d lied about that too.

“Yes! Of course!” She saw my doubt. “My father insisted on it to get a better husband for me, and then since I came here, I didn’t dare do anything that might bring Max’s notice upon me.”

“Callie, don’t worry about it. Just do whatever you want to do, whatever you feel like doing.”

“Katrina, that is the most ridiculous advice you’ve ever given me. I never do what I want to do. I do what I must or what is expected or something. How can I just let that go?”

I shrugged, seeing Max approaching behind her.  She jumped at the sound of his deep voice. He’d scowled as he recognized whom I was talking to, but as she turned to him, he tried to modulate his expression. “Lady Callista,” he said.

Callista looked like she might either tear up or throw herself at his feet, but did neither. “My lord,” she replied in a rather breathy voice.