The Contract (16 page)

Devlin sighed. “I believe you’re right. I’m offering you a way out if you have the courage to try. I can do no more.”

Callista said slowly, “Then I have no choice at all. I will try to do as you say, my lord. But know, I’ve never thought myself brave, never.”

“Be that as it may,” Devlin replied, “your actions show bravery.”

“Really?” She seemed to think about this. She offered him a small smile. “You are saving me. Saving my life. I always knew you were a good man.”

Devlin said, “I suppose I am saving you, but don’t think just because I’m known as a good person means that I won’t be hard on you. I will, you know. I’m always hardest on those closest to me. If you don’t believe me, ask Max.”

Callista shook her head. “You’re not like him.”

Devlin said calmly, “You’re wrong. He and I are more alike than most people see. Stubborn, exacting, difficult to please. And I think those might be our good qualities.” There was a smile on his face now.

“I don’t believe it,” Callista said.

Devlin sighed. “You will. So, let me go and tell Max the news.  He wished me to wait, to see if I wanted you after all the lies.  However, I’ve decided there is no reason to wait, so I assume it will happen quickly. Did I mention that we’re both impatient as well?”

“Whatever you wish, my lord.“Again he acted as if she was being amusing.

“Whenever you’re ready to talk to me about how you really feel and think, I’ll be around. In the meantime just understand I know you play a part, the part of the delicate, frightened and sensitive lady. How much of that is really you will be interesting to discover.” He pushed off from the hearth and walked slowly to the door. “Yes, quite interesting. I look forward to it.” He gave her a nod and left her staring bemusedly after him.

As his footsteps died away, Callista said under her breath, “I think you might have deviousness in common with Max as well.” She looked at the door where her husband-to-be had disappeared, unsure what to think now.

Chapter Fifteen

Devlin saw the two of us just before lunch. He said to Max casually, “Callista and I are going to marry. No reason to wait, so as soon as you’d—”

Max rumbled, “Are you certain, brother?”

“Quite,” Devlin said. “I have a feeling Callista won’t join us for lunch, although I could be wrong.”

“Why?” I asked, pleased that Devlin was going to marry Callie.

“She’s afraid of you, for one thing,” he said to Max. “And she’s no doubt embarrassed at the exposure of her activities this morning. It will take her time to have the courage to face us all again.”

Max was giving Devlin a critical look as they entered the hall and sat down. “You look like you had a good morning, but I can’t see how, with all that happened.”

“Let’s just say that I feel the excitement of a challenge.” He grinned. “Callista and I had a talk, or should I say, I had a talk with her. She mostly listened. I think she’s a bit confused by me, and isn’t at all sure of what to think now.” He shrugged. “I warned her that you and I aren’t as different as most people think.”

Max nodded. “Katrina told me she called you stubborn.”

“Damned stubborn,” Devlin corrected. “As damned stubborn as you are, I think she said.”

“Well, at least you’re not being stubborn now,” I said, feeling like they were making fun of me.

“You think not? Perhaps not in the same way, no, I’m not. But then again, Callista isn’t quite what she appeared to be, so perhaps we aren’t so mismatched after all.” He looked over at me speculatively. “Now, can I trust you not to tell her all this? Will you let us work out things between us as we must or will you interfere and make trouble?”

Max said, looking at me as well, “Katrina will not make trouble.”

I looked from one brother to the other. I wanted to tell Callista what Devlin had said. I wanted to find out what Devlin had said to her earlier when he’d asked her to marry him.

Max frowned, “Let me rephrase that for you, Katrina. You will not discuss any of this with Callista. Do you understand me?”

I nodded slowly. I certainly understood he didn’t want me to. What I actually was going to do, I wasn’t sure yet. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be friends with Callista anymore after all the lies she’d told.

Devlin said softly, “I’ve made my wishes clear to her.  Please don’t cause trouble between us before we’ve even wed.”

Max sought and held my eyes, and I decided I’d better heed his wishes on this one. “I won’t tell her, my lord,” I said evenly.

Max nodded, immediately believing me and trusting in what I’d said. “Good.” It gave me a warm spot in my chest to see his trust in me. I couldn’t tell her now, or he’d take that trust away. And I liked having it.

Devlin excused himself before I was finished, and I said to Max, “I’ve decided that you needn’t send Kasta away unless she cannot adapt to the way things are going to be now.”

“Yes? You are planning changes among your ladies?”

“Well, they aren’t really my ladies. I’ve decided that if they are supposed to be my ladies, then I’ll need to chose among them the ones I like, or at least dislike less. The others will have to treat me with respect or suffer the consequences.”

Max laughed. “This should be interesting. Oh, that reminds me. I am having a sheath made for your knife. I ordered it made so the knife will fit along your thigh. You’ll have to sew some kind of pocket with a hole in it to get to the knife easily. The leathersmith will tell me what measurements he needs. I do not want him measuring your thighs or waist.”

“Like I’d let him,” I said automatically. I was looking at the ladies. They’d made my life here hell. Oh, they were going to regret that. “Max? How much free rein do I have with the ladies?”

“As I said, I’d prefer no blood shed, but if that is necessary, perhaps you could warn me first?“I looked over at him with surprise. He smiled at my shock. “Truly, wife, handle the ladies as you see fit.”

“Even Kasta?”

Max sighed. “Do you dislike her for the things you imagine I have done with her or for some other reason?”

“Honestly, both.” I admitted. “But before I ever knew you’d been with her, she had picked on me and tried to embarrass me, humiliate me, and just generally hurt my feelings. She’s called me names, told me I would never marry.” I gave him a challenging look. “Do you want to protect her because of what happened between the two of you?”

Max considered me. “I remember little of any time I spent with her. I’m not much for sentiment in any event, so no.”

“Good, then it is not a problem.”

Max was still watching me. “Wife, will you tell me what you plan to do?”

I replied breezily, “Sure, when I decide, I’ll tell you. If you promise not to stop me.“Max raised an eyebrow, and I reined in my look of challenge. I didn’t retract anything I’d said however.

Finally he said, “You sometimes are quite terrifying, wife.” He picked up my hand and raised it to his lips.

I smiled at him. “Thank you. Coming from you, Max, that is indeed a compliment.“He shook his head and took his leave.

I looked over again at the ladies of the castle. Max didn’t care much for ceremony, and had others handle much of the meetings with others, preferring to remain somewhat isolated. Since his reputation was such that most feared him, this seemed to work. In fact, there really weren’t that many who asked to meet with Max face-to-face. That seemed to suit Max just fine. 

Because of this, there wasn’t a ‘court’ like there was in most kingdoms. While Max liked the power of being the ruler, he didn’t at all like the pomp of the position. Devlin handled a lot of it, and Max had others he trusted to get things done. Max was not above checking on people, however, and that is why several rooms had screened areas that looked solid, but were actually permeable to see and hear through. It kept his people on their toes, he’d mentioned before. And it kept him appraised on what was happening without having to take the entire day to do so.

I was trying to decide what form I wanted my revenge to take. I felt devious and, okay, yes, a little excited about it. Hmm. A set up of some kind?  As if she had read my intent in my face, Kasta sauntered up.  Immediately after the wedding she’d been quiet, waiting, no doubt, to see what my power would be now. But after Max had humiliated me by making me serve, and by interfering between Kasta and myself, she seemed to have regained her nerve.

“He asked me to take over the duties you should be doing,” she said with a note of false concern. “It doesn’t look like you’re fit to be a lady here, certainly not his lady.”

I gave her a cool look. “Perhaps you are not seeing clearly.”

“I see everything. You know he simply married you because of who you’re related to, right? You could have been a one-legged crone, and he’d have still done it.”

I was starting to boil. “Then isn’t it fortunate I’ve both legs and am no crone?”

“Not a crone, no, but no beauty,” she said with malicious enjoyment.That hurt. I wondered if Max thought me ugly. Kasta continued, “It’s good you understand. You can be his lady in name. I will be his lady in truth, and run the castle. This is his will, and I will see to it he is kept…well satisfied.”

I stood and left abruptly. Kasta probably thought I was in tears and loving it, but actually I couldn’t sit there and listen to her one more second. I stalked out and nearly ran into Callista, who was standing in the hallway as if she didn’t know quite what to do next.

“Katrina? Are you all right?”

I pulled myself together. “Yes, I’m fine.” I looked at my friend who had lied to me for years. It was difficult to forget all of that. “I hear you’re getting married.”

“Yes,” she said. “Kat, please, please forgive me. You…” she turned and made sure no one was around who would hear, “you know how the Regent has always scared me. I knew my very life rested on doing what he ordered.”

I tried to look into her soul, but wasn’t sure I really knew her anymore. “Callie, he’s my husband.”

“I know, and I’m so sorry about that. I tried to keep him from you but.”

“Callie, I’m glad he married me! Glad!” I backed away from her.

She paled. “Please, Katrina, you can’t tell him what I said. Please!” Those heartbreaking tears made their appearance again.

I shook my head. “I won’t tell Max.” As if the god of bad timing was at work, Max came around the same corner I’d come around to hear my last words.

His eyes rested on me, while Callie let the tears roll. “Katrina,” he said slowly, allowing me to hope he hadn’t heard or cared what I was saying. “I was looking for you.“He pointedly ignored Callie, turning his back on her. She backed up and nearly ran away in the other direction from where Max had come. “Come with me,” he said, taking my arm and leading me back to that office. He released my arm. “What are you doing? Kasta just came up to me to tell me we had your blessing if we wished to continue our relationship.”

I looked up at him. I wasn’t sure what pleased me more, the annoyed expression on his face at the offer, or that he’d told me about it instead of just agreeing.

“I warn you, if this is some kind of test to see if I—”

“No, my lord, it isn’t. And I must admit, she certainly has exceeded my expectations as a total bitch.”

As his annoyed expression darkened into anger, I put up my hands placatingly. “Max, let me explain.” He gave a curt nod.  I ran through the ridiculous conversation Kasta and I’d had. Okay, Kasta had done most of the talking. Max looked even angrier now, and I suddenly realized it wasn’t anger at me it was anger for me.

“She goes,” he said simply.

“You know, I think she should,” I agreed. “But, well…I hate to see her go unless I can get back at her somehow.” I put a hand on his chest. “I suppose that makes me an evil woman.“He looked down at the hand, thinking. A smile slowly came over his face. “Gregory will be here later today to collect his bride. Since it looks as though Callista will not be available, he will be looking for a bride. I can give him Kasta.”

My face fell. The last thing I wanted was for Kasta to get some rich husband Max had chosen for Callista. But would Max listen? And why did he want to reward her anyway?

Max chuckled at my expression. “Wife, it is not a secret I do not hold Callista in my favor. At least it isn’t a secret anymore. I admit I did not choose Gregory for his kindness. He is quite opinionated on the role of women in a marriage. I’d thought he would be the perfect reward for Callista’s perfidy.”

I took this in. “You mean he’s not a nice man?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t exactly say that. He simply likes to subjugate his wife. To others he seems like any other man. Get him alone with his wife, and he changes into something of a tyrant.” Max looked a little amused at this. Did nothing embarrass this man?

“I don’t understand.” Actually I wanted to say, ‘like you?’ but wasn’t nearly that suicidal. Besides, Max was sort of the opposite. Tyrant to everyone else, but kind to me, especially in the bedroom. Well, kind unless he punished me. And the punishment had been…well, let’s just say I was sort of waiting for it again.

Max looked over at the closed door thoughtfully. “Perhaps there is a way to show you.” He turned to me. “You know there are viewing screens in two of the rooms that are sometimes used for receptions of guests or petitioners?  I nodded. He’d told me this.“There’s also one in one of the guest quarters.” I gave him a surprised look, but he simply shrugged. “My grandfather put it in. He enjoyed watching others at times.” At my confused look he said meaningfully, “together.”

“Oh,” I said. I suddenly imagined seeing someone else do the things that Max and I did, and I suffused with color. I put my hands to my hot cheeks.

Max seemed to be fighting off a grin. “So the screen is still there. If you would like to see what I am talking about, we could certainly avail ourselves of it.”

“Oh,” I said again, wondering if I looked as flustered as I felt.

Max pulled me into his arms, chuckling. “Katrina, you continue to surprise me, and that isn’t an easy thing to do.” He kissed the top of my head and set me back, looking down at me. “So, what do you think, wife? Would that satisfy your need for revenge?”