The Contract (8 page)

I nodded in understanding. “Must I still be locked in the room?” I asked in a small voice.  “No,” he lowered his head and kissed me thoroughly. “I will take you to breakfast.” He picked up the knife and put it somewhere on his person. I didn’t think he’d give it back to me, so I paid little attention. We’d walked some distance when he said, “Had I made that order to lock you up in front of anyone but my brother, I would have needed to enforce it. Do you understand that?”

I looked at him without guile. “Yes, it is like that with me and the ladies of the castle.”

Max froze momentarily, betraying his surprise at my words. He gave me a long look, but we were entering the large hall now, and I didn’t have a chance to talk to him further. He took me to the table where Devlin and Callista were already sitting. As Max sat, the food came in and everyone began to eat, markedly quieter than usual.

Max and Devlin seemed hurried, and Callista took my hand under the table and squeezed it. She leaned over, asking, “Are you all right?”

I nodded, trying to listen to what Max and Devlin were saying.

Callista said, “How in God’s name did you manage to calm him down?“I saw Max’s eyes flick to her, then to me. Callista said, “Kat?”

I said, “I did nothing, really. He…” I looked over at Max, who seemed now to be absorbed in eating. “He was very kind.”

“You jest,” Callista said. “He was so angry!”

“Yet you, coward that you profess to be, told him about the door, and probably saved me from much of his ire.  I think my courage is rubbing off on you.”

Callista gave an unladylike snort. “I think your lack of good sense is what has rubbed off.”

I gave her a gentle kick under the table, and she poked me in the side. We both started to giggle and found ourselves consumed by little bursts of laughter for some minutes. We wound down to see Max and Devlin both looking at us as if fearing we’d lost our minds.

I smiled. “My cousin has lost her good sense,” I announced to them. “We were wondering where to start to look for it.” I bit my lip to keep from laughing again.

Devlin relaxed into a smile, but Max looked mystified. Devlin said, “Where did you last see it?”

Callista gave him a smile that would put many men right under the table. “Oddly enough, since rooming with my cousin, it has become elusive. The last time I knew I had it was when I tricked Kat into sleeping on the drafty side of the bed.”

I gaped at her in mock anger. “You told me you were afraid there were ghosts over on that side!”

Callista thought. “Did I? Perhaps it was that I thought
I’d
soon be a ghost if I caught a chill over there.“Devlin chuckled, and Max looked at him then back at Callista.

I said, “If that is the case, you’re better off without your good sense.”

Devlin said gallantly, “You may be assured that I will keep watch for it, my lady.” He grinned at Max. “Perhaps we could instruct the castle servants to watch for it as well.“Max ignored the comment, and I wondered if he knew what to say to continue the jest.

I said, touching his hand with mine, “I don’t know if that would help, my lord. My lord husband has been bemoaning the lack of my good sense for some time, and hasn’t seen hide nor hair of it.”

Max looked over at me as the three of us laughed. He rose from the table, effectively ending the conversation. Perhaps that was all the humor he could stand. “My ladies,” he said to Callista and I, “do not wander off on your own this day. I will be increasing the guards about the place but do not wish you harmed in the meantime.”

I nodded, but Callista smiled shyly at him, saying, “Thank you for your concern, my lord. We will do as you instruct.”

Max nodded back to her, and I felt an odd jealousy at his attention to her. Max and Devlin left, and Callista said, “Perhaps I was wrong about him. He didn’t seem so very fearsome this morning.”

“Really? So it wasn’t you who trembled when you talked to him in your room?”

Callista nodded. “Oh, that was I, all right. I suppose I need a gentler husband who will reassure me constantly and keep me feeling safe.” She looked over at where Devlin and Max had gone. “Any ideas?” she asked, an eyebrow raised.

“Callie, you’re the one who is the prize. Ask me something else that I might be able to answer.”

“As you wish,” Callista said. “Tell me how I can get Devlin to notice me.”

I shook my head, nearly speechless. “I don’t know.”

Come now. You’re a married woman who seems to have her husband’s very fervent attentions. You caught his notice, certainly.”

I laughed. “Then perhaps you should make him so angry he considers killing you. He certainly couldn’t ignore you then.”

Callista looked past me and her demeanor became cool. “Kasta,” she said.

I turned to see the woman standing behind me. “Callista, Katrina,” she returned. It was a dreadful breach of manners for her to address me as anything but my lady since I was the lord’s wife, but then Kasta hadn’t been shy at displaying her distain of me.

“My ladies and I wondered what sort of entertainment you will provide for us next, mistress of the castle.” Her last words dripped with sarcasm.

I wasn’t good at these sorts of skirmishes. I tended to be too straightforward. Callista was the one who understood the subtle barbs the ladies tended to use. I tried to think of what to say, but Kasta didn’t wait.

“How goes the curse? There are bets as to how long you’ll last before he kills you too.”

Callista gave Kasta a sharp look, but I frowned. “Kills me too? His wives died in childbirth.”

“Is that what you believe? Well, in your position it must make you feel better.” Kasta’s voice was sickeningly sweet.

I looked over at Callista, but she was looking away. I’d never heard it said that Max had killed his wives—either of them. Of course I got nearly all my information from Callista, and she was looking very uncomfortable. I rose and stalked off, not really knowing where I was headed. I found myself in an empty hall and sat down with my back against the wall, my eyes blurred with tears. Callista had known this rumor and never told me? I thought of the things Kasta had said and felt impotent anger. I couldn’t beat her at her own game, for I didn’t understand the rules. She and the other ladies had already let it drop that they knew Callista was doing most of the duties that I, as the lord’s wife, should have been doing. I felt miserable and useless.

I wasn’t sure how long I sat there. A couple of servants came by, but they realized I didn’t want to be bothered and left me alone. Then I heard heavier footsteps coming down the hall. Boots stopped in front of me, and I knew it was Max before I even looked.          “Wife. You truly push me this time,” he snarled. “What sort of action must I take to get you to listen to me? You continually prove your foolishness. And what is this? You simply wish to do the opposite of what I ordered? Is that why you sit in an empty hall?” He was nearly yelling now. “Damn you, answer me!” He took my arm and hauled me roughly to my feet. I looked up at him, and he shut his mouth on whatever he was going to say next. He examined my face for some time. I’m not sure what he saw there, but he said in a quieter voice, “Katrina, what ails you?”

I didn’t know where to start and shook my head.

Max sighed. “Come along,” he said and led me through the halls until we were at the same ‘office’ area we’d gone to before. It was much closer than going back to his suite of rooms. He closed the door and taking my waist, sat me up on one desk, so he could look at me more easily. “Tell me,” he said.

Again I shook my head. “‘Tis nothing, my lord. I simply have trouble fitting into my role as your lady. I’m sorry for that.”

Max said, “What trouble? Be specific, wife.”

“It’s not…I shouldn’t burden you with it.” I sighed. “I’m supposed to be able to handle this myself.”

Max considered me. “So, for some reason you do not wish to tell me, you are feeling overwhelmed with your new responsibilities?”

I nodded.

“I thought Callista was assisting you.”

“Not assisting me, exactly. It’s more that she’s doing it, and I’m trying to learn and doing a poor job.” I was looking at my knees, ashamed to have to admit this to him. Now I was not only unattractive, excessively tall, but I also was unable to handle my duties.

Max lifted my chin and chuckled. “What exactly are your responsibilities?”

I looked at him, surprised. “I thought everyone knew them. All the ladies seem to know.”

Max said, “I am not one of your ladies.” There was the hint of a smile on his face.

I wasn’t sure if he was mocking my sadness or trying to tease me into a better mood. I decided to assume the latter. “Too bad,” I mused. “I’d rather spend time with you than any of them.”

Max was quiet and thoughtful as I said that. He took a deep breath. “I had not realized your position among the ladies would be compromised when I punished you by making you serve.” He touched my chin softly, and my eyes rose to his. “They are your ladies, but do you wish me to intervene on your behalf?”

I pictured Max forcing the ladies to act respectful to me. Even if he tried that, it wouldn’t make it true respect, only the fear of him. “No, my lord. I must find a way to handle them.”

“You realize I asked you not to be on your own?”

I nodded. “I forgot. I was too busy…” I let a reluctant smile touch my lips. “Pouting.”

He snorted as he heard his own words from me. “Be that as it may, I can’t have it. I suppose we must solve your problem, so I can trust you to stay with Callista or one of the other ladies. I don’t understand what it is that you are not doing. Everything seems fine to me.”

“I’m supposed to direct the servants, plan the meals with the cook, lead the ladies, plan for linen, beddings and a multitude of other things I’ve never done.”

Max took my hands. “Who insists you must do these things? I don’t remember it either in the wedding ceremony nor have I asked you to do them, had I even known what they were.”

I just looked at him.

“In fact, the only things I have asked you to do you haven’t done. Maybe we should start with those orders and then you can pick up the other duties as you wish.”

Could I do that? Just decide not to do some of the lady-of-the-castle tasks? “And you wouldn’t be angry or…disappointed in me?”

Max chuckled. “Katrina, what I want from you is fidelity, sons, your obedience, and for you to scream with passion when I take you.” His eyes gleamed as he shrugged. “Other than that you can do as you wish. Someone has certainly done all the things you mentioned before I wed you. Can’t that person continue to do those jobs you do not want to do?”

I smiled in relief. He made it sound so simple. “I suppose so.”

“You don’t sound sure,” he said, moving and pushing my legs apart so he was partially between them, my skirt stretching to keep him from further contact.

“I thought…I thought you’d believe I wasn’t doing my duty.”

Max began to pull up my skirt until it was gathered up around my knees, and he could lean against me. “Your duty is to me.” His gaze was growing hotter. “Do you doubt it?”

“No, my lord,” I said a little breathlessly.

He kept his eyes on mine as he continued to slowly push up my skirt. “So, tell me, Katrina, what are you to do today? What is my will?”

“Uh….” I tried to concentrate as I felt my body responding to what he was doing. “Stay with the others today? And, uh, maybe that screaming thing?”

In response, he gave he a long, drugging kiss. He pushed my legs further apart and ran his hands along my thighs, bare now to his touch. “You have followed my instructions on your undergarments, I see.” He touched me between my legs and I jerked. “I feel you’re doing your duty quite well.”

I looked up at him wondering what would happen next. He smiled at whatever he saw in my face—anticipation?

“Lie back on the desk,” he said. I slowly lay back, my heart pounding. He continued touching me lightly, and I writhed as the feelings began to build. He watched me as the feelings grew, grew and then suddenly I was flying, and I cried out, my hands scrabbling through the papers below me, looking for something to hold on to. Max didn’t wait but lowered his pants and began to fill me. I clamped my legs around him and moaned with pleasure.

He took my hips and pulled me up closer to him, and I felt completely released from everything, letting myself go completely, giving myself to him without reservation. He started slowly, but soon he was pounding into me, and I was gasping his name as I spiraled closer to the apex. He finished with a cry, and with one more sharp thrust brought me as well. “Max!” I shrieked, completely unaware that I was doing so.

He braced himself against the desk as he gave me a truly peaceful smile. “Yes, wife,” he said, still breathing heavily. “I think you’re doing your duty very, very well.”

Chapter Nine

Once dressed, Max kissed me briefly and told me he’d better not have to hunt me down again. I nodded, thinking privately if that was how it would end each time he hunted me down I was going to have to hide a whole lot more often.

He escorted me to the great hall, where many of the women were gathered, apparently having been told not to wander off alone and actually following their orders. He patted my behind in a clear warning and left me there, feeling as if every single woman there must know what we’d just been doing.

I felt myself blush and looked about for Callista, who I saw hurrying over to me. She slid an arm around my waist.

“Kat, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

I nodded, having to think for a minute why I was upset with her. “You knew those rumors?”

“Yes, but…” She sighed. “I didn’t think you should know them.”

“Why?” I asked.

Callista looked pained. “Please, cousin, don’t ask me that.“I could count on one hand the times Callista had asked me to do anything.

“Of course,” I said automatically.

Callista looked closer at me. “Did he just take you?” she asked. “Just now? In the middle of the day?“I looked away, my blush becoming more pronounced.

“Why would you ask that?” I said weakly.