Lost Princess (20 page)

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.

“Come along, Katrina, we must retire for the night.” He gave me significant look at it hit me—we were going to watch them. My hand flew to my heart and Callista looked from Max to me, obviously noting my anxiety.

“Of course, my lord,” I said as calmly as I could. “Until tomorrow, Callie.” I let Max lead me out of the hall.

Max leaned close to my ear as we walked sedately down the hallway. “I thought you might just faint. Should I be prepared?” He sounded warm and amused. He steered me down a hall that I’d rarely traveled.

“You might,” I said softly. “Max, I’m…this…” I looked up at him as he stopped.

“If this is too much for you, my lady wife, tell me and we’ll go back to our room.” He waited with unusual patience as I thought.

Finally I shook my head. “No, I will manage.“Max tried not to smile at my expression then gave up and kissed my temple.

“Katrina,” he said, chuckling. “Come along.” He led me down another hall, this one only used by servants as far as I knew. He stopped at a door, unlocking it with a key. He turned to look at me warningly. “We must be quiet—if you make any noise, they will hear us.“I nodded, my eyes wide. Was I really going to do this? As he led me into a shadowy set of steps, I realized I was. The hallway was barely light enough to walk along, narrow and dusty, obviously rarely used. He led me past several screens, pulling me along when I would have stopped to investigate. Where were these other screens located?

Finally Max put a cautionary finger to his lips and almost silently slid a screen made of crossing wooden pieces along a groove in the floor. The screen was part of another screen, and no doubt looked solid from below. And usually the two screens made a solid surface with one behind the other. Now, however, as Max slid it to the side, diamond-shaped gaps appeared, and as I looked, I saw I was above a room. The screens must be at the very top of the wall. Interesting, since I thought that many of the rooms had similar decorations. Were all of them able to be opened?

The room was empty, and Max said into my ear, “They were still there when we left, but I’ve no doubt they will be here soon. He blew out the candle he’d used to light our way here and moved a small block next to her. “For your comfort, my lady.“I sat down numbly, and he moved another, doing the same. “I’m afraid you’ll be quite dirty after this. I’d nearly forgotten this all existed.“I looked over at him. He chuckled softly and pulled me to him, kissing me gently. He kissed me again, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing myself closer to him.

“Maybe I should have chosen going back to our room,” I breathed in his ear as he kissed my neck, nibbling deliciously. 

“Have no doubt we will end up there eventually,” he promised, and we both looked at the room as the door opened and Gregory ushered Kasta inside. I swallowed nervously, and Max took my hand, lifting it to his mouth to kiss the back of my hand, twined with his.

Gregory barred the door and turned to study his wife in the meager light. “Disrobe,” he said in a stern voice.

Kasta stared at him, not moving. “My lord?” she asked.

Gregory went over to her and taking her hair, pulled her head back so she was looking at him. Kasta yelped. “You will learn much this night,” Gregory promised. “The first lesson you’ll learn is that if I give you a command, it must immediately be obeyed.”

Kasta tore herself out of his grasp. “I am a lady! You think me spineless? Weak?”

Gregory considered her. “You will be punished for each word you speak from now until you’re without clothing and on your knees before me. One lash per word.” He watched her turn away from him and cross her arms angrily. But she didn’t say anything, and since she was facing us, I could see her face was uncertain. I was glad to see it.

Gregory went to where some his belongings had been placed. Looking through them, he pulled out a solid-looking riding crop. Hitting it against his boot, he watched Kasta turn to see what he was doing and what had made that noise.

“You wouldn’t,” she said.

“Two,” he said softly.“I’ve been with the Regent! He’ll never allow you to treat me so!”

“Fifteen,” Gregory said. “And to put your mind at ease, the Regent himself told me you needed a strong hand.”

“No! I don’t believe you!”

“Twenty.”

Kasta stomped her foot but said no more.

“And now I am considering how hard I’ll hit you. I am not a patient man, Kasta, and the longer you make me wait, the harder I’ll strike.“Kasta took two heaving breaths and then changed her approach. She began to undress, making each move as seductive as possible. Gregory watched her, looking unmoved. Kasta became more frustrated as she went, until at the end she simply took off her clothes. Soon she was standing in front of him without clothes.

“Perhaps you forgot my instructions. I dislike repeating myself. I said ‘on your knees.’”

Kasta glared at him. “Never.”

Gregory shrugged, going to the door. Kasta let out a squawk and grabbed her dress to cover her as he opened it, calling to someone out in the hall. A burly man came in, a veritable giant, and stood waiting for instructions. He didn’t seem to notice Kasta or her state of undress.

“Ford, my new wife is feeling rebellious. Please secure her and hold her for her punishment.

At his words, Kasta tried to run to the door, screaming obscenities at him. I didn’t even know all the words she used, but I could certainly tell they weren’t compliments. I made a mental note to ask Max what they meant. I looked over at my husband, and he turned to look at me, raising an eyebrow in question.

I leaned closer and, as I’d done before, I licked his lip. His arm tightened around my waist, and his hand squeezed mine. Then a sound brought my attention back to the room and Kasta’s predicament.  She was fighting the giant, Ford, and not making a dent in him. He patiently caught her arms one at a time. He held them together and dragged her over to Gregory. He turned her so her back was presented to Gregory. Kasta was still swearing and nearly incoherent with rage.