Free The Contract by Sandy Holden Page A

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