Free The Darkland by Kathryn Le Veque Page A

an odd picture;
the bride and groom devouring their meal and ignoring all else as Kirk sat tall
and silent in the center. On the ends, Johanne and Mara were working themselves
into a serious confrontation.
    "It is obvious to
me why you have accompanied your sister, Lady Mara," Johanne said, her
green eyes flashing. "After all, look at your clothing; it is apparent
that you have merely come to seek my brother's wealth."
    Mara shook her head,
struggling not to lash out. "I came because I was forced to come, my lady.
I have no use for your brother's wealth."
    Johanne laughed shortly.
"Certainly you can use it. By the state of your dress, I'd say you could
use it very badly." She looked at Micheline. "And your sister, too. I
must say the two of you are very brave to be seen in public, dressed like paupers."
    Mara could deal with Johanne's
personal attacks. But the moment she turned to Micheline, Mara's stomach
twisted with fury and the tongue she had promised to bridle sprang free.
    "At least the state
of our dress is repairable, Lady Johanne. But I doubt there's enough money in
the world to buy you the beauty and tact you so obviously lack."
    Johanne turned shades of
red as Edmund removed his face from his trencher.
    "Enough
impudence," he snarled. "Kirk, remove this... this woman
immediately!"
    Kirk stood. Mara, more concerned
that Micheline would be left alone with two jackals once she was removed than
the fact that she was in a good deal of trouble, swatted at him when he reached
down to grasp her.
    "Why am I to be
removed when she has been deliberately baiting me?" she demanded. "If
I am to be punished, then punish her as well for having the carelessness to
start something she hasn't the courage to finish!"
    Kirk had Mara by both
arms, pulling her from the chair. Johanne, hearing the challenge, leapt from
her seat.  "Brazen wench! You have no idea the powers you toy with!"
    Edmund rose, calming his
step-sister with a gentle touch. "She is not worth the effort, Johanne.
Please reclaim your seat and allow Kirk to deal with her."
    With Mara and Kirk
wrestling on one side and Edmund and Johanne arguing on the other, Micheline
found her attention drawn to her future husband and his step-sister. The manner
in which he stroked her cheek, the tone of his voice, was infinitely disturbing
and the more she watched, the more confused she became. Had she not known
better, she would have sworn their relationship to be more than familial.
    Kirk managed to wind his
arm around Mara's waist, physically removing her from the table. Her demands
for Johanne's mutual punishment soon turned to pleas on Micheline's behalf and
he listened in silence as he removed her from the room. Out into the stillness
of the evening, he finally put her on her feet.
    Immediately, Mara
attempted to return to the keep. But Kirk had her firmly by the hands as she
tugged and grunted.
    "Please, Kirk, I
cannot leave her alone with those... those wolves!" She unsuccessfully
tried to pull her hands free. "She needs me!"
    He cocked an eyebrow,
towing her around the building and Mara recognized the entrance to the corridor
where he had spanked her. Her struggles increased.
    "Do not spank me
again!" she half-begged, half-commanded. "I know I promised to
behave, but Lady Johanne was deliberately nasty and I had no choice. Do you
hear me? I had no choice!"
    The corridor was cold
and deserted, shielded from the activity in the bailey. Once inside, Kirk let
go of her and she scrambled away, eyes wide with apprehension.
    "There is always a
choice, Mara," he said, his voice low and stern. "But you seem to
make incorrect ones."
    "I do not!" She
stamped her little foot, fearful and angry. "I could not allow her to
insult Micheline. And what of Lord Edmund? You said he would apologize for his
behavior earlier."
    Kirk drew in a deep
breath, folding his arms across his chest. Mara was momentarily distracted by
the arms, thinking that they were larger in circumference that her entire