“Nay, my lady.” Mara wasn’t the least bit intimidated by the skinny woman or Kirk’s intense stare. “My sister is my guardian since our parents’ death, a duty that shall go to her new husband. I am afraid I shall be staying at Anchorsholme.”
Johanne’s features tensed as she looked at her brother, who merely lost himself in his boiled carrots and meat. “I see,” she said quietly. “Then we shall simply have to find you a husband, too. There’s hardly room for you here.”
Both Kirk and Micheline watched Mara’s expression as she pondered Johanne’s statement. Challenging would have been an accurate description.
“I do not want a husband, Lady Johanne.”
“Then the cloister is preferable? Excellent. The sooner the better.”
Mara lifted an eyebrow and Kirk groaned inwardly. “Why are you so anxious to be rid of me, Lady Johanne? I have only just arrived. In fact, I rather like it here.” She smiled prettily, settling back in her chair. “I do believe I shall stay a long, long time.”
Micheline sighed heavily, delving into her plate of beef. The head table made 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 body. Warm, strong, wonderful arms.
“I did not say that, exactly.” He stood beside the familiar spanking seat jutting out from the wall. “I said that I would be surprised if he did not. Obviously, I am surprised.”
Mara frowned. There was no use arguing with the man when all he did was prove her wrong, again and again. Exasperated, she turned her back to him and bent over at the waist.
“Well, go on then,” she grumbled. “Do what you must and be done with it. I have made an easy target for you.”
He gazed at her buttocks, covered in layers of old material. Strolling up behind her, he reached down and grabbed her by the hair. Whirling her to face him, their gazes collided.
She was a tiny little thing, barely meeting with his chest. Mara gasped, although he hadn’t hurt her in the least. But his control was obvious and his breath, when he spoke, was deliciously hot on her face.
“I am not going to spank you,” he growled. “But God only knows I should. You’re the most insolent, willful, sassy wench I have ever had the misfortune to meet.”
Mara swallowed, sensing no anger in his statement. The stone-gray eyes were blazing at her, the heat from his gaze licking every inch of exposed skin. She felt naked, vulnerable, but strangely warm and protected. As if she were to allow herself, she would melt right into him.
“I tried to bank myself at first, truly,” she whispered. “But when she attacked Micheline, I could not control myself.”
He blinked, slowly. “Your defense of your sister is admirable but unnecessary.”
Mara could feel his scorching body against her from chest to thigh. He was so massive he seemed to blot out all else. “Why do you say that?”
Kirk released her hair and she nearly collapsed. As it was, she ended up perched on the stone seat directly behind her, aware that her knees had given way as a result of Kirk’s overwhelming closeness. And still, she was trembling.
“Because I shall protect her,” he said softly. “This will no longer be your fight alone.”
Mara blinked, her features rippling with confusion. “But… why? I never asked this of you.”
“You did not, but I shall assume your battle just the same.” He moved toward her, his dark hair shades of blue in the ghostly light. “And another thing, Mara. You will stay clear of Johanne. Do you understand me?”
She craned her neck back, gazing up at him. “Stay clear… why?”
He sighed, slowly, lowering himself onto the bench beside her. After a moment, he collected her small hand in his massive palm, turning it over, inspecting it.
“Because she is… not right in the head,” he murmured. “I cannot tell you more than that. But know that she is dangerous. Already, she has a strong dislike for you and I am concerned….”
“Concerned for what?” Mara could barely speak as he toyed with her hand, warm sensations firing through her small body and causing her limbs to ache.
/> He looked up from her hand, staring into her bright blue eyes. Christ, she was such a lovely creature. “Concerned that she might try to harm you somehow.” When Mara opened her mouth to question him, he shook his head firmly. “Please trust me, lass. There are things about this place you do not understand and I refuse to elaborate. Suffice it to say that I want you to stay away from Johanne, and away from Edmund if you can. Spend your time with me, or Lady Valdine and Lady Wanda. Is this clear?”
There was something in his eyes that suggested nothing but complete obedience. Without hesitation, Mara nodded.
“It is,” she whispered. “But what of Micheline?”
He sighed again, squeezing her hand tightly. “I will do what I can for her. This I vow.”
“Do what?”
He did not reply. Or mayhap he couldn’t reply. Mara did not know how long they sat there, hand in hand, listening to the sentries call to one another or the occasional bark of a dog. The night around them was silent and still, the mold from the corridor tickling her nose. In spite of the fact that it was cold, damp, and eerily dark, there was no place else on earth Mara would have rather been at that moment.
CHAPTER SIX
The snorting, the grunting, had ceased for the moment. Deep in the folds of the moonless night, Edmund and Johanne lay wrapped in each other’s arms, listening to the sounds of the crackling hearth. A few hours before dawn, they would make love twice more before the sun rose.
“She’s a witch,” Johanne murmured into her brother’s stale shoulder.
Almost asleep, Edmund grunted. “Who?”
“Mara,” Johanne stretched, her frizzy blond hair hanging in her eyes. “I have decided she must go.”
Edmund opened his eyes, dreading his sister’s words. He did not want to kill another lady, not with Kirk present. The other times, nine in all, he had sent the man out on an errand before completing the task. Always with assistance from a knight Kirk had come to trust, a man who Edmund paid well for his silence.
“What do you mean, Johanne?” his question was filled with reluctance.
But his sister seemed not to notice the cautious inflection. She raked her dirty nails down his back. “Precisely that. Either she returns home, or I shall wish her away.”
Edmund sighed. “Then we will send her home. The sister I can do nothing about, but the dark-haired spitfire I would agree to remove. Either that, or betroth her to some hapless fool and be rid of her that way.”
Johanne raised her head, gazing into eyes the same size and shape as her own. “Either path makes no difference as long as she is gone. And as for Lady Micheline, she seems to be quiet and respectful. Mayhap she will do well as your wife.”
Edmund groaned. “Quiet and respectful and ugly,” he rubbed his eyes. “I could hardly stand to look at her at dinner for fear I would lose my appetite.”
Johanne laughed softly. “But she remained silent and unobtrusive and left us alone,” she licked his right nipple seductively. “I do not think you said a word to her all eve.”
“I did not,” Edmund shuddered when Johanne licked him again. “I find I prefer to pretend she doesn’t exist.”
“But what about the wedding?”
He groaned again. “We shall simply get it over with, a quick ceremony and an even quicker consummation.”
Johanne slithered down his body, wrapping her hands around his semi-flaccid manhood. “I shall make the arrangements, then. I am sure we can have this unpleasant business out of the way by tomorrow eve.”
“Whatever you say,” he grabbed her by the hair, pulling hard and loving her gasps of pain. “The sooner the better.”
“And the sister?”
“Betrothed to the first man I can find. Satisfied?”
Johanne licked his phallus, grinning. “Very much. As you shall be quite shortly, as well.”
Mara was awakened by Micheline’s shrieks of pleasure. Rolling around in the large bed, she was vaguely aware of the bright day, the sounds of birds singing. Even with the brilliant light, however, the room was bitterly cold and she shivered, snuggling beneath the covers until Micheline ripped them off her small body.
“Look, Mara!” she cried happily. “Surcoats!”
Mara blinked the sleep from her eyes, growling and trying to regain her lost blankets. But Micheline was thrusting something in her face, a lovely shade of sapphire, and Mara blinked her eyes again at the fabric came into focus.
“Where did this come from?” her voice was hoarse with morning sleep.
It was then that she noticed Lady Valdine and Lady Wanda lingering respectfully at the edge of the bed. Mara sat up, staring at them; it was like looking at a mirror image.
“Sir Kirk said…”
“… that you could use these. They have…”
“… been left behind by lady visitors and he thought…”
“… they would suit you quite nicely.”
Mara rubbed her eyes, unsure if she was capable of dealing with Lady Valdine and Lady Wanda this early in the morning. But the women had brought clothing, beautiful clothing, and Mara found herself willing to tolerate their strange presence. Rising from the bed, she fingered a yellow silk lying on the edge of the mattress.
“It’s magnificent,” she said, noting the plunging neckline. After a moment, she looked at the twins. “Sir Kirk sent you with these?”
They nodded in unison and Lady Valdine moved forward; it was the first time Mara had seen one of the twins move independently.
“Now that you are related to Baron Bowland, he suggested…”
“…that these fine surcoats would enhance your wardrobe…”
“…until we could make you some new garments. Do they…”
“…please you?”
“Yes, of course,” Mara nodded as Lady Valdine held up the yellow surcoat, holding up to Mara’s shoulders and noting the length.
“It needs to be…”
“…shortened a few inches. She’s such a tiny…”
“…thing. So…”
“…beautiful. So…”
“…delicate.”
Lady Wanda was standing several feet from Lady Valdine and still, they spoke in one sentence. But their expressions and gestures were kind and in spite of the oddity, Mara realized she was willing to tolerate them. They were practically the only compassionate faces she had encountered since arriving at Anchorsholme and she could hardly resist their care.
As Lady Valdine fussed over Mara, Lady Wanda went to stand beside Micheline as she examined a lovely purple brocade. Micheline insisted on trying it on and immediately removed her nightshift as Mara moved from the yellow silk to a clear red satin. Never in their lives had they had the opportunity to wear such lovely garments and their excitement was palpable. Moreover, there were armloads of surcoats and as Mara perused the pile next to the door, she turned to Lady Valdine curiously.
“You mentioned that these dresses were left by lady visitors,” she said. “Why did they leave them behind?”
Lady Valdine’s normally blank expression seemed to grow even more wide-eyed. “They… they simply…”
“…did,” Lady Wanda had heard the question. “Sometimes we are host to such…”
“…wealthy guests that they never miss…”
“…a trunk or two left behind.”
Mara did not think their weak explanation made much sense, but she remained silent on the matter. And the fact that her question seemed to have greatly disturbed the twins also deterred further inquisition. Catching sight of Micheline as the woman gasped with delight at the feel of the purple surcoat embracing her thin body, she decided that it did not matter where the surcoats came from. It had been a long time since she had seen her sister so happy.
“Then I must thank Sir Kirk for his thoughtfulness,” she said, her attention returning to the clear red satin surcoat lying across the bed. “And I believe I shall wear the red surcoat to accomplish this.”
“And you shall, my lady. After
…”
“… we mend the length.”
Mara left the pile by the door, collecting the red dress from the mussed pile of blankets. Turning to the twins, she held it up before her.
“The length is fine for the moment,” she tossed the garment back to the bed and began removing her shift. “For now, you will help my sister. She is to be the future baroness, after all. ’Tis more important that she is presentable. I can wait.”
The three of them turned to watch Micheline dance past them, twirling her new purple surcoat. Mara smiled as her sister waltzed with an imaginary lover to a tune none of them could hear. A delightful dance in the arms of a man who thought her beautiful as opposed to plain, fascinating as opposed to average.
The more Mara watched, the more she realized Kirk was responsible for Micheline’s dose of happiness; he had promised to aid Mara in her defense of Micheline. Although he had not been able to help her yesterday in the face of Edmund’s ignorance, he was helping her now by making amends for her rough introduction to Anchorsholme Castle. Bringing hope and beauty to a girl who had known little of both.
“Take care of Micheline, ladies,” Mara said, tossing the red satin over her head and thinking warm thoughts of a man she was once sworn to hate. “I have a knight to thank.”
The double baileys of Anchorsholme were dusty, smelly pools of men and animals. The sky was amazingly clear this day, the weak sun bright on the fields below. Dressed in the beautiful red surcoat that accentuated her feminine curves, Mara picked her way among the crowd in search of Kirk. The servants inside the keep had been unable to tell her where he had gone on this fine morning; therefore, she determined to find him herself.
She was almost run over near the stables by a dancing charger. Frightened, but characteristically hostile, she shook her fist at the soldier and dashed off toward the kitchen yard. It never occurred to her to ask one of the many men-at-arms what they knew of Kirk’s location, but whether it was because she was too prideful or intimidated by their grizzled appearance was unknown.
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