Fire Song (Medieval Song 2)

“It is your child, of course,” Kassia said, hearing the tremor of anger in her voice.

“I suspect so,” he said calmly.

“I suppose you expect me to thank you for not humiliating me in front of the servants.”

“You could, but I doubt that you will.”

His utter disinterest riled her beyond reason. “I am the mistress of Wolffeton!” she shouted at him.

“Are you?” he asked calmly. “In some ways I suppose that you are. In others, my lady, you are sorely lacking.”

“Just as are you, my lord!”

To her surprise, he nodded. “It is true. Now, you will heed me well, my lady. I put a stop to Nan’s insolence for the moment. I will handle the wench to your satisfaction if you will agree to become the mistress of Wolffeton in all ways.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“I see I have your full attention. Here is the bargain I propose, my lady. You will come to me willingly in my bed. You will no longer act the outraged maiden or the passive victim. If you refuse, I imagine your life could be particularly unpleasant.”

He expected her to draw back in disgust, but she didn’t move. Her eyes remained wide and questioning on his face. “What do you mean that you will handle Nan to my satisfaction?”

“Ah, the terms of the agreement. You are wise to have everything clear before agreeing or disagreeing. I will marry the wench off and remove her from Wolffeton. You will never have to deal with her insolence again. That is, if you agree.”

Kassia could easily imagine what would happen if Nan gained the upper hand. She raised her chin even higher. “I do not think that it is your right to interfere at all in how I manage the servants. And that includes your precious mistress.”

“Then I take it that you do not agree to my . . . bargain?”

He thought he heard her curse, and it made him want to smile.

“You have not the right! Will you take everything from me?”

“On the contrary,” he said smoothly. “I wish to give you more. A woman’s pleasure, for example. Such pleasure truly does exist, I promise you.”

“Give it to your slut, damn you!”

He regarded her calmly and said, “How I envy Guy. I heard Blanche’s cries of pleasure on their wedding night. Would you grant to Guy what you refuse to grant to me?”

“I would grant none of you anything!”

“Enough, Kassia. What is your answer?”

“If I refuse, will you release Nan from all her duties and make her the mistress of Wolffeton?”

Of course he would not, but he saw that Kassia did not realize that. He merely shrugged, looking bored and impatient.

She looked away from him, her hands clenching and unclenching in front of her. “I don’t know what to do!” she cried.

“All I desire is your . . . cooperation. I will teach you the rest. Come, wife, my men await me. What is your answer?”

“I . . . I agree,” she said in a whisper.

He made no move toward her. “Very well. Now you will come with me back into the hall and give Nan her orders. I will endeavor to find her a husband.”

Kassie followed him, her thoughts in a whirl. Why did he even bother? Why was it so important to him that she enjoy coupling? She did not understand him.

Nan gasped in disbelief, her eyes pleading on Graelam’s face. She pleased him, the whoreson, she thought venomously, and now he was choosing his skinny wife over her! It occurred to her that she had pushed Kassia too hard, chall

enged her too openly. She saw it in the eyes of the other servants. They were enjoying her downfall, rot them! She had to speak to Graelam alone.