A great deal of embarrassment was all she had suffered at his hands—and the loss of her freedom, which would in fact hurt quite seriously if she didn’t get it back. But what did that say for Selig? Was Eda right? Would his campaign of revenge end if he thought he wasdoing her serious harm? If she cried, if she whined and complained…
Erika’s cheeks pinkened merely at the thought. She couldn’t do those things—not unless she had no other hope. Her pride simply wouldn’t unbend that much.
And shedidhave hope, her brother. She would ride away from this place and never see these people again, never be reminded of the humiliations she had suffered here, never—That was not quite true. How was she going to forget a man like Selig Haardrad when she could picture him so clearly in her mind, he might as well be standing before her? And she was afraid that image was not going to fade for many a year.
The object of nearly all of her thoughts lately joined her early that afternoon, and he was wearing the smile she had learned to dread. The first thing he did was release her from the wall, but he didn’t give her the chain as he usually did. He drew her up with it instead.
“You are in luck, wench,” Selig said, humor in his tone. “That matter you and I have to settle need not wait until Alfred departs.”
Erika groaned inwardly, fully aware of what matter he spoke of. “Why not?”
“Royce has taken the king and his party hunting. They will be away for several hours at the least. Only a few lords remain behind, and most of the ladies.”
“Why did you not join the hunt? Or have you overtaxed yourself with the revelries below?”
“How hopeful you sound, yet I fear I mustdisappoint you,” he replied, trying for an apologetic tone, though he couldn’t quite manage it. “I simply preferred to spend the time…with you.”
“The feeling is, of course, not mutual.”
He laughed. He was in splendid good cheer and brimming with anticipation. And she knew just what he anticipated. He would not even care which answer she gave him. Either one would suit his purpose.
“You have had ample time to dwell on my ultimatum—”
“I have not thought of it at all,” she cut in quickly with the lie.
But procrastination was not going to work. “How unfortunate, yet not really necessary,” he took pleasure in telling her. “Little thought is required to decide if you will call me master—or not. Wear no more than your chains—or not. Which do you choose, Erika No Heart?”
“Neither.”
“You think to feed from my hand, at my feet? I no longer offer you that choice now. Mayhap some other time, but not right now.”
“And I accept none of what you do offer.”
“On the contrary. I would say you have made your choice quite clearly.”
Erika took a step back from him in denial, but the chain wouldn’t let her go very far, and he simply used it to pull her close again.
Her voice rose, measured by her alarm. “I said I do not accept your ridiculous choices.”
He replied in a tone one might reserve forslow-witted children. “But you were not given that option. You must abide those you were given, and as you have already decided the matter—”
“I did not!”
“Then I beg your pardon. I could have sworn I did not hear the name ‘master’ come from your lips. I will allow I was mistaken, if you will but repeat it now.”
In answer, her lips compressed so tightly they whitened. He wasn’t displeased to see that, though. Quite the contrary. He laughed.
“Nay?” He said it for her. “Then it seems I was correct the first time. You have decided to flaunt what meager charms you have for all to see. I am sure those left in the hall will find the spectacle most amusing. You may remove your clothing now.”
If he was trying to make her “supposed” choice sound the worst of two evils, he was succeeding admirably. She detested the way he toyed with her, and that he took such pleasure in it. But Erika was not going to concede graciously or otherwise this time.
“I have no intention of amusing anyone,” she said stonily, “least of all you. If you have not noticed, lackwit, I am not cooperating.”
He seemed surprised, as if he really hadn’t anticipated refusal. Certainly he was not amused. His sudden frown might be feigned, but she doubted it.
“Flagrant defiance?”
She nodded. “This is your idea, not mine. You want my clothes off, you must take themyourself. But do not expect me to stand here meekly the while you do.”
