Chapter 36: Sister or Wife?

Anaisa felt Trace grab her hand, and she jumped, startled.

"What?" She asked in alarm. He'd never touched her, other than to have her take his arm in the pressing crowd earlier today. Why would he do so now, in this nearly-abandoned side area by the palace wall?

"You're going to pretend to be my sister?" He demanded. There was an emotion in his eyes she hadn't noticed before. Was he concerned? Hurt? Angry?

"That's the only way to get us both in," She insisted logically.

"The male servants inside do not always respect the word of a woman," He spoke slowly, as if considering each word. "If you are single, there will be no protection for you from their advances. I cannot allow it."

Her temper flared. "Allow? Who are you to forbid or allow me to do something?"

"Your husband," Trace replied, and Anaisa hesitated.

Under the law, a husband could have his wife imprisoned for violating his will, a lesson she'd learned in bride school. Trace had the authority to order her to do anything he wished. He hadn't… yet… but legally, he very well could. At least, until she had her title back and outranked him socially.

She looked down at the hand he still held, and suddenly felt a sort of crushing, like a shackle. He wasn't holding her any tighter than before, so why did it feel that way?

Apparently sensing her swift change in mood, Trace's face softened.

"I want you to be safe. If you go into the palace under the guise of a single woman, I won't be able to forgive myself if something terrible happens because I'm unable to protect you."

Anaisa slowly pulled her hand away, and he didn't try to hold her in place.

"If I insist on going," She bit her lip and tested the limits of his good will, "what will you do?"

Trace sighed as he looked at her.

"I'm not a good liar," He dodged the question, "I don't think I can pretend you're only my sister."

"We live more as siblings than as a married couple," Anaisa pointed out, and he winced. Her face turned hot, but she continued. "Would it be so difficult to imagine me as your sister?"

"Yes." He responded without hesitation. "It would."

She didn't know what to make of that. They stared at each other a moment longer, and her shoulders dropped.

"Please," She looked at him. "Let me help. We don't have to be siblings. We just won't tell them we're married."

The palace was the absolute best place for gossip she was sure of it. If she could learn anything to use against Barnabas, it would be well worth the risk.

Trace's mouth pulled to one side, and she spotted a hint of softening in his eyes. Hope lit in hers, and after a moment he sighed.

"If I say yes," He looked at her sternly. "You will quit and leave the palace the moment I think your safety is at stake. Do you understand?"

A grin split Anaisa's face. "Yes, whatever you say. Absolutely."

He sighed heavily, and she knew she'd won.

"Be careful, say as little as you possibly can. Don't draw attention to yourself," Trace warned.

"Got it," Anaisa nodded, knowing that was wise. She hadn't been inside the palace more than the single time she and Katia were presented to the king along with all the other noblemen's daughters, but even so, there was the possibility of being recognized if she wasn't careful. "We're a team, right?"

She offered her hand with a smile for a handshake, and Trace looked a little startled. Belatedly, she realized that she hadn't ever offered physical contact before. In fact, they'd never touched before today, and already had twice today!

The sudden shift was a bit jarring to realize, but she didn't immediately snatch her hand back. He took it in both of his, and warmth crept up from Anaisa's middle as he looked seriously into her eyes.

"I mean it, Anaisa. You have to be careful. Understand?" He frowned, taking things much more gravely than she was.

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He was right. It wasn't a game, it was their lives. If she were recognized, they would be in enormous trouble. If they were thought to be spies, instant execution awaited.

"I understand. I'll be careful, I promise." She assured him more calmly. He squeezed her hand gently before letting it go. The air suddenly felt cooler around her, and she wondered why.

"How do I let you know if I've learned something?" She whispered as they turned and continued walking. She needed to keep in contact with him in case he learned anything with whatever spying skills he had.

"I'll figure out a way to get messages back and forth, don't worry." He told her. "If we can, we should try to get the jobs today but not start working until tomorrow. That way we can plan more around the situation and not miss tea with your sister."

Anaisa had almost forgotten in her excitement! She definitely couldn't miss seeing Katia again tomorrow, and meeting her husband. Though all this intrigue and trickery was on her behalf, Anaisa still didn't want to miss the opportunity to spend time with her sister.

She nodded for his sake but smiled as a stern looking guard observed their approach.

"Business?" He demanded when they stopped.

"We're here for work," Trace ducked his head with humility. "I've some talent with horses and stables, and she is a good cook's assistant or maid."

Anaisa also ducked her head, folding her hands in front of her.

"I don't think there are any jobs open," The guard responded, eyeing them, "but I will check."

He turned and pulled a cord, and a maid appeared in a subdued uniform with her face lowered.

"Two are asking for work, is there anyone available to handle this?" He asked the girl.

"The Housekeeper just came down a moment ago, I will go and ask if she is willing to see them." She bobbed a curtsy at the man before disappearing.

The soldier eyed the pair again as they waited. Belatedly, Anaisa remembered her wedding ring. Her hands were folded so that it was not visible at the moment, but she darted a sudden glance to one side as if something had caught her eye.

The soldier turned his head, and she slipped the ring off her finger and into her pocket.

Trace frowned at her slightly, but she just lowered her head once more.

No one had asked about her marital status so far, and maybe they wouldn't if they had no reason to. Hopefully they wouldn't search her and try to take the ring; it was by far the most precious thing she had in her possession. To lose it would make Trace's mother angry or sad, and Anaisa as well for losing her family heirloom.

She would protect it, no matter what.

A gaunt woman with a stern expression returned, and the guard shied away from her, startling Anaisa.

"Who's this, then?" She demanded, looking the newcomers up and down.

"I'm good with horses and animals, and she would make a good maid, or cook's assistant." Trace gestured to himself and then Anaisa. She noticed he avoided a direct lie.

"Not married," The woman's shrewd eyes glanced down at Anaisa's hands. Anaisa didn't contradict her, nor did Trace. "Good. There will be no promiscuity in the palace, understand?"

The pair nodded silently, and the woman continued.

"Young, with lots of work in you. We do have temporary need of a stable hand. Girl, can you sew?"

"She made the coat she wears in less than a week," Trace put in, saving his wife the need to speak. She nodded her head humbly, but the woman's hand snaked forward and she grabbed Anaisa's arm.

Jerking her forward, she leaned close and examined the stitches on the fabric of the sleeve.

"Dressmaker's been complaining about the princess's orders for the royal coming out ball," The Housekeeper griped. "I'll show you to her, but I make no guarantees she'll take you on. This would be temporary, you understand. It's not every day we need to outfit the whole palace with new clothes. What's your name, girl?"

Anaisa panicked for a moment. In the palace there was the possibility of meeting someone she knew. Another Count, perhaps. "You can call me Annie. Thank you, ma'am."

Trace gave her a curious glance, but she shook her head. The name wasn't fake, wasn't a lie, but the only person in the world who called her that was Katia. It would make placing her at least slightly less obvious to a casual acquaintance.

"Come with me, the both of you. If they find you acceptable, you'll begin immediately, and go get your things tonight to move in tomorrow. We don't allow tardiness, understand? Work here begins before dawn and continues until nightfall. Servants don't get to waste candles on themselves, either, unless you buy them out of your pay. Hurry up now."