“Do you know where Roarke went?” she asked.
“He said nothing to me about his destination. He made mention that it was safer for you both if he left before anyone realized he was gone.”
“I made a terrible blunder last night. I thought to protect Roarke and foolishly made matters worse for him.” She told him what she had done and how Decimus had ordered two of his men to go after Roarke.
Magnus did not appear disturbed by her news. “I would not worry. Roarke can take care of himself. I suspect that he is a difficult man to track, let alone find. What presently concerns me are the plans that Decimus discussed with me last night.”
“Our wedding.” She sighed.
“At least you will wed here among friends. And two weeks gives me time to see if other arrangements can be made.”
“Death would be the only thing that frees me from Decimus.”
“That can be arranged.”
“I thought about faking my demise, but I believe somehow Decimus would know and that would make matters worse.”
“I will do all I can, Mary.”
“You have, Magnus, and I am so very grateful. Fate holds me in her hands now, and I pray she will be generous to me.”
They heard someone approach and Mary wished it was Michael, though she knew otherwise. She would not have heard his approach; he would have merely appeared.
She wanted to cringe when she spotted Decimus, but she kept her disappointment to herself. His dark manner always made him appear angry, and he looked more so now as he approached them.
She turned away to look out over the village and keep. She did not feel like dealing with his arrogance. She was also annoyed with his dress. He donned garments that were impeccably tailored and fit for royalty. He favored dark colors right down to the deep red garnet and blue sapphire rings on his fingers. How he could adorn himself in such riches won off the souls of innocent people she did not know.
He stopped beside her; the bright sun glared over his shoulder. She looked up at him, shading her eyes with her hand.
“A beautiful day is it not?” she asked.
“I do not recall giving you permission to leave the keep.”
Magnus stood. “I requested her company.”
“You should have requested permission from me.”
“Until she is wed, Mary is still in my charge,” Magnus said in a defensive tone.
Mary did not wish them to battle over her, but it was not her place to step between them. She would undermine Magnus’s authority and strengthen Decimus’s power if she interfered.
Decimus seemed to consider for a moment and reluctantly said, “You are right. She is in your charge, though I expect proper action from her, which is your duty to foster.”
Mary watched as Magnus fisted his hand at his side; that he wanted to punch Decimus was obvious. But she knew he would not demean himself. He would remain a warrior strong in command.
“And what is it that you wished to discuss that requires a distance from the keep?” Decimus asked before Magnus could respond to his chastising.
Magnus held out his hand to Mary and she took it, rising gracefully to her feet to stand beside him.
“It does not concern you,” Magnus said firmly.
“She is my concern, especially what she discusses with another man.”
“What I discuss with Mary is between Mary and me.”
Mary held back her smile. While Decimus spoke of her with little regard, by not calling her by name, Magnus made a point of speaking her name aloud. He let Decimus know Mary was a person unto herself and not mere chattel to be bargained over.
“I warn you, Magnus, be careful. I do not tolerate insolence well.”
“Then we have something in common.” Magnus held his arm out to Mary indicating that they would take their leave.
Mary took Magnus’s arm.
“I wish to speak with Mary alone,” Decimus said.
“Mary has much to do if the wedding is to proceed on time,” Magnus said.
A grateful Mary remained silent. She had no desire to speak with Decimus. It seemed the more she spoke with the man, the more she disliked him.
“I will not detain her for long and I will see that she returns safely to the keep.”
Mary sensed Magnus’s reluctance. She knew however that to learn all she could about her future husband, would mean spending time with him, whether she cared to or not.
“I will be fine,” she assured Magnus and slipped her arm out of his.
“As you say,” Magnus said. “I will tell my wife that you will be with her shortly so that you may begin work on your wedding dress.”
Mary nodded. “I will not keep her waiting.” She appreciated Magnus graciously limiting her time with Decimus.
Decimus remained silent until Magnus disappeared in the distance.
“He cannot protect you for long.”
Mary smiled. “I will have you, my husband, to protect me.”
Decimus circled her like a prey intimidating its captor. “You will be well protected. I will know your every move. I will decide your every move. You will obey without question.”
Mary wanted to choke on her own words, but she forced them from her lips. “I will serve to be a good wife.”
“You will be a good wife. I will tolerate nothing less from you.”
“You have made yourself clear. I understand perfectly.” Her tongue was slightly sharper than she intended, but his arrogant, self-righteous manner irritated her.
He grabbed her arm, his fingers pinching her skin. “Your mouth is much too quick and you much too foolish.”
She yanked her arm from his grasp and stepped away from him. “I have yet to exchange vows with you, so it is you who speaks out of turn.”
His nostrils flared, a warning she had learned quickly to recognize as anger, but at the moment she did not care how angry he was. She would surrender soon enough to him.
“You dare to be insolent to me?”
She silently reminded herself that she would gain nothing if she did not retain her composure, but it was difficult. He commanded in his every word. She had trouble tolerating his constant edicts—how she would tolerate it when they wed, she did not know. The sobering thought made her rethink her actions. If she were not careful she would worsen her situation.
She forced herself to apologize. “Forgive me, I was inconsiderate.”
“You spoke out of turn.”
He could not even accept an apology. How she wished she could tell him how very rude and obnoxious she thought he was. Instead she said, “I am learning.”
“You have much to learn.”
If she did not direct the discussion elsewhere, she would soon find herself lashing out at him once again.
“May I inquire what it is you wish to discuss with me?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and took a firm stance in front of her. “I have been informed that you love to sing.”
Who could have told him that? Magnus was the only one aware of her penchant for singing.
“I raise my voice in song on occasion.”
“Let me hear you.”
She looked at him oddly.
“I wish to hear you sing. Now.”
She had always sung when she was happy and at peace with herself. Troubling times found her voice dormant, having no desire to raise it in song. And she certainly had no desire to raise it now for a man who would have no appreciation for the beauty of song.