“It is time for you to know exactly what I expect of you as my wife.”
Mary nodded. “As you wish.” It would be better for him to detail her duties, then she would know what to expect and how to behave, and how she could use both to her advantage.
She lowered her head, averting her eyes from his, and waited for him to dismiss her.
To her surprise he slipped his finger under her chin and lifted her head until their eyes met.
“Tell me, Mary, have you ever kissed a man?”
He played with her and she intended to win the game.
“My lord,” she said, spreading her eyes wide. “It would not be proper to kiss a man who is not your husband.”
His nostrils flared; she had won.
“Go, I will speak with you later.”
“Have a good day, my lord,” she said with a slight bow of her head and stepped around him, keeping her pace unhurried, though she wished to run. She did not want him to know she wanted nothing more than to escape his presence.
“Mary!”
His booming voice stopped her cold, shivers running through her. She turned reluctantly and he waited for her to return to his side. She walked over to him.
“My lord?”
“Why do you wear peasant clothes?”
Her hands grabbed at the sides of her plain brown skirt. Her mind thought fast. “Reena and I are foraging the woods for flowers and greenery appropriate for my headdress. I did not wish to soil or ruin my fine garments.”
“You may go,” he said satisfied with her explanation.
This time she hurried her steps, though not so anyone noticed, and once outside the hall doors she picked up her pace and made a dash for Old Margaret’s cottage.
Mary entered the cottage; the front door was open, welcoming all.
“You look well this fine day,” Old Margaret said.
Mary smiled. “How could I not on this beautiful day.”
“I am pleased that you will be helping Reena record my plants.”
“I look forward to learning as I help,” Mary said, always eager to gain new knowledge.
“Good, go then and enjoy, though be careful of the storm.”
“And here I thought the day would remain sunny,” Reena said, handing a basket covered with a cloth to Mary and slinging a leather pouch over her shoulder.
“The tempest begins,” Old Margaret warns. “And does not settle soon.”
The two women took heed of her warning and walked to the door.
“Mary,” Old Margaret said, “a moment of your time?”
Reena walked out the door leaving the two women to talk.
“Be careful, Mary, you glow with love.”
Mary placed her hand to her heart. “It shows.”
“I see what others do not, but your love is strong and will refuse to remain hidden. Others will soon see.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
“God be with you, Mary. Your task will not be easy.”
Mary joined Reena and they spoke not a word until they entered the safety of the woods.
“Is everything all right?” Reena asked.
“I pray so.” Mary did not wish to burden Reena with more problems nor chance her knowing anything that could bring her harm.
They set to work searching for plants. Reena would do quick sketches of the plant while Mary recorded the conditions surrounding it.
“It is good that you can write and read, few do,” Reena said.
“My parents felt it was important for me to understand many written and oral languages.”
“My mother felt the same,” Reena said. “And while I protested when I was young, I am grateful for my knowledge now.”
They stopped to eat, the basket packed with bread, cheese, and cider.
“You carry more of a burden than you tell,” Reena said, the large tree branches shading the spot where they sat. “Did Old Margaret see something that upset you?”
“She is a seer?”
“More a healer, though at times she sees things,” Reena said. “Perhaps she saw what is obvious. You look different this morning. Happier, more content.”
Mary silently chastised herself for being foolish. She had felt happier this morning. Though Michael had been gone when she woke, his scent had remained on her pillow and she had hugged it to her. The memories of the night before brought a smile to her face that she could not shed. She had not thought that others would see a change in her, but there had been a change. She had made love with the man she loved, and it had filled her with joy and peace.
Reena reached out to her. “I keep a good confidence.”
Mary trusted her; she needed to. She needed a friend to share her burden with. “The Dark One came to me last night.”
“You love him very much?”
Mary nodded. “I have never looked upon his face, but it matters not, for I know his heart.”
“You must be careful; he must be careful.”
“I know. I worry that our love will place him in jeopardy. I worry that he will take chances that he should not take, and I worry that we will not be together.”
“Too much of a burden for one to carry alone,” Reena said.
“I have carried many burdens. I had hoped one day my load would be lightened.”
“Miracles do happen.”
“All the time,” Mary said.
“I have been thinking,” Reena said. “The information we have gathered has been insufficient in finding out how Decimus tracked you down, and it appears that you and the Dark One remained barely a few steps ahead of him in his pursuit. Is there anyone you know that may connect the Dark One, Decimus, and you?”
“I have met a few people who know both men, though they knew naught of me. And then there is Roarke, but again he did not know me. I thought Magnus sent the Dark One to help me, but how did he learn of my need?”
“We’ve learned a man overheard two others who spoke of your plight and contacted the Dark One. When the Dark One learned that it was Decimus who searched for you, he knew that Magnus was your protector.”
“Who was this man who contacted the Dark One? And what interest did he have in me?”
Reena shook her head. “I do not know and the Dark One never told Magnus the man’s identity.”
“Perhaps this mysterious man is the link to my being betrayed,” Mary said.
“And why now after all these years would someone betray you?”
“Perhaps he is more foe than friend,” Mary suggested.
“Then that would mean another hunts you.”
“Or that another looks after me?”
“There is only one person who can answer that question,” Reena said.
“The Dark One,” they said in unison.
Chapter 25
The storm clouds that had gathered overhead upon Mary and Reena’s return dumped a heavy rainfall on the land just before sunset. Everyone ran for cover and the village settled in for the night.
Mary was tired, having slept little the night before. An early supper and sleep was the only thing on her mind. Could she escape for the night and cloister herself in her bedchamber without causing a problem?
Decimus had wanted to speak with her, though he had not summoned her since her return to the keep. She hoped to beg a headache and be left alone for the night. Tomorrow would be soon enough to talk with him, but then there was also the rest of her life to talk with him.