He looked magnificent in his dark splendor, black leggings and a black tunic trimmed in silver thread.
He offered her his arm. “It is time.”
She attempted a smile but it faltered and she turned away to retrieve her bouquet and gather her courage. She felt on the verge of tears, and she could not allow herself to cry. She would show Decimus no weakness, only strength.
She turned after taking a deep breath and fortifying herself for what she must do.
“I am ready,” she said and took his arm. She did not attempt to force a smile. It was not possible to display happiness when sorrow filled her heart.
“Your parents would be proud of you, Mary. You have grown into a beautiful, courageous woman.”
She choked back her tears and nodded, not daring to speak.
They walked out of the room to face Mary’s destiny.
Reena and Brigid had attempted to make the wedding special, filling the great hall with baskets of flowers and branches of greenery. A plethora of white candles graced the mantel, the tables and the dais and platters of food waited for the celebration to begin.
Decimus had intended a bishop to wed them but when he changed the wedding date, he had had to make do with the local cleric. He vowed that they would repeat the ceremony with a bishop in attendance.
Decimus stood next to the brown-robed cleric waiting for her approach. His colors chilled her for he had chosen a blood red tunic over black leggings with a large black cross stitched across the front of the tunic. His shiny black hair hung straight over his shoulders, and his face appeared more sinister than handsome.
The great hall was filled to capacity. All the villagers had been invited, and dared not refuse, and all of Decimus’s men as well. If there had been time, no doubt the king as well as high officials of the church would have come.
Magnus walked her slowly to Decimus as if he took every step reluctantly. And when they finally reached him, Decimus stepped forward.
Magnus took her hand and placed it in Decimus’s. Then he raised his voice for all to hear. “Treat her well, my lord, she is a gift.”
Decimus gave a brief nod of recognition, though his dark eyes showed displeasure with Magnus’s warning. He turned with her to face the cleric.
The ceremony went on for some time, the cleric extolling the virtues of marriage and the duties of an obedient wife. Mary was relieved when it was done, and she was pronounced Decimus’s wife. It was over; she now belonged to him.
The celebration began, Decimus and Mary taking their place of honor at the two center chairs at the table on the dais. Magnus sat next to Decimus and Reena next to Mary.
Food was plentiful but Mary felt no hunger. No matter how hard she tried she could not get her thoughts off later in the evening when she would perform her wifely duties. The idea of Decimus intimately touching her made her sick, and she did not know what she would do.
Reena leaned close to her. “You worry.”
“It is not as easy as I thought it to be,” she whispered.
“Feign illness.”
Mary leaned closer. “And put off my duties for one day?”
“Two maybe three if the illness is good.”
“A short reprieve.”
“I can help, as will Old Margaret,” Reena assured her.
“I think my appetite returns.”
“It must, so we have something to blame it on,” Reena murmured. “Eat food your husband avoids. I will see that a few others complain of being ill.”
“Not hungry, wife?” Decimus asked, turning to her.
“Famished, my lord,” Mary said and glanced over his plate before filling hers high.
Surprisingly Decimus did not protest when voices were raised in song. But when Magnus requested that Mary sing a song, her husband’s nostrils flared. She looked to him for permission, for truth be told she wished to sing. It could very well be her last chance to raise her voice in song.
Everyone waited for Decimus to grant his wife permission, and when he finally granted it the hall broke out in a cheer.
Mary thanked him, stood, and walked around to the front of the dais.
“I will sing a song of love, for it is strong in my heart this day.”
No one need know that the love she spoke of was not for her new husband but for another. And she intended to sing it from her heart.
She started softly, her words clear and crisp, the melody heavenly. Then soon she raised her voice higher and higher until she sounded like an angel from the heavens. She mesmerized everyone in the hall, tears filling many eyes.
And as she finished, she crossed her arms over her chest and bowed her head.
Silence filled the great hall for a moment and then the crowd broke into wild cheers and applause. Shouts that she sing again rang clear and feet were stamped to encourage her to continue.
They were soon silenced when Decimus stood.
Mary dutifully returned to the chair beside her husband and sat. The hall remained silent for a few moments and then whispers began and soon turned louder until celebrating voices returned.
Decimus turned to her after the voices grew louder. “Who is the love in your heart for, dear wife?”
“For many, my lord,” she said without hesitation.
He leaned closer. “Will you find room in your heart for me?”
“Is it not my duty?”
He stared at her silently and then without saying a word turned away.
With Decimus’s attention focused elsewhere, Reena urged in a whisper, “Eat a bit more.”
Mary did, helping herself to a piece of pie that no one had touched. She had to force herself but then maybe it was best her stomach did feel upset. It would make it easy to feign her illness.
The day turned to dusk and night drew near. Mary knew there was little time left to her and that she would soon need to complain about not feeling well. She had grown quiet and lethargic resting back in her chair.
Reena patted her hand and nodded her approval.
All was ready for Mary to make her move when the front doors of the hall burst open and a man came running in to drop down on one knee in front of Decimus.
“An urgent message, my lord,” he said.
The man looked as if he had been riding hard and long, dirt and sweat covering him from head to toe.
Decimus stood and walked around the dais, ordering the man to follow him. He intended for no one to hear the message.
They left the hall, Decimus’s men quickly gathering together as if awaiting orders.
Mary grew nervous and Reena took her hand.
“Perhaps you will not need to feign an illness tonight after all, perhaps the heavens have intervened for you.”
“Then my prayers will have been answered,” Mary said.
Decimus entered the hall and looked to his men. “Ready yourself. We leave immediately.”
Mary was too stunned to speak.
Reena was not. “My lord, she needs time to pack her belongings, perhaps you should see to your duties and return for her in a few days time. We will have her ready for you then.”
“How considerate of you, but unnecessary,” Decimus said firmly. “Mary has few belongings, and it should take her little time to get them together. And of course with your help there should be no problem.”
Decimus turned to Magnus. “See that she is packed and waiting at the front doors immediately.” He then turned and walked out of the hall.
There was little time to protest and less time to say goodbye. Her few clothes and belongings were quickly packed. She was rushed to the front door of the keep just as Decimus’s coach pulled to a stop before the steps.