Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“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.
She barely had given Reena a hug when Decimus appeared and grabbed her arm.
“We leave now.”
With a tug and a push she was deposited in the coach, and before she realized she had not bid Magnus goodbye the coach took off. This was not how she expected her departure to be. She wanted time to thank everyone for their generosity and support and to urge them to stay in touch with her so that Decimus could not fully isolate her from the world.
Decimus sat quietly alongside her, looking deep in thought as the coach traveled with haste along a rutted path. She was jostled and jarred and wondered how Decimus could appear undisturbed by their bumpy ride.