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)
A knock sounded at her door. “Mary, it is Magnus.”
She went to the door and let him in.
“I have been meaning to talk with you,” he said.
He looked burdened. “Come, let us sit by the hearth and talk.”
Mary always thought Magnus was a handsome man, and she thought he was even more so now after seeing him with Reena. They seemed to fit so perfectly together, though he was large and she small, it made no difference. When together there was no doubt the couple were in love.
He reached out and took her hand. “You were always strong. When your parents died and I took you away, you complained not and you shed your tears when you thought I could not hear you. Through the years I watched you grow into a remarkable young woman and . . .”
It seemed hard for him to continue.
“I did not want this for you, Mary. I wanted you free to live your life and to love.”
Mary squeezed his hand. “It is my turn to save you and yours as you once did for me.”
“I did not rescue you so that one day you would rescue me.”
“Perhaps you did. Perhaps this is what was meant to be all along. Perhaps my destiny has always been with Decimus.”
“That is not a thought I wish to consider.”
“Do not worry yourself, Magnus. I am resigned to my destiny. I could not have it any other way. To think that Reena, you, Brigid, Thomas, or anyone here at the keep would suffer because of me is not acceptable to me.”
“I want you to know that I will never stop trying to free you of Decimus.”
She smiled. “That is a good thought for then I will always hope.”
“Reena has hope. She feels there is something more to you wedding Decimus than anyone knows.” Magnus shook his head. “When my wife gets an idea in her head, there is no stopping her.”
“We have talked and what she says does make sense. Why would Decimus hunt me all these years? How did he suddenly find me? And why wed me? There are many other sinners he can reform.”
“Reena believes the man who contacted the Dark One holds the answer. Unfortunately we have not been able to discover his identity.”
Mary threw her hands up in the air in frustration. “That is what I wished to ask him.”
“Ask who what?’
Mary realized her mistake. Magnus knew nothing of her love for Michael. Reena had given her word that she would tell no one and had kept it, though Mary never doubted she would.
“There is something important you are not telling me.”
Mary hesitated, wondering how wise it was for anyone to know of her love for the Dark One. It would place them in jeopardy, which she had already done with Reena. Could she chance doing the same to Magnus?
She chose her words carefully. “The Dark One visits with me to see how I fair. I thought to ask him the identity of the man who requested his help.”
“The Dark One is a good man and was upset when he heard the news that Decimus demanded to wed you.”
She smiled. “He wished to see me safe.”
“He has guided many to safety with no regard to his own well-being. He visits you here in the keep?”
She nodded.
“He should be more careful sneaking in under Decimus’s watchful eye. The man seems to see and know everything.”
“The Dark One seems to know more.”
“Still,” Magnus shook his head. “There is always a chance of him getting caught. Decimus’s men just requested a meeting. They appeared anxious over something. One of them could have spotted the Dark One and they, at this moment, could be setting a trap for him.”
Mary stood. “We should find out.”
“Not an easy task. They are well trained in keeping their own counsel.”
“We can try,” she said, intending to protect the man she loved from harm. If Decimus’s men were out to capture the Dark One, she would see their plans foiled.
By evening nothing had been learned. Decimus’s men remained tight-lipped, sharing nothing with anyone in the village nor were they overheard discussing any news.
Mary wanted the Dark One to visit again soon, and then she did not want him to visit at all. She was selfish in her desire for him, yet concerned for his safety, which meant it would be wiser for him to keep his distance from her.
Then there was her question. Who was the mysterious man who requested the Dark One’s help with Mary? Was he friend or foe? And could he answer her many questions?
The next few days were a whirlwind of activities. Plans for the wedding took priority and everyone in the keep was busy preparing for the ceremony and celebration.
Decimus had given strict orders that the affair be a joyous celebration. Magnus saw no point in arguing that few saw the wedding as a cheerful occasion of Mary’s good fortune. Mary was the reason he agreed to a festive celebration, and the villagers would attend out of duty, fear, and respect for her.