Magnus led them to an area where they could sit on the edge of the rise and look down upon the keep and the surrounding village.
While the view was beautiful Mary had no time to spare to enjoy it. She gave a quick glance over the land to see that Decimus’s men were gathered for breakfast around their campfire. She had not spied Decimus and assumed he was still asleep, at least she hoped he was.
“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.