One of Decimus’s men rushed into the hall and, after a respectful bow to Decimus, said, “The men are returning, my lord.”
He waved him away and summoned a servant working in the hall. “See that food is brought to our guests and rooms prepared.” He looked to Magnus. “I must see to my duties. Do not get in the way of my men or the workings of this fortress, or you will pay the penalty.”
Magnus waited until Decimus left the hall before he turned to his wife.
Her words prevented his own. “Mary is pregnant.” She lowered her voice. “And I do not think Decimus is the father.”While Thomas and Magnus set up camp for their men outside the fortress, Reena decided to see what she could learn on her own.
An hour later with a food tray in hand, she joined Brigid. The two women sat at the table near the window and talked in whispers, not wanting to wake Mary.
“I find few who are happy here, and those who claim to be speak out of fear,” Reena said. “One woman wishes she could take Jenna’s place as Mary’s personal servant. Jenna had often spoken of how kind and considerate the lord’s new wife was and many had been jealous. Jenna had also defended Mary against gossip.”
“What gossip?” Brigid asked.
Reena looked to the bed where Mary lay sound asleep. She kept her voice low just the same. “There is talk that Mary was with child before coming to the fortress.”
Brigid shook her head. “But then that would mean that Decimus is not—” Brigid gasped then quickly covered her mouth with her hand and cast an anxious glance to the bed.
“Mary sleeps deeply, probably exhausted by her worries and all she has endured.”
“The father could only be . . .” Brigid looked around the room suspiciously. “The walls have eyes and ears, one can never be too careful.”
“True,” Reena agreed, casting her own suspicious glance. “We will need to be cautious.”
“Do you think the babe is why Mary summoned us?”
“What else could it be?” Reena kept her voice to a murmur. “We must help her get away from Decimus before it is too late.”Chapter 34Mary woke to a faint flicker of light from the fireplace. Though summer was near upon them, the stone fortress retained a chill and a low fire was kept in the fireplaces.
She was grateful for the spark of light, unafraid of the shadows that lurked in the corners and around the edge of the bed. The darkness meant she had slept the day away. She had no sense of time and felt as if she could sleep several more hours. Her stomach, however, was the culprit that woke her. She was reminded that she had not eaten in nearly a day.
Unfortunately she did not feel like moving. She was warm and snug beneath the soft, light wool blanket. She yawned more loudly than she intended and her stomach grumbled right afterward.
“Hungry and tired?” The familiar voice asked from the shadows.
Mary smiled as Decimus stepped into the light. Perhaps it was the old familiar voice that made her feel at ease with a face that was yet not recognizable as the man she loved.
“I thought myself alone.” She reached her arms out to him.
He sat on the bed and slipped into her arms, lifting her up to meet him and hugging her as if it had been months since last he held her.
“I would not leave you alone,” he chided.
She laughed softly at his rebuke.
He poked her in the side where he knew it tickled. “You no longer fear the all-powerful Decimus?”
She captured his finger in her hand, holding it prisoner. “I no longer fear Decimus.” She lowered her voice. “I know his secret.”
He leaned closer and whispered. “What is it?”
She touched her lips faintly to his. “He has a loving and caring heart.”
“That’s a dangerous secret to know.” He returned her kiss.
“I would go to my grave with it.”
He stopped, about to kiss her once again. “You will do no such thing. If ever you should find yourself in danger of protecting my identity, you will save yourself.”
“How can you ask that of me? And besides, I would be put to death for consorting with you no matter what information I surrendered.”
He stood and grabbed hold of his head as though he prevented it from exploding. “I cannot bear the thought of you suffering for loving me.”
“I would suffer more if I did not love you.”
His browed wrinkled and he looked confused. “Sometimes you make no sense.”
“That,” she said, attempting to sit up and he hurrying to assist her, “is when I make the most sense.”
Decimus braced pillows behind her back. “We shall discuss this and other matters while you eat, then you can rest again.”
“Is it late, everyone abed?”