Lifting her head, she worked a watery smile, “I am well… truly. I only saw one of them–Ian.”
Jaw tight, Richard turned toward the men around them. “We were waylaid as you well know… but what we left out was that they acted beyond highwaymen and kidnapped us for ransom,” Richard began, the truth of their being kidnapped artfully avoiding anything which might injure the lie of their being married. “We escaped, but we both angered one man in particular, Ian. Mary bested him, and we left him tied to a tree–the man having claimed more of his men were close behind–in any case, it seems he, if not the others, have followed us here. We would understand should you ask us to leave.”
“Leave?” Mr. Johnson questioned. “With you and your wife on foot? No. I think I speak for everyone here when I say, we would not be so cowardly.”
Cries of agreement rising, Mary looked upon the men with thankful awe.
“It might be dangerous,” Richard warned. “If you do allow us to remain, I think certain precautions should be taken.”
“Naturally,” Mr. Johnson answered. “Patrols need to be formed, weapons worn, and no one ought to walk alone–least of all our women and children.”
“Are you certain?” Mary frowned as all the precautions were laid out. “I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, but to upturn the lives of your families?”
“Some things are worth fighting for. Besides,” he teased, “my wife would have me sleeping with the livestock if I let you two set off with such a man on your heels.”
Lips lifting, she nodded as she and Richard accepted their help, though her thoughts turned into a silent prayer.
Please, Lord. I know I have asked for speed in our leaving before, but let it be made so, if only so these who help us might be freed from danger. They are innocent, as are we, and I ask for your protection in all this.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
∞∞∞
Finding as comfortable a rock to sit on as she might outside of the Johnsons’ home, Mary allowed herself a moment’s quiet, the yellow glow of the morning a welcome distraction from her worries and exhaustion, though nothing could fully ebb their flow.
Even with the addition of an armed patrol, people spoke of there being half-glimpses or shadows of figures. Always at night, each had come and gone before any proof might be found, save once when the footprints of three men were left near one of the houses. After that, a second patrol had been formed, and hour by hour the sightings began to lessen. This ought to have eased Mary’s mind, and yet, seeing how the women and children never left home unaccompanied, or how men were forced to walk a patrol instead of working, left little but guilt within.
A day more, maybe three,Mary reminded herself,and she and Richard would be seated in a coach, their departure drawing Ian and any with him away.
Standing, Mary glanced at the house behind her, well aware none inside would be pleased to find her there alone.
Fingers pulling at her sleeve, the place where she had once had a bandage feeling strange, she frowned as she considered the way things had become in recent days.No more did she visit Richard wherever he worked, and even simple things such as hanging out the wash Mrs. Johnson would insist upon helping with. She had balked at first, the prickle of injured pride unpleasant, yet, in the wisdom of Richard and her friends, she could not argue. For while danger lurked for all, it had been proved she remained a target; one which Ian would not willingly leave.
A chill meeting her, Mary cast her gaze over the golden mist, the beauty hidden by insecurity.Ian could be anywhere.
Foolish,she berated herself.Being out here alone after everyone has sought long and hard to keep us safe is foolish… and ungrateful.
Turning to make her way inside, Mary started at the sight of a figure, heart racing until she made out the familiar form of Richard. Face brightening as it always did in his presence, she observed him draw nearer, his attire unfinished and the faint trace of a pull between his eyes.
“You had me worried,” he said as he sat beside the rock she had enjoyed, a hand gesturing for her to sit.
Nodding sheepishly, she took her seat, “I know. It. That is, even so near the house I might have been…”
“Taken?” Richard finished sadly. “I suppose I should have followed you sooner,” he said as he observed her wrapping the fabric of her dress around and around, “but, having been confined to this house or always forced to be with someone, I thought you might require a moment alone–or the appearance of being alone. You cannot imagine how many times I have wished to do just what you did.”
“But you never did?” she questioned.
Shrugging, he said, “I suppose knowing there is to be an end to things helped… And knowing that, should anything happen to me, I could not protect you.”
“It would seem you were far more considerate than I.”
“No, not more considerate. I have had more freedoms than you–being able, with a few men, to go work or on patrol. I admit I would rather your going out alone would not become a habit… but I understand it. Accept it. As I hope you accept my apology, for not allowing you the freedom you crave.”
She had wanted to be alone,Mary considered as she viewed him.She had wanted it more than she could put into words… Yet, she had found only a moment’s peace before worries had poured in and the childish danger of going out alone had set in.
With a nod she answered, “It is Ian and the men with him who have denied me my freedom, not you. You do not need my forgiveness, but I ask yours. I had such a feeling of being caged in, of being a prisoner in that damp, dark cellar again. I craved some moment of freedom, of feeling the first rays of sun… but I must learn to be patient. A few days and we may be gone from here, then we both can walk unafraid.”
