labor. How does that bring freedom?â
It frees the mind .
âAnd if peasants speak, they are persecuted.â
No hope in silence. No hope. No life .
âIt is dangerous to think that way. The peasant is taught to serve lord and master. That is his lot in life: service.â
Who do you serve?
âSome say the devil.â
She shook her head.
He held out his arms. âDarkness is born from the depths of hell.â
Darkness is born of ignorance .
âWho taught you such dangerous knowledge?â
She stuck her chin up then wrote, My father .
His tone softened. âHe must have been a brave man.â
Sadness and sorrow filled her; she missed her father very much. Very brave .
âThen you truly are your fatherâs daughter.â
She smiled. Thank you .
âHe would be proud of you.â
She nodded, recalling how just before her father had been taken away, he had expressed his pride in her bravery. She was barely eleven years old yet was proud of her; it had shined in his eyes and smile whenever he had looked at her. Those memories kept her father alive in her mind.
âHe was accused of heresy?â Michael asked reluctantly.
She nodded and asked her own question. Your sister?
âHer innocence caused her to suffer.â His anger returned. âShe trusted, she believed in good and gave no thought to evil. She would care for the ill, help the injured animals, and love those others would shun. She had an angelic heart and soul.â
Precious woman .
âTo me she was precious.â He shook his head and turned to stare at the stream. âI was as precious to her as she was to me. She loved me, believed in me, andââ
With a vicious toss the fishing pole went flying into the stream. âShe loved me, trusted me, and I failed her.â
Mary placed her hand on his arm and he turned his head abruptly to see her shaking her head, denying his admission.
âShe loved me and I failed her,â he reiterated adamantly.
Mary shook her head just as adamantly.
âYou know not of what you speak. She suffered and I did nothing.â Anger and pain punctuated his words. âShe loved me and I failed her. I will not see that happen again.â
Mary understood now why he refused to love, but she refused to allow him his pity. She swallowed hard, recited a silent prayer, squeezed his arm and said aloud, âI love you.â
Chapter 12
M ichael was too stunned to speak. He had ached to hear her voice and had never expected these words to be the first to spill from her lips. They tore at his heart; his soul wept with sorrowâfor upon hearing her words, her voice, his response was not what he had thought it would be. âYou cannot love me.â
She smiled and raised a defiant chin. âAye, I can.â
He reached out and stroked her neck. âIt does not pain you?â
âNay, I think I have finally healed.â
The beauty of her voice was like a gentle lyric to his senses, and he smiled though she could not see it.
âI will hear your voice much now.â
âIs that a plea I hear or regret?â
Peels of gentle laughter poured from her, and he favored the sound that seemed to rain down around him.
âI have yet to decide.â
âI knew I detected humor in you,â she said and coughed, clearing her throat of a sudden tickle.
He gently massaged her throat. âI know how much you must want to talk but be careful. Your voice probably still mends.â
âWise advice, which undoubtedly I will have difficulty following.â
âThere is nothing that important that needs immediate discussion.â
She reached up to touch his face. âAye, there is. I love you and I think you love me.â
He stood abruptly and paced in front of her, the hem of his robe growing wet from the waterâs edge.
âLove is not possible for us.â
âWhy?â
A simple enough question requiring a much
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