Read Mary Magdalene: A Novel Online

Authors: Diana Wallis Taylor

Tags: #C429, #Extratorrents, #Kat

Mary Magdalene: A Novel (4 page)

BOOK: Mary Magdalene: A Novel
10.98Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

As she served the bread, Mary glanced their way and felt her hands trembling. Her head began to ache.
Not now
, she prayed silently, beginning to panic,
not now
. She felt a tingling sensation and a sour taste in her mouth. To her intense embarrassment, her body began to twitch as the seizure intensified.

Her mother recognized the symptoms. “Jared!” She grasped Mary’s arm as her father instantly responded. They quickly moved Mary into another room and lowered her onto some cushions. Mary had a brief glimpse of Asa, wide-eyed, observing her with a look of horror on his face.

When Jared returned to the low table, Asa faced him, eyes flashing.

“Then it is true? When I mentioned my bride-to-be’s name at the inn, they told us she is called Mad Mary. And you would have me take a sick woman to wife?” His shrill voice rose with every word. His friend Jonah sat back, his arms folded, a smug look on his face.

Jared’s eyes also flashed in anger. “She is not mad. We do not know the cause of the seizures. No one knows. In between them she is perfectly normal.”

“And children? What would happen to a child if she had one of these fits? You have not told me the whole of this. I do not wish to be saddled with a sick wife.”

Jared rose, his voice surprisingly calm. “I see. And what is your decision then?”

Asa stood also. “I do not wish to go through with the betrothal. She is a beautiful woman, but there are other women available who do not have your daughter’s . . . problem.”

“Very well. I respect your decision. I thought a family member would understand. I won’t keep you, cousin. You will no doubt wish to return to Hebron as soon as possible.”

Rachel approached them quietly. “Mary has recovered. She is sleeping.”

Asa looked from one to the other. Jared knew if Asa and his friend insisted on remaining, the family was duty bound by the laws of hospitality to continue to honor his wishes.

After a moment’s thought, the young man gathered his things. His discomfort was obvious as he bowed and gave them perfunctory words of gratitude for their hospitality.

“There is an inn we passed on the way into the city,” he mumbled. “I’m sure we can find accommodations there. It is on the road back to Hebron.”

“One moment.” Jared entered the house and returned quickly, pressing a small pouch of coins into the young man’s hand. “It is for your journey. It is the least I can do for the trouble we have put you to. I send my regrets to your father, and may HaShem give you a wife more worthy of your desires.”

Asa took the pouch, a puzzled look on his face. It was, under the circumstances, a generous gesture. With a shrug, he nodded his thanks and tucked the pouch in his belt.

When the gate had closed behind the disgruntled suitor and his friend, Jared turned to his wife with a sigh of relief. “He has gone, and may HaShem forgive me, but I am glad.”

Tears pooled in Rachel’s eyes. “It is just as well, my husband, for I was not pleased with him either.” She sighed. “Now what will we do?”

Jared drew her to him, shaking his head. “That, dear wife, we must leave with the Holy One, blessed be his name.”

9

T
o Mary’s sorrow and embarrassment, it didn’t take long for word to filter through the neighborhood that the betrothal would not take place. Neighbors came to sympathize with Jared and Rachel.

“The young man was not suitable.”

“You will find a more worthy young man, Jared.”

“How could you know—good riddance I say.”

“You are well rid of him. The Holy One, blessed be his name, will bring another suitor.”

Yet as they spoke words deemed to be a comfort, Mary knew they would return home shaking their heads. No one wanted to marry a young woman afflicted with nightmares and strange seizures.

On the other hand, Mary was elated. She would not have to marry that pompous young man who undressed her with his eyes. The thought of being married to him had terrified her, and with the respite came another time of reprieve from her physical symptoms.

When his relief at Asa’s refusal and departure abated, Jared was filled with remorse.

“Is our only child to remain a virgin the rest of her life?” he cried to Rachel. “Are there to be no grandchildren for our old age?”

With heavy heart Mary resigned herself to living the rest of her life as an unmarried woman—a disgrace to her parents. If her parents became infirm, would she be able to care for them, needing help herself?

Jared took himself off to the boatyard to deal with his customers, but couldn’t help wonder what his friends were really thinking. They would never embarrass him by voicing opinions in his presence, and he didn’t want their pity. Day by day as he wrestled with his thoughts, Jared gradually became aware of a new serenity about Mary. She went about her chores with a peaceful spirit. What miracle was this? Had she been healed by HaShem at last? He shook his head in puzzlement.

To Mary’s delight, Nathan returned, not only to bring the financial scrolls from his father, but to tentatively resume his friendship with her.

Jared watched their faces one day as they talked and a slow realization began to grow. The warmth between the two young people was almost tangible.

He called Mary to him after Nathan had gone. “Child, what is this I see between you and Nathan?”

Mary hung her head but not before he saw the light in her eyes. “He is glad, Abba, that I am not going to marry Asa.”

“And why is he glad?” Jared reached out with one finger and tipped her face up so she must look at him.

“He cares for me, Abba.” Her eyes searched his face for his reaction.

Jared’s eyebrows went up. Why had he not seen this? Had he been so distraught with his own affairs and feelings that this had been going on under his nose?

“I see,” was all he said, but a plan came to mind. He contemplated his daughter, his eyes narrowed. “Thank you for telling me, daughter, I shall think on this.”

Mary looked at him strangely, but when he said nothing more, she reluctantly returned to sweeping the courtyard.

Jared hurried from the house to the shipyard. There was something he must know and right away.

He found Nathan using a plane on the side of one of their fishing boats to smooth the wood. He wore no shirt and sweat beaded on his bare back. Jared noted the muscles in his arms and smiled to himself. A strong man, a healthy man; how had he not seen what a worthy young man this was?

Nathan became aware of Jared’s presence and seemed surprised to find his employer studying him. “Is there something I can do for you, sir?”

“I wish to talk with you, Nathan. Come, sit under that tree with me.” Jared gestured with one arm.

As they sat in the shade, Jared thought about how he might approach the matter on his heart. Finally, he decided to just speak the truth. “When you were last at our home, I observed you speaking with my daughter. There is something between you?”

Nathan’s face was guarded. “I confess that I was not unhappy that she is not to marry the cousin from Hebron.”

Jared leaned forward and repeated the question he’d asked his daughter. “And why is that?”

Nathan hesitated but evidently decided that he would also be honest. “Because I have always loved Mary.”

“And why did you not speak to me of this?”

Nathan waved a hand. “I was about to have my father approach you for Mary’s hand when I received news of her imminent betrothal. It was too late.”

There was one more thing Jared had to know. “You are not put off by her illness?”

“I understand Mary. I could live with that. I would do everything in my power to see her healed.”

Jared could scarcely believe his ears. Was there hope for Mary after all? “And now that the cousin has departed?”

The young man’s face was earnest now. “I still wish to make her my wife. That is, if you would agree.”

Jared stroked his beard. “And Mary’s feelings for you?”

“I believe they are returned.”

Joy leaped in Jared’s heart. Mary would at last have a husband who loved her and would take care of her. The Holy One had answered his prayers.

He smiled and clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “You have answered my concerns, Nathan, and considering what you have told me, I will agree to the marriage.”

Now it was Nathan’s face that lit up with joy. “You will agree?”

“Yes.”

Nathan jumped up and raised both arms to heaven. “Thanks be to HaShem! Thank you!”

Jared smiled to himself and rose slowly. “I will return home and approach my daughter. It is her decision to make. If she says yes, we will arrange the betrothal ceremony.”

Nathan’s eyes shone with joy. “I will look forward to it.”

When Jared reached his home, he nodded to Mary and went into the house to speak with Rachel. He glanced outside to make sure Mary was occupied and spoke in low tones. “Wife, there is a solution to our problem with Mary.”

“A solution? To what problem, her illness?”

He put up a hand for her to lower her voice. “The problem of marriage. I have a husband for her.”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Now, who have you sent for? It will end the same as the matter with your cousin.”

Jared allowed himself a pleased smile as he delivered his momentous news. “It is Nathan. He loves our daughter and now that the other betrothal is off, he wants to marry her.” He ended the last words on a triumphant note.

Rachel stared at him. “So it has taken you this long to see what anyone with eyes can see for themselves?”

“You knew? Why did you not say anything?”

She put a hand on his arm and looked up at him fondly. “You had already sent for your cousin. What good would it do?”

He sighed and sank down on a cushion. “Is the father always the last to know what is going on under his very nose?”

“You were doing what you thought best, dear husband. I understood that. Mary loves you and didn’t want to disappoint you.”

He thought a moment and then rose slowly. “I have been remiss. I shall speak to Mary immediately.” His eyes twinkled. “It appears you will have a betrothal feast to prepare for after all.”

As her father approached her with purpose in his step, Mary looked up. Now what did he have in mind?

“It seems a matter has come to my attention that needs to be resolved immediately.”

Mary regarded him warily and waited.

“It seems a certain young man feels very strongly about my daughter and wants to marry her. Would you be agreeable?”

A slow warmth radiated in her heart. “A certain young man—?” As he stood there beaming at her, the truth began to dawn. She knew. “Nathan? Oh Abba, is it Nathan?”

He nodded, smiling, and was almost bowled over as she threw herself at him in an exuberant embrace.

When Mary and Nathan agreed, her father set the wedding for the fall, in the month of Sivan when the boatbuilding began to slow down for the winter. Nathan’s position in the shipyard would be changed. He would be family and needed to learn the business side of building the boats.

Mary knew Nathan was well-liked among the men and they respected his father, Beriah, who took care of the accounting. Nathan confessed to her that some were apprehensive about the marriage, aware of the problems the family had with her illness, but they all knew it was a love match. In spite of whatever apprehensions they felt about his bride-to-be, they boisterously congratulated him.

BOOK: Mary Magdalene: A Novel
10.98Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Tails and Teapots by Misa Izanaki
Running in Heels by Anna Maxted
One More Shameless Night by Lili Valente
Edith Wharton - Novel 15 by Old New York (v2.1)
Thirteen Guests by J Jefferson Farjeon
Blue Knight by Tracy Cooper-Posey
Beneath an Oil-Dark Sea by Caitlin R. Kiernan
Robin Lee Hatcher by Loving Libby