Page 85 of The Noble Servant

“Oh, I like that. I wanted to ask you before, how do you know so much Scripture? I only know a few passages that the priest taught my sisters and me, besides what’s in my Psalter.”

“I only had a Psalter and a Book of Hours before I went to the university, but we studied all the Scriptures there. I even had the entire Bible translated for me in German.”

“Oh.”

She didn’t say anything else. Did she disapprove? Did it surprise her?

“I wish I could read it in German.”

He considered telling her that she could, and often, if she married him. But Magdalen might still be excited aboutnothaving to marry.

His heart sank a little.

“When all is well again in Wolfberg, you can stay as long as you like and read it.” There. His sister would be proud of him for his gentle invitation.

Magdalen swallowed the lump that came into her throat. He was talking of her staying in Wolfberg to read his Bible, as if she were no temptation to him at all, just a common guest like any other.

Why did she care? She’d promised herself she’d never care for him in that way. But the tears that pooled behind her eyes were proof that she had broken that promise.

At least he couldn’t see her.

“I think, when I am back in Mallin, I shall commission someone to translate a copy of the Holy Writ for me. I shall be rich enough after our mines are operating again.” She’d have her own Bible. She wouldn’t need to read his.

“Oh. Yes, you could do that.”

Why did he sound sad? Men were beyond comprehending.

They lay quietly in the dark. Why wasn’t he talking? Had she hurt his feelings by not accepting his offer to come and read his Bible?

“Is there anything you need?” he asked. “Can I get you your water flask?”

“Thank you, but I am well.”

“I’ll let you go to sleep then.” Neither of them spoke.

With the assurance that Steffan was nearby keeping watch over her, she drifted back to sleep, trying not to think about the man who had attacked her or the bad dream that had awakened her.

Magdalen and Steffan stood just outside the entrance with the sun shining down through the trees. The horses were grazing on what grass they could find, and Magdalen prayed Lord Hazen’s men would not find them at this mine, which was not on his map.

“That looks very bad.” Steffan’s tone and expression were both somber as he stared at the side of her forehead.

Magdalen carefully touched the bump on her head, then tried to cover it with her hair. “It doesn’t hurt.”

He gave her that quizzical, doubtful raise of one eyebrow.

“It feels sore if I touch it, but it doesn’t throb like it did last night. I am well now.” She smiled as cheerfully as she could.

“Are you sure you do not want to try to get to your home in Mallin?”

“I want to go to Wolfberg. If Lenhart was able to make it home without getting captured, then I don’t need to go. And if my letter reaches Thornbeck, Avelina and Lord Thornbeck will come to Wolfberg, and I want to be there when they arrive.”

“It will be dangerous.”

“I would rather face danger than explain things to my mother. So what is our strategy?”

“I think our goal is covertness rather than speed. But we do need to go into the village to replenish our supply of food and water. You can go with me, but someone might recognize you and draw attention to you, and Lord Hazen could be nearby. Will you be all right to stay here while I go?”

“I think so.”