Page 97 of The Darkland

Kirk had helped her understand how to behave with people and how to react. No one had ever done that before. She was coming to see that all of the fighting in the world would not gain her wants with Lionel. The man was determined to marry her no matter what she said which, indeed, left her with little choice. Perhaps she couldn’t fight him, but maybe she could delay him just enough for Kirk to return and save her.

Kirk told her that he had no idea how long he would be in Ireland. A week, a month, a year… or perhaps never. Perhaps he would be killed over there and never return. The thought made her stomach churn and brought tears to her eyes. Face to the wall, she just stood there and cried.

Lily came up behind her and put her arms around her, hugging her. Lionel, watching the two women comfort each other, was feeling particularly frustrated. He had always been a benevolent lord, concerned for his family and his subjects, but at the moment, he felt like a beast.

“Lily,” he barked. “Come with me now.”

Lily was hugging Mara fiercely. “Nay,” she said angrily. “I will not.”

Lionel would not be refuted. “Come with me now or you shall not like my reaction.”

Lily had always shared a wonderful relationship with her father, but the past nine days had seen that deteriorate tremendously. Lily was amiable and sweet, but at the moment, she could only feel anguish. She let go of Mara and went to her father.

“Why are you being so awful?” she hissed. “This is not like you, Father, not at all. What is the matter with you?”

Lionel frowned. In truth, he wasn’t feeling very well; he’d awoken that morning with numbness in his legs and a great sharp pain in his belly. He knew the time was drawing to an end for him and that in part fed his bad mood. He wanted to get the marriage over with, and consummate it, but with Mara claiming she was already pregnant with Kirk’s child, the situation was markedly changed.

If he married her, any child she bore regardless of the father would be claimed as a le Vay. Perhaps that was all he really needed to do; simply marry her. It was the first step and after that, he would figure out the rest. But gazing at his daughter’s angry face, he realized that his first and very necessary step would be to have Lily on his side. If his daughter supported him, then perhaps Mara would calm down and see reason. He could only hope.

“I am sorry,” he said, forcing himself to calm. “I… I am not feeling very well. I am sorry if my manner has been harsh.”

It was much more like the father she knew. Lily went from angry to concern in a flash. “What is the matter?” she asked.

Ah, sympathy. Lionel was wise enough to play it. “My belly pains me greatly this morning,” he said, watching Lily’s concern deepen. “And… and I feel very weak and exhausted. I am not trying to be difficult, but it would help me tremendously if Lady Mara would think rationally and understand what I am offering her. All of this turmoil is upsetting me greatly. It is taxing my health. Lily, please help me, my love. Please help Mara to understand.

Lily was greatly torn. “But… Father, she loves Kirk. She does not want to marry you.”

He patted his belly, a sour look on his face. “My health, daughter,” he repeated softly. “I understand that she loves Kirk. But that will pass. Her duty is to marry me and provide me with a son. You must make her understand this. Don’tyouunderstand it?”

Lily looked at her father with some uncertainty. He knew she understood the mechanics of marriage. She had spent many years in a rather courtly household and Lionel was well aware that she understood the purpose of an advantageous marriage. Still, he could see the reluctance in her eyes.

“I understand,” she said. “But what you are doing is not right. You are hurting two people who never did anything to you, Father. Don’t you see that? Kirk has always been a strong supporter and Mara… well, her only crime is loving Kirk. You are punishing her for being young and in love.”

Lionel could see he wasn’t going to have Lily’s full support. It didn’t matter that they were flesh and blood relatives, closer than most fathers and daughters were. Lily was taking a stand for what she believed in and ithappened to be a stand against him. Lionel didn’t like it. If he couldn’t coerce her into supporting him, then he could force her. Time was growing short and he had to marry Mara no matter what.

“I am not punishing her,” he said, his voice low. “I am not entirely sure why young ladies these days believe that marriage is based on love, but that is a fool’s notion. I have summoned a priest who will be here by dinner. You will have Mara properly dressed for the occasion because whether or not she is ready, I am marrying her tonight at dusk. There will be no more delays.”

Lily was horrified. “Dusk?” she repeated. “Father, surely you….”

He cut her off, unwilling to discuss it further. “I have waited long enough,” he snapped. “Whether we wait nine days, nine weeks or nine months, the result will be the same. Make sure she is ready by dusk.”

With that, he swept from the room without a glance to Mara. She was still standing near the wall, weeping softly. When the door slammed in his wake, she jumped, turning to see who was still left in the room. Only Lily remained, looking drawn and anxious. She approached Mara, haltingly, a sickened expression on her face.

“Oh… Mara,” she breathed. “He is being most unreasonable. He says he has sent for a priest and you will be married at dusk tonight.”

Mara, surprisingly, didn’t fall into hysterics. She simply stared at Lily. The hysteria has been replaced by a steely coldness now that a timeline had been put to her fate. It was shock more than anything, perhaps numbness and a sense of harsh realization. Nine days of fighting hadn’t solved or changed anything. Her future was still set. She turned away from Lily.

“I will not go willingly,” she said.

Lily sighed heavily. “He will call the guards if he has to,” she said. “They will carry you down to the hall. They will hold you through the ceremony and force you to wed my father. Is this truly how you wish to behave?”

Mara looked over her shoulder, her bright blue eyes piercing. “How wouldyoubehave?”

Lily looked pained. She shrugged helplessly. “I do not know,” she whispered. “But I would realize there is no use in fighting. Would I wish for everyone to see me screaming and kicking and being held down by soldiers? I would not. I would not embarrass myself so.”

“Then help me escape.”

“Escape towhere?”