Read Online Mary Magdalene: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor - Free Book Online

were nearly ready for harvest. She purchased what she needed and lingered at the leather shop, examining a pair of sandals. She needed a new pair but did not have enough of her household money to purchase them this day. In spite of the merchant’s persuasive pleas, she would have to talk to Nathan about them first. She turned away from the merchant’s stall and was walking toward home, feeling pleased with her outing, when she felt the familiar signs of a seizure coming on. She looked around anxiously for someone to help her. Her basket fell to the ground as she put her hands to her head to stop the voices that plagued her. She cried out and just as she was slipping into unconsciousness, she felt strong arms lifting her. It was the last she remembered until she woke up at home. Nathan was sitting beside her. She looked up only to see his face dark with anger. Nathan had never been angry with her before, and she cowed back against the cushion.
    “Mary, you are never to go to the marketplace, or anywhere else, alone. Do you understand? Eliab came to the gate and Rizpah told him you had gone to the market. What would you have done if he had not gone to find you? You would be unconscious or worse along the road. What possessed you to go alone?”
    Her voice sounded small in her ears. “I thought I was well enough.”
    His face softened. “It was too soon to tell, beloved. Please do not frighten me again like that. I can deal with it when I’m here, but how can you manage if you are by yourself?”
    “I will not go alone again, I promise,” she answered meekly and looked up at him with large tears running down her cheeks.
    He fell on his knees and gathered her to him. “I could not bear it if I lost you. When Rizpah came to the boatyard to tell me I was needed at home, I feared the worst. From now on, either Rizpah or Eliab must go with you.”
    She nodded against his shoulder. “It will be as you wish, Nathan.”
    He kissed her and sat back. “I must return to work, there is an order of lumber coming in on one of the ships and I must go with Zerah to check the inventory. I will return later. Are you sure you are all right now?”
    She nodded again, not trusting herself to speak. She had been so foolish. As she rose slowly, Nathan helped her up and she walked with him to the gate.
    “Take care, beloved,” he murmured and left.
    Mary turned to see Rizpah watching her with a smug look on her face.
    “Thank you, Rizpah, for sending Eliab.”
    The older woman shrugged. “He watches over you from a distance. Like a hawk, he is.”
    She should have known that her mother or father would have him keep an eye on her. She began to prepare the vegetables for a bitter herb salad, rinsing and drying the watercress and young dandelion greens she had gathered the day before and kept cool in the storeroom. She put Rizpah to work toasting and grinding the mustard seeds and gathering fresh dill and some grapes. She must concentrate on preparing the evening meal. Yet, she felt so tired, so worn out with lack of sleep. Each time the seizures came, and the nightmares that broke the night seasons, she felt strength ebb from her. What was she to do?
    That evening when the meal was over and Beriah had seen Rizpah home, Mary lay in Nathan’s arms with tears in her eyes.
    “How can you stay with me, Nathan? I am weary from my illness and you are going without sleep also. This is no life for you.” She broke away and sat up, her eyes searching his face. Lack of sleep was affecting him also. Fatigue showed in lines on his face. “Divorce me, Nathan. It is your only hope of a normal life.” She put her face in her hands. “I cannot even give you children.”
    He pulled her down to him and held her fiercely. “I will not do that, Mary. There must be some way to set you free. I will find it. There must be someone who can help you. I don’t want a divorce and you are dearer to me than children. Rest, beloved, we will face this together . .