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

I to do? I can’t go on like this. With everything else, I must endure Rizpah’s scorn day after day. She hates me.”
    Rachel looked surprised. “Nathan tells me only good things about Rizpah, how she looks after you and worries about you.”
    Mary waved a hand. “Only when they are present. She wishes to be the wife of Beriah and resents me. When no one is there but the two of us, she barely speaks to me. She tells me I am cursed by HaShem and I am troubling the household.”
    Her mother sat back. “Are you sure? You are not just imagining things because you are tired?”
    “No, it has been going on since the day I came to the household as a new bride. She has made her feelings for me clear.”
    Rachel was thoughtful for a while. “I will speak to your father. It is possible that he can persuade Nathan to choose another companion for you. I will not have my daughter suffer under that woman’s cruel words.”
    Mary sighed with relief. She could not bear to think of having to put up with Rizpah another day.
    She rose and turned toward the gate. “I will await word from Father.”
    Eliab was still standing by his shelter. As she approached him, he smiled at her. “You are well today, mistress?”
    “Yes, Eliab.” She glanced back at her mother watching her. She wanted to ask Eliab about her father, for her mother would not talk about it. She would not be able to ask today either.
    Eliab held out the small figure he had been carving.
    She looked up at his dark face and beamed. “Thank you, Eliab. I shall treasure this. It’s beautiful.” She turned the animal over in her hand, noting the find details of his workmanship.
    “Take care, mistress.”
    Suddenly her heart felt lighter and she walked back to her home holding the little carving tightly. Perhaps someday she would have a child to give it to. She looked down at the figure and wondered why he had chosen to give her this animal. Maybe it signified what she was to him, a lamb.

15
    T hree years passed and there was no change. No child grew within her, and little by little she’d been forced to give up her household duties. She just couldn’t manage.
    This morning Mary sat in the shade of the sycamore tree, her flowing hair disheveled, for she could not bear the touch of a brush to her head. Her eyes were red from lack of sleep. The dull pain in her head seemed to roll on and on in ceaseless waves. She couldn’t open her eyes, for the blinding sunlight only made the pain worse.
    Mary was grateful for the gentle hands and soothing voice of Keturah, a young widow Huldah found for them to take the place of Rizpah. There was a distinct difference in the household when Rizpah left, which was soothing to Mary. Fortunately Rachel had persuaded Jared to talk to Nathan. Thinking Mary had exaggerated the situation, Nathan returned to the house in the middle of the day out of curiosity and lingered outside the gate, to see what he could see and hear.
    It was unfortunate for Rizpah, who chose that moment to vent her frustration on Mary.
    “You are a useless woman. You cannot even take care of your own household. I can’t imagine what kind of a wife you are to a fine young man like Nathan. This would have been my home had you not interfered and turned them away from me—” She was halted in midsentence as Nathan stormed in the gate.
    “Leave this house and do not return, ever!” he thundered at her as she fled from the terrible anger in his face.
    She covered her head with her hands as she left, as though fearful he would strike her. Her mouth worked, but she could find no words. Mary knew Nathan had heard the abusive words Rizpah said to her.
    Mary began to weep in relief and he wrapped his arms around her. “You shall not endure that woman another moment, beloved. I shall find someone else for you, someone who has a kinder spirit.”
    “Oh, Nathan. How can you keep loving me? I didn’t like Rizpah, but her words were true. What use am I?”
    “You are dear to