The Stonecutter: A Herod Chronicles Novella by Wanda Ann Thomas

Author:Wanda Ann Thomas [Thomas, Wanda Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-07-29T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Mary knocked on Alexandra's bedchamber door. “Do you have a moment?”

“Come in, dear.” Alexandra's voice was a soft murmur.

Mary hurried to the bed. “Are you ill?”

Alexandra raised her hand to her forehead. “My head aches, but lying down helped.”

Mary gnawed her lip. “What can I do?”

“Sit and tell me what’s troubling you.”

“It's nothing.” Mary had hoped to discuss Cephas’s renewed proposal before bringing it up with her mother and Nathan, but didn’t want to burden Alexandra while she was feeling unwell.

Nathan strode through the door, crossed to the bed, knelt on one knee, and clasped Alexandra's fingers. “Rhoda said you weren't feeling well.”

Alexandra brightened like she always did in Nathan’s presence. “My feet are a bit swollen and my head aches. And I could hear Bartholomew's raised voice coming through the window.”

Nathan glanced back at Mary and winked. “A simple misunderstanding. You would have been proud of our Sweet Lamb.”

Mary's mother sailed into the room. “Good, you are both here. Mary needs to speak to you about Cephas.”

“Mother,” Mary complained.

Her mother scowled back. “Mary of Rumah, I see the excuses ready to jump off your tongue. I won't allow you to delay marrying. And Cephas is far from a beardless youth. His family will be anxious to have him choose a wife.”

Alexandra struggled to a sitting position. “You plan to accept Cephas's marriage proposal?”

Mary nodded. “Cephas is kind and makes me laugh.”

Nathan sat and encouraged Alexandra to rest her weight against him. “Cephas will be blessed to call you wife.”

Any couple sharing half the love Nathan and Alexandra did would have the happiest of marriages. Mary's heart told her she and Cephas were on their way to an equally loving and joyous union. She hugged her arms around her. “It would please me to have you and mother speak to Cephas and his father about marriage arrangements.

Her fretful mother cracked a rare smile. “Go put on your new white tunic.”

Mary reached for her mother's red-chapped hands. “I'm sorry for the worry I caused.”

The sound of a baby howling carried through the window.

A wave of uneasiness passed through Mary.

Alexandra sat up and turned ghostly white. “I'm going to be sick.”

Mary's mother grabbed an empty basket and held it under Alexandra's chin. Vomit spewed into the basket.

Brow furrowed in worry, Nathan patted Alexandra's back. “What can I do?”

Sweat dotting her forehead, Alexandra slumped against Nathan. “A wet cloth to wipe my mouth would be nice.”

Mary's mother rushed toward the door. “I will go find Gada.”

“I don't need the midwife,” Alexandra protested.

“Mary, why are you standing there like a frightened kitten?” her mother scolded. “Get Alexandra a cup of water and a wet rag.”

“Sorry,” Mary stammered, wringing her hands. What was wrong with her? Her mother was the worrier and hand-wringer. Something Mary had sworn she'd never do. She rushed to the washstand, poured water into a cup and wet a clean cloth. Hands shaking, she carried them to Alexandra. “I hate to see you unwell. What else can I do?”

Alexandra smiled. “I feel much better now.

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