She complied wordlessly.
He seemed to have difficulty meeting her gaze. He looked at the floor and asked, “Are you happy with your new marriage?”
She didn’t know what to say. He was the son of the diviner. If she told him how she really felt, he might report back to his father. If she didn’t say anything, he might assume she actually wanted to be married to that old man. She hesitated for several more seconds.
When she didn’t speak immediately, he finally looked at her. The expression on her face must have told him what he needed to know. “I am so sorry this happened to you, Hannah.”
His apology meant that he wasn’t in sympathy with what his father had done. That was good. Maybe there was a chance to fix things after all. “I’d rather be married to you,” she offered shyly.
Unfortunately, his reaction wasn’t what she’d hoped for. The blood drained out of his face. “I… uh…” He stammered and cleared his throat. “Um…I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Then why did you want to talk to me?” She was on the point of tears. It seemed she wasn’t to be allowed to break free from her prison after all.
He steadied himself. “To tell you how sorry I am about all this. If there is anything I can do to make it up to—”
“But there is.” She cut across his words. “You can tell your father that you want me back!”
“He would never agree to that,” Daniel protested, squirming in his seat.
Tears of frustration and despair were running down her face now. “But you could try at least! Maybe it would make a difference!”
“It wouldn’t,” he countered in a small voice.
Deep down, she knew he was right. Abraham would never let her go. She wiped the tears away with her apron, leaving streaks of flour on her cheeks.
“Here now,” he said gently, removing the smudges on her face with his handkerchief. “You mustn’t grieve so.”
She stared at him as a new thought occurred to her. “You really never wanted to marry me, did you?”
He dropped his eyes. “No, I’m sorry. That was my father’s idea, not mine.”
“Then why didn’t you say something to him while there was still time?” she asked plaintively.
He gave a bitter laugh. “By now you’re familiar with my father’s temperament. He can’t be dissuaded once he’s made up his mind about something.”
“No, I suppose not,” she agreed in a weak voice, feeling all the hope drain out of her once again.
He took her hands in his. “Look at me, Hannah.”
She forced herself to return his gaze.
“I truly am sorry for all of this. I wanted you to know that. If there is anything I can do to make your lot easier to bear, please tell me.”
She noted the anguish in his expression and believed he was sincere. A frightening and audacious plan began to take shape in her mind, but she had to be sure first. She tilted her head, considering. “You’ve been to the Fallen Lands more than any of us, haven’t you?”
He nodded uncertainly, releasing her hands. “Yes, that’s true. I’ve seen many parts of the outer world. More than almost anybody in the compound except perhaps for father himself.”
“Is it really as bad as they say? Do people murder each other in the streets? Are all the women painted harlots?”
Daniel laughed. “No, it’s actually not like that at all. I was surprised when I first saw for myself how things are out there. It’s not as clean as here, and certainly more disorganized with everyone going their own way but the people…” He furrowed his brow. “I don’t know how to explain them. They’re like us only they don’t seem to worry as much.”
“That doesn’t sound so terrible,” Hannah commented.
“No, it’s not.”
His description gave her courage to launch her plan. She tried to keep her next words casual. “You said you wanted to make things up to me. Maybe there is a way.”
“Anything! Name it.”
“I think I’d like to know more about the Fallen Lands. How people act and dress and how they travel about. Will you come visit me from time to time and tell me about them?”
He seemed taken aback. She knew that exhibiting curiosity about the outer world was considered an abomination. A sure sign of the devil’s influence.
She watched him closely. Everything depended on the next few seconds. Would he realize why she wanted to know and, more importantly, would he help her?
He stared at her in silence, a look of shock and understanding dawning on his face. And then he seemed to reach a decision in his own mind. “Why yes. I see no harm in that. Of course, I’ll tell you anything you’d like to know.”
She needed to be sure he wouldn’t betray her, so she nudged him one step further. “Can we keep this just between ourselves?”
He gulped and nodded. “Y…yes. Of course. Just as you say. Between ourselves.”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “Thank you, Daniel. I’ll feel much better about things if you just do that much for me. It will make all the difference.”
He seemed both relieved that she’d forgiven him and troubled because he must suspect how she was going to use that information.
“Whenever you want to talk about the Fallen Lands, send for me. I’ll be there. I promise.” He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead just as he’d done on their wedding night, only this time she fancied there was some genuine emotion behind that kiss. “Goodbye, Hannah. Until next time.”
“Goodbye Daniel and thank you.”
He got up and left her sitting alone in the chapel.
She smiled to herself. All wasn’t lost. She would have her freedom after all. Whether he knew it or not, Daniel was going to
