Chapter 9
"Did Kenna send you?" Bash was still sitting, his head lowered and pretended as if he would work.
"Rather the opposite." Mary replied. „She had instructed the nanny to pack her belongings and had asked me to call her a carriage."
His head jerked up. "She want to leave again?" he asked alarmed.
Mary smirked. "Thank you! My question is answered."
"What question?" Bash asked confused.
"The question if you still love her." Mary smiled. „I had no doubt. But after Kenna told me that you'd hate her, I was not so sure."
"I am pleased to hear that the two of you had fun to discuss my emotional life!" Bash said wryly.
"It was not fun!" Mary frowned. „She was in tears, lying on the carpet in your room, when I found her. I don't know what you had told her that she was so upset, but whatever it was, she wanted to leave immediately."
Bash put his piece of wood aside and sighed frustrated. "I didn't mean to hurt her. I was hoping that we could put the past behind us. That we could become friends again."
"You and Kenna?" Mary noted mockingly. "You have never been friends. When Henry had forced you into marriage you didn't even like her!"
She watched his reaction. However, he had lowered his head again.
"Yes, I know. That changed quickly and the two of you fell in love with each other," she continued. "And up there..." she pointed towards the Castle..."is a little boy sleeping in his bed. The offspring of this love." She put her hand on his shoulder. "You owe him to try at least!"
"I don't know if I can..." He looked up to her. "I think I can only hurt Kenna. Everything I say or do she gets it wrong. I think love is not enough to mend what was destroyed between us."
"So you admit that you still love her?"
Bash took a deep breath, before he replied. "I don't know why you enjoy torturing yourself, but yes... if you want to know it ...I love her!"
Mary breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally! I thought you'd never say it."
He frowned confused. "I don't understand you. I mean, are you aware of the consequences of my confession ...what it means for us?"
Mary nodded. "Nothing was ever clearer to me. And believe me, it was not easy for me to come here and ask this question. But it is important for both of us. And let me also tell you..." She stopped and took a deep breath. "...I don't know whether you have noticed but Kenna feels exactly the same way about you."
Bash looked at her startled. "She told you?"
Mary shook her head. "She didn't need to. You could see it in her face. Kenna is like an open book. And it doesn't matter what you do with this knowledge, keep in mind that it's not only about you and Kenna. First and foremost, it's about Daniel. For his sake the two of you should try to make peace with each other."
"You're the most amazing woman I've ever met." Bash said with admiration.
Mary smiled. "I take that as a compliment." She turned to the barn door. "I'm leaving now. I'm sure you'll make the right decision."
He gazed after her thoughtfully as she left the stables.