A Lineage of Grace Read Online Free PDF

noticed you last year when we brought the sheep to your father’s fields. I suppose that’s why my father thought you might do as my wife.” His gaze moved down over her. “He doesn’t know me very well.”
    She did not fault Er for the hurtful words. She felt he was justified. After all, her heart had not leaped with joy when Judah came and offered a bride-price for her.
    “You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?”
    If she said no, it would be a lie. To say yes would be unwise.
    His brow rose. “You should be afraid. I’m angry, or can’t you tell?”
    She could, indeed, and couldn’t guess what he would do about it. She remained silent, acquiescent. She’d seen her father in rages often enough to know that it was better to say nothing. Words were like oil on a fiery temper. Her mother had told her long ago that men were unpredictable and given to fits of violence when provoked. She would not provoke Er.
    “Cautious little thing, aren’t you?” He smiled slowly. “At least you keep your wits about you.” He came toward her. “You’ve heard things about me, I’ll bet.” He brushed his fingers against her cheek. She tried not to flinch. “Have your brothers carried stories home?”
    Her heart beat faster and faster.
    “As my father said, you’re mine now. My own little mouse to do with as I wish. Remind me to thank him.” He tipped her chin. His eyes glittered coldly, reminding her of a jackal in the moonlight. When he leaned down and kissed her mouth, the hair on the back of her neck rose. He drew back, assessing her. “Believe the rumors, every one of them!”
    “I will try to please you, my husband.” Heat poured into her cheeks at the quaver in her voice.
    “Oh, no doubt you will try, my sweet, but you won’t succeed.” His mouth curved, showing the edge of his teeth. “You can’t.”
    It took only a day of the weeklong wedding celebration for Tamar to understand what he meant.

TWO

    Tamar tensed as she heard Er shouting inside the house. Bathshua was shouting back at him. Even with the midday sun beating down upon Tamar’s back, her sweat turned cold. Judah had summoned his eldest son to assist with the flocks, but it seemed Er had plans of his own. Er’s temper was hot enough now that he would seek out some way to vent it, and his wife would be an easy target. After all, no one would interfere.
    Keeping her head down, Tamar continued hoeing the rocky patch of soil Bathshua had assigned to her care. She wished she could shrink to the size of an ant and scurry down a hole. Inside the house, the ranting of son and raving of mother continued. Tamar knelt once, fighting against frightened tears as she pried a large rock from the ground. Straightening, she tossed it toward the growing pile nearby. In her mind she built a wall around herself, high and thick, with a clear sky above. She didn’t want to think about Er’s temper and what he might do to her this time.
    “She’s losing her hold on him,” Acsah said grimly as she worked a few feet away.
    “It does no good to worry, Acsah.” The words were uttered more to remind herself than Acsah. Tamar kept working. What else could she do? Four months in Judah’s house had taught her to avoid her husband whenever possible, especially when he was in a bad temper. She’d also learned to hide her fear. Her heart might race with it, her stomach be tight as a knot, her skin cold and clammy, but she dared not reveal her feelings, for Er relished fear. He fed upon it.
    “A pity Judah isn’t here.” Acsah made a sound of disgust. “Of course, he’s never here.” She hit the hard ground with her hoe. “Not that he can be blamed.”
    Tamar said nothing. Her mind worked frantically, searching for an escape and finding none. If only Judah hadn’t gone ahead. If only he’d taken Er with him in the first place, rather than send a servant back later to fetch him. When Judah was present, Er could be managed. When he was absent, Er ran wild. The