by Carol Ashby
Miriam had already washed the grapes and cut the cheese. Now she stood at the counter arranging them on the platter she would deliver to Master Titus in the dining room as soon as he came down for breakfast. The bread that she’d baked in the brick oven that was just outside the kitchen door filled the room with the tantalizing aroma that only bread freshly pulled from the oven and laced with rosemary could produce.
As she worked, she sang a psalm of thanksgiving. Early morning was her chance for some quiet time alone with God before everyone else showed up for breakfast. Today, with a new master who seemed both understanding and kind, she had so much to be thankful for.
As Titus stood in the doorway, inhaling the smell of fresh-baked bread, a half-smile accompanied his nod. She was as hard a worker as he’d ever seen and an excellent cook. So far, she’d proven a worthwhile purchase. If she served Claudia as well as she’d performed her other duties, she would have been a bargain at three times what he paid for her.
“I’m ready for my breakfast in the dining room.”
She startled and spun to face him. She bowed, but then she looked at his face, just as he’d told her to do.
“Yes, master.”
He walked through the courtyard to the dining room door. As he entered and sat down at the table, she came through the storeroom carrying the platter. She bowed as she set it before him and retreated to stand by the door, awaiting his next command.
A satisfied smile curved his lips as he looked at the pretty arrangement of the food. He didn’t care how the food looked himself, but it was something that would please Claudia. His smile broadened when he took the first bite of her rosemary-laced bread. The cleanliness of the rooms, the delicious food―Claudia would feel at home here.
“The bread is excellent, Miriam.”
He smiled at her and received a happy smile in return.
“You’ve done a good job cleaning and cooking, but the most important part of your work will be serving my sister Claudia.”
His brow furrowed. He wasn’t quite sure how to describe the problem, but Miriam needed to understand as much as possible if she was to protect his sister from herself.
“In the market, you were right.” He paused as he considered what to say. “My sister has a broken heart. Our father has just been killed. Our brother is responsible for his death, and Claudia has escaped him and come to me. She was very close to Father, and his death...well, nothing seems to console her. She tried to kill herself twice on the trip from Rome. The ship owner who brought her spent much of each day trying to keep her from grieving all the time.
“Your most important task is to keep her safe. At least for a while, you or Nestor must stay with her all the time when I’m not here. She can’t have any opportunity to kill herself. Nighttime is the worst. She has terrible nightmares. You’ll sleep in her room to make sure nothing happens.”
Miriam’s eyes saucered as she stared at the master. He’d already given her the work of two slaves in cooking and cleaning. Now he was giving her one more task that could take all her time both day and night. The enormity of what he was asking―it was impossible for one slave to do it all. Could he not see that? He’d said he was a master who wouldn’t beat her as long as she was trying to do her best, but even doing her best, she could never do the impossible. Would he understand that?
She took a deep breath, and let it out slowly so he wouldn’t notice. God told her the master needed her to help his sister, so there must be some way she could do it all. God would guide her so she could do what his sister needed.
“I’ll do everything I can to keep your sister safe, master.”
She watched his eyes taking her measure. One quick nod told her he’d decided she would.
“I’ll be getting her from Philip’s house when I get off duty late this afternoon. You’ll need to prepare a three-course meal for the two of us.”
“Yes, master.”
At least she’d have time to prepare the meal before her vigil over Claudia began that evening. No problem doing that. She had the morning to finish cleaning the four empty rooms and the courtyard. She’d do the courtyard and then see how many rooms she could complete by early afternoon. If she started the dinner then, the master and mistress would not be disappointed. But how on earth was she to complete her work tomorrow? Or any day after that, for that matter.
The master pushed back his chair and stood. Without another word, he left the dining room and headed for the stable.
Miriam leaned against the dining room wall and tipped back her head. Tears swam in her eyes, and one trickled down her cheek.
“Oh, Jesus, what am I going to do? He’s asking more than is even possible. How am I ever going to do it? How am I going to do even half of it? His sister really does need me. Please, guide me so I can do everything he wants and still keep his sister safe.”
Three times, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she squared her shoulders and flicked the tears from her cheeks. A sense of peace filled her. God would help her do what needed to be done each day. He’d told her the master’s sister needed her. He would also tell her how to help the broken-hearted girl. Somehow it would all turn out the way the Lord intended.
Chapter 46: Missing Philip
Claudia arose at dawn and put on a sky-blue tunic. Philip had said more than once it was his favorite color. She brushed her hair so it flowed down her back. She didn’t bother with a headband. He liked hair natural. When he knocked on her door to invite her to breakfast, she opened it right away.
The warmth in Philip’s eye wrapped around her like a blanket. “Good morning. You’re a lovely sight to begin my day.”
“I can’t think of a better way to start my day than seeing your face, too.”
He grinned at her. “It wouldn’t take much of an imagination to think of something better to see than my face.”
“Stop saying that. You’re not as ugly as you claim to be.” She rested her hand on his scarred cheek and drew her thumb across the ridges. “An eyepatch lends an air of distinction to a man.”
A chuckle accompanied one shake of his head. “Maybe you do have a good imagination. I never heard anyone say that before.”
Philip loved it when Claudia touched his face like that. It was funny how his scars seemed to attract instead of repel her now.
He placed her hand on his arm and led her downstairs to the dining room. His servant immediately brought a platter of fruit and cheese and a loaf of fresh bread to the table.
He spoke very little while they ate. What could he say after her request last night? She said very little; maybe she was afraid to speak of it, too. But it was enough to just sit at the table together, looking at her often. It would be a week before he’d have the opportunity again, and he wanted to store up images to remember.
Finally, he pushed back his chair and stood.
“It’s time. I have to leave now.”
“So soon?”
Claudia’s smile quivered ever-so-slightly, and her eyes looked too moist.
Philip leaned over the table and placed his hand on her cheek.
“Everything will be all right. You’ll be with your brother, and he’ll take good care of you while I’m gone. He’s a good man, and he loves you very much.”
“I know. I should try to be happy. Titus really wants me to be, and I don’t want to be a burden to him by crying too much. But there’s someplace I’d much rather be than with Titus.”
Her wistful eyes tugged at his heart. “I know.”
He knew where he wanted her, too, and it wasn’t with her brother. It was sitting with him playing Conquest, or lying with her head in his lap as he massaged her temple, or even lying on her bed with her hand in his while he read so she could sleep after the nightmares.
But he hadn’t figured out how he could tell her he was a Christian without driving her away. She still hated Christians because she blamed them for her father’s death, and he
really was partly responsible. She probably wouldn’t say she hated him, but could she love him the same once she knew?
Somehow, he had to help her see that becoming a Christian was the best thing that ever happened to her father, even though it led to his death, and that it would be the best thing that could happen to her, too. Then he would tell her how much he loved her and ask her to make him the happiest man alive by becoming his wife.
He’d have a week to pray and think about that as he visited the estates. Maybe by the time he returned, he’d have some idea of what to do. If God intended her to be his wife, He would open her heart to Jesus so the only barrier to their marriage would be gone.
After Philip rose from the table, Claudia stood, too, and offered him her hand. He placed it on his arm, then rested his hand on top of it. She gazed up at his scarred face, and he felt the caress even though she didn’t touch him.
He led her out into the stable yard. His stallion was already waiting for him. He was leaving later than he’d intended, but it was worth it to have spent time with her.
When he mounted his horse, he sat for a moment looking down at her. She placed her hand on his leg. Eyes moistened with unshed tears locked onto his own.
“When will I see you again?” The quaver in her voice was making the leave-taking so much harder.
“About a week.”
“Will you let me know as soon as you come back? And then will you come visit me?”
“Of course.” He grinned down at her, trying to deflect her attention from his departure. “I’ll expect you to engage me in a few games of Conquest. Since discovering what a fine general you are, I’m not satisfied with anyone else as my opponent. It’s not as much fun playing when I don’t lose half the time.”
She gave him a shaky smile. “Half the time? Wasn’t it a bit more than that?”
He chuckled. “I stand corrected, mighty general. You do tend to win three out of five more times than I’d like.”
The longer he talked with her, the harder it was becoming to leave. With one last grin, he kicked his horse and trotted away.
Claudia watched his broad shoulders as he guided the horse through the gate and turned south to catch the main road. She fought back tears as she began to count the days until she could see that wonderful scarred face smiling at her again.
Penelope was weaving while Claudia gazed out the window of the women’s room, and Penelope was worried. She’d tried several times to get Claudia to join in her conversation with Junia, to no avail.
Claudia’s silence was disturbing. Toward the end of the voyage, Claudia had happily sat and chatted with them. She’d seemed like a different person from the sad girl who boarded the ship in Portus. Now that sad girl had returned.
With great satisfaction, Penelope had watched Claudia and Philip fall in love. By the time they docked in Portus, she was certain Claudia would soon be her sister-in-law. There was still the problem of Claudia hating the Christians her father knew, but surely God would change that soon. She didn’t know how, but as soon as He did, Philip would immediately make his official request to Titus. Philip always acted quickly once he decided what he wanted. She had no doubt that he wanted Claudia.
The collection of poems that Philip had been reading to Claudia yesterday lay on the small table beside the couch. Maybe that would cheer up her friend.
“Claudia, would you read to Junia and me for a while?”
Claudia pulled herself out of her sad reflection. Father was dead, and Philip was gone. He was coming back soon, but it still hurt not to have him with her.
“What would you like me to read?”
Penelope waved her hand toward the codex by the couch. “I like that one. Especially those poems you two were reading yesterday.”
Claudia smiled at the prospect. Reading had cheered her up every time she read with Philip. She picked up the codex and opened it to the first poem.
“‘Ever the beauty of sunrise graces my eyes, filling my heart with joy. Oh, for the peace of...’”
She loved this poem. It was the first that she ever read for him that first afternoon when her mind was filled with thoughts of death and loss. She could see him now, leaning back in his chair with his legs stretched out and his clasped hands resting on the back of his head. She could see that contented smile as he watched her or sat with his eye closed, just listening to her voice.
As she continued to read, she longed to see him lounging there in his seaman’s tunic, his brilliant scholar’s mind in his muscled laborer’s body. It was becoming harder to read as she missed him with increasing intensity.
“‘The wind’s caress stirred the grass and made the flowers dance. Such grace...’”
She’d reached the first poem that he read to her. It hurt to hear the words spoken in her voice instead of his.
The words on the page started to blur.
Junia had been enjoying the poetry when Mistress Claudia’s voice began to quaver. She glanced at her friend and saw that stricken look that was so common at the beginning of the voyage.
“Mistress, is something wrong?”
“Yes...I need Philip.” A tear trickled down her cheek. “I’m sorry. I can’t read anymore.”
She clutched the codex to her breast and hurried from the room.
Junia left her loom and followed Claudia onto the balcony in time to see her enter her room and shut the door. Junia followed and knocked. There was no answer except the sound of Claudia once more crying her heart out as she missed someone she loved.
Chapter 47: Moving In
When Titus rode into Philip’s stable yard, he saw a cart holding two trunks and a two-handled box. Nestor stood beside the cart, talking with a stable slave.
“Good evening, master. I’ve come to get the mistress’s belongings. I’ll take them down to the mistress’s bedchamber now, unless you have other instructions.”
Titus waved toward his house. “Go ahead. Tell Miriam I expect to bring Claudia down shortly. We’ll want to eat soon after.”
“Yes, master.” Nestor bowed and flicked his hand to tell the stable slave to start the trek down the hill.
Titus tied his reins to a tree when no other slave appeared to take his stallion.
Philip had a peculiar household. He was one of the wealthiest men in the region, according to everything Titus heard when he asked around about him that day. Although the gardens surrounding the house on all sides were extensive and lush, the house itself was neither large nor ornate. It wasn’t even twice as big as the one he was renting.
Maybe there were enough slaves to do what needed to be done, but there were fewer than Titus expected for the merchant prince Philip was reputed to be. Maybe it was because he was unmarried and didn’t care much about his house. That would change when he took a wife. What woman would want him without the luxury his wealth could buy to make up for his ugliness?
When Titus entered the inner courtyard through the door that led to the gardens, he found Claudia and Penelope sitting together. Penelope was holding one of Claudia’s hands, and Claudia’s eyes looked puffy. Titus drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was not an auspicious beginning to her first evening with him.
When Claudia looked up and saw her brother, she forced a happy smile. He mustn’t suspect she’d spent too much of the day crying because Philip was gone. She was determined not to let her grief be a burden on him. At least, she hoped she’d be able to keep it from being one. At least, she’d try...
Penelope took the lead. “We were just wondering when you would get here. Nestor has everything ready to move down to your house, and Claudia is ready to go.” She reached over and took Claudia’s other hand. “I’m so glad you two will be living just down the hill from me. We’ll be able to get together often with it only being a short walk between our houses.”
Titus nodded once. “I must thank Philip for finding something so convenient for the two of you. It would be lonel
y for Claudia if he hadn’t.”
Claudia forced another cheerful smile. “I hope Penelope and Philip will both come down often. We all became such good friends on the ship.”
Penelope squeezed her hand. “I’m sure we will. You’re my dear friend, and Philip will want to battle his favorite general.”
Titus lifted one eyebrow at Claudia. She smiled at his perplexity.
“Philip taught me Conquest. It’s a game where you try to take over the world. Almost no one can beat Philip at it. Well, except me. It turns out I’m very good at military strategy. We need to get the game, too, and I’ll teach you. It’s the most fun game I’ve ever played. Father would have loved it.”
The remembrance of Father and the absence of Philip combined to start some tears pooling in her eyes. If she didn’t change the subject, she’d be crying again.
She stood. “Shall we go? I’m ready.”
Penelope stood as well, still holding Claudia’s hand. “I’ll walk you to the gate.” She led them through the garden so Titus could get his horse.
The two girls strolled ahead of him to the gate in the tall wall that fronted the street. Penelope hugged Claudia before they started downhill toward Claudia’s new home.
Claudia glanced back at Penelope, who still stood at the gate and waved. If only she was staying in Philip’s house as his new wife, but he’d said “not yet.” Still, he’d told her to trust him to make it all turn out right, and it couldn’t ever be right for her until she was his wife. He knew that, and somehow he would make it happen when he thought it was the right time.
Miriam was in the storeroom when she heard the master and her new mistress enter the kitchen.
The master’s voice sounded cheerful, something she hadn’t heard before. “These Greek houses are laid out different from our townhouse or the villas, but it’s not a bad design. Your bedchamber is upstairs. The two windows make it bright, and the wall paintings remind me of a garden.”
