“I had the strangest dream. There was this man and his face was so clear. He wasn’t Roman, a foreigner of some kind, and he was looking at me. I cannot forget his eyes, so deep and full of love . . .”
The handmaid’s eyes widened. “You dreamt of another man?”
“It was not like that. He was like a holy man of some kind. He wanted something from me, but I don’t know what it was.”
“That is a strange dream.” She helped Claudia from the bed and helped her dress, then arranged Claudia’s hair in a simpler style.
“What must they think of me, Hotep. I arrive as the new mistress and then promptly seclude myself in my room!”
“You had a sad ending to your wedding day and were upset. No one feels anything but sympathy for what you have endured.”
It seemed impossible that she was married this morning. A dream, and she would find herself back in the palace. As she thought of the wedding, she again felt Lucius’s arms around her and his kiss. She longed for him, but he was on his way to Caesarea without her.
“How Sejanus must have enjoyed planning this. I would like to pound him with my fists.”
Hotep looked around fearfully. “Domina, you must not speak like this.”
“I am not in Rome and I cannot wait to leave here and go far away. I only pray Lucius will send for me soon.”
“He will do that, Domina. His eyes look upon you with love. He also wishes to have you with him.”
Claudia sighed and looked toward the door. “I suppose I must go and see this villa I’m suddenly mistress of. Oh, Hotep, I’m a married woman yet not a wife!”
When Claudia came down the stairs, she found Alba waiting. Her face showed compassion as she waited for her mistress to descend.
“You had a good rest, Domina?”
“Yes, thank you, Alba. I’m sorry to close myself away so quickly after I arrived.”
The servant shook her head slowly. “It is most understandable, Domina. Nothing you could do. The Master is a soldier and he must follow orders. It is strange that he should be ordered away at such a time.”
Claudia had opened her mouth to comment on the prefect, but closed it again. She did not need to speak all her thoughts to the servants. “Yes, but we shall be together soon. He will arrange for my passage.”
Alba smiled warmly at her mistress. “Come, partake of some lunch and gather strength.”
Realizing she was quite hungry, she followed Alba to the dining room and found fruit and warm bread along with some fresh apple cider and cheese.
When she had finished, she turned to Alba. “I would like to see the villa. The prefect has told me to decide what household goods I wish to bring with me.”
Marcus entered the room. “I was just going to suggest that, Domina. Please follow me and let me show you your new home.”
Alba bowed and returned to the kitchen.
Marcus started in the atrium and this time Claudia looked more closely at the beautiful pattern of mosaic—a golden circle trimmed in blue with a rectangular pattern surrounding it in blue and white. The atrium was lined with mosaics. To one side there was a stone basin and above it an opening in the roof for rainwater to fall into the basin.
They entered the center of the house where a small statue of Venus faced a square pool with a stone bench at one end. In the far corner was a cabinet with another small statue on top. Marcus opened the cabinet to display some vases and bowls for flowers. Claudia was aware of a sense of peacefulness that permeated the villa.
Cabinets were opened one by one to show the new mistress how well stocked they were. The pottery was serviceable but not heavy. One cabinet even had glassware, new to Rome in the last few years.
Just outside the kitchen was a stone oven used for baking the bread for the household. Beyond that was a kitchen garden, a small orchard with various fruit trees. She could hear chickens clucking and under one of the trees there were two goats in a pen. She was pleasantly surprised to see the villa was almost self-contained.
As they returned to the house, Marcus led her upstairs and showed her the guest rooms and even a room for bathing with a small but deep rectangular pool. It was not like the baths in Rome, but she didn’t mind at all.
Claudia followed the steward down another set of stairs to a lower level where smaller rooms housed the servants and storage rooms for foods and bedding.
“When you are ready,” Marcus said, “it will be my pleasure to show you the orchard.”
“You take good care of the villa, Marcus. How long have you been with the family?”
“Since I was fifteen, Domina. Thirty-five years. Alba came a few years earlier. She was his nurse when the master was born. Both his parents died, several years apart, and Lucius became master of the villa. He has entrusted me with all he owns when he is away.”
“I believe his trust is well placed, Marcus.”
The servant smiled with pleasure. “Thank you, Domina. There is one more thing to see. Come with me.”
He led her through the peristyle, the columned hallway surrounding the garden. A fountain splashed with a cheerful sound, and raised terraces contained flower beds. The sides of the garden were planted with evergreens. Hedges of cypress defined different areas. Some of the tree trunks were covered with ivy. She exclaimed with delight over the ars topiaria, hedges trimmed into the shapes of animals. Marcus pointed out violets and roses, along with crocus, narcissus, lilies, and some purple iris.
Claudia determined to learn the names of each of the plants. It would help her if she needed to order plants for their home in Caesarea. For a moment she compared the beautiful garden to the small one in Reggio. A pang of sorrow brushed her heart, and again she willed the sad thoughts away. She’d had enough difficulties for today.
She turned to the steward. “Let us return to the kitchen. I would like to see what herbs and seasonings you have on hand.” Thanks to Medina, she was knowledgeable in that area.
17
Claudia woke the second morning to voices in the atrium. One voice she recognized quite clearly. She rose and slipped a garment over her head.
“I am the grandmother of your mistress. I wish to see her immediately!”
There was a knock on the door and Claudia herself opened it.
Alba was clearly upset. “There is someone to see you, Domina. She says—”
“It’s all right, Alba. I know who it is. Show my grandmother to my room.”
Scribonia strode into the room, her eyes flashing, but Claudia knew her grandmother’s anger was not directed at her.
“This is a disgrace. All Rome is talking about your wedding and the emperor sending your husband off to Judea without even completing the final part of the marriage—the offerings to the gods, lighting the fire, the marriage not consummated. What was he thinking? Could he not have waited one day? Our family is humiliated!”
Claudia glanced at the door, but Alba had gone and closed it behind her. “I do not believe this was the doing of Tiberius.” She then told her grandmother about the incident in the dark hallway when she had saved Hotep from Sejanus. “He bided his time, Grandmother. Now I know why he was almost smirking at the banquet. He knew what he’d done.”
“But the emperor, surely he would not do this to his own ward?”
“Tiberius was at the banquet, but his mind is often elsewhere. He is fearful these days of many things. The servants say that Sejanus fills his mind with fears of assassination and I’m almost certain he will leave Rome for Capri soon. I’m told he feels safe there.”
“He will rule the empire from Capri?” Scribonia finally sat down on a chair. “Then no one in Rome is safe. Sejanus will have a free hand.”
Claudia sat down on a chair opposite her grandmother. “I am praying that Lucius will send for me soon. Rome will not be a good place to be.”
“He arrests any of our loyal citizens who oppose him on trumped-up charges and they must commit suicide to protect their good name.” Scribonia suddenly looked
toward Hotep as though she were an enemy who would carry her comments to Sejanus.
Claudia put a hand on her arm. “Do not fear Hotep, Grandmother. She is a trusted servant and friend.”
“A friend? She is a slave.”
“The only friend I had in the palace all this time.”
Scribonia sniffed. “I don’t know what the future holds. I would that the gods take me today. I am old and useless. I cannot even help you in this sad time.”
It was the first time Claudia had ever heard this strong woman sound so full of despair and it shocked her. “You have been strength for me all my life, Grandmother. I don’t know what I would have done without you nearby. You arranged for Medina to come, and you have helped me in every way you could.”
Somewhat mollified, Scribonia rose. “I just had to come, child. I was so angry that he would do this to you.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“Well, while you are here, I will come as often as possible. It is getting more difficult for me to travel, but I will do my best.”
Claudia smiled then. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
Her grandmother turned again to the wedding. “What will you do when you arrive in Caesarea? Will your husband complete the ceremony? Who will tie the knot of Hercules about you?”
“Lucius has assured me that when I arrive in Caesarea, we will do those things that are needful to appease the gods, and there will be a wedding couch. Now, while you are here, would you like to see the Villa Ponti?”
Claudia was quickly dressed. Scribonia waited impatiently while Hotep did her mistress’s hair. Finally, arm in arm, Claudia showed her grandmother the villa.
Scribonia’s face showed her approval. “You have done well in marriage, Claudia, and for that I suppose we must somehow thank Sejanus . . . and Tiberius.”
“I will feel better when Lucius and I are together again, truly man and wife.”
“Yes, I’m sure you will.”
Scribonia peered at Claudia intently. “Claudia, do you know that if something happens to Lucius before your marriage is consummated, the villa will go to the nearest male relative? You will be out of a home. I pray the gods that you will be able to join your husband soon. Sejanus might be his mentor, but he has placed you in an awkward position.”
“Yes, I know, Grandmother, but there is little I can do until Lucius sends for me. From our last parting I believe he will not rest until he has secured my passage on the first ship heading to Caesarea.”
Scribonia smiled then. “I believe you are right. I saw the way he looked at you through the wedding and at the banquet.”
The two women were silent for a while, each with their own thoughts. Then Claudia realized Medina had not come.
“You did not bring Medina?”
“She is not well. The physician said to let her rest and gave her some herbs. He felt perhaps she had eaten something that did not agree with her. I will bring her next time.”
As the days passed, Claudia spent time with Marcus and Alba looking at the furniture and the linens. Finally, she decided to take only what linens she would immediately need and purchase others in Caesarea. The furniture in the house had been with the family for many years, and she felt strongly it should stay there. She would furnish the villa or residence in Caesarea after she had time to see what she needed there. Marcus seemed relieved that the household furniture wasn’t to leave the villa.
“I think it wise to travel as lightly as possible, don’t you, Marcus?”
“You are indeed wise, Domina. The furniture would be difficult to ship and you do not know what your needs will be.”
A few chests were ready to be packed with what Claudia felt she would use immediately. She was as ready as she could possibly be, pending word from Lucius.
With each passing week her ties to Lucius seemed to dim. Even the wedding seemed like a dream that really hadn’t happened. How would she feel when she saw her husband again, a man who was hers in name only? Would he feel the same?
Her mind turned with all the questions and anxieties that would not be laid to rest until she and Lucius became one.
She read, made a few trips into Rome with Hotep and Marcus to make some purchases. She had no desire to gossip with the other Roman matrons at the baths. She walked in the garden and the orchard and waited. It was almost two months before a young man came from a recently arrived merchant ship with a message for her. She thanked him and hurriedly unrolled the scroll.
My dearest wife, I have settled in the winter palace in Caesarea and will remain until you arrive. I have secured passage for you on the ship that has brought you this message. You are to travel to the port of Ostia and load your goods as soon as possible. The captain of the ship has arranged accommodations for you and your handmaid. I eagerly await your arrival.
Your husband,
Lucius Pontius Pilate
She sat for a moment, reading and rereading the words from Lucius. She had hoped for something more endearing, but then realized it would not be appropriate.
Finally, the young sailor who had waited patiently for Claudia to read the message said, “My lady, we sail from Ostia in five days when our goods are loaded. I am to return in three days to escort you to the ship.”
“What is your name?”
“I am called Titus, my lady.”
“Thank you, Titus. I will be ready. Notify the captain that I bring only personal items and clothing. He needs to make room for only a couple of chests. I will also bring my maidservant with me. She will attend to my needs on the ship.”
“I will tell the captain and return in three days.”
Claudia thought quickly. “Wait, I need to have you take a message to my grandmother in Rome.” She sent for a stylus and wax tablet and quickly wrote, asking Scribonia to come right away.
When he had gone, Claudia hurried up to her room to show the scroll to Hotep. “At last, we shall leave this wretched city for Judea.”
“I am happy for you, Domina.” Her words did not match her face.
“Oh, Hotep, is something wrong?”
“I have heard things about Judea. It is so far away. The only ship I have been on was the slave ship and I was very sick.”
Claudia raised her eyebrows. “I have never sailed on a ship. We will look upon it as an adventure, Hotep. Who knows what awaits us in Judea?”
“That is true, Domina. We move according to the hands of the gods and we do not have a say in what that will be.”
It was late morning the next day when her grandmother’s coach entered the grounds and Medina alighted first and then helped her mistress. Claudia hurried to meet them. With a shock, she saw how frail her grandmother had become. It must have cost her a great effort to make this last trip.
As she entered the villa, Scribonia leaned heavily on Medina’s arm. When she was settled in a comfortable chair, Alba brought them small cups of apple cider and bread.
Her grandmother turned to the matters at hand. “Lucius has finally sent for you. What have you packed?”
Claudia smiled to herself. Her grandmother was the consummate Roman matron, making sure that all went smoothly. With great effort, her grandmother climbed the stairs to Claudia’s room to inspect her progress.
She spent the next hour reviewing what Claudia had packed—clothes, jewelry, household goods, and a few linens. When she was satisfied that Claudia had chosen wisely, she dismissed Medina and Hotep to talk with Alba.
Now, alone with her grandmother, Claudia felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t know when we shall return to Rome. When shall I see you again?”
Scribonia, showing more emotion than Claudia had ever seen from this austere woman, embraced her and said softly, “I shall not see you again, granddaughter. I am old and my time to join our ancestors will be soon. I feel it in my bones. I pray you will remember our years together as good ones. I have loved you like no other child in our family, and you have endured much. You are strong and you will be a good help
mate for Lucius. It is good to have a husband who loves you. In public you may be aloof, but alone together, be the strength he needs. He cannot show weakness in his role as governor.” She sighed, and her hands dropped to her sides. “I don’t believe he was truly prepared. Even in his thirties, he is young for this responsibility. He will make mistakes, but he will do his best. Support him in every way you can.
“He is influenced by Sejanus in his attitude toward the Jews. You must temper this carefully. If he is high-handed, he will bring much grief on his office as governor. Tiberius is leaving for Capri within the month. I’m glad you will be far away, if only for what will happen when Sejanus has a totally free hand. I am grateful I will not live long enough to see the maelstrom he will create in my beloved Rome.”
The import of her grandmother’s words struck Claudia like a blow to her heart. Her grandmother would be lost to her and she shuddered to think what would be happening in the city.
Scribonia continued. “I have signed the papers and set Medina free. She knows this, but has chosen to remain with me in my last days. I do not know her plans for after I’m gone—perhaps she will contact you in some way. I do not know if she wishes to travel to Judea.”
“She is welcome to come here, Grandmother. From what I know of Marcus and this household, she would be welcome. I can send an allowance for her living expenses.”
“That is generous, Claudia. I will speak to her about that and let her know that is one path she can take. You must also speak with the steward of this household and be sure he is agreeable to such a plan.”
“I will do that.”
Medina and Hotep helped Scribonia down the stairs and into the coach. Claudia held back tears as she took leave of her grandmother for the last time. Marcus and Alba stood in the background watching the scene with somber faces.
With a heavy heart, Claudia watched the coach bearing her grandmother and her old nurse until it was out of sight. She would never see the last person left of her family again.
She didn’t feel like talking. Hotep concentrated on repairing one of Claudia’s garments. Claudia worked her loom, reminding herself that in a few weeks’ time she would see her Lucius again. She deliberately turned her thoughts in a more positive direction.
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