Anna looked his way and his heart began beating faster. The fact that he could claim her by rights left him suddenly without breath.
His gaze returned to his mother and his racing thoughts suddenly stilled. He knew without a doubt that his mother would be horrified at such a suggestion. She didn’t approve of slavery and had set all of her servants free after his father died. No, he could never hurt his mother that way, nor, for that matter, Anna. But he would do whatever was necessary, by whatever means necessary, to make certain that Anna stayed, and he knew that it wasn’t just because of his mother.
“Well, Mother, I don’t want you making any other changes to the villa,” he told her, his tone brooking no argument. “I have decided to sell it.”
Both women stared at him in astonishment, but it was his mother who spoke.
“What do you mean, you intend to sell it? Where do you plan for me to live?”
He took a deep breath, readying himself for the battle to come.
“I’ve been recalled to Rome, and I’m taking you with me.”
Chapter 7
Anna helped to set the platters of food on the long table in the newly restored triclinium in preparation for the Lord’s Day worship. The tile floor now had a flourishing design of leaves and pomegranates, much better than the previous design to Anna’s way of thinking. Absurd as it was, she had always felt as if she were trampling on people’s faces when she walked across the floor.
Leah had wanted to change the murals on the walls, as well, but after Lucius’s declaration about selling the villa she had hesitated to do so.
They had taken their argument to the bibliotheca, but despite a solid door, their heated exchange had penetrated out into the atrium. Anna had moved farther into the peristyle to avoid eavesdropping, so she had no idea what had been decided.
Tapat handed her the goatskin of wine for the observance of the Lord’s Supper that Jesus had instituted the night before he died. It was Anna’s favorite part of worship.
Anna laid the wineskin on the table, smiling at the fact that it was obviously new. Magog had purchased wine the week before that had been placed in an old wineskin, and the skin had ruptured due to the new wine’s fermentation. The resulting mess all over the floor of the kitchen had left the steward severely out of sorts realizing that he had been duped.
Tapat was lighting the braziers located around the room to dispel some of the gloom and add some warmth to the chill brought on by the rain that was even now pounding on the tiled roof. The dry season would soon be upon them, but for now, the water was enjoyed by all as it refreshed the land.
Except, why did it have to be today of all days? Anna sighed. Leah had so been looking forward to this day. Her father intended to join her in worshipping the Lord for the first time since they had been reunited. It was the main reason that she had wanted to retile the floor, so that he wouldn’t be offended by the graven images in the design.
Now, it looked as though all Leah’s preparations had been for naught. Surely Levi, at his age, wouldn’t travel all the way from Bethany to Jerusalem in such weather.
Water was cascading from the opening in the atrium roof to the small pool below provided for that purpose. If the rain continued at this rate, the pool would overflow very soon.
Leah came into the peristyle after warning some of the servants to keep an eye on the atrium’s pool and prepare to remove the water if it rose too high. She glanced around, making certain everything was to her satisfaction.
She smiled halfheartedly at Anna, and Anna could see that her enthusiasm for today’s proceedings had ebbed due to the weather. Leah had grown accustomed to worshipping with only her servants, yet she had induced her father to come and worship with her instead of with the band of believers in Bethany. Her disappointment must be intense.
Anna gave her a reassuring smile in return. “Regardless of the weather, this is the Lord’s Day, a time to worship and praise Him.”
Leah sighed. “I know, but I so wanted my father to come.” She glanced around the peristyle, sighing again. Even the muted lighting brought on by the rainy weather couldn’t dim the beauty of the dining room or hide the preparations that had been made for this special day.
Anna wanted to ask what decision had been made about the villa, but she was afraid to. If Lucius was selling this house and taking his mother to Rome, Anna needed to make plans for what to do, as well. Although it had been on her mind for some time, she had allowed herself to float along on a tranquil sea of contentment, reluctant to make any plans for a future she just couldn’t see.
For the first time since waking up in this villa after her escape from her father, she realized just how alone she was. None of her relatives would welcome her after defying her father. Besides, none of them could afford an extra mouth to feed. Without a husband, she had no way to support herself besides selling herself on the street, and she would rather starve to death than resort to that life.
She had even been toying with the idea of selling herself into slavery, but that would be a last resort. There was always the option of sitting at the city gates and begging like so many others did every day, but that didn’t agree well with her either.
Forcing down the feelings of self-pity, she thought instead about what this would mean for Leah, as well.
Rome. Throne place of Satan. Was there anywhere on earth that could be worse for a Christian? Here in Jerusalem the persecution had been terrible enough, but the Romans believed that Jews were atheists because they refused to worship the multitude of gods that had been incorporated into the empire. Persecution there was rising from all the accounts she had heard, and she doubted that it was going to lessen any time soon.
A pounding on the door interrupted her thoughts. She and Leah exchanged surprised looks. The hope that blossomed on Leah’s face faded just as quickly as it appeared. The same thought must have occurred to her. Surely Levi wouldn’t travel over six miles in this weather.
Tapat went to answer the door, sliding back the inner door and peering out. Recognizing the person on the other side, she quickly slid back the bolt and threw open the portal.
Magog was close beside her, his hand fondling his scimitar, but when Leah’s father entered, the surprised steward motioned for a servant to hurriedly bring a basin of water to wash Levi’s muddy feet.
Leah was already hastening across the atrium. “Father, I didn’t think you were coming.” Her tone went from excited to disapproving. “You shouldn’t have come. You will surely be made ill by the chill wetness.”
Levi waved a hand disparagingly. “I’m a lot stronger than I look. I will be fine.”
Leah turned to one of the servants. “Bring some extra towels and a dry tunic. Quickly.”
Levi turned to a man standing behind him and motioned him inside. “I have brought a friend, if that is all right with you.”
The odiferous aroma of the man preceded him. There was only one occupation Anna knew of that would cause such a scent to be imbedded in even the clothing that he wore.
The tanner was hesitant to enter, and no wonder. Tanners were considered the lowest of the low, refused entrance even to the synagogue because of their occupation dealing with dead animals. The chemicals they used for preparing skins had some of the strongest, most ill-smelling scents imaginable, which didn’t endear them to the community either. In fact, the wife of a tanner was permitted to divorce him for such reasons.
The man stood humbly by the door, fully expecting to be rejected. Anna’s heart immediately went out to him.
Leah hesitated but a moment, wrinkling her nose when a rain-drenched breeze blew the man’s scent across the room. Swallowing hard, she took the man by the arm and pulled him into the room.
“Please, come in.” She took a towel from Tapat and handed it to the tanner. She gave him a smile. “May we know
your name?”
They could see him more fully now, though much of his face was hidden by the head shawl he wore. He was not old, but neither was he young. What little they could see of his bearded face colored hotly when his eyes connected with Leah’s.
“My name is Adoniram.”
Leah turned to Tapat. “Bring another dry tunic.”
The expression on Tapat’s face was amusing. It was apparent that she was holding her breath but trying not to make it obvious. Nodding her head, she hurried away to do as told.
Leah turned to Adoniram, struggling to keep her face from contorting at the offensive smells emanating from the man. The rain had only intensified the odor.
“My steward will show you and my father where you can change out of those wet garments. If you wish, you can make use of the caldarium to warm yourself before you dress.”
The way Leah had suggested using the hot bath would relieve any offense if the man chose to take advantage of it.
Adoniram obviously didn’t know what to think at this act of civility. He nodded his head, dropping his eyes and following the steward from the room. Leah’s father gave her an approving smile before following after them.
When they were out of sight Leah turned to one of the other servants.
“Michael, add some incense to the braziers. Not too much, mind you.”
She turned to Anna. “Are you all right having the tanner in our midst?”
Surprised, Anna told her sharply, “Of course.”
Leah smiled. “I thought you would be.” She stared at the door the tanner had disappeared through, her thoughts reflecting on her face. Her empathy with Adoniram was understandable. Their situations were eerily similar, both being outcasts of society. It angered Anna that tanners supplied the leather everyone used for their shoes, and even for the bags used for milk and wine, yet they were disparaged because of it. But then, no one had ever said that life was fair.
“Poor man,” Leah whispered softly before shaking herself from her mental musings and hurrying to add the last few touches to an already-perfect feast.
When Levi and Adoniram returned to the triclinium much later, it was evident that the tanner had taken full advantage of the hot bath. Although the smell of the chemicals he used was imbedded in his skin, the full odor had been diminished by not only the bath and clean tunic, but by the scented lotion Magog had evidently given him to use.
For the first time since entering this house, Adoniram walked with his head held erect.
Everyone took their places on the reclining couches, including those servants who were followers of the Way. Those of Leah’s servants who were devout Jews were here to serve the food to the guests, their day of worship having been yesterday’s Sabbath.
Leah asked Levi to pray over the food. His words, so simple yet so heartfelt, brought a lump to Anna’s throat. This is what she had missed the most, worshipping with other believers. Her father had refused to believe in Jesus as the Messiah and had forbidden Anna to do so, as well, but regardless of what he could do to inhibit her physically, he couldn’t control her thoughts and her heart.
She had been secretly baptized in a mikvah in a believer’s home when she had come to believe herself. Allowing Christ into her life had been the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her. But that was the last time she had ever been able to attend a meeting of other worshippers. That is, until she had come here and found a precious sister in Leah.
When Levi proclaimed the bread as the body of Christ, the meal suddenly became more solemn. The loaf was passed around and everyone took a portion. Bowing her head, Anna focused on remembering the last time that Jesus had shared such a meal with his disciples, and the horrifying events that followed.
Levi then prayed over the wine. He held the goatskin bag aloft and squarely met the eyes of the tanner. The message that passed between them made Adoniram sit straighter as he realized what Levi was trying to say. Jesus died for you, too. Everyone is precious in the Lord’s sight.
The look on Adoniram’s face and the sheen of tears in his eyes brought a responsive wetness to Anna’s eyes. She recognized that look. It must have been the same one on her face when she had finally accepted that God truly loved her and wanted to be the Father she had never had.
The meal progressed uneventfully after that, though the mood in the room remained solemn.
Levi produced a scroll from the bag he had carried in with him, carefully unrolling it before him. He met the curious looks of all present with a smile.
“I have here a copy of a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.”
The room went from solemnity to excitement in a matter of seconds. The quietness of a moment before was shattered by the din that followed this announcement. Paul had written many letters, but they sometimes took years to make the rounds of the churches, if they made it at all. Such a gift was beyond anything they could have hoped for.
Levi raised his hand to bring silence then quietly read the scroll and, for the next several hours, it was discussed among them. The words that stuck with Anna the most she tried to embed in her memory by repeating them over and over.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
Father of compassion. The words swelled through her in a comforting wave. Her voice rang out loud and clear as they finished their worship with a song of praise.
Lucius passed through the gates of Jerusalem with a feeling akin to homecoming, something he had never felt before. He knew with keen insight that this feeling had more to do with Anna than anything else, but he couldn’t for the life of him understand why. How had the woman so entrenched herself in his thoughts?
Thankfully, the rain that had been pelting them for the past two days had finally subsided, and the day proved to be much fairer than yesterday. The inclement weather had left his men in a morose mood, unlike him. The closer they got to Jerusalem, the more excited he became, despite being wet and muddy.
For the last several miles anticipation had been clawing at his insides, his restlessness communicating itself to his horse and making it skittish among the crowds. The horse’s snorting and pawing sent people in the streets scattering out of his way, their surly looks of reproach following after them.
At the Antonia Fortress, Lucius handed his mount over to the waiting servants responsible for their care. He patted the horse’s neck fondly, pulling a date from his pocket and smiling when the animal quickly snuffed it from his palm.
Andronicus joined him and they climbed the stairs to the fortress together.
“Do you intend to go see your mother?”
Surprised, Lucius turned to his companion. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
Andronicus shrugged. “I could use a decent meal myself.”
Lucius stopped at the door, one eyebrow quirking upward. It was unusual for his friend to invite himself anywhere. The fact that he was avoiding Lucius’s eyes provoked his suspicion.
“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to this request than what you are saying?”
His friend colored in embarrassment, intriguing Lucius even more. A sudden thought occurred to Lucius and he paused, struggling with a feeling that was new to him, a fierce jealousy that made his insides twist in an uncomfortable way. Was Andronicus’s sudden interest in his mother’s home due to Anna’s presence?
Andronicus opened the door and they passed through the entrance hall and into the open courtyard beyond. They walked in silence for several seconds before Lucius overcame his pique enough to speak.
“I’m certain my mother would welcome you.”
Andronicus shook his head. “Maybe anothe
r time.”
Angry with himself for his lack of hospitality, Lucius stopped the other man with a hand to his shoulder as he was about to walk away. “If I seemed less than enthusiastic, put it down to fatigue,” he told him apologetically. “I would be pleased to have you go with me. It’s been a long time since we’ve shared a meal together that wasn’t army rations.”
Andronicus hesitated. “Are you certain?”
“Of course.”
Lucius didn’t miss the lightening of Andronicus’s face, and Lucius’s smile faltered slightly as he once again wondered if the other man’s reasons had anything to do with Anna.
“Give me a few minutes to clean up.”
Nodding, Lucius agreed. “I need to do the same. I will meet you back here in half an hour.”
Lucius and Andronicus separated, Lucius heading for the caldarium while Andronicus headed for the barracks.
Andronicus was waiting for him at the entrance a half hour later. The burning excitement in the other man’s eyes registered a split second before Lucius noted that he had changed out of the short, blood-red tunic of the soldier and replaced it with a longer white one of the patrician. The toga that was wrapped around his body did nothing toward hiding the toned muscles that flexed whenever he moved.
Lucius felt again that niggle of jealousy that he had tried to suppress earlier and realized that it had never been fully brought under subjection. Just whom was his bodyguard trying to impress anyway?
They left the Antonia behind them, both breathing a sigh of relief as they shook off thoughts of plots against the empire and putting down the rebellions that so infused this region. Their conversation centered on everyday things as they wound their way through the city’s streets, but by silent mutual consent, they refrained from anything pertaining to war and politics. Tonight was a night to relax.
When they reached the villa, he recognized the serving girl who let them in. She was a tiny little thing, at least in comparison to Andronicus and himself, and rather plain of looks except for incredibly large, almond-shaped eyes that reminded him very much of Anna, yet without the same magnetic pull. Tapat was devoted to his mother, for which Lucius was grateful.
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