by Carol Ashby
Philip’s footsteps came up behind Claudia, and she turned to smile up at him.
His gaze wrapped her in its warmth before he spoke. “We’ve brought some things for both of them from Father and Mother, so you’ll get to meet more of my family today. We’ll be in port for less than a day, but that’s enough for a good meal and a hot bath. I’ll find out as soon as we dock what the plans are.”
“I can’t wait to see Ariadne again.” Penelope was beaming. “I was only twelve when Father took me to Rome, so she’ll be surprised by how much I’ve changed.”
Philip put his arm around his sister. “Now I have two of the prettiest women in the Empire for my sisters, and they’re two of the nicest as well.”
Claudia wished his arm was around her instead.
His smile broadened as he turned to Claudia. “Add to that the most beautiful woman any man has ever seen, and the men will be turning their heads in envy as I escort you through the city.”
Claudia blushed at the compliment, which surprised her. She’d become so used to men commenting on her appearance that she usually didn’t react at all. But when Philip said it, that was different. It meant something when Philip said it.
She flashed a smile at him. “And we’ll be with the nicest man in the Empire.”
Penelope fought to suppress a smile as she watched them look at each other. She wasn’t sure whose eyes sparkled more. Ariadne was in for quite a surprise when she met the woman who’d made Philip open his heart again.
The ship was tied securely against the pier and the gangplank was in place before Philip left the cabin top and came again to join the women at the rail.
“Stay on board until I talk with Nicanor to find out whether we go to his or Ariadne’s house. I’ll be back shortly.”
Philip was eager to see his sister and brother again, but first he had to warn them to say nothing in front of Claudia that would reveal their faith. As soon as he sent word to warn both them and their households, he could bring his sister and the brilliant beauty who occupied so many of his thoughts into the city that had been home to his family for many generations.
Claudia watched Philip as he strode down the gangplank and worked his way through the dockworkers who were preparing to unload some of their cargo and replace it with some goods bound for Perinthus.
“Will he be gone long?”
“I don’t think so. The family shipping office is just above the wharfs. Nicanor is usually there this time of day.”
Claudia swallowed hard. She was more than a little nervous about meeting Ariadne. If Philip were her own brother, she’d be very protective of him where other women were concerned. Philip and Ariadne were very close. How important it was to win her approval to keep Philip’s remained to be seen.
It had been decided that everyone would gather at Ariadne’s house for an early dinner followed by conversation for the men and a relaxing communal bath for the women. That would leave enough time for them to return to the ship for the night. They would sail for Perinthus very early when the tide was right.
Penelope and Junia chatted, but Claudia scanned the road until she saw Philip driving a two-wheeled, two-passenger cart toward them. A horse was tied behind.
He reined in and climbed down. “Ariadne’s estate is a short distance west of the city.”
Philip lifted Penelope into the cisium first and then Claudia. Claudia’s eyes widened when he handed the reins to his sister without speaking before mounting himself. Penelope slapped the mules with the reins and clucked to start the team along the street. Philip trotted past and settled in just ahead of their two-mule team.
“You drive?” Claudia had never heard of a wealthy Roman woman who could drive herself.
“Of course. Father had all of us learn how to handle a team. He always said you never knew when it might be life-saving to know how. It’s really fun to drive fast on the open road, but for that, I like a team of horses better than mules.”
Claudia watched the passing scenery with great interest. This was where Philip had grown up, so she didn’t want to miss anything. Near the harbor, there were so many different kinds of people and so much activity that she found fascinating.
It was very different from the elite parts of Rome she was familiar with, but one thing remained unchanged. Too many men were staring at her with the same look that men had in Rome.
She turned her eyes away from the men on the street and focused them on Philip. He rode just ahead of the cart, leading the way. He’d changed from his drab beige crewman’s tunic into a white one like she’d seen him in that first day, but no one would suspect how rich and important he was just by looking at him. But he wouldn’t care what kind of impression his outer appearance made. He only cared about what was inside a person.
A smile played on her lips. The best thing about being with him was how he didn’t just see her as a ravishingly beautiful woman. He saw her as a general who was his strategic equal in Conquest and as a friend for long talks and companionable silences. When he looked at her, he really saw her, not just her beautiful face and lovely figure but the real woman inside the pretty package.
It was funny. When she looked at him now, she didn’t see an ugly man at all. She saw the kindest, smartest, most wonderful man that could possibly be. More than that, she saw the man she wanted to marry so he would always be with her, lifting her spirits and making her feel like a real person, not just a beautiful trophy to display.
Beyond a doubt she was in love with him, but was he in love with her? Or was he just the kindest man alive who enjoyed spending time with a good friend who needed his help?
Philip felt Claudia’s eyes on him, and he twisted around to look back at her. Admiration lit her eyes and an affectionate smile curved her lips. He’d never expected any woman to look at him that way, and for a beautiful woman like Claudia to do it felt like a miracle. She could make his heart rate speed up just by flashing that beautiful smile or by resting her hand on his arm.
His heart swelled at the prospect that Penelope might have been right. God may indeed have brought a special woman into his life, someone who could see past all the ugly scars to the man inside. But if that really had happened, what was he supposed to do about it since she wasn’t a believer...yet?
Ariadne had a banquet prepared for mid-afternoon. It was a small gathering. Nicanor’s wife was missing because she’d taken their children to visit her parents at their country estate, and any message of Philip’s unexpected arrival would reach her too late for her to return before they sailed. It would just be Ariadne’s husband Lycurgus, Nicanor, Penelope, Philip, and the nonbelieving mystery woman named Claudia that Philip had warned them about.
The moment Ariadne learned he was bringing a passenger along to the intimate family dinner, her imagination ran rampant. For him to bring a young unmarried woman to meet them spoke of all sorts of possibilities, and she was dying to find out what was actually going on. Was she about to meet the woman who could draw Philip from his protective shell?
Since Greek women didn’t recline at dinner, the family sat around two small tables that had been pulled together to make one large one. Ariadne seated Philip and the lovely Claudia next to each other and directly across from her. That gave her the best opportunity to watch both, and, for the most part, she liked what she saw.
Claudia was the most beautiful woman Ariadne had ever seen. Excessive beauty often came with arrogance and selfishness, but she’d seen nothing but politeness and genuine interest in her dinner companions from the lovely young woman seated across from her. Claudia hadn’t spoken more than ten sentences before Ariadne could see she was very intelligent. She hadn’t spoken more than five before Ariadne saw how Philip focused on every word his passenger spoke.
Philip and Claudia spent much of the time looking at each other when they weren’t being directly spoken to by someone. Ariadne caught Penelope’s eye with a question in her own, and her younger sister’s wi
nk and mischievous smile told her Claudia was much more to Philip than a passenger on his ship. The more Ariadne watched them, the more convinced she became that Philip was completely taken with the beauty. That in itself was surprising, given how guarded his response had been to every young woman he’d met since Phoebe’s rejection. What was even more surprising was how the beautiful Claudia seemed just as interested in him.
Even before the second course was served, it was obvious that Philip didn’t simply like this young woman. He was falling in love with her―if he hadn’t already fallen. Philip opening his heart to love again was one of the things Ariadne wanted most, but if this gorgeous woman, who could easily have her pick of a dozen suitors, were to reject him like Phoebe did, then what? The privacy of the women’s bath should let her discover how things stood between them and whether Philip was in danger of being hurt again.
The heated bath in Ariadne’s house was large enough for at least six people. As Claudia slipped into the large tub and settled onto the submerged bench, a deep sigh escaped. After so long on the ship, she’d almost forgotten how wonderful it felt to be immersed to her neck in deliciously warm water for a quiet chat with a friend.
Penelope settled in next to her, and Ariadne sat across the tub. Speculation simmered under the cautious friendliness in Ariadne’s eyes. Claudia was on her guard; an interrogation was coming.
Penelope pushed some water toward her sister. “I’m so glad Mother had some things she wanted us to deliver to you. It’s worth a few extra days onboard to see you again, even if we can only stay for the afternoon.” The water Ariadne pushed back swirled around her neck. “This water feels heavenly.”
She leaned her head back against the edge of the tub, closed her eyes, and floated in sheer contentment.
Ariadne swished her legs in the water. “Nicanor and Philip often send ships between here and Perinthus, so we should be able to see each other a lot more often than when you were in Rome.”
Ariadne’s gaze locked on Claudia, and she tensed. The interrogation was about to begin.
“So, Claudia, I hope you’ve been enjoying the trip. Philip always tries to make the voyage pleasant for his passengers.”
“I have. This is my first time at sea.”
Ariadne’s body looked relaxed, but her gaze sharpened. “What takes you from Rome to Perinthus?”
“I’m going there to live with my brother, Titus. Our father died recently, and I needed to leave Rome.”
Claudia chose not to tell Ariadne the sad tale of Lucius’s betrayal of first her father and then her. She still couldn’t speak of it without anger and tears, and she didn’t want to expose herself that way to Ariadne. She wasn’t sure what to say next.
Penelope came to her rescue. “Philip is having so much fun with Claudia on the ship. I’ve come to love poetry listening to them read to each other. What’s even better is how she actually beats him at Conquest almost half the time. Even you have never beaten him more than one time in ten.”
Ariadne’s appreciation of that feat was clear in the warm smile she directed at Claudia. “Philip’s not that impressed by beauty, but he is by intelligence.” Claudia felt his sister’s eyes boring into her. “The combination...well, what man could resist that? I can see that my brother likes you very much, Claudia.”
Claudia understood the question the statement implied. Ariadne was certainly not one to beat around the bush when it came to her beloved brother.
“I think he’s the kindest man I’ve ever known, and I enjoy his company whether we’re playing games or reading poetry or just talking. He’s helped me so much as I’ve tried to get over my father’s death.”
Ariadne’s smile remained friendly, but her eyes narrowed. “I’m glad you’ve had a chance to get to know Philip. Being onboard with someone for a few weeks lets you get past first impressions and appreciate the whole person. Penelope and I both think he’s an extraordinary man that any woman would be lucky to marry.”
Heat spread up Claudia’s neck to the tips of her ears at the mention of Philip marrying. Her blush triggered Ariadne’s knowing smile.
“You know, it’s my fault he has all those scars.”
“He told me about the accident with the soup. He thinks they make him ugly, but I don’t. Well, I did when I first met him, but I don’t anymore. He has the nicest smile.”
“Did you know he was betrothed to my best friend Phoebe once? She hurt him terribly when he overheard her call him a monster because of the scars.”
“Penelope told me, but Philip doesn’t know that I know. You must hate her for hurting him so badly. If someone had done that to my brother Titus, I’d figure out some way to make them pay for it. What did you do to her?”
“It took me a while, but I forgave her. We’re still very good friends.”
Claudia’s eyes saucered. “Does Philip know you’re still friends with someone who hurt him so badly?”
Did Ariadne not see that her continuing friendship with Phoebe was a betrayal of Philip?
Ariadne tightened her lips to suppress a laugh. “Of course. Philip and Phoebe are good friends, too. Her husband is one of his friends as well. She and her husband would have been at dinner with us if she hadn’t just given birth this week. She has a new baby girl who’s the sweetest little thing.”
Claudia didn’t say anything, but she was beyond astonished that Philip could not only forgive the woman who broke his heart but even consider her a good friend. If it had been her, love would have turned into hate as soon as the pain passed and maybe even before.
Ariadne’s countenance turned serious. “I do want to ask something of you, Claudia. I think Philip cares for you very much. I’ve never seen him like this with any other woman since Phoebe, and that was seven years ago. If you don’t feel the same way about him, please don’t lead him on to believe you might care for him as much as he cares for you. If he were rejected once more by a woman he thought loved him, he’d never risk loving again.”
“I would never do that to him. If anything, I care more for him than he cares for me. I would never deliberately do anything to hurt him.”
“I’m glad. He really is the best of men. No one deserves to be loved more than he does.”
Ariadne’s nod and smile marked the end of the interrogation.
The conversation turned to other topics of interest to two sisters who’d been apart for four years, and Claudia listened closely. She wanted to learn more about this family that she hoped would soon become her own.
As Claudia relaxed in the warm water, a contented smile played on her lips. She’d passed Ariadne’s inspection of the woman who interested her precious older brother. His beloved sister would raise no objection to her as a sister-in-law.
Chapter 33: Handsome in her Eyes
As Thessalonica shrank in the distance, Penelope stood at the rail with Philip.
“That was a wonderful visit. I’m glad I’ll be living close enough to Ariadne to see her more often.”
Philip draped his arm across her shoulders. “We run enough ships between the two towns that you should be able to visit as often as you want during the months when the sea is open.”
Penelope looked up at Philip to see his response to her next statement.
“Ariadne liked Claudia a lot. She could see right away how much Claudia likes you. I can, too.”
“I hear what you’re not asking. Yes, I like her a lot, too. But I think you already knew that.”
“Any thoughts about what you’re going to do about it?”
“Yes.” His eye was serious as he looked down at her. “I’m going to pray for God to make her a believer so I can ask her to marry me. Until she follows Jesus, that’s all I can do.”
“I’m joining you in those prayers, Philip. I’m sure Ariadne is, too.”
Philip smiled at his baby sister and kissed her on the forehead. “Good.”
Philip was sitting in the chair next to Claudia with
his blind side toward her as he talked with Hector. When Hector left the canopy, Claudia finally did what she’d been wanting to do for many days. She reached over and touched his scarred cheek. He couldn’t see her hand coming, and he jumped at her touch.
Claudia’s breath caught. “I’m sorry. Does it hurt when I touch it? I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Pity tinged her voice. It must be terrible for him if it still hurt after so many years.
“No. You just startled me. There’s not much feeling at all.”
She wanted to touch him again, but she was afraid to. He was looking at her like something did hurt. It would be terrible not to be able to touch your own cheek without pain. Had she hurt him, even though she didn’t mean to?
“Don’t look at me that way, Claudia.”
“What way?”
“Like you’re sorry for me. You don’t need to be. I’m not sorry for myself.”
He smiled at her, trying to look unconcerned, but no matter what his lips said, his eye told the truth. Her touch hadn’t hurt his cheek, but her pity had hurt his heart.
“I’m not sorry for you. I admire you more than any man I’ve ever known.”
“Then you haven’t known many men.”
Philip was trying to joke away from this conversation that was so uncomfortable. For the second time in his life, he found himself wishing with all his heart that a woman could find him handsome. Claudia deserved a handsome man.
“I don’t have to know many men to recognize how kind and smart you are. You’re just like my father.”
Her father. She meant that as the highest praise, but he didn’t want her to think of him like her father. She liked him even with him being so ugly, but he still wanted her to see him as attractive, as the man she would actually want to look at every morning when she first woke up. A man who could fill her eyes with joy, not pity.