The Legacy

by Carol Ashby

  Philip smiled at him. “I can say the same, Titus.”

  Claudia took Titus’s hand. “We’ve been having a lovely time getting caught up. Penelope and I have so missed our talks like we had on the ship.”

  She looked first at Penelope, but Titus saw how quickly her eyes focused back on Philip.

  “I know you’ll want to clean up before we eat. Take your time. We’ll just sit here and talk until you’re ready.”

  Titus got the feeling that the longer he took, the happier she might be. “I’ll come get you when I’m ready.”

  Claudia flashed her smile at him, then turned her attention back to Philip. As Titus turned toward the kitchen door, he considered the implications of what he’d just seen. There might be more than generosity involved with Philip. Much more.

  Miriam stared at the blue glass wine pitcher on the top shelf in the storeroom. The ordinary pitcher she used for the master wouldn’t do for the mistress’s special dinner for Philip. But even on tiptoes, she couldn’t touch the bottom of the shelf. As she scanned the storeroom, her gaze fell on the small sacks of wheat and barley that Nestor had piled in the corner.

  If she stacked three of them, she could reach it. She dragged the first over and patted it to level it out. Then she dragged each in turn to the pile and staggered them to make shallow steps. She gauged the height of the stack and the distance from her hand to the pitcher as she reached up for it. High enough.

  The first sack was solid enough when she stepped on it. The second shifted a little when she put her weight on it. The third shifted more, but then it steadied. She stood on tiptoes and reached for the handle.

  “Miriam.”

  She spun at the sudden sound of his voice. The top sack shifted, and she began to fall. The master jumped forward and caught her just before her head hit the opposite shelves.

  “Don’t do that again.”

  The master was holding her in his arms. His eyes were so close to hers, and his lips were smiling. She felt the heat rise to the tips of her ears. His smile broadened into a grin before she looked away.

  “I’m sorry, master. I was just trying to get the pitcher down. I’m not quite tall enough.”

  He set her down so she was standing right in front of him. His chest bumped her as he reached over her head to lift the pitcher down from its place on the high shelf.

  “Next time you need something from that shelf, get me or Nestor.” His smile raised her heart rate as he handed her the pitcher. “I should have Nestor make you a stepstool so you won’t have to be stacking sacks to reach something. I can’t have the best cook in the city getting hurt. I don’t want to eat ordinary food again.”

  “Yes, master.”

  She looked into his eyes like he’d said she was supposed to when he spoke. The blush that had been fading flared up again. That triggered his grin, and she blushed even more.

  “Claudia’s in no hurry to eat, but I am. If that smell is any indication, I’m expecting the best dinner yet as soon as I clean up.” The master stepped back into the kitchen.

  Miriam clutched the pitcher to her breast as a slow smile escaped. The master was so understanding when something was hard for her. God had surely blessed her with a master almost as good as Master Alexander.

  Dinner would be served at the table instead of the couches, and Philip sat to Claudia’s right. It made it easier for him to look at her, and only politeness made him look at anyone else. Then Titus’s cook placed his plate in front of him.

  His head bounced back. “Miriam? Why are you here?”

  “Master Alexander was killed, and his slaves were all sold.”

  “And the rest of his family?”

  “Dead.”

  Philip’s lips tightened. “I’m sorry, Miriam.”

  Her eyes moistened as she nodded.

  Philip turned to Titus. “You were certainly fortunate to get Miriam. I would have bought her myself if I’d known she was for sale in Perinthus. Alexander always considered her a treasure.”

  “I think she’s a treasure, too.” Claudia looked over at Miriam and smiled. “She’s already helped me feel so much better. My nightmares are gone because of her. I couldn’t bear to part with her.”

  Miriam blushed to hear herself described as a treasure. She didn’t want to leave Mistress Claudia, either, even though she’d only known her for a little more than a week. They were already becoming more like friends than like mistress and slave.

  “The way she cooks would make anyone glad to own her.” Master Titus smiled at her as she set his plate in front of him, then turned his attention back to Philip. “She plays the lyre beautifully, too. You’ll hear her as soon as she serves this course. I got a real bargain when I bought her.”

  Miriam’s face warmed as she heard Master Titus’s praising her to his guest. It felt so good to know he valued her service and no longer thought he’d paid too much for a crippled slave.

  After delivering the last plate, Miriam sat on the couch, picked up her lyre, and began to play.

  Claudia watched Philip. As the elegant music filled the room, that special smile that signaled his delight appeared. As he watched Miriam play, Claudia reached over and touched his hand. He took his eye off Miriam and focused it on Claudia as he wrapped his fingers around hers. His eye spoke volumes before he turned it back on Miriam.

  She couldn’t have been happier with his response. To be able to offer him something that he could enjoy so much, even in her house with its few luxuries, made her heart sing.

  Titus blanked his face as he watched the silent conversation between his sister and the Greek. At first, he wasn’t sure whether he liked what he was seeing. He hadn’t realized before that night how it stood between them. Philip had told him that Penelope and Claudia had become good friends during the voyage. He’d said nothing at all about his attachment to her. Philip was looking at Claudia like a man in love. All the things the Greek had done to help him set up a household for Claudia now made sense.

  From the sparkle in Claudia’s eyes each time she looked at the ugly Greek, it was clear she was in love, too. He hadn’t expected that, but maybe it wasn’t so surprising. Philip had been very kind to her from the moment she boarded his ship, and Claudia was smart enough to value kindness over physical attractiveness once she got over the initial shock of him being so ugly.

  As Titus watched the two of them together, he decided it might be a good thing. Philip was one of the wealthiest men in the area. He’d certainly be able to take care of her as his wife. He’d proven his genuine concern for her in all he’d done to help them since she arrived. If his interest should end in a request for her hand in marriage, Titus would not have to think long about what his answer would be.

  Chapter 56: Time with the General

  Claudia waited with eager anticipation for Penelope to come spend the next morning with her. What she hoped was that Philip might be free and would come, too.

  She was in the kitchen with Miriam, watching out the window.

  “I do so hope Philip can come to me this morning. It’s been much too long since we played Conquest or read together. I wish we’d been able to stay together on the ship forever. I’ve never been happier than there.”

  Miriam’s mouth was open to answer when Claudia interrupted.

  “I see him.” With a joyful smile, she left Miriam at the counter and hurried out the door to greet them.

  Claudia gave Penelope a quick hug, then turned to take Philip’s hands in her own.

  “I’m so glad you could come. I’ve missed you so.”

  Penelope carried a codex. “I thought you two might want to play Conquest, so I brought my own entertainment.” A mischievous smile played on her lips. “Don’t pay any attention to me.”

  Claudia flashed her an appreciative grin. Penelope understood.

  “Well, mighty general, I believe you won last time. I have until lunchtime to take the Empire from you.”


  Claudia had set a small table and the bundle containing the game by the chairs under the tree. She led Philip over and seated herself. As he began setting up the board, she leaned forward to slide his eyepatch up and off his face.

  “I like the natural you better. You don’t need this here.”

  The eyepatch dangled from her arm as her fingertips traced the ridges at the corner of his eye. The beaming smile that her gentle touch evoked warmed her heart.

  “Are you trying to distract me so you’ll win easier?”

  She laughed. “How did you know?”

  “You once said all’s fair in love and war.”

  “So, is this love or war?”

  His answer was a broad smile. “I think you know. On guard, Claudia. Prepare to lose your armies.”

  As she focused on the board, Philip gave thanks that God had given him the chance to save her from her brother. If only God would hurry up and save her from herself.

  As Claudia escorted Philip and Penelope to the gate, she wrapped her arm around Philip’s and leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “I need the eyepatch now, Claudia.”

  When Philip held his hand out for it, she held it behind her back. She kept switching it back and forth between her hands as he unsuccessfully reached around her to get it. Finally, she let him catch her hand and take it.

  As he positioned it on his face, she smiled up at him.

  “So, is it time yet?”

  “Time?”

  “You know, time to start our future together?”

  He’d hoped she wouldn’t ask that question. He didn’t want to dampen the joy of the morning. He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Not yet.”

  Her smile dimmed but remained. “I know you said not to ask why, so I won’t. I just want you to know that I’m ready whenever you decide we can.”

  He rested his hand on her cheek and stroked it with his thumb. The love in his eye should tell her more than mere words ever could. Her dazzling smile said she would trust him and try to wait patiently.

  Titus was in an exceptionally good mood as he approached the kitchen. He’d heard Claudia’s laughter as he handed the reins to Nestor. His little Jewish slave had taken the dark clouds from his sister’s mind and make her laugh again. He never thought she could do that so quickly, even though she’d told him she could help his sister’s heart heal.

  As he stepped through the door, the most tantalizing aroma wafted across his nostrils. Miriam was standing by the fire, leaning over to stir the pot that was the source of the scrumptious smell. He inhaled deeply, then let out his breath with a contented sigh. Time to show some appreciation to the best cook in the city.

  She jerked when he wrapped his arm around her waist as he took the spoon from her hand.

  “Hold still, Miriam. I don’t want you getting burned.”

  He held her snuggly against his chest to keep her away from the fire as he leaned forward to scoop some of the sauce from the pot. After blowing on the steaming mouthful to cool it, he took a taste.

  “You did it again. Another truly delicious one. Who would have thought I was buying the best cook in the city for only four hundred denarii?”

  She was blushing when he finally released her and handed back the spoon. He took one look at the pink suffusing her cheeks and chuckled.

  “Yes, indeed. Best cook in the city.”

  He kissed Claudia on the cheek before heading toward the bath to wash up for dinner.

  Miriam returned to stirring the sauce, still blushing at the memory of him holding her that way. She was still uncomfortable with him touching her, even though she knew he didn’t really mean anything by it. He’d promised she wouldn’t be his nighttime entertainment. Still, it made her feel good to know the master appreciated her cooking that much. It was a joy to serve a master like him, and she thanked God yet again that Master Titus had bought her.

  When Philip rode through the gate Monday morning, Claudia was holding a basket while Miriam pulled some carrots. She handed her basket to Miriam and hurried over to greet him as he slid from his horse.

  “I’m so glad to see you. Ready to cross swords this morning?”

  “Not today. I just stopped by to see you before I go out of town for a few days.”

  Worry lines creased her forehead. “I don’t like it when you travel. Something might happen to you.”

  Philip chuckled before placing his hand on her cheek. “You don’t have to worry about me, Claudia. I’m only going to my estates west of the city. The road there is perfectly safe.”

  “When will you return?”

  “I need to be back in Perinthus to attend to some business next Monday.”

  “Then I want you and Penelope to come for dinner Monday night.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I hoped you’d ask. Titus is right when he says Miriam’s the best cook in town.”

  “Is that all you come here for?”

  The smile morphed into a grin. “I think you know the answer to that.”

  He was actually going to be back Saturday night so he could teach at his house church Sunday. He was planning to drop in on her Sunday afternoon after everyone left. Waiting until Monday before he saw her again was out of the question.

  He’d put some road dust on before he went to her house. When he returned from a trip, he always stopped to see her before he went home, so she’d expect to see him dusty.

  She traced a curved scar on his cheek. “I’ll be counting the days until you return.”

  He mounted and sat smiling down at her.

  She rested her hand on his leg. “Be careful, and come back to me quickly.”

  “I’ll be back before you know it.” He turned his horse and headed toward the gate. When he twisted to look back at her before passing through, she was waving and smiling. He would be counting the days until his return, too.

  Chapter 57: From His Own Mouth

  Miriam had prepared Nestor some bread and cheese for his Sunday breakfast. Philip had lent him to Titus with the understanding that he would spend Sunday mornings at Philip’s house. Master Titus thought he went there to perform some special tasks for his master. He was really going for Sunday worship.

  “Thank you for the breakfast, Miriam. It should be a good day. Master Philip returned last night. It’s always better when he’s there.”

  Miriam smiled and waved as he headed out the door.

  Mistress Claudia stepped into the kitchen just as he disappeared. Miriam’s smile dimmed. The mistress had never come down before Miriam helped her dress.

  “Philip is back early? Let’s go to his house this morning and surprise him.”

  Miriam’s breathing froze. That was a terrible idea. The house church was meeting at Philip’s, and worship would be starting shortly after Nestor got there.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, mistress. We should wait until Monday, when Master Philip told you he was expecting to drop by our house. He might have something else he needs to do today.”

  Claudia chuckled. “Philip is always as eager to see me as I am to see him. He’ll be very pleased when I surprise him. I’m sure he can spare at least a few minutes for me to welcome him back home. Let’s go get me ready.”

  With a sense of foreboding, Miriam watched the mistress hurry up the stairs. Going to Philip’s on a Sunday while the mistress still hated Christians was a very bad idea, but how could she prevent it? Shaking her head, she followed her mistress.

  When Miriam entered the bedchamber, Mistress Claudia had already picked a tunic in Philip’s favorite shade of blue. She’d also placed a leather headband on the dressing table.

  “I want my hair down, not even the gold net. Philip likes it best that way, and I want to be especially pretty for him when he first sees me.”

  Miriam helped her into the tunic and slowly brushed her hair. She was about to place the leather headband with t
he gold medallions over her hair when Claudia turned and beamed up at her.

  “I’ve missed Philip so much. I can’t wait to hear his voice. He thinks he’s terribly ugly, but I don’t think so. He’s not handsome, but I like the way he smiles and that twinkle in his eye. I love the feel of his cheek and how he looks at me when I touch his scars.”

  She turned to look back at her mirror as Miriam finished arranging her reddish-blonde tresses and slid the headband into place. Her eyes sparkled as she inspected herself in the shiny silver surface.

  “Pretty the way he likes, so I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  Her mistress rose and hurried to the head of the stairs. She looked back at Miriam, who was moving slowly as she tried to think of some way to persuade Mistress Claudia not to go to Philip’s that morning.

  “Hurry, Miriam.”

  Reluctant but obedient, Miriam walked down the stairs as quickly as she safely could and followed her mistress through the kitchen and past the vegetable garden.

  Mistress Claudia led them out the gate and started up the hill. They walked the quarter mile to Philip’s house as quickly as Miriam’s leg would allow. The pedestrian entrance through the roadside wall was locked, and there was no response to them knocking.

  “Master Philip and Mistress Penelope may not be here, mistress. We should go home and try again tomorrow.”

  “Not yet. Let’s try the carriage gate that leads to the stable. Maybe someone is there.”

  Miriam hoped the gatekeeper would tell them Philip was not available, but Nestor might have told him she was a Christian. Would he think she was bringing Claudia for the worship?

  “Welcome, Miriam. Mistress Claudia. Come in.”

  He swung the gate open, and Mistress Claudia hurried through with Miriam close behind her.

  “Mistress, are you sure this is a good idea? He isn’t expecting us, and surprising him might not be what he wants.”

  “Don’t be silly. He’s never been anything but happy to see me since I met him. I’m not worried about him having another woman here or anything else that would make him not want to see me.”