“Some, perhaps.” The man flicked a gaze his companion’s way. “But most of us recognize that the Jews have become valuable members of the empire. Take Susa for example.” He waved a hand toward the city. “It is such a pleasure to winter here largely because of the Jews who withstand the heat in the summer and keep the city running. We are not all blind to that.”
She inclined her head in acknowledgment. “And some of us recognize the generosity of Xerxes, the king of kings, and his fathers before him, and are grateful for the opportunity to flourish here.”
“But . . .” He cocked his head, grinned. “Your father is not one of those?”
Kasia sighed and, finished with her shoes, stood. “My father has lived long under the heel of his Persian neighbors. Were it not for the size of our family, he would have returned to Israel long ago.”
“Ah. Well, fair and generous Kasia, I thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Your wit and eloquence have brightened my day.” He stepped closer, slowly and cautiously.
Esther shifted beside her, undoubtedly spooked by his nearness. But Kasia held her ground and tilted her head up to look into his face when he was but half an arm away. “And I thank you, sir, for your kind offer to see us home, even if I must decline.”
“Hmm. A shame, that. I would have enjoyed continuing our conversation on the walk back to the city.”
With her eyes locked on his, she was only vaguely aware of his movement before warm fingers took her hand. She jolted, as much from the sensation racing up her arm as from the shock of the gesture.
He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. Her breath tangled up in her chest. If her father saw this, he would kill her where she stood.
But what was the harm in a moment’s flirtation with an alluring stranger? He would return to his ornate house and forget about her. She would go to her modest dwelling and remember this brief, amazing encounter forever.
A stolen moment. Nothing more.
His other hand appeared in her vision even as he arched a brow. “A gift for the beautiful Jewess.”
That tangled breath nearly choked her when she saw the thick silver torc in his hand, lions’ heads on each end. “Lord, I cannot—”
“I will it.” He slid the bracelet onto her arm, under her sleeve until it reached a part of her arm thick enough to hold it up, past her elbow. Challenge lit his features. “If you do not want it, you may return it when next we meet.”
“I . . .” She could think of nothing clever to say, no smooth words of refusal.
With an endearing smirk, he kissed her knuckles and then released her and strode away. Kasia may have stood there for the rest of time, staring blankly at where he had been, had Esther not gripped her arm and tugged.
“Kasia, what are you thinking? You cannot accept a gift from a Persian man! What will your father say?”
“Nothing pleasant.” Blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face, Kasia let her sleeve settle over her arm. It covered all evidence of the unrequested silver. “He need not know.”
“Kasia.” Esther’s torment wrinkled her forehead again. “What has gotten into you? Surely you are not . . . ?”
She glanced over to where the man mounted his horse and turned with one last look her way, topped with a wink. Blood rushed to her cheeks. “Perhaps I am. He is a fine man, is he not?”
Esther sighed, laughed a little. “He seemed it, yes. But your father will never allow you to marry a Persian. As soon as he decides between Ben-Hesed and Michael, you will become a fine Jewish wife to a fine Jewish man.”
“Yes, I know.” Her breath leaked out, washing some of the excitement of the last few minutes away with it. “It hardly matters. The loss of one bracelet will probably not bother him. He will consider it restitution for our dismay and think of it no more.”
Esther lifted her brows. “But he said he would see you again.”
“Do you really think a man of his station will bother himself over a Jewish girl whose father cannot afford a dowry?”
“I suppose not.”
Kasia looped her elbow through Esther’s. “Come, little one. We had better hurry home.”
Esther renewed her smile. “You have quite the romantic story now. Someday, when you are an old married woman, you can pull out that torc and give it to your daughter along with a tale to set her heart to sighing.”
Yes . . . someday.
Two
Esther tore through her chest of belongings, tossing away each object to meet her hands. It had to be here. Somewhere, under something . . . she could not have lost her mother’s silver bracelet. Impossible. She rarely wore it, only when she wanted to look pretty for Zechariah. The last time had been—
No. She rocked back on her heels and pressed a hand to her mouth. Three days ago, when she spent the day with Kasia. When they went to the river. She did not remember taking it off again that night.
There was no need to think the worst. It was probably at Kasia’s house, that was all. Surely it had slipped off there, and not in the streets. Or, worse still, at the river.
“Esther?”
At her cousin’s voice, Esther scooped up the mass of her belongings and shoved them back into the chest, dropping it shut just as Mordecai stuck his head into her small chamber. He was so tall he had to duck before entering, though otherwise his build was slight.
He smiled. “There you are. I am not needed at the palace today, so Kish and I are going in search of some wood for his next project. Would you like to spend the morning with Kasia?”
Relief settled on her shoulders. “I would like that, cousin. Thank you.” She could ask Kasia if she had seen her bracelet, if perhaps her ima, Zillah, had found it . . . and if she had heard any more from the rich Persian. Unlikely, but worth a question.
She stood and followed her cousin through the house and out the front door. Mordecai drew in a deep breath of the fresh air, closing his hazel eyes as if to better savor it.
Esther smiled. She had never met him before her parents were killed, but in the three years since he took her in, she discovered him to be a man of depths that flowed down to his soul. Not often did he speak up in a crowd, never did he draw attention to himself. But he lived with a whole heart. He seemed to treasure each moment. Each breath of fresh air. Each bird song. It was no wonder he was the one chosen to represent the Jews at the palace. There was no man more respected in Susa.
She could not figure out why he never remarried after his wife died in childbirth five years ago, along with their babe. But at the same time, she was glad. Had he brought a new woman into the house, she may not have appreciated having to tend to a nearly-grown girl like Esther.
That was a selfish thought, she knew. Mordecai deserved the happiness a wife and children of his own would bring him. Besides, his heart was too large to necessitate pushing her aside once he had children of his flesh. He had told her more than once that she was like his daughter, and he meant it.
Just because she had lost one father did not mean she would lose this one.
He smiled down at her and took the first step onto the street. “You have grown again. We shall have to get you some more clothes. Perhaps Zillah and Kasia will help you with that next week.”
“They are always happy to help.”
Mordecai nodded, but his smile faded. It was so out of character for him that Esther stopped. “Cousin?”
He halted too, and drew out a smaller smile. “It is nothing. Only . . . Kish is still considering Ben-Hesed or Michael for your friend?”
“So far as I know. They are . . . cousin! Are you going to ask for her?”
“I . . .” Mordecai blushed—actually blushed. “She has grown into a lovely young woman. Beautiful, but so much more. Tender and caring, with a zeal for life. And she loves you. I know not if she could ever feel so warmly for me, though.”
“How could she not?” Esther tucked her hand into Mordecai’s elbow and gave him her brightest smile. “I doubt she has consi
dered it, but I shall plant a few thoughts in her head.”
Mordecai groaned, but it ended on a laugh. “I do not need my twelve-year-old daughter approaching a woman on my behalf. I will try to find a few moments to speak with her to see if she would welcome further attention from me. If so, then I will speak with Kish.”
Dear, sweet cousin Mordecai. The Lord had surely been watching over her when he led this man to her door after the accident.
Well, she would do what she could to help, no matter what he said. Surely Kasia would forget about any other man when she realized Mordecai was interested in making her his own. She had expressed admiration for him more than once. And to have her dearest friend under the same roof—it would be a perfect arrangement.
They walked the short distance to their friends’ house in silence, but entered to the usual chaos of a large family. Kish bellowed instructions at Zechariah in the wood shop, and inside the family’s space the little ones shrieked and giggled and dashed about.
Kasia’s mother, Zillah, looked up and smiled. “Kasia is working on the bread, if you want to help her.”
“Certainly.” She turned first to Mordecai and leaned into him for a moment. “Have a good morning, cousin. When will you be back?”
“By the midday meal, I imagine. Have fun with Kasia and the little ones.”
“I will.” Smiling first at him, then at Zillah, she headed for the outdoor kitchen at the rear of the house. She found Kasia up to her elbows in bread dough. “Would you like some help?”
“Have I ever turned it down?” Her friend’s grin made Esther sigh. Kasia was so beautiful. Her hair was thick, so dark and rich, her cheekbones pronounced to set off her large almond eyes, and her curves . . .
Sometimes Esther despaired of ever growing up. It took so long. Here she was nearly thirteen, and she still had the figure of Kasia’s eight-year-old sister, Eglah. Or worse, eleven-year-old Joshua. How would Zechariah ever come to love her if she looked like his little brother?
But Kasia—it was no wonder the Persian had been unable to take his eyes off her. No wonder Mordecai had set his heart on her. Esther grinned as she pulled a second bowl of dough forward. “You will never guess the conversation I just had.”
Kasia lifted her brows. “Let me see. You told Mordecai how in love you are with Zechariah, and he promised to speak with Abba this morning to arrange for a betrothal.”
She laughed and bumped her arm into Kasia’s. “No, but a similar topic. Concerning your pending betrothal.”
“Ah.” Some of the brightness left Kasia’s voice. “Not nearly so interesting. Michael stopped by last night, and it was all I could do to stay awake through his prattle. If Abba selects him as my husband, I shall sleep through the rest of my life. Though he is better than Ben-Hesed, and apparently my mysterious Persian will not be returning.”
“As expected. But I have a feeling you need not resign yourself to Michael yet. There is another suitor lurking in the shadows.”
“Oh?” Without so much as pausing in her kneading, Kasia lifted a dubious brow. “And who would that be?”
Esther rolled her lips together and plunged her hands into the dough. “Hmm. I really ought not say. He did imply I should refrain from interference.”
Now Kasia halted and turned to face her. “What a tease! But no matter, there are few enough men you speak with. It must be . . . Abram the butcher.”
Esther laughed. “You think I consider him a better choice than Michael? He is ancient.”
“He is thirty-five.” Kasia chuckled and got back to work. “Surely anyone younger than the king cannot be called old. It is probably against the law.”
A snort slipped from her lips. “Perhaps. They do have some ridiculous laws. But it is someone much better than the butcher. More handsome, younger, and wealthier.”
Kasia’s hands stilled, and her eyes focused on the middle distance. “All that? I must say, I am both intrigued and at a loss. I can think of no one . . . at least . . .” She turned her face to Esther, brows pulled together. “Surely not . . . ?”
Lips pressed together again, Esther wiggled her brows. She half expected Kasia to leap with excitement, giddy laughter on her lips. Instead, she went thoughtful and turned back to her bowl. Not the reaction Esther had expected. Perhaps she should have held her tongue. Oh, Mordecai would be mortified if she had ruined things.
Kasia shook her head. “I thought . . . he grieved so for Keturah. And it has been so long since her death, I assumed . . . .” Her gaze, sharp now, found Esther again. “You are certain? Serious? He is serious?”
Esther could only nod.
Kasia’s eyes went wide. “I cannot grasp it. He is so . . .”
“Yes. He is.”
Kasia used her wrist to smooth back a stray lock. “And I am only . . .”
“You are everything a man could want, Kasia.” Esther drew her lower lip between her teeth as she regarded her friend. “He did not want me to say anything. He intends to speak to you himself before he approaches your father, to sound out your feelings. I wanted to . . . give you time to think about it, I suppose. I would hate to see either of you hurt.”
Kasia drew in a long breath, looking at a loss for what to say. “You need not fear me hurting him, little one. If he is interested, there is nothing to think about. There is no better man in Susa, and I would be honored if . . . and Abba. He would be so proud.”
Esther nodded, though she would have wished for a little more enthusiasm. Perhaps it was just eclipsed by surprise. “Do you love him, Kasia?”
Kasia’s eyes came into focus on Esther’s face. There was no gleam she would have called love, but there was something. Something sure, something calm. “I could very easily, if I let myself consider it. The very possibility of such a union—it is much more than I dared dream. I have so little to offer, and he is so well respected. Although . . . I have heard that he has a pesky daughter. On second thought, maybe I would not want to deal with the little—”
“Ha!” Esther rammed her side into her friend, and they both dissolved into laughter. Satisfied, she sighed. “Well then. Your Persian man has not come to your door, demanding to speak with your father?”
“Obviously not.” Though Kasia rolled her eyes, Esther did not miss the hint of disappointment within them. Ah, well. Mordecai would banish it soon enough.
Esther leaned close. “What did you do with the torc?”
“I am still wearing it. I was afraid the girls would find it if I took it off.”
“Oh! My mother’s silver bracelet—I cannot find it, and the last time I wore it was when I came over the other day. Have you found it around your house?”
Kasia shook her head, concern saturating her face. “I will ask Ima, though. You do not think . . .”
The very thought made tears sting her eyes. “I hope not. If I lost it at the river, I will never find it again.”
“You could.” Kasia leaned over to touch their arms together. “If Ima does not have it, I shall check at the river this afternoon. We will find it, little one. I promise.”
Knowing Kasia would look for it eased the knot of anxiety inside—she could simply smile, and all of creation would jump to help her. A girl could not ask for a better friend, a better neighbor. She would be blessed indeed when Kasia married Mordecai.
~*~
Kasia fell to her knees, bent over until she was prostrate, and wished for some extra light. Granted, in the summer she appreciated the protection their roof afforded with its three-foot thickness, but at the moment the way it blocked the sun was more curse than blessing.
Her mother clucked behind her. “Kasia, what are you doing? Searching for dust?”
“No, for Esther’s bracelet.”
“You still have not found it?” Ima sighed. “Perhaps you ought to retrace your steps from the other day.”
Kasia straightened and rubbed at her neck, sore from all the craning and stooping she had done that afternoon after Esther left. “I suppose
I shall have to. Poor little Esther. It is the only thing she has left of her mother. I cannot bear the thought that she lost it.”
Ima gave her a small smile and reached out to cup her cheek. “You are a sweet one, my Kasia. Go now, before darkness falls.”
“Do you not need help with the meal?”
“I shall make do. It is for Esther’s sake, after all.”
Kasia smiled at her mother and turned to find four-year-old Sarai standing behind her, thumb in mouth. The wee one removed the finger long enough to ask, “What you looking for, Kas?”
She scooped up her little sister and gave her belly a tickle. “A silver bracelet that Esther dropped the other day.”
Sarai’s eyes went wide. “Silver? And round? Like this?” She traced a circle in the air.
Ima fisted her hands on her hips. “Have you seen it, Sarai?”
The child tucked her head into Kasia’s neck. “I found it in the kitchen. It is safe and pretty. On my doll. It is a belt.”
Ima lifted one dubious brow and reached for Sarai. “Come, little one, let us go get it. Kasia, would you stir the stew while I take care of this?”
“Of course.” She turned and headed outside to the kitchen. Perhaps after the meal she would run the bracelet over to Esther to ease the girl’s mind.
Although the trip would probably not ease her mind.
Kasia drew in a shaky breath as she passed the threshold into the moderate winter sun. Her friend’s news from that morning still rocked her. How long had she known Mordecai? He had always lived in the house three doors away, in a modest part of town despite his wealth. She remembered when he wed Keturah, how happy he had seemed. She remembered the bliss on his face when he shared with Abba that a babe would join them soon.
She remembered the stark pain that etched age onto his countenance when Keturah and the babe died.
Though only eleven at the time, Kasia had wanted to wrap her arms around him and hold on until the pain went away. It had seemed as though nothing would ever ease his agony.
Until Esther. Esther had brought joy back to his eyes, a smile back to his lips.
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