Second Chances

by Carol Ashby

  Chapter 18: The Secret Revealed

  Corinth

  It had been a little over two weeks since they left Portus. The Claudia was tied to the pier in Corinth while some of its old cargo was being unloaded to make room for the new. As first mate, Clitus had been left in charge of that. Hector had gone to the shipping office to meet with Leander, the second-oldest son of Aristarchus, who ran the family operations in Achaia and Epirus.

  Cornelia stood at the rail, watching the general bustle on the pier below. She soon tired of that and began watching for the return of the captain. It was not long before she spotted him on the road, heading toward the ramp that led down to the pier. As a Greek man in a Grecian port, one might expect him to blend into the crowd, but he stood out to her eyes. She moved along the rail to stand near the gangplank. The moment he boarded, she’d make her request.

  As Hector made his way past the line of slaves carrying cargo from his ship, he looked up and saw Cornelia waiting for him. As soon as she caught his eye, she raised her hand and waved. He started up the gangplank and saw that expectant look. She was about to ask him to do something. Would it be quick and easy? Knowing Cornelia, it might not be.

  “Captain, I’m glad you returned so soon. There should still be plenty of time.”

  Hector stopped beside her. Plenty of time―that didn’t sound good. “Time for what?”

  “Time for a bath and a good dinner. Surely a city like Corinth is a place where both should be readily available.”

  “It is, but what Corinth considers normal could make even Rome blush. It would not be good to take Drusilla or even to go yourself to the public baths here.”

  “That might be, but perhaps you can find an alternative. You did in Corcyra.”

  She stood with her head tipped, looking at him with those eyes that assumed he could fulfill her request. In Corinth, he probably could. He’d worshiped many times with Leander’s house church, and a brother had a restaurant not far from the harbor. Leander could recommend a good private bath and give him exact directions to the restaurant.

  “I probably can. I need to go back to the shipping office for some directions. Then I’ll escort you to bathe and eat.”

  “Thank you, Captain. We’ll be ready when you return.” She turned and headed for the canopy, where Malleolus and Anthusa were waiting.

  He watched her. Gracious. Graceful. Every move like a dancer. His mouth curved up in appreciation. Cornelia was one persistent woman who didn’t give up until she got what she wanted. Sometimes that was quite annoying. Still, the walk of a patrician woman would attract any man’s eyes.

  When Hector returned, Malleolus stood waiting by the gangplank. “Cornelia invited me to join you for a good dinner. She should be out in a moment.”

  Hector smiled at the old steward. “Good. I’d rather have another man along.”

  The thought of having only Cornelia to talk with during dinner was a little uncomfortable. He sometimes had trouble knowing how she’d respond to his words. Her eyes were usually so calm, but then they’d twinkle because he’d said something she found terribly amusing. He wasn’t always sure what was so funny. Still, her eyes were pretty when they were laughing, so he didn’t mind that she found him unintentionally entertaining.

  “I’m ready, Captain.”

  He turned, and his head bounced back. He’d assumed she’d have the fancy crown of curls and her best clothes. Her hair was down, and she wore one of Anthusa’s plain tunics.

  His eyebrows rose as he stared at her.

  She rested her hand on her chest and tipped her head. “Is something wrong?”

  “You look very plain. You can dress fancy here in Corinth, like you did in Rome. Do you want to change?”

  “No. I don’t want to risk putting you in danger defending us from robbers. I don’t mind being seen dressed like this.”

  There was that twinkle that lit her eyes when she teased him. What had he said?

  “I’ve been a plain woman all my life. I can’t change that, even if I want to, so you shouldn’t expect it to bother me here.”

  “That’s not what I meant, Cornelia. Just because you’re not pretty doesn’t mean you’re so plain I thought it would bother you.”

  He glanced at Anthusa; her wide eyes confirmed that he had just insulted Cornelia...again.

  The corners of Cornelia’s mouth twitched, and the laughter danced in her eyes. “Thank you for clarifying that. Now shall we go?”

  He didn’t need to look at Anthusa again. His ears heated. He’d just dug himself deeper in the hole. He would have tried to fix it, but he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t just say something else that sounded like an insult. She really wasn’t a pretty woman, so what could he say? He wasn’t going to lie to her.

  “I’ll get my sword in case we return after dark.” He stepped quickly into the cabin, glad of an excuse to get out of the conversation.

  Malleolus’s eyes were laughing, even though he didn’t make a sound.

  Cornelia grinned at him. “I probably shouldn’t have done that to him, but I couldn’t resist.”

  “The captain is a strong man. I’m sure he can take it.” The full grin broke out. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he tried to regain his composure before the captain saw him. Hector’s natural honesty was no match for Cornelia’s playfulness. He shouldn’t laugh at him, but it was hard not to.

  When Hector returned, he led them down the gangplank and up the pier without speaking. If he didn’t say anything, he couldn’t accidentally insult her.

  At the top of the ramp, he turned to Cornelia. “It is only a quarter mile to the bath that Leander recommends. Stay close to me.”

  “With pleasure, Captain.”

  He wasn’t quite sure how to interpret her smile, but there was that teasing sparkle in her eyes. She might be plain over all, but no man could ever think her eyes were.

  The bath was delightfully refreshing, but Cornelia had noticed one thing that all the baths he took them to had in common. Men and women were always separated. She was sorry for two reasons. Drusilla would have had a wonderful time playing with the captain in a communal swimming pool, and she would have enjoyed watching them. She always loved watching Drusilla enjoy herself, and, well, he really was a handsome man.

  It was a short walk from the bath to the small restaurant Hector had selected. As they entered the courtyard, tantalizing aromas enveloped them: rosemary-laced bread fresh from an oven and a lamb and lentil stew, simmering with onion and garlic, seasoned with cumin and coriander. A half dozen tables were scattered under a canopy, and all but one were already occupied.

  Hector motioned for them to take the empty one before he headed for the kitchen. He’d almost reached it when the proprietor burst through the door.

  “Hector! It is so good to see you, my brother.” The two men embraced with hearty slaps on each other’s backs.

  “It’s even better to see you, Menelaites.” Hector turned slightly and waved his hand toward Cornelia and the others. “I’ve brought some passengers from Rome who are eager for a good meal after so many days of Calamus’s cooking.”

  “That I can understand. You are an excellent captain, and I would trust my life to you even in the worst of storms, but you are not known for feeding people well.” He slapped Hector’s back again. “You can trust that I will give them a meal to remember, brother.”

  Hector grinned. “I’m sure of that.”

  With one more slap of Hector’s arm, Menelaites turned and vanished into his kitchen.

  Hector stepped over to first one and then another of the other tables and exchanged very quiet words with the people there. From the smiles on all their faces, it was obvious he knew them well.

  Cornelia’s curiosity was aroused. The two men seemed to be good friends. The proprietor had called the captain “brother,” but that wasn’t possible. Hector was so obviously Greek, and his friend looked decidedly Egyptian. She leaned o
ver to whisper to Malleolus.

  “The captain seems to know almost everyone here. Why do you suppose that Egyptian is calling him ‘brother’?”

  “I’ll tell you later, when no ears are listening.”

  Cornelia cupped her chin and stroked her cheek with her forefinger. That was a conversation she’d be looking forward to.

  The dinner had been truly delicious, and their small party had returned to the ship without Hector needing his sword. Clitus was waiting to discuss something about the cargo with the captain, and the two of them descended into the hold. Cornelia motioned with her head to invite Malleolus into the cabin while Drusilla and Anthusa continued on to the deck chairs to enjoy the sunset.

  As soon as they were alone inside, Cornelia turned to Malleolus.

  “There are no ears now. What were you going to tell me? Why did that Egyptian keep calling the captain ‘brother’?”

  “The captain is a Christian, like Publius. It is what Christian men call each other.”

  Cornelia’s eyes widened before her brow furrowed. “Are you sure? How do you know?”

  “Drusilla heard him leading their worship. I told her not to say anything to anyone because it could put the captain in danger.”

  “I appreciate the wisdom of that, considering what happened to Publius. I certainly don’t intend to say anything to anyone, either. I would hate to have something happen to the captain.”

  Malleolus nodded his agreement, and the two of them headed back to the canopy.

  As orange faded to red in the sunset sky, Cornelia pondered what she’d just learned. She didn’t know much about the Christian religion, but the wisest man she’d ever known had decided his loyalty to Jesus was more important than his life. When Publius chose to die, she never understood it, but there had to be something extraordinary about following Jesus for him to willingly leave Claudia when she still needed him.

  And the most extraordinary man of her acquaintance was a Christian, too. But she didn’t care what his religion was. He would still be the perfect father for Drusilla and an excellent husband.

  His secret was safe with her.

  Anthusa unbraided Mistress’s hair and ran her fingers through it. Hearing the thoughts of the mistress’s heart as she brushed her hair was always the best part of the day.

  Mistress Cornelia smiled contentedly at Anthusa’s reflection in the mirror. “It’s been nice spending most of the day in port. That dinner with the captain was truly delicious. It was good of him to take time away from his work to escort us himself. He gets embarrassed, but I think he likes it when I tease him. He’s so handsome when he gets a little flustered and then his smile shows up. I like it when his eyes crinkle. He seems to smile more now than when we first sailed. I know I do. He makes me smile without even trying.”

  “I’ve noticed that, mistress. It’s the same with Drusilla. I think the captain could make anyone smile.”

  Cornelia turned to face her. “Drusilla loves listening to him talk about the ship. When I was saying good night, she told me she wished she had something to read about ships and sea voyages. She pointed out a shop selling scrolls as we were coming back from dinner. It’s only a short distance from the harbor. If there’s time tomorrow, we should go there to see if I can find her one.”

  “I’m sure she’d love that.”

  Cornelia turned back to the table and rested her chin on her hand. “I’m sure she’ll love having the captain read it to her. I’ll enjoy that, too. He has such a wonderful voice for reading aloud.”

  “He does.”

  “The captain does almost everything well.” Cornelia grinned at Anthusa in the mirror. “At least that’s the way it seems to me.”

  Anthusa nodded and continued brushing. She liked the dreamy look on Mistress’s face as she thought about the captain. She was well on her way to being in love with him. Each day, he seemed to like the mistress more as well.

  A smile tugged at Anthusa’s lips as she pulled the brush through Cornelia’s nut-brown tresses one last time. It would be so good if the captain decided he wanted to marry Mistress. If only the voyage would take long enough for that to happen. The mistress deserved happiness, and no one could make her happier than a good man like the captain.

  Chapter 19: Beginning to Care

  Breakfast was over, and Cornelia was leaning against the rail by the canopy. When she glanced toward the bow, she saw Drusilla with Malleolus, watching the rowboats pull ships away from the nearby piers.

  Anthusa joined her. “She always finds something worth watching, even when she’s seen it before.”

  Cornelia turned her smile on her maid. “Yes, and things I’ve seen many times sometimes seem new when she tells me about them.”

  She strolled back to the fruit tray and ate the last slice of dried apple before settling once more into her chair.

  When Calamus came to clear away the remains of breakfast, she drained her brass goblet and handed it to him. “How much longer will it be before we leave Corinth?”

  He glanced at her as he continued stacking plates and bowls on a tray. “Should be at least an hour. Did you need anything before we sail?”

  “Drusilla wanted something about ships to read. I saw a scroll vender just up the road from the harbor. An hour should be plenty of time to go there and back.” She rose. “Come, Anthusa.”

  Calamus’s brow furrowed. “Best check with Captain before you leave the ship.”

  “He’s busy in the hold. No need to bother him. We’ll hurry so we won’t cause any delay.”

  He opened his mouth as if to speak but shrugged instead. Then he swept the bread crumbs from the small table before carrying the tray of dishes back into the galley.

  Cornelia slipped into her room to get some money, and she and Anthusa headed down the gangplank.

  All was properly secured in the hold, and Hector and his first mate returned to the deck. It was time to leave.

  “Leander arranged good cargo for us, Clitus. This should be a very profitable trip. Prepare to cast off.”

  The crewman guarding the gangplank sucked air between his teeth. “Captain.”

  Hector turned to face him with eyebrows raised.

  “We can’t cast off yet, Captain. Cornelia Scipia and her maid aren’t back onboard.”

  Hector tightened his lips. She was an exasperating woman sometimes. He’d hoped to make good distance today, and she’d chosen to wander off somewhere without telling him.

  “Where did she go?”

  “She said she was going to buy a scroll and would be right back.”

  Hector’s nostrils flared. He exhaled sharply as his lips squeezed so tight they almost disappeared. Drusilla had pointed out the scroll vendor as they walked up to the bath. She was still talking about it at breakfast. It was just like Cornelia to go there to get something for her daughter. It was even more like her to do it without asking him first.

  He turned to Clitus. “I know where she went. I’m going to fetch her. Be ready to cast off as soon as we return.”

  Clitus gave one quick nod. “Yes, Captain.”

  Hector trotted down the gangplank and up the pier.

  Cornelia had made her purchase, and Anthusa carried the scroll as they started back.

  Fingers of unease wrapped around Cornelia’s spine as they worked their way down the crowded street. Perhaps this hadn’t been the best idea. Passing this way with the captain had felt perfectly safe, but now predatory eyes appraised her. She’d made a mistake not changing out of her fine linen and gold hair picks that held her braid at the back of her head. She looked worth robbing, and with only Anthusa beside her, she looked like an easy target.

  “Mistress.”

  Cornelia glanced at her maid. Anthusa jerked her head slightly toward the rear. “We’re being followed.”

  Cornelia looked back over her shoulder in time to see the scraggly youth start his grab for the small purse that held 60 denarii aft
er the scroll purchase. She spun around to face him as she swung her arm sideways and up to get the purse out of his reach. He anticipated her move and grabbed the sack of coins. She gripped it with both hands and braced against his efforts to pull it away from her.

  “Let go! Now! You are not going to rob me!” She looked at the men standing nearby. “Help me.”

  But the bystanders did just that―stood by and watched. Not one moved to help.

  Hector had just caught sight of Cornelia when the thief struck. He broke into a dead run when she started yelling. His heart pounded faster than his feet when he saw the sheathed dagger on the thief’s belt.

  Hector’s hand shot past her to grab and twist the thief’s arm sideways and down as he seized her purse, too. She was pulled against him until she let go and stumbled back. The youth yelped in pain, let go of the purse, and sprinted away.

  Hector spun around on her and stepped close. His body blocked the sun as he towered over her. His nostrils flared as his fist gripped the recovered purse tight enough to make his knuckles white and his forearm bulge.

  “You are never to do this again. You do not leave my ship without asking me first. You do not go anywhere without an escort. You were a fool to fight with that thief. He had a dagger. You could be dead right now and over what? A pittance. If he stabbed you, what would happen to Drusilla?”

  She blanched as his scowl drilled into her. “If anything happens to me, take care of her. Get her safely to Claudia.”

  Her enormous blue eyes blinked rapidly as they moistened. She was trembling. But why? She fought for her purse fearlessly, so why was she so scared now it was over?

  Then it hit him. It wasn’t the thief who frightened her. It was him.