Second Chances

by Carol Ashby

  Atticus laughed again, and Hector’s mouth tilted down until he forced it back up. What did that laugh mean?

  The look in the Roman’s eyes, that was too easy to interpret. He admired her as a woman...and he wanted her. “I always thought Drusus was a fool to trade you for the pretty, mindless things he’s wasted his time with for so long. It’s amazed me for years how such an intelligent man could make such a stupid choice.”

  Cornelia’s gracious smile and nod were all the response she gave.

  Atticus still held her hand. As he began to caress the back of it with his thumb, Hector found himself fighting the frown again.

  “It amazes me even more that you’ve stayed married to him. If you ever do decide to divorce Drusus, I’m not the only man in Rome who would be glad to hear it. However, I might be the most eager to do something about it.” His mouth turned up in the kind of smile that punctuated his meaning. Hector’s mouth became an inverted reflection of the senator’s until he forced it back into a straight line. “My wife has been dead for two years. Perhaps it’s time I remarried. I would be much more appreciative than he’s been.”

  Cornelia’s laugh carried the chimes of tiny bells within it. “That’s very kind of you to say, Atticus, and it’s probably quite true. My dowry remains intact, thanks to the exceptional talent of Publius’s steward for making money. I’m sure many would find marrying me appealing. Golden hair isn’t the only gold that makes a woman irresistibly attractive to the men of our acquaintance.”

  Atticus laughed at her response. It sounded genuine to Hector, but these Roman aristocrats were so good at hiding their true thoughts that it was hard to know for sure. The senator was not trying to hide his romantic intentions. Hector’s breath came faster as he watched the obvious interest flame in the senator’s eyes.

  “You have much more than your gold to recommend you, and you well know it.”

  Two men entered the restaurant and waved at Atticus.

  “My dinner companions have arrived, so I’ll leave you now. Perhaps I’ll see you again in the spring when we’re both back in Rome. We can spend some time together and see where that leads.” There was that smile that got Hector breathing faster again.

  “Perhaps so. I wish you a safe journey home.”

  With a final suggestive smile at Cornelia and a quick flick of his gaze toward Hector, Atticus left them to join his friends.

  Cornelia turned back toward their table, blocking Atticus’s view of her face. A barely perceptible furrow flitted across her brow. Her face relaxed, but there was still something off balance in her eyes. If he hadn’t become so familiar with her every expression, he would have missed it.

  Malleolus reached over and covered her hand where it rested on the table. “That was most unfortunate. I didn’t expect to see someone who would recognize you here.”

  His voice was much quieter than normal, but his expression was relaxed and even happy as he spoke. Hector’s gaze bounced between the two of them. They were both masters at deception.

  “Neither did I. Atticus is not one of Lucius’s good friends, but he’s not his enemy, either. I don’t know how often they meet or what they might talk about.”

  “Is he going to tell Father where we are?” Drusilla blinked twice as she whispered her question.

  Cornelia directed a smile at her daughter that masked any worry. “I have no reason to think he will. He and your father are not close friends. By the time Atticus gets back to Rome, our meeting will probably be long forgotten. There’s nothing for you to be afraid of, dear.”

  She turned her smile on Hector and lowered her voice even more “Perhaps I should explain, Captain. Lucius still may not know I’ve divorced him. I left the legal certificate in a box for him in the estate office, but he won’t find it until he bothers to go to the estate. It would not surprise me if he hasn’t been there since we left. He’ll notice Malleolus is gone long before he’ll miss me. I brought Drusilla with me without his consent. He was going to marry her to his best friend’s son. The boy’s a monster. I’ll do anything I can to prevent that, no matter what it takes.”

  “I know some about why you’re here, Cornelia. You don’t need to explain.”

  “I want to explain. I want you to know everything.”

  He would have reached over and covered her hand with his if Malleolus hadn’t beaten him to it. He didn’t like seeing the tightness at the corners of her eyes and the strained smile that didn’t quite hide her distress. Her acting might fool the Roman, but it wasn’t perfect enough to fool him.

  “I appreciate you taking me into your confidence.”

  “You’re a man who inspires confidence in every way.”

  The total sincerity in her elegant eyes was unmistakable. It was nothing like the play-acting with her aristocratic friend. He felt the full force of the compliment, and his frown flipped into a smile.

  Malleolus lifted his hand from hers. “We are being observed by the good senator. It would be wise to look like we’re enjoying ourselves.”

  Cornelia nodded and immediately her demeanor changed. If Hector hadn’t known how concerned she was that she’d been recognized, he would never have suspected. She and Malleolus were conversing as if they hadn’t a care in the world. The Roman should suspect nothing. He shifted his gaze past her to Atticus and caught the Roman watching him as well.

  Atticus and his friends ate quickly. As the other two headed toward the door, he approached their table again.

  Cornelia put on her mask and turned to smile up at him.

  He spoke softly so his companions wouldn’t hear. “You needn’t worry that Lucius will hear from me that you’re in Ephesus. My father always spoke well of Publius Drusus, and I think your husband is a disgrace to the family name.”

  Atticus glanced at Drusilla, who sat staring up at him with wide eyes. “I know Corvinus can’t find a wife for his crazy son. I rejected his request for my daughter. I’m glad to see you’ve protected yours. I hope you enjoy your stay in Ephesus. I fear you may need to remain for some time to keep her safe. Too bad. If you do return to Rome and divorce him, remember my interest. You know full well it’s never been only your dowry that I consider worth pursuing.”

  “Thank you for telling me, Atticus.” Gratitude brightened her voice.

  The senator picked up her hand and held it between both of his. As his fingers caressed the back of it, the corners of Hector’s mouth turned down and stayed there.

  “If you want to know what’s going on in Rome, write me. Your location will remain our secret.” The genuine warmth in his eyes as he held her gaze kindled equal warmth in hers. “I’ll leave you now to enjoy the company of your friends.”

  His eyes cooled as they lingered on Hector. “I can see you don’t have to worry about finding someone to take care of you here.” He flipped his gaze back on her face, and his eyes warmed again. “Don’t forget there is someone in Rome with much more to offer.”

  He favored her with another meaningful smile before releasing her hand. Then he fixed cold eyes on Hector and nodded once before turning to follow his companions out the door.

  Cornelia turned her gaze back on Hector. He was looking at her with his honest eyes and a slight smile on his lips. Atticus clearly did not like him being with her. What did Atticus see that she didn’t? She’d love to think the captain wanted to be the man who’d take care of her, but she couldn’t tell if that were the case.

  Atticus had always been gifted at flattery. Perhaps what he said was only that, but the way he looked at the captain suggested otherwise. He was right that many men would be interested in her when her divorce became known, but there was only one man whose interest she desired. She had one more week with him on the ship. But would that be enough?

  Anthusa had released the braid from its pins and was working her fingers through the plaits to free Mistress’s hair for brushing. Mistress rested her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. A sigh e
scaped as she gazed at her face in the mirror.

  “That was a close call tonight. I’m so glad it was Atticus and not one of the men who are Lucius’s friends. I’m sure I can trust him not to say anything.”

  “That’s good, mistress. It would be best if the master had no idea which way you’ve taken Drusilla.”

  “Even if someone did see us here in Ephesus, it might not be a total disaster. Perinthus is so far off the normal routes. Still, if he knew we came so far east, Lucius would probably guess I was going to Claudia or Titus. He never believed them when they wrote that they forgave him for killing Publius and for trying to drag Claudia back to Rome to marry Sabinus. He’d suspect they would help me to get even with him. It’s the sort of thing he would do. I don’t know if Lucius has had any contact with Titus since he decided to stay in Perinthus when he finished his military service. Malleolus took care of everything at Titus’s estate north of Rome. I’m not sure who will do that now.”

  Anthusa just nodded as she continued brushing. Mistress looked at her in the mirror.

  “I’m glad Malleolus decided to come with us. I enjoy his company so much. So does the captain. I think they’ve become good friends.”

  Anthusa tightened her lips to keep her smile from becoming a grin. She enjoyed watching Mistress think about the captain. It always brightened her mistress’s spirits, and sometimes it put a dreamy look in her eyes that made her look positively young again. She hated to see Mistress sad. She’d seen that too much in the last eight years.

  “Did you see the way Atticus looked at the captain when he came to our table after he ate?”

  “Yes, mistress. I don’t think he liked the captain being there with you. I think he was jealous.”

  “Even when we were young, I often got the feeling that Atticus might have wanted to marry me if Lucius hadn’t done it first. He always sought me out to talk awhile whenever he saw me somewhere. He’s always said flattering things to me. I never thought he meant any of them, but given what he said tonight, maybe he did. It’s certain he doesn’t need my money. He’s very rich himself.”

  “I’m not surprised that a smart man like him would admire you. The master was stupid not to appreciate you more.”

  Mistress turned in the chair to face Anthusa. “I really was surprised when Atticus said that about the captain taking care of me. I know he takes care of us by keeping us safe when we go ashore, but Atticus seemed to imply much more than that. Just being our escort wouldn’t be something that would make him jealous.”

  “I think the captain likes you a great deal. I think he admires you as a woman, and the senator saw that.”

  “If he does, then why doesn’t he say something or do something to let me know for certain? What did Atticus see that I’m missing?”

  She turned back to face the mirror. “Maybe there’s nothing there, but sometimes it really feels like there might be. We’ll be talking, and I know I have his full attention. It seems like he’s enjoying our conversation. Then suddenly he just excuses himself and leaves. Why does he do that if he’s interested in me?”

  She rested her chin on her hands again as Anthusa pulled the brush through her hair. “I don’t know what to make of him. He’s so unlike the men in Rome. I can predict how most of them will act. The captain still mystifies me.”

  She turned again to look at Anthusa. “There’s only about a week left. What if he doesn’t say anything before we land? I don’t know if there will be any chance to see him again after we leave his ship. I already know he’s the man I want. Why can’t he see that and do something about it?” She sighed. “But maybe I’ve just been fooling myself. Maybe he really has no interest in me, and he’s just being kind. He is so very kind.”

  “I don’t think that’s what it is, mistress. I’ve seen how he looks at you sometimes when you’re not looking at him. I’m sure there’s admiration in that look.”

  “Then why doesn’t he say something?” Cornelia sighed.

  “I also think the captain didn’t like the way the senator was interested in you. Maybe that’s why the senator said that. Maybe it takes a man to know what another man is thinking.”

  Cornelia choked on a chuckle. “Two fine men jealous for my attention? That would be an amazing thing. Lucius would find it laughable if anyone tried to tell him that was possible.”

  “Like the senator said, the master has been a fool for years not to appreciate you. The captain is no fool. I think he’ll decide you’re exactly the woman he wants, just like you want him.”

  Cornelia turned to face Anthusa again “I am so glad I brought you with me. You always know exactly what to say to cheer me up. You’re right. The captain is no fool, and there’s still a week before we reach Perinthus. He lives there, too, so I really have until the sea opens again in the spring. I’m sure he’ll want to see Drusilla, so he’ll come visit if I ask him.”

  “I think he’ll want to visit you as much as Drusilla.”

  “I hope so, Anthusa. I truly hope so.”

  Chapter 25: Only Dreams

  Hector awoke shortly after midnight. Many days had passed since he last dreamed about Philip meeting him in Perinthus. A new dream drove him out to the rail.

  In the dream, he was at his farm. As he rode up to the house, he called out to let Damara and Charissa know he was home. He swung his leg over the horse’s neck and slid to the ground. As he walked the horse to the stable, a pair of small arms wrapped around his waist from behind. When he turned in that embrace, it was Drusilla beaming up at him. He bent over and kissed her forehead.

  When he straightened up, Cornelia stood before him, her playful eyes sparkling as she smiled. Drusilla stepped out of the way so her mother could wrap her own arms around him. She slowly rubbed his back as she rested her cheek against his chest. Then she tipped her head so she could look up at his face.

  His heart beat faster as the love radiating from those deep blue eyes engulfed and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. As she placed her hand on the back of his neck and began pulling his lips down to hers, he awoke.

  He stepped quietly from the cabin and walked to the rail. His fingers gripped its well-oiled surface as he stood alone in the moonlight. The ship was still tied to the pier, so he couldn’t watch her cutting through the waves, as had become his custom after waking from a dream. He had to settle for watching for the flickering torch of the occasional person walking on the road above the wharves.

  He slid his hand back and forth on the smooth wood and sighed.

  If only that dream could become reality. He already loved Drusilla like a daughter. The more time he spent close to Cornelia, the more he wanted to be with her. There couldn’t possibly be a more devoted mother. She was a gracious lady with a playful sense of humor that delighted even while it disturbed his balance. He’d been mired so long in sadness, but she’d made him laugh again. Those elegant blue eyes―a man could drown in them when she was serious, and no one could resist smiling when they were teasing.

  She seemed to enjoy his company at least as much as he did hers. In time, who knew where that might lead? She hadn’t decided to follow Jesus yet, but she was definitely interested. Surely faith would come. She was a woman a man could gladly spend a lifetime with.

  There was only one problem, but it was a huge one.

  She was Cornelia Scipia, daughter of one of the noblest Roman families, born and raised to move in circles of wealth and power. The gold in her chests was enough to buy even Philip’s estates near Perinthus. The senator clearly wanted her as his wife. He’d practically proposed right there in the restaurant. There must be a dozen aristocrats who would find her as attractive as he did. Any man with half a mind would.

  How could he possibly expect a woman like her to be willing to marry a man like him? He was only a ship’s captain. He straightened up and kicked the deck. A deep sigh escaped before he turned and trudged back to the cabin.

  Dream
s were just that…only dreams. It was best not to expect they would ever come true.

  Mare Propontis

  When Sunday came around again, they were only two days out from Perinthus. As Hector came from the cabin with the codex in his hand, his gaze fell on Cornelia. She sat with Drusilla between her and Malleolus. A satisfied smile lifted the corners of his mouth. The three of them had all become much more than passengers. Malleolus was a good friend, and he loved both Drusilla and her mother. To see them so interested in learning about Jesus―it filled his heart with joy. Cornelia would never become his wife, but she still might become his sister.

  As he stood in front of his assembled crew, it was Cornelia who drew his gaze. She was watching him with an eagerness that fired his own heart.

  Hector closed his eyes and raised his hand. “We come this morning to worship you, Father, with our prayers and praise. Fill us with your Spirit so our worship may be worthy for You to receive.”

  Calamus strummed the lyre, and the men raised their voices in praise. After several songs, Hector raised his hand and began the reading.

  “ʻA farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’ When he said this, he called out, ʻHe who has ears to hear let him hear.’

  “His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

  “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.