by Carol Ashby
Cornelia masked her surprise at the smallness of the house. Would there be room for the three of them? The silliness of that thought triggered a smile. She’d happily spent almost five weeks in a five-by-six-foot room shared with Anthusa, and it had been enough. By comparison, this was palatial.
Claudia pointed to the bedchamber on the right. “That was mine when I first came. Now it’s where Miriam and Titus sleep.” She pointed back to the room at the far end of the left leg. “Titus used that room, but it’s for guests now. It has two windows with lovely views. I think Miriam plans on that being your room.”
Cornelia gauged the size and number of rooms. Two nephews, one niece―that would fill all the other rooms on that leg. Two small rooms left over for their nurse, chef and helpers, slaves to clean the house...definitely not much room for three extra people. Was there any room for an extra slave in the house itself? She wanted Anthusa nearby.
“Anthusa shared my room on the ship. Perhaps she can do that here.”
Claudia nodded. “Miriam was my lady’s maid when I lived here, and she slept in my room before I married Philip. I always liked that arrangement.”
“Then I’ll suggest it to Miriam.” Suspicion confirmed. Miriam had been Titus’s slave. His chef, Claudia’s maid―she’d never had a slave with skills for both those jobs.
Titus led the group through the kitchen to reach the door into the garden. As they passed through, Miriam stood by the fire, stirring the simmering sauce with a long-handled spoon. Titus stepped close behind her, slid his hand down her arm, and tried to take the spoon from her. She slapped his hand before dipping the spoon in the pot and offering it for him to taste.
Titus blew on the steaming liquid until it cooled enough, then let Miriam tip a tiny taste into his mouth.
“Still the best cook in the city.” A crooked grin accompanied his laughing eyes.
Miriam beamed at his words. “And still the best husband.”
Once more, Cornelia needed to conceal her surprise. Miriam didn’t just oversee the kitchen. She actually worked in it as if she were the chef instead of the mistress.
Titus’s lips brushed Miriam’s forehead before he turned to lead them out the door into the garden.
Cornelia settled into a chair under a spreading tree to await Miriam’s summons to dinner. Claudia and Titus chatted with Malleolus. Philip listened with his fingers laced behind his head and his legs stretched out, the perfect image of relaxation as he gazed at his beautiful wife. Drusilla had followed Vania to the flock of chickens, where she was being introduced to each.
How different her in-laws were from the way she remembered them. Different, but also better. None of the pretention of aristocratic Rome remained. They were natural, open, real.
Like Hector. Her pulse jumped as images of him flooded her mind. Where was he now? Did he think of her as often as she thought of him? Did he think of her at all?
No more than five days. That’s what he’d said. It wasn’t even one day yet, but that was already several hours too many.
The exquisite combination of aromas coming from the kitchen made Cornelia’s mouth water. If the taste matched the savory smells, the meal should be a culinary masterpiece.
Dinner was to be served to the six adults at one table with the four boys, Vania, and Drusilla at a second. Drusilla was all smiles and giggles as she talked with her cousins. Watching her obvious delight erased Cornelia’s final doubts about the wisdom of coming to Perinthus. Bringing Drusilla here would have been a good choice even if Lucius hadn’t been such a horrible father.
Miriam had exchanged her servant’s apron for a linen tunic befitting her station as Titus’s wife. She seated Cornelia at one end of the table between Claudia and herself, with Malleolus directly opposite between Philip and Titus.
Titus wove his fingers into Miriam’s where her hand rested on the table. “You are in for a treat tonight. Father always kept a good chef, and I assume Lucius was wise enough to keep his kitchen staff. I remember some excellent meals when I was still in Rome, but they were nothing, I tell you, absolutely nothing compared to what Miriam can prepare. Her sauces and pastries put to shame the best I ever had in Rome.”
His enthusiasm drew Cornelia’s smile. “If the aromas are signs of what is to come, I expect the flavors will be extraordinary.”
A pink flush swept across Miriam’s cheeks. “Titus praises me more than I deserve, but making sure he has the best possible dinner is one of my greatest pleasures.” She gave his hand a quick squeeze as her gaze caressed his face. “It’s my gift of love to the finest husband.”
Titus lifted her hand and kissed it. “I may not be the finest husband, but I’m certainly the most blessed.”
All eyes turned to the pantry door as a servant carried in the carrots sautéed in Miriam’s peppered wine sauce. After the dish was placed on the table, Titus offered his hands to Miriam and Malleolus. Cornelia and Malleolus joined as the circle of hands formed around the table.
Titus tilted his head back, eyes closed. “We give thanks, Lord, for the blessings of this day and for this food that will nourish our bodies. We give special thanks that Cornelia, Malleolus, and Drusilla have arrived safely and can share it with us. In Jesus’s name, we give thanks.”
“Amen” came from all, including Cornelia.
Malleolus turned to Philip. “Hector and I had many opportunities to talk during the voyage. Before we landed, he began to tell me about Jesus and what he did. I would like to learn more about the faith that Publius thought worth dying for. Hector told me you could help me with that.”
Philip grinned. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure.” He paused. “You talked a lot with Hector?”
“Yes. We became good friends. I’ll miss our daily conversations. He’s a fine man.”
Philip’s grin turned serious. “I’ve been worried about him since his wife and daughter died last fall. His grief has been too deep for too long. I haven’t had a chance to speak with him since he returned from Rome. Is their loss still consuming him?”
“He’s a quiet man, and he didn’t speak of his grief to me. He did smile and laugh much more by the end of our voyage. He and Drusilla became good friends. Each seemed to make the other happier the longer they were together. I am certain they’ll miss each other a great deal. I hope there will be some way for them to get together soon.”
Philip’s eye brightened as a broad smile appeared. “That is excellent news. I’ve prayed long and hard for him to get past the crushing grief.” His head tilted as his eyebrow rose. “So he and Drusilla have become friends? Then I’ll make sure the two of them have many opportunities to enjoy each other’s company until Hector sails again in the spring.”
Cornelia stopped listening to the conversation between Miriam and Claudia that flowed around her. Her full attention focused on Philip and Malleolus the moment she heard Hector’s name.
What was Philip planning to do? Would she have many opportunities to enjoy Hector’s company as well?
It was all she could do not to sigh. If only he were sitting next to her at the table. If only he would entwine his fingers with hers, as Titus did with Miriam. If only he would gaze at her as if she were the light in the room, as Philip did with Claudia. Whatever Philip did to get Hector to come for Drusilla, somehow she must convince him to come for her as well.
After Claudia’s family went home, Miriam led Cornelia along the balcony to the room that would be hers. She paused at the door to wave Cornelia in ahead of her. “I had Philip’s servants bring down the two trunks you had in your cabin and your boxes of jewelry and perfumes. The rest are still at Claudia’s until you sort them into what you want to use now and what you want to store until you have your own estate. She thought it would be safer for your dowry gold to remain at Philip’s house. He has the locking caskets and guards to keep it safe.”
Cornelia paused in the doorway and tipped her head. “Thank you. That sounds wise for my
gold. The two trunks should be sufficient. I discovered on the voyage how little I actually need. If you have no objection, I’d like to have Anthusa sleep in my bedchamber rather than be quartered too far from me.”
Miriam’s smile broadened. “Of course. Claudia always wanted me to sleep with her even though there were spare rooms. She mentioned your wish, and I’ve had a cot for Anthusa placed in your chamber already. I thought Vania and Drusilla would enjoy sharing as well.”
“I expect Drusilla will be very happy with that arrangement.”
Titus reached the top of the stairs and walked along the balcony to join them.
Miriam’s gaze remained fixed on her. “I’m so glad we’ll get a chance to know each other before you move to your own estate. I hope it will be close enough for frequent visits. We won’t wa―”
Titus had scooped Miriam up into his arms. After one gasp, she started to laugh.
“Put me down, Titus. What will Cornelia think?” She squirmed, but he held her tight.
“You can ask her tomorrow. That’s enough women’s talk for tonight.” His lips moved close to her ear and he lowered his voice. “It’s time for our nighttime entertainment.”
Blood flooded Miriam’s cheeks and ears.
Titus’s grin grew bigger. “You’re pretty when you turn pink, but red is even better.” One tender kiss, then he turned his eyes on Cornelia.
“I’m glad you’ve come. We’ll do all we can to help you start over here.”
“Thank you, Titus. With you and Philip helping, I’m sure all will turn out well. Good night.” She turned and stepped into her room.
When she heard his footsteps moving away, she turned back to watch. Titus still cradled Miriam in his arms. She snuggled into him and rested her head on his shoulder. When she caressed his face, he kissed her again. He carried her into their room and shut the door with his foot, unwilling to put her down.
The love that flowed between Titus and Miriam drew Cornelia’s shuddering sigh. What would it be like to have a man love her like that? Even after eight years of marriage, it was as if it were their wedding night. It must have been like that for Hector. Why else would he grieve so deeply for almost a year?
Why couldn’t I have married a man like Hector instead of a worm like Lucius? I was a fool. I’ve spent my whole life with no man who wants my love, no man who loves me in return.
She’d been a Cornelius Scipio marrying a Claudius Drusus, the perfect merger of bloodline and fortune, and everyone had congratulated her on arranging such a wonderful marriage. Instead, it had been miserable. Titus had married someone who didn’t even have a last name, and it had turned out so perfectly for him.
Anthusa’s voice came from within the room. “Are you ready to retire, mistress?”
One last, longing look at their closed door. “Yes. I’m coming.”
Chapter 29: New Understandings
When Malleolus entered the dining room the next morning, Philip and Claudia were already enjoying a breakfast of dates, cheese, and rosemary-laced bread.
Claudia rose and embraced him. “It’s so good to have you here.”
Malleolus sighed, a contented smile brightening his face as he hugged her. “To be here with you...I never expected to see you again. I couldn’t have chosen a better end for my life.”
Malleolus seated himself next to Philip and across from Claudia. “Philip, I can never repay Aristarchus for what he’s done for me. Cornelia and Drusilla are family to me, just as Claudia is like my own daughter. I thought I’d end my days alone after I sent them all to Thracia. When your father insisted I come with Cornelia, he gave me the chance to be with the three people I love most in the world. To live my final days with them all...I could ask for nothing more.”
Claudia reached across the table and took his hand. “May that be many years from now, dear Malleolus. You’ll never be alone now. No one ever should be.”
Philip nodded. “I’ve seen too closely how losing a child can tear up a man.”
Malleolus flipped his gaze from Claudia to Philip. “Hector?”
“Yes. He left for Rome sadder than any man should be.”
“When we first boarded, I believe he still was. But I had the pleasure of watching that change. To cheer Drusilla, he played games, taught her sailor skills, let her follow him around. They’ve come to love each other like father and daughter. I am sorry their time together has ended.”
Claudia turned with a wide smile. “But their time together doesn’t have to end. I’ll invite him to dine here tomorrow.” She glanced at Philip. “He and Philip are closer than brothers. He often dines with our family.”
“That should bring great pleasure to more than Drusilla.”
Claudia cocked her head, a question in her eyes. “Cornelia?”
A grin split Malleolus’s face. “Not just Cornelia. By voyage end, I’m sure I saw great interest in each other, but neither was any good at letting the other know.”
A mischievous grin brightened Claudia’s eyes as well. “We’ll see what we can do to help them understand each other better.”
Malleolus was content as he turned his attention back to the breakfast before him. It was a good first step in his final act of service to Cornelia.
Cornelia was seated for breakfast with Miriam when she heard Drusilla’s happy chatter as she crossed the courtyard with Vania. What a pleasant way to start the first day of their new life in Thracia.
Drusilla bounced over to give her a hug when she entered the dining room.
Cornelia basked in her daughter’s beaming smile. “Did you sleep well, dear?”
“Oh, yes, and breakfast was delicious, too. I’m so glad Aunt Miriam wanted us to stay with her.”
Her words brought a smile to Miriam’s lips. “I’m glad you feel that way. Do you have everything you need in your room?”
Drusilla bit her lip as she looked at her aunt. “In the room, yes, but I was hoping I might have some rope.”
Miriam’s eyes widened. “Rope?”
“Yes. I promised Captain I would practice my knots every day.”
“Knots?” Miriam’s eyebrows rose.
Cornelia couldn’t suppress the huge smile triggered by Miriam’s surprise. “Hector taught Drusilla how to tie many of the knots the sailors use.”
Drusilla stood with her arm draped across Cornelia’s shoulders. “Captain taught Mother how to tie knots, too, but he said I learned quicker. He said he’d be glad to have me on his crew, if I were a boy.”
A laugh bubbled out of Miriam. “I’ll have to remember you’re both trained to tie knots if I need something tied. Of course you can have some rope.” She caught Cornelia’s amused gaze with her own. “In fact, get enough rope for both of you. Just in case Hector wants to check to see if your mother remembers his lessons as well. Go find Nestor and ask him for some.”
“Thank you, Aunt Miriam.” Drusilla skipped back into the courtyard with Vania behind her.
Miriam’s eyes danced as she turned back to the table. “So Hector was training you both to be seamen?”
Cornelia’s eyes drifted as she remembered the captain’s hands touching hers as he helped her. Hands so strong yet gentle. How would his calloused palm have felt resting against her cheek?
She snapped her attention back to Miriam. “The captain was so kind to Drusilla the entire trip. He saw how lonely she was, and he tried to help. He played board games and read to her. He taught her all sorts of things about the ship and sailing besides the knots. He let her stand on the cabin top with him as much as she wanted.”
Her lips tightened as she shook her head. “Lucius never wanted to have anything to do with her. It was as if she were a fatherless child in Rome. The captain was the first man to encourage her.” She paused. “Drusilla loves him. I do hope we get to see him sometimes. I don’t want him to disappear from our lives, not after he’s become so important to us...to Drusilla. He promised he would visit. I hope
he keeps that promise.”
Miriam’s eyes brimmed with questions. Perhaps she’d revealed more than she intended of her own desire for the captain.
A gleam entered Miriam’s eyes as a smile overspread her lips. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Hector is one of the most honest men I know. If he said he would come, then he will.”
Cornelia felt her cheeks heat under Miriam’s gaze. She never used to blush, but there was something about the captain that made her lose control. “I’m glad to hear that. It’s important he come...for Drusilla’s sake.”
Miriam fought to keep the smile from turning into a grin. “Of course. For Drusilla’s sake.” Miriam stood. “As soon as you’d like, I’ll give you a tour of the house and grounds. I can get a second loom set up for you in the women’s room this morning, if you wish. I know it can get boring quickly with nothing to do.”
Cornelia stood as well, glad to have the discussion of the captain finished. “I would like that very much. For years, I’ve had an estate to run to fill my days. I’ll miss that until I buy one here, but I’ve always found weaving a relaxing way to spend my free time. Perhaps we can set up another one for Anthusa. I’d like to take her on the tour as well. I’m sure you understand our relationship is much more than mistress and slave.”
Miriam smiled broadly. “I understand perfectly. Claudia and I were the same before my marriage. Let me discuss dinner with my chef, and then we can take that tour.”
They walked into the courtyard. Miriam turned into the kitchen as Cornelia climbed the stairs to fetch Anthusa from her chamber.
She glanced down at the kitchen as she walked along the balcony. Yes, Miriam understood about Anthusa, and she suspected about Hector. Miriam was more of a kindred spirit than she’d expected, in spite of her once being Titus’s slave.
Cornelia had grown tired of weaving, so she wandered down to the kitchen to see what Miriam was doing. The savory aroma of pork roasting on a spit filled the room while a mysterious sauce simmered beside it. She sat at the table and leaned back in the chair, watching Miriam dip a spoon in the sauce, roll some on her tongue with her eyes closed, then add a pinch of some spice that she couldn’t identify.