Second Chances

by Carol Ashby

  She couldn’t blame Titus for having his wife continue to direct the kitchen after their marriage. If the dinner last night was typical of her culinary art, and the luscious aroma filling the kitchen suggested it was, it would have been virtually impossible to find a chef to match her skill.

  Titus strode through the kitchen door. “Good evening, Cornelia. I hope you enjoyed your day.”

  “It’s been most enjoyable.”

  “Good.” Titus stepped close behind Miriam, scooped her into his arms, and spun around.

  Laughter bubbled from Miriam. “Titus! Put me down if you want a good dinner tonight.”

  He set her down, but he didn’t release her. He pulled her close against him and nuzzled her neck. “You smell better than the sauce.”

  Miriam caressed his cheek and he placed his hands on both sides of her face. He turned it up to draw her eyes to his before lowering his lips to hers. After the kiss, his lips brushed her ear as his voice dropped to a near whisper. “Best chef in Perinthus, but it’s not your delectable dinners I enjoy most.”

  Miriam glanced at Cornelia, and her cheeks flushed.

  “That’s what I like about you, wife. Such a pretty little thing when you turn pink.”

  Cornelia averted her eyes for Miriam’s sake.

  Vania came running in from the courtyard with Drusilla right behind. Titus knelt so she could kiss his cheek before he scooped her up into the air and planted a kiss on her forehead. Close behind came the two boys, who tackled his legs. Titus tousled their hair before they disappeared out the kitchen door.

  The love Titus had for all his family was hard for Cornelia to watch. Lucius had never done that with her or her boys and most definitely never with her daughter. Just watching Titus drove home the hollowness of her married life, even in the beginning when it had seemed good to her. It hurt to think about it. She’d tried so hard to be a good wife. Everything Lucius had done or failed to do felt so unfair.

  The way Titus loved Vania―Hector had treated Drusilla like that by the end of their voyage. He must have been as good a father as Titus. Where was he now? What was he doing? Would he come soon to see Drusilla?

  When he came to see Drusilla, would he be coming because he wanted to see her, too? She stifled a deep sigh. She longed for him to want her, but did he? There had been hints, but he’d never made it clear he did. Was all she thought she saw only wishful thinking on her part? If only he would come, maybe she could tell. If she only had more time with him, maybe she could get him to tell her he wanted her, too.

  The silver mirror from her dressing table in Rome sat before Mistress Cornelia as Anthusa brushed her hair at bedtime.

  Mistress leaned closer to her reflection. “Titus and Miriam have made us very welcome, but I wish we were still on the ship.”

  Anthusa nodded. “The captain, mistress?”

  Mistress sighed. “The captain. I miss him.”

  Anthusa drew the brush through her hair again. “He did promise to come visit. It isn’t five days yet.”

  “I know.” Mistress turned to face her. “But even when he comes, it will probably only be because he misses Drusilla. He loves her. If only the voyage had been longer...”

  “I think he must be missing you as well. I saw how he looked at you when we were leaving him at the pier. I think he cares about you, too.”

  Anthusa watched the spark appear in her mistress’s eyes, then dim.

  “Maybe. I hope so. I hope he comes soon and often. I need time with him before he starts sailing again.”

  Anthusa nodded again. “I expect he will, mistress, and I expect him to decide you belong together.”

  Mistress turned back to the mirror. “I shouldn’t keep thinking he won’t. There’s almost four months before he leaves.”

  “That should be enough. The captain is a very smart man, and he’d have to be a fool not to want to marry you.”

  Mistress took a deep breath and released it. “Yes. The captain is a very smart man.”

  Anthusa smiled as the worry lines around her mistress’s eyes relaxed. A man would have to be a fool not to want her mistress, and the captain was no fool.

  Chapter 30: A Pleasing Invitation

  Cornelia was savoring her second wedge of Miriam’s breakfast bread when word came that Claudia wanted everyone to come to dinner early at her house. Titus accepted the invitation and sent the boy who delivered it back to Claudia.

  Miriam touched his hand on the table. “How thoughtful of Claudia. This will give Drusilla a chance to get to know her boys better.”

  “True, but I won’t eat as well as I do here.” He rose. “I’m going to the estate, but I’ll be back in plenty of time.” He kissed Miriam on the forehead and left the room.

  The prospect of dining at Claudia’s triggered Cornelia’s smile. “It will be good to spend some time with Malleolus. He’s very dear to me. I miss him, and I’m sure Drusilla does as well.”

  Miriam offered her a plate of sliced cheese. “It’s a very short walk. Anytime you want, one of the servants can escort you there.”

  Cornelia moved a slice to her plate. “It must be nice living so close to Claudia. Almost like living together.”

  “Philip owned this house and rented it to Titus when he brought her here. After he married Claudia, he sold it to Titus so we would still live close. He knew how much that meant to both of us.”

  “Philip seems like a fine man. I can see why Claudia fell in love with him, even with all those scars.”

  “Claudia says the burns that scarred him were a blessing in disguise for both of them. He would have been married long before he met her if it weren’t for the scars. He thought a woman would only want him because he was rich, and he didn’t want that kind of woman. He discovered that wasn’t true during their voyage here from Rome.”

  “I understand his concern. I know men will want to marry me because of my large dowry, but I don’t want that kind of man myself. If I marry again, it would only be to a man who didn’t care about my wealth.”

  Miriam took another slice of cheese. “There are many good men who wouldn’t care. Perhaps God will bless you with one of them.”

  “Perhaps.” Cornelia already knew one such man. There didn’t need to be any others. If only that man would ask her to marry him. But first he had to visit so she could help him decide he should ask.

  When they entered the courtyard at Philip’s house that evening, Cornelia felt the flutter.

  Hector stood before her, talking with Malleolus. He wore a short white tunic with a broad leather belt, just as he had the first moment she saw him on the ship. A shiver ran up her spine as she drank in his handsome profile and athletic physique.

  Malleolus spoke to him, and he turned to face her. A huge smile appeared as his eyes caught hers. Butterflies again.

  Drusilla ran past her with her arms spread. Hector knelt to catch her. She planted a big kiss on his cheek, just as she’d seen Vania do when Titus came home. His face was all smiles as he scooped her up and swung her around like he had on the ship.

  Hector set her feet back on the ground. “How’s my little first mate?”

  “I missed you. I’ve been practicing my knots, Captain, just like you told me.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  Drusilla fixed hopeful eyes on him. “I wish you’d come visit us tomorrow so we can play Mercenaries.”

  Cornelia reached his side. “Yes, Captain. Do come visit tomorrow. I’m very glad it wasn’t five days before we got to see you. We’d welcome the chance to see you as often as you wish to come.”

  His eyes crinkled at her invitation. “I’d like that.”

  Nothing could have delighted her more than those three words.

  “Do you think it will be morning or afternoon when you come? We’ll be glad to receive you whenever suits you better.” Cornelia’s gracious smile concealed her fluttering heart. Please say morning so you can stay longer.r />
  “Probably midmorning.” His lips formed a smile to match his eyes. “Since we’re not on the ship anymore, please call me Hector.”

  “Of course. At least I’ll try. It may take me some time to make that change. Captain fits a man like you so well.”

  Hector couldn’t miss the welcome in her eyes, but that was what he expected of a regal, gracious hostess. Of course, she’d be glad to receive him...for Drusilla’s sake. It wasn’t likely she missed him as much as he missed her the past two days. To her, he was still the ship’s captain, a friend of her daughter and herself. Only a fool would expect anything more.

  Drusilla took his hand to draw his attention. “Will you come every day so we can play Mercenaries?”

  “Not every day, but often.”

  “How often, Captain? At least every other day?”

  Her request drew a broad smile. “Your mother might not appreciate me coming so often.”

  Drusilla shook her head vigorously. “That’s not true, Captain. Mother likes to have you with us at least as much as I do.”

  Hector didn’t reply. He wished that were so, but he knew better than to expect an aristocrat like Cornelia to want him visiting her so often.

  Cornelia stepped closer and rested her hand on Drusilla’s shoulder. Close enough that the scent of roses teased his nostrils. He’d missed her perfumes, especially that one.

  “Quite the contrary, Captain. I mean Hector. I’d be very happy if you’d come every day. Drusilla and I would both be pleased to have your company as often as you can join us.”

  Hector’s eyebrows started to rise, but he stopped them. Cornelia pleased with his company? He liked the sound of that. Of course, she might have said it because it was the gracious thing to say. She might say it only so he’d come for Drusilla. But could she also want him to come for herself? She’d said “both.”

  “Very well, Cornelia. As often as I can.”

  Her sparkling eyes and quick smile assured him she liked his answer. Liked it very much. She was an aristocrat forever beyond his reach, but at least she wanted his company. Even if they had no future as husband and wife, they could still be friends.

  Hector couldn’t have been more pleased with the seating arrangement at dinner if Claudia had asked him to choose who sat beside him. Philip sat on the end next to him, and to his left sat Malleolus. Of course Claudia sat by Philip, with Cornelia between her and Miriam, and Titus at the other end.

  A slight turn of his head, and he could glance up from his plate and watch Cornelia. More often than not, when he looked at her, she was looking at him. And she was really looking at him, not just glancing his way. She smiled every time she caught his eye. A man might almost think she took special pleasure in having him so close to her.

  There were too many people for him to feel comfortable talking with her. Their conversation almost always turned into her teasing him in a way he really liked, but he didn’t want others listening. He wasn’t certain what to say that wouldn’t lead to a tease, so he said very little except when Malleolus pulled him into conversation. He’d missed Malleolus, but nothing like he’d missed Cornelia.

  He watched her turn to Philip.

  “Philip, I am so grateful for all your father did to help us escape from Lucius. What with providing the wagons and guards and getting us safely to the harbor without Lucius ever suspecting a thing, he made it all so easy.”

  “I’m certain he enjoyed doing it. Publius was his friend and brother, and saving his granddaughter from Lucius would give Father as much pleasure as saving Claudia did eight years ago.”

  She flashed a warm smile at Hector before turning back to Philip. “I’m especially grateful that he chose Hector to bring us here. He couldn’t have chosen a finer escort.” She flipped her gaze on him again. “I think Drusilla had the finest time in her entire life. He was so kind to her. He made the trip very pleasant for all of us.”

  Philip rested his hand on Hector’s shoulder and grinned at him. “Hector specializes in bringing women running from Lucius Drusus to Thracia.”

  Hector fixed his gaze on Cornelia’s deep blue eyes. “I enjoyed doing it.”

  Those eyes brightened. “I hope as much as I enjoyed having you do it. No man could have been kinder or more attentive to us all. It was a pleasure to spend so many days in your company.”

  Hector’s brows rose, then settled. Was that just her speaking her gratitude for him treating Drusilla well? Or was she hinting that she enjoyed his company herself beyond that of any other man?

  “I’m glad to hear it, Cornelia.”

  “I’m pleased to tell you, Captain.” Those blue eyes sparkled. She wasn’t a pretty woman, but even Claudia didn’t have eyes as beautiful as Cornelia’s when they lit up like they were at that moment.

  Hector picked up his goblet and took a sip. Drusilla wanted him to visit every day, and Cornelia had repeated the request. He’d be sure to take her up on that invitation. Even if she only wanted him as her daughter’s friend, he could still enjoy those beautiful eyes.

  Claudia stood with one arm wrapped around Philip’s and waved farewell as Hector turned his horse toward their gate.

  “That was an interesting dinner, don’t you think?” She hugged his arm before releasing it.

  “It’s always interesting to talk with Titus, and Malleolus is certainly wise in the ways of the Empire.”

  Her fingertip traced a swirl of scar tissue by his blind right eye. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I mean Cornelia and Hector.”

  His eyebrow dipped. “What about them? They didn’t talk to each other much. In fact, Hector hardly talked at all except when Malleolus asked him something.”

  “Didn’t you see how they looked at each other? Malleolus was right. They are definitely interested in each other.”

  He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do you say that? They were pleasant to each other, but I saw no sign of special affection.”

  “Oh, Philip. You just weren’t watching. Cornelia’s eyes said everything when she looked at him, and he spent a lot of time watching her even though he didn’t say anything.”

  Philip chuckled. “I didn’t see it, but then I wasn’t too quick at recognizing your interest in me when we were on Hector’s ship eight years ago. You had to tell me outright that you wanted me. If she wants him, Cornelia might have to do the same with Hector.”

  “Oh, she wants him. She’s always been calm and self-controlled on the outside, but she has a very warm heart. I think Hector may have won it already. You heard her encouraging him to visit every day.”

  “I heard, but wasn’t that just to play with Drusilla?”

  “Of course not. The words weren’t the full message. Her eyes, her smile...they were saying much more than the words.”

  “Well, I don’t think Hector is any better at reading a woman’s eyes and smiles than I am. Probably worse, so I doubt he got her message.”

  She stood on tiptoe and kissed his unscarred cheek. “If you’re right, then I’ll just have to find some way to help them along.”

  He pulled her close. After a lingering kiss, he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I know you will. My mighty general enjoys strategic maneuvering too much to pass up an opportunity like this. Just be careful you don’t encourage one to think the other is in love with them when they might not be. Cornelia seems strong enough to take disappointment, but I don’t want to see Hector’s heart broken again.”

  “Don’t worry. I never do anything without prayer, and God will keep me from doing harm instead of good. It would be wonderful if they’re God’s gift to each other.”

  Philip stepped back and took her hand. “If she wants Hector’s love, she needs to accept God’s love first. He won’t marry a nonbeliever. I hope he doesn’t lose his heart to a woman he can’t marry.”

  “Neither would you, but God took care of that and led me to believe. I think that’s going to happen
with Cornelia, too.” She took a step toward the house, leading him by the hand. “That’s going to be my first prayer. Then we’ll see what happens.”

  Anthusa liked Mistress Cornelia’s dreamy smile as she brushed the mistress’s hair before bedtime.

  “I wish you could have seen him, Anthusa. He was dressed exactly like he was that day on the pier in Portus. Just the sight of him gave me a fluttery feeling. He is so handsome, so masculine, and totally unaware of the effect he has on a woman. I find that endearing. I’ve never met another man who pays so little attention to appearances.”

  The brush slid smoothly through the lustrous brown hair. “I’m sure your appearance there got his attention.”

  Mistress’s eyes glowed. “Oh, yes. I’m sure it did. When Malleolus told him I’d arrived, he turned right away and gave me the biggest smile. It was as if he’d been waiting for me to come.”

  “I’m sure he was, mistress.”

  “You know how Vania greets Titus at night? That’s exactly what Drusilla did to him, and I’ve never seen him happier. I’m sure he’d love having her as his daughter.”

  “And you as his wife.”

  “Perhaps. He certainly seemed glad to see me. Claudia had us sit across from each other at dinner. Almost every time I looked at him, he was watching me, too.”

  Cornelia leaned on her elbow as she gazed at her reflection. “I know I’m not pretty, but he kept watching me as if I were.”

  “Did he say he missed you? I’m sure he has.”

  “Actually, he barely said anything to me. He hardly talked at all except a little with Malleolus, and that was only because Malleolus got him started by asking a question.” She turned to face Anthusa. “He did say he enjoyed bringing us here and he was glad I’d enjoyed his company aboard his ship.”