Second Chances

by Carol Ashby

  “I see him. He’s got a cisium, just like Malleolus used to drive to the estate sometimes.” Drusilla snatched up her new cloak from the couch. “I thought he would bring horses. It’s a pair of mules.”

  Cornelia threw her cloak around her shoulders. “Perhaps mules are better for learning. I’m sure the captain knows what’s best for teaching us.”

  Drusilla trotted down the balcony and skipped down the stairs ahead of her. Cornelia followed, walking slower but just as eager to reach the captain’s side. Sitting close to him on the seat of a cisium―she could think of no better way to spend the morning. Horses, mules―either was fine with her as long as Hector held the reins.

  Hector turned from his conversation with Nestor when Drusilla took his hand.

  “I thought you’d bring horses, Captain. Can’t they run faster?”

  “They can, but I’m not going to let you run them.” He smiled at the bright eyes staring up at him. “Your mother wouldn’t want me to risk it.”

  He knew Cornelia was close when the faint scent of flowers teased him. It wasn’t roses, but he wasn’t sure what it was. He turned to face those deep blue eyes and found them dancing with pleasure.

  “Good morning, Captain...Hector. It’s a beautiful day for our driving lesson.”

  “It should be a good day, except for being cool. I brought a blanket so you won’t get cold.”

  “How thoughtful, C...Hector.” She rested her hand on the cisium seat. “The seat is rather small, but it should be large enough for the three of us if we sit close. That should help us all stay warm.”

  Hector drew a breath. Sitting close to her was certainly going to help him stay warm.

  “Let me help you in, and we can start.”

  Drusilla stepped in front of him, and he lifted her into the seat. She slid over next to the edge and patted the center of the seat. “Sit here, Captain.”

  Hector turned back to Cornelia.

  She stepped close. “I’m ready for you to lift me in as well.”

  The scent of the unknown flowers grew stronger. His stomach tightened. He’d intended to use a mounting block to help her in. He hadn’t planned on placing his hands on her waist and lifting her, but he found that thought strangely satisfying.

  That playful smile he loved appeared on her lips. “I’m not so heavy that a man like you can’t lift me easily.”

  “You don’t look heavy to me.” She was going to twist those words somehow.

  Her eyes sparkled, but no tease came. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Then I’m ready.”

  Even through his cloak, he felt the warmth of her petite hands. He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her up to the open-fronted seat that sat directly above the single axle.

  She was right. She was very easy to lift.

  “Perhaps you should sit between us, Captain, like when you taught us to tie knots. That worked very well.”

  “You’re right. That would be best.” Sitting so close, breathing her perfume―that was likely to be the best part of the day for him. Did those smiling eyes mean she was thinking the same?

  Hector stepped on the hub and swung himself up onto the seat between the two of them. He reached under the seat and pulled out the blanket. After he shook it out, he draped it across all three laps.

  Cornelia’s elegant hands smoothed the blanket and tucked the end in beside her. Her shoulder brushed his as she settled back in the seat. It was a tight squeeze for three. There was no chance he was going to feel cold during this drive.

  He slapped the reins on the mules’ backs. The cisium lurched as they began pulling. Drusilla leaned into him, and Cornelia’s shoulder brushed against his again. He squeezed his lips to keep the grin from escaping. Sitting between the girl he loved and the woman who attracted him more than he should allow―there truly was no better way to spend a morning.

  Cornelia held the reins exactly as Hector had showed her. She glanced at his rugged profile as the mules trotted along the road. He was such a good teacher―able to explain how to handle the reins with a few words, not too quick to take them from her when the mules got stubborn and didn’t want to do what she wanted them to.

  “Take this turn.” Hector crossed his arms and smiled at the ease with which she turned the team. “It leads to a stream near my farm. It’s pretty there.”

  “Near your farm? Will we be driving there as well?”

  “No, not today. There’s not much there to see.”

  That was a disappointment. Cornelia was eager to see the farm where she hoped he would take her as his wife.

  A man on horseback crested the hill before her, trotting toward them. As he got closer, his noble bearing made her breath catch. His tunic bore the two narrow purple stripes of an equestrian. Her heart pounded, then it relaxed. He was close enough for her to see his face. She didn’t recognize him. He wouldn’t recognize her.

  She expected him to pass them by, but he reined in, blocking their path. Hector rested his palms on her hands and pulled back on the reins. She handed them to him and folded her hands in her lap as he finished bringing the cisium to a full stop.

  The Roman nodded once at Hector. Then he fixed his eyes on Cornelia. “Cornelia Scipia. I didn’t expect to meet you on a road in Thracia.”

  “Nor did I expect to encounter someone from home.” Her mind raced as she tried to remember who this Roman might be. No luck.

  The stranger smiled. “I see you don’t quite remember me. Quintus Aemilius Lepidus. I’ve known your brother-in-law Drusus since he was a tribune serving the governor here. I thought that might be you I glimpsed the other day when I came to look at his colts. You and I spoke about ten years ago in Rome. I haven’t forgotten you. No man could.” He threw a flattering smile her way.

  Cornelia laughed. “Quite so. My beauty has dazzled men for years.” Hector tensed beside her. “Do you know Hector as well?”

  “Of course.” He glanced at Hector, his eyes cooling before he moved them back to her, where they warmed again. “He’s a neighbor. I have a large estate in this valley. I share a short length of my border with his farm.”

  “This part of Thracia is lovely. I can see why you’ve chosen living here over any of the Lepidus lands near Rome.” She glanced at Hector.

  His face was stony as Lepidus pointedly ignored him. His hands gripped the reins as his right thumb rubbed back and forth on the leather. The mules fidgeted as if they sensed his tension.

  She tipped her head as she donned her social smile. “It’s been a pleasure to see you again after so many years, but we must leave you now.”

  “I’ll have to stop by Drusus’s house so you can tell me the news from Rome. It’s been some years since I last visited there.”

  “That would be my pleasure, Lepidus. I bid you farewell now.”

  Cornelia took the reins from Hector’s fingers. With a slap against the mules’ rumps, she started them down the road, away from the Roman she didn’t remember and wished she’d never seen.

  The gracious mask that Cornelia had worn facing Lepidus cracked. Hector felt the trembling where Cornelia’s shoulder brushed against his and saw the slight tremor in her hands. He lifted the reins from her fingers, and she slumped against him.

  When he turned his gaze upon her face, fear had replaced her usual calm. She tried to mask it, and she almost succeeded. He knew her too well now for her to hide it completely from him.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about what just happened. I’ve known Lepidus for several years. He’s a decent man. His roots are here in Thracia. It’s not likely he would know or care about the gossip in Rome. He shouldn’t be a threat to Drusilla.”

  She drew a breath and released it slowly. She straightened, and he was sorry her shoulder broke contact with his own.

  “Since you know him, I trust your assurance on that. You’re probably right. He has brothers still living in Rome, but they didn’t used to be friends of Luciu
s. I doubt they’ve become so since we left.”

  Drusilla pressed closer to Hector. Her wide eyes glistened with unshed tears.

  “Don’t be afraid, child. Nothing will happen to you. Titus, Philip, and I will keep you and your mother safe.”

  Drusilla wrapped her arm tightly around his, but her face relaxed. “I always feel safe with you, Captain.”

  They reached the stream, and he reined the team in. “Did you want to get out here? There’s a nice view from the rocks over there.”

  Cornelia leaned against him again. “Perhaps another day. It feels rather cold. Maybe we should start back.”

  “As you wish.”

  Disappointment surged through him. He’d hoped for a longer time with her, but Lepidus had spoiled that.

  Her deep blue eyes gazed into his own, and a smile lifted her lips. “I am sorry to ask you to cut our drive short today. I feel quite chilled right now, but I would very much like to come here again. I find this area especially attractive, and I hope you’ll show us more of it. Living in this part of Thracia is what I hope to do.”

  He opened his mouth to suggest going to his farmhouse to warm up so they could continue their drive, but he closed it before speaking. His house was warm and welcoming, but it wouldn’t seem like much to someone who was used to a beautiful villa on a large estate. No point in showing her something that would merely remind her he was only a ship’s captain, not a landed Roman nobleman. He had nothing to compete with a senator like Atticus or even an equestrian like Lepidus.

  He turned the mules and headed back up the hill. “Which of you would like to drive now?”

  Drusilla reached for the reins. “Me, Captain. May I make them trot?”

  One corner of his mouth twitched up. “I think you’re ready for that, but no faster than a trot.”

  She grinned at him. “Yes, Captain. Will you keep teaching me until I can handle them when they run?”

  A laugh rumbled in his throat. “I don’t run them myself, but I’ll teach you what I can.” He glanced at Cornelia and found warm eyes fixed on him. “It’s going to take quite a few lessons to teach you all you need to know.”

  All trace of fear was gone from her face, and she directed an inviting smile at him. “Yes, I think many lessons will be needed for me to learn all I want from you.” There were those teasing eyes he loved. “But I hope not more lessons than you’re willing to give.”

  “I’m willing to give whatever you want, Cornelia.”

  Her laughter was music in his ears. “That’s a dangerous promise to make before you know what I want, Hector. An honest man like you can never go back on your word.”

  He grinned at her. “I’ll risk it.”

  Her grin mirrored his. “And I’ll remember it.”

  Despite the cold shortening their drive, Hector was satisfied. Cornelia wanted more of his company. It had been a very good day.

  Chapter 37: Captain or Hector?

  Aunt Claudia had invited everyone to dinner the next day, and Drusilla couldn’t have been happier. Captain would be there, and she had something important to tell him.

  She swung her mother’s hand as they walked up the hill with Aunt Miriam’s family. There hadn’t been a chance during the drive to tell Captain why Mother hadn’t wanted to come to worship at Uncle Philip’s house. At least no chance without Mother overhearing. Tonight, she could tell him.

  Captain was already there talking with Malleolus when they arrived. She trotted over and slipped her hand into his.

  “I have something to tell you, Captain.”

  He shifted his focus from Malleolus to her. “What?”

  She cast a swift glance over her shoulder to make sure Mother was still talking with Aunt Claudia. “Mother was thinking about coming to worship at Uncle Philip’s, but she was afraid someone might see us who might say something to someone, and where we are might get back to Father. Aunt Miriam said there were men from Rome there. Mother’s afraid they might tell. But I’m sure she’d come if you invite her. You could tell them they shouldn’t tell anyone.” She glanced again at her mother. “You make Mother feel safe, just like me.”

  He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s good to know, child.” His eyes warmed as he gazed at her face. “I’ll see if I can convince your mother how safe it really is.”

  Drusilla squeezed his hand before slipping away to join Vania and the boy cousins.

  Hector strolled over to stand beside Cornelia.

  Claudia flashed him a smile. “I want to speak with my chef for a moment. If you’ll excuse me, Cornelia, Hector.”

  Cornelia tipped her head to gaze up into his eyes. “I was just telling Claudia what a lovely time Drusilla and I had yesterday. She was glad to hear that you’ve started teaching us to drive.”

  “It’s my pleasure to do it.”

  “It’s my pleasure to have you do it.”

  The serenity of her eyes gave him pause. Sometimes it was hard to believe she was afraid of anything. Was Drusilla right about her only staying away from worship because she feared being betrayed to Lucius? Would his promise of her safety make that much difference to her?

  She tilted her head as curiosity lit her eyes. The silence between them began to feel awkward. He should just ask. What was the worst that could happen? She might say no. The best? Next Sunday he might have both her and Drusilla sitting beside him. Maybe she’d sit with Miriam’s family during worship, but there would still be a chance to be near her at the meal afterward.

  “Drusilla sat with me during last Sunday’s worship. I was wondering...would you like to come to worship with me? You seemed interested on the ship. Philip is a much better teacher than I am. I’m sure you’d enjoy hearing him.”

  “I truly doubt he’s much better than you, Captain. I did enjoy listening to you on your ship, but I have concerns about going to Philip’s.”

  “What would those be? Maybe I can help.” He watched uncertainty ruffled the serenity of her eyes. “Drusilla would like you there with her.”

  “I know, but there are some equestrian Romans there. One of them might let Lucius know where we are. I can’t risk that.”

  “I know them all well. They’re reliable men, like Titus. If I tell them they should keep you and Drusilla a secret, none of them will tell anyone.”

  The shadow of worry faded. “Then I would love to go with you. I’ve wondered for years about the faith of my father-in-law Publius. He was the wisest man I’ve ever known. Ever since he chose to die rather than sacrifice to Caesar, I’ve wanted to know what could make him do such a thing. I know Titus and Claudia didn’t believe in Jesus before Publius died, but they do now. I would love to learn all about it so I can decide if I should, too.”

  “Then I’ll stop for you next Sunday, and you can begin to learn.”

  Her lips lifted in a teasing smile. “Being with you has been nothing but a learning experience, Captain, from the moment I boarded your ship. I’ll look forward to my next lesson.”

  Her eyes were dancing, and that smile played on her lips.

  But why did she still mostly call him captain instead of Hector? Maybe it was good she did. When she called him Hector and flashed that winsome smile, he sometimes forgot he was only a sea captain and she was a Roman noblewoman. Probably that wasn’t good.

  But no matter what she called him, she did look forward to the next lesson. And that was enough to trigger his smile.

  Claudia made a slight adjustment in her seating arrangements from the first dinner. She switched Malleolus and Hector. That put him directly across from Cornelia, and the two of them provided all the entertainment Claudia needed to enjoy the meal.

  Once more, Hector didn’t say much, but his gaze kept drifting to Cornelia. Claudia had no doubt of the admiration in his eyes. Any time Cornelia was speaking, his attention focused on her.

  As usual, Cornelia conversed easily with everyone, but her best smiles were reserved fo
r Hector.

  It was all Claudia could do to suppress a grin when Cornelia turned to Philip after deliberately catching Hector’s eye. “Philip, Drusilla told me how much she enjoyed your teaching last Sunday. I was somewhat concerned about attending when I thought word of our being here might get to Lucius, but Hector assures me there’s no risk of that.” Her eyes focused on Hector, and the gleam was unmistakable before her gaze returned to Philip. “I intend for both of us to be there next time. I want to learn more about your beliefs.”

  Philip’s smile was broad. “I’m glad to hear it. You are most welcome to join us.”

  Hector beamed when her eyes returned to him.

  By the time the final course was served, Claudia found herself contemplating whether the new husband of the woman who’d been her sister-in-law all her life would be considered a new brother-in-law or would he still only be Philip’s best friend.

  Claudia’s maid had finished brushing her hair for the evening. Philip had taken her place behind his seated wife, fingering the thick, reddish-gold tresses that tumbled almost to her waist.

  Claudia smiled at his reflection in the dressing table mirror. “It was such fun watching Hector and Cornelia tonight. Every time I see them, it’s obvious they like each other more. And when she said she wanted to start coming to our worship to learn...well, I just know God is going to take care of her not being a believer. I’m sure it won’t be long before she decides she wants to join us all in following Jesus. That will make her perfect for becoming Hector’s second wife.”

  Philip worked his fingers into her silken hair and pulled them through. “Don’t be in a hurry to assume too much. Hector seems to like her, but I’m not seeing anything like the rush to ask for her hand that I remember when he married Damara.”

  Claudia stood and turned to face him. “That was a long time ago. Young men are always impetuous. Maybe he’s forgotten how to court a woman after so many years of marriage. Besides, Hector’s so quiet. He might find it hard to ask even when he really wants to. Maybe Cornelia will just have to ask him instead.”