“Oh yes there would.” The severity of Titus’s assertion raised him a notch in Phillip’s esteem. “If a hair on your head is harmed, I will personally see that the perpetrator is aptly punished. And as a wise woman said to me recently, a lie meant to save is not a crime, anyway. Letting a ship full of people think you of a higher status than you think yourself is certainly no worse than letting my father think you significantly worse than you are.”
Abigail sighed again and answered Phillip’s curious gaze. “We had to tell Titus’s father I was his lover in order to protect me from Caius himself,” she told him almost wearily. “It is not true, but it serves the purpose, and you will have to be aware of it, at any rate.”
Phillip nodded his assent, wondering as he did so how Titus, whose reputation he well knew, managed to have her under his roof without making it true. His respect for both of them grew, and he found himself grateful that these two had been the first to speak with his master about his purchase. If he was going to be sold, he could not imagine a more perfect woman to be in service to.
“Well.” Abigail stood up so she could take the baby back into her arms when he began to fuss. “Phillip, I will not ask you to stay in here while we negotiate the price. I do not want you to feel insulted when I negotiate your master ridiculously low.” She delivered this last part with a grin that had one tempting his lips as well. “If you could kindly go outside and try to look defensive when your master sees you?”
The grin tugged a little more, and Phillip had no problem in giving her allegiance even now, before the sale. He would just as soon let her pay less for him than he was worth so that she would have more money in the future. “I will make him think I have shamed him, so that he is eager to be rid of me, no matter the price.”
Abigail laughed, softly enough that his master would not hear, but warmly enough for it to reach into his heart. “Go, my friend. And Titus, look displeased.”
Titus already did. “I can negotiate this for you, Abigail.”
She waved that away. “I have been haggling for years. I may never have bought a person before, but no one ever paid less for oranges than I, and I practically stole the purple Mistress sent me after.”
Phillip buried his mirth and left the room.
*
Titus watched Abigail’s face change as Phillip left the room. By the time Otho returned, looking wary and apologetic, his friend had pulled a mask of contempt over her serene features.
“He is arrogant and stupid,” Abigail proclaimed. “How can you even have the audacity to proclaim him a worthy slave?”
Otho pressed his lips together. “He has served my daughter well all these years.”
“Yes, and now he will not serve another with loyalty. I tried to be kind, and he made it clear I was inferior to your daughter.” She made a face, as if trying to control her temper, and sighed. “I will be honest. I am leaving in but a few days, and I need the protection. I imagine your man will at least fend off the thieves and rapists for me, but I do not look at this as a long-term investment. I will sell him again the moment we land in Israel and I have my own loyal slaves surrounding me once more. But I can promise you now that the insolence that creature showed me will gain you no higher price than what I am willing to offer in my desperation.”
She named a figure so low Otho had no choice but to be insulted. “He is worth four times that!”
Abigail did not so much as waver. “He is worth a fourth that.”
Titus stifled the urge to laugh and instead reverted to his well-known scowl. “Do not even spend that much of your son’s inheritance on such a man.”
“What choice do I have?” She managed to put frustration into her gaze
“I heard just this morning that Marius Tansitus is selling a eunuch. Let us go and see him, he can surely not be any worse.”
Abigail sighed, looking weary now. “You would drag me all around Rome on this mission, with no concern for the babe or me. If you want to look elsewhere on my behalf, Titus, go ahead, but I would rather return home and sleep.”
“Very well then.” Titus held out a hand as if to help her rise. “Let us return home, and I will see that you do not waste Jason’s son’s money.”
Otho held up a hand. “Wait. I will cut my price in half.”
“That is still twice as much as I am willing to pay.” As if in on the scheme, Benjamin began to fuss. Abigail sighed. “I will raise my offer by a fourth.”
“Abigail!” Titus let his hand fall to his side. “You will not!”
“I accept.” Their host all but tripped over his words.
“Give him the money, Titus. And have that wretch get his things and follow us home. I will be waiting in the chaise.”
Titus made a point of sending her an irritated look as she strode for the door, but he obediently doled out the sum–so low he almost ruined their act and chuckled in delight. “You have gotten lucky today, Otho. In the future, you should advise your slaves that if they speak to buyers as he did, they will meet your lash before they can leave your house.”
“He has never been anything but respectful.” Otho appeared almost pained.