Caius made his usual grimace. “If she wishes to honor her husband’s memory, she should leave the boy in Rome with a guardian. You would do well, Titus, I see how you fawn over the babe.”
Titus rolled his eyes. “Abigail would not leave her son. Nor would she consent to staying in Rome. Therefore Benjamin will return to Israel with her until he comes of age to decide for himself if he wishes to return to his father’s country. And at that time, if he does wish to come back here, I will certainly step in and offer him my benefaction.” He stood up. “If you will excuse me, Mother, I would like to say goodbye to my guests before I leave.”
Aquilia nodded her assent, smiling into her cup as her son stalked away. Caius was practically steaming.
Her husband focused his foul humors on her. “What was that all about? I thought you only wanted her out of here.”
Aquilia was not about to tell him her real reasoning. “And soon enough she will be. I would rather not have it said that I had a guest in my house for so long without showing her any kindness.”
“She is not our guest.”
Aquilia smirked and stood. “She is not yours, perhaps, but she is our son’s. It will not injure you if I have an hour’s conversation with the Jewess.” She waved a hand at him as she headed for the door. “Go play in your politics and your intrigues and your business, Caius. Do not concern yourself with me.”
She left the room before she could hear his response, and though she did not rush to her quarters, she also did not linger near him. She had a few household tasks to see to this morning, and she figured that by the time she was done them, Abigail would be up and ready to see her.
Her prediction proved to be the case; she had no sooner sat down to her embroidery after seeing to her duties than her maid came in to inform her that the young mother had sent her to say she was welcome to join her at her convenience. Aquilia nodded and put down her needle, rose from her chaise, and headed for her son’s rooms.
The door to Titus’s room was open. Abigail sat at the small table finishing off a glass of juice. Samuel was entertaining the baby, Antonia keeping a watchful eye over them both. In the corner stood the eunuch they had bought, looking formidable and impenetrable.
Abigail smiled when she noticed Aquilia and stood. “Good morning. I am so glad you stopped in.”
Aquilia smiled. “I should have done so long ago. Forgive my negligence.” She turned her smile on Samuel, who had scurried over to her. “Hello, Samuel. How are you today?”
“Well. Look, my tooth is beginning to grow back in, and now another is loose!”
Aquilia laughed even as she bent down for a closer look. “Why, so it is. Pretty soon you will be as toothless as an old man.”
Samuel laughed in delight as Aquilia turned to Antonia. “Maita is going to the markets; she suggested you might like to join her and bring the boy.”
Samuel bounced up and down and looked over at Abigail. “May I go, Mother? May I, please?”
Abigail smiled. “If Antonia wants to go.”
“I would love to.” She reached out for Samuel’s hand. “Come, my boy, we shall go get ready and leave the ladies to talk in peace. Kiss your mother goodbye.”
Samuel did as he was bidden, hurriedly, and ran from the room with Antonia on his heels. Abigail watched him with a smile and shake of her head. When they were gone, she looked back up at Aquilia. “Please, sit down.”
They both did so, and once they were seated Aquilia wasted no more time. “My son is in love with you.”
Abigail just looked at her for a moment, then drew in a long breath. “Yes. And I am in love with him. But you need not worry about what that will mean. We both know it can go nowhere, and we have no plans for changing that. I will return to Israel with my mother, and he will stay here and look for a suitable wife.”
Aquilia leaned forward. “I was not afraid that he would follow Jason’s lead and marry you. I am more concerned about what will happen if Caius realizes Titus is so attached to you. My husband hates you as much as he desires you, Abigail. He was very fond of Jason. When we received the news of his decision to marry you, Caius was enraged. He had entertained high hopes for him and saw you as his downfall. Up until then he had been fully prepared to pull the same strings for Jason as he had for Titus, getting him out of the military and back to Rome.”
Abigail’s shoulders rolled back. “Yes, Jason spoke highly of him. Although I am sorry to say I have yet to see the generosity my husband mentioned.”