She lifted her brows. “Is everything ready there?”
Titus nodded. “With the addition of Ester’s household, all should be well until I can finish the arrangements upon my return. And knowing you would have familiar company, I would feel far better leaving you with them than here.”
“That sounds good to me.”
Andrew nodded and put Samuel back on his feet. “I will go now before darkness falls and tell her that her grandson is beautiful and her daughter well. We will call for you in the morning.”
They all said their farewells, Andrew’s gaze lingering a bit longer than necessary on Miriam, and he was soon on his way. The rest of them headed for their rooms.
Abigail drew close to Miriam and took Benjamin. She could not resist a tease. “What do you think? He is handsome, is he not?”
Miriam blushed again but made no attempt to hide her smile. “It is an apt description. And I know from all you have told me that he is a good man.”
“Good enough not to blame you for the violence of Caius, Miriam.”
Miriam met her gaze steadily. “Is this your will, Mistress?”
Abigail smiled and took Miriam’s hand. “My will is for you to be happy. Perhaps Andrew would accomplish that, perhaps not. But if our houses join together, you will have plenty of time to discover for yourselves if your hearts are suited to one another. I will approve either way. And in the meantime, we have much to do before the morrow.”
A predictable chaos ensued as they attempted to get everything packed and ready to move, and it was not until nearly an hour later that Titus managed to pull her aside. “Would you like me to postpone my trip, my love? I could see you settled at the villa first, and then leave in a few days.”
Abigail smiled her dismissal of that, though she rewarded his thoughtfulness with a kiss. “I would rather be selfish and have you go quickly so that you can get back and we can sooner be wed. Besides, I will enjoy the time with Ester, and by the time you return, we will have gotten caught up, and I will hopefully have convinced her to stay here with us.”
“Here? Are you certain?”
Abigail nodded, certain her smile reflected her peace. “Hearing Andrew speak of the work being done in Judea made me realize that we are needed more here than there, my love. Right now, who in Rome but us and those we have convinced believe in Christ? Israel has his disciples, and while I would like to hear them myself, I feel as though God’s plan is for us to be a beacon for him here.”
“I feel the same.” His eyes smiled into hers. “Is it any wonder I love you so much? Not many people would be willing to sacrifice their home for their faith.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.” She tapped a fingertip to his nose and grinned. “But who said anything about a sacrifice? I will be with you, and you are my home.”
He gathered her into his arms and held her close until Benjamin convinced them with a wail that it was time to take a break from their work and find their respective nourishments.
Chapter Forty-Four
Caius watched from the shadows as his son bade Abigail goodbye with a warm kiss, a bright smile. He felt his knuckles tighten around the door, whiten in rage. Did Titus honestly expect him to just sit around and do nothing, say nothing, while he threw away all their family had ever worked for over that slave girl? If so, then he was more of an idiot that he had ever supposed.
He watched his son leave, watched the Germanic eunuch follow behind her as Abigail headed back inside to finish packing. He knew very well that she was as happy to be getting out of his house as he was to be getting rid of her. The only difference was that she would not be so happy in a few hours, and he would be ecstatic. Smiling, he looked over to where Caelia stood a few feet away and nodded. She nodded in reply without saying a word, then ran to the house’s side entrance. It was Timothy’s cue to follow Abigail back the hall.
Ten men followed Caelia back into the room, and he surveyed them critically. The one with the authority stepped forward immediately and bent a knee to him, but Caius did not acknowledge him right away. Eight of the others were his primary interest. They varyied in heights, but all were densely packed with muscle, and Caius figured they would suffice. At last, he nodded to the kneeling man, who rose.
“She should be here momentarily. See that you make it quick and quiet. The fewer of my slaves to know about this, the better.”
“There is no need to worry, Lord,” the man replied with a mirthless smile. “We are quite accustomed to handling more troublesome slaves than any woman could ever be.”
“Good.” Caius settled comfortably on a chaise to wait.
*