“At any rate, I do not believe that I had ever been so afraid as I was then. When he took me to the bedroom I thought that surely Jehovah would allow me to die then before subjecting me to a Roman’s bed.” She rolled her eyes at her past self. “Thankfully, he did not. But even though Cleopas was patient and gentle, I indulged in tears the moment I thought he was asleep. Only I was mistaken. He heard my quiet weeping but did not say anything that night.”
She sighed yet again, with contentment this time. “The next morning when I awoke, Cleopas was watching me. I know I must have looked a fright, what with red eyes and disarrayed hair, but he just smiled and said, in Hebrew, ‘Ester Visibullis, you are going to teach me the Law.’ I was shocked and could manage only a meager ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘Because I am a smart man. And I know that if ever I want to please my new and alluring wife, I must first please her God. Because any being great enough to invoke the worship of a woman like you is surely more worthy of praise than a statue in Rome. So you shall teach me of this God you say is the only one, and when I am convinced’ he actually said when and not if ‘then we will together teach him to our children.’” She smiled, even laughed a little. “Within a week I began to realize that God had, indeed, intended me to be the wife of this man. And within two I was madly in love with him.”
She looked to Abigail at the close of her narrative and found the girl with stars in her eyes.
“That is very romantic,” Abigail said. “Now, anyway. I am certain it did not appear so beautiful when it first happened. Do you suppose I will ever fall in love so completely?”
Ester laughed. “I have no doubts, beautiful one. You will have your pick of husbands.”
Abigail sobered. “I do not see how.”
Ester said nothing, just took another sip of her camomile. And buried a grin behind it.
*
Jason was pleased that both weather and wind were with the large craft as it made the journey across the Mediterranean, the breeze strong and steady, filling the sails and promising a prompt arrival. There were a total of fifty soldiers on their way to assignments, replacing other men that had died or been called home to Rome. All were to become members of the Tenth Legion, although their tasks within that great force would certainly be as varied as the men themselves were.
He lounged with his four friends on the upper deck, basking in the sun for what they knew to be one of a very few days of rest. They were among the youngest of the passengers, having achieved the positions of centurions because of connections rather than years in the field, and it showed in their talk and comradery. Conversation had reached a lull as the sun achieved its zenith, giving Jason’s thoughts leave to wander to home.
His smile must have betrayed his musings.
“Look at his smirk,” Lentulus said, only one eye partially opened in the bright light. “He is probably thinking of how he can use the advantage of his familiarity with the land to best us.”
Jason laughed. “Lentulus, my friend, you reflect your own ignoble goals upon us all. Why would I wish to humiliate you?”
The soldier shrugged. “So you can keep all the women to yourself.”
Jason laughed yet again. “I need not cast you down to do that; my natural charm should do the job.”
It was Apidius who rolled his eyes. “I expect that if Menelaus has anything to say, he too will have his share of company.”
Menelaus grinned. “While our good friend here pines over the love he left behind.”
“Am I the only one pining? What of you, Titus? Surely you will miss your woman?”
Titus lifted an eyebrow. “And who would you be speaking of, my friend?”
“You know the one I refer to.” Apidius wiggled his brows. “That beauty that we saw so briefly at your father’s house.”
Titus gave a breath of a laugh. “Women are to be enjoyed while you are with them. But she is only a woman. And even less: a slave. That is nothing to pine over.”
“Is there a woman waiting for you in Jerusalem, Jason?” Lentulus asked.
“Only my mother.” He stretched, grinned. “But then, I imagine she waits with more faithfulness than any other would have.”