“Then let me clarify. The most beautiful woman you have likely ever seen, young, with my amethyst around her neck and my babe in her womb.” The falsehood was meant to get a reaction, and get it he did. He watched Volusius’s blood drain from his face.
“Truly, Lord, I know not of whom you speak. But I will inquire. I will find her for you if she is here, and I will contact you. Please, go home and rest, and I will do all I can.”
Titus dropped the man without warning. “See that you do.” He turned and strode from the chamber with the same force he had entered it with, signaling Phillip to follow. As soon as they were outside, having slammed the door closed behind them, Titus ducked into the nearest empty chamber and pressed himself out of sight. Phillip followed suit as Titus eased the door closed after them. At the slave’s arched brow, he just shook his head.
From the other chamber they could hear Volusius exclaim, “Well get her! Bring her up here and let her answer for herself. If that wench births an Asinius child here, that man will kill me!”
Titus smiled the answer to Phillip, who smiled in return. Minutes passed, silent minutes during which Titus leaned with perfect confidence against the wall as he waited. Phillip kept flexing his wrist as if hoping he would soon need to exercise it with a few blows.
At last, they heard two sets of approaching footsteps, one the heavy tread of a man, the other the softer one of a woman. Phillip immediately tensed, but Titus held up his hand to signal him to wait. It would be best not to show themselves until there was no hope of the guard escaping with Abigail. As the sounds drew nearer, Titus reached for the door’s latch, and Phillip slid into place beside him. When the footfalls were almost directly in front of them, they threw open the door and stepped into the hall.
He watched as Abigail glanced up, the resignation on her face transforming instantly to joy. “Titus!” She launched herself into his arms before the guard could so much as respond and let out a trill of laughter. “I knew you would come!”
“Of course I came.” Titus cradled her head against his shoulder. He drew it back enough to kiss her soundly. “Are you well? Have they hurt you? I swear, if anyone laid a hand on you, I shall–”
“Hush, my love.” Abigail silenced him with a gentle finger over his lips. She was smiling, and he decided she would not be smiling if she had been treated poorly. “Jacob, known as Ares, the one they gave me to, is faithful to the wife he left behind; he would not touch me, but he let me stay with him so that they would not give me to another. The Lord was with me, Titus.” Her eyes sparked with joy. “In fact, this Jacob had been a follower of John the Baptist, he of whom the scriptures spoke as ‘a voice crying in the wilderness.’ I told him of Christ, and he believes.”
Titus laughed, barely noticing as Volusius came out of his chamber with a thundercloud on his face and spoke to the guard, who turned and left. He gave Abigail a squeeze. “The Lord was with you indeed.”
She chuckled and rested her head against his chest. “How are the children?”
Titus smiled. “I did not see them in my rush to find you upon my return, but from what I understand, they are well, though missing you. It seems our mothers have struck up a friendship; they are all awaiting you at the villa, beloved.”
Abigail drew in a long breath. “You saw Ester? She is well?”
He nodded. “She looked worried, but strong. A bit older than I remembered, but still lovely and graceful.”
“What did she think of Benjamin?”
Titus laughed. “Fair one, I was there no longer than a minute. Andrew told me what had happened the moment I dismounted, and I was on my way again a heartbeat later. I rushed to the gates, where Phillip met me.”
Abigail then pulled away from him to go embrace her loyal servant. “Thank you, Phillip. I knew you could get away from them and follow so that you could tell Titus exactly where I was.”
“I should have done more,” Phillip returned.
“No.” Abigail pulled away and looking up into his stern countenance. “The Lord was with me, my friend. I have no doubts that he led me here so that I could meet and speak with Jacob, and he was watching over me every moment to ensure my safety.” She looked over at Titus. “I promised him that I would see that his family in Samaria is safe.”
At that moment, Titus would have promised absolutely anything to the man who had protected his betrothed. “We will do that and more, my love, for this man.”
Two sets of heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs, and a moment later the guard came into view. Titus vaguely recognized the man beside him as a gladiator he had once cheered on. The warrior smiled when he saw them.
“I am Jacob. You must be Titus.” The fighter approached with an outstretched hand.
They clasped wrists, and Titus smiled in return. “I am. I want to thank you for protecting Abigail for me.”
Jacob smiled at her. “It was my pleasure. I only hope another has done for my daughter as I did for her. And she has taught me much in these two days.”