She shook her head. “It is Elizabeth. I know not what to say to her anymore. Ever since she was given to Cleon, our conversations have been on topics of men.”
Andrew breathed a laugh. “You are women now, Abigail. It is natural for conversational topics to change in that way.”
But Abigail shook her head again. “It is not the topic in itself, Andrew. It is Elizabeth. I fear for her.” She turned to meet her friend’s eyes, certain her concern was obvious. “She is not content with her husband and does not mind telling me so. I fear that she will do something irresponsible. And I do not wish to watch my friend destroy her life.”
Andrew arched his brows. “And?”
He knew her too well. “And,” Abigail hesitated, finally drawing in a deep breath and letting it out again. “Do you think Master and Mistress will give me in marriage soon?”
“Yes.” He did not so much as hesitate.
“I fear that as well.” Her eyes focused on the middle distance. “I know Mistress thinks of me as a daughter. I know she wants what is best for me. But I do not wish to leave her. I am comfortable in my life, Andrew. I love her and Master and you and Dinah and Simon. I do not know how I could leave to start my own house.”
He opened his mouth only to close it again and pick up her hand. “Dear one, you are stronger than you think yourself. And what is that saying about borrowing worries?”
She smiled at the familiar rebuke and squeezed his hand in appreciation of the reassurance. “You are a good friend. I have been blessed. How many women have such friends as I? Many of the men I see in the markets treat even free women as though they are slaves, shameful to be seen with.”
“Many men are fools.” He gave her a small smile. “They think that being head of the family makes them more superior than they are. They forget the virtues of Abigail, Ester, Ruth and think only of Delilah, Jezebel.”
“You have been taught in the same synagogues as they. How is it you have gleaned the truth and they a falsehood from the teachings?”
His smile turned to a grin. “Perhaps I am just superior to them. What would Aristotle say to that?”
She had to laugh. “Nothing worth quoting. I believe Moses was right. The slave is not an inferior being, just one that has experienced misfortune. Joseph was a slave, after all, as were all the children of Israel to Egypt.”
“And now to Rome.” His words were softer even than before, his gaze on the ground. “The difference is only that Rome lets us think we are, if not free, not slaves. We pay them in taxes rather than labor, but the result is the same. But it is that delusion, I think, that has turned so many into fools. They think they can buy their advantage. But they, too, will pay.”
Abigail could only look at him, her hand still in his, and wonder what exactly he meant.
“I was speaking with Vetimus today,” he continued. “He has been following the teachings of the Nazarene. He says the rabbi was teaching recently of the desolation of Jerusalem.”
Her brows knit. “Its destruction, you mean?”
He shook his head. “I think not. Simply its inability to accept Messiah. Vetimus said he expressed grief over the inhabitants of the city, for it was as if their house were left standing empty.”
She was silent for a moment. “And do you believe this Nazarene that would have himself proclaimed Messiah?”
Andrew sighed, rubbed his thumb absently over her knuckles. The action made warmth steal up her arm. The influence of Elizabeth’s questions, no doubt. “I do not know about Messiah being him. But that just makes me wonder if he is perhaps right. If perhaps I would not know what Messiah looked like when I saw him. He has performed amazing feats. Walking on water. Healing the sick. Casting out demons.”
“Supposedly.”
“He healed Claron.”
That Abigail could not dispute. “Yes. He healed Claron. He has also gotten the Sanhedrin so angry that they are ready to kill him themselves. He spoke in the temple, when he is not truly even a rabbi. He is a carpenter.”
“As is Jehovah,” Andrew replied quietly. “Look at all he has fashioned.”
Abigail studied him, smiled. “I think you want to believe in him. I think these stories have struck something within you.”
“It is not merely that.” He shifted a bit before meeting her gaze. “They have hit something within Master. And if my lord would put his faith in a carpenter from Nazareth and proclaim him the Son of God, then I trust it is because his wisdom has shown him something I have not seen in full.”
This gave her pause. “The master believes him?”
“The master wants to, I think. The master is searching for something that will bridge the gap between him, a Gentile, and the Law. Did not you yourself say that was the task of Messiah? Well, this Jesus is offering it.”