Andrew looked up quickly at the words, and if the familiar voice carried no reproval in itself, he inserted it in his own mind, as he was deserving of it. Even so, he knew his master did not make such observances unless he wished to know the cause of them. So he drew in a deep breath. “It is Abigail,” he confessed. “She seemed upset at the meal this morning.”
Cleopas nodded knowingly and handed his servant the waterskin to hold while he reached for his buckler. “Did you talk to her?”
“I did not have the chance.”
Cleopas let out his breath, pausing to finish the conversation before heading onto the field. “She is most likely still adjusting to the changes, Andrew. Much of the burden of serving Jason has fallen to her. Combine that with her concern for Ester’s health this morning, and I think that would account for her behavior.”
Andrew nodded. “I was coming to the same conclusion myself.” He watched his master’s face gain its satisfied expression and gathered his courage before the elder could take the first step away. “Master. Have you spoken with Mistress about Abigail?”
Cleopas now nodded. “Directly after you asked me. I gave her a month to decide, but she has been distracted by her son’s arrival; I think she has probably not even had time to think about it. But I will remind her tonight, Andrew.” He smiled. “I do not wish to raise your hopes unduly, but I should think that soon Abigail will be your wife.”
Andrew could not hold back a smile at the news. “It would be a blessing, Lord. I love her deeply.”
“I know.” Cleopas tapped his fingers against his belt. “Ester is just reticent to consign her to slavery forever, as you have chosen for yourself.”
Andrew hesitated but decided to speak. “Perhaps she should speak to Abigail about it, Master. I think she will find that our young friend is not only willing to remain in your house, but unwilling to do anything but. She expressed to me just last week her desire to continue to serve our lady.”
Cleopas appeared to give it thought for a moment, then nodded. “I will make the recommendation.” Pausing, he smiled and clapped a friendly hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “And I will stress your love. I think she will agree. It may, however, take her a while to come to that conclusion. I invite you to be patient.”
Andrew returned the smile wholeheartedly. “Knowing the reward that could await me, that is the easiest task you have ever assigned.”
Chapter Nine
Ester drew in a deep breath as her servant brushed through her hair in preparation for bed. She glanced into the polished metal surface of the mirror, more to see Abigail’s reflection than her own. And what met her eyes both pleased and troubled her. Her beauty became more undeniable every day. And when a lovely face combined with eyes luminous in intelligence and a bearing gracefully underscored by modesty and humility, the result was a lady worthy of the best.
But on this particular day, Abigail’s brows had been drawn more than not. Ester had to wonder if the girl had borrowed some of her distress. The decision on her mind weighed more heavily with each sun that dawned past the deadline her husband had set, and though she knew he assumed she had forgotten the question in the face of Jason’s return, she knew from the way he had nodded to his manservant just minutes ago that he would not tarry long in reminding her of it.
She had not forgotten. She had just not decided.
Abigail did not deserve to be a servant for the rest of her life. She deserved a husband who had made a place for himself in the world, who was respected and would share that esteem with her. She could be the crowning jewel of any household, and it would be selfish to hide her away here. As much as she loved the one she thought of as a daughter, her desire to maintain that companionship could not outweigh her need to do right by her.
A long sigh escaped her lips.
Abigail’s brows drew together for the countless time that day. “Are you quite certain you are not feeling ill, Mistress?”
Ester managed a smile bordering on sincere. “I am well, child. Though I am concerned that you are not. You have not seemed yourself today.”
Abigail moved behind her and separated her hair into three sections to be braided. “It is nothing. I have just been tired.”
“You have gained more responsibilities since Jason returned.” Her displeasure crept out in her voice, she knew. “Cleopas insists that we will not provide him with another slave, that it is up to him to do so, but when it affects our own–”
“It is not that.” Abigail accompanied the rare interruption with a reassuring hand on Ester’s arm. “The extra duties have been light and few. I simply did not sleep well last night.”
Not sure if she ought to be convinced, she sat quiet and still once more as Abigail braided her hair. She stood at the completion of the task and offered a smile. “Thank you, Abigail. Go ahead to bed.”
*