How could he help but admire her articulated courage? Not any woman would declare a loyalty that so obviously opposed her own desires. This was the Abigail that had been so irresistible, and he hoped that this change in their lives would inspire her to remain that way. Perhaps now that she was more firmly his, she would not be caught by those ridiculous inhibitions.
“I must return to your mother,” Abigail softly interrupted his musings. “She will be waiting for her tea.”
“Of course.” Jason stepped away with a fond smile. “Tell Mother that you saw me, reprimanded me, and that I will soon be home to beg her pardon.”
Abigail opened her mouth, undoubtedly to assure him that she had not intended a reprimand, but as he moved to her side, her face froze.
Jason turned to see what she had rendered her speechless. Spotting Titus, who was leaning against a wall and making no attempt to hide his interest in her or the situation, Jason grinned. He knew very well that this friend of his who had maintained for so long that he had no desire to see Abigail was now suffering the pangs of jealous lust. Oh the delights of a turned table.
“Titus. This is Abigail.”
“So I assumed.” His eyes still roved over her, and he smirked when she flushed under his perusal. “And now I see the modesty that has been so acclaimed. I admit it, Jason. Your woman is enticing. Are you quite certain you will not share her?”
Abigail’s offended gaze flew to the ground, and she stepped closer to Jason’s side. The unconcious trust warmed him. Putting a reassuring hand on her back, he sent his friend a reproving gaze. “Titus, must you be a total reprobate? Come, Abigail, I will walk with you back to the edge of the markets.”
Titus fell in beside them, too, and the three walked the short distance in silence. Jason murmured a farewell to Abigail, who said something similar and hurried off toward home. He and Titus stood and watched her.
“And Titus?” Jason said as she rounded a building and disappeared from sight. “You most certainly would not have taken her yourself.”
Titus laughed. “I suppose we shall never know.”
They turned together and headed back into the crowd.
Chapter Thirteen
Abigail knew something was wrong when it was not Elizabeth waiting on Julia, but another woman, older and obviously unfamiliar with her mistress’s needs. Abigail had to forcibly keep from wincing when the woman almost spilled red wine on Julia’s white stola.
“Leave me, you clumsy fool!” Julia waved the slave from her presence with a slash of her hand. She widened her eyes and inclined her head toward Abigail, as if in silent commiseration. “Abigail, I am certain Elizabeth would like to see you, if you wish to leave.”
Ester gave a nod of acquiescence, so Abigail dipped her head and slipped from the room. Not knowing where else to look for the friend she had not seen in weeks, Abigail headed to the room she knew she shared with her husband. Arriving at the crudely hewn door, she knocked.
The door opened, and Elizabeth stood silhouetted there. Upon seeing Abigail, she smiled and drew her into an embrace. “My friend! I am so glad you are here.”
“What is wrong?” Abigail let herself be drawn into the room. A small latticed window allowed some light in, and she glanced around to find the space disheveled.
“Cleon died,” Elizabeth stated casually.
Abigail’s jaw dropped, and she immediately looked her friend up and down. “I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I did not guess. You are not in mourning.”
Elizabeth wrinkled up her nose in distaste. “I despise those awful, coarse things. I wear them when I leave my room, of course, but I just cannot force myself into them for the entire day.” She sat and invited Abigail to join her, curling her legs up underneath her as if preparing for a cozy little chat. “But Julia has granted me a week with no duties, so I can stay in here as much as I want, anyway. Was that not kind of her?”
“Very.” Abigail settled as questions pushed their way forward. “Elizabeth, when did he pass away?”
“Two days ago.”
“And you did not send for me?” Abigail did not know if she was offended or grateful. Two days ago, she was still trying to smooth out relations between her new master and his parents, a task that had proven beyond her skills. Jason had apologized to his mother, but taking back the words he had spoken did nothing to erase the sting they had caused.
Elizabeth looked surprised at the suggestion. “Of course not, dear. He was given a Roman ceremony, and you would not have felt comfortable.”
“But I would have come for you.” She picked up her friend’s hand and tried desperately to feel now the attachment to this girl that she had felt not so long ago.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I did not need any support, Abigail. Really, it was quite a relief. He had been ill and weak for a fortnight, and I was exhausted from tending him. He was old and ready to die.”