Abigail reached over and lay soft fingers on his arm.
Andrew covered her hand with his. “Promise me one thing, beloved. I know you must serve and honor him–but promise me that you will make it end at duty, that you will not encourage him. I will be as patient as necessary, but I need to be assured that you–”
“I will do all I can to discourage him. It will not take long, my love. Jason constantly demands an emotion I cannot give, and he will decide I am unworthy of his attentions.”
Andrew gently squeezed her fingers. The smile they shared felt intimate, but he could not help but notice that hers was tinged with guilt.
*
Abigail moved about Jason’s chamber, her focus on the chores she had not yet gotten to thanks to the packing for his mother. Jason had disappeared shortly after dinner, which was not unusual. She expected him back soon and determined to have his chamber neat for him.
Perhaps it would alleviate some of the disquiet her conversation with Andrew had caused her.
Arms circled her waist from behind, making her jump.
Jason’s chuckle filled her ear as he kissed her neck. “You have been busy tonight. I imagine you are tired.”
Actually, she was energized from the activity but did not dare to mention that lest he take it as an invitation to help her expel that energy.
Jason settled his hands on her shoulders and massaged them gently. “Tomorrow will be more relaxing. We will sleep late and lounge around all morning. My friends are coming for lunch, but that will not take much preparation, and I will help you.”
“Your friends?” He must have invited them when he went out.
“Mm.” He nudged her toward the bed, smiling when she sat down. He sat beside her, then eased her back onto the pillows. “There will be five of us. Menelaus and Titus, whom you have met, as well as Lentulus and Apidius, whom you have not yet. It has been a long while since we have all gotten to dine together.” His ran his lips over her jaw. Her eyes slid closed in uninvited pleasure. “It will be a good day, Abigail.”
For him, perhaps. But she was not looking forward to facing more of his lecherous friends.
*
Abigail had never in her life lain in bed so far past dawn. Her eyes would not stay closed, and she had to keep herself from tossing restlessly; but Jason had given his orders, and she knew she would disturb him if she rose.
She had listened to the hushed commotion as the others set off and had wondered at the strange pang she felt at their leaving. She would miss Ester, it was true; in the many years since she had been in this house, she had never spent a day away from her mistress. And it would be strange to go into the kitchen and know that Dinah would not bustle in at any moment, or walk around and not run into Simon or see Andrew trudging in dusty and tired after a day at his master’s side.
But today would bring its own tasks. She would have to serve a group of men she did not know and knew already she would not like. It would be far removed from the meals she was used to, with Ester and Julia or Vetimus and Phoebe and sweet little Claron.
Thoughts of the boy, and hence his miraculous recovery, reminded her again of the reason her family had left. What did they expect to hear from this teacher? What lessons could he possibly teach that would help them where the Law could not? And what was it about the rabbi that had attracted Cleopas so thoroughly that he would be willing to take time away from his busy life as prefect to make this journey?
“How long have you been awake?”
The voice, groggy and smiling, startled her. She turned to see Jason’s deep eyes on her, a sleepy smile on his lips.
“Since dawn. Habit.”
“Mm.” He pulled her closer and kissed her jaw. “You are not a creature of leisure, beloved. I know many slaves would have taken advantage of the day off to sleep until noon.” He chuckled. “But I suppose we have already discussed your virtue, have we not? I forget which dialogue we sided with.”
Abigail found herself slightly amused, which caught her off guard. She could not quite keep the humor from her tone. “I believe, Jason, you were too shocked that I knew what you were talking about to actually discuss the dialogues.”
Jason chuckled again. “Perhaps you are right. Well then, Abigail, with which do you agree? The opinions Socrates brings up with Meno, or with Protagorus? Can virtue be taught, or not?”
Finally, a subject she could hold her own on with him. “Virtue must be taught, but that does not guarantee that it will be learned. Without instruction, however, the best of men would still be groping in the dark for the morality they may seek. Just as even with it, few will choose the path of righteousness.”
Jason levered himself up with his elbow to look into her face. “And you, my precious one? Have you found this righteous path?”