The news was shocking, and the dry tone of voice unfamiliar. “Andrew? But why?”
Abigail’s smile was somewhat reassuring. “Oh, I think he is just frustrated with the situation. And to keep from revealing how much, he has been avoiding it.” Abigail covered Ester’s hand with hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It is all right, Mistress. It will smooth out soon enough.”
Ester nodded, not fully convinced but willing to let it pass. Especially since she saw a familiar servant coming toward the house from the direction of the general and Julia’s house. “Is that Laertus?”
*
When the boy neared the house, Abigail stood and called down from the rooftop. “Good day, Laertus.”
The boy halted far enough away that he could look up and see her clearly. “Abigail, it is Elizabeth. She is terribly ill, and she has been asking for you. She will let no one else near her. The mistress knows not what to do to, so she sent me to fetch you. Can you come?”
Abigail looked to Ester, who was quick to jump up. “Of course! I will go with you, Abigail, and comfort Julia. I am sure she is upset; she is really quite fond of Elizabeth.”
Abigail nodded and dashed down, then inside to grab a few things for the walk. They were on their way in just a few minutes. “Do you know what is wrong with her?” Abigail questioned Laertus as they walked.
The slave shook his head. “She had gone into the markets to fetch something for the mistress. She must have fallen ill there. Someone carried her back to the house but then just left her on the doorstep. She was unconscious and has been in terrible pain ever since she awoke. She has been retching violently, but she will not let us attend her.”
She picked up her pace. Surely now, when she and Elizabeth had finally reached that pinnacle of openness that made them true friends, Jehovah would not take her confidant through illness.
Except that he would. He had taken her parents, had he not?
When they entered the general’s house, Laertus took Ester to Julia while Abigail sped straight for her friend’s small chamber. She knocked lightly on the door but did not wait for permission to enter. When she stepped inside, the first thing her eyes fell on was Elizabeth.
The young woman was as pale as the moon, frightened eyes open and glazed over with pain. Perspiration stood out on her forehead, and her hands shook. She had her knees drawn up toward her chest, telling Abigail it was her stomach in pain. The room smelled overwhelmingly of vomit.
“Abigail!” Tears gathered in Elizabeth’s eyes and spilled over. She held out a wavering hand, which Abigail grasped.
She settled carefully beside her, looking down into her ashen face. “My friend, I came as soon as they sent for me. What is it?”
Elizabeth’s answer was to roll slightly to the side, revealing a dark stain of blood under her. Abigail did not have to have any experience in this sort of thing to know what had happened. “Oh, Elizabeth. You were with child.”
Elizabeth gave a small nod. “They cannot know.” Agony saturated her voice.
“They would think it was Cleon’s. Let them attend you.”
But Elizabeth just shook her head. “I would have begun to show if it were Cleon’s. Abigail.” She gripping her hand harder and struggled to sit up. Abigail put a restraining hand on her shoulder to keep her down. Elizabeth relented with a groan. “Abigail, I did this on purpose.” Her voice broke, the tears streaming faster now. “I could not have a child.”
Abigail gaped. “But–how? Elizabeth, even I have heard of how this works. The only way to–to be rid of an unwanted child is to wait until you are far enough along to induce labor.”
“I could not wait that long,” Elizabeth declared fervently, eyes ablaze. “It could not have been Cleon’s, and if anyone found out, I would be killed. Julia would see to it. Or even if not, the general would not want me if I were large with child. I could not be pregnant, Abigail. I could not.”
Abigail could see that saying anything to the contrary would not only be irrelevant, but unheard. She just smoothed her friend’s hair away from her head and waited for her to go on.
“I went to my mother,” Elizabeth continued in a muted voice. “I knew that if there were a way, she would know it. She did not want to help me, but she saw as I did that I had no choice. She gave me the poison. It could kill me too, but it is a risk worth taking.” She clenched her teeth, obviously in pain. “I am dead otherwise. I had nothing to lose.”