“Because she is just a confused child. She saw that Elizabeth was recovering and thought it would be an easy way out of what seemed like a problem.” Her face grew serious, intense. “But she does not understand, Lord. Elizabeth was lucky. I have given this poison to six women now, my daughter included. She is the third to survive. Your girl–she did not realize the risks, she was too scared to recognize that her problems were not big enough to justify them. I could not reason with her. So I thought to fool her.”
Jason measured the woman for a while. She was still attractive, though age was creeping in, the kind of woman that a man took in the night and forgot the next day. The kind that no one ever thought to attribute feelings or sense to. But he saw in a heartbeat that her life had taught her many lessons. He nodded. “Thank you.”
She returned the nod, smiled. “Be easy on your woman, Lord. She is young and disappointed. And now the rest of her life is not her own.”
His smile was wry. “I shall keep that in mind.”
She obviously did not believe him. “I know she is your slave. But I have recalled some of the things Elizabeth told me about her. She was born free, and a soul does not ever forget that feeling.”
His felt his face harden, and he took a step away. “She would have married a slave. She cannot mind it so much.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “But being the wife of a slave is very different from being the slave of a rich man. I am technically free. But I would trade every vestige of freedom I have to be a wife of any man. Abigail is probably not so different.”
He left then and headed for his friends, telling himself a whore knew nothing that was relevant to his life. But still, her words tunneled into his mind.
“It is about time,” Lentulus said testily when Jason joined him and put an arm around Menelaus from the other side. “This idiot is not light.”
He could not resist a tease.“But you are strong, Lentulus. Wiry, is that not what you call yourself? Able to run faster, jump farther, leap higher–”
“But drag less. We each have our talents. You should have brought Titus for this task.”
Jason laughed, and they began hauling the lolling Menelaus up the street. “Titus has no patience for Menelaus when he is like this. He may have tossed him in a gutter.”
“As would I, if I could heft him high enough.”
Menelaus, blinking against the bright sun, muttered something incoherent and nearly convinced Jason to assist in the effort. Instead, he half-carried him back to his quarters, doused him in water, and told him in no uncertain terms that next time, they would leave him to his vices.
It was after midday by the time Jason returned home. His mother greeted him with bright eyes and a ready smile.
“She is sleeping. I have noticed that she has been tired lately, and now I have an excuse for making her rest.” She clasped her hands together, then gave him an impulsive hug. “I am so happy, Jason.”
“I am still not going to marry her, Mother.” He ignored the look of disappointment that flooded his mother’s eyes before she could blink it away. He kissed her forehead to soften the blow, then moved into the hallway. “Where is she?”
“On my chaise.”
He nodded. “I will put her to bed. Did you get her to eat?”
“Yes.” She followed him into her room, watching as he gently lifted the sleeping Abigail, settling her against him. She then moved in front of him so that she could open his door. As he settled her on the bed, she said, “She was crying for a good while. Did you upset her?”
“It was a misunderstanding.” The lie came easily. “She was visiting her friend’s mother to tell her she was better; I did not know why she was in that part of town, and I was unhappy enough that I did not give her much time to explain before forcing her home.”
“Oh.” Ester nodded, but she was obviously concerned. “Elizabeth’s mother is a harlot. She should not be in that section of town.”
“Then we agree.” He smiled, then turned back to Abigail. “I will stay with her a while.”
Ester took her cue to leave.
Jason just stared down at Abigail. Her face was peaceful in sleep, picturesque and perfect, but so very young. He wondered briefly how old she really was. Old enough, clearly, but when her intelligent eyes were not open and scanning the world, when she wore no belt to show off her figure, she could pass for a child. She had that smooth, even complexion, the soft curve of facial bones still not fully developed.