“Do not be absurd.” Apidius grinned as he stepped up beside them. “She is still lovely, even with the extra curve. Have you ever seen such a face?”
At that point Jason spotted them, and his smile grew even broader as he left his father’s side to greet them. “My friends!” He clasped each of their wrists in turn. “I am glad you came. Come, get something to eat. Dinah’s dishes could be put on the emperor’s table, and she has been busy with the preparations for days.”
“Thank you.” Menelaus let himself be ushered to the tables of food. Jason’s mother soon joined them, her smile as bright as her son’s. It was no wonder the Visibullis men were so taken with the Hebrew women. These two were perfect examples of feminine beauty.
“Welcome. Jason has spoken much of you. Thank you for joining us on this joyous day.”
He replied politely if without enthusiasm and focused on the food; Cleopas had apparently spared no expense, proving his approval of the marriage. The wine was strong and fine and free-flowing, the house was dressed in festivity, and Menelaus felt like an island of depression in the midst of a sea of gaiety.
“I hope his lovely wench appreciates what he has given up for her,” he muttered to Titus once he had cleaned off his plate and gotten some drink into his stomach.
A menacing gleam entered Titus’s eyes. “Perhaps we should make sure of it.” He began to maneuver toward the bride, Menelaus a step behind him. Titus managed the hunt as though it was unintentional, greeting his other acquaintances in the room, and managing to look almost surprised when he found himself before Abigail, who was at the moment standing at the edge of the room, surveying her wedding celebration calmly. Menelaus drew even with Titus, effectively blocking her path in case she chose to flee.
“Congratulations, Abigail.” Titus took her hand as all the other guests had and bowed over it.
She straightened her spine and tugged her hand free. Menelaus claimed it and gave her a feral smile. Perhaps, if it were anyone but Jason she had ruined, he could have admired the determination in her eyes.
“Thank you for coming.” She reclaiming her hand again. “Jason was not sure you would.”
“Neither were we.” Titus made the admission sound like an accusation as he ran his eyes deliberately down her.
“It is hard to watch one’s friend sacrifice a brilliant career,” Menelaus practically growled, “for a woman.”
Abigail’s shoulders moved back, and her chin came up to reveal eyes throwing sparks that illuminated her whole face. She changed in a moment from Venus to Juno, angry and prepared to shift the world because of it. “I did not ask for the sacrifice.”
Menelaus lifted a brow. “Did you oppose it?”
She let out a breath of a laugh. “Oppose it? As I am sure you have not forgotten, I was a slave. I had no say. He loves me and decided to marry me, so here we are.”
“You do not love him.” Titus stated it, but it was obviously a challenge.
She turned on the Roman with all of her fury, somehow managing to keep it quiet and focused on its target. “He was my master, and now he is my husband. I will honor him and respect him and serve him.”
“But you do not love him.” Titus sounded smug now.
A hand settled protectively over her babe. “He is my life. Please excuse me.” She did not wait for their permission but slipped quickly between them and disappeared in the crowd.
“Well, she has spirit.” Menelaus watched her go with a hint of a smile. He knew few men who would dare stand up to Titus Asinius as she had. “I must grant her that.”
Titus just shook his head. “Such women are a bane to men. They possess and conquer.”
“And bear sons who can do the same. Jason’s son will be strong and well taught, at the least.”
“In what culture, though?” Titus crossed his arms forbiddingly over his chest. “If she prevails with her Hebrew traditions, the child will be caught and crushed by them.”
Menelaus shrugged. “Jason will not allow it. He is Roman in his thoughts, Titus, on that we all agree. He will see that his sons are, too.”
“He is off to a great beginning, marrying his Jewess slave in the Hebrew fashion.”
Menelaus could only laugh at his friend’s obvious abhorrence and clap a hand to his shoulder. “Forget it, Titus. Let us eat and drink and enjoy the friends present. It is our only role now.”
Titus sent one last scathing glance at the bride before following him back into the crowd.
*