She led him down the hall and into the room that had been hers until a few months before. The wooden chest was empty now, her belongings all in Jason’s room, and the pallet was clean and freshly made up. All evidence of her term there had been erased.
She kept her tone gentle. “This is where you will stay. This next door belongs to Andrew, who is my father’s slave. He will gladly help you in anything you need at any time. And across the hall is Dinah, who cooks for us, and her husband Simon, who manages the house. In fact, we should go meet Dinah now. She may need you to taste some of the foods she had prepared, to see if they are satisfactory.”
“Clever,” Jason muttered in Latin into her ear. She jabbed him playfully in the ribs.
When the three entered the kitchen, Dinah did not even look over her shoulder. “Abigail, I thought you were resting. I promised to bring your meal in to you when the young master returned.”
“The young master returned with a surprise.” Jason’s tone was bright with humor.
She turned now, and her face lit when she saw the boy. She immediately crouched down, with far more ease than Abigail had, and said, “And who are you, child? A young prince come to stay with us?”
Samuel did not smile as Dinah did, but his lips at least hinted at it as he shook his head. “I am Samuel. My mother sold me, and he,” he said, indicating Jason, “bought me so that the fat man could not.” His brows drew together once more. “The fat man looked at me strangely.”
Dinah’s eyes flew to Jason, who nodded once, his face serious. She was quick to put another smile on. “Well, no one will look at you strangely here, Samuel. Now. My mistress is dining with a friend today, so I only have to prepare the food for your master and mistress. If they allow it, you can help me.”
Abigail nodded. “I suggested he help you with the tastings, Dinah.”
Dinah caught her meaning and smiled. “An important job, indeed.” With a flourish, she scooped up the boy and deposited him on the top of the table. “There. You sit and I will give you a sampling of the meal. Anything you do not like, tell me.” She turned to Abigail with a pointed look and a matching finger. “Go rest.”
Abigail scowled because Dinah would expect it, but then let Jason lead her off. “Where did you find him?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot, as they headed for the main room where Dinah would expect to find them.
“In the markets.” All amusement left his voice. “Right there on a street corner, Abigail, his mother was hocking him along with baskets and palms. I could not let that man take him home.”
“Of course not.” She sighed. “He is a beautiful boy. It is a dangerous thing to be when one is unprotected.”
Jason stopped in the threshold and turned to look at her, then drew her against him. “I am sorry, Abigail.”
Only then realizing how he would take her words, she rushed to say, “I did not mean–”
“I know. But it is true nonetheless. You were helpless against me, and I showed no mercy because I wanted you.” He drew in a deep breath, his eyes averted.
“You have changed, my husband.” She leaned into his embrace. “And I cannot wish away what gave us our child.”
Gazing into her eyes, he was apparently convinced. He smiled, then drew her the rest of the way into the room and made her sit. “I realize that Samuel will not actually be of much use right now; but I also thought you could use a companion, my love. Not to mention a distraction until the baby comes.”
She returned his knowing grin. “True enough. I will have to see to some clothing for him. And he is so thin! Dinah will remedy that quickly, I think. And your mother will fall in love with the child.” She chuckled. “She will probably spoil him as she did me.”
“And you will not?” His smile made her flush. “You have a soft heart and a long memory. I imagine you will treat all of your slaves as you were treated.”
Abigail’s face reflected her disconcert. “I cannot imagine having slaves at all. I will always think of such people as my equals.”
“I believe that is the point,” Jason said, shocking her. “Does the Law not say that slaves are not slaves because of any lack of worth, but rather because of a lack of fortune? Was not Joseph a slave, and the entire Hebrew peoples?”
She felt a slow smile sneak onto her mouth. “They were, husband, and it does. Although Aristotle and Plato would surely disagree.”
He picked up her hand and held it tenderly. “But Plato and Aristotle were only men, beloved. We must forgive them for their false opinions.”
Abigail laughed, full and bright. She looked over to the doorway before her mirth had been spent, saw Dinah and Samuel there. She held out a hand in invitation.
Samuel ran into her open arms and clung.
Abigail pulled the boy up into what remained of her lap and held him. He shed no tears; indeed, as he draped himself over her round stomach and rested his head against her breast, his perfect face reflected perfect contentment.