Part 10 (1/2)

My mother forbade Joanna from doing any work that day. Instead, she sent her for a long bath, and Keziah spent hours curling and adorning her hair, although of course it would be covered by a veil as long as she was in the company of men. Chuzas mother, Merab, would have the privilege of seeing her while we ate our dinner apart from the men. Before dinner, sweet wine and dainty delicacies would be served in mixed company.

My parents welcomed Master Shual and his family warmly, and we all settled on the freshly cleaned couches. Joanna arrived last, veiled as expected for an unmarried maiden. Not even a veil could hide the radiance of her beauty, and Chuza gaped, forgetting to greet her. Everyone laughed.

There is no hiding the fact that my son has set his heart upon your daughter, Master Shual said, addressing my father. We are here to ask for her hand, Benjamin. If she is willing, of course. He threw Joanna an expectant look. What do you say, child? Are you willing to come to my son and be his wife?

If I could manufacture the exact shade of red that stained Joannas cheeks, I would be a rich woman, I thought. Yes, master, she said and stared at the beads on her shoes.

Good. Good. Shual rubbed his hands together. Your father and I shall discuss the details over dinner. Such delicious smells are coming from your kitchen, Elizabeth. My stomach is grumbling like a roaring camel.

I shall have them serve the meal at once, my mother said before leading the women to an inner room already prepared for our supper.

The two mothers spent most of the dinner hour bragging on the excellence of their children.

How old is Chuza, if I may ask, Merab? my mother asked.

He is twenty-four.

So old? I am surprised you have not found a wife for him before this. My Joanna is only fifteen.

It is a womans business to get married as soon as possible, and a mans to keep unmarried as long as he can. I think Chuza is too young, if you ask me.

My mother stiffened. He does not seem to think so.

My son is brilliant in almost every way. We expect a great future for him. But like all young men, his head is turned by a pretty face. What can a mother do? We have to bear with our childrens lapses.

I bit my lip. My mother, I could see, was not pleased to have her favorite daughter described as a lapse. A chill settled over the room after that.

I could have bowed down and kissed the carpet with relief when the men rejoined us. By then the edge between the two older women had grown as sharp as an Egyptian dagger. Clearly neither one felt that anyone was good enough for her progeny.

I noticed my fathers mouth was a tight pale line. Chuza, on the other hand, sported a big grin, so I guessed the betrothal had been agreed upon, though perhaps not according to terms that pleased my father.

What news, Father? I dared to ask.

He took a deep breath and placed a hand on Chuzas shoulder. You shall be my son-in-law, he said, sealing the betrothal with the formal words once spoken by Saul to David. I sighed with relief. Everyone blessed G.o.d with various degrees of enthusiasm.

Chuza approached Joanna and reached for her hand. A gift for you until the full bride price is delivered. Think of me when you wear it. He slipped a ruby the size of my earlobe onto her finger.

I grimaced, disinterested in the dazzling beauty of the jewel. That ring must have cost a fortune. They would expect us to match its grandeur with the dowry we provided for Joanna. How were we to secure such a vast sum? I could see why my father sat quiet and pale, not joining the excited chatter in the room.

At least we had a year to prepare. My own wedding was set to take place in one month. Two weddings in one year. I had helped my father set aside a portion for my own dowry. I knew that Ethan and Master Ezer would take me even with a small offering, but I had my pride. I refused to come to my husband empty-handed. As it was, I brought him a mountain of trouble and shame. I could at least get this one thing right.

THIRTEEN.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

PROVERBS 16:9, NIV.

I DONT UNDERSTAND what the problem is, Ethan said, leaning against a gnarled olive tree. We were alone in the garden, within sight of the house, but too far away to be overheard. You know I will help you after we are married. Why this urgency to provide for Joannas dowry? Youll have months to work it out.

I shrugged.

Elianna, I havent seen you so much as an hour over the past ten days. The only reason we are speaking now is because I cornered you in the workshop. Have you even slept above three hours a night? You will make yourself sick at this pace.

Ethan, leave it be. I know what Im doing.

The golden eyes narrowed. He pushed himself away from the tree trunk and bent toward me until our faces grew level. Explain it to me so that I can understand, then.

I swallowed a groan. He would not give up until he had what he wanted. It isnt merely her dowry.

You are breaking your back for your dowry? You think I care?

I care. I am not coming to you with one denarius less than what our fathers agreed upon.

Benjamin has already set that money aside, Elianna. He told my father last month.

I hung my head. He had to spend some of it. He placed a larger order of wool than usual and we were short of cash when it was delivered. We need to have more merchandise this year if we are to have enough for Joannas dowry. So our purchases have had to expand, and we werent ready for the extra outlay of capital.

Your father can pay your dowry later. I know he is an honest man.

I shook my head. We will keep our promise to your family. I have worked it out. We are almost finished with the vermilion and dark-blue wool lengths. With Viriatos help, we can have enough to pay your family everything my father promised.

How can you be so stubborn, woman? You are going to come to me a corpse on our wedding night. Its not exactly what a man dreams of at night when he thinks of his marriage bed. His eyes burned with a fire I had not noticed before.

My heart started to pound like a military drum. I was speechless. Ethan laughed at the look on my face. You need more rest. If you refuse me, I will complain to your father and he will force you to stop working altogether. I will insist on it.

You would not!

Without hesitation. If you wish to keep working, then you have to cut down your hours.

I dont have time, Ethan.

And, he continued as though I had not spoken, you will join your parents and mine at the feast in Avrams house.

Avram Ben Hesed was a wealthy Jewish merchant from a n.o.ble family whose connections extended to Roman gentry, Jewish aristocracy, and every major merchant in Jerusalem. His annual banquets were legendary. My parents never missed them. No one who had the honor of being invited would consider missing the greatest feast in Palestine unless they stood at deaths door. This year, I had declared that my work prevented me from coming.

If your father can spare one free evening for a banquet, I dont see why you shouldnt, Ethan insisted.

My father has given the running of the workshop into my hands. It is my responsibility now, not his.

He ignored me. I shall come to fetch you myself. Dont be late. Whistling a tune under his breath, Ethan turned his back and walked toward the gate. To my utter vexation I realized he was whistling a bridal song.

On my way back to the workshop, I ran into Calvus. He had another pile of fabrics in his arms, stacked so high he could barely walk straight.

I raised my eyebrows. More purchases? You have bought enough fabric from my father to clothe a small army.

That is precisely what I intend to do, O alluring daughter of Vesta.