Part 10 (2/2)

My mothers name is Elizabeth, I said, my voice sharp. And what do you mean that is what you intend to do?

Our soldiers are wild for your fathers creations. They pay good money to have them. Your father has no interest in expanding his business into the garrison. So I buy from him and sell at higher prices. We both profit.

I gaped. You must be jesting.

Why? Your father knows what I am about.

He knows?

And gives his blessing. Ask him, if you dont believe my word.

Sweeping my skirts, I walked past him toward the house, my back rigid. His low laughter rang in my ears long after I could no longer hear it.

To my stupefaction, my father affirmed Calvuss claim. What harm can it do? I am not going into the garrison to barter with Roman lowlifes.

And he is paying you full price for everything?

He will. My father shrugged. In the end, I will have increased our sales and lost nothing by it.

The eve of Avrams feast dawned too soon for my liking. By the time I left the workshop and ran home for a hasty wash and change of clothes, Ethan had already arrived. He kept his thoughts to himself as he saw me fly up the stairs to my chamber. I heard my mother make an apologetic comment before I slammed the door shut.

For a moment I looked in the mirror. Curls flew wildly about my face, my tunic was wrinkled, my shoes stained with blue dye, and my skin seemed sallow and dry. The disarray of my hair and clothes caught me off guard. Being the daughter of a fabric merchant meant that I was always expected to appear to best advantage. My attire made a statement about our business. When had I grown so haggard and slovenly?

My mother and Joanna came to help me. We dashed about my chamber, combing my hair and stripping me at the same time, grabbing fresh clothes and pieces of jewelry as we went. By the time we descended the stairs, I presented a more respectable sight. I worried that Ethan might be displeased by my lateness. Instead, I caught him laughing silently.

What? I asked, with a half-hearted attempt at sounding annoyed. He had scared me with his threat of putting an end to my work. I felt relieved that I had not angered him by being late.

New fas.h.i.+on?

I looked down where he was pointing. My feet were still encased in my dye-stained work shoes. Tucked in one corner of a shoe, unnoticed by me, sat the wrinkled handkerchief with which I had washed. With every step, I was dragging it on the ground behind me.

Someone nudged me hard in the ribs, waking me up from a restless sleep. I blinked, bleary eyed and confused by the noise before I remembered Avram and his feast.

My mother shoved a goblet of new wine under my nose. Dont shame us, Elianna. Try to stay awake.

Yes, Mother. Dutifully, I took a sip before replacing the goblet on a low table. Avrams feasts were a mingling of Jewish and Roman custom. Men and women remained in the same grand hall, though the women were a.s.signed to one side and the men to the other. Through an ornately designed colonnade, we could observe one another. I saw my father speaking animatedly to Calvus. Many other Romans were present in the room, and to my delight, Claudia joined my sister and me before long.

Fanning herself with a fan made of peac.o.c.k feathers set in gold filigree, she reclined on the couch next to me. By Apollo, it is hot in here.

Several women ambled to the other side of the hall carrying lutes and citharas. Their clothes were scanty by any measure and I wondered how much skin would be on display when they bent over. The thought of Ethan seeing all that bountiful female flesh made me cringe.

Oh good. We are to have music, Claudia exclaimed before catching my expression. Do you not like singing?

I flushed, embarra.s.sed to be caught in my moment of jealousy. I do, of course. Only these musicians are not . . . well, they are not wearing much.

And?

I find I dont like the idea of Ethan looking at them. Can you imagine what he will see when they bend over?

Claudia dissolved into laughter. In one week you will be married to him, and you can blindfold him when you bring him to a feast, if you like.

I gave serious consideration to the idea; it seemed doubtful that Ethan would allow it. No more feasts at Avrams house, I decided. The lamps were smoky, the hour annoyingly late, and the air stuffy. Ethan would never miss it.

The offending musicians began to play and sing, and I had to admit with disgust that they were excellent. Their voices blended in beautiful harmony and their instruments filled the hall with a haunting melody.

In Rome, we had music every night, Claudia said, her tone wistful.

I gave her hand a squeeze. Homesick?

She leaned her head against my shoulder. Not so much now you are here.

The food started to arrive on large silver and gold platters. Some of the dishes were new to Claudia, and I explained their contents to her. Avram might have Romans for guests and eat and drink with them, bringing the frowning displeasure of many Pharisees upon him, but he drew the line at eating what the Law forbade. To Claudias disappointment, the food before us bore no resemblance to the meal provided at Herods feast. There were too many things we Jews were forbidden to eat that appealed to a Romans taste buds.

Weariness began to overcome me as warm food and sweet wine filled my belly and the mellow music of harp and lutes quieted my stretched nerves. My eyelids kept falling shut of their own accord and I had to battle just to keep them open.

Look at this poor girl, Claudia exclaimed. You must be exhausted.

Shes been working day and night, Joanna said.

Then we must bundle her home. She signaled one of the servants and sent him to fetch either my father or Ethan.

We rose and made our way to the courtyard. By the time we arrived, both my father and Ethan were waiting. To my surprise, Calvus tagged behind. A servant fetched the cart in which the women had driven over. My father and Ethan had ridden horses, an indulgence for which both men had a weakness regardless of the great expense. But when my father attempted to mount his horse, he found it had gone lame.

Its no good, Calvus said, shaking his head as he examined the poor creatures hoof. You cannot ride him tonight. Take my horse, Benjamin.

It went against the grain with me, being indebted to Calvus. Again. I could not fathom my aversion toward the man. He had shown us many kindnesses over the past months. Yet there always seemed to be an expectation attached to every generosity”an unnamed, unspoken calculation.

No one else seemed to experience this discomfort around him, and I kept it to myself, knowing my fathers fondness for the man. Still, I tried to circ.u.mvent the offer of his horse. He made it casually, but to give ones personal ride to another entailed a significant act of trust and generosity. It was simply too intimate a gesture. You can ride in the cart with us, Father. I patted the seat next to me.

Father frowned and shook his head. I sensed that his dismissal of my suggestion had more to do with his desire to avoid sitting next to me than his enthusiasm for accepting Calvuss offer. My heart contracted at his rejection. I never lost it”that odd, hollow feeling every time he distanced himself from me.

How will you get home if I take your horse, Calvus? I will walk, he said.

Dont be foolish. Your house is much farther than my quarters. Come. I will give you a hand. Prepare for the ride of your life. Calvus stretched a hand and beckoned to my father.

Father grinned at the thought of riding a Roman-trained horse. Once mounted, he looked down. He is certainly tall.

Calvus shrugged. He is not one of your pretty Arabs, I grant you. But Perseus is strong and reliable.

My thanks.

We began our journey at a brisk pace that jarred my bones as I held on for dear life to the edge of the cart. Ethan guided his horse near where I sat. You are fading before my eyes. Take note of what I say, Elianna. You are not to rise out of your bed before midmorning tomorrow.

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