An Echo in the Darkness(140)

“Six months?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Does she know of Mother’s condition?”

“We would not leave her in ignorance,” Iulius said. “We sent word several times, my lord. Lady Julia came once. She was very distressed about your mother’s condition.”

“So distressed she didn’t bother to come again.” Marcus uttered a foul word for her. Forgive her, Lord? He wanted to strangle her with his own two hands. His heart beat heavily as rage filled him.

Iulius regretted his condemning words, concerned they might not reflect the true state of Julia’s affairs. After all, he didn’t know why she hadn’t returned, and it was far from appropriate for him to make assumptions. He looked for possible reasons behind her neglect. “She didn’t look well, my lord.”

“She was probably suffering the effects of having been drunk the night before.”

Iulius had wondered the same thing at the time but didn’t admit to it. “She was very thin.”

Marcus looked at him coolly. “You’re defending my sister’s neglect?”

“No, my lord. My only concern is Lady Phoebe. Your mother waits for her daughter’s return.”

Marcus looked away, his face set.

“She awaits Lady Julia in the same way she waited for you, my lord.”

A muscle jerked in Marcus’ cheek. “Thank you for your kind reminder,” he said sardonically.

“It might be wise to find out why Lady Julia hasn’t returned, my lord.”

“I could make an educated guess,” Marcus said in biting cynicism. “Calabah was against my sister having anything to do with Mother. She was afraid a little decency might rub off on Julia.” He gave a brittle laugh. “I doubt there’s much chance of that.”

“Calabah Shiva Fontaneus left Ephesus a year ago.”

Marcus glanced up in surprise. “That’s interesting. What else have you heard about my sister’s affairs?”

“Rumor had it Lady Julia’s husband also left a few months after you sailed for Palestine. As far as I know, he hasn’t returned.”

Marcus grew thoughtful. So, poor Julia was deserted. It was no more than she deserved. Hadn’t he warned her against Calabah and Primus? He could guess what had happened. Calabah would have used Julia until she grew tired of her, while Primus took whatever opportunity there was to systematically strip Julia of whatever money he could grasp.

What was her situation now?

And why should he care?

Julia had probably come to their mother for help and, seeing there was none, had left. Julia never did like to be around anyone who was ill. He remembered how she had run out of the room when their father had called the family to his deathbed.

Yet, he could not help but wonder.

“You say she looked ill?”

“Yes, my lord.”

He was filled with conflicting emotions, the strongest being anger against her. He was intensely aware of what the Lord wanted and equally intense in his struggle against it. He wanted to remember what Julia had done, to have a shield against more tender feelings. She deserved no tenderness. She deserved only judgment.

“Six months,” he said darkly. “Perhaps she died during that time.”

Iulius was disturbed by the cool indifference in Marcus’ voice. Did he truly hope his sister was dead? “And what if she hasn’t died, my lord? Your mother would have more peace of mind if she knew Lady Julia was safe and well.”

Marcus’ face hardened. He knew what Iulius said was true. If his mother had prayed for him, he knew she prayed for Julia.

The prospect of seeing his sister roused the heavy feelings that had lain dormant over the last weeks. The quiet before the storm was over, and the fierce gale of emotion now hit with a vengeance. He had sworn never to see or speak to Julia again. When he had made that vow, he had meant to keep it. Forever. Now he knew he had to put aside his own feelings and think instead of his mother’s needs. As for Julia, he could not care less what happened to her.

“Very well,” Marcus said grimly. “I’ll find out where she is tomorrow.”

He prayed to God she was dead and buried and that would be the end of it.





38

Hadassah brushed Julia’s hair with slow strokes. She noticed the coin-sized patches of baldness, another manifestation of the venereal disease. Julia had been very agitated today, suffering acute pain from the ulcers. Hadassah had given her a small dose of mandragora and added a special blend of herbs to her bath. Now Julia was drowsy in the afternoon sunlight, at ease. A breeze stirred the vine leaves, bringing with it the strong smells of the crowded city.

Running her fingers down the silky strands, Hadassah began to braid Julia’s waist-length hair. When she finished, she laid the braid over Julia’s shoulder. “I’ll get you something to eat, my lady.”