An Echo in the Darkness(148)

“I love you, too,” he said hoarsely, unable to say more. His eyes were moist.

Hadassah released him and went out the gate. He closed it behind her and leaned his forehead against it. “God, protect her. Lord, be with her.” Turning away, Prometheus went up the steps to the deserted villa, repeating what she had taught him.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. . . .”





41

Marcus was coming out of the triclinium with Iulius when one of the servants admitted the veiled woman to the antechamber. “Rapha!” Iulius breathed in surprised pleasure and went forward, leaving Marcus standing alone.

The woman was leaning heavily on her walking stick but put her hand out in greeting. “Iulius, you are looking well. How is Lady Phoebe?”

“The same as when you left. We didn’t expect you this evening. Lady Phoebe has retired.”

“I tend Lady Julia.”

“You’re the one? Lady Julia said she was expecting a personal maid, but I never guessed . . .”

“Nor should you have.”

“How did this come to be?”

“The Lord brought us together. Where is she?”

“She was overwrought when she arrived. Lord Marcus had wine sent up to her. I checked on her a short while ago, and she was asleep.”

Marcus came forward, his smile sardonic. “As you’ve probably guessed, she’s drunk herself into a stupor.”

Hadassah’s heart quickened at the sound of his voice and approach. She looked up at him as he stopped before her. “Good evening, my lord.”

He studied her coolly. “I didn’t expect you.”

“I told you I would come.”

“Yes. I remember.” He frowned, feeling a pang of discomfort. “I thought tomorrow or the next day.”

“With your permission, I’ll go up to her now.”

“As you please.”

She limped toward the steps. It was clear she was tired and in pain.

“Rapha, wait,” Iulius said and went to her. He spoke too softly for Marcus to hear. She put her hand on his arm. Iulius shook his head and caught her up in his arms. Marcus watched him carry the woman up the steps.

Aggravated by her arrival, Marcus entered the peristyle. He sat in the small alcove he had often shared with Hadassah and leaned back against the wall. Closing his eyes, he listened to the fountain. He was perplexed by the veiled woman. She made him uncomfortable.

He heard footsteps coming down the steps. Opening his eyes, he sat forward. “Iulius, I would like to speak with you.”

Iulius strode across the peristyle. “She walked here,” he said upon reaching him. His tone was faintly accusing.

Marcus’ demeanor darkened. “I would have sent a litter for her tomorrow.”

“I had heard she had left Alexander Democedes Amandinus, but I had no idea she was ministering to Lady Julia. It’s amazing!”

“Why? Who is she that anyone would care where she is or what she’s doing?”

“She is Rapha.” Grim-lipped, Iulius beckoned one of the maids and told her to take a tray up to Lady Julia’s chamber.

“Oh! Rapha is here?” the girl said in bright surprise.

Marcus glanced at her. Did the whole household know of this woman?

“Indeed,” Iulius said, “and she’ll be remaining with Lady Julia indefinitely. Have a sleeping couch moved to her chambers and see that there is plenty of warm bedding. Rapha didn’t ask for warm compresses, but I think she’s in great pain from her long walk from Lady Julia’s villa.”

Marcus grew annoyed at the second mention of her walking. “Tell her she is free to use our baths,” he said coolly.

“Thank you, my lord. I’m sure she will be most grateful,” Iulius said.

Marcus glowered at him.

“One more thing, Lavinnia,” Iulius said to the serving girl. “She asked that no outsiders be informed that she is here. Tell the others. She wants nothing to interfere with her care of Lady Julia.”

“I will tell everyone.” The girl hurried off with an air of excitement Marcus couldn’t miss.

“One would think the proconsul had just entered the house, rather than a crippled slave woman in veils,” Marcus said dryly.

Iulius shot him a confounded look. “Is it possible you’ve never heard of her?”

“I’ve been away a long time, Iulius. Remember? And I’m filled with questions. For one: Who is she?”

“She is a healer. I heard of her at the marketplace not long after your mother was struck down by paralysis. It was said Rapha could heal with a mere touch of her hand. We sent an appeal that she come.”

“Obviously, she isn’t the miracle worker she’s reputed to be or Mother would be up and about walking and talking.”