Second Chances by Carol Ashby

Author:Carol Ashby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cerrillo Press

Cornelia had grown tired of weaving, so she wandered down to the kitchen to see what Miriam was doing. The savory aroma of pork roasting on a spit filled the room while a mysterious sauce simmered beside it. She sat at the table and leaned back in the chair, watching Miriam dip a spoon in the sauce, roll some on her tongue with her eyes closed, then add a pinch of some spice that she couldn’t identify.

She couldn’t blame Titus for having his wife continue to direct the kitchen after their marriage. If the dinner last night was typical of her culinary art, and the luscious aroma filling the kitchen suggested it was, it would have been virtually impossible to find a chef to match her skill.

Titus strode through the kitchen door. “Good evening, Cornelia. I hope you enjoyed your day.”

“It’s been most enjoyable.”

“Good.” Titus stepped close behind Miriam, scooped her into his arms, and spun around.

Laughter bubbled from Miriam. “Titus! Put me down if you want a good dinner tonight.”

He set her down, but he didn’t release her. He pulled her close against him and nuzzled her neck. “You smell better than the sauce.”

Miriam caressed his cheek and he placed his hands on both sides of her face. He turned it up to draw her eyes to his before lowering his lips to hers. After the kiss, his lips brushed her ear as his voice dropped to a near whisper. “Best chef in Perinthus, but it’s not your delectable dinners I enjoy most.”

Miriam glanced at Cornelia, and her cheeks flushed.

“That’s what I like about you, wife. Such a pretty little thing when you turn pink.”

Cornelia averted her eyes for Miriam’s sake.

Vania came running in from the courtyard with Drusilla right behind. Titus knelt so she could kiss his cheek before he scooped her up into the air and planted a kiss on her forehead. Close behind came the two boys, who tackled his legs. Titus tousled their hair before they disappeared out the kitchen door.

The love Titus had for all his family was hard for Cornelia to watch. Lucius had never done that with her or her boys and most definitely never with her daughter. Just watching Titus drove home the hollowness of her married life, even in the beginning when it had seemed good to her. It hurt to think about it. She’d tried so hard to be a good wife. Everything Lucius had done or failed to do felt so unfair.

The way Titus loved Vania―Hector had treated Drusilla like that by the end of their voyage. He must have been as good a father as Titus. Where was he now? What was he doing? Would he come soon to see Drusilla?

When he came to see Drusilla, would he be coming because he wanted to see her, too? She stifled a deep sigh. She longed for him to want her, but did he? There had been hints, but he’d never made it clear he did. Was all she thought she saw only wishful thinking on her part? If only he would come, maybe she could tell.

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