Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (87 page)

Chapter Twenty

T
he sky was beginning to lose the light of the day and the moon was peeking above the sea as they walked toward the storehouse where he and Jasen spent their evenings. Thinking back on Ada's responses to his father's questions made him smile. However, her lack of answer as to what she would do if freed was not what he had hoped for. He wanted to hear her say she'd stay. Did she still long for a home where her family rejected her?

“What has you in deep thought, brother?” Jasen nudged his arm. “Or need I ask? You should tell Father your intentions.”

Nicolaus stopped and looked at his brother. “I do not know what you mean, Jasen.”

“Do you not? Tell Father you wish to marry her.”

Nicolaus laughed and resumed walking. “She is not Ionian.”

“Neither is our mother, or have you forgotten?”

“At least she is Greek.” Nicolaus shook his head. “Father would never approve of a marriage between one of his sons and a Hebrew woman. Especially his oldest.”

“Only by a few moments, brother. I believe you underestimate our father.”

“Perhaps I do.” He certainly didn't expect him to treat Ada with respect and admiration, but he had. Of course, she'd earned it. Not many dared speak to his father as she had. “No matter. I cannot marry her even if he allowed it.”

“I do not understand, Nicolaus. You watch her every move, you threaten your men—yes, I've heard the tales from Brison—you lose speech and thought when in her presence. It is obvious you are taken with her.”

Taken with her
were not exactly the words Nicolaus would use, but he wouldn't argue with his brother at the moment. “There is a chance she no longer belongs to me to free.”

Nicolaus opened the door to the storehouse and began climbing the stairs to their room. “If that is Father's decision then I will free her so you can take her as your wife,” Jasen countered.

Halting on the stairs, Nicolaus turned and glanced down at his brother. “I will not take her if she does not wish to be taken. Besides, I have a vow I must honor before I can consider a wife.” Even if Ada was his only chance at the love his parents seemed to share.

“What vow would that be, Nicolaus?”

Nicolaus ignored his brother. He did not want him to think he'd lost faith in his abilities to search every port from here to Egypt for their sister. If he told Jasen the truth trust between them would be broken.

Jasen stomped up the stairs and spun him around. Concern showed in his eyes. “Nicolaus, what vow is it that would keep you from Ada when it is obvious you love her?”

Nicolaus closed his eyes; an image of his sister as she was being taken off his ship pierced his thoughts. The quiet acceptance as she'd been led away still caused an ache deep in his chest. She'd been as calm still waters. “Desma.”

“What?” Jasen's brows knitted together as he shook his head. “What does our sister have to do with Ada?”

“I have spoken with Father. I must search for her. I cannot bear the thought of her in bondage to a cruel master or worse—” he bowed his head and whispered “—prostitution.”

“Nicolaus, she is well.”

He snapped his gaze to his brother's, uncertain of what he'd heard. “She's what?”

“If you do not marry Ada, I will.” Jasen swiveled and ran down the stairs.

Nicolaus was fast on his heels. He grabbed hold of his brother's arm to halt him. “What have you done?”

“Oh, brother, how will you ever forgive me?” Jasen sank onto the carved bench sitting against the storehouse.

“You are my brother,” Nicolaus said as he sat beside him.

Jasen leaned the back of his head against the storehouse and looked up at the stars. “I only thought to rescue her from Knosis. I overheard Father and Mother. They were both crying. Father had confessed to her about a contract.”

Nicolaus nodded. “Father told me of the contract.”

“Mother was angry. I'd never heard her in such a rage. She even threw things at our father. He left the house that day. I followed him to Oceanus's home where I heard him confess his concerns about Knosis's previous wives. All deceased. Our uncle was grieved as well but counseled Father to keep his honor.”

“You should have shared this with me.”

“I could not. I did not know myself whether I wanted to kill Knosis for his demands or allow Desma to go without so much as a word. I could not share with you because you are much like our father. Honor is your badge, ever since you buried the Sea Dragon. You would have insisted on upholding the contract.”

Nicolaus leaned his shoulders against the storehouse. The soft waves lapped the shore around them. Men continued to unload merchandise from their ships while others finished hammering planks into place on the ships being constructed. “I wish I would have had your courage. My former self would have, but as you said, he is long gone from this life. I was young and full of vigor. I craved victories when we warred with those against Greece. I did things I could never be proud of, not now. However, if I had known about Knosis and his many wives I'm not certain I could have given him my sister, even to uphold Father's honor. It wasn't until I heard Knosis wished to speak with me that Xandros told me of his dead wives.”

Jasen groaned. “He should not have told you.”

Nicolaus glanced at his brother. “Knosis boarded my vessel and demanded Ada in exchange for Desma.”

Jasen's mouth fell open. “He did not.”

“He did, with three armed ships.” Nicolaus smiled. “Fortunately she suffered from a fever. Her mad rantings scared him back to his own boat.”

Jasen squeezed his eyes shut. “I did not mean for you to be taken into captivity. I hired David to take Desma only, nothing more. When he brought her to me he said nothing about you.”

Nicolaus thought back to that day. The way Desma carried herself with grace, yet fear tinged her eyes, as he fought against the thieves, made sense to him now. “Did she know?”

“No, I did not even know if David would send his men.”

“What of Xandros?”

Jasen shook his head. “He confronted me upon his return. Seems he recalled a jest he'd made about stealing her away and wondered if I had done it. Will you forgive me?”

“Desma is secure?” Nicolaus asked.

“Hidden from men such as Knosis and David.”

“Then, there is naught to forgive, Jasen. My time in captivity is more than worth knowing our sister is well.” Well worth knowing he could now face his father and request the freedom to offer marriage to Ada.

“Does Father know?”

“No,” Jasen said as he looked Nicolaus in the eye. “That is a truth he cannot discover. Not yet. If anyone were to discover Desma's whereabouts, Knosis would demand the contract to be fulfilled. And if Father discovered the truth, his honor would demand he fulfill it.”

“Then I will not ask where she is, but the truth is bound to come out. I pray to Ada's Almighty God that Father's wrath does not demolish you.”

“You love her enough that you've been won over by her God?”

“Love her, I had not thought much on that. All I know is I want to be near her.” His pulse beat a little harder against his chest. Did he love her? He rushed on before his brother read something in his silence. “However, if you look at all we've seen all of our lives, the sun, the moon and the stars, the sea and all the creatures within it, the butterflies that flit from one flower to the next, the birds, even the flowers and all their various shades, do you not see a God much greater than those we've created with our hands?”

Jasen scratched his fingers through his beard. “You sound like our uncle.”

Nicolaus laughed. “He makes much more sense now that my eyes have been opened.” And he couldn't wait to share his belief with Ada. “Our people create statues with their hands and then give them a story. Consider there is an actual God, not created by our hands but one who created us and everything around us? The heavens, the seas and all within. Those curious creatures that greet us with such excitement nearly every time we come home, the ones we call dolphins.”

“Oh, now you've convinced me, for no Greek god would create one of those beings. They are too happy.”

They laughed. Nicolaus wrapped his arm around Jasen's neck and rubbed his knuckles against his head. Soon they were lying on their backs, staring up at the starlit sky and gasping for breath. “You always did beat me at wrestling.”

“And you always beat me at sailing. I do not know why I even accepted Father's challenge.”

“If you had not you would not have found Ada.”

A star twinkled and Nicolaus wondered if perhaps God had brought them together. “Ay, that is true.”

“What will you do?”

Nicolaus sighed. “I must discern her wishes. If she wishes to stay then I will offer her freedom and then marriage.”

“If she doesn't?”

Nicolaus didn't know what he'd do. Keeping her in captivity seemed cruel, but could he let her go?

* * *

Ada lay on the soft sheepskin mat and stared at the flickering shadows from the oil lamps. She'd been surprised when Rena ushered her into a private sleeping room and not into the slaves' room. She'd been even more surprised to find Edith and the babe, under Chloe's care, waiting for her.

Ada's arm cradled Edith's head. The poor child mumbled, and Ada was certain the nightmare she'd lived only days ago when her mother was taken continued to play out in her sleep. Ada ran her fingers over the girl's clean, soft curls. She wished she could right all in Galen's and Edith's world. She had no ability to search for their mother. However, she was beginning to see how important it was to Nicolaus to find his sister.

She was also beginning to understand why Nicolaus had purchased her. She hadn't realized the full of it until she'd spoken the truth to Nicolaus's father. Nicolaus had a heart full of compassion. He could not have left a leper to the mercies of what Ada had faced.

The babe made a little sucking noise, bringing a smile to her lips. They still hadn't given him a name. It only seemed right to leave that honor to Nicolaus and his family. Nicolaus had seemed at ease carrying the infant. The sight was as new and exciting as seeing the dolphins had been. That same excitement filled her when she watched him play with Edith and Galen. Perhaps even more so considering the way she felt just at the thought of Nicolaus cradling the babe again.

One thing was for certain: no matter what her future held, she could rest in God's peace knowing these little ones were being cared for by a wondrous family. Ada rolled onto her side, curling around Edith. A tear slid from the corner of her eye. What she wouldn't do for a family such as this. However, the one thing her mother had taught her was to be content in her circumstances. Although it wouldn't be easy, she would try. If only she weren't a slave, the daughter of a Hebrew slave. If only her father treasured his daughters as much as he had his sons then perhaps she could have married, but then who would have been willing to marry her? Certainly not a Hebrew man and most certainly not a Philistine. Either way her blood was tainted.

She would not regret her past. She'd had a caring mother and although her father was distant and cold, he had provided for them. It was more than Edith and Galen had at the moment. At least she would not have the memory of her mother being stolen by cruel men who would most likely sell her into slavery.

Slavery...hadn't she watched her mother endure the hardships of slavery? Was Ada not now a slave herself? Ada's eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hand. Nicolaus had not once treated her as a slave should be treated. Nor had he beaten her when she well deserved it.

She slipped her arm from beneath Edith's and instantly missed the comfort the contact had brought her heart, but she needed space to think. Rising from the mat, she walked onto the open balcony and gasped at the way the moon rippled against the waters.

Although there had been some moments of discomfort, she had a sense of belonging here. True shalom. Well, as true a peace as possible. She had no sisters to torment her or a father to ignore her. There was nothing missing or broken here. The only things broken were the relationships with the family she'd left in Ashkelon.

She leaned against the railing and watched the ships bob in the water in the light of the moon. There were many in the port all nestled together as if they were the best of comrades, much like Nicolaus and his brothers.

Leaning against a column, she looked up at the stars and sighed. For as long as she could remember she wanted to be a part of her family, to be one of the sisters running through their village chasing each other. To be, in truth, one of her father's daughters who played
senet
with him each night, not just one who sat in the shadows watching her father pat her siblings on the head in approval when they stole his pawns. Not that he would have rejected Ada if she would have sought him out, but the torment she received from her sisters wasn't worth her father's attention.

Now, if given the chance to return home, would she? She pulled her lip between her teeth and shook her head. Of course she would. They were her family. Besides, even if her heart longed to be here with Nicolaus, even as nothing more than his slave, it would cause an incurable ache to be so near him. To watch him bond with a wife in marriage, to play with his children as he did with Edith and Galen.

No matter how much she wanted to stay here and be a part of this loving family, she knew if given the choice to go home she'd have to return.

Chapter Twenty-One

N
icolaus leaned against the doorpost separating the kitchen and the dining room. Ada's hair was pulled back and piled around her head, revealing the small bits of dough caked at the top of her ear.

“Good morning.” He smiled when Ada jumped. The pestle fell from her hand and clattered against the pottery. Her shoulders rose and fell with a breath of air. She picked up the pestle and resumed grinding the wheat. She'd lost the natural movements of only moments ago, and he willed her to relax the stiffness in her shoulders and turn around so he could feast his eyes on her beautiful face. To see the expression in her jewel-like eyes.

“Nicolaus!” His mother pulled her hands from the dough in the bowl and wiped them on a cloth. She glided across the room, stood on the tips of her toes and bussed his cheek. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Her gaze flitted toward Ada, as did his, and she patted his arm. “What brings you here so early?”

He laughed. “It is not so early, Mother. The sun long ago rose above the horizon.”

Ada glanced over her shoulder. A dusting of flour coated her cheek. Last night all seemed so simple when he'd talked to Jasen, but that was before a ship from Ashkelon made port this very morn. One, he was told, carried men looking for Ada. According to word traversing throughout port, a man was looking for his sister called Ada. Another was looking for his daughter by that same name.

Nicolaus halted the urge to rake his fingers through his hair lest his mother know not all was well with him. His sleep had been all but restful. His gaze constantly roaming toward his parents' home until he'd made his way up the path and rested in the courtyard. However, it wasn't until word of her father and brother's arrival in port that he understood just how infused into his being she was. The thought of her returning home with her father was unbearable.

He had yet to speak with Ada's father as he wanted to speak with her first, but he intended on asking her what she wished; if she longed to stay he would offer marriage. If not—his mouth twitched at the ache forming in his chest—he'd be left with no choice but to let her go.

“Of course it has, Nicolaus. However, the noon meal is some time away. You will have to wait if you are hungry.”

“I did not come for food, Mother. I broke my morning fast with Jasen and Father earlier.” He swallowed the doubt filling his throat. “I would take Ada for a walk to view our beautiful home.” He glanced down at his mother. “If you no longer have need of her.”

“Of course. One of the servants can finish up.”

Ada laid the pestle inside the bowl. Turning to face him, she narrowed her eyes. “I wish to carry out my duties. I would not be seen as an idler.”

“Nonsense, Ada.” His mother smiled. “Clean your face and hands in the bathing chamber. My son will meet you in the courtyard.”

Ada bowed her head. She averted her eyes as she neared the door. He moved aside but not before he caught a whiff of the lavender water she'd obviously bathed in. The warmth of the kitchen cooled with her absence.

“She is a rare creature, Nicolaus.” His mother moved back toward her bowl and began kneading the dough. Joy beamed from her, making him feel a little guilty.

“I know, Mama.”

She halted her task and looked him in the eye. “You love her?”

He shook his head. “This, I do not know.”

She moved close to him and placed her palm against his cheek. “Nicolaus, my son, she brings you joy. Happiness. This is good. It is enough.”

Was it? He clasped his mother's hand in his and kissed the back of her hand before dropping it. He welcomed her confidence. However, the confusion warring within his mind and the heaviness pressing against his chest as if he was crushed beneath a mast kept the door locked against any hope he might have that happiness was enough.

He knew his mother only wanted her children to be happy, and for some reason, perhaps because of the way his gaze continually sought out Ada, she believed Ada was his source of happiness. Although Ada brought him joy and made the air around him easier to breathe, his joy could not be dependent upon her. That was a burden he would not place on her, not after the way her sisters had treated her as if she were the source of their sadness. Besides, ever since realizing there was a one true God who had created everything, including the skies and the seas, and even him, he'd held more joy than he could ever remember. Ay, Ada had something to do with that.

“Nicky, if she brings you joy you must keep her close. Take her as your wife.”

He shook his head. “Father may not agree. Besides, I would give her a choice, Mama.”

“Of course, Nicky. I would not expect you to force her into marriage just because she is your slave. I have no doubt she will accept your quest. Just ask her.”

“If only it were that simple.”

She patted his arm. “Love is never simple, Nicky. If it was we would not understand the extent of our love for the other. We would take it for granted. Even now, the love between your father and me is not simple. Pure, yes, but never simple. However, our trials bring us closer together.”

Pain flickered in her eyes, and he imagined she spoke of his sister. He longed to tell her Desma was alive and well, that Jasen knew where she was, but it was not his secret to tell, no matter how much that revelation would ease his mother's pain.

“We make mistakes, your father and I, but we love each other. I thank the one true God each morning that He provided me with a man such as your father to help carry my burdens. And to bring me joy.”

Nicolaus was surprised at his mother's revelation at believing in God. That knowledge brought him greater joy than he thought possible. He grabbed hold of his mother's hands and squeezed them as he pressed his lips to the top of her head. “My thanks, Mama.”

“You will ask her?”

He pulled back to look down upon her. “Her father and brother have arrived. I only assume to retrieve her.”

“I am sorry, Nicolaus.” She wrapped her arms around him as she'd always done when he was a boy. He'd thought he had outgrown her tenderness, but he had missed her greatly during his captivity, had longed for her motherly touch.

“I am not.” The ache in his chest expanded. “Not if it will bring Ada some peace about her family. She needs to know her father's heart. Whether or not it is good remains to be seen, but she deserves the truth from him and I would give Ada that choice.” His lips twisted. “If she wishes to return home, I would let her go.”

“What if she does not wish to go?”

Then he would do all in his power to keep her with him.

* * *

Ada splashed the cold water against her heated cheeks. After tossing and turning much of the night, she had finally drifted off to sleep only to dream of Nicolaus. The palm of her hand still burned from his touch, and her pulse continued to race from the images she dreamed last eve. A dream where he'd stolen a kiss out on the balcony beneath the stars.

Fortunately, she'd been asleep and that kiss had not happened.

For the kiss in her dream had been much more than the one they had shared near his grandmother's home. It was the sort of kiss shared between spouses, which they could never be. Not when she was his slave. She wouldn't be her mother, couldn't, even if she already loved Nicolaus. If only there was a way for her to gain her freedom and to love Nicolaus.

Ada swiped her fingers beneath her eyes. Even if she gained her freedom they could never be together. She would accept nothing outside of marriage, and she'd heard enough times no man would marry her because of her mixed blood. Her mother often taught her to see the blessings over the curses, but Ada could not see the blessing in this. Not when she longed for a family to call her own. A husband and children such as Edith, Galen and the babe.

She waved her hands in front of her face to dry her cheeks, drew in a breath of air and then walked out into the courtyard. He stood with his arms crossed, staring out toward the sea. A breeze blew across the courtyard, ruffling his curls, stealing her breath. The urge to dance curled her toes, yet the tears stinging the back of her eyes held her still. Would she always be standing in the shadows longing to belong? What sort of fate did God intend for a being such as her? Would there never be one to love her as she so longed to love others?

“Shall I call for Galen?”

He glanced out her. Creases formed between his eyebrows.

“You promised him you would show him the ships.”

Nicolaus uncrossed his arms. “Ay, that I did. However, I have something of great import I must speak with you about, and I'd prefer not to do it here among listening ears.”

Ada's gaze shifted around the courtyard, and she recalled with embarrassment how she'd overheard the argument between Nicolaus and his father. “Of course.”

He motioned with his hand for her to come alongside him. They walked along the paved path for several long minutes in silence. As soon as she heard the gurgling of a creek he halted, parted some foliage and motioned for her to step beneath the canopy of greenery. “We oft times came here as children. I thought you would like to see it.”

Ada took a few steps and then gasped at the beautiful scenery. Sunlight danced as the wind breezed over the canopy of leaves. Various flowers with different colored leaves dotted the banks of the small spring. “It is beautiful.”

“I thought you would like it.”

She turned toward him. “We have a spring flowing near our village but very few trees and even fewer flowers. Everything back home is...desolate.” Guilt pricked her nape at betraying her home. “Do not mistake me, even though my home is rugged it is still beautiful. This is—” She held her hands out wide. “Is beyond anything I have ever seen, even more beautiful than the islands I saw as we made port.”

“It was one of my sister's favorite spots.” He paused and then cleared his throat. “I thought it would give us a bit of privacy to speak.”

“What is it you would speak, Nicolaus?”

“Come, let us sit.” He started to reach for her hand, but she pulled away and rushed to the other side of the creek. She didn't need any more reminders of how much she loved him, especially in the midst of his sister's favorite spot. He needed to search for Desma, and she did not need to feel the jealousy raging in her heart at his feelings for his sibling. And as much as she wished to bring healing to Nicolaus's heart she did not wish her heart to be a sacrifice for his guilt.

She sat on a patch of green ground and ran her fingers along the top of its softness. Nicolaus sat on a rock and plucked a flower from its stem, causing her to blink. How could he destroy such a delicate plant without thought? Much the way he sought to destroy her heart. That was not fair to Nicolaus. He had no knowledge of her feelings for him. He rested his elbows on his knees and tilted his chin to look at her. The soft curls falling across his brow gave him a boyish charm, and she quickly forgave him for tearing the petals from their mooring.

“Ada...” He hesitated, seeming to consider his words. “If you could do anything at this moment, if you had the freedom to choose, what would it be?”

To love you.

She felt her eyes grow wide at the words clinging to her tongue. It was a confession she could never speak. She bowed her head and stared at the grass, the earthy scent as foreign to her as the sea had been, yet she had grown to love the sea, long for it, even. If her heart did not ache at the sight of him she would stay with his mother where she was treated better than a daughter in her father's household. And if Jasen did not look just like Nicolaus she would choose to be his slave, but the daily reminder of a love she could never have would be torment.

“To go home.” She didn't lie exactly. If she couldn't spend her days with him as his wife, she would not be able to serve in his mother's household. She could only wish for home.

His gaze warmed her and she brought her head up to look him in the eye. For a moment, she thought she witnessed the pain in her heart in his eyes, but it could not be for her. Could it? No, perhaps it was only this place that reminded him of the sister he'd lost that caused such an emotion.

He flicked the flower into the water; the petals swirled around and then glided away. Standing, he crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze focused somewhere in the distance. If they had not been sheltered by the trees she would have thought he gazed upon the waters he loved. Nicolaus twisted his lips and then cleared his throat. “It is not my nature to purchase humans, Ada.”

Hardness etched his tone. She stood and crossed over the water. Her hand hovered over his forearm before she dropped it to her side. “Nicolaus, I do not blame you for my plight.”

He dropped his gaze to hers. The blackness of his eyes swirled like the storm they encountered when at sea.

“I thank you for rescuing me from a fate much worse than this.”

One corner of his mouth curved upward as he ran his fingers over the top of her ear, tucking a piece of hair back. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Her ear nestled against his heartbeat. Every bit of her being oozed like warm honey, yet her muscles screamed to run far from him. How could she finally feel as if she belonged? Belonged with him, only to know in her mind that she did not?

The warmth of his mouth pressed against the top of her head as his hand smoothed down her back. “I would keep you with me always if I could.”

She stiffened. There were too many things keeping them apart. As long as she was his slave, she could never freely love him. The scars on her mother's heart had encompassed Ada's, as well. Even if she was not his slave, he could never marry a woman who was not Greek, just as her father could never marry a woman who was not a Philistine. Just as no man would ever be free to marry her because she was neither Hebrew nor Philistine. As if those barriers were not enough, she would not keep him from searching for his sister. Desma was too important to him and to his family.