A Reluctant Queen Read Online Free PDF Page A

clear that only Persian aristocrats could apply. As you have always told me, I am a Jew . I cannot be considered.”
    Mordecai’s voice was husky. “The Persians count their lineage through the father, not through the mother as we do. Your father was an Achaemenid, therefore, in the eyes of the Persians, you are an Achaemenid too.”
    Esther’s heart felt as if it was thundering in her chest. It was unbelievable, but they were serious.
    Mordecai went on, “I was furious when your mother ran away with a Persian noble, and I have always tried to ignore his very existence. But it is in my mind now, Esther, that God allowed that marriage for a reason.”
    “What reason?” Esther asked, dreading the reply.
    “You have the two things necessary to become queen. You have extraordinary beauty and you are an Achaemenid. Believe me, Esther, it is excruciatingly painful for me to ask this of you, but I have come to believe that God has a purpose for you. I believe that God has chosen you to be His instrument to save His people.”
    Esther raised her voice. “This is all because of that mad dream, isn’t it? Well, I am not going to allow myself to become incarcerated in a Persian harem because you had a dream, Uncle Mordecai. I am not!”
    Rachel’s father leaned toward her. “You have the right to refuse, certainly, but we have discussed this at length and we have prayed about it. I beg you to consider your decision, my dear.”
    Esther stared at him. “Would you ask your daughter to do such a thing?”
    He smiled a little. “Rachel has not the qualifications. You are the only one who does, Esther. That is why we are asking you.”
    She shook her head. “You are wrong. They will never accept me if they know my mother was a Jew.”
    The priest answered, “We understand that. Our plan is to keep your Jewish blood secret. We will say that your mother was a Babylonian. That will not hinder you from being a candidate.”
    By now anger had completely washed away Esther’s fear. “No one is to know that I am a Jew? That is your plan?”
    “That is right.”
    “Suppose we imagine that the unlikely happens and the king actually chooses me to be his wife. How am I supposed to represent Jewish issues to him if he doesn’t know I am a Jew? Or am I supposed to reveal myself on my wedding night? I hardly think such a revelation will so endear me to my husband that he will listen to my advice. In fact, he will probably put me away even faster than he got rid of Vashti.”
    “I told you she was smart,” Mordecai murmured, a flicker of life in his shadowed eyes.
    The priest held her angry eyes with his grave ones. “You cannot tell anyone, Esther, not even the king. I will give you permission to ignore Mosaic Law and follow Persian ways. Remember, Moses lived as an Egyptian until the time came for him to answer God’s call. So will it be with you.”
    “I am no Moses!” Esther cried.
    “Perhaps not,” Shimeon agreed. “But you may be called by God in a different way.” He leaned forward, bringing their faces closer. “Listen, my child. God gave you the gift of great beauty. Extraordinary beauty. It was given to you for a purpose, Esther, and we believe that this mission we have asked you to undertake is what that purpose is.
    “Will you at least think about it?” Shimeon concluded, extending a pleading hand in her direction.
    All Esther wanted to do was to get away from here. “I will think about it.” She turned to her uncle. “Right now I just want to go home.”
    “Of course I will take you home, chicken,” he said, standing as well.
    Don’t call me chicken! Esther longed to shout those words at him. How could he have done this to her? How could he have put her in such a position? She had thought he loved her, but he had betrayed her. This was all his idea. She knew that, even though no one had said it. This idea belonged to Uncle Mordecai.
    Ignoring all protocol, Esther stood, turned her back on the men, and