Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

kind to me. I was not even allowed to say goodbye to her.”
    Her outburst seemed to amuse Tiberius, but then his face hardened. “You have spirit. That is good, but your life is in my hands and I shall do as I promised your grandfather before his death. You shall be instructed in matters of the court and a suitable husband will be found for you. There shall be no more outbursts.”
    As his eyes pierced hers, Claudia heard the edge in his tone and realized her error. This was not a man to anger.
    He turned to her grandmother. “You are free to return to your family villa.”
    Scribonia bowed her head in submission, then turned and briefly put a comforting hand on Claudia’s shoulder before leaving the room.
    Tiberius clapped his hands and a servant appeared. “Milo, take the girl to her quarters and assign a slave girl to her.”
    The servant bowed low, and Claudia, after a last anguished look at her grandmother’s receding figure, walked slowly after him.
    She looked up at the beautiful frescos painted on the walls they passed and marveled at the variety of mosaic tiles in the floors. She hurried to keep up with Milo wondering at the labyrinth of corridors they followed.
    She faced a new life. What would the days ahead hold? Then, remembering Felix, her heart quickened. Would she really see her dog again? She hurried after the servant.

 6 
    M ilo stopped and opened an ornate golden door, sweeping his hand for her to precede him into the room. “Your quarters, Dominilla.”
    Dominilla. Young mistress , as Medina called her. She entered the room and immediately a small furry head appeared over the edge of her basket. With a glad cry, Claudia ran to sweep her little dog into her arms. Felix wiggled with happiness and licked her face over and over, making small whimpers. “Oh Felix, they have let me keep you.”
    “The room is agreeable, Dominilla?”
    She looked around at the walls, painted with more frescos, birds, and flowers. There was a sleeping couch, an ornate polished wooden chest for her clothing, a cupboard, a small table with an olive oil pottery lamp by the couch, and in front of the window, a small desk and chair. Walking over to look out the window, she observed green plants, a small, tinkling fountain, and an area of soil with flowers. A place to take Felix when the need arose.
    “It is a beautiful room. I didn’t expect anything like this.”
    Just then a slender young woman entered and bowed to Claudia. She appeared only a little older than Claudia, with ebony hair cut to her shoulders. She regarded Claudia with expressive dark eyes.
    “This is Hotep. She is to be your personal slave, Dominilla. She will see to your needs and acquaint you with life in the palace.”
    Hotep’s smile was tentative and Claudia bravely smiled back.
    “Thank you, Milo.”
    He turned to Hotep. “Have her ready this evening. She will be dining with the emperor and his guests.” In a moment he was gone and the door closed behind him.
    Claudia’s thoughts raced. She’d never had a slave of her own. How was she to begin? She hesitated. “What does Hotep mean? It is a beautiful name.”
    “It means peace, Dominilla, and a safe place.”
    Hotep was aptly named, for that was the one thing Claudia needed above all others.
    “Let me prepare your bath, Dominilla. You have been traveling long and you must be tired. After the bath, will you desire rest? It will prepare you for the evening ahead.”
    What could prepare her for the evening ahead? She must appear to be submissive to the man she hated.
    Hotep opened a drawer and pulled out a small linen undergarment, a soft white linen stola , a silver belt, silver sandals, and a scarf of soft, fine blue linen.
    Claudia ran her hands over the finely woven garment, so soft to the touch.
    Then Hotep opened the cupboard and produced Claudia’s small wooden chest.
    “Oh, it’s safe.” With a sigh of relief, Claudia opened it, and Hotep came closer to look at the contents: a rag