The Saint's Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page A

to Miriam’s shop and we
    started talking and it’s not what you think. He’s teaching me to read Latin.”
    “Yes, I’ll bet that’s all he wants to teach you. Since we already know him to be a man of great
    virtue who would never harm a woman.”
    “Numa, really,” I pleaded. “He did help us that day.”
    She snorted and rolled her eyes.
    “Join us,” Aurelius said suddenly.
    “Join you?”
    “Yes,” he continued. “If you’re worried about my intentions towards your sister, join us as her
    chaperone. And you could learn to read Latin, too, if you like. I want to be a teacher, and a
    teacher needs more than one student to make a living.”
    I felt a stab of panic. At that moment I finally had to admit I wanted him to myself.
    “I can’t pay you anything,” she said impatiently.
    “No, of course not. It’s free. I’m practicing.”
    Numa shook her head, her lower lip protruding, her arms still crossed. “What good will it do
    me to read Latin? What good will it do you, Leona? You’ll work for Miriam until you find a
    husband, and then you’ll be busy raising children and milking goats. Reading will only make you
    want things you can’t have.”
    I couldn’t find the words for what I wanted to say. I knew Numa was right. I also knew I
    could not give up my hours in the garden with Aurelius and Cicero.
    “Don’t worry,” she continued. “I won’t tell Father. But you mark my words.” She narrowed
    her eyes and pointed to Aurelius. “He wants more than to just sit in a garden and read books with
    you. And when you find yourself carrying a bastard, don’t expect me to help.” She swung around
    dramatically and walked down the path away from us. I had to smile a little. Even in her
    righteous anger, Numa’s gait was leisurely.
    “I better follow her,” I said to Aurelius.
    “Will we still meet tomorrow?” he asked.
    I nodded and ran after my sister.
    14

CHAPTER FIVE
    The next morning, black clouds bore down from the direction of the distant sea. Miriam’s
    shop and workrooms were dark and close when I arrived at work.
    “No!” I heard her say sharply to Peter. “You need to stay here in the shop where I can see you
    today. A big storm is coming. No running around the town today.”
    “Hello,” I called. I entered her work room to find Peter sitting at her feet, pouting.
    “Well if it isn’t Erebos the god of darkness,” I commented. He looked up and gave me an
    even darker pout.
    “There’s nothing to do here,” he complained.
    I gave Miriam a questioning look.
    “The provincial governor and two bishops are coming into town today,” she whispered.
    “Why are we afraid of bishops?” I asked. I was unsure what a bishop was, some high official
    in the Christian Church, I thought, but I didn’t think church officials were known to be
    dangerous.
    “It isn’t them we’re afraid of,” she said, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “It’s the rioters.” She
    turned her attention back to her work, clicking her heddles forward and back, sending her shuttle
    flying between them.
    “Rioters?”
    “The governor is here to decide who will control the church in the center of town, near the
    well. It’s always been Caecelian, but it’s been infiltrated lately by Donatists.” She paused and
    twisted her mouth. “Nice how they don’t want to associate with us until it’s time to try to take
    over our church.” Miriam never took her eyes off her work as she spoke, now pausing to pack
    the weft thread with her shed stick.
    I shook my head and prodded her to go on. “I still don’t understand how this makes it unsafe
    for Peter to be on the street.”
    “The Donatist bishop petitioned for possession of the church and the governor has come to
    hear arguments from both sides. Each side will send their best speakers to present their
    argument, of course, but they’ll also each try to have the biggest loudest crowd on their side. And
    the Donatists will bring the hut