has always been with our family.”
I heard a choked sob as Delilah padded quickly down the hallway.
Joseph leaned in. “Is she all right?”
I tasted the sweet honeyed pastry of our dessert. “Her daughter will be wed soon.”
Gamaliel licked his fingers. “Emotions of mothers run high in such times.”
Joseph returned to the subject. “This Jesus is truly a wonderworker. My son is fascinated by him.”
Gamaliel nodded. “The vineyards and orchards of Antipas. Stripped. I do not believe Jesus called down this plague upon him, but he will certainly be blamed for every calamity from now on. Good men are always suspected by evil men.”
“I myself saw Jesus perform several miracles.” I sipped my wine. “Here’s one you’ll appreciate. It seemed unmistakable. At a wedding, it was. He turned water into wine.”
Gamaliel laughed. “A trick. And if not a trick, then sorcery.”
I studied the deep red contents of my cup. “But no. I tasted it. Unlike any wine ever made. More delicious than—”
Gamaliel laughed again. “So Jesus is your competition, eh?”
“Jesus,” Joseph mused aloud. “A cousin of John the Baptizer. I wonder if he’ll raise up a rebellion to avenge the death of such a righteous man.”
Gamaliel nodded. “Caiaphas has put forth to the council that Jesus’ works will lead to the deaths of many. That is, if there is another rebellion. Another preacher claiming to be the Messiah! I cannot think of a worse time than now for this Jesus to be preaching the coming of Messiah to redeem the people.”
Joseph raised his cup. “There will never be wine as good as yours, even if the Kingdom of God comes to earth.”
My guests spoke long into the night about the events unfolding in Galilee with the followers of Jesus. They recounted the rumors of miracles that daily streamed in to the priests and Temple authorities. It was indeed a dangerous time for Jesus.
I was relieved when the evening came to an end, and Gamaliel and Joseph retired to their bedchambers.
Weary, I made my way toward my study. The certificate of Adrianna’s freedom and the marriage contract were on my writing table. I sat down and studied them with regret. Surely my cook and my winemaker would never smile again. I resolved that in the morning I would talk with Adrianna to hear her thoughts on the matter.
Chapter 20
I did not feel it was my place to speak alone with the daughter of Delilah and Samson. Nor did I feel the girl’s parents should be present to influence her. I had hardly ever noticed the presence of Adrianna. She was a plain little girl when we brought her home from the slave auction. Plump, with brown hair and wide-set brown eyes, she rarely uttered a sound in my presence. Now, at age sixteen, she had become the focus of all interest. I needed the help of my sisters to sort this out.
Mary, Martha, and I sat on the wide veranda with the girl. Mary knew much about the love of a woman for a man. Martha knew nothing. I only had the perspective of a man.
Mary, whose gentle eyes brimmed with compassion, leaned forward and took Adrianna’s hand. “Patrick has chosen you to be his wife.”
Adrianna clasped her hands together. “Yes, ma’am.”
When no other words came forth from the girl, Martha asked. “Well?”
One corner of Adrianna’s mouth curved in an almost-smile. “Well? What? Ma’am?”
Martha was impatient. “We brought you here so you could tell us what you think about it.”
Adrianna answered, “I don’t know. I never thought about it.”
Mary patted the girl’s arm. “Do you love him?”
Adrianna tucked her chin. A blush flowed up her cheeks. “I don’t know about that, ma’am. But my father often said what a good fellow he is. A hard worker. I find him pleasant enough. Almost handsome. I don’t mind the wooden leg. But …”
“But what?” I asked, unconsciously echoing the girl.
She looked startled at the sound of my voice. Her gaze shifted nervously from me to Martha and then settled on Mary. “But … he seems to wish to carry me far away. And though I am a free woman now, though I don’t know what being free means, I am to be taken away from my mother and father and this … my home. As if I am still a slave.”
I tugged my beard and considered my hasty pledge to offer the girl in marriage. If she was to be set free, what right did I have to give her to a man in