Free Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor

in curls, held by two gold hairpins. A long curl fell to one shoulder.
    She examined herself in the polished brass mirror. How different she looked from the child who had come so fearfully to the palace three years before. The face of a woman stared back at her.
    As Hotep walked with her to the palace dining room, Claudia felt her anxiety settle like a heavy weight in her chest. She pondered her grandmother’s words, but still, nothing could change the outcome of this evening. Claudia walked as if to her execution.
    As she entered the dining room, conversation stopped and all eyes were suddenly turned to settle on her. The empress looked pale and unwell. Levilla sat stonily on her dining chair across from Sejanus. Claudia slowly allowed her gaze to rest on the stranger reclining next to Sejanus. Expecting a middle-aged man with gray hair and a paunch, she was surprised. He looked to be in his late thirties and his angular face with deep blue eyes was indeed handsome.
    The man’s body was long and muscular. With a start, she suddenly realized he was enjoying her perusal.
    Sejanus indicated his friend. “My lady Claudia, may I present anhonored soldier of Rome, Lucius Pontius Pilate. Lucius, this is the emperor’s ward.”
    “I am most happy to meet you, my lady.”
    A small lightning bolt flashed in Claudia’s heart at the intensity of his gaze. “Have you been in Rome long?” she inquired, searching for topics to ease her discomfort as she sank gracefully onto her chair.
    “Only one day, my lady. Had I known what pleasure would be afforded me at the table of my emperor, I would have come sooner.”
    The dark eyes of Sejanus gleamed under his heavy brows. “Then you can see that I did not exaggerate, my friend.”
    Lucius nodded to the prefect. “No indeed.” He turned his dark eyes once again on Claudia. “Word of your beauty has preceded you, my lady.”
    Sejanus was talking to him about her beauty? She would never understand what went on in the prefect’s mind. She glanced at the emperor and could see that Tiberius was indeed pleased with his prefect’s choice.
    Claudia scarcely paid attention to what she ate. She could only look across the table at Lucius. Warmth spread up from her feet and she felt sure her face was as red as the wine.
    Finally, after signaling for their attention, Tiberius stood and spoke. “Since the death of Claudia’s mother, I followed the wishes of her grandfather, Caesar Augustus, and took upon myself the responsibility of raising her in the palace and in time arranging a marriage for her. I am pleased to accept the recommendation of my prefect, Sejanus, whom I have found to be a trustworthy counsel. Lucius Pontius Pilate has shown himself a warrior for the empire and has agreed to this marriage. I am giving my approval. The wedding will take place when the augurs have been consulted and a date favored by the gods chosen.”
    It was a long speech for Tiberius. Claudia had not been asked for her consent to the marriage. Holding the right of paterfamilias over her, Tiberius had the right to choose her husband. She wouldobediently follow his wishes, for no Roman woman of good family would think of doing otherwise.
    When they all stood, Lucius spoke to the emperor, striking his heart with his fist in respect, then turned to Claudia. “I wonder if you would stroll with me in the garden. I believe we have much to say to each other.”
    Tiberius indicated his consent with a wave of his hand, and the newly betrothed couple strolled through an archway and entered the garden.
    Lucius walked with an easy grace and she felt a magnetism emanating from him. The gods had been kind to her and she was still in awe of her good fortune.
    Lucius spoke first. “When I agreed to marry the ward of Tiberius at the instigation of Sejanus, I was only being obedient to my superior. He knew I’d mentioned seeking a wife. He spoke well of you and told me how beautiful you were, but I put his flattery down to