Free Captive Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions) by Darlene Mindrup

from a shelf on the wall, the cook answered her gruffly.
    “Cleopas.”
    Emboldened by this brief success, Samah finished the fruit in the bowl and brought the container to Cleopas. “Is there some way I can help?” she asked quietly.
    Cleopas looked at her a moment, his gaze softening slightly. “No. Democritus said that you are to return to the master.”
    Samah nodded, turning to the door. “Thank you for the food,” she told him politely and saw his eyebrows lift a fraction. He said nothing when she left the room.
    After following her way back through the hallway, Samah stood hesitating in the atrium. Should she just walk into the other room, or should she wait until she was summoned? It occurred to her that she should have waited for Democritus’s return.
    As though in answer to a summons, Democritus appeared beside her.
    “Come.”
    Samah waited until he knocked on the door and received permission to enter before going past him into the room. She stood just inside the doorway, noticing that another man had joined Cassius. He must be the carpenter Cassius had summoned. Not knowing what else to do, Samah stood frozen to the spot.
    Cassius glanced up at her. “Come here.”
    Having used a crutch all of her life, Samah moved with uncommon grace across the room.
    “Justinian, this is the woman I was talking to you about.”
    The carpenter looked at Samah with pity. She pulled back in surprise when Justinian moved to kneel before her. Glancing at Cassius in alarm, she calmed slightly when he told her, “Be still and allow Justinian to see your leg.”
    Disconcerted, Samah stood quietly while Justinian lifted her tunic to see her leg. She was surprised when he pulled a wax tablet from his pouch, and using a stylus to write, he jotted down notes to himself.
    Cassius was watching Samah. “Do you think you can do it, Justinian?”
    The carpenter got to his feet. “It will be a challenge, but, yes, I think I can do it.”
    Samah looked from one to the other, still embarrassed.
    Cassius handed the carpenter a coin. “Let me know when you are finished, and I will see that you receive your full payment.”
    Justinian bowed slightly. “Thank you, my lord.”
    After he left, Cassius came to stand beside Samah. He looked down at her and smiled, a smile that did funny things to her insides.
    “Hopefully, you will be able to walk without a crutch before long.”
    Mouth parted in surprise, Samah tried to read his expression. What exactly did he mean by that?
    “And then,” he said smoothly, “we will talk of repayment.”

six
    Samah followed Cassius through his father’s house, Sentinel traipsing at her heels. Cassius stopped suddenly in the doorway leading to the peristyle, and curious to see what had stopped him, she moved to the side until she could see around him.
    Anticus stood leaning heavily against the stone fountain in the center of the garden, his right hand clutching his toga against his chest. Pain lined his features, leaving him looking gray and drawn. Glancing at Cassius, she saw his mouth turn down into a frown.
    “Father,” he called softly.
    Startled, the older man whirled to face them.
    “Cassius.” He looked disconcerted for a moment, but quickly composed his features. “Come in. Come in.”
    Cassius refused to be deterred any longer. His questions would be answered. He opened his mouth to say so, when his father suddenly looked past him and smiled.
    “You must be Samah,” he said, holding out his hand to-wards her.
    Samah responded to Anticus’s gentle courtesy like a flower responding to the sun. Her own returning smile reflected her feelings. Moving past Cassius, she took the outstretched hand offered her.
    “Welcome, my dear,” Anticus greeted, pulling Samah forward and seating her on the bench next to the fountain. He took the seat beside her, his dark eyes studying her face. When Sentinel took his place near her, a look of surprise crossed the older man’s face.
    Cassius stood