Read Online Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith - Free Book Online Page A

close behind. “If you send Shimron regardless, tell him to keep his distance.” She heard Anittas chuckle as she and Tirzah moved into the street.
    “Why do you have the same conversation with him every time we go somewhere? You know he will send Shimron or another servant whether you want him to or not.” Tirzah tucked a basket she carried beneath one arm and came up beside Bathsheba.
    “He shouldn’t worry so. And there is always the chance that one of these times he will listen to me and not feel like he has to watch my every step. He’s worse than a mother hen.” They passed the houses of their neighbors, where women sat grinding grain in their courtyards and young children played nearby. There was little place for them to run in the city except for the semi-crowded streets.
    “He is doing his best to obey the master’s orders, mistress. You can hardly fault a servant for being about his master’s work.”
    They rounded a corner to a busier street, the main thoroughfare that led to the king’s palace. Curiosity tugged her attention to the imposing palace gates, but she saw nothing but polished limestone and guards standing watch. She turned away, a sense of disquiet settling within her, disappointment making her uncomfortable. What did she expect—the king to be standing in the gate waiting for a glimpse of her as she passed by? Now who was being ridiculous?
    She hurried along, her sandals slapping the paved stones, taking the path toward the street of merchants. A donkey-led cart clattered behind them, and they moved quickly to the side of the road to let it pass.
    “Does something trouble you, mistress?” Tirzah’s soft voice in her ear made her look away. She swallowed and wrapped the scarf tighter across her face, glad for the covering to hide her expression from passersby.
    “Nothing troubles me. I am only anxious to see my aunt.” She could never tell her servant her traitorous thoughts, despite the woman’s ability to keep her mouth from spilling over into gossip. Some things shouldn’t be shared, and her desire to see the king was chief among them. The very thought sounded worse than it was. She wasn’t looking for a replacement for Uriah. She only wanted someone to talk to, and he had been so captivating.
    She gave herself a mental shake. No good would come of such thoughts.
    Another cart rattled toward the merchants’ stalls the next street over. A baaing goat galloped after the cart and a young boy chased it, shouting. Bathsheba motioned for Tirzah to follow and kept walking.
    They continued in silence until they reached a house much smaller than the one she shared with Uriah. She entered the familiar courtyard and ducked her head under the arch of the open door. The weather was warm enough that Bathsheba wished she could shed her cloak, but Uriah would want her to remain covered until she was inside the house.
    “Aunt Talia. Are you home?”
    Voices came from one of the rooms, and a moment later her aunt and cousin Rei hurried to her. Aunt Talia embraced her before she could speak another word. Unwanted tears came unbidden then. She hadn’t meant to show such emotion. She only wanted to talk to her aunt, to get some perspective on her life, to fill her loneliness.
    “There, there.” Aunt Talia held her at arm’s length. “You come to greet me after these many months with tears? What troubles you, dear one?” She gently patted Bathsheba’s cheek.
    Bathsheba shook her head, her face warming under her aunt’s touch. “I am fine, Aunt Talia, only missing you, missing everyone.” She glanced at Rei and the heat increased.
    He gave her a thoughtful, curious look. “It’s good to see you, Cousin.” He smiled that boyish grin she had always loved, but his expression was not boyish at all. Rei had always loved her, had wanted to marry her, and if he’d been two years older instead of two years younger, her father might have considered a match. But it was too late to consider. She