Read Online Captive Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions) by Darlene Mindrup - Free Book Online Page B

After he left the room, Cassius lifted the lid.
    “Come here.” His soft command brought back all the fear Samah had been trying to keep at bay. Hesitating, she saw his brow rise once again. He awaited her compliance, and she could tell that he wondered what she was thinking.
    Taking her courage into hand, she crossed to his side and stood looking down at him. His dark-eyed gaze was void of any emotion.
    “Sit here.”
    Following his pointing finger, Samah dropped gracefully to the floor before him. He lifted a golden bracelet from the box and reached for her arm. It was in that instant that she recognized the jewelry for what it was. A slave bracelet.
    He fastened it upon her upper arm, his warm fingers staying wrapped just below the band.
    “It says that you belong to me.” The oddly possessive note in his voice sent the fear cascading through her once more. “No one will bother you now. The band has my insignia upon it.”
    He released her, watching the relief she couldn’t disguise. She bowed her head, awaiting further instructions.
    “Have you eaten?”
    The abrupt question brought Samah’s head jerking upwards. She shook her head slightly. “I believe Democritus wasn’t quite certain what to do with me,” she told him ruefully.
    Cassius smiled wryly. “Probably not. There has never been a woman servant in my home.”
    Surprised, Samah could only stare. A host of questions passed through her mind, but she knew it was not her place to ask them. She lowered her gaze to the floor, still waiting for Cassius to make his wishes known to her.
    He leaned forward suddenly, lifting her chin with his hand. When his eyes met hers, she was caught by the fierceness of his look.
    “Do you miss Palestine?”
    Her eyes searched his for the reasoning behind his question. Did he really care what she felt?
    “Yes,” she answered softly. “I miss my family most of all.” Remembering the fruit vendor’s words, she thought about the Christian family waiting for her here in Rome. She had only to find them. The thought quieted her escalating fear.
    Cassius allowed his fingers to trail down her throat, watching the panic return to her so expressive eyes. He turned away from her, banging the gong next to him.
    When Democritus answered his summons, he told his servant to take Samah and give her something to eat. Surprised, the Greek exchanged looks with Samah.
    “Come with me.”
    Cassius halted them at the door. “When she is finished, return her here. Justinian should be here by then.”
    Bowing, Democritus led Samah away. She followed him along the corridors until they reached the kitchen. A residue of smoke still hung in the air from the preparation of an earlier meal. Since there was no ventilation other than the door, it would take hours for all the smoke to dissipate from the room.
    Samah seated herself at the wooden table, watching Democritus confer with the cook. Both men looked at her, the cook’s eyes gliding over Samah in an offensive manner.
    “You say she is a servant here now?” His look fastened on the slave bracelet.
    Democritus shrugged. “I’m not quite certain what her role is. But the master said give her something to eat, and I wouldn’t do it sparingly.”
    The cook didn’t miss the subtle warning. He nodded briefly. “As you wish.”
    Democritus left the room, and a heavy silence fell. Samah could sense the cook’s dislike of her and wondered what she had done to cause it. Lifting innocent eyes to his face, she asked him outright.
    Seemingly surprised at her forthrightness, he looked nonplused for a moment. Bringing a tin bowl of fruit, he dropped it on the table in front of her. Glaring down at her, he shrugged his shoulders and turned away.
    Samah refused to be daunted by his snub. She picked at the grapes, watching the cook as he cleaned his kitchen. He glanced at her briefly but quickly turned away.
    “My name is Samah.”
    Manners dictated a reply to the brief statement. Taking a clay pot