Read Online Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Diana Wallis Taylor
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having an affair, but the emperor could not know or he would have acted against Sejanus. If the prefect married the widow of the emperor’s son, Drusus, it would solidify his position with the emperor even more. Everyone in Rome believed the implications that he would become the emperor’s successor. For his own reasons, the emperor had denied the marriage request, but Sejanus was a man who bided his time. Sooner or later Claudia felt the emperor would give in and let them marry.
Soon after her sixteenth birthday, her third year in the palace, Claudia was surprised by a summons to have dinner with the emperor on what was becoming one of his rare stays in the palace. The palace was full of intrigue and those who had enjoyed favor one day found themselves in disgrace or worse the next. She dressed carefully in a soft white linen tunic with a silver belt around her chest, silver sandals, and some small pearl earrings.
Her heart pounded as she entered the dining room.
“Ah, Claudia. It is good of you to join us.”
As Tiberius welcomed her, his face seemed melancholy in spite of the smile he wore. He watched silently while a slave removed her sandals and handed her the warm wet cloth to wash her hands.
“It is kind of you to have me join you, Majesty. I trust your last trip was successful?”
“It was.”
She felt the emperor had something on his mind but was forced to wait patiently through the meal for him to unburden himself. They dined on cucumbers and cabbage in a sauce, fresh bread, a selection of cheeses, and succulent roast duck. The wine was heavily diluted as most Romans preferred it.
To her relief, Sejanus was conspicuously missing, and she wondered if he was off on business for the emperor. Levilla had little to say, and the empress came late as usual, leaning on the arm of her handmaiden. She greeted Claudia and bowed her head to the emperor, then ate her meal in silence. She appeared to be watching Tiberius covertly as she ate. It only added to Claudia’s feeling of dread, and while she strove to remain calm, her heart beat erratically.
Tiberius turned to her. “You are in good health, Claudia?”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“And how have you occupied yourself?”
She felt he knew everything she did already, for it was said he had eyes and ears everywhere, but she politely told him what she felt he wanted to hear.
“I thank you for the allowance. I have enjoyed the marketplace. I read and work on my loom and embroidery from time to time.”
“You are proficient at this?”
“Yes, my lord.”
There were long silences in between, and Claudia struggled to keep her impatience under control.
Just as they were finishing dessert, a mixture of plums and cherries served with cream, as if at a signal from the emperor, Levilla and the empress excused themselves.
Tiberius watched them go, his eyes narrowing, then turned to her. “My mother has brought it to my attention that you are of marriageable age and I am remiss in selecting a proper husband for you.” He looked down at his hands, and Claudia noted that they were soft, effeminate. Then he continued. “I have sought the counsel of my prefect and he has made a suggestion. There is someone he has known forsome time—a man who fought in the campaigns of Germanicus and distinguished himself. He is on his way to Rome. You will be apprised when he arrives and will be introduced. I also wish to meet him before making my final decision.”
Claudia’s heart sank. A man suggested by Sejanus? How old was he and what would he look like? She lowered her eyes lest the emperor see the turmoil in them. Instead, she murmured, “I’m sure you will make the right choice for me, my lord.”
Tiberius put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to suddenly look up.
“Your submission and obedience are noted, Claudia Procula. Make yourself ready, for he arrives in two days’ time.”
“Shall I know his name, my lord?”
“Ah yes, a noble praetorian family,
Soon after her sixteenth birthday, her third year in the palace, Claudia was surprised by a summons to have dinner with the emperor on what was becoming one of his rare stays in the palace. The palace was full of intrigue and those who had enjoyed favor one day found themselves in disgrace or worse the next. She dressed carefully in a soft white linen tunic with a silver belt around her chest, silver sandals, and some small pearl earrings.
Her heart pounded as she entered the dining room.
“Ah, Claudia. It is good of you to join us.”
As Tiberius welcomed her, his face seemed melancholy in spite of the smile he wore. He watched silently while a slave removed her sandals and handed her the warm wet cloth to wash her hands.
“It is kind of you to have me join you, Majesty. I trust your last trip was successful?”
“It was.”
She felt the emperor had something on his mind but was forced to wait patiently through the meal for him to unburden himself. They dined on cucumbers and cabbage in a sauce, fresh bread, a selection of cheeses, and succulent roast duck. The wine was heavily diluted as most Romans preferred it.
To her relief, Sejanus was conspicuously missing, and she wondered if he was off on business for the emperor. Levilla had little to say, and the empress came late as usual, leaning on the arm of her handmaiden. She greeted Claudia and bowed her head to the emperor, then ate her meal in silence. She appeared to be watching Tiberius covertly as she ate. It only added to Claudia’s feeling of dread, and while she strove to remain calm, her heart beat erratically.
Tiberius turned to her. “You are in good health, Claudia?”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“And how have you occupied yourself?”
She felt he knew everything she did already, for it was said he had eyes and ears everywhere, but she politely told him what she felt he wanted to hear.
“I thank you for the allowance. I have enjoyed the marketplace. I read and work on my loom and embroidery from time to time.”
“You are proficient at this?”
“Yes, my lord.”
There were long silences in between, and Claudia struggled to keep her impatience under control.
Just as they were finishing dessert, a mixture of plums and cherries served with cream, as if at a signal from the emperor, Levilla and the empress excused themselves.
Tiberius watched them go, his eyes narrowing, then turned to her. “My mother has brought it to my attention that you are of marriageable age and I am remiss in selecting a proper husband for you.” He looked down at his hands, and Claudia noted that they were soft, effeminate. Then he continued. “I have sought the counsel of my prefect and he has made a suggestion. There is someone he has known forsome time—a man who fought in the campaigns of Germanicus and distinguished himself. He is on his way to Rome. You will be apprised when he arrives and will be introduced. I also wish to meet him before making my final decision.”
Claudia’s heart sank. A man suggested by Sejanus? How old was he and what would he look like? She lowered her eyes lest the emperor see the turmoil in them. Instead, she murmured, “I’m sure you will make the right choice for me, my lord.”
Tiberius put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to suddenly look up.
“Your submission and obedience are noted, Claudia Procula. Make yourself ready, for he arrives in two days’ time.”
“Shall I know his name, my lord?”
“Ah yes, a noble praetorian family,
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