Valeria's Cross. Kathi MaciasЧитать онлайн книгу.
confession would come soon enough, particularly if she was blessed to meet Nanu’s brother.
“Your father is right. There is no finer legion in the Roman Empire than the Thebans. It is comprised entirely of Coptic Christians.”
“Really? My mother and I are studying Christianity under the Coptic monks at a monastery in Aswan.”
“Mauritius and my fiancé, Baraka, have studied with them for years, until recently, when they had to undergo their rigorous military training.”
Her hopes of running into Mauritius at the monastery dashed, Valeria noted, “You are so young to become engaged.”
“I am fourteen, which is not considered young in our culture. Girls in Egypt marry as young as twelve or thirteen. Baraka and I plan to marry before the legion is called to battle.”
Surprised by the Egyptian girl’s friendliness, Valeria thanked her. Then, just as Nanu said she hoped they would meet again, Cornelia returned and announced, “His name is—”
Before Cornelia could utter his name, the group of Egyptian girls sang out in unison, “Mauritius,” and then laughed, leaving Cornelia looking baffled.
Valeria blushed again. “Nanu, this is my friend, Cornelia. And Cornelia, this is Nanu.” She paused, and then added, “She is Mauritius’ sister.”
Cornelia’s eyebrows lifted in obvious surprise, but she recovered quickly, and after the introductions were made and the girls had chatted for a few minutes, Valeria and Cornelia returned to their seats.
“Did you meet him?” Valeria asked as soon as they were alone.
Cornelia shook her head. “Someone told me his name, but there were far too many admirers surrounding him for me to get closer. I only got a tiny glimpse of him, but he is even more handsome up close. There was an intensity about him that is difficult to put into words. But I can tell you this: his eyes exude love. When he looked my way, I felt . . . like I really mattered.”
“He must have liked you,” Valeria admitted, feeling somewhat slighted.
“No, it was not in any personal way. There was just so much love and kindness in his eyes. Forgive me if I sound sacrilegious, but when he looked my way, I had a strange sensation, as though I were looking into the eyes of Jesus.”
“Oh, I should have gone with you!”
“Why? You met his sister, which is far better. Did she agree to introduce you to him?”
Valeria shook her head. “Nanu was adamant that Mauritius had no time for courting. She explained he was far too busy with his military training and his dedication to his faith.”
“Did you even ask her to introduce you to him?” Cornelia prompted, propping her hand on her hip.
When Valeria blushed yet again, Cornelia sighed. “I have a lot to teach you, especially about men, my friend.”
Valeria felt her defenses rise. “I know about men!”
Cornelia smirked. “Is that so? Have you ever kissed a man? Or even flirted with one?”
“Eugenia accused me of flirting with Alara, one of the younger monks at the monastery.”
“That is nothing to boast about, Valeria.”
“But he was so handsome.”
“Forget the monk. Here is what you do about Mauritius. You must persuade his sister to invite you to her home.”
“How will I do that? I do not know if I will even see her again.”
Cornelia leaned close and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. “Ask one of the servants to find out where Nanu lives, and then send a messenger to her home with an invitation for her and her mother to have lunch at the palace with you and your mother. Enclose a note explaining that you would like to return the kindness she showed at the athletic event.”
“But what if they refuse?”
Cornelia rolled her eyes. “No one will refuse an invitation from the empress and her daughter. Besides, every one in the area is curious to see inside the palace. I know that firsthand because everyone nags me to tell them about it, now that they know I have been inside with you.” Cornelia laughed. “Believe me, they will come.”
“But I do not want Nanu or Mauritius to know my identity yet. I want him to care about me for who I am, and not because I am the emperor’s daughter.”
“Nanu seems a bright girl. She has probably already discovered your identity. Besides, do you want to lose your chance at Mauritius? Listen, if you had seen those women down below, clamoring for a chance to speak with him, you would not hesitate. You must use any moral measure to attract his attention.”
“But what good will that do if his only interest is God and country?”
“After one look at you, my dear, he will quickly change his mind.”
Valeria hesitated. “I will consider it.”
“There is no time for that. Rumor has it that the Theban Legion could be called to Gaul any day now. Worse yet, what if your parents decide it is time to arrange a marriage for you?” Cornelia put one hand over her brow and fanned herself with the other. “I can think of nothing worse than to be married to a man you do not love.”
Valeria shuddered, but as the emperor’s daughter, it was imperative for her to maintain her dignity and pride. Another thought flitted into her mind, and she smiled. She had found the answer. Just this week Valeria and her mother were studying prayer at the monastery. If she could not finagle an introduction to Mauritius from Nanu, she would ask God to arrange one.
5
The next morning, Valeria awakened to the sight of her mother standing at her bedchamber door, waving a letter in her hand.
“A messenger arrived at dawn with news from your father.”
Valeria threw back the bed linens and jumped up. “Is Father all right?”
“I assure you, he is fine, but he has asked us to return to Nicomedia at once.”
With no attempt to hide her disappointment, Valeria plunked back down on her bed. “But we cannot leave now; I love Egypt!” Just yesterday Valeria had seen the man she was sure she wanted to marry. They simply could not leave before she had a chance to meet him.
Her mother sat down beside her and placed an arm around her shoulders. “I understand. I, too, would prefer not to leave.”
“Then why must we go? Can you not convince Father that we should stay in Egypt? He told us Nicomedia was unsafe.”
“The circumstances have changed over the past few weeks. Your father has asked us to return so we can host the victorious general, Galerius, at the palace.”
“Oh, him.” Valeria was not impressed and demonstrated her feelings with a careless shrug.
Her mother’s look was stern. “Do you understand the importance of these battles in Gaul? General Galerius and his legion won the first few skirmishes, and your father wants him to take some time off to relax and enjoy himself before the major battle begins.”
Valeria sighed. “The general is all anyone talks about these days. But why can he and his family not stay at the palace without us? There are plenty of servants who can take care of them.”
“Who would entertain them?”
“The citizens of Nicomedia would be delighted to host a war hero, especially one so famous.”
“This may be true, but your father would never allow it. And General Galerius would be highly offended if we were not in residence during his visit.”
Valeria stuck out her lower lip, a gesture that obviously did not go unnoticed by her mother.
“And