Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

her thoughts carefully, she focused on the one thing that needed to be done. She looked up at Tiberius.
    “Majesty, Medina and I have been together many years. It wouldbe good to have someone familiar in my old age.” She could not help Julia, but she could protect Medina.
    He considered the request a moment. “I will see what can be done.”
    “Thank you, Majesty.” She waited again.
    He took back the scroll. “It is a sorry task. You will inform your granddaughter.”
    “I will tell her.” She bowed her head and followed the steward down the halls she had once walked as Empress of Rome.
    She waved the steward away and stood for a moment, deciding just how she would phrase her words. In her eighty years she had seen much death. Unbidden tears welled up behind her eyes and she willed them away. Finally, she drew herself up and, gathering control once again, knocked.

 11 
    H otep opened the door and Claudia looked up from the chair by the window where she was working on an embroidery.
    “Grandmother!” She hurried across the room and threw her arms around Scribonia’s neck. “You came to see me.”
    Her grandmother not only allowed the embrace, she even returned it briefly. When they parted, there were tears in her grandmother’s eyes. Claudia stepped back, puzzled. She gently escorted her grandmother to a chair where the older woman sank down heavily.
    Claudia indicated her maidservant with one hand. “Grandmother, this is Hotep. It means peace in Egyptian.”
    Hotep bowed her head. “It is a pleasure to serve the dominilla, my lady.”
    Her grandmother nodded in acknowledgment.
    Claudia, sensing a purpose in her grandmother’s visit, looked at her face. “You didn’t just come to see me did you?”
    “No, child, though I would have come eventually. Tiberius sent for me. He received a courier from Reggio last night.” Her grandmother said quickly, “Your mother is dead.”
    The overwhelming pain struck like a dagger in Claudia’s heart and large tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. “I knewit would happen soon, but I haven’t wanted to think about her dying all alone.”
    “Medina and Cato were there, even if they could not enter the room. We can only pray that she died quickly.”
    Claudia nodded, and then in the haze of her emotions, she realized her grandmother might need something to eat or drink. She had traveled across the city to carry out this abominable errand for Tiberius.
    “Hotep, please bring some refreshments.”
    The girl bowed her head and hurried out the door. Claudia looked after her, knowing Hotep no longer needed to fear running into the prefect again in the dark hallways. She’d told the empress about the incident but not the perpetrator. Livia told Tiberius and word went out through the palace that Claudia and her maidservant were under his protection. The warning no doubt reached the ears of Sejanus.
    Claudia wiped her eyes with a corner of her stola. “Oh Grandmother, I miss her.” Both women were silent a moment, sharing their mutual sorrow. Then Claudia looked up. “Medina and Cato? What will become of them now?”
    Scribonia hesitated. “Cato had a weak heart. He is dead also.”
    Claudia gasped. Dear old Cato. She thought of the many times she’d watched him lovingly plant flowers in their garden.
    Her grandmother spoke again. “Medina wishes to return to me. I have petitioned Tiberius to let her do so. Now tell me what you have been doing since I left you here.”
    Claudia wrenched her mind from thoughts of her mother and dutifully told her grandmother about the dinner with Tiberius, meeting with the empress, and going to the Roman baths.
    “Livia was hard on your mother. Does she treat you well?”
    “Yes, she’s been kind to me.”
    Scribonia nodded. “Are you allowed out of the palace for any other reason?”
    “I may go to the marketplace with Hotep, but I must have a bodyguard.”
    “That is good. It could be dangerous for two young