The grapes on the vines sparkled with dew, and although Samara was touched by the vineyard’s beauty, Valerius’ silence made her uneasy. They walked between the trellises side by side, not touching. Whenever he would brush against her, her skin would tingle.
This lush vineyard near the Jordan’s banks belonged to Hiram, a Hebrew Christian bookseller in the city. Valerius had explained to her in monosyllables during their carriage ride here that he’d asked Hiram to suggest a place where Valerius could meet Samara in secrecy, and Hiram enthusiastically offered his property.
It was beautiful to be here with Valerius, but why wouldn’t he speak?
Were they safe from detection here? She couldn’t have her family learning about her and the Roman. She had to either leave the Empire with him, or forget about him. It was too dangerous to stay in Judea and have their love for each other found out. She could be reviled by her own people. He could be removed from his high post.
Yesterday they’d spent an intimate day riding horses, and then talked deep into the night about their hopes and dreams, until she’d pressed him to commit to taking her to Africa, and that’s when this silence began. Why wouldn’t he speak?
“Valerius, do you know how my people’s Great Temple was built?”
He seemed surprised. “No. Do you?”
”My theory is that the great blocks of granite were put in place using ramps and pulleys, yet the area around the central sanctuary must have been hewn by hand out of stone.”
“So you’ve studied architecture? That’s unusual for a woman.”
“I can tell you how your famous Roman aqueducts work. Would you like to hear about that?”
“I’d much rather know how my Roman heart works.”
“Forget about it, Valerius,” she said solemnly. “Romans don’t have hearts.”
He fell silent again. After a moment he laughed. The tension was broken.
“This place,” he said, “reminds me of my grandfather’s estate outside of Rome.”
”He was a wealthy man?”
“He made a fortune with his vineyards and olive groves. Then his son, my father, married my mother and joined his fortune with hers. Her family owns a ceramic tile factory.”
“Ceramic tile. Do you like things of beauty, Valerius?”
“I learned to paint tile when I was a boy. The tints we used were lovely. I like the sunset colors – like these here now, on the horizon.”
They gazed down at the Jordan, and the sunlight was reflecting red, purple and orange on the water.
She asked, “Why didn’t you kiss me the other night?”
“What?”
“Why didn’t you kiss me before we returned to the city?”
“Samara, we were on horseback. We would have fallen off our horses.”
“Not then. Before – as we sat on the blanket. The moment was right. I was ready. You must have known it.”
“I didn’t think it was the right thing.”
“What does that mean? It would not fit your Roman customs?”
“No. I knew that if I kissed you, I’d not be able to stop thinking of you.”
“Oh. So you’d like to forget about me.”
“No, no, Samara. Actually, not kissing you didn’t help. I couldn’t stop thinking about you anyway.”
“No?”
“No. And I believe you should marry me.”
“I should what?” She had expected some words of love from him – but this was almost too much. Her heart nearly stopped beating.
He leaned closer to her. “You couldn’t possibly say yes – yet I must ask you anyway. Samara beth Isaac, do marry me.”
“Well – only if you kiss me now.”
Each of them felt the thrill, the perfection in the unfamiliarity, the newness of it. Time slowed, and they were lost in each other. The nectar of their feelings overwhelmed them both.
The kiss confirmed what Samara already knew: that he was sensitive and gentle, and that she loved him. She knew that, and she knew that he loved her too; that had been obvious for awhile. The sweet pressure of his lips, the strength and urgency of his kiss, made her certain that she would have to marry him, and soon.
“Your face is rough,” she smiled after they drew back from the kiss. “I’m going to train you to shave twice a day.”
“You’re the fulfillment of my being. You have my heart, Samara.”
She blushed. “You’re disturbing me, Sir Roman. Now whatever I do has to include you, and you’re the enemy of my people.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“Valerius, promise you’ll not leave me.”
“Leave you? I just asked you to marry me!”
“I know. Just promise.”
“All right,” he laughed. “I promise.”
She searched his eyes. Did she see a flicker of doubt?