knew now more than ever that this exquisite woman was the only woman for him. Whatever happened he must remain near her. He wasn't sure quite yet how he was going to do it, but somehow he would.
As if Venus herself had heard his wish and taken pity on him, the opportunity presented itself the following day, when he personally oversaw the delivery of Zenobia's purchases to the palace.
She greeted him gaily, then began to direct the slaves as to where they might put each article. Then Odenathus joined them, kissing his young wife's cheek, and smiling indulgently at her explanations.
'I should not have been able to do any of this, my Hawk, had it not been for Marcus Alexander Britainus.'
'Then we owe you a debt, Marcus Alexander Britainus,' Odenathus said. 'Indeed, you are not in the mold of our average merchant. You seem more educated, a patrician I would swear.'
'My family is patrician, your Highness. The Alexander family dates back to the earliest days of Rome. The key to our survival, I suspect, is that we have never involved ourselves in political intrigues. Each generation has been taught that only by hard work will they profit. The family estate, which is located in the hills outside of Rome near Tiber, was given to us in the first days of the republic. My grandfather, who is the current head of the Alexander family, still oversees the farm and the vineyards.'
'Yet you are a merchant, Marcus Alexander Britainus. Why is that?' Palmyra's prince demanded.
'My father was a younger son, your Highness. Unlike others in his family, he chose to serve the government. Eventually he was sent to Britain as governor. There, he met and married my mother; and there, he began, in order to finance his growing family, to purchase and send back to Rome rare articles of beauty. When he was finally recalled to Rome he discovered that he had a burgeoning business. My grandfather allowed my father to start his own branch of the family. He continued to pursue his business, finding it preferable to life in the country. My younger brother, Aulus, resides in Britain, where he purchases goods to send back to Italy. I was sent here to obtain the magnificent goods of the Far East, and to send the luxuries of the West, east.'
Odenathus eyed the tall Roman. 'You have served with the army?'
'Yes, your Highness. With the Praetorian under the young Emperor Gordianus, in Africa.'
Odenathus was impressed. 'My wedding gift from the emperor is that I am to be made commander of Rome's legions here in Palmyra.'
“A magnificent gift, Highness, I have no doubt you will bring glory to the region,' replied Marcus.
'I think that Marcus Alexander Britainus should stay for the evening meal, my Hawk,' Zenobia said. She turned to Marcus. 'You will stay, won't you?'
The prince smiled. 'I'm afraid you cannot refuse us, Marcus Alexander Britainus.'
There was no way Marcus could decline gracefully. The truth was that he did not want to, for though it pained him to see the prince being so affectionate with Zenobia, at least he, Marcus, was with her also.
The winter dining room of the little palace faced south, and its walls were overlaid with thin slabs of pale yellow marble, its cornices and baseboards of carved and gilded wood matching the latticework that covered the windows. The east and west walls of the room had magnificent frescoes, bright with gold leaf, brilliant colors, and mosaic work. One showed a party of hunters after hippopotami and crocodiles on the Nile; the other offered mounted hunters with their sleek, fleet dogs chasing down gazelles in the desert. The floor was done in tiny pieces of blue, green, and yellow mosaic. Three dining couches, each one sectioned to seat three people, were set about a square dining table.
The prince took the center couch, Zenobia sat to his left, and Marcus was placed on his right in the place of honor. Marcus ate automatically, not even noticing the food served to him on silver plates. He was far too busy answering the many questions Zenobia fired at him.
He spoke of different philosophies for a time, then she looked shrewdly at him, saying, 'Do you believe in these things, Marcus Alexander Britainus?'
He smiled at her. 'I am a realist. I believe in that which I can see.'
'I do not mean to offend. I am simply curious. There is so much I do not know of this world, and I want to learn!'
'The most beautiful woman in Palmyra,' the prince remarked, 'and she is not satisfied with all she has.'
'It is not enough to be beautiful, my Hawk. If you had wanted a fluffy kitten of a wife, you would have been married long since.'
'What is it you want to know, my Princess? I will gladly share my little knowledge with you.'
The prince nodded, and Zenobia said bleakly, 'Marcus Alexander Britainus, I do not even know what the sea looks like, and that, my Roman friend, is but the beginning of my ignorance.'
He began to speak, and in his eloquence he made wonderful word pictures that allowed them to see the sea and the ships upon it. He told of Rome set upon her seven green hills; and Britain, the land of his birth, with its misty wet weather and even greener hills. He spoke of his service in Africa, that primitive land of fierce contrasts; and all the while Zenobia sat motionless, absorbing his every word like a sponge. The night darkened beyond the dining room windows, and the servants cleared away the fruit and honeyed nut cakes. The goblets were refilled with aromatic red wine, and Marcus spoke on until, out of the comer of his eye, he saw the prince yawning behind his hand.
'It is late,' he said, 'and I have been droning on like a schoolmaster.'
'You have barely begun to tell me what I seek to know,' Zenobia murmured.
'Perhaps then Marcus Alexander Britainus will come again and tell us of his experiences,' the prince said politely.
'Tomorrow,' Zenobia replied.
'Yes, tomorrow. You must command him, my Hawk, to come each day for an hour, and teach me of the world beyond our city.'
Odenathus seemed annoyed, and glanced somewhat irritably at the Roman. 'Marcus Alexander Britainus is a busy man, my flower.'
'Is he so busy that he cannot spare an hour each day?' she protested.
Marcus could see that the prince was beginning to eye him with something akin to jealousy, yet he desperately wanted to be with Zenobia. 'Perhaps,' he said, looking directly at the prince, 'you would allow me to visit with her Highness twice a week, my lord. By rearranging my schedule I could manage it.'
Zenobia had risen, and now she twined herself about her husband provocatively. 'I do not ask you for jewels or other baubles, my Hawk. All I seek is knowledge. How can you object? You spend your days meeting with your councillors. The slaves care for the house, and I am left to the pursuits of boredom. Of course I might visit with your dear mother, or perhaps Deliciae.' She smiled up at him with false sweetness.
'I do not want you in the company of another man,' the prince hissed.
'Surely you are not jealous, my Hawk?' Zenobia's voice was a whisper now, but Marcus, always sharp of ear, could make out every word, and winced at her next statement. 'He is practically old enough to be my father. Besides, I shall have Bab with me, and if you insist, my maidens also. I care not how many people are with me as long as I may learn!' Teasingly, she blew into his ear.
Marcus turned his eyes away from them. He could not bear to see her affectionate with the prince. He drew a deep breath, and made an attempt to control his emotions. Zenobia was married to Odenathus. They were obviously very much in love.
'Would you mind coming to teach my wife, Marcus Alexander Britainus?'
'No, my lord, I should consider it an honor.' He kept both his face and his voice grave.
'Very well then, so be it. And I thank you, Marcus Alexander Britainus.'
The Roman rose from the table. 'I have overstayed the bounds of good hospitality,' he said. 'With your Highness's permission I shall take my leave.'
'You have my permission, Marcus Alexander Britainus.'
He bowed from his waist, and exited the room, hearing behind him Zenobia's little cry of glee.
'Oh, my Hawk, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!' She flung herself upon him, and kissed him quite vigorously.
