A Bed of Spices (38 page)

Rica smiled and shook her head. “No. Only confession.”

“I have a letter,” he said, coming forward. “It’s from Helga.”

Rica rushed forward to take it from him. “She must have paid a scribe to write it for her,” she said, and held it up. “Look how beautiful the writing is.”

“Read it,” he said. “I am anxious for news.”

‘“My pretty Rica,’” she began, and grinned at Solomon. “‘I am writing to tell you that your father has died. It was a peaceful departure; in his sleep he passed away, never waking again to the pain that was so terrible these last months. I am glad he is now at rest. He lies now with your sister and mother.’”

Tears blurred Rica’s vision. Wordlessly she handed the paper to Solomon, who drew her down next to him and held her hand as he read the rest.

“‘The plague seems now spent, though you would not know Strassburg now, so empty it is, and strange. I like it not. There is little food, for the harvest was so disrupted, and bandits roam freely, unchecked.

“‘And that is all I have to tell you except that I will take you up on your wish for me to come to you. This place is only sad memories now and I wish no more to be here. All I have loved are gone. Lewis will travel with me.’”

Rica squealed, and unable to curb her excitement, she gave Solomon a hug. She touched the rise of her belly and murmured a soft word to the babe, too.

Solomon smiled. “I will rest much easier, knowing she will be here when the babe comes,” he said.

She chuckled. “You will see, Solomon. I keep telling you I am well made for birth.”

“All the same…”

Beyond the window came the sound of prayers being called. Rica went to look, as she always did. It thrilled her to see the bright, sharp light, so different from home, and the pyramids on the horizon, and the sudden ceasing of all activity as everyone bent toward Mecca to pray.

Solomon joined her, and looped an arm around her shoulders. “Is it what you thought it would be?”

A waft of the city’s particular odor reached them—animals and heat and spices. “Oh, yes.” She turned in his arms, delighting in the freedom she had to embrace him openly, whenever she wished, even after so many months. “There is no need to ask you,” she said with a grin. “I have never seen anyone so happy with learning as you are.”

He grinned. “Well, there are a few things I like better.” Wickedly he traced the curve of her breast, and pressed his palm to her belly. “But only a few.”

Rica stared up at him, so beautiful and strong— and now, at peace. All at once, she was filled with an odd, swirling sense of eternity, as if she had known him always, would know him forever. “I had not thought,” she said softly, touching his cheek, “that marriage would bring such joy.”

“Nor did I,” he said, his eyes burning and serious. “You are everything to me,
ahuvali
. My whole world.”

He tugged her close and kissed her deeply. The babe within Rica kicked in joy, and together she and Solomon laughed as the sounds of Cairo began anew.

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