“Please my lady, please believe me. I would never leave my duties and go out without being sent.”
“Then who sent you?”
“No one my lady,” Miriam replied hopelessly.
Addressing Paulina, the Lady Aurelia asked, “Can anyone vouch for the girl? How long has she been in the household?”
“Miriam was born in the household my lady. Her father was one of the former proconsul’s body servants. Her mother is a kitchen slave. As the youngest slave, this girl does the work she told you about, things...”
Waving her hand dismissively the Lady Aurelia demonstrated her lack of interest in the menial tasks the young girl performed. Studying the fearful slave cunningly, she gave a small smile. “Miriam is your name?”
Nodding her head Miriam became more hopeful.
“Then Miriam, you should know that as you ar
