Unspoken by Francine Rivers Page A

immediately.
    So this was the pain her mother had warned her against! Hadn’t her mother tried to tell her what it would be like to be David’s wife? “One among many.” Could there be any agony worse than seeing the man she loved pampered and petted by six other women? She shifted her body so that she wouldn’t have to endure it.
    David came to her then. “Are you well, Bathsheba?” She was too distressed to answer, afraid if she spoke she would give the women fuel for further torment when David was gone. “Bathsheba?” He spoke in a hoarse whisper and hunkered down as he turned her face so that she had to look at him. He searched her eyes, his own hungry and troubled. “Try to understand. I can’t give in to what I want and forsake all these others.”
    The irony of his words made her look away. Hadn’t she forsaken all others for him? Wasn’t her husband now dead because she had given in to what she wanted without thought of the consequences?
    “Bathsheba,” he said again, her name a soft groan. The others watched like a pride of lionesses.
    “Of course I understand,” she whispered, looking into his eyes and hoping he didn’t sense her despair. Understanding increased her suffering. He was a king, above all. And a king must have many wives so he could build up his house with sons. Now that it was known that she was already with child, what need had he to call her to his bed? She remembered her mother’s words. “When you grow up, you will understand the wisdom of worshiping God and not a man.”
    She must grow up and throw away her fantasies! She must face her circumstances! There would be worse scandal if the king summoned her now that her pregnancy was known. Everyone knew the only reason the king visited a wife was to beget more children. She and David couldn’t be alone together until after the child was born and she’d fulfilled the rites of purification—forty days for a boy, eighty for a girl. Oh, let it be a boy!
    Her heart sank as she thought about the months of loneliness ahead of her. For she was despised among these women, the object of their jealousy, the victim of their constant gossip. But what right had she to resent them? Everything they said was true!
    David brushed his fingers against her cheek and rose. With a heavy heart, she watched him walk away. Bowing her head, she took up her embroidery and kept her gaze away from him for the rest of the evening. Her heart fluttered and her forehead broke out in a cold sweat. She knew exactly how long he spoke with each wife. Never had she thought her sweet dreams of David could turn into such a nightmare! She was torn between relief and dread when the king finally rose to leave the company of his wives. She knew when he looked at her, but she didn’t look up. She kept thinking of how he’d sung to his men around the fire, looking from one to the next. She was no more or less regarded by the king than any other woman in this room. She was just one of many who lived to be in his company. Her mother had told her so time and again, but life was her teacher.
    The women relaxed as soon as the doors were closed behind the king. They no longer competed for his attention. Some talked. Some lounged indolently. Others returned to their handwork. When the eunuch entered the chamber, they fell silent. “Abigail,” he said, and she rose quickly, cheeks flushed as she followed him out of the room.
    Never had Bathsheba felt such pain! Her heart felt as though it were being torn from her! Maacah smirked. Haggith whispered behind her hand to Eglah, who laughed and looked across the room at Bathsheba. Did her anguish show? She wanted to leap up and run. She wanted to lock herself in her private chamber and scream out her pain.
    Ahinoam sniffed. “Why is he calling for Abigail? He hasn’t called for her in months. Besides, she’s too old to bear him another son.”
    “Better her than another whose name I won’t mention.”
    Maacah glared at Bathsheba.