The Protector

  Pelonia looked at her with wonder. “You know the texts?”

  “Just a line of two,” she said. “I heard Quintus read that passage once. That bit stayed with me.”

  “You’re welcome to the ludus anytime, of course, but I hope you’ll come the first day of the week when several of us Christians meet to read the texts and worship the Lord.”

  Adiona shook her head in disbelief. “Christians meeting in a gladiator school? How marvelously clever.”

  “Caros didn’t think so the first time he saw us there. Of course, that was before he was a Christian himself. He couldn’t decide if we were brave or suicidal.”

  Thinking back to the hard and violent man Caros had been just a few short months ago, she laughed. “I can imagine.”

  Pelonia stood. “I must go. Annia is expecting me. I’m helping her with some orphans today. My mother died giving birth to me and I’ve no experience with children. Annia thinks it will be good practice for when the baby comes.”

  As always, Pelonia spoke with an accompanying smile, but Adiona sensed a tinge of anxiety in her friend. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother, Pelonia. I have no doubt. You have the natural warmth children need in a parent.”

  “How kind. Thank you for saying so. I’m going to do my best. Of course, Caros will be there. He’ll be such a good father. I’m going to have to work day and night to keep him from spoiling the child.”

  “I agree.” Laughing, Adiona stood. “Would you mind if I came with you today?”

  “Of course not. I should have invited you myself.”

  “It’s just that Quintus suggested I use my resources to help others and I like children very much. Perhaps I can help in some way.”

  “I think that’s a lovely idea. I’m ready to leave when you are.”

  Surprise brightened Annia’s face when Pelonia and Adiona arrived at the small domus inside Rome’s city gates. The house, with its low ceilings and plain cement floors, was dry, but cold, despite the small cooking fire. A dozen dirty children of various ages had assembled in hopes of receiving a noonday meal. Annia and another woman, Vergilia, had organized the group into two camps. Half the children were setting rough-hewn tables with colorful, but mostly chipped ceramic dishes and cups, while the other half helped to wash vegetables for a savory lamb stew.

  Fresh bread that Adiona and Pelonia brought with them rounded out the meal. Adiona wished she’d thought to bring the extra fruit she’d bought at the Forum the previous day. She made a mental note to have one of her people send it and a round of cheese over for the dinner hour.

  After the children ate, they washed and dried the dishes. Several of them slept on pallets on the floor. “They’re desperate for a safe place to sleep,” Annia whispered to keep from waking them.

  “Is this house yours?” Adiona asked the older woman.

  “No, it belongs to another Christian brother of ours. He’s letting us use it until he can find new tenants.”

  “Then where will the children go?”

  “I don’t know,” Annia said. “I trust the Lord will provide us with somewhere else to use.”

  Within a week, Adiona bought an abandoned domus a short distance from the Forum. Large and multistoried, the building needed repair, but there was an adequate kitchen and large rooms for a number of children to sleep.

  Caros and Pelonia arrived to inspect the place. “This is marvelous,” Pelonia said.

  “It is,” Caros agreed as he knocked on a wall to test its sturdiness. “If you’d like, I’ll hire an engineer to come and check the foundations and the soundness of the place.”

  “I did that before I bought it,” Adiona said wryly. “I was going to offer one of the properties I already own, but this one is closer to the Forum. I’m hoping beggar children will find us and we can get them off the streets. It can’t be safe for them wherever they’re staying now.”

  “What are you going to do with all of them?” Caros asked. “You can’t feed every orphan in Rome.”

  “Who says we can’t?” Adiona lifted her chin. “You should know by now, Caros, I don’t do things in half measures. With my income unlimited as it is thanks to my various investments, and the sizable donations you and others like you will make, I’m thinking we can help quite a few children for a long time to come.”

  “What sizable donation?” he asked.

  Pelonia laughed and elbowed him gently in the ribs. “Don’t be a miser, my love. Adiona has made amazing plans.”

  “I’m sure she has. Everything she sets her mind to, she does well.”

  Warmed by the compliment, Adiona showed them the rest of the house. “The garden is a mess, but I’m thinking we can grow herbs and vegetables, and plant fruit-bearing trees here. It would lessen the food expenses and give the children fresh produce. The ornamental fountains can be replaced with more practical ones to ensure the children have clean water to drink and bathe.

  “There are ten bedrooms upstairs. I thought we could have beds built like those in your gladiator barracks to give even more children a place to sleep. I’m already looking to hire several people to keep the place clean. We’ll also need a gardener and a cook or two. As things progress perhaps others will be needed or the children can take on chores. I noticed the other day, Annia had them setting the table and helping prepare the meal.”

  Caros grinned. “You’ve worked it all out. Has Annia offered any other advice?”

  “Yes. She’s in charge. I’m only trying to give aid. She suggested we put the older children to work in the garden to help them learn a trade. The same with cooking and repairing the building. She says so many of them end up in brothels or thieving because they have no useful knowledge to help them when they’re older. Of course, so much has to be done, but perhaps in the future we can even hire tutors and…” She flushed, embarrassed to realize she was rambling.

  Caros wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “This is excellent work. If anyone can make it succeed, you can.”

  It was dark when Quintus arrived at the ludus. His only stops had been to change horses or to sleep for a few hours. With the promise of seeing Adiona as his goal, he’d shortened the ten-day journey from Amiternum to eight.

  Guards opened the gate, and he made his way to the domus. Caros and Pelonia were sitting down to their evening meal.

  “Come and join us,” Pelonia said. “You must be famished. You look like you’ve been through a war.”

  “Not quite,” Quintus said, declining the offer. He scrubbed his bearded chin. “I’m road-weary and filthy.”

  “Then go take a bath and change,” Caros insisted. “We’ll wait. Hurry, we have much to tell you.”

  Once he was clean and dressed, Quintus went back to the inner garden where his friends were waiting. Surrounded by torches to ward off the cold, couches had been set up in the peristyle. The aroma of various dishes teased his hungry stomach.

  “What news is there?” Quintus asked as they ate a first course of steaming fish chowder.

  “News in general?” Pelonia asked. “Or news of Adiona?”

  Quintus dropped his spoon, splashing drops of the hot liquid on his hand. “Is Adiona well? Has something happened to her?”

  “Several excellent things,” Caros said, grinning at his wife. “Too bad her news isn’t ours to tell.”

  “Yes, you must go see her tomorrow without delay,” Pelonia agreed. “She’s not the same person she was when you left. First, though, I think you should rest and shave. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you in any form, but as a woman, I’d suggest you go to see her looking less like something Cat dragged in.”

  Relieved to learn Adiona was well and receptive to seeing him, he was a little annoyed by the couple’s obvious fun at his expense.

  “Since you won’t tell me more of Adiona, what is the general news? I’ve been gone almost three weeks. What’s happened?”

  “We’re having a baby,” Caros said, his smile brighter than the oil lamps lighting the gard
en.

  “Congratulations!” Quintus exclaimed, happy for his friends, even though talk of children reminded him of Fabius. “God be praised.”

  “There’s also a new orphanage Annia is opening. With the help of a new benefactress, they’ve bought a house to shelter at least fifty children.”

  His thoughts constantly on Adiona, he remembered the talk they’d had and her interest in helping orphans. “Do you think Adiona might be welcome in such a venture? She told me once she’d like to help in something like this.”

  “Oh, I’m certain she’d be welcome,” Pelonia said. “Without a doubt.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Domina,” Felix said, “The lady, Gaia, is here.”

  Adiona set down her glass of orange nectar. “Welcome her in.”

  When Octavia’s friend entered the courtyard, Adiona stood and left the breakfast table to greet her with a kiss on each cheek.

  “How good of you to come. I feared you hadn’t received my invitation.”

  “I’ve been visiting friends outside the city this week. I didn’t know you wished to see me until I returned last night.”

  “No matter, you’re here now. All is well.” Adiona swept her hand toward the table, laden with her favorite cinnamon rolls, orange juice and dates. “Have you eaten this morning? Do you care to join me?”

  “I ate earlier,” Gaia said, “But I’m parched. A glass of water would do well for me.”

  “Of course.” She led Gaia to the table. “Sit here. There’s a charcoal pot on the floor to warm your feet.” When the older woman was comfortably seated, Adiona went to the door and called for Felix to fetch a glass.

  Adiona returned to her chair and took a drink of juice. Her mouth puckered at the extreme tartness, but after eating honey on the rolls, she expected as much. “I’ve wanted to speak with you since Octavia’s funeral,” she said. “I was sorry to leave Neopolis in such haste without thanking you, but the situation was unavoidable. Octavia was a dear friend to me. I feared Drusus wouldn’t do her justice, so your guidance with the rites was most appreciated.”

  “It was no trouble. Octavia was a friend to all. It was she who first welcomed me to Neopolis when I moved there two months ago.”

  Adiona swallowed a bite of cinnamon roll. She said nothing, but it surprised her to learn the shortness of Gaia’s acquaintance with Octavia. After seeing Gaia and Drusus at the funeral, she’d thought them longtime friends.

  She took another drink of juice and angled the top of her sandaled foot near the warmth of the coal pot. “Yes, Octavia was the best woman I’ve ever met. Have you been in Rome long?”

  “No,” Gaia replied, “I arrived midweek last. I’m preparing for my wedding.”

  “Your wedding?” Adiona smiled politely. “Much happiness and blessings to you.”

  “Thank you. My husband died almost a month ago—”

  “My condolences,” Adiona said, careful not to show her distaste at Gaia’s rush to remarry.

  “Condolences aren’t necessary. As far as I’m concerned, his death was well-deserved.”

  Taken aback by the woman’s candor, Adiona hid her surprise behind another sip of juice.

  Gaia sat back in her chair, as amiable as if the topic were the arrival of spring. “My husband planned to divorce me for a younger, wealthier woman. He’d done the same to his first wife when he married me two years ago, so I recognized the signs. I should have known better than to wed him, but I believed his lies when he said he loved me. After he wasted most of the money my first husband left to me, he thought to move on to someone else.” Her voice took on a flinty tone. “What galls me is that his paramour didn’t care that I was an excellent wife or that he was even married. She’s a spoiled seductress who thinks her money can buy her whatever she desires. I plan to enlighten her soon.”

  Gaia’s contempt made Adiona fear for the younger woman’s safety. “I don’t mean to add to your pain, but men are quite duplicitous when they choose to be. Perhaps your husband didn’t tell her he was married.”

  “No,” Gaia said stonily. “She knew.”

  “Then shame be upon them both. I hope your new husband will be worthy of you.”

  Gaia sipped her water and seemed to rein in her anger. “He’s sure to please me. My new betrothed is a malleable man and heir to a large fortune.” She smiled. “I expect to be quite content.”

  “If one must marry,” Adiona said in response to Gaia’s prosaic attitude, “those are commendable traits in a husband.”

  Gaia nodded. “The best. I find honor is wasted on men because the sight of any young beauty will challenge their wedding vows.”

  Adiona chose a slice of fig and ate the sweet fruit, trying to ignore the bitterness behind the woman’s smile. “I agree, most men prove themselves worthless. However, of late I’ve learned a very few are worth their weight in gold.”

  “Surely a woman like you is the object of a great many men’s affections.”

  Adiona smirked. “My wealth is.”

  Gaia cocked her head as though considering Adiona in a new light. “You don’t mind a man desiring you for your coin?”

  “Certainly I do.” Adiona sipped her juice. “My intolerance for men is well-known. Especially those with lucrative intentions.”

  “I hadn’t heard that.” Gaia drank her water. Her hand shook slightly. “Most wealthy women will buy love if they can’t find it for free.”

  “Many do, but I’m not one of them.” Uncomfortable with the course of the conversation, Adiona changed the subject. “When will you marry?”

  “A few weeks at most,” Gaia said. “My betrothed’s benefactress is on her death bed. I don’t want to be accused of poor taste by marrying too quickly after she leaves us.”

  “That’s wise.” Adiona shivered at the coldness of Gaia’s calculations. Claudia was a poisonous spider, but Gaia could teach the Roman matron a thing or two. “Will you be living in Rome? I think you’ll blend in well with the society here.”

  “I’m not certain. My former husband loved Rome and spent most of his time here wooing his new lover,” she said bitterly. “But my betrothed prefers Neopolis.”

  “Does he know my heir, Drusus?”

  “Yes, they’re well-acquainted.” Gaia circled the rim of her glass with her fingertip. A slight smile turned her lips. “Drusus prides himself on knowing everyone of importance in Neopolis. Of course, he only considers the men important. The way he treated Octavia was disgraceful.”

  “I’ve always thought so,” Adiona agreed. She finished her juice.

  Gaia smiled at the empty glass Adiona set on the table. “I’d like to tell you a story. It’s important. I hope you’ll indulge me.”

  Perplexed by her heightened sense of danger, Adiona decided to listen before making an excuse to send the woman on her way as soon as possible. “All right.”

  “Six months ago, my husband and I moved to Neopolis. He was a business acquaintance of your heir, so naturally he attended a party Drusus invited him to. I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed home. As it turned out, my husband met the woman who was to become his mistress. She lives here in Rome, but happened to be visiting Octavia at the time.

  “When I learned of the affair, I befriended Octavia and told her I was a widow. I planned to learn all I could in order to rid my husband of his latest…interest.”

  Adiona continued to listen in rapt silence. Gaia took another drink of water. “I decided to do myself and the city a favor by doing away with such an unscrupulous she-dog.”

  “Why punish the woman and not your husband? He’s the one who owed you loyalty.”

  “Yes, I had plans for him, as well. Not what he de served because I preferred to put an end to both of them, but I’m no longer the beauty I once was and my husband squandered most of my fortune, leaving me unable to attract a new spouse with my money or buy the protection an unmarried woman needs to survive.

  “When Octavia became ill all those weeks ago, it occurr
ed to me that if she were gone I’d have the perfect solution to all my problems.”

  The hairs on the back of Adiona’s neck stood to attention. Her heart began to pound rapidly and her gums tingled. “You evil cow! What did you do?”

  “With the help of some hemlock I aided her journey to Elysium, but not before I hired thugs to dispatch my husband’s mistress.”

  “Felix!” Adiona shouted, jumping to her feet. “Felix!”

  “Don’t excite yourself. Your steward can’t hear you. My men have trussed him up in the kitchen with the rest of your household slaves. They’re waiting by the doors if you think to run.” She studied her fingernails. “Besides, I’m not finished with my story.”

  Deciding it was better to listen to the lunatic while she considered her options, Adiona sank back into her seat. The coal pot scraped the tiles beneath the table. She’d been enthralled enough by Gaia’s story not to feel the hot pot when she bumped it.

  “That’s better.” Gaia smiled. “Once Octavia was gone, I thought all was going according to my plans. Octavia was no longer an impediment between Drusus and me. He proved easy enough to seduce. You were supposed to have died in the street, providing Drusus with his inheritance. Salonius was my last concern. I was debating whether to divorce him or have him dispatched like he deserved.”

  “Salonius?” Adiona began to tremble. She ran her tongue over her teeth and gums. Numbness was creeping over her. “I never had anything to do with Salonius.”

  “Don’t! Everyone from Rome to Neopolis knew of your affair.”

  “Because your husband propagated the lie. I rejected his interest and advances more times than I can count. I told him to go back to his wife—to you!”

  “I don’t believe you. With his charm and hand someness, Salonius could have had any woman he wanted. I knew he married me for my money, but until you, he’d never attempted to leave me.”

  “You’re insane.”

  “No,” she said, her voice flat. “I’ve been used, robbed and scorned. I won’t be abused any longer.”

  “I never wanted your husband. I’m in love with someone else!”