It was for the best that she was expecting Lucius’ child, she decided. That was part of her job now. Slyly, she slipped a hand to her belly. A thrill of excitement – of joy – touched her. It still didn’t feel real that she could have a baby growing within her. I will carry this child to term. For all that it is Lucius’, it will be mine too. And I will love it and cherish it, boy or girl. That will be my task in life. The decision pleased her. This was an area that lay, as so much else did not, within her control.
‘You look happy, mistress,’ said Elira.
Startled, she masked her expression. ‘Do I?’
The Illyrian regarded her through the mirror. ‘Yes. I thought I saw the hint of a smile, and the gods know that you don’t do that often.’
Aurelia scrambled for a plausible lie. ‘I like you brushing my hair. It looks good.’
‘You don’t normally smile when I do it.’
‘Well, today I am enjoying it,’ Aurelia declared in a tone that brooked no argument.
Elira’s eyebrows arched, but she said nothing.
Aurelia considered telling the Illyrian now, but immediately decided against it. They were in too public a place: just outside the marital bedroom, which gave on to the main courtyard. To have any chance of beautifying herself well – something she had taken to doing since her marriage – Aurelia needed daylight, hence her current position, on a stool. She had grown used to the slaves’ stares and, in time, they to her ritual. The majority now didn’t give her a second glance as they moved to and fro, performing their daily duties, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t eavesdrop on her conversation. It could wait until later, when she took her usual walk with Elira to the nearby river.
Deep in thought, she paid no heed to Statilius, the thin major domo, as he minced around the walkway from the tablinum. It was only when he gave a polite cough that she looked up. ‘Yes?’
‘Mistress. Your lady mother is here,’ he announced.
Aurelia blinked. ‘My mother?’ she repeated foolishly.
‘That’s right, mistress,’ he said, full of self-importance. ‘She has come on a visit. I’ve already sent a slave to find the master and let him know.’ He eyed the tablinum doors, which were open. ‘I offered her refreshment, a room to change, but she refused both.’
Still trying to take it in, Aurelia rose, gesturing Elira to stop. Atia swept into view a moment later. A body slave scurried behind her.
‘Mother.’ Although things had been awkward between them when last they met, Aurelia felt a rush of warmth towards Atia. She fought her urge to run. That was what a child would do. She walked instead. ‘What a surprise! What a pleasure!’
Atia’s lips turned upwards in reflex, but her eyes remained cold as they kissed. ‘Daughter.’
Aurelia’s stomach lurched. Something was wrong. ‘Have you had word about Father, or Quintus? Are they all right?’
‘I assume so. There have been no letters since I last wrote to you.’ Atia pulled her dark green woollen cloak closer around her shoulders. ‘It’s so cold out here. How can you bear to sit in just a dress?’
‘There’s better light,’ Aurelia explained, her mind racing. Why then was her mother here? ‘Come. One of the reception rooms has underfloor heating and a fire.’ To Elira, she said, ‘Fetch some warmed wine.’ To Statilius: ‘See that a suitable lunch is prepared.’
The reception chamber was a well-decorated room used to entertain guests. Everything about it oozed wealth. The plaster on each wall had been painted red; over this background, exotic scenes portrayed images from myths: Aeneas meeting Dido for the first time; Orpheus looking back at Eurydice at the gates of the underworld; Romulus and Remus sucking the wolf. There were hardwood dressers, comfortable couches and a mahogany table with an ornately carved top. A silver candelabrum hung from the ceiling. Aurelia saw none of it. As soon as they were within, she closed the door. Her mother’s face was still cold, unnerving her. ‘You are always welcome, Mother, but your visit comes as a complete surprise. Why did you not send word before you?’
‘There was no time.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘How could you, living out here, far from the city? It’s Phanes.’
There was a rush of blood to Aurelia’s head. Lightheaded, she put out a hand to the wall to steady herself.
‘Are you well, child?’ Atia was by her side, her tone at last that of a mother.
‘Y-yes. I’m fine. You mentioned Phanes.’
‘I haven’t mentioned the piece of filth in my letters because there was no point. Somehow, I was managing to keep up with the payments. There was no contact with him, which suited me.’ Atia took a deep breath. She looked older and more vulnerable than Aurelia had ever seen her.
She touched her mother’s arm. ‘Please go on.’
‘I was in Capua last week, buying supplies. As usual, I was staying with Martialis. Phanes must have eyes everywhere, because he appeared at the house the day after I arrived. He told the most outlandish story about being attacked in a temple in the town.’ Aurelia’s mouth opened, but a frosty look from her mother silenced her. ‘While he was worshipping, someone slipped in behind him with a knife. It was no robbery. They told him he had to forget all about our debts.’
‘Just our debts? No one else’s?’
‘He mentioned only our family.’
Confusion filled Aurelia. ‘Who was it that attacked him?’
‘I thought you might have the answer to that.’
Hanno? thought Aurelia. No, it couldn’t be. ‘Agesandros?’
‘No. He’s on the estate. Every slave in the place can vouch for him.’
‘Gaius?’
‘He would never do such a thing! Besides, he’s away with the army. Phanes said it was a slave. There was a struggle. He managed to break free and rip a scarf from around the man’s throat before the wretch fled. There was an “F” branded into his flesh. I know of only one slave who would potentially do such a thing. As far as I can recall, however, Hanno didn’t have a mark like that.’ Atia’s eyes searched Aurelia’s. Somehow, she kept her face impassive.
‘No, he didn’t. Anyway, how could it have been him?’ Aurelia exulted even as pain stabbed into her heart. He must have come back to try and find me! So that was how he came by such a terrible scar. Why didn’t he tell me what had happened to him?
‘I don’t know, child. Hannibal’s army wasn’t so far away at the time,’ snapped Atia. ‘Besides, what other slave would assault Phanes on our behalf?’
‘I have no idea.’ It had to be Hanno, thought Aurelia. There was no one else it could have been. Her heart leaped with joy, and a crazy notion of travelling to Capua to find him filled her head. Her mother’s unhappy expression soon made her delight dissipate, however. ‘What else did Phanes say?’
‘That he would not be threatened in such a way. He laughed and told me that his bodyguards were more than capable of dealing with one rogue slave. Then he doubled the repayments with immediate effect. When I protested, he waved the loan agreement in my face. Because we have missed so many monthly instalments, he can charge what he likes, when he likes.’
‘You couldn’t pay that much!’ cried Aurelia in horror.
‘I had three days to raise the money,’ said Atia heavily. ‘In the end, the only thing I could do was to sell part of the farm.’
‘No!’
‘I had no choice, child. It was that, or Phanes would have gone to the court to have the whole property seized. As it is, I won’t be able to meet the next payment without selling another parcel of land. I’ve written to your father, but I doubt that there is anything he can do to help. Martialis can’t either. He has almost beggared himself already lending us money.’
A chasm of despair opened at Aurelia’s feet. What did you do, Hanno? she shouted inside her head. Instead of making things better, you’ve made them far worse. ‘What are you going to do?’
A helpless shrug. ‘Sell off pieces of the farm a bit at a time. Try t
o get the best prices I can, although few men are buying at the moment. Perhaps I can hold on to some land until such time as your father can pay Phanes off.’
‘There must be something we can do!’
‘Pray,’ said her mother. ‘Pray that a lightning bolt strikes down that motherless cur before we’re ruined. He’d suck the last drop of blood from a corpse, I’d swear it.’
‘I can speak to Lucius,’ said Aurelia on impulse.
‘I won’t hear of it. It’s shameful enough that the family will be ruined. Asking for help is beneath us.’
‘Surely it’s better than losing the farm?’
‘No, it is not. Your father will win enough glory in the war to renew our fortunes.’
‘How do you know that? What if he’s killed? Then where would you be?’ Aurelia expected her mother to slap her, but it was Atia who looked as if she’d been struck. It made her realise how fragile was the façade that her mother presented to the world, and how easy it was for her, with a husband who was not away at war. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘No, you shouldn’t.’ Atia’s voice shook. ‘The gods will protect Fabricius, as they did before. Quintus too. That is what I believe.’
‘And I also,’ said Aurelia in as confident a tone as she could manage. Praying was her only method of helping her father and brother, but there was something tangible she could do about Phanes. The seed of a daring plan had germinated in her mind. Her mother couldn’t stop her from asking Lucius to help. The timing couldn’t be better either. He would be delighted when she told him about her pregnancy. Pleased enough perhaps to bring pressure to bear upon the moneylender? Aurelia wasn’t sure, but she had to do something to defend her family. What a pity it was that Hanno hadn’t just killed Phanes, she thought savagely. Yet to have done so might have placed him in mortal danger. Despite the repercussions of his actions, she was intensely glad that that hadn’t happened. Let his gods keep him safe too, she pleaded.
Elira arrived with the wine. Once it was poured, Aurelia was quick to dismiss her. Who better to tell first about her pregnancy than her mother? It would lift Atia’s mood too. ‘I’ve got some news for you as well,’ she said, suddenly feeling shy. ‘Good news, for a change.’
‘You’re with child!’ said Atia, quick as a flash.
‘How did you know?’ gasped Aurelia.
‘A mother’s intuition.’ At last, a warm smile. ‘How many months are you gone?’
‘Two, I think.’
‘Very early days, then. You mustn’t be complacent about it. A lot can happen in the first three to four months. It’s common to lose the baby.’ Aurelia’s face fell, and her mother took her hand. ‘We shall ask all the gods and goddesses to make sure that that doesn’t happen! It’s still wonderful news, my child. Does Lucius know?’
‘Not yet.’
‘When are you going to tell him?’
‘Soon. For now, I want it to be our secret,’ said Aurelia with a wink. She would wait until her mother had left before speaking with her husband. In fact, she would delay it until he had bedded her before doing so. Perhaps Elira could give her some advice on pleasing him? Her cheeks warmed at the immodest thought, but her resolve did not weaken. She would do everything within her power to aid her family. Aurelia didn’t know the exact details, but she had heard Quintus and Gaius talking and laughing with one another on enough occasions to know that bearing children wasn’t the only way to please Lucius. She just hoped that her newfound eagerness didn’t arouse his suspicions.
Aurelia’s opportunity came less than a week later. Atia had departed after just a few days, citing her need to return to the estate. Their relationship had improved in the short time together and they had taken an emotional farewell of each other. The day after, Lucius returned from a successful trip to Neapolis. He arrived with a rare gift for Aurelia, a gold necklace decorated with tiny rubies. She was delighted with it, especially as it gave her the pretext of seducing him by way of thanks. Lucius’ good humour was increased by the warmth of Aurelia’s welcome, the lavish dinner that was served that evening and the keen manner with which she drew him to bed afterwards. Once there, Aurelia was glad of the courage granted her by the sly cup of wine she’d consumed before leaving the dining room. When Lucius tried to roll on top of her as usual, she swiftly moved away, pushing him on to his back. Before he could do or say much, she had begun kissing his chest and belly, using her fingers to roam all over his hips and thighs. His surprise was clear as she let her mouth roam down to his groin, where it had never been before, but he did nothing to stop her. The little gasps that left his lips in the moments that followed, and the pressure of his fingers on her head, told Aurelia that Elira’s advice had been accurate.
Afterwards, he took her in his arms, which was rare in itself. Aurelia nestled against him, delighted by his evident pleasure. Deliberately, she said nothing.
‘That was quite a welcome,’ he murmured.
‘I’ve missed you.’
‘Clearly.’ His voice was wry.
A silence fell, more comfortable than any between them before. Lucius gently stroked her hair, another new development. Aurelia wondered if it was time to tell him about her pregnancy, but emboldened by her success, decided to follow more of Elira’s counsel. A little while later, her hand casually strayed downwards again. A few strokes and she felt him stiffen.
‘Gods, but you are eager tonight!’
Panic bubbled up inside Aurelia but she did not let her fingers stop. ‘I have missed you. That is allowed, isn’t it? And I love my new necklace. Besides, you are more than rising to the occasion, husband.’
He laughed and lay back, closing his eyes. It was just the opportunity Aurelia wanted. If he’d been looking at her, it would have been much harder to climb on top of him and ease his rigid length inside her. The moment she did, however, his eyes jerked open. ‘What are you doing?’
Rather than answer, Aurelia moved her hips to and fro, as Elira had told her. To her surprise, it felt very good – better than anything they had ever done before. Her enjoyment was enhanced by the way that his face kept morphing into Hanno’s. She felt a momentary guilt, but it was too pleasurable to banish the image.
‘Aurelia?’
‘Only trying to give you pleasure,’ she whispered. ‘Shall I stop?’
A faint groan; a muttered word that might have been ‘No’. Gaining confidence, Aurelia found her rhythm, rocked backwards and forwards as he writhed in ecstasy beneath her. When his hands reached out to grasp her buttocks, she let him guide the speed at which they moved.
It wasn’t long before Lucius climaxed. He made more noise than ever before. Aurelia felt a deep satisfaction as she rolled off him, not least because if their coupling had been that enjoyable, it could only be better with Hanno.
‘Where did you learn to do that?’ he asked, intruding on her fantasy.
‘My mother gave me some advice,’ lied Aurelia, knowing that he would never dare mention it to Atia.
A sleepy smile. ‘I’m in her debt.’
‘And I in yours.’
His eyebrows rose. ‘Why’s that?’
Moving to lie her chin on his chest, she gazed into his eyes. ‘You are to be a father.’
A confused look; then a surprised one. Last of all, an expression of unadulterated joy. ‘You’re pregnant?’
She nodded, smiling with satisfaction. ‘Only two months so far, but I thought you’d want to know.’
‘Ceres and Tellus be praised – that’s wonderful news!’
She chuckled as he touched her belly. ‘There’s nothing to feel yet.’
‘How can you be sure then?’
‘I’ve missed two cycles. Besides, a woman knows these things.’
‘You told your mother when she was here?’
‘Of course. But you’re the only other person who knows.’
He squeezed her to him, before self-consciously loosening his grip.
She pulled his arm back around her. ‘You won’t cause me any harm!’
He gave a sheepish grin, which made him look very young. ‘Let’s not say a word until you begin to show. It can be our secret.’ And then he was off, waxing lyrical about how proud his father would be, his favourite boys’ names, the games he would teach their son.
Aurelia joined in from time to time, agreeing with everything Lucius said. She offered up a silent prayer that the child was indeed male. The second baby could be a girl, but the first, for a multitude of reasons, had to be a boy. When he was done, she kissed him on the lips. ‘You’ll make a fine father.’
‘And you will give me a strong son!’
The iron was hot, thought Aurelia. It was time to strike. ‘It is such a shame that my mother wasn’t able to enjoy the wondrous news.’
‘I don’t understand. Her visit went well, did it not?’
‘Yes, it did.’ She let her voice tail away.
‘What then was the reason? Is she ill? Has there been bad news of your father or brother?’
‘No, it was nothing like that.’
‘Tell me.’ His voice was commanding but gentle.
Fortuna help me, pleaded Aurelia. ‘It’s nothing that concerns you. Just a family problem.’ She kept her gaze averted from his. A blaze of hope warmed her insides as he took her chin and tilted her face upwards.
‘You can tell me.’
Out it all came, told in suitably sorrowful tones. How her father had borrowed from Phanes after a few years of disastrous crops. He had kept up with his payments until going off to war. The subsequent pressure her mother had been under. Phanes’ threats; his increase of the interest rates; how Martialis had helped as best he could. She didn’t mention the attack on the moneylender – bringing Hanno into the equation was not something she wished to do – merely relating that of recent days Phanes had raised the monthly amounts so high that her mother had had to sell part of their farm. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, putting a tremble into her voice. ‘I shouldn’t have told you. Mother and Father would be so angry with me if they knew.’