Rosemary Rowe: A Pattern of Blood

But Marcus wasn’t listening. He was looking at Julia. She was walking very upright, and there were two high spots of colour on her cheeks. She looked defiant and her head was held high. ‘Julia will bring him doom,’ I said, slowly. ‘You may find your prisoner never lives to see trial.’

Marcus was gazing at Julia with all the interest of a man who sees a dowry dangled before him by a lovely vadua . ‘I’m sure you are right, old friend,’ he said vaguely. ‘You always are. I should listen to you more often. And accept that contract, by all means. I should be pleased to stay in Corinium awhile.’ He smiled, and sidled away to join her.

I sighed. I had learned over the years to deal with Marcus. Now, it seemed I might have to learn to deal with Julia too. I looked at her, still composed, smiling at every guest present as if he were the only man in the world. I only hoped that Marcus would learn to deal with her himself. At least, I thought, in future he would be more understanding about my search for Gwellia.

I looked around the room. Marcus was talking to Julia, Lupus to Maximilian. In the far corner, by the Vestal altar, Mutuus was deep in conversation with Flavius. Another wealthy man in need of a good secretary, I thought. Mutuus would not be unemployed for long. And Flavius, also, had no sons.

Ah, well. I fingered the remaining coins in my pocket. Tomorrow I would go into the town with Junio. The toga could wait. Tomorrow I would take him to the baths, not as a slave, but as a customer. It would be a treat for him, and one that I could afford. After all, he had saved my life today.

I went out into the courtyard to tell him the good news. As I walked into the colonnade in the darkness, a figure darted into the grotto. Quickly, but not quickly enough. I knew who it was. It was the bald-headed slave. And there was Junio, leaning against a pillar, whistling as if he had never seen a slave girl in his life.

I was getting old. I left them to it, and taking my candle, I waved aside my slave. I slipped into the bedroom, took off my own toga and went to bed.