‘I know what Publius is like.’
‘Oh, look.’ Sulpicia clapped her hands together. ‘I had heard rumours of the Sea Wolf’s fabulous art collection. Is that an original Greek Pan or a copy?’
‘It is an original, I believe.’ Lydia allowed the conversation to drift away from the knife, but she could not help feeling that Sulpicia knew something, something she wanted to keep from Lydia. ‘Perhaps you are in need of refreshment. The day is quite warm for this time of year.’
‘You always know what is wrong with me!’ Sulpicia gave a tinkling little laugh. ‘My feet ache dreadfully. And I miss Publius. The house isn’t the same without you. You do remember you promised to come to me when my time came.’
‘I do remember and I will.’ Lydia reached over and touched Sulpicia’s hand.
Sulpicia’s fingers reached out and curled around hers in a tight grip. ‘Thank you.’
She signalled to a servant and within a very short space of time, he had returned with a tray with cooled mint tea and sweet wine cakes. Korina gave a faint whine and Lydia slipped a cake to her.
After taking a few sips of the tea, Sulpicia appeared to recover. She started to stalk about the room, examining the décor and making one or two remarks about the frescoes. Her eyes narrowed and she pointed to a particularly nice piece of Greek sculpture. ‘Is that an original too?’
‘I believe so.’ Lydia took a small sip of the mint tea, determined not to show her annoyance.
‘It is quite an expensive piece, but then I suppose the Sea Wolf must stuff his house with those bits and pieces he picks up on his travels. Gods knows how he gets them.’ Sulpicia dropped her voice. ‘I heard tell that—’
‘Aro is well known for his eye in art. A noted collector, a senator said the other day.’ Lydia spoke, cutting across the story. Sulpicia’s continue reference to Aro as the Sea Wolf annoyed her. She longed to show Sulpicia the good Aro had done on the Aventine. ‘He has a vast and varied collection. I can show it to you.’
‘Some other time.’ Sulpicia sat down and carefully arranged the folds of her gown. ‘We have more important things to discuss.’
‘Such as?’
Sulpicia signalled to one of her servants, who produced a stylus and a scroll. She leant forward with an eager expression on her face. ‘You haven’t answered my tablets. Not a single one. How can you be so cruel? I sent you six this morning.’
‘I answered the one about Father and his eating habits.’ Lydia set down her cup of mint tea and looked at Sulpicia in disbelief. She had so wanted to see Sulpicia as a reminder of home, but Sulpicia had not even bothered to ask her how she was. Perhaps Aro was correct. Sulpicia needed to take responsibility for her own life. Lydia dismissed the thought as disloyal. Sulpicia had a hard time. All she needed was a helping hand. However, Lydia knew she could not manage two houses at the same time.
‘Cornelius is in such a bad temper these days, Lydia. When everything I try to do goes wrong he shouts at me. It makes my head pain so to remember everything.’
‘It is not difficult. And Father does like his dinners on time.’
‘Do not let us quarrel.’ Sulpicia gathered Lydia’s hands and pressed them to her cheek. ‘You are Publius’s sister and my dear friend. It is why I feel lost without you in the house. I can do some things like spin, but I don’t have the same knack of managing that you do. Just help me a little. I will try to do better. Honest, I will.’
They talked for a while about the routines of the servants and which merchants to use. Lydia began to despair that Sulpicia would ever get any routine correct. She hated to think what her father would say if the supplies ran low or, worse, out. Then she reminded herself that it was no longer her responsibility. She tried her best to answer all the questions without showing how upset it made her.
‘The liquamen problem is solved,’ Sulpicia announced, a little smile playing on her face. She stretched and waggled her purple-and-gold slippers back and forth. ‘That was something I could do.’
‘There is plenty of fish sauce,’ Lydia answered, mentally going through the store cupboard. Honey and olive oil were in ample supply and the dried herbs should last. She could see the amphora of fish sauce as if it were standing before her. ‘An amphora was delivered two days before last Kalends.’
‘Not that liquamen, my darling sister.’ Sulpicia gave her tinkling laugh, the one she gave when she was particularly pleased about something she had achieved over someone else. ‘The fish sauce you sent to Corinth. The one destined for Publius and the one you promised to sort out the day you became betrothed. I wanted to tell you that there was no need to worry because it is all fixed.’
Lydia thought how strange the Fates were. A few days earlier and she would never have been in her father’s study, would never have met Aro. ‘Has the fish sauce arrived in Corinth?’
‘The problem with the shipment is solved. Honestly, I wonder why people treat me as if I cannot do anything. I found out my answer very quickly, when you failed.’
‘As long as it is settled, then.’
Sulpicia gave a mysterious smile and turned the subject towards who was divorcing whom, and who had been the cause of the latest scandal sweeping the Forum. Lydia struggled to keep her face interested. She would have rather talked about the latest play, the races or even the next gladiatorial bout, but Sulpicia was intent on relaying all the gossip.
‘Now, do say you will come to the baths with me,’ Sulpicia cried when Lydia tried to move the subject on to the games planned for the Festival of the Shepherds in a month’s time. ‘You can learn all you need to know there. Besides, everyone wants to know about the Sea Wolf. Tell me, is he as horrid as you feared? You can trust me.’
Lydia toyed with her cup. Here was her chance to explain to Sulpicia that she was wrong about Aro and tell her about all the good he had done in the Aventine. It would probably not change Sulpicia’s view of Aro, but it would make Lydia feel better. ‘You must not believe all the tales you hear, Sulpicia.’
‘There is always a truth in rumour.’
A faint noise caused Korina to lift her head from where she was lying at Lydia’s feet. Lydia put her hand on Korina’s collar and glanced up. Aro stood in the doorway, his tunic immaculate but barely containing his chest and an unreadable expression on his face. Lydia swallowed. How long had he been there? How much had he heard?
He gave her a slight nod, and then he moved away down the corridor, his sandals striking the stone floor with firm unyielding steps. Sulpicia looked at her with an expectant air.
‘And?’ She leant forward. ‘You must have something to say, Lydia.’
‘I am sorry, Sulpicia, but I have other things to do.’ Lydia stood up and walked to the window and pushed aside the shutter. The sun shone down on the garden. A servant raked the gravel. Even if she wanted to tell Sulpicia about Aro, where would she begin?
‘I understand all. Your actions speak all too loudly, my sweet sister. The Sea Wolf has returned to his lair and now you wish to be rid of me.’ Sulpicia’s tone became more arched. ‘If you would be so good as to call my litter, I will take my leave. I have promised Prosca and Marciana I would meet them at the baths for the fifth hour. You are welcome to come with me.’
Lydia stood up and adjusted the folds in her gown. Prosca and Marciana were two of the most notorious gossips in Rome. She had had very little time for them before she married, and she saw no reason to start now. She had so wanted a visit from Sulpicia and now she could not wait until her sister-in-law left. ‘There are things I have to do…this house does not run itself.’
‘As you wish…’ Sulpicia’s lips turned up into a thin smile.
Lydia rapidly made her farewells and then went in search of Aro. She discovered him in the garden, sitting on a bench surrounded by fragrant bushes of lavender, rosemary and thyme. His dark head was bent and Lydia could see the line of his neck, straight and firm.
The stylus scratched against a tablet. He glanced up when she ap
peared and pointedly laid the tablet aside.
Lydia put a hand on Korina’s collar, holding her back. He had overheard, and beyond doubt it had sounded worse than it was. What could have possessed Sulpicia to make those remarks? And the Fates would have Aro appear at the same time. She had to do something.
He indicated a seat beside him and Lydia sat down. She kept her gown carefully away from the long line of his leg.
‘Sulpicia has left,’ she said in a faltering voice. The apology was harder than she had hoped. From the set of his body and the line of his mouth, he was not going to make it any easier. She pressed her fingertips together and made another effort to explain. ‘She came to visit. She wanted to know more about running my father’s house.’
‘Was that who was here?’ he lifted an eyebrow, and picked up another scroll. ‘I heard voices and knew you had company. I had no wish to disturb you. I hope she did not leave on my account.’
‘You should have come in. Shared a cup of mint tea or muslum wine with us. Sulpicia is quite a pleasant person when you get to know her. She is not as empty-headed as she might first appear.’
‘I had no wish to disturb you as you appeared to be engrossed in conversation.’ He tilted his head and his eyes assessed her as if trying to decide something. ‘Your friends may visit here, Lydia. I am not a demon, intent on cutting you off from your former life.’
‘I never thought you intended that.’
‘It is my mistake, then.’ He inclined his head briefly.
‘Yes, it is,’ Lydia said quietly.
He made no reply, but started to work on his scroll again, giving every indication that she had been dismissed.
Lydia knew she should rise and leave, go back to her scrolls; instead she concentrated on the lavender plant. Its purple spires were just beginning to break into bloom. Soon they would have to be collected and dried. They would serve to keep the sheets and blankets smelling sweet throughout the year. But if she collected them too early, the smell would not be as strong.
After a while he glanced up and ran a hand through his hair.
‘I have made enquiries,’ he said in a tone that would allow for no dissent. ‘Rufus’s eldest granddaughter will act as your tire-woman. She is young, but eager and willing to be trained. She desires to make her own way in the world. I trust it will meet with your approval.’
‘When does she start?’ Lydia struggled to keep her voice steady. She was pleased to be getting a tire-woman, but she had wanted some say in the matter.
Aro clapped his hands and a servant appeared. He held up one finger. The servant bowed and disappeared back into the house.
‘Tuccia arrived this morning,’ Aro said. ‘She’s been waiting in the kitchen to be introduced to you.’
‘I would have liked to have been consulted.’ Lydia met his gaze with a direct gaze of her own. It was churlish of her to refuse this girl’s services. She did need a tire-woman, but for it to be presented as if she had no say in the matter annoyed her. What if she disliked her or the ways she dressed hair?
‘What was there to consult about? You need a tire-woman and I have found you one.’ Aro crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back slightly on the bench. ‘If you don’t like her, you may send her away.’
The slight dark-haired girl appeared. Instantly when she saw Lydia, she darted forward, grabbed her hand and kissed it. Lydia gently withdrew her hand. The girl was clean and her hair neatly dressed. She looked to be the sort of girl Lydia would have chosen for her own tire-woman. She wanted to dislike her, find a fault, but she couldn’t. ‘Hello, Tuccia. Do you think you would like working here?’ she asked the young girl.
‘My grandmother says if you are Aro’s wife, I will be in good hands.’ The girl clasped her hands under her chin and looked up at Lydia with large brown eyes. ‘You will find me a quick learner. I am stronger than I look. I used to do my grandmother’s hair and my mother taught me a bit about what a fine lady expects. Some day I hope to run my own hairdressing booth.’
Exactly what game was Aro playing here? A small flush of pleasure swept through Lydia at the thought of her own tire-woman, one she would not have to share. But she couldn’t rid herself of the thought that Aro wanted someone he trusted as her tire-woman, someone who would be loyal to him.
‘And your verdict is?’ Aro asked, his face inscrutable. ‘Will Tuccia suit?’
Tuccia turned towards her, unable to conceal the pleading expression. The young woman wore a tidy but thin tunic, and her arms looked slender.
Lydia swallowed hard. She could hardly accuse him of seeking to spy on her, here in front of the girl. And he was right, she did need someone to help her with her clothes and hair. She had to trust him. It surprised her that she wanted to trust him.
‘I am sure Tuccia will prove adequate. My needs are simple.’
‘Splendid.’ Aro put his hands behind his head, and his tunic tightened across his chest. He stretched his legs out, revealing their full muscular length. Lydia made sure her eyes were fixed on a spot somewhere behind him, but she couldn’t resist taking another glance at the firm strength of his thighs.
‘Is that all you wanted from me?’
‘For now.’ Aro’s smile increased as if he knew how hard she found it to keep her attention away from the way his chest rose and fell against his tunic.
Lydia cursed under her breath. This wager was supposed to be easy. She shouldn’t be thinking about the shape of his legs or any other part of him.
He lifted an eyebrow and then picked up his discarded stylus and scroll. He gave a nod towards where Tuccia stood. ‘I suspect you will want to take your new tire-woman off to get better acquainted. No doubt you will have much to talk about and discuss. And, Tuccia, tell her to wear red. The colour suits her.’
‘What are you going to do?’ Lydia stared at her sandals, determined not to let the flush of pleasure she felt show.
‘Laze here in the sun, unless you can suggest something better?’ He gave her a hooded look and his voice dropped to a husky note.
‘I wondered, that was all.’ Lydia raised her chin a notch and stared directly into his gold-flecked eyes. ‘Tuccia, if you will follow me, I will show you how I like my things kept.’
The girl nodded.
Lydia spent some time explaining how she wanted her clothes kept and cared for, and was pleased to find that Tuccia appeared to be well versed in the matter. She also confessed to a liking for spinning, a task Lydia was more than willing to relinquish to her.
‘How long have your family served Fabius Aro?’
‘Before Fabius Aro’s father freed him, my grandfather was a slave. We are proud to work for the Lupan House. My father was one of Fabius Aro’s captains, until his death.’
‘Then why are you working?’
‘There is little money in the house.’ Tuccia gave a small shrug. ‘Now with his injuries, my grandfather won’t be able to work. We don’t take handouts, we work. Grandfather didn’t want me coming here. He hates everything to do with the Veratii. He considers them dishonest. My grandmother was most disappointed, but Fabius Aro came to the apartment and asked for me especially.’
Lydia frowned. She wanted to question Tuccia about her grandfather, but the news that Aro had gone to the grandfather’s apartment surprised her. ‘He asked for you?’
‘Yes, can you believe it? Quintus Fabius Aro, the Sea Wolf himself, actually climbed all the way up to our apartment and told my grandfather that no other girl would do for his wife’s tire-woman.’
‘Did he say why?’
‘He said that I was the right sort of girl to do this job and asked Grandfather out of respect for their long friendship to allow me to come to serve you.’ Tuccia’s cheeks glowed with pride and her chest puffed out.
‘And what did your grandfather say?’
‘He wasn’t happy. Your family…that is, your old family caused no end of trouble for Fabius Aro’s father, and Grandfather has never trusted the Veratii since. Said y
ou were more trouble than you were worth. But Fabius Aro was having none of it. He argued with Grandfather, Grandmother joined in, and finally Grandfather gave in. I knew he would. Grandfather trusts Fabius Aro.’
Lydia listened somewhat uncomfortably to this little recital. She had had no idea that the Veratii had any part in Aro’s family’s proscription. A cold shiver ran down her back. He could have exposed them when he discovered she had sold the wine, but he hadn’t.
‘What about your mother? Did she object? Aren’t you a bit young?’
‘I turned twelve in January.’ Tuccia stood up straighter. ‘My mother married another man last Quincillus and my grandfather looks after me and my two brothers.’
Lydia nodded. That was how it should be. Children stayed with the father’s family in cases of remarriage or divorce. She didn’t want to think about what might happen should she have children. How could she ever consider leaving her children? An ice-cold shiver ran down Lydia’s back. She might even be pregnant now. Not an unwelcome thought, she discovered.
‘Are your brothers too young to work?’ she asked quickly as Tuccia gave her a searching look.
‘My brothers have found jobs at the docks, taking messages. But I want something more from my life than marrying a workman. Some day I want women to come to my house and have their hair done, their faces painted.’
Tuccia started to redo Lydia’s hair, brushing it smooth and then twisting it up in a simple but effective knot.
‘Has your family been with the Fabii for a long time?’ Lydia asked as she watched Tuccia in the bronze mirror. ‘Was your grandfather with them when the family were proscribed and exiled?’
‘Yes, my lady. He refused to leave even though most of the other servants were sold. He and my grandmother accompanied them to Hispania.’
‘Was there a reason for the proscription?’
‘None whatsoever!’ Tuccia declared hotly. ‘The Fabii were always loyal to Rome. Aulus Veratius Neptus betrayed them to save his own skin.’
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