The Roman's Revenge

by Caroline Storer

  “I think he has come for you,” Portia whispered, “If his demeanour is anything to go by.”

  Livia felt a burning heat suffuse her body, as embarrassment surged through her when she met Metellus’s bold gaze. His gaze was trained on her, and her alone, as if they were the only two people here in the massive Senate building. After what could have been seconds, or minutes, Livia finally broke eye contact, and looked back to the Senator who was still talking, trying to concentrate on what was being said.

  It was over an hour later when the service finally came to an end, and Livia stood up, desperate to take her leave. She had only managed to take a few steps when a hand snaked its way around the slimness of her wrist halting her progress.

  “Do you have no shame? Bringing him here.”

  Livia's face flushed with anger, as she met Flavius’s angry gaze. Lifting her head with quiet dignity, she shook off his hand, and said with all the haughtiness she could muster, “I did not know he was coming.”

  “I can vouch for Livia,” Portia said. “He was not at the villa this morning when I called for your sister.”

  Flavius’s jaw clenched as he glared at both women. He grunted, the sound one of disbelief, before he stalked off.

  “Livia.”

  The one word, spoken directly behind her, made both women spin round to face Metellus. Again he was staring at her intently, and Livia blushed.

  “I have come to escort you home, Livia.” Metellus said by way of an explanation for his presence here. “Our villa is finally habitable. We can retire there after you leave here.”

  Livia’s stomach dropped, and she felt the colour drain from her face.

  “I'm sure you are as keen to have your own home as I am, Livia. Living with one's relatives is not to be recommended for a newly married couple,” he hesitated for a moment, his gaze going to someone who stood behind Livia, a twinkle lightening up his grey eyes, “Do you not agree Senator Amanius?”

  Livia closed her eyes in mortification, and had to bite back the urge to groan. Turning she saw that the elderly Senator was standing behind her. The Fates must surely be laughing at her, could the day get any worse?

  Senator Amanius laughed heartily, “I fear you are embarrassing your lovely wife, Metellus. But yes. Young couples such as yourselves, need their own place, and their privacy.”

  She saw Metellus smile, and for a few moments the two men engaged in banal conversation. She remembered seeing the older man at Verenus’s gathering the evening she had returned to Rome, and it was obvious he and Metellus were well acquainted. Once he had finished talking, Senator Amanius turned to Livia to offer his condolences, and then with a slight chuckle he walked off, leaving the three of them standing there.

  “So are you ready to leave? I thought it would be nice to walk there. The heat of the day is finally abating, it is going to be a pleasant evening.” His words were cordial, his eyes sparkling with amusement, as if he knew the inner turmoil she must be experiencing.

  “Nice” wasn't quite the word she would have chosen, but Livia realised she didn't have much choice in the matter.

  “Would you like me to come with you?”

  Livia started. She had forgotten all about poor Portia’s presence! “I…I will be fine,” she stuttered, “But thank you, Portia. You are a true friend.”

  Portia never said anything else. Shooting a dark warning glance at Metellus she took her leave, leaving them alone, and Livia couldn’t stop the tremble that went through her when Metellus took her hand and led her out of the Senate.

  For the next few days Livia was kept busy. As the mistress of the new villa – their villa – she was kept occupied with its day to day running. Initially, she had found it daunting, and yes, she made mistakes, but she’d also learned from them.

  Pride also stopped her from asking for help. Either from Metellus, or from Antonia, and she had been steadfast in her resolve to do it all by herself.

  And she’d succeeded. Now the villa ran with smooth efficiency, and she was able to devote more time to Elisha, rather than relying so much on Addie the wet nurse who had spent so much time looking after the baby.

  Livia sighed. Yes, to all intents and purposes she had an enviable lifestyle.

  A beautiful villa, the envy of many of the patricians she met at the baths, a chest full of beautiful clothes, more jewels than she had ever had in her life and a healthy child and a handsome husband who provided for Elisha, and her every needs.

  So she should be happy shouldn't she?

  But she wasn’t. And why? Because the husband whom she loved, still treated her in exactly the same way as he’d done when they stayed at Verenus’s villa.

  Like before, he was conspicuous by his absence during daylight hours. He only returned to the villa late in the evening, and beneath his polite demeanour and his brooding looks, there was an icy resolve.

  “Livia, you are well?”

  The words startled her, and she snapped out of her brooding thoughts, turning from the window she had been staring out of, to see Antonia walking towards her, a worried frown on her face.

  Livia smiled, “Yes, I am well. It is good to see you, Antonia. I haven’t seen you for a while.”

  Antonia waved a hand, “I didn't want to intrude, this is your home now. You don't want an old woman interfering in what is in effect your domain. I only came to tell you Verenus has finally arrived back in Rome last night, and is planning a feast to celebrate his return. It is to be held next week sometime. You are both invited of course.”

  Livia started, her heart racing erratically. Verenus had returned! She had been wondering when he would get back, as she had so many questions she wanted to ask him ever since she had spoken with Portia’s grandmother. Smiling, so Antonia didn’t suspect anything amiss, she replied in an even voice, “Thank you for the invite, we would be delighted to attend.” She took Antonia’s arm in hers, and led her towards the atrium, “Now come and partake of some refreshments. And before you protest, you are welcome here anytime. You could never intrude, Antonia. I value your kindness and judgement so much.”

  Antonia smiled, and as they walked she asked, “You have all you need?”

  “More than enough. Metellus is most kind.” Livia couldn't help the slight tinge of bitterness that crept into her voice, and was annoyed with herself for allowing it. After all, Antonia wasn't responsible for her son's behaviour.

  But the older woman was too astute not to pick up on Livia’s tone, and the underlying problem, and she stopped, and turned to face Livia a frown of concern on her face, “Metellus still refuses to forget this vendetta against your family I take it?”

  When Livia nodded, Antonia sighed heavily, “I had thought with your father's death, he would forget all about it. Sometimes, I feel I do not even know my own son.”

  Emotion suddenly welled up in her and she burst out, “Why do you not hold a grudge against my family, Antonia? If anyone should hate the Drusii, then it should be you.”

  Antonia took Livia’s hand in hers, “Child, please don’t distress yourself. I was angry for a long time. But anger cannot change the past. I decided to remember the good times I had with my husband and be grateful for them,” she lifted her shoulders in a helpless gesture, “Metellus could not understand, or forgive what happened I’m afraid, and for that I have borne his hatred with a heavy heart.”

  Antonia gave a bittersweet smile, “Now enough of this morose talk. Let us have some honey water, and enjoy spending some time with Elisha. I have missed both your company.”

  Later, as they lounged on cushions in the coolness of the atrium, Antonia put down her goblet and leaned forward and took Livia's hand once more, “I could not help but notice that you look ill, Livia. Are you unwell my dear?”

  Livia’s eyes widened as she met Antonia watchful gaze. “Why…why do you ask?”

  Antonia smiled slightly at her hesitant answer, “You look fatigued. Pale even.”

  Livia looked away from her all seei
ng gaze, and whispered, “I was ill this morning.”

  For a few moments a long silence fell, before Antonia asked, “Are you with child, my dear?”

  Livia blushed to the roots of her hair, but unable to lie she nodded, “Yes. I…I think so-”

  “Oh, Livia, what wonderful news!” Antonia exclaimed, “Metellus-”

  “No!” Livia interrupted, and agitated she rose from her couch and walked over to the small fountain, trailing her hands through the cool water, stalling for time, unable to face Antonia, “I…I haven't told Metellus yet.”

  “But he has a right to know,” Antonia reasoned, “He is your husband. Maybe it will be just the news to bring an end to this vendetta he seems so intent of pursuing.”

  Livia shook her head, and turned to face the older woman, “Do you think so? I…I am not so sure.”

  Antonia opened her mouth to say something else, but before she could, Livia spoke first, “I will tell him. I promise. But not just yet. I am still coming to terms with the news myself.”

  She heard Antonia chuckle, and was thankful that the tension had now eased between them.

  It was only later, after she had retired to her bedchamber that the full implication of the afternoon's conversation with Antonia impinged on her mind.

  She was pregnant. And Antonia was right. Metellus had the right to know the truth. She shouldn’t have lied to him when he’d asked the other day, but she hadn’t been ready to reveal the truth to him then. As she sat on the edge of the bed, combing her long hair, she thought about what she had to do first, before she told Metellus she was carrying their child. She owed it to herself, her unborn child, and to Elisha. And…and she also owed it to Metellus.

  Getting up from the bed, she went over to where a table and chair stood along one of the walls and sat down. Pulling a piece of papyrus paper towards her she picked up a stylus and started to write…

  CHAPTER 22

  “I've been expecting you,” Verenus said, the sarcasm evident in his voice as he waved the missive she had written to him yesterday afternoon in front of her, “I had expected to see you here sooner.”

  The words weren't quite what she had been expecting to hear, and Livia instantly went on the defensive. Saying nothing, she followed Verenus as he escorted her through his villa, before leading her into the tablinum. With a curt nod he invited her to sit in a leather curule chair, before he positioned himself behind a large marble desk.

  For a few moments a stilted silence fell between the two of them as they each took the others measure.

  “You know why I have come?” Livia finally asked, breaking the uneasy silence between them, and refusing to be intimidated by him.

  “Of course. It is obvious really. I know you have been speaking to people who were alive at the time of the conspiracy against Nero. You are a clever woman, who no doubt has put two and two together.”

  Livia sat in stunned silence, her face draining of colour as a knot of fear cramped her stomach. Verenus had been away from Rome for weeks, yet he still seemed to know everything that had been going on. She had seriously underestimated how far his tentacles reached here in Rome. But she refused to succumb to his domineering ways, and in a fit of defiance she raised her chin, showing him she was unafraid of him, “So you have been spying on me have you, Verenus?”

  Verenus raised an eyebrow, derision stamped all over his face, “Of course. It is a wise man who keeps his friends close, but his enemies even closer. And my spies have been busy these past weeks, watching you and Metellus-”

  “But why have you been watching Metellus?” she said, interrupting him a frown on her face.

  Verenus lifted a shoulder, “It seems that it is not only you who has been asking questions of late.” Then before Livia could ask what he meant, Verenus snapped, “So, why don’t you just ask me?”

  His face was expressionless, and she felt hers flush in vexation, and she had to bite back the words she wanted to say to the hateful man!

  Instead she schooled her features and sat up, her back ramrod straight. “I think you probably know what I want, Verenus. But because you want me to say it, then I shall.” Taking a deep breath, and with what she hoped was a determined look on her face, she said, “I want you to tell Metellus, and Antonia, that it was you, and not my father, who deceived Metellus's father. That it was you who betrayed your own brother to Nero. And it was you who told the Emperor a pack of lies that led to your own brother being executed.”

  The words, spoken in such a rush caused her breath to whoosh out of her suddenly tight lungs. There! At last she had said what she had been keeping to herself for days now, and she felt a great sense of relief now it was finally out in the open.

  Verenus leaned back in his chair, and lifted his hands and started to clap, a slow deliberate clap, which spoke volumes. “I was right. You are a clever woman.” Leaning forward he pinned her with his frigid eyes. “Now, tell me, how did you come to your deduction?”

  Livia tried not to show the relief she was feeling. She had been right, it had been him all along! “My father told me he had nothing to do with bringing down your brother. He’d nothing to do with the Pisonian conspiracy. But, more importantly, he never found out who the person was that betrayed your brother to Nero. And why that person did not take the glory for themselves. My father grew rich off his supposed loyalty to Nero. Rich and powerful. It made no sense as to why my father should have been allowed to claim all the glory. Unless…”

  Verenus quirked his head, a mocking smile playing at the corner of his mouth, “Unless? Do enlighten me, Livia.”

  Livia fought the sudden rush of nerves pooling in her stomach. She had to be firm, strong. Meeting his eyes with a directness she wasn’t really feeling, she continued, “Unless…unless the man who betrayed him already had immense wealth, and power, and he wanted to keep his true reasons secret.” She paused for a moment. “And that man was you, Verenus. You were already as rich as Croesus, and as Nero’s chief architect, and advisor, you also had his trust. But you also wanted to exact your own revenge. Revenge against the brother who had taken the only woman you had ever loved.” She waited for a heartbeat before whispering, “And the woman you still love to this day…”

  Verenus laughed, a hollow, false laugh which caused Livia to shudder. “I am immensely glad women can’t sit in the Senate. You, my dear, would be formidable.”

  He stood up, the movement sudden and violent, and the scraping of his chair on the marble floor, made her nerves scream. Livia watched him walk over to a sideboard and pour himself a goblet of wine. Lifting it to her in a silent mocking salute he drank it all in one swallow before asking, “So now you know my dirty secret, what are we going to do about it?”

  Livia narrowed her eyes at the bitterness she heard in his voice. “I want you to tell Metellus, and Antonia, the truth. They have the right to know. And I, as Metellus’s wife, have the right to be married to a man who can finally lay to rest the ghosts of his childhood.”

  Verenus broke eye contact with her, and she watched as he poured himself some more wine. Surprisingly, she saw his hand shake as he lifted the goblet, and she took comfort, and strength, from the small betraying gesture. Emboldened she carried on, “Well? Will you do as I ask?”

  For several long moments he didn’t answer her, as a myriad of expressions flashed across his face before he nodded abruptly, “I will tell Metellus tomorrow-”

  “No!” Livia interrupted, her tone decisive, “You will send a message to Metellus, now.”

  For a long moment he stared at her, then she saw his shoulders slump, as if the weight of defeat had finally conquered him. “Very well.” Walking over to his desk he took out some paper and wrote.

  Once he had finished, he showed Livia what he had written, “Is that acceptable?”

  Livia scanned the short missive, and satisfied with what he’d written, she nodded, Verenus then called for a slave and told him to take the note to Metellus’s offices at once.

&nb
sp; Once the slave had departed, Verenus leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his head, “Now we wait.”

  Livia swallowed, her eyes meeting his. “Yes, now we wait.”

  Metellus slammed his fist down on the wooden desk in front of him. The force of which made the wooden planks groan in protest, and the young man who stood in front of it jump in fright.

  “You are sure Spurius Proba? Because if you are not, and this information proves false, I will personally ruin you. Do you understand?” Metellus said, his eyes piercing the young man with an intensity which was frightening.

  Spurius Proba swallowed, “I…I am quite sure, sir. I have been most thorough. It’s why I have taken so long to come back to you. All the documents in front of you have been checked, and checked again. I am as certain as I can be that the information is correct.”

  Metellus said nothing, but continued to stare at the younger man. Although young, he knew Spurius Proba’s reputation as a good lawyer had spread throughout Rome. He had the rare privilege of being known as an honest lawyer – a highly unusual occurrence – and it was for this reason Metellus had hired him. Spurius Proba had, and continued to be, in great demand and it had taken a lot of money, and influence, for Metellus to jump the queue and gain his services.

  But it had been worth it. Now he had the proof in front of him. Proof his father had been betrayed, not by Livia's father as he had always believed, but by his own uncle.

  Verenus! He could still not quite believe it. But, as he once again scanned the documents in front of him, he had to believe it. Because it was there in front of him - the full unadulterated truth.

  It had been his uncle who had been the one to spread false rumours against his father. Verenus had been the one closest to Nero, the man whom Nero had trusted the most – and Nero – as mad as he was at the time, had believed everything Verenus had told him.

  Verenus had betrayed his father, his mother and himself for years. It was he who had wanted revenge. Revenge against a brother who had stolen his bride-to-be, eloped with her on the morning of what was supposed to have been their wedding day…