For a Roman's Heart (24 page)

Adrenia’s happiness escalated at her friend’s response. Pella held on to her a long time. “I thought never to see you again.”

Adrenia’s eyes teared as she drew back. “I missed you too.”

Pella bowed at the waist when she saw Victor and Terentius standing nearby with Longa. Terentius had just introduced Longa to Adrenia.

Longa’s beautiful black hair was coiffed in pretty ringlets and twirls, her exquisitely beautiful face reminding Adrenia of a goddess. She was as tall as Terentius, and her long limbs gave her a grace and dignity Adrenia envied. Longa’s
stola
and
palla
, woven in beautiful blue cloth, graced her body in waves of luxury.

Terentius took Adrenia’s arm. “May I speak to you in private?”

Curious, she followed him around the side of the house. “Is something wrong?”

A mischievous smile filled his eyes and curved his mouth. “Not at all.” He kissed her with gentleness. “Don’t leave the villa before Victor and I return for dinner. It’s not safe.”

“Of course. We’ll wait until you return.”

Once more he leaned in for a soft kiss. “Happy visiting, then.”

Victor and Terentius left in short order and Adrenia led Pella and Longa toward a reception room within the villa. They settled on soft couches. A servant brought them wine and they ate special cakes Longa had brought as a gift.

“Your bruises are gone.” Adrenia smiled at Pella. “I’m so relieved to see you well.”

Longa bit into a flaky cake. “Indeed, it is a miracle you faired as well as you did.”

Pella’s eyes held uncertainty when she took stock of the older woman. “Thank you,
domina
.”

“Please call me Longa. I never stand on ceremony. Many centurion’s wives do, but I think it ridiculous.”

“Do they think the gods will love them for it?” Pella asked.

Longa’s sigh sounded long-suffering. “Perhaps. They are too busy socializing and bettering their standing.”

Pella slanted a clever look at Adrenia. “What attitude will you take when you marry a centurion?”

Adrenia’s mouth opened in surprise. “There is no reason to believe I’ll marry one.”

Longa laughed and then tasted her wine with delicacy. “Don’t be coy, girls. Say what you mean.” Longa sat down her goblet and leaned toward Adrenia. “She means what will you do when you marry Terentius?”

“How did you know... I mean...simply because we have...” Adrenia faltered.

Pella’s eyes widened. “You and Terentius are one?”

Adrenia’s cheeks went hot with embarrassment. “We visited Longa’s soon-to-be home and tried the baths there.”

“Still being coy.” Longa shook her head, but she grinned for all she was worth. “Adrenia and Terentius have consummated their relationship.”

Pella’s cheeks went red this time. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised.” Her lips pursed in a half smile. “He’s a fine, handsome man with much to recommend him.”

Adrenia tossed a look between the two women. “Longa, it is hard for me to speak plainly about physical love. Not because I disapprove of men and women making love outside of marriage. Because it is an intimate situation. I am unable to explain in any fashion such an extraordinary experience.”

“I apologize, Adrenia.” Longa returned to sipping her wine. “As Capito tells me, I’m too bold sometimes. I remind him it is one of the reasons he fell in love with me in the first place.”

Adrenia hopped on the concept. “Then you have a love match?”

“Most certainly. I would have it no other way. Despite Capito’s brutal façade, he is the most gentle of men. He loves me dearly.”

Pella sighed, the sound dreamy and complete.

Adrenia settled back in her chair, the contentment within her amazing. “I have trouble believing the concept.”

Longa frowned. “What? That Capito could love me, or that you could feel that way about a man and he could feel the same for you?”

Adrenia waved one hand in dismissal. “Oh, please, take no offense. I just...that any man could love me is hard for me to imagine.” Adrenia pressed her hand between her breasts. “To understand right here.”

Adrenia kept her hand over her heart, and the room went silent.

Longa reached for a cake and put it on her plate. “Give yourself time, my dear. Life hasn’t favored you with beautiful experiences. Terentius had a good home life with his parents. You didn’t grow up experiencing much love from anyone.”

“You are a wise woman, Longa.” Pella reached for the wine
krater
and refilled Longa’s goblet. “Few women speak so plainly. I was reluctant to ask about her relationship with Terentius with another person here.”

Longa finished chewing a bite of cake. “How could you be certain of my intentions until you know me well?”

Pella filled her own goblet. “Because, like Adrenia, I’m an excellent judge of character. You, ma’am, are an extraordinary lady.”

With a soft laugh, Longa beamed. “Why thank you. I do not have many friends at the fort. None of the soldiers, save for centurions, are allowed to marry and few of them have wives. The highest-ranking centurion at the fortress has a wife, and she hates me.”

Adrenia winced. “Oh, dear. Then she is likely to hate me.”

“Don’t worry. If you are lucky, you’ll escape her notice entirely. Remember his name is Spurius Laelius Piso.” Longa’s smile burst onto her face, full of satisfaction. “Her name is appropriate. Vitula Scrofa Piso. Vitula means calf or young cow. Scrofa means sow.”

“Is she very large?” Pella asked.

“Indeed.” Longa nodded. “We couldn’t fault her for that, but for the virulent way she eats. She is messy. Even that would mean little to me, but she’s hateful to any woman she believes is a threat.”

They laughed together, and Adrenia enjoyed a new ease inside her.

“Despite what I said earlier,” Longa said, “Vitula will notice you in a gathering, Adrenia. You are small and beautiful and so naturally she would despise you.”

Longa’s assessment surprised Adrenia. “No. I’m quiet. No one notices me.”

“And you like it that way, don’t you...that people don’t see you?” Longa asked.

Adrenia took time chewing before answering. “It’s the best way to avoid a beating.”

The room grew quiet, and when Adrenia looked up, the other women stared at her. Longa appeared distressed, in a way Adrenia wouldn’t have expected with a strong woman like her. Pella’s eyes merely showed unease and understanding.

Adrenia tried a feeble smile. “That’s all behind me now.”

There. They would not discuss it.

A doubtful expression formed in Longa’s eyes. She shifted in her chair. “Talking about our pasts sometimes helps us create a new future.”

Pella’s face grew thoughtful and quiet. “I’ll have to talk about what Sulla did to me someday.”

Adrenia’s heart clenched, and she reached for Pella’s hand. “Oh, Pella. I’m so sorry. I haven’t even asked how you’ve been feeling?”

Pella’s smile touched only the corners of her mouth. “I’m excellent. Pontius has helped me so much. He’s such a good husband.” Somberness transformed to delight. “I think you should marry Terentius and find the same happiness.”

Adrenia shook her head. “I will
not
allow that title to be placed upon me before I’ve made my own way in the world.”

“Easy there, my dear.” Longa’s neat eyebrows drew together. “There’s nothing to fear.”

Adrenia took in a shuddering breath. “But if I marry him, I’ll lose myself again when I’ve just discovered my freedom. Despite what men say, every woman does
not
have a master.”

“Hmmm.” Longa shook her head. “Terentius isn’t the type to make use of his privilege as master. He cherishes women too much. He seeks only to protect you.”

“Would you have me marry against my will?” Adrenia asked.

Pella put out a hand. “Of course not. Please, enjoy the rest of your cake and wine. We won’t speak of marriage if it distresses you.”

Irritation continued to chafe. “Marriage would mean I’m Terentius’s property. He could tell me what to do, where to go, what to eat, how to dress. I won’t do that again.”

Pella’s sunny smile returned. “A man who truly loves a woman will never try and break her.”

“He will try and mend what is already broken,” Longa said.

Despite the wisdom in their words, turbulent emotions overtook Adrenia. “I’m not broken and don’t need to discuss what my parents did. It is done. Over.”

“It would be odd if you did not discuss it someday,” Pella said.

Longa stood and walked to the hearth. She put her hands out to the fire. “Perhaps you want it erased because you fear what others think of you. You imagine they think you weak for not escaping your parents before.”

Longa’s statement tugged at threads of discontent inside Adrenia. “You could be right. That’s why I must find my own way now and prove my independence to myself before I marry anyone.”

Adrenia drew a harsh breath, and the tears flowed. She buried her face in her hands.

She heard a chair scrape back, and then Pella was there, hugging her close. Soon she felt a hand on her head and knew Longa stood there as well, giving what comfort she could.

If nothing else in her life went well, she would have this moment to remind her of good friends and their indulgence.

Adrenia drew back and wiped away the tears. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Longa smiled. “Do you plan most things during a day? I think not.”

Adrenia laughed through her tears. “Are you always so wise?”

“Few would call me wise. Irritating is more likely.”

They all laughed again, and for a time Adrenia soaked in the pleasure found in sweet moments with friends.

They sat down again, and Longa took a long sip of her wine. “Now, before we get too much farther into our cups, I have a business proposition for you, Adrenia.”

Adrenia smiled. “Please tell me. Terentius said you are interested in my weaving.”

“Very much. There is a shop coming open for rent in the forum within the next week or so. I would like to pay the first month of rent for you, if you would partner with me in the shop. I’m a weaver as well, but not as good as I could be. I think I could learn a lot from you.”

Adrenia’s excitement at the opportunity rose and then fell. “Some of my profit would have to go to rent here at the villa.”

Longa pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “There are rooms above the shop that come with the rental. You could stay there until you marry Terentius.” When Adrenia looked like she might protest, Longa put one hand up. “Or if you decide to marry Terentius at some time in the future, you could move in with him. Whichever situation suits you best, my dear. You will earn your living and your freedom from anyone’s chains.”

Adrenia’s heart soared, and yet in the back of her mind a small fear remained. If she took this opportunity, the freedom she’d longed for would be hers. At the same time, she couldn’t help wonder if fate would deal her yet another hurdle. So much was happening so quickly.

She took the plunge. “Very well. Let us discuss the details.”

Longa clapped. “Excellent. Come darlings. Let us eat cake and imbibe far too much. When our men return later this evening for the party, we shall be as fat as Vitula and far happier. It will help us forget husbands and other men who are not our husbands.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Liberty is rendered even more precious by the recollection of servitude.”

Cicero

Roman Author, Orator, and Politician, 106 BC–43 BC

Adrenia walked toward the main rooms with Pella and Longa, the new
tunica
feeling soft and good against her skin. She’d never worn anything as luxurious as this. She wanted to feel good, to enjoy a lovely time of relaxation, extraordinary food and seeing Terentius.

Oh, yes. She wanted to see him.

She drew in a deep breath and promised herself she’d progress through this night with dignity and poise regardless of Cordia. Seeing Terentius would prove worth the price.

The ladies settled onto a couch and waited. Within a few moments slaves entered the room and brought food for the tables. They nodded but paid little attention to Longa, Pella, or Adrenia. Shortly thereafter, Nerva and Cordia sauntered into the room. They’d worn their best finery, which made sense.

Nerva smiled cordially and greeted everyone as if she were her best friend. “Adrenia, my dear. That
tunica
is lovely on you.”

Adrenia gave her best smile. “Thank you. You are most generous.”

Nerva’s smile looked false. “Well, it is the least we can do considering...everything. Please sit down. The men should arrive any moment, and we do want to look our finest, don’t we?”

“I’m not sure we
all
can.” Cordia threw an imperious look at Adrenia.

Longa and Pella threw a disapproving look at the young girl and then shook their heads.

Cordia sat next to her mother on a padded couch, the luxurious and colorful fabric contrasting with her white
tunica
. Nerva’s light blue
stola
fell to a flowing neatness around her feet. She’d worn it belted under her breasts and gathered at the shoulders. Her elegance couldn’t be denied. She’d styled her hair in an elaborate arrangement of curls and tiers. Adrenia, by contrast, could still do nothing with her short, spiky hair.