For a Roman's Heart (25 page)

A commotion and deep male voices at the doorway startled Adrenia, and she sat up straighter. Inexplicably, a strange dizziness made her inhale deeply and try to regain equilibrium. Loud noises and unexpected movement always seemed to cause her breath to hitch and heart to clamor. She felt unsettled most of the time, and tonight’s party made her more so.

Terentius, Victor and Capito entered the room. Adrenia stared at Terentius, her eyes only for him. As always, his bearing held dignity and forthrightness. He wore formal military attire, including his red cloak and mail cuirass with metals of honor. Even Victor had dressed with more attention to formality.

Terentius’s intense gaze searched and caught hers. His brilliant, almost relieved-looking smile brought a surge of happiness so strong, she wanted to run to him and throw her arms about his neck. Of course, she wouldn’t in front of all these people.

His mere presence transformed her nervousness to ease. She stood along with the other women.

Terentius came forward. “Ladies, it is good to see you.”

“Ladies,” came Victor’s equally cordial greeting as he stepped forward.

Nerva said, “Gentlemen, how good of you to come. We are delighted.”

Terentius took Nerva’s hand and bowed over it. “We saw Cordus a moment ago. He said he would return shortly.”

Longa’s husband came to her side and sat down next to her.

Adrenia and Cordia stayed put, but Cordia smiled from ear to ear, her delight dancing in her eyes for all to see. Oh, yes. The girl wanted Terentius every bit as strongly as she’d said before. Adrenia saw determination in the girl’s manner.

Terentius came to Cordia next and bowed over her hand as well. “Cordia.”

Cordia pressed her other hand over his for a moment. “Sir, how good it is to see you. I’m flattered that you could grace us with your presence.”

Adrenia wanted to gag.

Then to Adrenia’s satisfaction, Terentius disengaged his hand from Cordia and walked toward her. He bowed over her hand. He brought her hand to his lips and brushed over it with a soft, almost imperceptible touch.

She inhaled quickly as heat darted straight up her arm and shot to her lower stomach in blossoming delight. She’d missed that sensation and craved it with a gnawing hunger reserved for the starving.

As his gaze searched hers, he kept her hand folded between both of his. “You are well?”

“Very much so. You?”

One corner of his mouth turned upward. “Much better now.”

Cordus walked into the room, his voice booming out. “Well, well. The great warriors are here. Welcome.”

Terentius dropped her hand and turned away. Oh, but for a few more moments with his hands touching her. Adrenia flashed back to his arousing touch cupping her breasts, teasing her nipples. Finding the heat and wetness between her thighs. She ached and tingled with the thought.

On the heels of Cordus came several other men and their wives. They were retired soldiers and unknown to Terentius. It became apparent, though, that his reputation had spread, and the men seemed to admire the younger man and accord him considerable respect.

Two of the women seemed nice enough, but they threw her curious, almost frightened glances. Other wives chatted nonstop with Cordia and Nerva and ignored Adrenia all together. More food trays arrived. It was a feast unlike anything she’d seen. The first course came in appetizers of fruits, confections and olives. Most of them were items she’d never tasted before. Her stomach growled. The beef smelled particularly good.

Terentius settled down beside her on the couch, his approximation far nearer than propriety allowed. He didn’t seem to care, and she loved that he didn’t. She thrilled and feared his nearness as a riot of emotions arose. She felt him in her heart, her stomach, her very loins. Arousal stirred despite her inhibitions and the place. Embarrassment and delight fought for supremacy.

As slaves started to serve them, Cordia said with a raised voice, “Do serve yourself, Adrenia. I am sure you are used to it by now.”

The room went silent. Discomfort passed over Cordus’s expression, but he said nothing in Adrenia’s defense.

She couldn’t think of a thing to say and a hard lump of anger rose in her throat.

You knew this would come.

“Wait here.” Terentius rose to his feet. “I’ll get you a plate.”

She opened her mouth to protest. A centurion serving her? Cordia’s face went red, and her lips tight as her attention darted to Terentius gathering a plate of food.

One plate.

Conversation returned to the room, as if the mini drama hadn’t occurred.

Terentius returned to her side and held the plate out to her with a smile. She couldn’t help the returning grin, and she took the dish from him. “Thank you so much, sir. It was quite unnecessary.”

“Oh, I think it was very necessary.” His gaze stayed on her, and Adrenia felt a thousand meanings underlying his few words.

Hunger assaulted her, and Adrenia slowed her greedy desire to stuff the delicious-smelling food into her mouth. “Thank you.”

She tasted some olives, and the unique flavors burst on her tongue, some spicier, some saltier. She licked her lips, then realized Terentius watched her every move.

“Do you mind if we share?” he asked.

“I’d like that.” She managed a smile, this one filled with joyful appreciation.

Several minutes went by where they ate and didn’t speak. Slaves returned with platters holding the next course. Delicious fragrances assaulted her nose. The trays held fish and suckling pig stuffed with nuts and vegetables.

He reached for meat at the same time, and their fingers bumped. He captured the larger piece she wanted.

He lifted it towards her mouth. Adrenia’s face flushed again as his voice came quiet, deep, and husky. “Taste.”

She did as requested and took the entire piece into her mouth. Her tongue brushed his index finger and a shock rippled through her body. His gaze captured hers, hot and arousing. He licked his finger on the same spot her tongue had touched.

Oh, my goddess.

She jerked her gaze from his and concentrated on the meat. The marinated beef was incredibly tender. She’d never tasted anything as delicious. Not knowing whether she would ever taste anything as wonderful again, she chewed slowly and savored. She noted that Terentius watched her with fascination clearly etched on his rugged, handsome face. She tried not to fear what this meant, or to hope too much that it meant what she wanted. Because, oh, she wished in her heart of hearts his affection for her had grown.

“I brought you something.” He kept his voice low. “I’m sorry I couldn’t bring it to you sooner.”

Adrenia’s pleasure heightened. “Oh?”

He smiled warmly. “You aren’t accustomed to receiving gifts.”

“No. Pella gave me a necklace once, and my mother took it and wouldn’t return it.”

“I’m sorry, Adrenia.” He leaned closer, the intimate distance disconcerting and delicious.

“What are you talking about, Terentius?” Nerva interrupted the steady voices of the guests. “You have such intriguing adventures to tell.”

Terentius broke his gaze from Adrenia’s, his mouth a hard line. The guests went quiet.

“Do tell us,” another woman said.

“Of course,” Terentius said as everyone’s attention centered on him. “Victor and I have brought Adrenia a new loom.”

Shocked, Adrenia gasped softly and covered her mouth with both hands. She didn’t know what to say and the silence was deafening.

Cordus finally spoke. “How thoughtful and generous. I’m sure Adrenia is overwhelmed.”

Terentius looked at Adrenia, and she lowered her hands from her mouth. “A new loom?”

Terentius squeezed her shoulder gently. “We will bring it in later tonight.”

“Adrenia,” Longa said, “What if he takes it to the new shop when we open? Won’t that be wonderful?”

A huge smile broke over Adrenia’s face. “Indeed. Longa and I have agreed to open a weaving shop together.”

A couple of the wives immediately wanted to know more. Longa and Adrenia regaled everyone with their plans. While Nerva and Cordus nodded and smiled, she thought she saw disappointment too. After all, if she moved from the villa, they would have no income from her.

Cordia’s frown said it all. “What luck for you, Adrenia.”

“It is not luck at all. I am making my own way,” Adrenia said.

A few people laughed, and when she turned her gaze on Terentius and her friends, she saw their warm approval.

Adrenia couldn’t suppress her elation. Tears gathered in her eyes. “This is incredible, Terentius. Thank you. How shall I ever repay such generosity?”

“I’m quite sure you’ll think of something,” came Cordia’s unpleasant tone.

“No repayment is necessary,” Terentius said.

Adrenia caught Cordia’s sour expression. “Perhaps she can make you a cloak, Terentius.”

Terentius tossed an ambivalent look Cordia’s way. “I have already paid her for one. I’m sure she will make it for me when she moves into her new shop.”

He leaned back on the couch arm, his powerful legs sprawled apart in a masculine display that sent forbidden curls of desire tingling in Adrenia’s stomach.

He crossed his arms over his broad chest. An irreverent twinkle danced in his heavily lashed eyes. “She can make me anything she likes.”

“As you will it, sir,” Adrenia said, a little breathless.

“Then I’ll extract that promise from you soon.” A message lingered in the husky nuance in his voice.

Conversation resumed around the room, and she was happy for a return to relative anonymity. A tear resurfaced and escaped.

Terentius frowned and reached out to wipe the tear from her cheek. “Are you all right?”

She kept her voice low. “Of course. I’m just so happy.”

“Then I’ve done my duty tonight. I know the loom will help you. Longa knew just where I could locate the finest one available.”

“I will be sure to thank her.”

After Terentius left the couch to talk with one of the men, Adrenia’s comfort level dropped. She tried taking a deeper breath and failed. A slave offered her a goblet of wine. She sipped it and then stood.

Pella came to her and sat. “Are you all right? Wasn’t that wonderful about the loom? How exciting.”

Adrenia patted her friend’s hand. “I’m fine. And it is wonderful about the loom. I can hardly take it all in, Pella. I think I need some air. I will be back.” Time to take a breath from the commotion and the numerous people milling around.

Adrenia went into the corridor and located an exit into the courtyard. Once she stood in the cold, her breath puffed freely. She inhaled, then exhaled in slow breaths. Yes. Yes, that felt much better. She wandered the courtyard and noted that the temperatures dipped and the night came with swift shadows. She stared upward into the sky where stars hinted at an appearance and a full moon rose higher—its huge disk tinged with yellow.

“There you are.”

She jumped, a startled squeak parting her lips. She swung around.

Terentius grinned, his eyes filled with unapologetic amusement. “I’m sorry. Did I frighten you?”

She took a large swallow of wine. “Do you always sneak up on women this way?”

“Never. Until now, apparently.”

His ironic tone didn’t fool her. She responded to Terentius as he walked forward and arrived close in front of her. “I think you are fibbing, sir.”

Torchlight threw deep shadows and bright flickers over his handsome features. Goddess, he was so beautiful. No, not beautiful. Beyond the sun, moon, mars and all the days. Beyond any god, surely. Could Jupiter be this disturbingly handsome?

“Is something wrong? Why did you come out here?” he asked.

“The room was...stifling. Unusually warm.”

“It is freezing out here.” He unhooked his cloak and before she could protest, he placed it around her shoulders. “There.”

“Please. This isn’t necessary. Besides, what will everyone think?”

“I don’t think you care what everyone will think. I know I don’t.”

She finished her wine and walked away from Terentius so she could place the goblet on a bench nearby. He followed. They stood near to an alcove, a small place she’d sat before and communed with nature. Now it sheltered them from prying eyes.

“Tonight has been amazing. I am just astounded, period,” she said.

“Why?”

She sighed. “I’m not used to people wanting to meet me or to notice me. All this good fortune on the heels of tragedy is a bit overwhelming.”

His serious look, or the one she’d come to think of as pensive, covered his handsome face. “How could anyone not notice you?”

“Because of my hair?”

“No. Because of your inner beauty. It shines from you.”

Tears once again filled her eyes and spilled over. She wiped at them frantically, ashamed to appear so weak but unable to control her reaction to his praise. “I’m sorry.”

He gathered her to his chest, and his strength filled her in a warm, soft wave. “Don’t ever be sorry. You haven’t heard it enough times, but you are beautiful. Beyond compare.”