Lydia placed the mirror down. Tuccia’s words confirmed one of her fears. There was more to Aro’s desire for marriage than a simple readdressing of accounts and his need to marry a patrician. She had been so eager to undo her mistake that she had not questioned his motives. Was it possible that she had thrown herself headlong into the brazier?
His father had been her grandfather’s enemy. She was sure of that. It didn’t surprise her. Her grandfather had been a bitter and twisted man. Her mother had never liked him and had always thanked Juno her father had not taken after him.
But where did that leave her? Where did it leave their marriage? Would he be prepared to forget what her grandfather had done? He must be, otherwise he would never have married her. She had been so sure that day that he was going to walk out and denounce them all.
What had stopped him?
‘Is there something wrong, my lady?’ Tuccia asked in a worried tone. ‘I have not done anything wrong, have I? You are staring at the mirror as if you had just seen the Medusa with all her snakes. We need the money, my lady. Don’t send me away.’
‘You have not done anything wrong. Your styling pleases me. Simple but effective.’ Lydia reached back and grabbed Tuccia’s cold hand. ‘I am delighted to have you as my tire-woman.’
‘Truly?’
‘Yes, truly.’ Lydia stood up and adjusted her shawl more tightly about her. ‘Please will you take Korina to the kitchen and see if there is a free ham bone for her? She looks like she could use one.’
‘That is the sort of job I like.’ Tuccia gave a huge grin.
Lydia watched her go and then started off to find Aro. She wanted to hear the whole story from his lips. However, the garden was empty. A sparrow peeped out from a laurel bush, but that was all. A servant came out and started to brush the paths with a broom.
‘Have you seen Fabius Aro?’
The servant bowed. ‘He has left, my lady.’
‘Left? Gone where? Do you know when he will be back?’
‘There is trouble at the docks, my lady.’
‘Is it anything serious?’
‘Trouble is always serious, my lady. But our men will give a good accounting of themselves.’
Lydia sat down on the bench and had lunch there while she waited, but the shadows grew long and Aro did not return.
When Tuccia found her, she explained and Tuccia’s eye grew big.
‘My brothers,’ she whispered, turning white. ‘The last time there was trouble at the docks, a man was killed. Please let them be all right.’
‘I am sure they will be fine.’ Lydia patted the girl’s hand. ‘Fabius Aro is there.’
‘If he is there, everything will be well.’ Tuccia scrubbed her face. ‘He will look after them. He has done so much for my family, since my father died.’
Lydia wished she had the same confidence that Tuccia had. ‘I expect Clodius the porter will know something more.’
‘I’m sorry, my lady,’ Clodius said when Lydia had found him in his small room with his new dog by his side. ‘I know nothing except Fabius Aro has left. He asked that you remain here, and not to let you out.’
‘Not even with an escort?’ Lydia cocked her head, trying to determine how bad Aro thought the situation was.
‘Fabius Aro did not feel that it was safe.’ The elderly man sucked his teeth and rocked back and forth. ‘The compound is well-guarded, of course. But anything can happen out there. These little disturbances have a way of growing.’
‘I understand.’ Lydia pressed her lips together. The porter’s words were designed to comfort, but they did the exact opposite.
She spent the late afternoon in the atrium, one eye trained on the door and the other on a scroll of poetry. Despite the comings and goings of several servants, Aro failed to return, and no one would say when he was expected back. Their eyes would slide away from Lydia, and they would mutter soon, but that he was safe.
Eventually Lydia spent a quiet supper dining on figs, bread and cheese and lentil soup. Korina lay at her feet with an ever-hopeful expression on her muzzle.
She was grateful for Tuccia’s chatter as she brushed her hair, telling her about her father and the adventures he had shared with Aro, each more fantastical than the rest. Sea monsters and goddesses indeed. Stories for winter nights. Tuccia went off to her alcove, and Lydia settled down with several scrolls and Korina at her feet. When she could finally no longer hold her eyelids open, she crawled into bed and slept fitfully.
A slight noise woke her. She sat up, and Korina padded over to the door. Lydia crossed to the door and peeped out. The corridor was lit by moonlight streaming through a window.
Aro stood, his face shadowed, his hand on the door to his room. At the sound of her door opening he turned.
‘You weren’t at dinner,’ Lydia said at his questioning glance.
‘I had to go out.’
‘You did not bother to tell me where you were going or even to send word. All anyone would tell me was that there had been trouble at the docks and you were safe.’
‘I did what I thought was right.’ Aro’s voice held a firm note. ‘I had no wish to unduly disturb you.’
‘Well, you did.’
His eyes traced the line of her figure up and down. Lydia wished she wore more than her thinnest under-tunic. Her dark hair flowed over her shoulders. She wished she had thought to grab her shawl. She forced her eyes to remain straight ahead and her head held high.
‘Is this the correct time for a conversation like this?’ he asked. ‘It is late. We can speak of my neglect in the morning.’
Lydia bit her lip. The time didn’t matter. She wanted to know. She had to know. If she didn’t ask now, she’d never know. His hand was on the door handle, pushing it. In another instant, he would be gone.
‘Was anyone hurt?’ she asked rapidly. ‘There was a fight at the docks, wasn’t there? That is what the servant meant. It is why all the servants have been speaking in hushed tones.’
He stopped, and looked at her. ‘There was a scuffle at the docks, but none was seriously hurt. Does it matter?”
‘Tuccia said her brothers have started working at the docks, carrying messages. I wanted to know if either of them were involved.’
‘Her brothers were out of the way. I saw to that. I have a promise to keep to their late father.’
‘Tuccia said he had been a captain of one of your ships.’
‘What else did Tuccia tell you?’ His eyes were hard.
Lydia knew now was the moment she should ask about his reasons for marrying her, but what seemed an ideal solution in the sunlit garden appeared reckless in the moonlit hallway, confronted with his bulk and uncompromising tone.
‘This and that. She is talkative. Quite amusing.’
‘You like your new tire-woman.’
‘She is very amiable. She gets on well with Korina. Somehow she convinced the cook to give her the biggest ham bone I have ever seen.’
‘That sounds like Tuccia. Always happy and chatting.’ Aro gave a short laugh, but could not disguise his sharp intake of breath.
Lydia looked at him more closely. He was carrying his right arm awkwardly and there was a faint reddening of his jaw. ‘You may have kept Tuccia’s brothers away from the trouble, but you were in the centre of it.’
‘Yes.’
‘Let me get you some salve.’
Without waiting for an answer, she darted back to her room and picked the jar out of her cupboard. Its distinctive dolphin top made it easy to find in the dark. She cursed under her breath as another jar rolled on the floor.
She came back out into the corridor. Aro was still standing there. The moonlight made his face look silver. He could almost be a statue of Apollo.
‘Ah, the salve that works wonders.’ His mouth twisted up into a smile. He moved his arm and it immediately turned into a grimace. ‘How do you use it?’
‘You spread it over your sore muscles.’
‘Both my arms are sore.
’ He gave a little shrug. ‘Can you demonstrate?’
Lydia made a little clucking noise in the back of her throat. Men, they were like children at times. Imagine not knowing how to put on a salve. She scooped some of the ointment on to her fingers and spread it on the top on his arm. Sparks shot through her, but she ignored them, concentrating instead on rubbing the ointment in, feeling the knots of muscles relax.
‘It hurts higher up.’
His voice was a husky whisper and sent shivers down her spine. She should back away now, but her feet refused to move. She pushed aside the tunic and continued to rub the ointment in. His flesh was warm living marble under her palms. The sparks had lit a small curl of warmth in her middle. Her fingers trembled and she tried to concentrate on her task. His hand stopped hers, held it there.
‘I can do the rest.’
‘It will make everything better.’ Her voice was no more than a breath.
‘It already has.’
Suddenly she became aware that she was standing very close to him. She could feel the heat from his body, see the shadowy stubble on his cheek. She allowed her hand to fall to her side. In another breath, it would be curling around his neck and she’d be demanding his lips. She wanted his kiss. She barely held back the words asking for his kiss. ‘I ought to leave.’
She made no move to go, found it impossible. Her body swayed slightly towards him, seeking his heat.
His hand touched hers. His eyes were deep unfathomable pools. ‘Thank you. I am sorry if I caused you worry.’
She looked up at him, intending to say something, but all words vanished when she saw the intent look on his face. Her lips parted. He had to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her. She needed to feel his mouth against hers. He bent his head.
‘Is this what you want, Lydia?’ he demanded against her lips. ‘Say it then.’
‘Kiss me…please,’ she breathed.
Her arms curled round his neck and held him tight. His tongue found the small parting and entered her mouth. Their tongues touched for a heart-shuddering instant and then retreated. Her body brushed his firm chest, causing her nipples to harden to tight points. His arms held her close. Their tongues met again, tangled, tormented and teased.
Then she realised what she was doing, and stepped back. His arms let her go. She struggled to control her breathing. It was coming fast as if she had run too many times around the courtyard at the baths.
‘You said you weren’t going to kiss me until I begged.’
‘I apologise if the kiss was distasteful.’
‘Far from it.’ Lydia was compelled to be honest. ‘But I wanted to let you know I never begged. I asked.’
‘It was my mistake then,’ he said thickly. A half-smile appeared on his lips. ‘It is time you went to bed…alone.’
He gave a small bow and departed. Lydia stared after him. Her fingers traced the outline of her mouth, feeling the imprint of his kiss.
Chapter Twelve
T he first faint clatter of buckets and brooms as the servants started their daily routine woke Lydia the next morning. Korina raised her head from where she lay at the foot of the bed and padded over to the door.
Despite the early hour, Tuccia had already prepared a simple meal and then she waited to help Lydia dress. She quickly chose a dark green gown with a light green stola to complement it and, instead of a belt, a gold ivy-leaf catena. Tuccia carefully wrapped the heavy chain around Lydia’s waist, crossing it over her breasts, around her neck and back around her waist.
‘It is very old, this,’ Tuccia said as she fastened the clasp with neat fingers.
‘It was my mother’s and her mother’s before her.’
Tuccia gave a nod as if she was satisfied. She carefully arranged a shawl of green netting over Lydia’s arms.
‘There now, Fabius Aro will be unable to take his eyes off his bride.’
‘I doubt I will even see him. He has many other things to do, particularly after yesterday’s disturbance. He has probably already left for the docks or the warehouse.’
‘You will see him.’ Tuccia tapped the side of her nose.
Rather than replying, Lydia concentrated on getting the folds of her gown right. The encounter last night in the corridor had unsettled her. She had not planned on the kiss. It had just happened.
She wanted to explain he had misconstrued her actions. It was only her relief that he was not severely injured. He had to understand that. Their wager still stood. And she intended winning. Last night had been an aberration, an effect of the moonlight.
Lydia adjusted the folds of her stola. If she explained now, it would mean less awkwardness later. Once she had confronted him during the day, he would see her reaction had been down to the moonlight.
With Korina by her side, she strode over to the bedroom opposite and knocked. No answer. She made a face. If she entered without leave, Aro would say she had come in search of his embrace, begging for his lips, when all she wanted to do was make sure he understood what had happened.
Korina nudged the door and it swung open.
Empty.
Lydia tiptoed in and looked about her. Everything about the room, from the wolf mosaics to the carved wooden chest, proclaimed Aro. Other than the slight crumpling of the embroidered cover on the large wooden bed, the room was undisturbed. The faint scent of sandalwood tickled Lydia’s nose, held her. It reminded her forcibly of Aro and the way she had felt in his arms last night and how her breasts had ached when she had stumbled back to bed after the kiss.
She shut the door with a firm click.
‘Shall we go to breakfast?’ she asked Korina, who tilted her head and gave a sharp bark.
She had started down the corridor to the dinning room, past the statue of Pan with his pipes, when Aro appeared, carrying a toga over his arm. Korina gave a joyful bark and ran to greet him, barking and jumping up at him. Lydia braced herself, waiting to hear the barely suppressed sigh. Korina was notorious for her pawmarks. She hated to think of the number of times her father had complained when he was dressed for the Senate in his snow-white toga. Thank Juno, Aro wore a dark blue tunic and any pawmarks wouldn’t show.
‘Korina,’ Lydia said firmly. ‘Come back here. You mustn’t jump up. You’ll spoil Aro’s tunic.’
‘She is fine. I had forgotten the joys of having a dog around. And, of course, her mistress as well.’
‘Joyful?’ Lydia gave an uneasy smile. To see him this way, so suddenly and unexpectedly, made it all the worse. He did not say anything about last night, nor did he make any movement towards her. She released a breath. ‘Muddy paw prints over your clothes is not something I would call joyful.’
‘Then perhaps we speak of different meanings.’
‘Perhaps.’ Lydia tilted her head. There was something about Aro this morning, a certain watchfulness, that had not been there last night.
Aro stroked Korina under the chin. His movements were slightly stiff, but if she hadn’t known about the injury she’d never have noticed. The dog’s tail wagged furiously. He then regarded her with intensity and Lydia wished she had chosen the deep red gown instead. She should move on and go to breakfast, but her eyes were drawn to the way his fingers fondled Korina’s ears.
‘You slept well, I trust,’ he said, breaking the spell.
‘Very well.’ Lydia dipped her head and tried to collect her thoughts. She had intended on being calm and unperturbed when she next met him, not flustered by the way his tunic hung from his shoulders and moulded to his chest. She hated to think what he would have said if he had found her in his bedroom.
How could she have thought it would be the best place for a talk?
If she kept the conversation on his injuries, she might keep a piece of her dignity. She refused to give in to this attraction. ‘Your arm is better this morning.’
‘Much improved…’ Aro paused and Lydia wondered if he had been about to say more, but instead he brushed his hand against his tunic. ‘Tuccia can look after Korin
a this morning.’
‘Korina? Korina can stay with me. I thought to take her to see my father.’
‘He is expecting you?’ Aro raised an eyebrow.
‘No,’ Lydia admitted slowly. ‘It was an idea I had. I wanted to see how he and Sulpicia were managing.’
‘Your visit will have to wait until later.’ Aro’s expression hardened. ‘I have plans for you. You are coming with me to the warehouse. If there is time later, we will both go to visit your father.’
Lydia stared at Aro, torn. She wanted to see the warehouse, but to have it presented to her as something she had to do…‘Why? Why today? I am not dressed for such things.’
‘Your dress is more than appropriate.’ His lips twitched. ‘Last evening you complained about not being kept informed and so I have rearranged my day to take you to the warehouse where you can see what is happening in the Lupan House with your own eyes. When I first met you, you said you were more interested in the daily rounds of shipping than in spinning.’
‘I am.’ Lydia’s hand curled around the catena. He had remembered her comment. A warm glow filled her, but she was determined not to show how tempting the treat was. She needed to be sure she was in control of her body before she ventured into a litter with him. Last night’s kiss had affected her far more than she had first thought. It was a madness of her blood.
‘Is there a problem with that? Besides, a visit your father has no knowledge of—what else do you have planned? A pile of spinning, perhaps?’ His eyes sparkled.
‘Nothing is planned.’ Lydia listened to the sound of the water in the fountain. She had to go with him or admit the true reason for her reluctance.
‘If you are ready…’ The corners of Aro’s mouth twitched as if he was struggling to keep a straight face. As if he knew exactly what was in her mind. ‘If you want to admit defeat, that I have won my wager, you only have to say. There is honour in surrender.’
‘I have no plans to surrender. One kiss means nothing.’ Lydia snapped her fingers in the air. ‘I blame it on the moonlight. Today, I am immune.’
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