‘As you wish…’ A gleam appeared in his eyes. ‘But you do seem to deny it quite loudly.’
‘It is only because you provoke me so.’ Lydia took a step backwards. Already she could feel a curl of warmth in her belly in the anticipation of tasting his lips again.
‘Provocation can be fun, but alas, I have little time this morning. We must leave now. We are late as it is.’
‘You are still taking me to the warehouse?’ Lydia asked quickly, wondering if the promised trip was about to be taken away.
‘I positively insist.’ Aro gave her a hooded look. ‘I want you with me this morning.’
‘And I have accepted your invitation. I want to understand the Lupan House better. My father and brother relied on my judgement.’
‘Perhaps they relied a little too much. You should have time to enjoy life, Lydia.’
‘But the business of shipping is intriguing. A puzzle for my mind,’ she said and pushed aside the times she had longed to do anything but deal with long dull lists of figures. ‘It needed to be done.’
‘Poor nymph.’ His eyes were hooded.
Lydia longed to ask more, but the water-clock in the dining room let out a loud whistle signalling the top of the hour and his expression changed.
‘Shall we go in the litter?’ he asked in a silken voice. ‘You appeared to enjoy it the other evening.’
‘No!’ Lydia put her hand to her throat. ‘What I mean is that I would like to see the neighbourhood, and the market stalls. When my father was ill, I had very little chance to go out and savour the sights.’
‘We will not be going through the Forum. The warehouse is down near the Tiber. You might find it a long walk.’
‘I am prepared for that.’ Lydia thought quickly. ‘Besides, the streets are sure to be jammed with carts and people going about their wares. The Senate keeps talking about a law to ban deliveries during the day, but nothing has happened yet.’
‘If they start delivering during the night, none will be able to sleep.’
‘I had not thought of that.’
‘However, I do understand your reluctance to use a litter. We would not want to get caught again…in a crowd.’
Aro gave a slight bow. His eyes indicated he knew the reason why she did not want the litter and was prepared to humour her. It bothered Lydia that he could read her so easily. She tossed the end of her shawl over her shoulder and stared back, daring him to say a word.
Despite the last rays of the dawn being visible in the sky, the streets already teemed with life. Carters vied with market traders and shopkeepers for a space on the narrow pavement. Several times, Lydia nearly lost Aro in the crowd. Twice she had to duck around bakers carrying trays of bread and once a cart and oxen passed between her and Aro. But his height and his dark blue tunic made it easy for her to spot him where he waited for her.
‘As promised, the Lupan House’s main offices and the burnt warehouse,’ Aro gestured towards an empty shell of a building. To one side a pile of charred timber lay and another of stone. To the other side was a series of offices. In the distance she could hear the steady rhythm of the river and the shouts of the docks. ‘I had hoped to take you here yesterday afternoon, but unfortunately urgent matters commanded my attention.’
‘I understand.’ Lydia regarded the hard-packed dirt. Looking at the size of the operation, it was easy to see why he had not wanted a riot to get out of hand, and why he might be concerned for her safety. ‘You did the right thing. Even if I didn’t think so yesterday afternoon.’
‘Thank you for that.’ He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips. The soft touch sent sparks shooting up her arm.
‘Impressive,’ Lydia said, withdrawing her hand and looking at the men swarming around the blackened building. ‘The coals have barely cooled and already you have stone and wood to rebuild. It normally takes days to get a building crew.’
‘If you know where to look and are willing to pay an honest wage, you can find the right people.’
Aro’s eyes crinkled at the corners and he put an impersonal hand on her back, guiding her towards a small stone building on the other side of the courtyard. Lydia forced her body to stay upright despite the temptation to lean into him and rest her head against his chest. When he removed his hand, the air was distinctly chillier.
‘How does the loss of the warehouse affect the Lupan House?’ she asked to cover her confusion.
‘The augurs have deemed it to be a piece of good fortune.’ Aro wore an unsmiling face. He gestured towards the piles of building stone, neatly stacked in one area. Several workmen were unloading yet another cart. ‘The fire cleansed the site of demons and their curses.’
‘Spare me what the priests have said.’ Lydia tilted her head to get a better view. ‘Please tell me the truth.’
Aro opened his mouth and closed it again. Lydia waited, hearing the shouts of the workmen behind her. How was he going to answer the question? Every muscle tensed, waiting. Would he trust her?
‘At this time of year, I need every nook and cranny of storage space,’ Aro began in a different tone, serious but with a note of respect. ‘In the winter months, mainly we can only trade up and down the coast, but we need to be ready for when the winds change and we can sail for Cyrene and Alexandria. Once the grain is ready, the ships will race back here. The first one to arrive will make his fortune.’
‘Is Alexandria as exotic as they say?’ Lydia asked, unable to keep a wistful note from her voice. Egypt was one place she had always wanted to see, ever since she had first heard tales about the ancient land with its fabled pyramids and long history.
‘The lighthouse with its beacon shining far out to sea is one of the wonders of the world. You must see it. I can take you there one day. Have you travelled much?’
Lydia ducked her head and concentrated on rearranging her shawl. ‘I have not been that far, only up to northern Italy. They say it is a different world.’
‘Egypt is indeed another world, a civilisation mired in the past, with officials who demand their share.’
‘But you enjoy the city?’
‘Yes, I enjoy the city.’ Aro smiled down at her. ‘In the sunrise, with the low moan of the trumpets, there is nothing quite like it. Then, of course, there is the grain race, the race across the sea to Rome to be the first boat to unload this year’s harvest.’
‘I heard you have won it.’
‘The last three years the gods have favoured the Lupan House. Last year, we arrived a full hour before any of Ofellius’s fleet appeared on the horizon.’
Lydia tilted her head and looked at Aro from under her eyelashes. His eyes held a faraway look. ‘Do you miss the travel?’
‘The sea is a harsh and unforgiving mistress.’ His eyes held a brief tinge of sadness. ‘Too many of my friends and fellow sailors have gone to meet Neptune and his court.’
‘They went doing what they loved.’ Inadequate words, Lydia knew, but she wanted to say something, to show she understood.
He reached out and his hand touched her cheek. His lips were no more than a breath away. Her insides became alight with a growing warmth. How was she going to remain aloof when the merest touch of his hand lit a fire? When she desired his lips?
‘How long will it take to replace the warehouse?’ she asked, going towards the smouldering pile of charred timber. She needed to bring the conversation away from the personal. Anything to get away from his touch and her longing for it to continue.
‘Slightly less than two months. I want it finished and ready for when the wind changes and the time comes for the grain from Egypt to arrive.’ His eyes danced as if he knew why she had moved away from him.
Lydia asked a few more questions about the warehouse and listened as he explained. Her mind kept returning to his touch and her body’s reaction to it. She had wanted more. She had nearly asked for more. The kiss they had shared last night meant she had only two more kisses, and then she’d lose. She’d remain a Fabii and no longer a Veratii.
&
nbsp; Lydia watched in silence as the men cleared another bit of rubble from the ruined building. She was very aware of the man standing next to her. He did not touch her again, but every movement he made, or breath he took, she seemed to feel a heightened awareness deep inside her.
Workmen came running up to him from all directions, chattering in Greek and Aramaic and several other languages that Lydia vaguely knew as well as Latin. Aro answered each in turn in the language they had spoken to him.
‘I had no idea that you could speak so many different tongues,’ she said when the last one had departed.
‘Sailors come from all over the Mediterranean and sea voyages are long. It helps pass the time.’
‘I hadn’t thought of it in that way.’ She saw her smile reflected in his, and felt a delicious warmth wash over her.
‘The ability to speak many tongues helps in the negotiations. I can understand what is being said, not just what is being translated. It means I can get the price I want for my cargo. It is something I require of all captains.’
‘Ah, now I know why you charge such high prices.’
‘As long as Neptune is willing, any cargo entrusted to my house gets to its intended destination and is sold to the highest bidder. Which is more than I can say for some.’
‘Sulpicia told me Publius’s liquamen has been delivered to Corinth.’
‘Your brother was one of the lucky ones, then. Not all of Ofellius’s consignments find their destination so easily.’
‘I realise that, but now Sulpicia’s mind is at rest. I didn’t want anything to disturb her as she is so pregnant. She lost their first child.’
‘I didn’t know.’
‘It is why Publius ran up so many gambling debts.’ Lydia clenched her hands and took a deep breath. Now was the time for an explanation. ‘It is why I had to sell the wine. I had to find a way to save him. Father was ill and the shock of Publius’s debts would have killed him.’
‘You sold the wine for your brother.’ A note of incredulity crept into Aro’s voice. He ran his hand through his hair.
‘And for my father. Remember he lay just on this side of Hades. What else could I do?’ Lydia held her hands out. ‘I had to keep the family’s honour. It would have killed my father to lose his Senate seat. What would you have done?’
‘I understand why you thought you had to do it.’
His gaze caught and held hers. Lydia was the first to look away. She ran the toe of her sandal in the dust like a child, saying nothing. She found herself dangerously close to liking Aro. She had to remember that he was no better than Ofellius or a hundred other merchants. He had forced her into this marriage, and would keep her there.
‘Have you discovered the identity of the man who accosted us the other night?’
‘It has been taken care of. Why?’ He fixed her with his eye.
‘I wondered.’
‘You need not worry. He won’t trouble you again.’ There was a cold finality in his voice. He put a hand on her elbow, guiding her away from the workmen. ‘Allow me to show you my favourite place in Rome.’
Aro led her into a small office at one side of the warehouse. Scrolls and tablets were stacked neatly against one wall and the whole room smelled of dusty spices as well as the all-pervading smell of smoke. It was the sort of room Lydia knew she could happily spend hours in—a place to write, read and to think. A small altar with figurines of Mercury, Neptune and Minerva stood in one corner.
‘It’s absolutely lovely. No wonder you like it.’ She peeped out of the small window, catching a glimpse of the Tiber and barges making their way along it. In the distance, she could hear the shouts and calls of the men.
‘Thankfully, we were able to stop the fire before it spread here. Otherwise, a great deal more than a few amphorae of oil and a building would have been lost.’
‘You have a lot of scrolls and tablets here.’ Lydia nodded towards the towering piles of tablets propped against the back wall. ‘But everything is in such order.’
‘Order saves time.’ Aro hooked his thumbs through his belt. ‘Knowing where things are and putting them back saves time in the long run. By your right hand are shipping lists for last summer’s consignments to Egypt.’
Lydia picked up a few of the tablets, shipping lists, all carefully written in the same neat hand. Aro’s.
‘Impressive. And over here?’ She gestured towards a dustier stack.
‘Shipments from Ostia to Hispania from three years ago.’
Lydia blew the dust off the top tablet and smiled. Same neat writing and he was correct. She compared the order to the chaos that was her father’s study, and how long it had taken her to find anything. ‘You do know where everything in this room is.’
‘Yes, but there again, I’m a good guesser.’ Aro smiled and the sunshine broke over his face. ‘It helps to be lucky in my line of business.’
‘Are you lucky?’
‘I like to think so.’ His voice was low and held hidden meaning.
The room had contracted. If either of them took very many steps, they would end up touching each other. Lydia turned towards the small altar and started rearranging the figurines.
‘Why do you keep this number of tablets and scrolls here?’
‘This is where I prefer to work when I am in Rome.’
‘I would have thought you’d do most of your work at the house, having clients come and visit you.’
‘It is easier to be here where I am easily accessible in case of problems. Wind and water wait for no man.’ He lounged against the table, sandalled foot dangling in the air. A smile played on his lips as if he knew exactly why she had picked up the small figurine of Mercury for the third time. ‘My house is for those who need to be impressed, but the heart of the business remains on these docks and warehouses.’
Lydia hurriedly placed the figurine down. She had no need of soothsayers or augurs to interpret his words. Aro was telling her that he intended to keep his two lives separate. The villa where she belonged would always be second place to where his true life lay, where his true happiness was. He needed no help here. Everything was perfectly organised, unlike her father’s study. She could never imagine Aro turning to her for help and advice.
She hated the confirmation of her fears. She had no more value to him than an expensive statue, an addition to his fabled art collection as the senator from the baths had said. And like a statue, she was going to be kept under lock and key, exhibited when the time was right. She had seen it happen to other women, but had never considered it would happen to her.
‘Yes, I understand.’
Aro did not reply, but his body became alert. Gone was the easy relaxed manner, and in its place a watchful stillness. He glanced over to the water-clock and gave a satisfied nod. Lydia parted her lips to ask what was going on, but Aro held up one finger, silencing her.
‘He will see me,’ came a strident voice. ‘I will have words with him.’
The door was flung open and Ofellius, red-faced but resplendent in a deep purple cloak and matching tunic, marched in. Two of his men stood behind him. Lydia gave a small gasp when she saw the man on the right side, the man who had menaced her and Aro two nights earlier. She recognised the jagged scar running down his face, although now one of his eyes was closed and bruised. She started to cry out, but Aro’s warning look silenced her.
‘Do come in, old friend. If you had but knocked…’ Aro strode over to greet Ofellius. He was pleased Lydia had remained near the window. He extended his hand and gripped Ofellius’s forearm in the traditional manner. No hidden daggers. Behind Ofellius and his entourage, one of Rufus’s grandsons held up two fingers to make a V sign. Five men. There again, he had possibly stationed his other men down an alleyway waiting for the signal to strike.
Aro inclined his head sideways, but Rufus’s grandson shook his head. No more men. Aro permitted a tight smile to cross his lips. Everything was going as planned.
Ofellius would not find what he sought h
ere. The visit was expected, but he had not known if Ofellius intended an all-out attack. Only five meant he knew as Aro did that the Ofellian House had no legal right to that cargo. This visit was for bluster, to keep face with his men. A show of force in hopes of intimidation. Other men had tried and failed. Ofellius would get nothing.
‘I had expected to find you at your house.’ Ofellius made a tiny noise in the back of his throat.
‘It is far too late for that.’ Aro indicated Lydia. ‘I have been showing my wife the splendours of the Lupan House in Rome.’
Ofellius turned with a start. His eyes narrowed and he gave a stiff bow. Lydia inclined her head slightly, betraying no surprise at the encounter. Aro was proud of her demeanour. Many women would be in hysterics if a door had suddenly crashed in. The potential for hysterics or vapours was one of the reasons he had brought her with him today. He had to be here, but he had not wanted to leave her on her own, guarded by only a few slaves and servants, in case Ofellius had tried to wreak his revenge on the house.
‘Your men interfered with a cargo of olive oil yesterday.’ Ofellius drew back his lips in a snarl. ‘They took it off one of my ships. Boarded the ship without my permission.’
‘Did they, indeed?’ Aro arched an eyebrow. ‘How very remiss of them.’
‘They behaved like pirates.’
Behind him, he heard Lydia’s sudden intake of breath. Aro regretted alarming Lydia, but he had little choice. He dare not take the risk that she was disloyal.
‘There are no pirates in Rome, my friend. General Pompey saw to that.’ He made a slight bow. ‘My wife is fond of informing me of this fact.’
Ofellius blanched and Aro wondered again exactly who protected this man. He should have been crucified, but somehow the Fates had smiled on him, Pompey had forgiven him and he still continued his operations of intimidation and theft.
‘I want it back. Every last drop.’ Ofellius slammed his fist into his open hand. ‘You had no right to board one of my ships.’
‘To retrieve my own cargo? I suspect the dock workers were in error. They confused one ship for another in the very early morning light. There was a meeting about this problem last Ides. The other trading houses and I thought we had come to an agreement.’
Sold and Seduced Page 17
