‘It is the same thing. Let me go about my business.’ Lydia fought against the hands that held her again.
‘A Roman matron of your standing discovered in a back alley without any protection. Somebody had to act for the sake of…decorum.’
‘I became separated from my bodyguard.’ Lydia drew herself up to her full height and wished she was a bit taller and more intimidating. She had to get away. If she ran, she might be able to make it back to Tuccia. Somehow, they could send word to Aro and he would rescue her. She should have gone back the instant she realised Strabo had disappeared. ‘He is looking for me. Let me go back to Rufus’s apartment and wait for him there.’
‘Tsk, tsk, how unfortunate. And careless of you.’
A cold prickling went down the back of her neck. She was tempted to push her way around him, but three of his men stood behind him. One she noticed was the same man who had nearly pushed her down the stairs earlier.
‘I will be going now.’ Her voice sounded high and thin to her ears.
‘Aro must be very foolish to misplace his woman like this,’ Ofellius continued as if she had not spoken.
‘I am not Aro’s woman,’ Lydia said. ‘I am his wife.’
Ofellius lifted an eyebrow. ‘Is there a difference?’
‘Most assuredly, yes. A wife is for political purposes only.’
‘Don’t sell yourself short, my lady. There are no half-measures about you.’ Ofellius ran a long finger down the side of her cheek. Lydia forced her body to remain still, not to flinch. ‘I am sure Aro will be very glad to know you are in safe hands.’
An ominous foreboding filled Lydia. Ofellius did not intend to return her to Aro. He was going to use her as bait, but when he discovered that she meant very little to Aro—what then? Her stomach churned. The worst part was that she had trusted this…this pirate with Publius’s fish sauce.
‘Are you offering to see me home, Ofellius?’ Lydia crossed her arms to prevent their trembling and stared hard at the man. ‘It is very kind of you to take such an interest in my safety, but I assure you I can find my own way. I will tell Aro of your concern.’
She ignored the guffaws of Ofellius’s men and concentrated on keeping her head upright. She did not want to do anything to provoke the man, but rather to shame him.
One movement of Ofellius’s hand silenced the men. ‘In due course, you will be returned, but I think to enjoy your company a little while longer. Your wit is quite renowned.’
His minions laughed, but Lydia stood there with a sinking heart. She was right. She was to be held captive. And how would Aro react? She refused to beg. She would reason. She made sure she stood up straight, head held high.
‘Whatever problem you have with the Lupan House, this is not the way to get redress. Let the courts decide.’
‘What did I tell you, lads? The lady has an unequalled way with words.’ Ofellius gave a booming laugh. ‘The courts? We shall dispute man to man as we have always done.’
Fear gripped Lydia’s stomach. There were so many things she could have done. Her desire for independence had gone too far. Whatever his feelings for her might be, Aro would never jeopardise the Lupan House for her sake. She was a worthless prize. She had to make Ofellius see sense before it was too late for both of them.
‘You are making a mistake, if you think having me will make Fabius Aro change his ways. The Sea Wolf will not change for anyone.’
‘For your sake, I hope you are wrong,’ Ofellius returned. ‘Shall we go?’
The man behind her sniggered, causing Lydia’s flesh to creep.
‘I do not have much choice.’
‘No, you do not.’
‘Fabius Aro, we have a problem,’ Piso said, coming into the tablinum. His brow furrowed. Piso had arrived back from Ostia late yesterday.
‘Problem? What sort of problem?’ Every muscle in Aro’s body became alert.
Piso came forward, twisting his cap in his hands. ‘Strabo, the man who escorted Lydia and Tuccia this morning…Rufus found him outside a wine shop. You know the wine shop where you found me the other day—Flora’s place.’
Aro’s blood ran cold. He knew what Piso was not saying. Lydia was not with Strabo. A thousand different things raced through his brain. Aro forced his lungs to breathe. She had to be uninjured.
‘What was Strabo doing in a wine shop near where Rufus lives? It is on the other side of Rome to the Palatine.’
‘I understand from Rufus that your wife visited him earlier. She brought a jar of ointment to help with his burns. He was most effusive about it. Some time after she left, Rufus went down to his local for a quiet glass, leaving his granddaughter with his wife and found Strabo slumped on the floor, his drink by his side.’
Aro struggled to keep his temper. ‘But where is Lydia, if Strabo was discovered comatose?’
‘That is what I wanted to talk to you about.’ Piso developed a sudden interest in his cap.
‘Out with it, man!’
‘She’s vanished. Rufus and his wife were the last people to see her.’
Aro resisted the impulse to shake Piso. Getting the information was like getting blood from a statue. Aro felt his blood quicken. He slammed his fist on to the bench, causing it to jump and Korina to whimper.
‘Who gave Strabo permission to drink himself stupid?’
‘According to Strabo, he was hit from behind. He has a lump the size of a hen’s egg on the back of his head. But that could have come from falling off the bar stool. The barmaid, not Flora, another one swears that she saw nothing untoward.’
‘Is the barmaid reliable?’
‘We’ve become acquainted. You can never know too many barmaids. Baths, wine and women will all ruin you, but what is life except baths, wine and women?’ Piso’s eyes twinkled. ‘I am thinking of going back there and—’
‘Where is Lydia?’ Aro fought the rage that welled up within him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Korina cover her face with her paws and shrink back. Piso shifted uneasily. Shouting would not achieve anything, but it made him feel better. Aro fought for control. ‘Do we have any idea of where she might be?’
‘No,’ Piso replied quietly. ‘The barmaid said that men from the Ofellius house sometimes drink there. Not often, but sometimes. The one you laid low in Flora’s shop was hanging around like a bad smell outside the wine shop. He sidled off pretty quick once I arrived. As I arrived back here, one of his men handed me this.’
Piso held out a tablet. Aro glanced over it. Ofellius stating he had something of value and offering an exchange. There could be little doubt what this something of value was.
‘That should have been the first thing you told me,’ Aro said.
‘Do you think Ofellius has her?’
‘It is a possibility. She was definitely at Rufus’s, and then she left. From what you say, no one has seen her and now this tablet arrives, offering negotiations.’
‘Gods, I would not wish that on any woman.’
Absently Aro stroked Korina’s head. It was all too easy to imagine the scene at Ofellius’s hall. Decked in resplendent purple, the finest money and greed could buy, Ofellius would greet him with effusive gestures. They’d chat, skirting around the critical problem. Ofellius would lean forward, snap his fingers and allow Aro a glimpse of Lydia and the bargaining would begin. Aro pressed his lips together. Because he had seen her with her dark hair streaming out over her pillow, heard her voice and felt her womanly curves against his, he would give away more than he intended. Because he wanted to see her smile, and hear her clear voice again, he would sacrifice all.
Aro stood up, wiped his hands on his tunic. He had to stop letting his fantasy run away with his thoughts. He refused to bargain, even for Lydia. If Ofellius had taken Lydia, it would be a fight, a fight to the death.
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Runners will be sent to see if there is any whisper about Lydia. If Ofellius has her, he will send another note. This one was to whet our appe
tite.’
Lydia followed Ofellius, pretending to be complacent with her eyes down as a proper matron should, but her muscles tensed, ready to run when the opportunity presented itself. They seemed to be travelling slowly with Ofellius waiting at corners for certain signals before she was hurried across the square.
She said a prayer to Fortunata, asking for her help. Thankfully, none of Ofellius’s men touched her. For now, they seemed content to form a phalanx around her.
The streets became more familiar. She spotted a fishmonger Aro and she had passed on their way from the Aventine baths to the temple of Diana. Her throat closed. She could find her way from here.
There had to be a way to break free and escape. She had no doubt that Aro would be furious with her when he found out. He had warned her of the danger. If only she had had an instant more, she’d have returned to Rufus and sent Tuccia back for the litter. Lydia bit her lip. The Fates had certainly given an unwelcome twist to their spindle.
They came into a small crowded market square where a silk merchant had hung out his wares. A litter and two carts blocked the road. Ofellius and his men grumbled to each other, complaining about the traffic.
Lydia’s heart thudded. She recognised the colours and bearers. What in the name of Juno was her father doing here? Lydia waved wildly, but no response. It started to head off in the direction of the Forum. A heavy hand closed on her upper arm, propelling her forward. Lydia’s throat tightened.
‘Lydia, Lydia, what are you doing here? Walking, of all things?’ Sulpicia’s voice floated over the crowd.
Lydia felt a heavy load roll from her back. Sulpicia had seen her. She was saved. Lydia waved back.
‘Hold on, Sulpicia,’ she called. ‘I will come and join you.’
She shook off her captor’s hand and darted towards the litter, daring Ofellius to stop her.
‘Thank you for your hospitality, Ofellius.’ Lydia gave a gracious nod. ‘But my sister-in-law has a litter and I am rather tired from my journey. She can look after me now.’
Ofellius pursed his lips and his hand made a cutting motion. Two of his men started forward and Lydia thought they might grab her. One of Ofellius’s men in his haste tripped over a market stall, sending piles of figs and plums rolling all over the street. The market stall owner and his wife started berating him. Fists began to fly.
Lydia gave a wild look behind her and then sprinted the last few yards to the litter.
‘Please,’ she said in a low voice to Sulpicia. ‘Can you give me a lift?’
‘Absolutely delighted to, but, Juno’s necklace, it looks as if we are going to be here for awhile.’
Sulpicia moved over a bit and made room in the litter. Lydia hoisted herself into the litter without waiting for it to be lowered and lay staring up at the ceiling, willing her heart to stop pounding.
‘Lydia, my dear, you seem out of breath.’ Sulpicia put her hand on Lydia’s arm.
‘I am fine, honestly.’
‘Your husband should know better than to make you walk without a guard. These streets are dangerous places.’
‘I became separated from my guard.’
‘Oh, Lydia, how frightening for you. Are you all right? Were you molested?’
‘I am fine now.’
Lydia willed the litter to move and after an age the swaying motion began. She risked a backward glance. The market stall was now in tatters. One of Ofellius’s men had just been hit over the head with a roll of cloth and Ofellius looked like he had swallowed a sour plum.
She closed her eyes and lay back on the cushions. Safe.
‘Why are you in this part of the city, Sulpicia?’
‘I have just been to the temple of the Good Goddess to ensure my baby will be born strong and healthy.’ Sulpicia leant forward, her face glowing. ‘The augur assures me the baby will be a boy. Publius will be delighted.’
‘And my father, how is he?’
‘He is well, although his temper is uncertain. You know how he dislikes to lose at anything, and he lost a court case last week. And he has had that despicable trader Ofellius for dinner twice in the last seven days. He even wanted us to dine with him. I soon put a stop to that notion.’
‘Ofellius?’ Lydia tilted her head. ‘What would my father want with him?’
Sulpicia coloured. ‘You mustn’t think anything about it. You know how I am, always saying things. Forget I ever mentioned it. Now, let me tell you about the divine ribbons I saw…’
Lydia allowed Sulpicia’s chatter to wash over her as she took deep breaths and watched the swaying roof of the litter. She was going back home.
A huge lump formed in Lydia’s throat as she caught a glimpse of the now familiar façade of the Lupan House. Safety. Home. Aro.
Above all else, she wanted to feel Aro’s strong arms about her and lay her head against his chest, drinking in his familiar scent. Somehow winning the wager no longer mattered. She knew as long as Aro was there, she was safe.
The thought surprised her and she forgot to reply to Sulpicia’s observation about the crowds on the Aventine. She made her goodbyes and called for Clodius the porter.
After a short time, he appeared with his dog at his heels. His eyes widened when he saw her.
‘I have not been gone that long that you have forgotten my face,’ Lydia said with a short laugh.
‘Not at all, Lydia Fabia.’ He made a low bow. ‘As ever, I am pleased to see you. You are a welcome sight.’
‘Is my husband within?’ Lydia asked. If Aro was here, she might be able to have a quiet word and tell him of her adventure. He had to see that there was something going on. Perhaps, he could warn her father about the follies of doing business with Ofellius and then the whole incident with the fish sauce could be properly investigated. The amphora in Rufus’s apartment was from Publius’s shipment. She’d bet any amount of money on it.
Without waiting for Clodius to announce her, she swept into the atrium and halted.
The place swarmed with men, some carrying sticks and others she was sure had swords under their cloaks. There was a quiet purpose in their movements. She could pick out Aro’s dark head in the centre of the atrium, his back towards the doorway, speaking to Pius.
The sound in the atrium ceased. All movement became frozen. Then Aro made an irritated noise and turned. For a heartbeat, their eyes met. His face lit up, only to be replaced by a stern frown. The quickness of the change made Lydia wonder if the first expression had been her imagination.
She held out her hands, and longed to run to him, throw her arms about him and feel his solid body against hers. She wanted to tell him that she was wrong and he was right, that she should have taken two men with her, but not here in front of all these men. Her feet felt as if they were encased in concrete. She made a little gesture with her hands.
‘Aro.’
Nobody moved.
‘You have returned, Lydia.’ His eyes glittered dangerously.
‘Sulpicia brought me back.’
He lifted his eyebrow at the mention of Sulpicia. ‘I had no idea you were visiting your father.’
‘I wasn’t.’
He was silent at that. He leant over and spoke a word to Pius. Silently the men filed out, leaving Aro and Lydia standing there, facing each other.
‘Are you going to tell me where you were?’ His face betrayed nothing. His voice was dangerously quiet. ‘Or are we to play a game of questions?’
‘There is no mystery about it.’ Lydia gave a little laugh. She leant forward and dipped her hand in the pool. ‘Someone sent word to Tuccia that her grandparents were ill. I took her there as I wanted to make Rufus’s acquaintance. I left Tuccia to administer to her grandparents.’
‘Did you take a bodyguard?’ Again, his words were quiet.
Lydia shifted uncomfortably. She was used to her father’s bluster, not this quiet precise way of questioning. How could she tell him of her discovery? Or about what happened afterwards? What if she had been mistaken about eve
rything? The last thing she wanted to do was start a war between two rival trading houses.
‘I did.’ Lydia answered firmly. ‘Strabo.’
‘And where is he? Did he return with you in Sulpicia’s litter?’
‘He disappeared.’ Lydia put her hand to her throat, reliving those awful few moments when she had stood alone in the street. ‘He had said that the apartment would be crowded and he would wait down on the street. After my visit, he was nowhere to be seen.’
‘And didn’t you think to return to Rufus’s house and wait?’
‘It never crossed my mind. The apartment was tiny, barely big enough for four people. He agreed to wait for me. Equally I had no wish to go poking in every wine shop, seeking the man.’ Lydia stopped. Her eyes widened. ‘You thought something had happened to me.’
‘We had received a report, a report which appears to be in error, thank Mercury.’
Lydia’s mind raced. She had no way of knowing if Ofellius had meant her harm. He could have been trying to be kind. Perhaps he had wanted to shake her confidence and prevent her from doing something like that again. He had let her go when she encountered Sulpicia. He could have detained her if he had wanted. No, he had simply wanted to give her a fright. And she did not want to risk Aro getting hurt over that.
‘Nothing happened. I discovered Sulpicia.’
‘And what was your sister-in-law doing in that area of Rome? I would have thought it a little rough for her.’
‘She was attending a fertility rite. The baby is due in two months’ time, and she wants to be sure it is a boy.’
Lydia waited, but Aro continued to stand there, saying nothing. He was regarding her as if she were a naughty child. He should be pleased to see her back, but he had a black look. Something was obviously wrong, but once again, he was not going to confide in her. She had had enough this day.
‘You will forgive me, but it has been a long day,’ she said. ‘I desire to use the bathing suite.’
Without waiting for his word of consent, she left the atrium, head held high, refusing to look back.
‘What shall I do with the men?’ Piso asked as he returned to the atrium. ‘Do we go to Ofellius’s compound? The men are ready and armed with cudgels.’
Sold and Seduced Page 20
