Sold and Seduced

by Michelle Styles

  ‘Fabius Aro will not like it,’ he repeated, shaking his head. ‘I can tell you now. You might wish to risk the Sea Wolf’s wrath, but I will not.’

  Lydia put her hands on her hips. ‘If he knew what was happening, he would agree with me.’

  Clodius looked unimpressed. Lydia pushed a tendril of hair behind her ear. She would get nowhere by arguing with Clodius. What she had found with Aro was too fragile to trust to a disgruntled porter. She had no wish to repeat the misunderstandings of the first days of their marriage.

  ‘Very well, take me to him. I will inform him myself.’ Lydia drew herself up to her full height. ‘Surely you can have no objection to that.’

  Lydia noticed the stillness before they had even arrived at the warehouse. Instead of the bustle and hum, everything was silent. One or two workmen hung around the yard, but it was as if the whole place held its breath.

  ‘Is it because of the censor?’ she asked in a hushed tone.

  ‘It’s them curse tablets, I reckon. It has been this way for the last few days. Despite Fabius Aro’s reputation, they are taking their toll. People are beginning to whisper that the Sea Wolf has lost his touch.’ Clodius spat on the ground and made a sign to ward off evil.

  Lydia swallowed hard. The curse tablets, the ones that had started when she married Aro. Exactly who was her enemy?

  ‘The curse tablets mean nothing,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Fabius Aro had augurs and diviners in to purify the place.’

  ‘It may be, but people are whispering. They say that he may even lose the election because of the whispers. The gods have started to desert him.’

  A chill passed over Lydia. This election to the Senate meant everything to him. He had married her to secure the necessary votes in the tribes. The censor would see he had the support. Lydia thought back to her blithe words to the fixer at the baths—he won’t need you, because the people will be behind him.

  ‘That is nonsense. Wine-shop talk. I am sure Fabius Aro would agree with me.’

  ‘Agree with you about what?’ Aro’s voice boomed. ‘What would I agree with you about, Lydia?’

  Aro appeared in the entrance way. Instead of looking flawless in a gleaming white toga, droplets of sweat clung to his brow and several patches of dirt clung to his tunic as if he had been shifting stone or amphorae. His eyes looked weary.

  Lydia raced over to him, feeling as if a burden had dropped from her shoulders. She’d explain, then she’d go to Sulpicia. She had no desire to have any disagreement between them, but she had to go.

  ‘It’s Sulpicia. Gallus says the baby is coming and she is asking for me. I promised her when we married that I’d return when the baby was born. She is frightened, Aro, oh, so frightened. It is the least I can do—to be there.’

  Aro smoothed the hair away from her forehead, before resting his forehead against it.

  ‘I thought Sulpicia’s baby was not due for days,’ he said, releasing her. ‘Next Kalends, I thought you said.’

  ‘Babies have a habit of coming when they are ready. Please give me leave to go.’

  He looked away from her then. ‘I can’t, Lydia. I fear it is a trap.’

  ‘A trap? What are you talking about?’ Lydia’s body went cold and she wrapped her arms about her waist. ‘What sort of trap?’

  ‘There have been rumours that your father is in league with Ofellius and trying to discredit me. I fear you might be in danger.’

  ‘My father? What sort of nonsense is that?’

  ‘Ofellius’s behaviour was strange that day he tried to kidnap you.’

  ‘I escaped.’ Lydia pushed aside thoughts about how he had not tried very hard to recapture her. They were unworthy. ‘My father would never have tried to harm me. I am his daughter.’

  ‘I am sure he did not have the least intention of harming you.’

  Aro placed his hand on her sleeve and the warmth from it travelled up her arm, infusing her body with the memories of the nights they had spent together.

  ‘Then why would he do it?’ Lydia shook her head. ‘I refuse to believe it. My father would never ever put me in harm’s way. Whoever told you that seeks to injure my father.’

  ‘I wish I knew, but until I do, I must ask you to refrain from going to his house.’

  ‘Do you have any proof? Or is it merely market whispers?’

  ‘If I had solid proof, I would have told you sooner. You must believe me, Lydia. I have no wish to blacken your father’s name.’

  ‘But you believe it to be true.’

  ‘Yes.’ The word was drawn from his breast.

  Icy fear clenched Lydia’s stomach. There had to be a mistake somewhere. There had to be a simple explanation for all this. ‘Have you spoken with my father about it?’

  ‘Until I have solid proof, I have refrained from doing anything out of respect for you and your father.’

  ‘You have condemned him without speaking to him. We are not talking about one of your business rivals. We are speaking of my father.’

  ‘Which is why I am trying to be cautious, Lydia. Someone wanted you kidnapped, and I am trying to discover with all due speed who that someone was. I never make accusations lightly.’

  Lydia drew in her breath, concentrated on not losing her temper. She had to stay calm, but Aro also had to see sense. She was pleased he wanted to protect her, but she would be safe in her father’s house.

  ‘Aro, I made a promise to Sulpicia. I have to go. I have to go now, not when you can spare the men or when it is convenient to you. I must be there for her.’

  Lydia drew away from his hand. A deep chill had pervaded her inside. Surely Aro could not be jealous of her family. He could not be asking her to turn her back on Sulpicia in her hour of need.

  ‘If you are worried, come with me to my father’s. It will not take long and, once you see I am safely there, you can go.’

  Aro ran his hand through his hair, making it stand up straight. ‘I could say the same thing to you. Why can’t you wait until I have the time to take you? The ropes holding the amphorae were cut this morning. Someone wanted a nasty accident to happen. It is only through good fortune that no one was injured. I have to make sure everything is safe. I have a duty towards my men and the Lupan House. Then I need to present myself at the Campus Martius before the sun crosses the rostrum.’

  ‘And I have a duty towards my sister-in-law! She is giving birth!’

  ‘You need not shout. I heard you the first time,’ Aro said, an irritated look appearing on his face. ‘I will take you after I have sorted things out here. Then I can stay and wait for you.’

  ‘Why? Don’t you trust me to return?’ Lydia raised her chin and stared directly into his eyes. She refused to show that that one remark had cut through her. Despite what they had shared, he had no trust in her.

  ‘I never said that.’ An indulgent smile played on Aro’s lips, infuriating Lydia all the more. ‘Calm yourself. Listen to yourself, Lydia. You are in no state to go and help Sulpicia. What do you know of birthing? Let the midwife take charge.’

  ‘I can hold her hand. She asked for me!’ Lydia gritted her teeth. She refused to lose her temper. The worst of it was she knew Aro was right. She had no idea of the birthing process, but it made no difference. She had given her word. She refused to let Sulpicia suffer alone and frightened. She drew a deep breath and concentrated on keeping her voice calm and reasoned. ‘I promised her. Can’t you understand?’

  Aro’s eyes softened. Lydia felt her heart beat faster. He had understood. He would let her go.

  ‘Can’t you understand that my wife’s safety is of paramount importance to me?’ His voice was silky soft, cajoling her. ‘I am only asking you to delay a little.’

  Her stomach dropped to the tops of her sandals. He was only humouring her. He would find another and yet another excuse. He did not intend to let her go.

  ‘I need to go now.’ If only she could make him see. She had to go now. Every breath she took was a reminder of her failure
to keep her promise. ‘I have to go now. I am going with or without your leave.’

  ‘And I forbid it.’ His hand closed around her arm. ‘You are my wife and you will obey me in this.’

  ‘Never.’

  ‘You will obey me. You will do as I say. We married cum manu. I am your guardian as well as your husband.’

  Lydia drew herself up. Anger washed over her in a great wave. Forbid her? She thought they were beyond that. She had thought things were different between them. All she could see stretching out before her was a lonely life. She could never exist in such a relationship. With one furious motion she took off her ring and threw it at his feet. It fell to the ground with a small clang of metal hitting stone.

  ‘I regret I cannot be the wife you want. I thought for a time I could, but I can’t. What we had is no more.’

  She turned and started to walk towards the entrance, her heart breaking. She knew if she looked back and saw any softening, anything, she’d run into his arms, so she did not allow herself. She concentrated on putting one sandal in front of the other.

  ‘My lady, my lady, where are you going?’ she heard Gallus call.

  ‘I am going to keep my promise.’

  Aro watched the ring bounce in the dust at his feet. He took a step towards Lydia’s fast-disappearing skirts, but then stopped. He did not run after women. Instead, he bent down and picked up the ring, cleaning it carefully.

  ‘Shall I go after Lydia Fabia?’ Clodius asked.

  Aro closed his eyes and shook his head.

  A sense of weariness swept over Lydia as she approached her father’s house. At first she had been too angry to think; then she had worried that Aro would come after her; then she worried that he wouldn’t. But he didn’t. He failed to even send one of his men hurrying after her.

  Their marriage to him meant less than fixing the ropes on the amphorae. He had never said that he loved her, only that he intended to protect her. He would do the same for any who belonged to the Lupan House. She was no different. And the irony of it was that she loved him. If he had come after her, she might have flown into his arms and forgotten all her principles. But he hadn’t. He had only cared about appearances. Lydia’s throat closed and she quickened her footsteps.

  She was pleased when the familiar gates of her father’s house appeared.

  The house seemed very quiet, unnaturally so. None of the servants were about. She supposed they were behaving this way out of respect for Sulpicia.

  She’d first check on Sulpicia and then she’d see her father and explain about what had happened this morning. Then later, much later, she’d allow herself the luxury of tears. Now the place inside her felt too raw and hollow. How could she love a man who denied her the right to fulfil her promises? Why had it happened? And how could he believe her father would ever do anything underhand?

  Lydia tapped on Sulpicia’s door and heard Sulpicia’s voice bidding her to enter. Rather than sitting on a birthing chair or groaning, Sulpicia sat at her dressing table, applying the last bit of wine dregs to her cheeks, chatting away to Beroe, the tire-woman.

  ‘Sulpicia, I came as quickly as I could. Tell me I am in time.’

  Sulpicia turned with a start. ‘Lydia? Why are you here?’

  ‘You sent Gallus with a message, summoning me.’

  ‘Not I.’ Sulpicia gave a tinkling laugh and waved a bracelet bedecked arm. ‘I haven’t seen Gallus all morning.’

  Lydia ran her tongue over her lips. Rapidly she went back over Gallus’s message. He had told her that Sulpicia was giving birth. Someone had lied to him. Someone had wanted her here and not in the safety of Aro’s house. The worst thing was that she had believed Gallus. The room seemed to sway.

  ‘Lydia, my dear, whatever is the matter? You look green. Doesn’t she look dreadful Beroe?’

  ‘You didn’t send for me? The midwife is not here?’

  ‘Do you have a fever, Lydia?’ A worried frown appeared between Sulpicia’s brows. ‘Maybe you are anxious about the censor?’

  ‘I am perfectly fine,’ Lydia said through gritted teeth. ‘But why did someone feel the need to send for me?’

  Sulpicia stood up and went over to Lydia. She put an arm around her and Lydia allowed her to lead her to the bed. Lydia sank down.

  ‘My back ached this morning. My feet are swollen. I bear a certain resemblance to a beached whale, but Beroe has assured me these are good signs. The baby should not be here for days, Lydia. You know that. There was no need for me to send word.’

  Two bright spots appeared on Sulpicia’s cheeks.

  ‘You know who sent for me,’ Lydia said quietly.

  Tears sprang to Sulpicia’s eyes. ‘Cornelius. He wanted me to write the note, but I refused. I hoped you wouldn’t come, that you’d realise I would never ask Cornelius to do such a thing, and when I did send for you, it would be a note in my own hand. Gallus is too…too volatile. He is apt to forget things. You have always said that.’

  ‘Of course I came. I made a promise.’

  ‘Cornelius said you would. We argued about it. It is one of the reasons why I am in my room. He has become impossible since this sudden friendship with Ofellius.’

  Lydia fought the urge to scream. Her father knew her all too well. He had used her and her sense of duty. She had been so intent on fulfilling her promise to Sulpicia, so sure of her own righteous behaviour, that she had refused to listen to Aro’s words of caution. Instead of showing what a wonderful person she was, she had shown the contempt she had for his protection. His love. She had been so concerned about fleeing Aro’s bonds that she had not realised he was trying to protect her.

  All she wanted now was a chance, a chance to apologise and to start over again. There had been something between them. Maybe, just maybe, they could salvage something from the wreck of their marriage. From now on, she’d listen with her heart.

  ‘Lydia, where are you going?’

  ‘I have to go back.’ Lydia paused, her hand on the door. ‘I have to go home and find Aro, and apologise.’

  ‘You can’t do that.’ Sulpicia reached out a hand and grabbed Lydia’s arm. Her eyes were wild. ‘Tell her, Beroe. Tell why she has to stay here.’

  ‘Why not? There has been a dreadful mistake.’ Lydia held out both her hands, palms upwards.

  ‘Cornelius only listens to Ofellius. He lured you here. Ofellius has surrounded the house. He intends to keep you here. He intends to ruin Aro. When he is finished, he said the Sea Wolf will be no more.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  A ro’s study was silent and cool after the heat of the yard. Tightening his jaw, Aro put Lydia’s ring on the necklace and looped it around his neck. He held his father’s ring in his hand, looking at its blue stone. Then, deliberately, he walked over to the strong box and tossed the ring in. He placed his snow-white toga with its broad purple stripe on top of the box. Becoming a senator was nothing compared to being Lydia’s husband. The vow he had given his father was less important than the vow he had given his wife on their wedding. She might have tossed the ring away, but he was not going to let her toss away their marriage that easily.

  ‘Aro?’ Piso’s voice jolted Aro from his thoughts. ‘What are you doing, sitting here in the gloom? You should be at the Campus Martius. The censor has begun his roll call.’

  ‘Deciding my plan of attack.’ Aro stuffed the necklace inside his tunic and stood to face Piso.

  ‘You have already heard about what is happening?’ Piso shook his head. ‘I don’t know how you do it. The gods must whisper to you.’

  ‘What nonsense are you spouting now, Piso?’

  ‘Rufus’s grandson has come up with the proof. Veratius and Ofellius are working together. He’s become friends with one of the lads from the Ofellian House. Seems they were in school together as boys. This lad sent word he couldn’t meet our lad because he was wanted for important duties. Could be several days.’

  ‘Important duties? Sometimes, Piso, I wonder if you have not taken
a knock too many in those wine shops you favour.’

  ‘Ah, but you haven’t heard. Ofellius has his henchmen waiting outside Veratius’s house. They have been told to expect trouble. The lad was given a badge to wear. It is the same insignia as the knife you showed me the other day.’

  ‘When did this happen?’ Aro asked. Every muscle became alert.

  ‘This morning. According to Rufus’s lad, they had to hide in the shadows until a certain person arrived and then they were to wait outside, in case of trouble.’ Piso paused. His expectant smile fading a little. ‘Aro, are you all right?’

  ‘Veratius has hired Ofellius as a bodyguard.’

  ‘But why?’

  ‘Lydia left this morning. Her father sent word Sulpicia was in labour. And so she left to fulfil her promise.’ Aro opened the strong box, took out a dagger and tucked it in his sandal.

  ‘And you let her?’

  ‘I did not have much choice in the matter.’ Aro slammed his fist against the table. ‘It would appear her father knew his daughter very well.’

  ‘You mean…’

  ‘I had suspicions when she came to me with the request. I should have gone with her, but instead I chose to quarrel and nurse my injured pride when she stood her ground. I believed—I hoped—her father would keep her safe.’

  Aro reached down and tucked another dagger into his belt.

  ‘It’s a trap, Aro. You must not go there. Ofellius will use it as an excuse. Lydia will find a way to come back to you—’

  ‘Call the men!’ Aro bellowed, cutting Piso’s words short.

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘We are going to give Lydia a chance for her freedom, and we are going to end this dispute between the Ofellian and Lupan Houses for all time.’ He clapped Piso on the back. ‘What are you waiting for, man? We are going to war.’

  ‘Father, can you tell me why—?’

  Lydia stopped in the doorway to her father’s study and stared. She had expected to find Veratius Cornelius alone, but instead he was deep in conversation with Ofellius. She glanced towards where her grandfather’s dagger normally lay. It was not there. A chill swept over her. Lydia forced her back to remain upright. She refused to give in to panic.