Her Roman Protector

by Milinda Jay

  When the dance was finished, they laughed and then stood still and waited for the next dance.

  This one was much slower, and the dancers swayed and melded together until it was difficult to tell them apart.

  The dips and turns of this dance were done while Marcus held Annia securely about her waist. Annia leaned back, Marcus’s arm holding her tight. Marcus leaned over her; then they stood tall and pressed together, side against side.

  This dance was far more complicated and required Annia to have perfect trust of Marcus holding her safe. The dips and lifts were dramatic, and if their timing was off, Annia would surely fall.

  But there was no such confusion. Annia and Marcus danced as if they were made to be with each other. Annia pressed her tiny hands firmly against Marcus’s big, strong hands, giving him a solid partner to work with.

  She looked up into his eyes, and his smile melted her.

  Any resistance she might previously have felt to his charm disappeared by the end of this dance.

  “Is there someone else?” he asked.

  She looked up at him, understanding exactly what he was asking, but she didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Even if he weren’t promised to someone else, was there room for her in his quest to be prefect?

  In the final dance, the circle of dancers entwined upon itself. Original partners lost each other to other partners one, two, three, four times before being reunited in a twirling, swirling circle.

  Just as the music pushed them together, it pulled them quickly apart, and they were on the arms of others, passed from one to the next at opposite ends of the circle from each other. Again, a slow weaving, at the end of which they found each other, embraced, twirled and in a final triumph, Marcus lifted Annia high in the air, turning three times.

  Slowly he let her down, and she stood securely on her own two feet.

  Each was breathless. Each silent.

  They looked at each other, and Annia knew she would never feel this way about anyone else. But did he feel the same?

  The music quieted, and the dancers congratulated one another, and then went back into the dressing rooms to change back into their own clothing.

  When they walked back home, Annia said, “What was that place? It was wonderful.”

  Marcus responded with only three words, “Yes, it was.”

  “And how did you learn the dances?” she asked. She had not danced them since she was a girl.

  “I haven’t danced them since I was a boy,” Marcus said. “We moved from Britain when I was ten and Father was offered a job with the imperial government.”

  “How did you find this place?” Annia asked.

  “I was trying to avoid being followed by Janius’s spies, going home a completely different way, and I happened upon this neighborhood. The people here, for the most part, were born and raised in Britain. They live in this neighborhood and keep the old ways as best they can.”

  “Well, it appears that what Janius meant for evil, God used for good. I haven’t had that much fun since I was a girl.”

  Marcus’s smile told her this response was what he had hoped for.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The following morning, Marcus was able to take Annia to her modest villa on the outskirts of Rome.

  Annia decided that for the remainder of the days she had left in Rome, she would enjoy his company. When she returned to Britain, she would never see him again.

  “If I had realized how close my own little villa was, I would have gone myself,” Annia said.

  “Yes,” Marcus said, “I know that, and it was important that you didn’t know. I knew if you did go back, there was a very good chance you would be found then followed back to the villa and your children taken. Your villa was watched for several days after I came for Maelia. But Janius seems to have lost interest in the hunt.”

  Annia’s cheeks were sore from the smile she had worn since she woke up. She was so eager to see her friend Virginia she could barely contain herself and hardly heard what Marcus said.

  “I hope you are this happy to see me someday,” Marcus said, teasing her.

  “I’ve never had a friend like Virginia,” Annia said, hiding the thrill she felt at Marcus’s words. “She is closer to me than a sister.”

  “I see that,” Marcus said.

  “But wait,” Annia said. “I’ve forgotten something.”

  “If it’s your children, you didn’t forget them. They are being kept under the watchful eye of Lucia,” Marcus said. “And I suspect my mother is fighting with her over the watch. I think she planned to relieve Lucia of her baby-tending duties so that she herself could take over.”

  “That is kind of your mother,” Annia said, and meant it. But she was distracted.

  She stopped on the side of the road only a few yards from their destination.

  “We must go back,” she said.

  “Whatever for?” Marcus asked. They were so close to the villa now, he could have thrown a stone through the round bronze doorknockers.

  “Her manumission papers,” Annia said. “I want to present them to her as soon as I see her.”

  The papers granting Virginia her freedom had been drawn up by his father’s clerk and signed and sealed with the official state seal.

  Virginia was a free woman.

  “Oh, I must go back and get them,” Annia said. “I want to hand them to her.”

  Marcus shook his head. “Can’t you just tell her you have them?”

  “No, it’s not the same,” Annia said. “I have to hand them to her, physical proof that she is a free woman.”

  “If it’s that important to you, then by all means,” he said, “let’s go back and get them.” He shook his head again in mock exasperation. “Women,” he said. “Such strange and wonderful creatures.”

  Annia laughed, took his hand and ran. He was forced to run with her or let go of her hand, which he didn’t seem willing to do.

  Within a few minutes they were back at the front of the villa, manumission papers in hand.

  Annia knocked at her own front door, which she was quite certain was bolted from the inside, then stood waiting.

  The door opened, and Virginia’s sweet face peered from behind.

  “Do I know you?” Virginia asked, a gleam in her eye, her smile reaching practically from ear to ear.

  Annia lifted her off the ground and swirled her around in an enthusiastic hug.

  “I’ve missed your enthusiasm,” Virginia said, picking herself up from the floor where the two of them had fallen in a heap. “I’d forgotten what it was like to be knocked over by a giant six-month-old sheepdog. Thank you for reminding me.”

  Marcus laughed as hard as Annia. Virginia’s lively spirit made clear that in her presence there was no need for pretense.

  She hugged Annia hard, and they stood, clinging to each other.

  Virginia looked up at Marcus, squinted, wrinkled her brow and said, mocking his deep, gravelly voice, “Marcus Sergius Peregrinus? Aren’t you the one who took her away?”

  Annia laughed outright at her. “Yes, he is,” she said. “But now he’s brought me back. I’d like to introduce you to my friend Marcus Sergius.” She stepped away, giving Marcus a little push forward. She wanted to see if Virginia saw what she saw in this man. She trusted Virginia’s instincts.

  Marcus obliged, stepping forward and greeting Virginia.

  He took her hand gently and looked into her eyes. “Annia has told me of your kindness.”

  “Oh,” she said, looking back to Annia in approval, “nice, very nice manners.” She winked at Annia when he kissed her hand, the basium no small surprise.

  “Good hands,” she said, pulling his hand to her and holding it up in the sunlight to examine. “Yes,” she said, growing more se
rious by the moment, “a soldier’s hands. See the calluses, here and here.” She pointed as if examining a scroll. She looked up at Marcus.

  A prickle of anxiety moved Annia closer to Virginia’s side. She had known Virginia since they were girls. She could tell that Virginia did not trust Marcus.

  “It’s where he held his gladius,” she said, showing Annia.

  Annia nodded. “Yes, of course,” she said, curious as to why Virginia felt this minute inspection necessary.

  Virginia looked up at Marcus. “Let me see your other hand.”

  The atrium grew very quiet.

  He held his hand up to her obediently. Marcus was wary but friendly.

  “Ah, yes,” Virginia said, “and here, a callus from your shield. You used it as a weapon, in many battles, did you not?” she said, backing away as if examining the rest of him.

  Marcus raised his eyebrows and nodded. “How do you know so much about the hands of soldiers,” he asked, his curiosity overriding his good manners, “and why this close inspection? You seem to be looking for a birthmark. I have none.”

  “What I am searching for in you is not for you to know,” Virginia said, and for just a moment, anger blazed in her eyes. “If I find it necessary to shield my mistress from those I do not trust, I will do so, and I certainly don’t need your permission.”

  “He’s safe, Virginia,” Annia said. “He’s not going to harm me or you. He saved my life and that of Maelia,” she said, looking back to Marcus for confirmation.

  “And look, Virginia. Look at what Marcus was able to help me get,” Annia said, pointing to the papers in Marcus’s hands.

  Annia took the manumission papers and held them out to Virginia, hoping to change Virginia’s focus from Marcus to freedom.

  “You are my dearest friend, and I couldn’t think of anything better to give you. Please accept this as a token of my deep love for you.”

  She handed Virginia the papers.

  It worked. Virginia took the papers, her eyes wide with surprise.

  She moved into the sunniest patch of the atrium and sat on a bench and read every word.

  When Virginia had finished reading, tears trickled down her face. She batted them away. Not one to show emotion, she waited until she had regained control, then turned to Annia.

  “Thank you,” she said. She folded the papers neatly and secured them in the flat leather pocket she had sewn herself and attached to her belt.

  Annia smiled and nodded. She kissed Virginia’s cheek.

  “Now, then,” Annia said, “are there any forthcoming changes in your life that you would like to share with me?”

  Virginia blushed this time. “I suppose you have already heard, or you wouldn’t be asking.”

  “Tell me everything,” Annia demanded.

  “Like what?” Virginia asked, but her glow told Annia she was bursting to share. “Titus and I are going to marry.”

  “When?” Annia asked.

  “As soon as we get home,” Virginia said. “Our real home. Caledonia.”

  Annia’s face fell. “Oh,” she said. “I’m so happy for you. But Caledonia? It is so far away, so far north from our villa in Britain.”

  “It’s his home, Annia. Just as you long for Britain, he longs for Caledonia.”

  “But what of your home?” Marcus asked.

  “I was taken as a young girl when my village was burned and my parents killed. I was blessed enough to be rescued from the menacing hands of soldiers by Annia’s father.”

  Annia reached for Virginia’s hand and squeezed it.

  “He took me to your home and treated me like a daughter, and for that, I will be forever grateful. But I want a family of my own. I want to have a mother and father, sisters and brothers, even if it is only through the bond of marriage.” Tears glistened in Virginia’s eyes but did not spill.

  Annia nodded. “I understand,” she said. “Very much. Well, then, I shall enjoy the weeks we have left together until then.”

  “As shall I,” Virginia said. “I’ve missed you.”

  “We have much work to do,” Annia said. “Two days to pack all of our things and begin our journey.”

  “Will you be coming with us?” Virginia said, addressing Marcus directly.

  “I had thought not at first,” Marcus said, “but now, it seems, my father wishes that I go and prepare the villa for my mother and the rest of the babies and their mothers.”

  This was news to Annia. “Oh, Marcus,” she said, “when did he tell you?” She was giddy with joy. She would have at least a few more days with him in Britain before the inevitable happened and he returned to Rome.

  “This morning, before you were awake,” he said. “Father has heard more news and believes the expulsion to be imminent.”

  “What expulsion?” Virginia asked.

  “The expulsion of the Jews and Christians from Rome,” Marcus answered.

  “Well,” Virginia said, “better now than last month. We have already booked passage for a journey of our own. Titus planned to use all the money he has saved to buy me from you.”

  “He must love you deeply,” Annia replied.

  “Yes,” Virginia said, her cheeks glowing. “And now we can use his savings to buy land and build our own house and farm.”

  Annia looked at her, her face a wide-eyed question. “But how do you know we are traveling together?”

  “Because,” Virginia said, “Titus has booked passage for all of us at the request of Marcus’s father.”

  “So,” Marcus said, “you pretended I was a stranger, knowing all the time who I was?”

  “Do you think I would have opened the door for you otherwise?” she asked.

  “Certainly not,” Marcus said, laughing. But there was a tightness in his voice that Annia had not heard before. “I see why she is your dear friend, Annia.”

  Annia nodded. “She notices everything.”

  Marcus said, “I will leave the two of you to your packing. I will be back at the noon hour to collect you, Annia, and take you back to your children.”

  Annia nodded.

  Marcus looked once again at Virginia. Did he seek approval? “Good day,” he said. “It was very nice to have met you under much more pleasant circumstances.”

  “And you,” Virginia said graciously with a slight nod.

  Marcus left, and Annia turned to Virginia. “You have many secrets,” she said.

  “You still need my protection,” Virginia replied. She turned on her heel and looked back over her shoulder at Annia, who was shaking her head. “Come along, then, mistress. We have work to do.”

  “Mistress no longer,” Annia said, linking arms with Virginia. “Just friend.”

  * * *

  For Marcus, the joy was mixed. He had postponed his meeting with the emperor because of this most recent news. Marcus was, after all, a believer. He had decided it best to travel to Britain before that particular bit of information was revealed to the emperor.

  Officially, he was traveling as an emissary to check on the progress made on organizing fire brigades in the colony of Britain.

  If his work was good, he would have something in hand to present the emperor as a token of excellent service proving his worth for his new job as prefect.

  But Marcus knew Annia would be staying in Britain.

  Marcus yearned to be prefect. He still wanted that glory. He couldn’t deny it. Nor could he help it. It might be that he would marry Cassia in order to be prefect. Possibly, as prefect, he could help Annia and the rest of his family secure a safe place in the empire.

  Or so he chose to believe.

  Chapter Fifteen

  On a clear day in midsummer, after two months’ travel over land and sea, the ship’s captain announced th
at they would make landfall on the southern coast of Britain within a day if the weather cooperated.

  The children were ecstatic, as were the adults. Annia would be quite happy to never look at the sea again for the remainder of her days.

  She picked up the bronze needle, gold embroidery thread and purple wool band. She threaded the needle and began working on the series of leaves intertwined with birds and flowers. She was almost finished.

  The journey by sea had been far more pleasant than Annia had expected. She had plenty of time to work on the band of Maelia’s toga praetexta. She couldn’t wait for her mother to see it. She would never be the artist her mother was, but embroidering helped pass the time.

  One sailor pointed out southern Lugdunum, the coast jabbing out into the sea, almost meeting the southern coast of Britain and their port.

  Another sailor cautioned Annia, “This part of the sea is known for its unpredictability.”

  “How so?” Annia asked.

  “On a clear day, a gale can blow up so quickly that you don’t know it’s coming until it’s gone,” he said, climbing back up the mast to check the sails.

  Annia noticed the rest of the sailors getting more anxious the closer the ship came to Britain.

  “Many a time we’ve gotten this close to land, and a storm has blown in and set us back out to sea for three days or more,” the sailor said.

  “Keep your babes close,” he advised. “Be sure they have something that floats.”

  “But what?” she asked.

  “Inflated bladders of animal skins or hollow, sealed gourds,” he replied. Annia was disturbed by the man’s fear. Should she be worried?

  Why hadn’t she thought of making these flotation devices for her children?

  But she had to use her reason. She could see the shore from where they were. Even if a storm came upon them now, she could swim to shore.

  But what of her baby? Maelia was tied close to her chest in the baby sling. But would she be able to keep her head above the water? Annia felt sweat bead on her forehead.

  She thought maybe discussing it with Lucia would help her make a plan and calm her panic.

  Lucia stood with a rope tied to her waist. On the other end was Julius. When he wanted to play with Cato and Flavius, the rope was tied around Cato.