Jenna felt her heart shudder for a moment. “If that was a proposal, it was crap. However, before you think about getting down on bended knee, I cannot accept a marriage proposal anyway.”
Marcus gazed at her. “Why would I get down on my knee?”
“Where I come from, that is still how the man proposes.”
“And why cannot you accept me?”
“Because I still have the issue of being split between two worlds. Until anyone can devise a way for me to live in both time zones, I have to stay with mine.”
“We will find a way, my love, because you are destined to be with me. And I always get what I want.”
“Well for now you will just have to be satisfied with having me for an evening. But with the utmost discretion. I am still a servant of Apollo. And also the daughter of an Emperor.”
Marcus ran his hand down her side. “I could always ask your father to issue a decree,” he kissed her enticingly.
“Not if you want me willing in your bed,” she gave him a seductive look as her hand made its way down his body.
He let out a deep groan in response. “How can one so pure torture a man like this?” he moaned.
“It is time you stopped complaining and started enjoying what is in front of you,” she dropped a kiss on his lips. “The relationship issues will sort themselves out, but for now let us not complicate things.”
He grabbed hold of her hips and pushed her back onto the bed. “Are you giving me orders?”
“Yes. Now show me again what you are so apparently skilled at.”
The look he gaze her made her melt into the covers. “How can I refuse such a request?”
CHAPTER 15
Jenna’s feet had barely touched the ground since she arrived back in Rome. She felt awful for not being around when Amelia needed her.
“I can’t believe Augustus would do anything so low?” Jenna said incredulously.
“I wouldn’t either unless I saw it with my own eyes,” Amelia responded miserably.
“But you handled it exactly as I would have done,” she hugged her friend.
“You could have warned me that punching someone hurt like hell.”
“I didn’t know you were intent on rearranging Augustus’ face. Anyway what are your plans?”
“I think I might head back to McVale for a few days to get some sense of normality. But enough about me and my woes, how was Cabrillus?”
“Interesting,” Jenna smiled guiltily, cuddling Ares who was demanding her attention too.
“Do you have something to confess?” Amelia fixed her with a look.
“Perhaps,” the colour flooded to Jenna’s cheeks.
Amelia laughed. “You floosy. And about time too. I’m surprised Marcus let you go at all.”
“That’s an argument for another day,” Jenna sighed. “Talking of arguments, are you alright with me beating the crap out of your ex-Praetorian next time I see him?”
“No. I think we should leave it be otherwise Trajan might think he should relieve him from duty and that would hurt Julius.”
“Fine. I’ll just stamp on his foot accidently,” Jenna grinned.
Amelia stood up and stretched. “I should really get over to Mars’ temple if I’m going back to McVale’s.”
“I’ll walk you. I haven’t tortured Luke for a few days.”
“Rumour has it he’s getting rather close to a certain General’s daughter.”
“Good for him. Although I don’t imagine General Tiberius will let him that close. He’s even scarier than Marcus.”
“Poor Luke.” Amelia looked at the kitten stuck to Jenna’s chest. “He’s certainly pleased to see you.”
“I did miss him,” Jenna kissed the kitten’s head. “Did I mention I’ve adopted a donkey?”
Amelia burst out laughing. “A donkey?”
“Yes. He’s now living in deluxe accommodation at Marcus’ stables. Actually, I might stop by to see how the poor critter is doing.”
“Any excuse,” Amelia rolled her eyes. “Now let’s get going before night falls.”
The streets of Rome were starting to get quiet as the daylight was beginning to fade.
“What are the rest of the Marshall’s family like?” Amelia asked as they walked along.
“His uncle is really nice, just like Senator Aurelius. But his children were absolutely vile.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. We exchanged about a handful of words, most of which were insults and that was it.”
“Awkward.”
“It was. So much so I nearly came home early.”
“What stopped you?”
“A magnificent torso,” Jenna laughed.
Amelia shook her head. “Well, there’s no need to walk me to the temple if you want to see your donkey.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. I am a big girl after all.”
“Fine. Tell Luke I’ll be around to torture him tomorrow most likely.” Jenna gave Amelia a hug goodbye then headed off to Marcus’s villa. She went straight to his stables. In the stall next to Hercules she heard the braying.
“Hello, gorgeous,” she leant over the side of the stall and stroked Dominicus who was in much better shape. “Someone is obviously being very well cared for.”
The donkey was very happy indeed, brushing his head against her. So much so that the male in the stall next to him was venting his disapproval. She gave Hercules a disapproving look. “Behave. You are as bad as your master.”
“Yes, he is,” Marcus appeared behind her. “Our egos take a battering around you.”
Jenna turned her attention back to Dominicus. “Thank you for arranging such good care for him. He is much more content.”
“For you, my love, nothing is too much trouble.” Marcus slipped his arms around her waist.
“We will need to find something gentle for him to do.”
“We will, but in the meantime I want to know why you are out without an escort,” he kissed the side of her neck.
“I was with Amelia but decided I wanted to see Dominicus.”
“Your safety is more important than a donkey,” he grunted. “Now come on inside.”
“Actually I should get back to the temple.”
“But I want to be with you,” his breath was hot in her ear.
“You’ve spent the last few days with me,” she turned around and kissed him. “You can manage one night without me.”
“I want you every night.”
“That cannot happen.” She slipped out his grasp. “I’m walking back to my temple. It’s up to you if you want to escort me.”
Marcus muttered an oath under his breath; it really was not fair that this mortal showed more affection at times to animals than to a God.
CHAPTER 16
Julius bounded into the temple the next morning, as bright and noisy as ever.
“I’m glad you’re back,” he announced. “We’ve missed you. Senator Laurentius said Rome is far too quiet without you.”
“I missed you and Rome,” Jenna smoothed his hair. “Are you due over there for your lessons?”
“Yes. Will you come? I know the Senator and Portia will want to see you?”
“Fine. Let’s go,” Jenna grabbed her headscarf. “Have you been kind to Portia?”
“Of course.”
“Good.”
“I didn’t see Amelia. Is she alright?”
“She’s left the city for a few days,” Jenna sighed.
“I’m sorry,” Julius looked up at her with such a pained expression. “My brother is a disgrace.”
“You don’t answer for your brother,” Jenna patted his shoulder. “What goes on between those two bears no impact on our relationship.”
Jenna noticed the small boy took a step closer to her. He must have felt so conflicted knowing his brother was betraying her close friend. But then he was not responsible for what Augustus did.
Laurentius was thrilled to see her. “Notify the city guard, she’s back.”
“Very funny,” Jenna retorted. “Anyone tried to poison you recently?”
“No,” he laughed. “I must be losing my appeal.” He showed her to the peristyle where a loud squeal from Portia echoed.
The young girl came racing over and wrapped her arms around Jenna. “You’re home.”
“Well, kind of,” Jenna picked her up in a hug. “Have the boys been behaving?”
“Julius has. He’s nice. Dextus is a toad.”
“There’s not much I can do about that,” Jenna kissed her forehead.
“Are you staying?”
“Only for a moment. I do believe the Emperor wants to see me later.”
Octavia appeared, looking a little cautious. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes. It’s just to talk about his latest initiatives.”
“How was Cabrillus? You appear to have a good colour on your face.”
“Cabrillus was largely enjoyable.”
Octavia gave a light sigh. “You could not find a better man than Marcus.”
“I know.”
“Can I braid your hair, Jenna?” Portia tugged at her arm.
“Fine. Just no pink beads or feathers. They look much better on Marcus.”
A while later Jenna left with several good braids and the odd pink bead in her hair. Hopefully she would have a chance to remove them before she met Trajan. She wondered if he would send Augustus to collect her and if so, how she would react to him.
She did not have too long to wait to find out. Augustus was standing on the temple steps.
“Are you my escort?” she grunted.
“Yes.” He twisted his horse’s reigns in his hands nervously. “Is Amelia here? I really need to speak with her.”
“No. She’s left Rome.”
“She has gone?”
Jenna could not fail to pick up the anguish in his voice. Then she remembered he was quite the actor too. “Yes.”
“Will she be returning?”
“What’s it to you?” Jenna shrugged.
“She means everything to me. And judging from your tone she has obviously confided something with you. I know not what I have done wrong. Would you enlighten me?”
“She saw you quite clearly with another woman, so drop the innocent act, it does not wash with me,” Jenna snapped. “Now take me to see my….the Emperor.”
Augustus appeared to mount up in a daze, as though it was news to him. So much so, Jenna began to wonder if there was a big misunderstanding somewhere. But Amelia had been quite insistent. Deciding it was not her place to get involved, she remained silent on the back of the horse; a rarity for her indeed.
Trajan was as welcoming as ever. “I shall issue a decree that you are not to leave the city again, my dear. Rome is positively dull without you.”
Jenna kissed his cheek fondly. “You know I shall only ignore it.”
“Most people are keen to obey their Emperor.”
“I’m not most people. Besides, I inherited my stubbornness from you.” She took a seat. “Now what did you summon me for?”
“Requested your presence. Not even I would dream of summoning you,” he laughed. “I have invited some young nobles to talk through my and Pompeia’s plans. You are instrumental in getting them on board.”
“Are you using me to your benefit?” she eyeballed her father.
“I thought looking after the children of the poor was high on your agenda?” he returned her look triumphantly.
“True,” she grinned. “When are you meeting them?”
“Now,” he stood up and headed to the door. “They are all out in the garden.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’ve just been ambushed,” Jenna groaned following Trajan outside.
“Because you have,” he beamed. “Now stop complaining.”
Sitting outside under a large canopy were Florentina, Benedictus, Antonia and a few other young faces she recognised from the banquet.
“My apologies for keeping you waiting,” Trajan sat down next to Benedictus. “I found this young trouble maker loitering outside.”
Jenna snorted in response and flopped down by Florentina. “How have you been?”
“Good, thank you.”
“Have you seen Luke?”
“Yes, he’s been telling me about the work Maia does.”
“Which is partly why you are all here,” Trajan took hold of the conversation. “With the new shelter built in the Via Lata, Maia would like to be able to do more than just feed the children. They need some basic healthcare and education.”
“This shelter is the first of three I want to have built,” Pompeia announced. “Therefore it is important it is a success, so the other regions will be eager to have theirs.”
“And what is it you would like us to help out with?” Benedictus asked.
“We are hoping that some of you will be able to give some time to help teaching them or offering basic support. It is about showing the young children that there is a life for them beyond the streets. That a basic knowledge and a few skills will help them provide a future for themselves.”
“Where do the provisions for the shelter come from?” Benedictus was asking all the right questions.
“The Senate,” Trajan answered. “Anything the shelter needs, they will provide.”
“I have already been to the shelter,” Florentina found her voice. “For those of us who have not been, I can strongly recommend a visit. The work that Maia carries out almost single-handedly is quite staggering.”
“A convert already,” Pompeia was thrilled. “Who did you go with?”
“Jenna and Luke.”
“Ah yes, Luke from Mars’ temple donates much of his time. He is an excellent advocate of the work being done there.”
“What is the region like?” Antonia asked.
“I would not recommend a lady is unescorted. But a servant can provide the necessary protection,” Florentina dismissed her concerns.
“Might I propose we arrange a trip for anyone who is interested. It would be unfair to ask anyone to agree to donate their time without seeing what they are letting themselves in for,” Pompeia suggested.
“I would like to say that we are looking solely for people who want to volunteer. Despite what some parents might wish, this is not an exercise to gain favour with my wife and I; it is to offer something back to the great city of ours and show the everyday citizens what it is to be noble.”
“If Jenna is involved, I take it then that both boys and girls will be getting some basic teaching?” Benedictus glanced at her.
“Yes,” Trajan laughed. “I do believe she was quite vociferous about that.”
Jenna pulled her most innocent looking face. “I was quite shocked about the resilience and eagerness of the children. Where I come from, the state pays for the majority of care for poorer families, and to be honest, many squander it. Here the children are grateful for every opportunity and do not want to waste the chance they are being offered.”
Trajan stood back up. “Once again, my time is sought elsewhere,” he sighed. “I will leave it to Pompeia to arrange that visit should you wish.” He turned back to Benedictus. “We will talk further about that Senate position shortly.”
They filed out after Trajan had left, Jenna could see them all buzzing with excitement. And it was hardly surprising. These young nobles had been called upon by the Emperor himself to take the lead in this initiative of his.
“Guess this means you’re going to be spending more time with Luke,” Jenna teased Florentina.
“Yes. He is certainly very cute,” she sighed wistfully.
“Has he undergone interrogation from your mother?”
“No, just my father. But mentioning he is a close friend of yours has silenced him. And I guess mother too.”
“Why would I have that effect?” Jenna queried. “Am I really that bad?”
“No,” she laughed. “It is because the most powerful people in Rome dote on you.”
&
nbsp; “I was kind of liking having a certain notoriety.”
“That you do have as well.”
Destined for a Deity (Mark of Mars) Page 14
